Late-May 1998 tornado outbreak and derecho

Last updated
Late-May 1998 tornado outbreak and derecho
May 30-31 1998 derecho.jpg
Timeline of the derecho
FormedMay 30, 1998
Duration2 days
DissipatedMay 31, 1998
Highest winds
Tornadoes
confirmed
60
Max. rating1 F4 tornado
Fatalities7 deaths (+6 non-tornadic), 233+ tornadic injuries
Power outagesOver 2 million
Areas affected Great Plains, Midwest, Ontario, Northeastern United States

1Most severe tornado damage; see Fujita scale

The Late-May 1998 tornado outbreak and derecho was a historic tornado outbreak and derecho that began on the afternoon of May 30 and extended throughout May 31, 1998, across a large portion of the northern half of the United States and southern Ontario from southeastern Montana east and southeastward to the Atlantic Ocean. The initial tornado outbreak, including the devastating Spencer tornado, hit southeast South Dakota on the evening of May 30. The Spencer tornado was the most destructive and the second-deadliest tornado in South Dakota history. A total of 13 people were killed; 7 by tornadoes and 6 by the derecho.[ clarification needed ] Over two million people lost electrical power, some for up to 10 days.

Contents

The derecho was the most violent line of thunderstorms observed on earth during the 1998 calendar year according to the National Weather Service review shortly after the year was over. It was the climax of an unusually heavy derecho season in the North-Central United States and adjacent parts of Canada and the Northeast United States, and this storm combined the characteristics of the two major forms of derecho, the serial and progressive derecho, known as a hybrid derecho. At various points of its evolution, it displayed textbook or record manifestations of supercell and derecho-related phenomena such as the right-mover supercell, evolution of supercells into a linear meso-scale feature which rapidly became a derecho, cumulonimbus with overshooting top and dome, bow echo, bookend vortices, regular and rotor downbursts, gust front, gustnado, rear inflow notch, classic derecho radar signature, effects of infrasound and atmospheric electricity, haboobs, and wind effects on bodies of water including seiches and exposure of bottoms of water features by the wind. The disturbance which was originally the derecho finally disappeared off the coast of Norway more than a week later.

May 30 South Dakota event

NWS damage survey map tracking the tornado families in southeast South Dakota South Dakota Tornadoes.PNG
NWS damage survey map tracking the tornado families in southeast South Dakota

The first severe weather of the outbreak was reported at 12:30 p.m. in southeast Montana. Several hours later a supercell thunderstorm produced 2.75-inch (7.0 cm) hail across southeast Montana, kicking off the outbreak in earnest. Numerous reports of very large hail were received throughout the outbreak with the largest official report of 3.00 inches (7.6 cm)10 miles (16 km) north of St. Lawrence in east-central South Dakota. The hail itself produced thousands of dollars in damage. Many reports of severe straight-line winds and damage were also reported. Numerous storm chaser reports suggest that significant severe weather events also occurred in the sparsely populated area traversed by the storm.

Later that evening, a supercell in southeastern South Dakota produced a series of tornadoes. The family of tornadoes that crossed the Spencer area was observed by a Doppler on Wheels (DOW) radar (Wurman et al. 1997, Wurman 2001). The DOW observed the tornadoes from before 8:04 through 8:45 pm local time (01:04–01:45 UTC)(Alexander and Wurman 2005) and the passage of a destructive F4 tornado through Spencer itself from 8:37-8:38 (01:37-01:38 UTC). DOW measurements of tornadic winds over the largely destroyed southern portion of Spencer have permitted the first (and only as of December 2006) direct comparison of measured winds with F (or EF) Scale damage ratings as reported in the above referenced articles. Peak observed Doppler winds of near 115 m/s (260 mph) corresponded well with the documented F4 damage.

The DOW observations showed that the list of tornadoes derived from damage surveys alone, and the F-scale rating of that damage, may be incomplete and underestimate actual tornado intensity (Wurman and Alexander 2005). Single tornadoes may be mis-characterized as multiple tornadoes due to breaks in the observed damage. DOW measurements suggest that the F4 tornado may have had a multiple-vortex structure as it struck Spencer.

Storm chasers William T. Reid, Martin Lisius, Keith Brown, and Cheryl Chang forecasted and intercepted the large and destructive Spencer, South Dakota tornado moments before it entered the town. The chase team was positioned east of town and first observed the tornado at approximately 8:35 pm and captured numerous photographs, video, and 35mm motion picture film of the event as it unfolded. [1] [2] [3]

Confirmed tornadoes

Confirmed tornadoes by Fujita rating
FUF0F1F2F3F4F5Total
078301018

May 30 event (South Dakota)

F no. LocationCountyTime (UTC)Path lengthDamage
South Dakota
F0W of Lake Preston Kingsbury 0002unknownFirst tornado touchdown. Short-lived with no damage.
F1NW of Fulton Hanson 00082 miles
(3.2 km)
This was a fairly large and dusty tornado that affected mostly open ground in rural areas. It was the first tornado of the tornado family generated by the supercell that produced the Spencer tornado.
F2NE of Fulton Hanson 00166 miles
(9.6 km)
Large tornado that produced minor damage, mostly remaining in open fields and trees. This was the second tornado of the Spencer tornado family.
F4 Spencer area Hanson, McCook 002614 miles
(23 km)
6 deaths – See section on this tornado
F1SE of Alexandria Hanson 00552 miles
(3.2 km)
Tornado not related to the Spencer tornado family; it formed on a rear flank downdraft (RFD) of the Spencer supercell and tracked roughly to the south of that storm. Multiple major tornadoes from these two supercells were often ongoing and visible simultaneously. This tornado resulted in moderate damage to crops and several buildings.
F2S of Salem McCook 00566 miles
(9.6 km)
Large tornado that resulted in significant damage to numerous farm buildings and houses, as well as extensive power line and crop damage. This too was a very large and strong tornado incurring about $1.0 million in damages to farm property, power lines, and crops. Tornado was 700 yards (640 m) wide.
F1W of Emery Hanson 01012 miles
(3.2 km)
Related to the Alexandria tornado. Minor damage was reported.
F1W of Canistota Hanson 01071 miles
(1.6 km)
Final tornado from the Spencer tornado family. Significant damage occurred at one farm.
F0E of Emery Hanson 0110unknownBrief tornado.
F1E of Monroe Turner 01251 mile
(1.6 km)
Moderate property damage was reported.
Sources: NCDC

May 30 event (Derecho)

F no. LocationCountyTime (UTC)Path lengthDamage
Wisconsin
F2E of Menomonie Dunn 04281 mile
(1.6 km)
Three houses, including a mobile home, were destroyed. Heavy damage also reported on several farms. 8 people were injured.
F0SW of Mosinee Marathon 0621200 yd
(180 m)
Brief tornado embedded in the damage from the derecho.
F1N of Stockbridge Calumet 07201 mile
(1.6 km)
Considerable damage reported in the area. Two barns were destroyed, along with a garage and silo. Damage also reported to one house.
Michigan
F0SE of Lake City Missaukee 0930500 yd
(450 m)
Numerous trees were snapped.
F0 Torch Lake Antrim 0935unknownBrief tornado touchdown with minimal damage.
F1N of Kalkaska Kalkaska 09507 miles
(11 km)
One mobile home was destroyed and two others were damaged. Extensive tree damage reported.
F0N of Grayling Crawford 0955unknownBrief tornado touchdown. One house sustained heavy damage.
F0W of Flushing Genesee 1025unknownTornado confirmed amidst heavy derecho damage. Minor tornado-related tree and building damage.
Sources: NCDC

Spencer, South Dakota

Spencer, South Dakota
F4 tornado
Spencertor3.jpg
The Spencer, South Dakota tornado
Highest winds
  • 118 m/s (264 mph)
Max. rating1 F4 tornado
Fatalities6 fatalities, 150 injuries
Damage$18 million (1998 USD)
Areas affected Spencer, South Dakota
1Most severe tornado damage; see Fujita scale

The Spencer, South Dakota F4 tornado was the most destructive and second deadliest tornado in the history of the state. It was also the fifth deadliest tornado of the year. [4] It began as a large, dust-cloaked tornado northwest of Farmer, South Dakota in Hanson County, concurrent with the demise of the second "Fulton" tornado. Continuing toward the east-southeast, it struck several farmsteads before crossing the Hanson/McCook County line a half mile west-northwest of Spencer. At this time, the tornado was being observed by the University of Oklahoma's Doppler on Wheels crew, whose mobile Doppler weather radar data showed up to 220 mph winds in the tornado only a few decameters above the ground. [5]

This tornado carved a 38 mi (0.60 km) wide path directly across the town of Spencer between 8:38 and 8:44 pm CDT, destroying or damaging all but a few houses on the Northeast side of town, and blowing over the water tower. Several homes in town were swept from their foundations by the tornado. The tornado killed six people, injured 150 (which is more than one-third of the town residents), and destroyed most of the town's 190 buildings. Many trees and power lines were downed, and vehicles were destroyed as well. 5 of the 6 fatalities occurred in an apartment building that collapsed. Damage was estimated at $18 million. [6] The population of the town diminished soon after to less than half of what it was previous to the tornado, from 315 to 145 in April 1999.

May 30–31 Southern Great Lakes derecho

This derecho got its start from a developing low pressure system that moved into the northern Great Plains and Great Lakes. The derecho formed from the same storm system that spawned the Spencer, South Dakota Tornado, which killed six people. The supercell thunderstorm which produced that tornado transitioned into the derecho which killed another six people. It would become the most destructive natural disaster to hit the Upper Midwest in recent memory.

Minnesota

The most damage in Minnesota occurred at the northern edge in Sibley and McLeod Counties. Winds ranged from 80–100 mph (130–160 km/h) in those two counties.

After the derecho raced through Minnesota, tens of thousands of trees were blown down. There were 500,000 customers without power. Over 100 homes were destroyed or damaged beyond repair. Twenty-two people were injured. The derecho caused $50 million in damage in southern Minnesota and northern Wisconsin.

Wisconsin

The derecho raced across Wisconsin in only three hours killing one person in Washington County when a tree fell through the roof and onto her bed where she was sleeping. It injured 37 people in Wisconsin. Many utility companies and emergency customers said that this was the most damaging straight-line wind thunderstorm event in 100 years. Five thousand homes and businesses were damaged and 24 were destroyed.

An area of south-central, south-east, and east-central Wisconsin reported wind gusts of over 100 mph (160 km/h) from this thunderstorm complex with an all-time official state record gust of 128 mph (206 km/h)3 miles (4.8 km) north-east of Watertown in Dodge County. As with other derechos like the July 4, 1977 blow-down in northern Wisconsin, there were other unofficial reports of higher winds as well as estimates of such, including winds of 102 mph (164 km/h) sustained for a number of minutes and gusts up to 140 mph (230 km/h) also in Dodge County and/or adjacent sections of Fond du Lac County.

The roar of the wind from the derecho was audible up to 30 miles (48 km) away as the storm traversed this region. Road signs and other metal structures were found thrown about and even violently twisted in the area of 100 mph-plus wind from north-east Dane County through Dodge and Fond du Lac and Washington counties—evidence of both straight-line winds and rotor downbursts were widespread in this area as well as many other points along the path of the storm, and the sound of wind and perhaps hail and the effects of infrasound from some parts of the storm complex was also reported. In the latter case, some people reported strange feelings of pressure, and dogs, cats, and raccoons went wild.

The derecho also caused boating accidents by generating a seiche on Lake Michigan which was reported to be around 10 feet (3.0 metres) high as it first struck the Michigan coastline of Lake Michigan further north in Muskegon County.

Central Great Lakes

The storm raced through Michigan in only two hours at an average speed of 70 mph (110 km/h). Four people were killed in Michigan, and 146 were injured. Total damage was estimated at $172 million (1998 dollars). 250 homes and 34 businesses were destroyed. In Grand Haven the Story & Clark smokestack at the Piano Factory Condominiums was destroyed when the force of the high wind caused it to crumble, and trees collapsed all over the city, some falling onto roofs. Damage in Spring Lake was worse, due to a highly localized zone of higher winds. The Mill Pointe Condominiums suffered serious damage, including the collapse of one unit. Others were subsequently removed. A factory lost its roof in the storm, and a number of businesses were damaged severely, one beyond repair. Country Estates Mobile Home park also suffered serious damage. Extensive damage to Grandville (approximately 30 miles (48 km) inland) led to the city being closed off, with no traffic allowed to enter in the day after the derecho's passage. A woman was killed in Pinconning, about 130 miles (210 km) north of Detroit, when a tree fell on her house.

This derecho would go on to break the record for biggest power outage ever in the state of Michigan (but later surpassed by the 2003 North America blackout). 860,000 people lost power, slightly more than the number from the Southern Great Lakes Derecho of 1991. It blew down five 345-kilovolt transmission towers owned by Consumers Energy.

A total of 13 counties in Central Lower Michigan were declared federal disaster areas.

One person drowned in Ontario when his boat turned over from the derecho's strong winds. Buildings in Toronto lost numerous windows and significant damage was observed in areas such as Trenton, Napanee, Picton and Kingston. Heavy thunderstorm activity was also reported in Ottawa and Montreal, but without damage.

It caused $300,000 worth of damage in central New York before reforming into a tornado outbreak at around 11 am on May 31.

Summary

Overall, the derecho traveled 975 miles (1,569 km) from southern Minnesota to central New York in 15 hours at an average speed of 65 mph (105 km/h). It became one of the most damaging derecho events in North America's history, causing $300 million (1998 USD) in damage.

May 31 New York and Pennsylvania tornadoes

On Sunday, May 31, Friday's cold front, which stalled over southern Pennsylvania, started moving quickly back northward as a warm front as strong low pressure approached the Great Lakes. North of the warm front, most of the Hudson Valley and Western New England were under a cool and stable marine air mass, as a result of southeast winds from the Atlantic Ocean. Around 8 am, the warm front was located roughly over the Mohawk River to central and northern Massachusetts, producing powerful thunderstorms. After the warm front's passage, sunshine broke out and strong heating commenced across the Northeast with temperatures quickly rising from the 50s through the 70s into the 80s, and dewpoints skyrocketing from the lower 40s into the upper 60s. Surface winds began blowing from the southeast at around 30 mph, while the winds at mid-levels were from the southwest at 60 to 80 mph, and the winds at jetstream level were still ranging from 120 to 150 mph from the west. High levels of instability were present as well. This created an unusually highly sheared environment in the Northeast.

The Storm Prediction Center issued a High Risk for severe thunderstorms across Northern Pennsylvania, most of New York, Western Massachusetts and Western Vermont. A High Risk had never before been issued for the Northeastern United States, and hasn't been since this event. This indicated an abnormally dangerous weather situation for this region of the country, a situation more common in the Plains States, Midwest and Deep South.

Around 1 pm, the Michigan derecho was moving into New York from Ontario and rapidly weakening. The decaying squall line broke apart into discrete convection over New York and Pennsylvania, which quickly re-intensified into tornadic supercells.

The most destructive tornado of the day was an F3 that tore through Mechanicville and the adjacent town of Stillwater. It caused major damage to Mechanicville's old industrial section located on Route 4 and 32 along the Hudson River. One of the two historic smokestacks (visible from 2 miles away) was knocked down by the tornado. In 2005, the other smokestack and the conjoined building were bulldozed. The tornado was rated F3 (winds estimated at 200 MPH at the time) on the Fujita scale, and was 970 yards (890 m)iles) wide. In total, 70 homes and businesses were completely demolished, and hundreds more damaged. Extensive deforestation occurred along the path as well. 68 people were injured, but no loss of life occurred. Pink insulation was reported falling from the sky ahead of the tornado, in Valley Falls, New York, 12 miles east of Mechanicville. Film negatives from Mechanicville were reportedly found there as well.

Numerous other strong tornadoes touched down across upstate New York and Pennsylvania that evening, several of which reached F2 to F3 intensity. One F3 caused major damage in the city of Binghamton. The other F3 caused major damage in the village of Windsor. This outbreak was likely the most intense, widespread, and long duration severe weather event in modern New York state history. Other less intense tornadoes touched down in surrounding states.

Confirmed tornadoes

Confirmed tornadoes by Fujita rating
FUF0F1F2F3F4F5Total
013131060042

May 31 event

List of confirmed tornadoes
F# LocationCountyTime (CDT)Path lengthDamage
Indiana
F0 Spencerville area DeKalb 12440.1 miles
(0.16 km)
Brief tornado reported by law enforcement.
F0 Auburn area DeKalb 13150.1 miles
(0.16 km)
Brief touchdown with no damage.
Ohio
F0 Continental area Putnam 14040.1 miles
(0.16 km)
Brief touchdown with no damage.
F1SE of Hickoryville Clinton 18250.3 miles
(0.5 km)
Damage was limited to trees
Ontario
F0SE of Trenton Prince Edward 1445unknown
New York
F3W of Round Lake, New York to E of North Bennington, Vermont Saratoga, Rensselaer (New York), Bennington (Vermont)152231 miles
(48.8 km)
This tornado had a total path length of 31 miles (50 km), crossing through 3 counties and 2 states (NY and VT). Worst damage occurred in Mechanicville and Stillwater. 350 homes and businesses damaged or destroyed along its entire track, with 68 injuries and about $70M. Large swaths of forest were leveled, and light debris from Mechanicville was found 12 miles away. Vehicles were flipped and a smokestack was blown over as well. In Vermont, extensive F2 damage occurred to homes and damage was estimated at $630,000. Tornado was 970 yards wide at times.
F1SW of Colonie Albany 15373.5 miles
(5.6 km)
This was a small tornado that crossed the Albany International Airport and the New York State Thruway. It was 75 yards wide and produced $25,000 in damage. Many trees were uprooted.
F0 Davenport area Delaware 15453 miles
(4.8 km)
Small tornado which produced $150,000 in damage. Path width was 75 yards.
F1 Brocton area Chautauqua 16052 miles
(3.2 km)
Small tornado caused 2 injuries and $90,000 in damage. A house, a garage, and a barn sustained considerable damage. Other structures sustained minor damage to roofs and siding. Path width was 25 yards.
F3 Apalachin to Downsville Tioga, Broome, Delaware 163062 miles
(99.2 km)
This was a long-track tornado, and the longest-tracked tornado of the entire event. In Tioga County, the tornado skipped along hilltops, causing F0 to F1 tree damage near Apalachin. In neighboring Broome County, the tornado moved through the city of Binghamton at F2 intensity, damaging several structures and downing numerous trees. A TV station studio building sustained major structural damage in Binghamton. An SUV and a metal dumpster in the parking lot were tossed, and a VHS tape from the studio was found more than a mile away. A 1000-foot TV tower was downed as well. The tornado maintained its strength as it continued into Conklin, destroying mobile homes, snapping trees, and badly damaging permanent homes. Outside of Conklin, the tornado weakened to F0 strength and only caused minor damage in the Windsor area. The tornado re-intensified to F2 strength as it struck Sanford, destroying a mobile home and a metal power substation. The tornado reached maximum intensity in Delaware County and struck Deposit as an F3. A house there was left with only an interior closet standing. The tornado weakened, damaging several other homes east of Deposit before dissipating. Caused at least $2 million in damage. Several people were injured.
F2S of Plymouth Chenango 16501 miles
(1.6 km)
This tornado was short lived, but had a massive width of over 1500 yards. Many trees were downed, and trailers and mobile homes were destroyed. Several cabins and a house were damaged. Small boats and sheds were tossed into a lake as well. The tornado caused $500,000 in damage.
F0E of North Norwich Chenango 17000.5 miles
(0.8 km)
Trees were uprooted and a barn had metal roofing torn off. A billboard was blown over, and a house sustained damage to its roof and siding. Caused $135,000 in damage. Width was 75 yards.
F2N of Portlandville Otsego 17251 miles
(1.6 km)
A large swath of trees was leveled, and structures sustained minor damage.
F3 Silver Lake to Milford Otsego 17305 miles
(8 km)
Multiple-vortex tornado. At the beginning of the path, trees and mobile homes were damaged in New Lisbon and Morris. The tornado intensified as it passed near Laurens, where large swaths of dense forest were leveled, with some trees denuded. Farms sustained extensive damage, and livestock was killed as well. One house was shifted off of its foundation. A refrigerator from a destroyed trailer near the end of the path was thrown 100 yards into a pond. Three people were injured, and $800,000 worth of damage occurred. The path was 800 yards wide.
F2 S of East Schodack Rensselaer 18228 miles
(12.8 km)
Many trees were downed and trailers were flipped. Three barns were destroyed and a few homes were damaged as well.
Pennsylvania
F1E of Buttonwood Lycoming 16200.5 miles
(0.8 km)
A shed was destroyed and the roof of a lumberyard building was blown off. A wooden plank was found pierced through the tire of a semi truck, and a portable toilet was thrown into a ravine.
F0E of Hughestown Luzerne 18000.2 miles
(0.32 km)
Caused damage to trees and utility poles.
F1S of Johnsonburg Elk 18303 miles
(4.8 km)
Caused damage to trees and farms. Roofing was torn from a silo and a barn, and a shed was destroyed.
F0NW of Ridgway Elk 18300.5 miles
(0.8 km)
Damage was limited to trees.
F2SW of Blooming Grove Pike 19082 miles
(3.2 km)
Some homes at a campsite sustained minor to moderate damage, mostly from falling trees. Extensive tree damage was observed at Promise Land State Park, where large swaths of forest were leveled.
F1S of Jericho Cameron, Clinton 19105 miles
(8 km)
Damage was limited to trees.
F3N of Pecks Pond to Dingmans Ferry Pike 192020 miles
(32 km)
A summer home was leveled, with only one wall left standing. A mobile home was destroyed and large swaths of forest were leveled. The path was 200 yards wide.
F2N of Blooming Grove Pike 19203 miles
(4.8 km)
Hundreds of trees were downed.
F0W of Wimmers Lackawanna 19200.3 miles
(0.5 km)
Damage was limited to trees.
F1 Old Forge Lackawanna 19200.1 miles
(0.16 km)
Windows at a restaurant were blown out and a fire station sustained minor damage. Trees were downed, and a dugout at a baseball field was destroyed.
F1NE of Salladasburg Lycoming 19457 miles
(11.2 km)
A haywagon, several sheds, and numerous trees were damaged. A garage and breezeway were destroyed.
F3 Salisbury area Somerset 195013 miles
(20.8 km)
1 death – Fatality occurred when a church steeple crushed a car. 10 to 15 businesses were heavily damaged and a house was completely destroyed. Livestock was killed and other homes were severely damaged as well. A factory building was partially destroyed and tractor-trailers were flipped. A church was also damaged and headstones were knocked over in a cemetery. Many trees were downed along the path. The path was 880 yards wide.
F0W of Jericho Wayne 19500.5 miles
(0.8 km)
Caused damage to trees and power lines.
F3 Lyons area Berks 20008.3 miles
(13.3 km)
40 homes were damaged or destroyed in Lyons, mostly in the northern part of town. One house completely collapsed. Many trees were downed as well. The path was 120 yards wide.
F0 Montoursville area Lycoming 20020.5 miles
(0.8 km)
One hangar was damaged heavily and three others sustained minor damage, while some planes at the Lycoming County Airport were tossed around.
F0S of Hughesville Lycoming 20150.2 miles
(0.32 km)
A trailer was destroyed while a second was blown off of its foundation.
F1N of Beaumont Wyoming 20150.5 miles
(0.8 km)
Many trees were downed. One house sustained minor damage from a falling tree.
F0W of Greentown Pike 20500.3 miles
(0.5 km)
Brief tornado with no damage.
F2NE of Quarryville Lancaster 23307 miles
(11.2 km)
One barn was destroyed while six homes and several barns were damaged. One house had its second story ripped off. Many trees were downed, some of which landed on structures.
F1NE of Daleville Chester 23436 miles
(9.6 km)
F1S of Pocopson Chester 23523 miles
(4.8 km)
5 homes were heavily damaged and 43 others less severely damaged. One mobile home was destroyed.
F2 Trevose Bucks 00205.6 miles
(9 km)
35 commercial building were damaged.
F2 Willow Grove to Philadelphia Montgomery, Philadelphia unknownunknownTornado struck the north side of Philadelphia. A total of 20 structures were damaged or destroyed. Homes had their roofs blown off and cars had their windows blown out. Four people were injured.
New Hampshire
F2S of Antrim Hillsborough 17030.5 miles
(0.8 km)
A wall from an elementary school was damaged while a boat and trailer were flipped over.
Connecticut
F1SW of Washington Litchfield 20300.3 miles
(0.5 km)
Damage was limited to trees.
Kentucky
F2E of Pellyton Adair 20351 miles
(1.6 km)
A brick home was heavily damaged while several mobile homes were destroyed.
F1N of Fonde Bell 21481.5 miles
(2.4 km)
Two mobile homes were destroyed, while 12 homes and 2 churches were damaged.
Sources: NCDC, Tornado History Project - May 31, 1998 Storm Data 1998 Ontario Tornadoes

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tornadoes of 2001</span>

This page documents notable tornadoes and tornado outbreaks worldwide in 2001. Strong and destructive tornadoes form most frequently in the United States, Bangladesh, and Eastern India, but they can occur almost anywhere under the right conditions. Tornadoes also develop occasionally in southern Canada during the Northern Hemisphere's summer and somewhat regularly at other times of the year across Europe, Asia, and Australia. Tornadic events are often accompanied with other forms of severe weather, including strong thunderstorms, strong winds, and hail.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Corn Belt derecho</span> Weather event

The Corn Belt derecho was a progressive derecho which affected a large area of the central United States on June 29, 1998. In the morning, thunderstorms, including a supercell, developed over South Dakota and tracked into central Iowa. As the thunderstorms reached central Iowa, a strong rear-inflow jet developed which caused the thunderstorm to take on a different characteristic, becoming a derecho. It traveled more than 600 miles in about ten hours, causing more than $125 million worth of widespread damage destruction, especially to crops, and was responsible for power outages to nearly a half a million people.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tornadoes of 1999</span>

This page documents the tornadoes and tornado outbreaks of 1999, primarily in the United States. Most tornadoes form in the U.S., although some events may take place internationally, particularly in parts of neighboring southern Canada during the Northern Hemisphere's summer season, as well as Europe. One particular event, the Bridge Creek-Moore, Oklahoma F5 tornado, produced the highest wind speed ever recorded on Earth, which was 301 ± 20 mph (484 ± 32 km/h).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tornadoes in the United States</span>

Tornadoes are more common in the United States than in any other country or state. The United States receives more than 1,200 tornadoes annually—four times the amount seen in Europe. Violent tornadoes—those rated EF4 or EF5 on the Enhanced Fujita Scale—occur more often in the United States than in any other country.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Upper Great Lakes severe weather outbreak of August 23, 1998</span>

The Upper Great Lakes severe weather outbreak of August 23, 1998 was a severe weather outbreak that affected parts of Wisconsin, and the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. The outbreak occurred on August 23, 1998, and caused millions of dollars in damage to the region. One fatality is attributed to this severe weather event, when a severe thunderstorm knocked a tree onto a camper killing its sole occupant. A supercell spawned a F3 tornado that ripped across Door County causing $6.5 million in damages. It was the 8th most costly tornado in Wisconsin history injuring two people, destroying multiple structures and disrupting the regional economy and tourism. Two storms moved through the Fox Valley producing a minimal F0 tornado, but devastating amounts of hail. Damages from the hail were estimated to be around $5 million and damaged many structures and vehicles. Wisconsin Governor Tommy Thompson requested a Presidential Disaster Declaration from President Bill Clinton for the disaster, but was denied.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tornadoes of 1998</span>

This page documents the tornadoes and tornado outbreaks of 1998, primarily in the United States. Most tornadoes form in the U.S., although some events may take place internationally. Tornado statistics for older years like this often appear significantly lower than modern years due to fewer reports or confirmed tornadoes, however by the 1990s tornado statistics were coming closer to the numbers we see today.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">June 2010 Northern Plains tornado outbreak</span>

The June 2010 Northern Plains tornado outbreak was one of the most prolific summer tornado outbreaks in the Northern Great Plains of the United States on record. The outbreak began on June 16, with several tornadoes in South Dakota and Montana. The most intense storms took place the following day across much of eastern North Dakota and much of Minnesota. The system produced 93 tornadoes reported across four states while killing three people in Minnesota. Four of the tornadoes were rated as EF4 on the Enhanced Fujita scale, the most violent tornadoes in a 24-hour period since there were five within 15 hours in the 2008 Super Tuesday tornado outbreak. This was the region's first major tornado outbreak of the year and one of the largest on record in the region, comparable to a similar outbreak in June 1992. The 48 tornadoes that touched down in Minnesota on June 17 marked the most active single day in the state's history. June 17 was the second largest tornado day on record in the meteorological summer, behind the most prolific day of the 2003 South Dakota tornado outbreak on June 24, 2003.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">1999 Bridge Creek–Moore tornado</span> 1999 tornado in Oklahoma, US

The 1999 Bridge Creek–Moore tornado was a large, long-lived and exceptionally powerful F5 tornado in which the highest wind speeds ever measured globally was recorded at 321 miles per hour (517 km/h) by a Doppler on Wheels (DOW) radar. Considered the strongest tornado ever recorded to have affected the metropolitan area, the tornado devastated southern portions of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, United States while near peak intensity, along with surrounding suburbs and towns to the south and southwest of the city during the early evening of Monday, May 3, 1999. Parts of Bridge Creek were rendered unrecognizable. The tornado covered 38 miles (61 km) during its 85-minute existence, destroying thousands of homes, killing 36 people, and leaving US$1 billion in damage, ranking it as the fifth-costliest on record not accounting for inflation. Its severity prompted the first-ever use of the tornado emergency statement by the National Weather Service.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tornadoes of 2011</span>

This page documents the tornadoes and tornado outbreaks of 2011. Extremely destructive tornadoes form most frequently in the United States, Bangladesh, Brazil and Eastern India, but they can occur almost anywhere under the right conditions. Tornadoes also appear regularly in neighboring southern Canada during the Northern Hemisphere's summer season, and somewhat regularly in Europe, Asia, and Australia.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tornado outbreak sequence of June 20–23, 1957</span> Weather event in the United States

A deadly and destructive outbreak sequence of 23 tornadoes struck parts of the Great Plains and the Great Lakes in late-June 1957. At least seven significant tornadoes (F2+) touched down during the outbreak sequence. The most devastating storm was a large, violent, and catastrophic 500-yard-wide F5 tornado family that struck Fargo, North Dakota on Thursday, June 20, 1957, killing 10 people and becoming the deadliest tornado ever recorded in North Dakota. The outbreak caused 11 fatalities, 105 injuries, and $25.883 million in damage.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2024 Greenfield tornado</span> 2024 EF4 tornado in southwestern Iowa

Throughout the afternoon hours of May 21, 2024, a large, powerful, and destructive multi-vortex tornado struck the cities and communities of Villisca, Nodaway, Brooks, Corning, and Greenfield in southwestern Iowa, killing five people and injuring 35 others. The tornado was the strongest of the tornado outbreak sequence of May 19–27, 2024. The tornado reached peak intensity in the city of Greenfield, leading the National Weather Service in Des Moines, Iowa to assign a rating of mid-range EF4 on the Enhanced Fujita scale, with maximum wind speeds estimated at 185 mph (298 km/h).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tornado outbreak sequence of May 19–27, 2024</span> Tornado outbreak sequence in the United States

A multi-day period of significant tornado activity along with significant derechos occurred across the Midwestern United States and the Mississippi Valley as well as an additional tornado in the Canadian province of Quebec. From May 19–27, 2024, two derechos occurred and tornadoes were reported across large portions of the Central United States, with multiple Particularly Dangerous Situation (PDS) watches issued across the sequence. On May 19, strong tornadoes occurred with isolated supercells in Colorado and Oklahoma while a derecho produced widespread wind damage and weak tornadoes across Kansas into the early morning hours of May 20. Limited tornadic activity took place on May 20, but another outbreak along with widespread damage struck mainly Iowa and Wisconsin on May 21. Five fatalities were confirmed with a large, violent, long-tracked EF4 tornado that went through Greenfield, Iowa. Scattered to widespread severe weather and tornadoes occurred over the next two days, including an EF2 tornado that injured 30 people on the west side of Temple, Texas. Another derecho formed in southwestern Nebraska late on May 23 and moved eastward, producing widespread wind damage and weak tornadoes through Nebraska and Iowa and northwestern Illinois before withering away in the northern part of the state during the morning hours of May 24.

References

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  2. "Needle in a Haystack, Spencer, South Dakota | Tempest Tours | Storm Chasers". Tempest Tours. 1998-05-30. Retrieved 2024-01-09.
  3. "Spencer SD Tornado Photographs". www.stormeyes.org. Retrieved 2024-01-09.
  4. "Stats". www.sdpb.org. Archived from the original on 2007-06-11. Retrieved 2020-06-30.
  5. "The Spencer SD Tornado of 30 May 1998". www.spc.noaa.gov.
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