Type | Derecho Tornado outbreak |
---|---|
Formed | May 12, 2022 |
Highest gust | 135 mph (217 km/h) (tornadic) 107 mph (170 km/h) (non-tornadic) |
Tornadoes confirmed | 32 |
Max. rating1 | EF2 tornado |
Fatalities | 5 fatalities, 13+ injuries [1] [2] [3] |
Damage | $1.3 billion (2022 USD) [4] |
Power outages | >200,000 |
Areas affected | Midwestern United States |
1Most severe tornado damage; see Fujita scale |
On May 12, 2022, a severe squall line followed by a derecho took place across the Midwestern United States. Two fatalities occurred from the first line of storms while three more deaths occurred from the derecho itself.
In the leadup to the derecho, temperatures were very warm. Sioux Falls, South Dakota saw a high of 94 °F (34 °C). Temperatures in the 90s helped fuel the severe weather that later erupted over the Great Plains. [5] On May 10, 2022, the Storm Prediction Center noted the elevated probabilities for severe weather to materialize, as atmospheric conditions over western Minnesota, northwestern Iowa, northeastern Nebraska, eastern South Dakota, and southeastern North Dakota were favorable for thunderstorms to develop. The development of a mid-level shortwave trough in this area, combined with the arrival of a cold front over a low-pressure area in the vicinity of the Dakotas, prompted the issuance of a Day 3 enhanced risk over the area, with a large 30% hatched area (indicating a ≥10% chance of significant severe weather) for severe weather to develop. The next day, the SPC maintained the enhanced risk for the same general areas of the upper Great Plains, but introduced a large 30% area for damaging winds, alongside a smaller 45% corridor for destructive winds over southwestern Minnesota, eastern South Dakota, and extreme northwestern Iowa. A 10%, unhatched area for tornadoes (indicating a <10% chance of EF2 or stronger tornadoes) was also included in the outlook, placed over northeastern South Dakota, southeastern North Dakota, and west-central Minnesota. While the outlook favored a more linear mode composed of a long squall line, the possibilities for individual supercell thunderstorms was also discussed. [6]
As the day of the event arrived, the SPC maintained the enhanced risk for the same general areas as the overall expected scenario, but part of the 45% wind risk area was hatched at the 1300 UTC outlook, requiring the issuance of a moderate risk in its 1300 UTC outlook centered in west-central Minnesota, eastern South Dakota, and extreme southeastern North Dakota. At 1525 UTC, the SPC issued a PDS Severe Thunderstorm Watch [7] for a prolific wind event with hazards of winds expected of 105 MPH. By 1630 UTC, the SPC slightly expanded the moderate risk area to encompass more area of east-central South Dakota. The outlook also introduced a small 10% hatched corridor for tornadoes, noting the possibilities for a few strong tornadoes to occur ahead of the main line. 3500-4500 J/kg CAPE values placed themselves over the area of concern, alongside 300-500 m2/s2 helicity and 45-55-kt wind shear, hence the increase for tornado potential. However, the main risk continued to be severe wind. [6]
As the evening advanced, the forecasted severe line of thunderstorms developed in the central Great Plains, eventually advancing towards the greatest area of concern. As such, hundreds of wind reports were received by the SPC over the course of the day, some discussing wind gusts of up to 105 miles per hour (169 km/h), as was the case in Tripp, South Dakota. Multiple reports of fatalities were received, as the damaging winds claimed at least three lives throughout the Plains. [8] At least three people were killed by the storms. [3] [9] While the event was primarily dominated by the severe derecho that developed, multiple tornadoes were also reported, mainly in South Dakota and Minnesota. A brief but high-end EF2 tornado caused severe damage in the town of Gary, South Dakota, [10] while a long-tracked EF2 tornado impacted Wadena County, Minnesota, causing damage to vehicles and barns along its track. [11]
The derecho affected portions of northeastern Iowa, Minnesota, Nebraska, southeastern North Dakota, and South Dakota. Its strong winds lofted and accumulated a thick cloud of dust, resulting in a haboob that accompanied the derecho. [8] South Dakota governor Kristi Noem reported that 28 counties in the state sustained damage, with the severity of the effects leading to a declaration of a state of emergency. A wind gust of 107 MPH was measured near Tripp, South Dakota. [3] In Madison, South Dakota, wind gusts topped out at 97 mph (156 km/h). [8] At least three people were killed by the storms. [3] Two people in Minnehaha County, including one in Sioux Falls, were killed by flying debris from the storm. Another person was killed in Kandiyohi County, Minnesota, after a grain bin was thrown onto a vehicle by strong winds. [8] Severe weather suspended a baseball game between the Minneapolis Twins and Houston Astros. [12] With 68 hurricane-force wind gusts, this broke the record from December 15, 2021 for the most hurricane-force wind gusts in a derecho. [13] Portions of Interstate 29 and Interstate 90 closed. [14]
EFU | EF0 | EF1 | EF2 | EF3 | EF4 | EF5 | Total |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | 9 | 17 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 32 |
EF# | Location | County / Parish | State | Start Coord. | Time (UTC) | Path length | Max width | Summary |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
EF2 | E of Estelline | Deuel | SD | 44°34′23″N96°50′20″W / 44.5731°N 96.8389°W | 22:39–22:40 | 0.44 mi (0.71 km) | 40 yd (37 m) | The roof was ripped off a large and well-built dairy barn, a camper was tipped over, and several outbuildings were damaged or destroyed. [15] |
EF1 | WSW of Thomas | Hamlin | SD | 44°44′20″N97°17′23″W / 44.7388°N 97.2897°W | 22:40–22:41 | 0.52 mi (0.84 km) | 20 yd (18 m) | A brief tornado impacted a residence while the family was outside, forcing them to seek shelter under a tractor, resulting in one injury. A newly built machine shed had its roof completely removed and exterior walls damaged. Debris from the structure was scattered into trees, and the tops of trees were snapped off. [16] |
EF0 | NNW of Naples | Clark | SD | 44°49′56″N97°32′57″W / 44.8322°N 97.5491°W | 22:45–22:46 | 0.32 mi (0.51 km) | 10 yd (9.1 m) | A barn lost half of its roof, with debris scattered 0.3 miles (0.48 km) away. Large tree branches were snapped as well. [17] |
EF2 | Castlewood | Hamlin | SD | 44°43′01″N97°01′40″W / 44.717°N 97.0279°W | 22:45–22:49 | 1.96 mi (3.15 km) | 80 yd (73 m) | A strong rope tornado caused severe damage in Castlewood, where multiple homes sustained partial to total roof loss, and a few sustained some collapse of exterior walls. A small and poorly-anchored funeral home visitation center was blown off its foundation and destroyed, along with several sheds and detached garages. A school building had a large section of its roof blown off, and sustained some damage to the upper portions of its brick exterior walls. A school bus shed was also destroyed, and many trees and power poles were snapped in town. Some outbuildings were damaged and hay bales were tossed outside of town as well. One person was injured. [18] |
EF0 | NNE of Raymond | Clark | SD | 44°59′24″N97°54′20″W / 44.99°N 97.9055°W | 22:45 | 0.02 mi (0.032 km) | 10 yd (9.1 m) | An eyewitness reported a brief tornado. No damage occurred. [19] |
EF2 | S of Gary | Deuel | SD | 44°46′24″N96°27′35″W / 44.7733°N 96.4598°W | 22:58–23:00 | 0.43 mi (0.69 km) | 60 yd (55 m) | A brief but strong high-end EF2 tornado struck a farm, ripping the entire roof off a house and destroying most of its exterior walls. An occupant was injured when a refrigerator fell into the basement. The home's attached garage was blown off its foundation, and a pickup truck was pushed at least 6 feet (1.8 m). The family's dog was blown out of the house but survived with only minor injuries. Nearby outbuildings were damaged, and debris was scattered through a field and impaled into the ground. A semi-truck was rotated and flipped onto its side, and trees were also damaged. [20] |
EF1 | NNW of Gary | Deuel | SD | 44°48′59″N96°29′19″W / 44.8163°N 96.4886°W | 22:59–23:03 | 2.05 mi (3.30 km) | 10 yd (9.1 m) | A barn roof was damaged and a horse trailer was rolled multiple times at a farm. At a second residence, a tree fell on to the corner of the house and an anchor-bolted single stall garage was overturned, while a second garage to the north lost two thirds of its roof panels. Another machine shed had a portion of the south wall pushed in, and a mostly empty grain bin was also ripped from its foundation and tossed across a road. [21] |
EF1 | WNW of Rauville | Codington | SD | 45°00′17″N97°11′25″W / 45.0048°N 97.1902°W | 23:02–23:03 | 0.2 mi (0.32 km) | 50 yd (46 m) | A house had its attached garage and part of its roof torn off. An outbuilding was destroyed, with debris scattered at least 0.5 miles (0.80 km) away. [22] |
EF1 | N of Garden City | Clark | SD | 45°00′04″N97°34′39″W / 45.0011°N 97.5774°W | 23:02–23:03 | 0.49 mi (0.79 km) | 20 yd (18 m) | A tornado touched down on a farm, where a barn lost a majority of its roof and external walls. Some wooden 2x4s from the structure were impaled into the ground, and one pierced through the attached garage of a house. Some sheet metal was wrapped around trees, and debris was tossed about 0.25 miles (0.40 km) from where it originated. [23] |
EF1 | E of Tunerville | Deuel | SD | 44°53′03″N96°39′07″W / 44.8841°N 96.652°W | 23:05–23:07 | 0.24 mi (0.39 km) | 50 yd (46 m) | A tornado impacted a hunting lodge property, damaging corn, trees, and the main lodge house which lost half of its roof. A camper was picked up and dropped on its roof as well. [24] |
EF1 | Madison | Lac qui Parle | MN | 45°00′21″N96°11′09″W / 45.0059°N 96.1859°W | 23:09–23:11 | 0.89 mi (1.43 km) | 50 yd (46 m) | A house had its roof removed, other homes in Madison sustained more minor damage, a camper was rolled, and three light poles were bent over at a baseball field, including one that had its cement support ripped out of the ground. There was also extensive tree damage throughout the town as well. [25] |
EF1 | S of Webster | Day | SD | 45°14′05″N97°29′41″W / 45.2348°N 97.4948°W | 23:13–23:14 | 0.12 mi (0.19 km) | 35 yd (32 m) | An outbuilding had its roof ripped off and interior wall knocked over, with debris was tossed over 250 yards (230 m) away. A calving shed was rolled, an animal trailer was tipped over, and a windmill was overturned and twisted. [26] |
EF1 | NW of Nassau | Grant | SD | 45°05′18″N96°28′47″W / 45.0884°N 96.4798°W | 23:15–23:16 | 0.55 mi (0.89 km) | 20 yd (18 m) | A machine shed shop was badly damaged along with two sheds on a property. [27] |
EF1 | N of Twin Brooks | Grant | SD | 45°13′04″N96°46′53″W / 45.2177°N 96.7813°W | 23:19–23:21 | 1.3 mi (2.1 km) | 10 yd (9.1 m) | A calf shed was tossed, a stave silo was moved off its foundation, and a pole barn was severely damaged; its west wall was collapsed and south wall pushed in. A wooden grain bin was pushed 300 feet (91 m), and two empty grain bins were destroyed and tossed. A cattle trailer was pushed about 100 feet (30 m) and rolled into a creek. [28] |
EF1 | E of Louisburg | Lac qui Parle | MN | 45°08′53″N96°07′31″W / 45.1481°N 96.1252°W | 23:19–23:21 | 1.08 mi (1.74 km) | 50 yd (46 m) | A house had its roof blown off and sustained damage to its front exterior wall. Debris was scattered into a field, and trees were snapped. [29] |
EF0 | WNW of Sunburg | Swift | MN | 45°21′12″N95°17′21″W / 45.3534°N 95.2893°W | 23:50–23:52 | 2.03 mi (3.27 km) | 50 yd (46 m) | Several trees were uprooted or snapped. Tin was peeled off of sides and roofs of outbuildings. Trailers were tipped and various farm equipment were heavily damaged. Some large trees branches were blown away. [30] |
EF1 | E of Dumont | Traverse | MN | 45°42′54″N96°18′26″W / 45.7151°N 96.3072°W | 23:51–23:53 | 1.81 mi (2.91 km) | 20 yd (18 m) | An outbuilding was heavily damaged, with its debris being scattered 0.25 miles (0.40 km) away. Several large, well-anchored, and mostly empty grain bins were destroyed, with their debris tossed into nearby trees. [31] |
EF0 | S of New Effington | Roberts | SD | 45°46′59″N96°55′41″W / 45.783°N 96.9281°W | 23:52–23:53 | 0.33 mi (0.53 km) | 10 yd (9.1 m) | Eyewitnesses reported a brief tornado. No damage occurred. [32] |
EF0 | S of Lowry | Pope | MN | 45°39′59″N95°31′40″W / 45.6663°N 95.5279°W | 23:52–23:54 | 1.92 mi (3.09 km) | 25 yd (23 m) | About two dozen trees were uprooted or broken. A metal shed was also destroyed. [33] |
EF0 | SSE of Charlesville | Traverse | MN | 45°50′35″N96°15′58″W / 45.843°N 96.2661°W | 23:59–00:03 | 4.41 mi (7.10 km) | 20 yd (18 m) | Several trees were uprooted, outbuildings were severely damaged, and two homes had portions of their garage roofs ripped off. Silos were damaged as well. [34] |
EFU | S of Sergeant Bluff | Woodbury | IA | 42°21′33″N96°20′30″W / 42.3592°N 96.3417°W | 00:01–00:02 | 0.08 mi (0.13 km) | 50 yd (46 m) | A video showed a brief tornado crossing I-29 but no damage was found. [35] |
EF1 | E of Charlesville | Grant | MN | 45°57′N96°16′W / 45.95°N 96.26°W | 00:07–00:10 | 2.94 mi (4.73 km) | 50 yd (46 m) | Several tree limbs were broken, two wooden power poles were cracked, and two others were left leaning. [36] |
EF1 | W of Le Mars | Richland | ND | 45°58′N96°43′W / 45.96°N 96.72°W | 00:10–00:13 | 3.39 mi (5.46 km) | 150 yd (140 m) | Several tree branches were snapped. Two wooden power poles were cracked and two others were left leaning. [37] |
EF1 | Northwestern Alexandria to Lake Carlos | Douglas | MN | 45°54′22″N95°23′48″W / 45.9062°N 95.3967°W | 00:12–00:14 | 2.52 mi (4.06 km) | 200 yd (180 m) | A high-end EF1 tornado touched down in the northern part of Alexandria, causing considerable damage in a residential area. A couple of homes had partial to total roof loss, while several others sustained less intense damage to roofing, siding, and windows. Sheds and detached garages were destroyed, and many trees were snapped or uprooted. Less intense tree and roof damage occurred at Lake Carlos before the tornado dissipated. [38] |
EF2 | SW of Tenney to NNE of Campbell | Wilkin | MN | 46°01′35″N96°28′59″W / 46.0263°N 96.483°W | 00:16–00:25 | 9.77 mi (15.72 km) | 100 yd (91 m) | At least 23 power poles were cracked or snapped, and numerous large trees were snapped or uprooted in and around Campbell as well. Garage doors were blown in, and large steel grain bins at a grain elevator in town were partially caved in. [39] |
EF0 | NE of Sauk Centre | Stearns | MN | 45°44′41″N94°57′10″W / 45.7447°N 94.9528°W | 00:17–00:18 | 1.34 mi (2.16 km) | 25 yd (23 m) | Over a dozen trees were uprooted or snapped. [40] |
EF1 | W of Battle Lake | Otter Tail | MN | 46°16′N95°45′W / 46.26°N 95.75°W | 00:31–00:34 | 3.60 mi (5.79 km) | 100 yd (91 m) | A single-wide manufactured home was flipped, metal roofing was ripped from a storage building, and numerous trees were snapped or uprooted along the path. [41] |
EF1 | Clarissa | Todd | MN | 46°06′17″N94°57′46″W / 46.1046°N 94.9627°W | 00:33–00:36 | 3.28 mi (5.28 km) | 100 yd (91 m) | Hundreds of trees were snapped or uprooted. Several outbuildings lost roofs. [42] |
EF0 | NNE of Clitherall | Otter Tail | MN | 46°18′44″N95°35′47″W / 46.3123°N 95.5963°W | 00:40–00:41 | 0.92 mi (1.48 km) | 50 yd (46 m) | A waterspout began over West Mason Lake and moved onshore, snapping several tree branches. [43] |
EF0 | Cushing | Morrison | MN | 46°06′57″N94°36′35″W / 46.1159°N 94.6098°W | 00:46–00:48 | 2.87 mi (4.62 km) | 50 yd (46 m) | A tornado uprooted hundreds of trees and tore the roofs off two buildings in Cushing. [44] |
EF2 | SW of Verndale to ESE of Sebeka | Todd, Wadena | MN | 46°21′29″N95°02′43″W / 46.3581°N 95.0453°W | 00:50–01:11 | 18.20 mi (29.29 km) | 500 yd (460 m) | A low-end EF2 tornado snapped numerous power poles and large trees in Verndale and Blue Grass, some of which landed on and caused significant damage to homes and vehicles. Numerous farm buildings had their steel roofing and wall panels ripped off. Turkey barns and other metal buildings lost portions of their roofs as well. [45] [46] |
EF1 | NE of Cushing | Morrison | MN | 46°09′59″N94°31′11″W / 46.1664°N 94.5196°W | 00:51–00:54 | 3.59 mi (5.78 km) | 100 yd (91 m) | Hundreds of trees were uprooted along the path. [47] |
These are some notable tornadoes, tornado outbreaks, and tornado outbreak sequences that have occurred around the globe.
This page documents the tornadoes and tornado outbreaks that occurred in 2007, 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 summer season. Some tornadoes also take place in Europe, e. g. in the United Kingdom or in Germany.
The tornado outbreak of March 28–31, 2007, also known as the Late-March 2007 tornado outbreak, was a tornado outbreak that took place across the central United States. It developed in the High Plains from South Dakota to central Texas on March 28, 2007, which produced most of the tornadoes. Several more tornadoes were reported the next three days before the system weakened on March 31. It affected western Nebraska, western Kansas, extreme eastern Colorado, and much of Oklahoma, and Texas. It was the second major outbreak of 2007, four weeks after an outbreak farther east. The outbreak produced 80 confirmed tornadoes, with five deaths and extensive damage being reported. In addition to the tornadoes, widespread hail as large as softballs and destructive straight-line winds as strong as 90 mph (140 km/h) were reported.
The tornado outbreak of October 17–19, 2007 was a widespread tornado outbreak that took place across much of the eastern half of North America starting on October 17, 2007, and continuing into the early hours of October 19. The outbreak was also responsible for five deaths; three in Michigan and two in Missouri, plus many injuries. At least 64 tornadoes were confirmed including 16 on October 17 across six states including Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi and Missouri with wind damage reported in Oklahoma, Kansas, Illinois, Iowa, Arkansas and Mississippi. On October 18, at least 48 tornadoes were confirmed across eight states including Florida, Alabama, Mississippi, Tennessee, Kentucky, Illinois, Indiana and Michigan, plus widespread straight line wind damage. Until 2010, this event held the record for largest tornado outbreak ever recorded in the month of October according to NOAA.
This page documents notable tornadoes and tornado outbreaks worldwide in 2008. 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.
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.
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.
From June 12 to June 13, 2013, two derechos occurred across different areas of the Eastern United States. The initial derecho formed on the afternoon of June 12 and tracked across a large section of the Midwestern United States, the central Appalachians, and the Mid-Atlantic states before moving into the Atlantic Ocean during the morning of June 13. A second, more widespread and intense derecho occurred on June 13 across the Southeastern United States, resulting in major wind damage across North Carolina, Virginia, and Maryland, among other states. These storms caused at least three deaths and extensive damage property damage – resulting from both tornadoes and straight-line winds – from Iowa to South Carolina. 28 tornadoes touched down in Iowa, Illinois, Ohio, Georgia, North Carolina, Maryland, Virginia, and Tennessee. One of the tornadoes in Iowa was rated as a high-end EF3, destroying a restaurant and two houses. One person was injured by another tornado, rated EF2, in Carroll County, Illinois, and nine people were injured by an EF1 in Cherokee County, Georgia.
This page documents notable tornadoes and tornado outbreaks worldwide in 2020. Strong and destructive tornadoes form most frequently in the United States, Argentina, Brazil, Bangladesh, and eastern India, but 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, Argentina, Australia and New Zealand. Tornadic events are often accompanied by other forms of severe weather, including strong thunderstorms, strong winds, and hail.
The tornado outbreak of January 10–11, 2020 was a two-day severe weather event stretching from the South-Central Plains eastward into the Southeast United States. An eastward-moving shortwave trough tracked across the continental United States through that two-day period, combining with abundant moisture, instability, and wind shear to promote the formation of a long-lived squall line. Hundreds of damaging wind reports were received, and 80 tornadoes occurred within this line, making it the third largest January tornado outbreak on record. Three tornadoes—an EF1 in eastern Texas, an EF2 in northern Louisiana, and an EF2 in western Alabama—led to a total of seven deaths, all in mobile homes. There were five other storm related deaths, including two due to icy roads in Lubbock, Texas, one due to drowning in Oklahoma, and one due to icy roads in Iowa. The system also brought a monthly record high temperature to Boston and Bridgeport. Extensive damage and several other injuries occurred as well. The severe weather event was notable in that it was forecast well in advance, with the Storm Prediction Center first highlighting the risk area a full week beforehand. Total damage from the event reached $1.1 billion according to the National Centers for Environmental Information.
The August 2020 Midwest derecho was a powerful derecho affecting the Midwestern United States on August 10–11, 2020, primarily eastern Nebraska, Iowa, Illinois, Wisconsin, and Indiana. It caused high winds and spawned an outbreak of weak tornadoes. Some areas reported torrential rain and large hail.
On December 15, a rapidly-deepening low-pressure area contributed to a historic expanse of inclement weather across the Great Plains and Midwestern United States, resulting in an unprecedented December derecho and tornado outbreak across portions of the Northern United States, a region normally affected by snow and cold weather during this time of year. Non-thunderstorm winds spurred the formation of rapidly-moving fires across Colorado and western Kansas, with attendant dust and debris spreading eastward. From central Kansas northeastward into eastern Wisconsin, the powerful derecho led to hundreds of damaging wind reports. At least 57 hurricane-force wind reports were received by the National Weather Service, signaling the most prolific wind event in the United States dating back to at least 2004. Numerous embedded circulations within this rapidly-progressing derecho produced dozens of tornadoes, including 33 that were rated EF2. The culmination of non-thunderstorm, thunderstorm, and tornadic winds caused widespread damage to structures, trees, power lines, and vehicles across the Plains and Midwest. At least 600,000 people lost power on December 15, and temperatures dropped significantly across the affected region following the event, causing accumulating snow, which hindered cleanup and recovery efforts. The storm killed at least 5 people directly, as well as 2 people indirectly through wildfires partly spawned by the storm, and caused at least $1.8 billion in damages. The number of tornadoes in this event broke a record for largest outbreak in the month of December that had been set less than a week prior. The event also became one of the largest single-day outbreaks in recorded history, with 120 tornadoes occurring over an eight-hour period.
This page documents notable tornadoes and tornado outbreaks worldwide in 2022. Strong and destructive tornadoes form most frequently in the United States, Argentina, Brazil, Bangladesh, and Eastern India, but 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, Argentina, Australia and New Zealand. Tornadic events are often accompanied by other forms of severe weather, including strong thunderstorms, strong winds, and hail.
From April 4–5, 2022, a mesoscale convective system and numerous discrete supercells produced a swath of severe weather and several tornadoes in the Southeastern United States, including several strong, long tracked tornadoes. An EF3 tornado damaged or destroyed several homes in Bonaire, Georgia while a large EF3 tornado prompted a tornado emergency for Allendale and Sycamore, South Carolina. A violent EF4 tornado in Black Creek, Georgia resulted in one fatality as it destroyed several neighborhoods, and another large EF3 tornado caused widespread heavy tree damage northeast of Ulmer, South Carolina. More severe storms occurred across a large portion of the Southeast ahead of a cold front on April 6–7, with more tornadoes reported in South and Central Georgia and further south into Florida, all of which were weak. Along with the one tornadic death, trees felled by straight-line winds killed one person each in Louisiana and Texas.
The April 2022 North American storm complex affected much of the Rocky Mountains and the Midwestern United States with tornadoes, heavy snow, and gusty winds. The system in general first began impacting the Northwest on April 11, before moving eastward into the Rocky Mountains the following day. It was also responsible for producing a large severe weather outbreak of tornadoes and damaging straight-line wind in the Midwest and South while contributing to a powerful blizzard in the upper Midwest states of North and South Dakota.
A four-day tornado outbreak affected the Central and Southern United States in mid-December 2022. The outbreak produced strong tornadoes in Oklahoma, Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi, and Georgia, resulting in severe damage and three fatalities. On December 13, a high-end EF1 tornado was caught on video from multiple angles as it caused considerable damage in Grapevine, Texas, where five people were injured, and multiple EF2 tornadoes caused significant damage in other parts of Texas and Oklahoma that morning. Two large EF2 tornadoes occurred near DeBerry, Texas and Keachi, Louisiana to the southwest of Shreveport, Louisiana, with the second one causing severe damage and two fatalities. An EF3 tornado struck the northern fringes of Farmerville, causing major structural damage and 14 injuries.