List of Michigan tornadoes

Last updated

An F4 tornado in Erie on June 8, 1953 Erie Michigan 1953 tornado.jpg
An F4 tornado in Erie on June 8, 1953

Tornadoes in the U.S. state of Michigan are not uncommon, with an estimated 17 tornadoes touching down every year since 1880. Although Michigan is not in the traditional tornado alley, it has had several destructive tornadoes since records began.

Contents

Climatology

The state averages 17 tornadoes per year, which are more common in the state's extreme southern section. Portions of the southern border have been almost as vulnerable historically as states further west and in Tornado Alley. For this reason, many communities in the very southern portions of the state have tornado sirens to warn residents of approaching tornadoes. Farther north, in Central Michigan, Northern Michigan, and the Upper Peninsula, tornadoes are less common. [1]

Events

FUF0F1F2F3F4F5
2+1+2+3201

Pre-1950

An F4 tornado that struck the Detroit River on June 17, 1946 WindsorTornadofromAirport.jpg
An F4 tornado that struck the Detroit River on June 17, 1946
FUF0F1F2F3F4F5
46+14342

1950–1959

1960–1969

FUF0F1F2F3F4F5
0724310

1970–1979

FUF0F1F2F3F4F5
0+0+4+0+0+0+0+

1980–1989

1990-1999

2000–2009

2010–2019

2020–present

References

  1. "Tornadoes". geo.msu.edu. Archived from the original on July 6, 2015. Retrieved April 12, 2015.
  2. Grazulis 1993, p. 607.
  3. The Saginaw Evening News, newspapers.com 1895, p. 1.
  4. 1 2 3 4 5 Grazulis, Significant, p. 676
  5. The United States' Worst Tornadoes Archived 2016-03-04 at the Wayback Machine
  6. "Significant Tornadoes in Michigan: 1882–1999". www.a2gov.org. Archived from the original on December 20, 2007. Retrieved January 28, 2008.
  7. 1 2 Grazulis 1990, p. 125.
  8. 1 2 3 Grazulis 1993 , p. 767
  9. 1 2 3 4 5 6 Grazulis 1993 , p. 768
  10. 1 2 3 Mitchell, Charles L. (April 1920). "Tornadoes of March 28, in Northeastern Illinois". Monthly Weather Review. 28 (4). Chicago, Illinois: United States Weather Bureau: 191–196. Bibcode:1920MWRv...48..191M. doi: 10.1175/1520-0493(1920)48<191b:TOMINI>2.0.CO;2 . Open Access logo PLoS transparent.svg
  11. "Death And Destruction In Wake Of Tornado". Fenton Independent. April 1, 1920.
  12. Historical Tornado-Related Events – Atmospheric Hazards Web Site – Ontario – Adaptation and Impacts Research Group – [Meteorological Service of Canada – The Green Lane]Archived 2010-04-07 at the Wayback Machine
  13. Michigan Event Report: F1 Tornado. National Centers for Environmental Information (Report). National Weather Service. Retrieved October 22, 2021.
  14. Michigan Event Report: F2 Tornado. National Weather Service (Report). National Center for Environmental Information. Retrieved August 27, 2020.
  15. 1 2 3 Storm Data Publication 1956 , #10040549
  16. Storm Data Publication 1956 , #10040544
  17. "Michigan Event Report: F2 Tornado". NCDC. National Climatic Data Center. Retrieved July 2, 2020.
  18. "Michigan Event Report: F0 Tornado". NCDC. National Climatic Data Center. Retrieved July 2, 2020.
  19. "Michigan Event Report: F2 Tornado". NCDC. National Climatic Data Center. Retrieved July 2, 2020.
  20. Michigan Event Report: F2 Tornado. National Weather Service (Report). National Center for Environmental Information. Retrieved August 17, 2020.
  21. "April 3–4, 1974 Super Outbreak". National Centers for Environmental Information (NCEI). April 3, 2024. Retrieved May 23, 2024.
  22. "Michigan Tornadoes". www.tornadoproject.com. Retrieved May 24, 2025.
  23. "Significant Tornadoes | Monroe County, MI". www.co.monroe.mi.us. Retrieved May 24, 2025.
  24. "Southeast Michigan Tornado Outbreak". NWS Detroit/Pontiac. NOAA. June 15, 2007. Retrieved January 1, 2014.
  25. "Storm Events Database - Event Details | National Centers for Environmental Information". www.ncdc.noaa.gov.
  26. "Storm Events Database - Event Details | National Centers for Environmental Information". www.ncdc.noaa.gov.
  27. "A tornado ravaged Gaylord in 3 minutes. The city is rebuilding a year later". mlive. May 19, 2023. Retrieved July 24, 2025.
  28. "Storm Events Database - Event Details | National Centers for Environmental Information". www.ncdc.noaa.gov. Retrieved May 23, 2024.
  29. "Damage reported in West Michigan from storm, possible tornado". mlive. August 25, 2023. Retrieved July 31, 2024.
  30. "EF-1 tornado confirmed in Cass County". ABC57. Retrieved May 24, 2025.
  31. Reinhart, Max. "Tornado touched down in Kent County, weather service says". The Detroit News. Retrieved May 24, 2025.
  32. "Potterville hit hard by tornado that ripped through Eaton County". Lansing State Journal. May 19, 2025. Retrieved May 24, 2025.

Sources