A significant tornado outbreak,along with a derecho,affected much of the Midwestern and Southeastern United States from April 1 to 3,2024. The National Weather Service issued dozens of severe thunderstorm and tornado warnings across those regions during the event. The outbreak first began over portions of the Great Plains and Midwest on April 1,with widespread large hail and damaging winds and a few tornadoes being reported. The outbreak then spread to the Midwest and Ohio Valley on April 2,where the derecho occurred. This was followed by supercell development later in the afternoon. Severe storms also affected parts of the Mid-Atlantic on April 3 as well. A total of 32 million people were estimated to be under watches or warnings,and over 700,000 people were estimated to be without power. Twenty-five people were injured;and five people were killed,all of them by non-tornadic events;three of which happened when downed trees fell onto vehicles in Pennsylvania and New York. The storm system was also responsible for causing flooding in parts of the Northeast,and heavy snow over parts of the Midwest and Northern New England.
The Storm Prediction Center first outlined on April 1 an enhanced risk in areas from north Texas to eastern Illinois,encompassing much of the central United States. In the afternoon hours of the same day,supercell thunderstorms began to develop across northern Texas,moving northeastward and producing large hail. As the event progressed,many tornadic supercells produced brief and weak tornadoes along with high wind gusts;a gust of 90mph (140km/h) was recorded in West Virginia,classifying the squall line as a derecho.
The National Weather Service declared the tornado outbreak "historic",stating that not only did it set a daily record for West Virginia,but also broke the yearly record,in one day.[3] Ten tornadoes occurred in West Virginia;which also set a state record for the most tornadoes confirmed in a single day. The previous record was seven;set on both April 4,1974 and June 2,1998.[4]
The outbreak was the largest of 2024 prior to the tornado outbreak of April 25–28,which occurred several weeks later. Eighty-six tornadoes touched down in total,the highest of which were fourteen EF2-rated tornadoes confirmed during the event.
Meteorological history
SPC day 1 convective outlook for April 1,2024,at 20Z
On March28,the Storm Prediction Center (SPC) first delineated a risk of organized severe weather across the Central and Southern Plains,as well as the Mississippi and Ohio River valleys for the beginning of April.[5] By the morning of April1,a broad Enhanced Risk spanned from north-central Texas northeastward toward the Illinois–Indiana border,where widespread supercell thunderstorms were anticipated. The impetus for the severe weather setup came as a large,positively tilted upper-level trough progressed eastward from the Southwestern United States into the Central Plains region.[6] Morning surface observations revealed an area of low pressure over central Kansas,supporting a north-moving warm front to the east into Ohio and a trailing cold front southwestward into Oklahoma and the Texas Panhandle. Meanwhile,an eastward-shifting dry line resided from the Texas Panhandle southward into northern Mexico.[7] Within the warm sector of this low,an unstable environment was expected to develop,with averaged instability values of 2,000–3,000J/kg,dewpoints in the mid- to upper-60s °F,very strong wind shear throughout the atmosphere,and rapidly cooling temperatures with height. Given these conditions,the SPC upgraded much of the eastern half of Oklahoma and a small section of northern Texas to a Moderate Risk. In this area,the capping inversion aloft was expected to erode throughout the afternoon,giving way to multiple supercells capable of producing large hail in excess of 3in (7.6cm). A conditional threat of strong/EF2+ tornadoes was also noted as wind shear close to the surface strengthened with time.[8]
Through the afternoon hours,semi-discrete supercells developed across north and central Texas,contributing to widespread reports of large hail the size of baseballs,in addition to hurricane-force wind gusts upwards of 90mph (140km/h).[9] Further to the northeast,isolated severe weather occurred in Oklahoma,though it was curtailed by persistent cloud cover and a broad rain shield across the risk area.[10] Even farther to the northeast,training supercell thunderstorms tracked across the St. Louis metropolitan area,producing large hail.[11] By the evening hours,a quasi-linear convective system developed across eastern Oklahoma and progressed toward Missouri and Illinois.[12] In spite of modest instability,strong vertical wind shear maintained organized convective activity as it spread eastward from southern Illinois and eventually into West Virginia during the pre-dawn and early morning hours.[13][14]
Numerous reports of damaging winds were received,including gusts in excess of 90mph (140km/h) near Huntington,West Virginia.[15][16] The squall line posthumously met the criteria of a derecho,and post-storm surveys revealed dozens of tornadoes along its track. In particular,10 tornadoes were confirmed across West Virginia on April2,the most observed in a single calendar day on record.[3] Convective activity finally lost vigor as it moved toward the West Virginia–Virginia border into a more stable environment.[17]
SPC day 1 convective outlook for April 2,2024
As the derecho tracked from Missouri to West Virginia early on April2,another widespread outbreak of severe weather and tornadoes was expected to occur across the broader Ohio River Valley region. On April1,the SPC issued a Moderate risk across much of Ohio and adjacent portions of surrounding states,that outlook was valid for April 2. Despite questions about the influence of widespread morning thunderstorms,forecasters felt there was sufficient confidence that the atmosphere would recover over subsequent hours,contributing to discrete or clusters of storms capable of producing damaging winds,large hail,and multiple significant tornadoes.[18]
By the afternoon hours of April2,forecasters expressed concern that morning convection would stunt the degree of destabilization across portions of the risk area,particularly in Ohio. Farther to the west,an environment characterized by surface temperatures of in the low- to mid-70s °F,dewpoints between 65–70°F (18–21°C),and strong vertical wind shear was still expected to promote a substantiative risk for strong tornadoes.[19] Storms across southern Indiana and western Kentucky initially struggled to intensify during the afternoon,[20] but they eventually matured into tornado-producing supercells as they continued eastward into western Ohio.[21] As convective activity to the north continued eastward into a drier and more stable environment,[22] a cluster of storms developed farther south across Alabama and Georgia,which contributed to additional tornadoes.[23][24] Additional severe weather occurred along frontal boundaries across several states from Florida to Virginia on April 3 before activity behind offshore.[25][26]
A high-end EF0 tornado caused minor roof and siding damage to homes, blew down part of a fence, and damaged trees, including some that were snapped or uprooted.[27]
A large, high-end EF1 tornado formed almost immediately after the previous tornado dissipated. It blew the roof off of a garage, uprooted or snapped trees, and blew down numerous power poles.[29]
Homes were damaged, outbuildings were destroyed, and trees and power poles were blown down.[30] An even stronger EF4 tornado would strike this area a month later.[31]
A tornado uprooted and/or snapped over 200 trees, rolled an unanchored mobile home, damaged the roof of a residence, and damaged multiple outbuildings.[35]
A brief, weak tornado damaged small outbuildings at an elementary school as well as to a light pole at a football stadium. A school camera captured the tornado moving over a school building.[38]
A twin tornado developed to the south of the previous tornado. The roofs of two homes were damaged, an outbuilding was destroyed, and trees were uprooted.[40]
This tornado began along IL 148 and crossed over I-57 heading east, causing roof damage to homes and outbuildings, and snapping or uprooting trees. The tornado reached its peak intensity of high-end EF2 along the north side of the Lake of Egypt, causing severe roof and structural damage to three businesses, and blowing out a window at the nearby fire protection building. The tornado continued to damage homes and outbuildings and snapped or uprooted numerous trees before dissipating.[42][43][44]
Along the beginning of this tornado path, many trees were snapped or uprooted. Moving eastward, the tornado reached its peak intensity of high-end EF1 as it moved directly through Stonefort. A couple of homes had portions of their roofs ripped off; however, the majority of houses were damaged by fallen trees. Outbuildings and a mobile home also had roof damage in the town. The tornado continued to snap and uproot trees east of the town before dissipating.[44]
A house had a portion of its roof removed, a couple of other homes suffered fascia and siding damage, and about a dozen trees had large limbs downed.[45]
A strong tornado destroyed an outbuilding and removed portions of roofing from two homes. An industrial garage and two manufactured homes were severely damaged. One manufactured home was moved several feet off its foundation and had one of its walls torn open, resulting in injury to two occupants. Multiple trees were snapped or uprooted.[42][43][44]
Several large trees were snapped or uprooted, one of which crushed a small brick building. A manufactured home was severely damaged and a nearby outbuilding had part of its roof ripped off.[42][43][44][46]
A brief tornado caused significant roof damage to a couple of a large farm outbuildings; debris was tossed hundreds of feet. A home sustained shingle damage and several trees were snapped or uprooted.[43][47]
This EF2 tornado snapped or uprooted hundreds of trees. Several outbuildings and sheds were damaged or destroyed. Several homes sustained minor to moderate roof damage. This tornado eventually merged with the 10:37 UTC tornado.[42][43][48][49]
A strong tornado snapped or uprooted hundreds of trees and damaged or destroyed dozens of outbuildings. Several homes sustained minor to moderate damage. This tornado merged with the 10:31 UTC tornado.[51]
A large, newly built farm outbuilding sustained severe roof and wall damage. A home sustained shingle and fascia damage, a shed was destroyed, and a carport was damaged. Several trees were damaged as well.[52]
A large farm outbuilding was severely damaged, two homes sustained roof damage, and several large trees were snapped at their base. One tree fell on a manufactured home, resulting in injury to a resident.[53]
A strong tornado completely ripped the roofs off several homes. Additional but more minor damage occurred to a few other homes as well. Numerous outbuildings or sheds were damaged or destroyed. Hundreds of trees were snapped or uprooted.[54]
A significant tornado damaged or destroyed dozens of outbuildings, damaged several homes, and snapped electrical power poles. Hundreds of trees were also snapped or uprooted.[55][56]
Dozens of trees were snapped or uprooted and several outbuildings were damaged or destroyed. A few homes sustained minor to moderate damage. This tornado merged with the 10:48 UTC EF2 tornado.[57]
A large barn was destroyed, and one home sustained significant shingle damage. A few other houses sustained minor damage as well. Dozens of trees were snapped or uprooted.[60]
A home had extensive roof damage while two nearby barns had large portions of their roofs removed. Another home had minor roof and exterior damage and trees were snapped or twisted.[62]
Multiple barns were significantly damaged or destroyed. A garage door was blown in, a home sustained broken windows, and multiple trees were downed.[63]
A very brief tornado tossed two storage sheds onto a highway. It continued into an industrial park, ripping off large portions of roofing, blowing out doors, and pulling away wall panels from many buildings and warehouses. Boards and drywall were impaled into the surrounding structures and the ground. Three vehicles were flipped over and a heavy travel trailer was moved about 20yd (18m).[64]
Three funnels consolidated into a tornado that impacted two farms. On one farm, multiple structures sustained damage. On the other property, an open-area structure was collapsed save for one remaining wall. An adjacent stable sustained roof damage and multiple trailers were flipped. Six horses were injured, a barn was demolished, and multiple large trees were downed, which likely caused damage to a stone cabin.[65]
A home sustained extensive roof damage and some structural damage. The southeast corner of a barn was blown out. Extensive tree damage occurred as well.[67]
The back half of the roofing structure of a manufactured home was lifted. Grass, mud, and insulation plastered the front of the home. This is the only damage caused by this very brief tornado.[68]
A high-end EF1 tornado began in Greenup beginning at a cemetery in town. The tornado tracked southeast, damaging the roofs of building and downing trees, some onto buildings. The tornado crossed the Ohio River into the town of Hanging Rock, where it impacted a campground. Several RV were overturned and tossed throughout the campgrounds. A salt storage dome was destroyed, causing one employee to get seriously injured. The tornado continued southeastward, damaging a few homes and the Ironton Middle School before weakening and dissipating. This was originally classified as a microburst before reanalysis determined it was a tornado.[69]
A single-wide trailer home was flipped, and a home was damaged and shifted off its foundation with other homes also receiving damage. This tornado was embedded within a larger area of damaging straight-line winds from the storm.[70]
This brief but strong tornado caused severe tree damage, destroyed several barns and outbuildings, and removed the roof from a house completely. Additional homes sustained damage.[71]
The roofs were blown off three structures, including two homes. Tin panels were uplifted on a barn roof as well. A few trees were knocked down. A travel trailer was rolled.[72]
Several large hardwood trees were uprooted in a ravine. Some barns were damaged by fallen trees. The roof and exterior walls of a warehouse were blown off.[76]
An intermittent, low-end EF1 tornado did scattered tree damage, mainly downing large tree limbs with a few uprooted trees at first. Moving east, a narrow swath of uprooted and snapped trees resulted in the EF1 rating. The tornado continued east, crossing the Kanawha River before dissipating in Bancroft.[77]
This intermittent but strong low-end EF2 tornado traveled near the Putnam-Kanawha County line. Several large and healthy trees were snapped at their bases and uprooted. Minor damage to homes was noted in the area, too. The tornado traveled due east, continuing to snap and uproot trees. One of the trees fell onto a home, which significantly damaged the second story of the home. Before lifting, several additional large trees were either snapped and/or uprooted.[80]
A tornado began in the Kanawha State Forest and skipped along an intermittent path eastward. The top floor was blown off of one structure, an RV was rolled, and significant tree damage occurred. The tornado dissipated before reaching I-64.[81]
A tornado touched down multiple times, primarily inflicting damage to trees. One home had a portion of its roof decking ripped off and thrown. Roofing material and outdoor accessories were blown away as well. Another home also sustained damage to its gutter covers.[84]
A strong tornado touched down and immediately started causing considerable and significant tree damage, snapping and uprooting hundreds of trees. Several homes were damaged by trees, including one home that had significant roof damage. The tornado made a slight jog to the northeast where the tornado reached its peak intensity with significant tree damage. The tornado damaged or destroyed several homes, shifting one home several feet off its foundation and tossing the metal roof approximately 350yd (320m).[88]
A tornado touched down in downtown Sunbright and dealt damage to numerous residential and commercial structures. As the tornado tracked northeast, exiting the town, some metal building structures, barns, and trees in this area were damaged. The tornado re-intensified and damaged several more homes and barns before it dissipated. This tornado occurred almost exactly one year after a tornado struck Sunbright during an outbreak the previous year.[89]
An EF2 tornado impacted multiple homes, ripping off large portions of roofing, blowing out windows, and inverting or blowing out garage doors. The roof HVAC system at a high school was blown to the ground, and a nearby streetlight was bent. An adjacent metal warehouse sustained some roof damage and had its garage doors inverted. A large, open-faced metal RV storage building likewise sustained damage to its roof and walls. Numerous trees were snapped or uprooted as well.[91]
A tornado touched down in the southwesternmost corner of Ohio County before destroying a garage and a well-constructed barn. The tornado continued east through inaccessible areas, uprooting trees before lifting.[92]
A weak tornado developed north of Richmond where trees were broken off and uprooted at the start of the damage path. From there, the tornado traveled northeast across I-70 causing mainly tree damage along its path. After the tornado crossed the interstate, it widened briefly, damaging several barns, outbuildings, and residential structures. Several of the barns lost major portions of their roofs, trailers were tipped over, and a porch was damaged on a home. The tornado then continued over open fields before dissipating as it approached the Ohio-Indiana state line.[93]
A tornado touched down and immediately destroyed a poorly-anchored mobile home. Tree and outbuilding damage also occurred in the area before the tornado tracked northeast. The tornado removed the roof of a covered bridge. Several well-constructed outbuildings were damaged and multiple large trees were snapped nearby as the tornado reached its peak intensity. More trees were snapped and uprooted as the tornado continued northeast. The tornado then briefly entered Adams Lake State Park, where considerable tree damage occurred before the tornado lifted.[98]
Multiple small and large tree branches were snapped, a garage and a shed lost a significant amount of their metal roofing, and several large trees were uprooted.[99]
The tornado began at the Parr Airport, where it collapsed a hangar and shifted tied-down aircraft. The roof was lifted off a single-wide manufactured home; two barns and a frame home sustained roof damage as well. A small shed was destroyed. Numerous trees were snapped or uprooted.[101]
Numerous trees sustained damage and multiple homes and outbuildings were damaged. A car trailer was blown 100yd (91m) and destroyed, as well as a barn. An additional home sustained roof damage before the tornado dissipated.[107]
To the west of Conyers, this tornado snapped or uprooted numerous trees and damaged homes in multiple neighborhoods. A small area of low-end EF2 damage occurred in an area where a home had a large portion of its roof removed and a nearby power pole was snapped. After crossing I-20/US 278, the tornado moved through the northern part of Conyers, causing weaker but still significant damage to homes, vehicles, and businesses. The tornado then dissipated northeast of the town along SR 138. Two people were injured.[108]
A very brief tornado touched down in a small forested area in town, snapping a few trees and damaging power lines and poles. A few retail signs were damaged as well.[111]
A waterspout began over Lake Blackshear and moved ashore, damaging numerous trees on the lake. Several homes sustained significant damage due to falling trees and others were dealt roof damage. Two farm pivot-irrigation systems were flipped and a few more trees were snapped before the tornado lifted.[112]
A tornado demolished a storage shed and uprooted numerous trees as it touched down. The tornado quickly moved northeast through a golf course where additional trees and sheds were damaged. After exiting the golf course, two houses saw portions of their roofs peeled off. More roof damage on houses occurred and more trees were uprooted before the tornado lifted.[114]
This strong tornado began along the north side of SR 265/SR 62 west of Watson,Indiana in Clark County. It moved eastward,uprooting trees and damaging an outbuilding at EF0 strength. The tornado then quickly intensified to EF1 strength as it crossed SR 62 and moved through Watson,knocking over three tractor trailers on SR 62 and uprooting several trees. After uprooting additional trees and damaging two homes and an outbuilding,the tornado moved through the neighborhood of Brookhollow in the far northern part of Jeffersonville. In Brookhollow,numerous garage doors were blown out,windows were broken,brick facade crumbled,trees were uprooted,and large sections of roofs were blown off structures. Many boards were impaled and driven more than a foot into the ground with others being impaled into homes. A large metal building also had portions of its walls removed.
The tornado then crossed SR 265 and struck an industrial business at the International Drive/Old Salem Road interchange. The building had parts of its roof section pulled and twisted and a 5,000lb (2,300kg)salt pod was lifted up over a 4ft (1.2m) concrete barrier and thrown down a hill approximately 40yd (37m). The tornado then crossed SR 265 again and broke windows and peeled metal roofing off of more homes in the northern part of Utica before beginning an erratic eastward movement crossing the Ohio River into Kentucky.[42][90]
As it entered Jefferson County,the tornado widened and reached its peak intensity of EF2 as it moved into Prospect and struck the Beechland Beach neighborhood. Three well-built two-story homes suffered significant roof damage,had broken windows had air conditioner units twisted and torn from the sides of them. Another home suffered a collapsed exterior wall,and three large pin oak trees were snapped. Continuing to move erratically eastward,the tornado weakened but reached its maximum width as it moved through Hays Kennedy Park and entered the Sutherland neighborhood at high-end EF1 intensity. Numerous homes suffered roof damage,power lines were downed,power poles were snapped,and trees were uprooted. One homeowner was trapped in the basement of his home when a tree fell on his home;he had to be freed by his neighbors.
Nearby,a 7ft (2.1m) section of a locust tree was torn off,thrown 20yd (18m),and impaled about 4ft (1.2m) into the ground. A personal weather station on the fence at a home on the edge of the tornado's path recorded a wind gust of 79mph (127km/h). The tornado then crossed US 42 and entered the Hunting Creek neighborhood,where more trees were uprooted and more roof damage was dealt to homes,including two homes that suffered total roofing loss;this damage was rated low-end EF2 while the rest of the peak damage received an EF1 rating. The tornado then exited Hunting Creek and crossed into Oldham County as it entered Hidden Creek at a weaker low-end EF1 intensity. Trees were uprooted,barns took damage to their overhead doors and sheet metal,and some homes incurred roof damage. The tornado finally exited Prospect,weakened to EF0 strength as it crossed KY 1694,and turned northeast,striking the southern portion of a golf course,uprooting trees and damaging barns. The tornado then lifted northeast of the golf course as it crossed KY 329/KY 1694 near Brownsboro as another EF2 tornado was forming to the north.[42][90]
The tornado was on the ground for 14 minutes,traveled 11.59mi (18.65km),and reached a peak width of 450yd (410m). There were 22 injuries in Jefferson County.[42][90]
Non-tornadic effects
A map of the tornadoes and straight-line wind damage reports from April 2,2024
Many areas of Ohio,Kentucky,Indiana and West Virginia were put on flood watches prior to the event.[115][116] In West Virginia,there were dozens of reports of straight-line wind damage along with the tornadoes. A wind gust of 92mph (148km/h) was recorded at Tri-State Airport in Huntington,West Virginia,which set an all-time record for that station.[117][3] Heavy snowfall also affected the Midwest,with up to 17in (43cm) of snow falling in Wisconsin.[118] The University of Kentucky campus in Lexington suffered minor damage from high winds,and afternoon classes and on-campus activities were canceled. The Scioto Audubon Metro Park was completely flooded.[119]
Over 250,000 people were left without power in the wake of the storm;with many of those outages in West Virginia.[127] On the afternoon of April 2,the state of Kentucky issued a state of emergency.[128] West Virginia also declared a state of emergency for 21 counties.[4] President Joe Biden approved a major disaster declaration for portions of Kentucky,[129] and several counties in West Virginia also qualified for individual assistance from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA),which allowed storm victims to receive federal money to repair damage caused by the storms.[130]
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.
An extended period of significant tornado activity affected the Midwest and Southern United States from April 19 to April 24, 2011, with 134 tornadoes being spawned across six days. The outbreak sequence produced an EF4 tornado that tore through the St. Louis metropolitan area on April 22, while other tornadoes caused damage in Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, Kentucky, Texas, Oklahoma, and other parts of Missouri during the period. No fatalities were reported in this outbreak sequence. This event was directly followed by the largest tornado outbreak in the history of the United States.
On March 2 and 3, 2012, a deadly tornado outbreak occurred over a large section of the Southern United States into the Ohio Valley region. The storms resulted in 41 tornado-related fatalities, 22 of which occurred in Kentucky. Tornado-related deaths also occurred in Alabama, Indiana, and Ohio. The outbreak was the second deadliest in early March for the U.S. since official records began in 1950; only the 1966 Candlestick Park tornado had a higher death toll for a tornadic system in early March.
A significant early season tornadic event affected portions of the Midwestern and Southern United States at the end of January 2013. The first signs of the outbreak came on January 23 as the Storm Prediction Center (SPC) detailed the eastward progression of a shortwave trough into an increasingly unstable air mass across portions of the lower Mississippi Valley; however, considerable uncertainty in the placement of severe thunderstorms caused the SPC to remove their threat outline. Succeeding many changes in the forecast, a Day 1 Moderate risk was issued for January 29, warning of the potential for widespread/significant damaging winds and a few strong tornadoes. The threat shifted eastward on January 30, encompassing a large section of the Southeastern United States. By late that day, the shortwave trough tracked northeastward into New England, ending the severe weather threat.
On November 17, 2013, the deadliest and costliest November tornado outbreak in Illinois history took shape, becoming the fourth-largest for the state overall. With more than 30 tornadoes in Indiana, it was that state's largest tornado outbreak for the month of November, and the second largest outbreak recorded in Indiana. Associated with a strong trough in the upper levels of the atmosphere, the event resulted in 77 tornadoes tracking across regions of the Midwest United States and Ohio River Valley, impacting seven states. Severe weather during the tornado outbreak caused over 100 injuries and eleven fatalities, of which eight were tornado related. Two tornadoes—both in Illinois and rated EF4 on the Enhanced Fujita scale—were the strongest documented during the outbreak and combined for five deaths. In addition to tornadoes, the system associated with the outbreak produced sizeable hail peaking at 4.00 in (10.2 cm) in diameter in Bloomington, Illinois, as well as damaging winds estimated as strong as 100 mph (160 km/h) in three locations.
On December 23, 2015, an outbreak of supercell thunderstorms produced tornadoes across northern Mississippi and middle Tennessee, resulting in 13 tornado-related deaths and numerous injuries. Other tornadoes occurred as far north as Indiana and Michigan. Scattered tornado activity continued over the next two days before the outbreak ended. This was the first of two deadly tornado outbreaks to impact the southern United States during December 2015 with the other occurring just a day after this one ended.
The tornado outbreak of February 28 – March 1, 2017 was a widespread and significant outbreak of tornadoes and severe weather that affected the Midwestern United States at the end of February 2017 and beginning of March. Fueled by the combination of ample instability, strong wind shear, and rich low-level moisture, the event led to 71 confirmed tornadoes and thousands of other non-tornadic severe weather reports. The most notable aspect of the outbreak was a long-tracked EF4 tornado—the first violent tornado of 2017 and the first violent tornado during the month of February since the 2013 Hattiesburg tornado—that tracked from Perryville, Missouri to near Christopher, Illinois, killing one person. Three EF3 tornadoes were recorded during the event, including one that caused two fatalities in Ottawa, Illinois, one that caused a fatality near Crossville, and one that heavily damaged or destroyed homes in and around Washburn. In addition to the deaths, 38 people were injured by tornadoes and an additional 30 were injured by non-tornadic impacts, mainly by fallen trees.
The tornado outbreak of April 17–19, 2019 was a multi-day, widespread severe weather event stretching from the South-Central United States to the East Coast of the United States. On the heels of a significant tornado outbreak just a few days prior, another potent upper-level trough progressed eastward and served as the impetus for widespread, damaging thunderstorms. The outbreak began on April 17 with several short-lived, generally weak tornadoes across Kansas, Oklahoma, and Texas. The following day, a total of 43 tornadoes were recorded across central Mississippi, tying the Hurricane Rita tornado outbreak as the largest in Mississippi state history. On April 19, the event spread eastward. North Carolina recorded 12 tornadoes, the state's sixth largest outbreak in a single day, while Virginia recorded 16 tornadoes, its third-most in a 24-hour period. Overall, 97 tornadoes were confirmed, the strongest of which was a high-end EF3 tornado that heavily damaged or destroyed homes and outbuildings near Rocky Mount, Virginia. There were no fatalities recorded in association with tornadic activity, but four people were killed by trees that were downed by strong straight-line winds.
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.
A multi-day severe weather and tornado outbreak impacted the Southeastern and Mid-Atlantic United States from February 5–7. A powerful upper-level trough progressed eastward across the country, intersecting an abundant supply of moist air to produce severe weather. An eastward-propagating cold front supported a damaging squall line across the Southeast U.S. on February 5–6; supercell thunderstorms ahead of this line also produced numerous tornadoes. One EF1 tornado in the pre-dawn hours of February 6 killed one person in Demopolis, Alabama. On the morning of February 7, a secondary front progressed across Maryland and Virginia, unexpectedly leading to hundreds of damaging wind reports across Virginia, Maryland, Delaware, New Jersey, New York, Connecticut, Rhode Island, and Massachusetts. Five tornadoes were reported in the Washington, D.C., area, the most on record for a wintertime severe weather event. Across the three-day outbreak, 37 tornadoes were confirmed, including several that were strong and long-tracked. The tornado outbreak was part of a much larger storm complex that would eventually become European windstorm Storm Ciara.
On April 22, 2020, an outbreak of discrete supercell thunderstorms across portions of Oklahoma, Texas, and Louisiana led to widespread severe weather, including multiple strong tornadoes. Two people were killed by a high-end EF2 that struck the town of Madill, Oklahoma, and three more were killed by an EF3 wedge tornado that moved through Onalaska, Texas. Dozens of others were injured as well. The event came to fruition as a trough progressed eastward across the United States, interacting with a moist and unstable environment. Tornado activity continued into Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, Florida, and Georgia overnight into the day on April 23. Isolated tornado activity also occurred during the overnight hours on April 21.
Between March 29–31, 2022, a line of strong to severe thunderstorms and multiple supercells swept through portions of the United States and brought widespread wind damage and several strong tornadoes across a large part of the Midwestern, Southern, and Eastern United States. An EF3 tornado was confirmed in Springdale, Arkansas, while an EF1 tornado passed close to downtown Jackson, Mississippi. Numerous tornadoes, some of which were strong occurred over Mississippi, Alabama the evening of March 30 and into the early morning of March 31. Multiple tornadoes also occurred in the Florida Panhandle, including an intense EF3 tornado that killed two people and injured three others near Alford, Florida, and in other states such as North Carolina and Pennsylvania. Producing a total of 90 tornadoes, this was the largest tornado outbreak of 2022.
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.
↑ National Weather Service in St. Louis, Missouri (2024). Missouri Event Report: EF0 Tornado (Report). National Centers for Environmental Information. Retrieved July 16, 2024.
↑ National Weather Service in Tulsa, Oklahoma (2024). Oklahoma Event Report: EF1 Tornado (Report). National Centers for Environmental Information. Retrieved July 16, 2024.
↑ National Weather Service in Tulsa, Oklahoma (2024). Oklahoma Event Report: EF1 Tornado (Report). National Centers for Environmental Information. Retrieved July 16, 2024.
↑ National Weather Service in Tulsa, Oklahoma (2024). Oklahoma Event Report: EF1 Tornado (Report). National Centers for Environmental Information. Retrieved July 16, 2024.
National Weather Service in Tulsa, Oklahoma (2024). Oklahoma Event Report: EF4 Tornado (Report). National Centers for Environmental Information. Retrieved August 16, 2024.
National Weather Service in Tulsa, Oklahoma (2024). Oklahoma Event Report: EF2 Tornado (Report). National Centers for Environmental Information. Retrieved August 16, 2024.
National Weather Service in Tulsa, Oklahoma (2024). Oklahoma Event Report: EF0 Tornado (Report). National Centers for Environmental Information. Retrieved July 16, 2024.
National Weather Service in Tulsa, Oklahoma (2024). Oklahoma Event Report: EF1 Tornado (Report). National Centers for Environmental Information. Retrieved July 16, 2024.
↑ National Weather Service in Tulsa, Oklahoma (2024). Oklahoma Event Report: EF1 Tornado (Report). National Centers for Environmental Information. Retrieved July 16, 2024.
↑ National Weather Service in Springfield, Missouri (2024). Missouri Event Report: EF1 Tornado (Report). National Centers for Environmental Information. Retrieved July 16, 2024.
National Weather Service in Springfield, Missouri (2024). Missouri Event Report: EF0 Tornado (Report). National Centers for Environmental Information. Retrieved July 16, 2024.
National Weather Service in Springfield, Missouri (2024). Missouri Event Report: EF0 Tornado (Report). National Centers for Environmental Information. Retrieved July 16, 2024.
↑ National Weather Service in Springfield, Missouri (2024). Missouri Event Report: EF0 Tornado (Report). National Centers for Environmental Information. Retrieved July 16, 2024.
↑ National Weather Service in Springfield, Missouri (2024). Missouri Event Report: EF0 Tornado (Report). National Centers for Environmental Information. Retrieved July 16, 2024.
↑ National Weather Service in Springfield, Missouri (2024). Missouri Event Report: EF0 Tornado (Report). National Centers for Environmental Information. Retrieved July 16, 2024.
↑ National Weather Service in Tulsa, Oklahoma (2024). Arkansas Event Report: EF1 Tornado (Report). National Centers for Environmental Information. Retrieved July 16, 2024.
↑ National Weather Service in Tulsa, Oklahoma (2024). Arkansas Event Report: EF1 Tornado (Report). National Centers for Environmental Information. Retrieved July 16, 2024.
↑ National Weather Service in Paducah, Kentucky (2024). Missouri Event Report: EF0 Tornado (Report). National Centers for Environmental Information. Retrieved July 16, 2024.
↑ National Weather Service in Paducah, Kentucky (2024). Kentucky Event Report: EF1 Tornado (Report). National Centers for Environmental Information. Retrieved July 16, 2024.
↑ National Weather Service in Paducah, Kentucky (2024). Indiana Event Report: EF0 Tornado (Report). National Centers for Environmental Information. Retrieved July 16, 2024.
↑ National Weather Service in Paducah, Kentucky (2024). Indiana Event Report: EF2 Tornado (Report). National Centers for Environmental Information. Retrieved July 16, 2024.
↑ National Weather Service in Paducah, Kentucky (2024). Kentucky Event Report: EF2 Tornado (Report). National Centers for Environmental Information. Retrieved July 16, 2024.
↑ National Weather Service in Paducah, Kentucky (2024). Indiana Event Report: EF2 Tornado (Report). National Centers for Environmental Information. Retrieved July 16, 2024.
↑ National Weather Service in Paducah, Kentucky (2024). Kentucky Event Report: EF1 Tornado (Report). National Centers for Environmental Information. Retrieved July 16, 2024.
↑ National Weather Service in Paducah, Kentucky (2024). Kentucky Event Report: EF1 Tornado (Report). National Centers for Environmental Information. Retrieved July 16, 2024.
National Weather Service in Paducah, Kentucky (2024). Indiana Event Report: EF2 Tornado (Report). National Centers for Environmental Information. Retrieved July 16, 2024.
National Weather Service in Paducah, Kentucky (2024). Indiana Event Report: EF2 Tornado (Report). National Centers for Environmental Information. Retrieved July 16, 2024.
National Weather Service in Paducah, Kentucky (2024). Indiana Event Report: EF1 Tornado (Report). National Centers for Environmental Information. Retrieved July 16, 2024.
↑ National Weather Service in Paducah, Kentucky (2024). Indiana Event Report: EF2 Tornado (Report). National Centers for Environmental Information. Retrieved July 16, 2024.
↑ National Weather Service in Paducah, Kentucky (2024). Indiana Event Report: EF1 Tornado (Report). National Centers for Environmental Information. Retrieved July 16, 2024.
National Weather Service in Paducah, Kentucky (2024). Indiana Event Report: EF1 Tornado (Report). National Centers for Environmental Information. Retrieved July 16, 2024.
National Weather Service in Paducah, Kentucky (2024). Indiana Event Report: EF1 Tornado (Report). National Centers for Environmental Information. Retrieved July 16, 2024.
National Weather Service in Paducah, Kentucky (2024). Indiana Event Report: EF1 Tornado (Report). National Centers for Environmental Information. Retrieved July 16, 2024.
National Weather Service in Paducah, Kentucky (2024). Indiana Event Report: EF1 Tornado (Report). National Centers for Environmental Information. Retrieved July 16, 2024.
↑ National Weather Service in Paducah, Kentucky (2024). Indiana Event Report: EF1 Tornado (Report). National Centers for Environmental Information. Retrieved July 16, 2024.
↑ National Weather Service in Paducah, Kentucky (2024). Indiana Event Report: EF1 Tornado (Report). National Centers for Environmental Information. Retrieved July 16, 2024.
National Weather Service in Louisville, Kentucky (2024). Kentucky Event Report: EF1 Tornado (Report). National Centers for Environmental Information. Retrieved July 16, 2024.
National Weather Service in Louisville, Kentucky (2024). Kentucky Event Report: EF0 Tornado (Report). National Centers for Environmental Information. Retrieved July 16, 2024.
↑ National Weather Service in Louisville, Kentucky (2024). Kentucky Event Report: EF1 Tornado (Report). National Centers for Environmental Information. Retrieved July 16, 2024.
National Weather Service in Louisville, Kentucky (2024). Kentucky Event Report: EF1 Tornado (Report). National Centers for Environmental Information. Retrieved July 16, 2024.
National Weather Service in Louisville, Kentucky (2024). Kentucky Event Report: EF1 Tornado (Report). National Centers for Environmental Information. Retrieved July 16, 2024.
↑ National Weather Service in Louisville, Kentucky (2024). Kentucky Event Report: EF1 Tornado (Report). National Centers for Environmental Information. Retrieved July 16, 2024.
National Weather Service in Louisville, Kentucky (2024). Kentucky Event Report: EF1 Tornado (Report). National Centers for Environmental Information. Retrieved July 16, 2024.
National Weather Service in Louisville, Kentucky (2024). Kentucky Event Report: EF1 Tornado (Report). National Centers for Environmental Information. Retrieved July 16, 2024.
↑ National Weather Service in Louisville, Kentucky (2024). Kentucky Event Report: EF1 Tornado (Report). National Centers for Environmental Information. Retrieved July 16, 2024.
↑ National Weather Service in Jackson, Kentucky (2024). Kentucky Event Report: EF0 Tornado (Report). National Centers for Environmental Information. Retrieved July 16, 2024.
↑ National Weather Service in Jackson, Kentucky (2024). Kentucky Event Report: EF0 Tornado (Report). National Centers for Environmental Information. Retrieved July 16, 2024.
National Weather Service in Charleston, West Virginia (2024). Kentucky Event Report: EF1 Tornado (Report). National Centers for Environmental Information. Retrieved July 16, 2024.
National Weather Service in Charleston, West Virginia (2024). Ohio Event Report: EF1 Tornado (Report). National Centers for Environmental Information. Retrieved July 16, 2024.
↑ National Weather Service in Charleston, West Virginia (2024). Kentucky Event Report: EF1 Tornado (Report). National Centers for Environmental Information. Retrieved July 16, 2024.
↑ National Weather Service in Charleston, West Virginia (2024). Kentucky Event Report: EF2 Tornado (Report). National Centers for Environmental Information. Retrieved July 16, 2024.
↑ National Weather Service in Charleston, West Virginia (2024). Ohio Event Report: EF1 Tornado (Report). National Centers for Environmental Information. Retrieved July 16, 2024.
National Weather Service in Charleston, West Virginia (2024). West Virginia Event Report: EF1 Tornado (Report). National Centers for Environmental Information. Retrieved July 16, 2024.
National Weather Service in Charleston, West Virginia (2024). West Virginia Event Report: EF1 Tornado (Report). National Centers for Environmental Information. Retrieved July 16, 2024.
↑ National Weather Service in Charleston, West Virginia (2024). Ohio Event Report: EF1 Tornado (Report). National Centers for Environmental Information. Retrieved July 16, 2024.
↑ National Weather Service in Charleston, West Virginia (2024). West Virginia Event Report: EF1 Tornado (Report). National Centers for Environmental Information. Retrieved July 16, 2024.
↑ National Weather Service in Charleston, West Virginia (2024). Ohio Event Report: EF1 Tornado (Report). National Centers for Environmental Information. Retrieved July 16, 2024.
↑ National Weather Service in Charleston, West Virginia (2024). West Virginia Event Report: EF1 Tornado (Report). National Centers for Environmental Information. Retrieved July 16, 2024.
↑ National Weather Service in Charleston, West Virginia (2024). West Virginia Event Report: EF0 Tornado (Report). National Centers for Environmental Information. Retrieved July 16, 2024.
↑ National Weather Service in Charleston, West Virginia (2024). West Virginia Event Report: EF1' Tornado (Report). National Centers for Environmental Information. Retrieved July 16, 2024.
↑ National Weather Service in Charleston, West Virginia (2024). West Virginia Event Report: EF2 Tornado (Report). National Centers for Environmental Information. Retrieved July 16, 2024.
↑ National Weather Service in Charleston, West Virginia (2024). West Virginia Event Report: EF1 Tornado (Report). National Centers for Environmental Information. Retrieved July 16, 2024.
↑ National Weather Service in Charleston, West Virginia (2024). West Virginia Event Report: EF1 Tornado (Report). National Centers for Environmental Information. Retrieved July 16, 2024.
↑ National Weather Service in Charleston, West Virginia (2024). West Virginia Event Report: EF1 Tornado (Report). National Centers for Environmental Information. Retrieved July 16, 2024.
National Weather Service in Louisville, Kentucky (2024). Indiana Event Report: EF1 Tornado (Report). National Centers for Environmental Information. Retrieved July 16, 2024.
National Weather Service in Louisville, Kentucky (2024). Indiana Event Report: EF0 Tornado (Report). National Centers for Environmental Information. Retrieved July 16, 2024.
↑ National Weather Service in Chicago, Illinois (2024). Illinois Event Report: EF0 Tornado (Report). National Centers for Environmental Information. Retrieved July 16, 2024.
↑ National Weather Service in Chicago, Illinois (2024). Illinois Event Report: EFU Tornado (Report). National Centers for Environmental Information. Retrieved July 16, 2024.
↑ National Weather Service in Chicago, Illinois (2024). Illinois Event Report: EF0 Tornado (Report). National Centers for Environmental Information. Retrieved July 16, 2024.
↑ National Weather Service in Charleston, West Virginia (2024). West Virginia Event Report: EF2 Tornado (Report). National Centers for Environmental Information. Retrieved July 16, 2024.
↑ National Weather Service in Morristown, Tennessee (2024). Tennessee Event Report: EF1 Tornado (Report). National Centers for Environmental Information. Retrieved July 16, 2024.
National Weather Service in Louisville, Kentucky (2024). Indiana Event Report: EF1 Tornado (Report). National Centers for Environmental Information. Retrieved July 16, 2024.
National Weather Service in Louisville, Kentucky (2024). Kentucky Event Report: EF2 Tornado (Report). National Centers for Environmental Information. Retrieved July 16, 2024.
National Weather Service in Louisville, Kentucky (2024). Kentucky Event Report: EF1 Tornado (Report). National Centers for Environmental Information. Retrieved July 16, 2024.
↑ National Weather Service in Louisville, Kentucky (2024). Kentucky Event Report: EF2 Tornado (Report). National Centers for Environmental Information. Retrieved July 16, 2024.
↑ National Weather Service in Wilmington, Ohio (2024). Indiana Event Report: EF1 Tornado (Report). National Centers for Environmental Information. Retrieved July 16, 2024.
↑ National Weather Service in Wilmington, Ohio (2024). Indiana Event Report: EF0 Tornado (Report). National Centers for Environmental Information. Retrieved July 16, 2024.
↑ National Weather Service in Louisville, Kentucky (2024). Kentucky Event Report: EF1 Tornado (Report). National Centers for Environmental Information. Retrieved July 16, 2024.
↑ National Weather Service in Huntsville, Alabama (2024). Alabama Event Report: EF1 Tornado (Report). National Centers for Environmental Information. Retrieved July 16, 2024.
↑ National Weather Service in Wilmington, Ohio (2024). Kentucky Event Report: EF0 Tornado (Report). National Centers for Environmental Information. Retrieved July 16, 2024.
↑ National Weather Service in Wilmington, Ohio (2024). Kentucky Event Report: EF1 Tornado (Report). National Centers for Environmental Information. Retrieved July 16, 2024.
↑ National Weather Service in Wilmington, Ohio (2024). Ohio Event Report: EF1 Tornado (Report). National Centers for Environmental Information. Retrieved July 16, 2024.
↑ National Weather Service in Huntsville, Alabama (2024). Alabama Event Report: EF0 Tornado (Report). National Centers for Environmental Information. Retrieved July 16, 2024.
↑ National Weather Service in Wilmington, Ohio (2024). Ohio Event Report: EF0 Tornado (Report). National Centers for Environmental Information. Retrieved July 16, 2024.
↑ National Weather Service in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania (2024). Ohio Event Report: EF1 Tornado (Report). National Centers for Environmental Information. Retrieved July 16, 2024.
↑ National Weather Service in Chalerston, West Virginia (2024). Ohio Event Report: EF2 Tornado (Report). National Centers for Environmental Information. Retrieved July 16, 2024.
↑ National Weather Service in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania (2024). Ohio Event Report: EF0 Tornado (Report). National Centers for Environmental Information. Retrieved July 16, 2024.
↑ National Weather Service in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania (2024). Ohio Event Report: EF1 Tornado (Report). National Centers for Environmental Information. Retrieved July 16, 2024.
↑ National Weather Service in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania (2024). Ohio Event Report: EF1 Tornado (Report). National Centers for Environmental Information. Retrieved July 16, 2024.
National Weather Service in Birmingham, Alabama (2024). Alabama Event Report: EF1 Tornado (Report). National Centers for Environmental Information. Retrieved July 16, 2024.
National Weather Service in Birmingham, Alabama (2024). Alabama Event Report: EF1 Tornado (Report). National Centers for Environmental Information. Retrieved July 16, 2024.
↑ National Weather Service in Birmingham, Alabama (2024). Alabama Event Report: EF1 Tornado (Report). National Centers for Environmental Information. Retrieved July 16, 2024.
↑ National Weather Service in Peachtree City, Georgia (2024). Georgia Event Report: EF2 Tornado (Report). National Centers for Environmental Information. Retrieved July 16, 2024.
↑ National Weather Service in Birmingham, Alabama (2024). Alabama Event Report: EF1 Tornado (Report). National Centers for Environmental Information. Retrieved July 16, 2024.
↑ National Weather Service in Birmingham, Alabama (2024). Alabama Event Report: EF0 Tornado (Report). National Centers for Environmental Information. Retrieved July 16, 2024.
↑ National Weather Service in Peachtree City, Georgia (2024). Georgia Event Report: EF0 Tornado (Report). National Centers for Environmental Information. Retrieved July 16, 2024.
↑ National Weather Service in Peachtree City, Georgia (2024). Georgia Event Report: EF1 Tornado (Report). National Centers for Environmental Information. Retrieved July 16, 2024.
↑ National Weather Service in Jacksonville, Florida (2024). Florida Event Report: EF0 Tornado (Report). National Centers for Environmental Information. Retrieved July 16, 2024.
National Weather Service in Wakefield, Virginia (2024). Virginia Event Report: EF0 Tornado (Report). National Centers for Environmental Information. Retrieved July 16, 2024.
National Weather Service in Wakefield, Virginia (2024). Virginia Event Report: EF1 Tornado (Report). National Centers for Environmental Information. Retrieved July 16, 2024.
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