Type | Tornado outbreak sequence |
---|---|
Duration | June 20–23, 1957 |
Highest winds |
|
Lowest pressure | 998 mb (29.47 inHg) |
Tornadoes confirmed | 23 |
Max. rating1 | F5 tornado |
Duration of tornado outbreak2 | 4 days |
Largest hail | 4.5 in (11 cm) (northeast of Fort Stockton, Texas) |
Fatalities | 11 fatalities, 105 injuries |
Damage | $25.883 million (1957 USD) [1] |
Areas affected | Great Plains, Great Lakes |
Part of the tornado outbreaks of 1957 1Most severe tornado damage; see Fujita scale 2Time from first tornado to last tornado |
A deadly and destructive outbreak sequence [nb 1] 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.
On June 20, 1957, a combination of strong instability and vertical wind shear, high storm-relative helicity (SRH), favorable storm-relative flow (SRF), and lowered lifted condensation levels (LCLs) set up over the High Plains. Boundary-layer moisture was also present, which was enhanced via evapotranspiration (ET) and moisture convergence. A shortwave ridge then centered itself over the region and, despite only modest forcing, a trough spawned a low-pressure area over Southwestern North Dakota. It then moved northeastward into the central part of the state, where temperatures and dewpoints were in the lower 80s and lower 70s respectfully. Although bulk shear was not quite high enough to support long-tracked supercells, meteorologist did indicate that an outbreak of severe thunderstorms along with a significant to violent tornado or two was possible.
That afternoon, a thunderstorm complex over Devil's Lake, North Dakota produced an outflow boundary that further enhanced the low-level convergence zone in Eastern North Dakota and Western Minnesota. An isolated supercell formed in the warm sector of the low pressure system and took advantage of this favorable environment, dropping five tornadoes, including the F5 tornado in Fargo (although the tornado family has been listed as one tornado). Four other tornadoes were confirmed on that day, although most were brief, but some were strong as well. [3]
FU | F0 | F1 | F2 | F3 | F4 | F5 | Total |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
0 | 9 | 7 | 5 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 23 |
F# | Location | County / Parish | State | Start coord. | Time (UTC) | Path length | Max. width | Summary |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
F2 | S of Oake | Dickey | ND | 46°06′N98°06′W / 46.1°N 98.1°W | 00:30–? | 2 miles (3.2 km) | 30 yards (27 m) | Damages were estimated at $25,000 (1957 USD). Tornado researcher Thomas P. Grazulis did not list this tornado as an F2 or stronger. [5] [6] |
F0 | SSE of Warren | Cass | ND | 46°42′N97°00′W / 46.7°N 97°W | 00:30–? | 0.1 miles (0.16 km) | 10 yards (9.1 m) | Brief tornado occurred southwest of Fargo, North Dakota with little to no damage. [7] |
F5 | Wheatland, ND to Fargo, ND to S of Winnipeg Junction, MN | Cass (ND), Clay (MN) | ND, MN | 46°54′N97°21′W / 46.9°N 97.35°W | 00:40–04:10 | 52.4 miles (84.3 km) | 500 yards (460 m) | 10 deaths – See article on this tornado – Later analysis has determined that this was a family of at least five tornadoes. The death toll may be 12. 103 people were injured and damages were estimated at $25.250 million (1957 USD). [8] [9] [10] [11] |
F0 | Southern Fergus Falls | Otter Tail | MN | 46°16′N96°05′W / 46.27°N 96.08°W | 01:30–? | 0.1 miles (0.16 km) | 10 yards (9.1 m) | The amount of damage is unknown. [12] |
F2 | WNW of Ashton | Spink | SD | 45°01′N98°38′W / 45.02°N 98.63°W | 04:00–? | 0.1 miles (0.16 km) | 10 yards (9.1 m) | 1 death – A mobile home, four barns, and a residence were destroyed or unroofed. Damages were estimated at $25,000 (1957 USD). [13] [11] |
F# | Location | County / Parish | State | Start coord. | Time (UTC) | Path length | Max. width | Summary |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
F1 | SSW of Holyoke | Yuma | CO | 40°24′N102°27′W / 40.4°N 102.45°W | 08:15–? | 0.1 miles (0.16 km) | 10 yards (9.1 m) | Damages were estimated at $2,500 (1957 USD). [14] |
F3 | Waco to Utica | York | NE | 40°54′N97°28′W / 40.9°N 97.47°W | 00:15–? | 5.4 miles (8.7 km) | 10 yards (9.1 m) | An intense tornado moved eastward between the towns of Waco and Utica, destroying or damaging barns and outbuildings on 16 farms. Damages was estimated at $250,000 (1957 USD). Downbursts produced a 3- mile -wide (4.8 km ) swath of damage as well. Grazulis classified the tornado as an F2. [15] [16] |
F1 | Bellwood | Butler | NE | 41°21′N97°19′W / 41.35°N 97.32°W | 00:30–? | 1 mile (1.6 km) | 100 yards (91 m) | Damages were estimated at $250 (1957 USD). [17] |
F0 | Northern Valparaiso | Saunders | NE | 41°06′N96°50′W / 41.10°N 96.83°W | 00:52–? | 0.1 miles (0.16 km) | 10 yards (9.1 m) | Damages were estimated at $30 (1957 USD). [18] |
F0 | ESE of Norway | Republic | KS | 39°42′N97°45′W / 39.70°N 97.75°W | 02:00–? | 0.1 miles (0.16 km) | 10 yards (9.1 m) | The amount of damage is unknown. [19] |
F1 | Western Hutchinson | Reno | KS | 38°04′N97°59′W / 38.07°N 97.98°W | 03:14–? | 0.1 miles (0.16 km) | 10 yards (9.1 m) | A trucking terminal was unroofed and a man may have been killed as a result. Widespread downbursts obscured the distinction between tornado and downburst damage and damage estimates are unknown as well. Grazulis classified the tornado as an F2. [20] |
F0 | NNW of Benton to ESE of Hurley | Sedgwick | KS | 37°50′N97°09′W / 37.83°N 97.15°W | 04:09–? | 2.3 miles (3.7 km) | 100 yards (91 m) | Tornado caused $2,500 (1957 USD) in damage to farmlands. [21] |
F1 | E of De Soto to Zarah to S of Lake Quivera | Johnson | KS | 38°59′N94°56′W / 38.98°N 94.93°W | 05:30–? | 9 miles (14 km) | 400 yards (370 m) | A destructive tornado moved directly through Zarah, west of Shawnee in the western suburbs of Kansas City. It injured two people and caused $250,000 (1957 USD) in damage. [22] |
F# | Location | County / Parish | State | Start coord. | Time (UTC) | Path length | Max. width | Summary |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
F2 | Southern Kansas City to Birmingham to Liberty | Jackson | MO | 39°00′N94°35′W / 39°N 94.58°W | 06:00–? | 19.8 miles (31.9 km) | 10 yards (9.1 m) | A strong tornado moved through the eastern side of Kansas City, causing $250 (1957 USD) in damage. [23] |
F0 | Southern Albert Lea | Freeborn | MN | 43°37′N93°22′W / 43.62°N 93.37°W | 16:00–? | 0.1 miles (0.16 km) | 10 yards (9.1 m) | A brief tornado caused little to no damage. [24] |
F2 | Hudsonville | Ottawa | MI | 42°52′N85°52′W / 42.87°N 85.87°W | 21:30–? | 0.1 miles (0.16 km) | 10 yards (9.1 m) | Major damage occurred in Downtown Hudsonville from this brief, but strong tornado. Businesses and homes were damaged or destroyed and trees were downed. Damage was estimated at $25,000 (1957 USD). This came just over one year after an F5 tornado caused major damage on the south side of town. [25] |
F1 | Eau Claire to SW of Decatur | Ottawa, Cass | MI | 41°59′N86°18′W / 41.98°N 86.3°W | 22:05–? | 10.7 miles (17.2 km) | 50 yards (46 m) | This tornado moved directly through Eau Claire, causing $25,000 (1957 USD) in damage. [26] |
F0 | Dumont Lake | Allegan | MI | 42°36′N85°52′W / 42.6°N 85.87°W | 22:10–? | 1 mile (1.6 km) | 10 yards (9.1 m) | Weak tornado passed near Dumont Lake, causing $30 (1957 USD) in damage. [27] |
F2 | Southwestern Bay City | Bay | MI | 43°35′N83°55′W / 43.58°N 83.92°W | 00:00–? | 0.1 miles (0.16 km) | 10 yards (9.1 m) | Brief, but strong tornado caused heavy destruction southwest of Bay City, totaling $25,000 (1957 USD) in damage. [28] |
F1 | SSW of Campo | Baca | CO | 37°04′N102°40′W / 37.07°N 102.67°W | 03:00–? | 0.1 miles (0.16 km) | 10 yards (9.1 m) | Brief tornado touchdown in the West Ute Canyon, causing $250 (1957 USD) in damage. [29] |
F0 | N of Denver City to S of Plains | Yoakum | TX | 33°04′N102°50′W / 33.07°N 102.83°W | 04:00–? | 0.1 miles (0.16 km) | 10 yards (9.1 m) | Little to no damage occurred. [30] |
F1 | Finney | Hale | TX | 34°17′N101°42′W / 34.28°N 101.7°W | 04:18–? | 0.5 miles (0.80 km) | 10 yards (9.1 m) | A tornado struck the town of Finney north of Plainview and Seth Ward, causing $2,500 (1957 USD) damage. [31] |
F# | Location | County / Parish | State | Start coord. | Time (UTC) | Path length | Max. width | Summary |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
F0 | Copeland | Gray | KS | 37°33′N100°37′W / 37.55°N 100.62°W | 08:15–? | 0.1 miles (0.16 km) | 10 yards (9.1 m) | Tornado touched down just northeast of Copeland, barely missing the town and causing little to no damage. [32] |
Meteorological history | |
---|---|
Formed | June 20,1957 4:40 p.m. CDT (UTC−06:00) |
Dissipated | June 20,1957 8:10 p.m. CDT (UTC−06:00) |
Duration | 3 hours,30 minutes |
F5 tornado | |
on the Fujita scale | |
Highest winds | 275 mph (442.57 km/h) |
Overall effects | |
Fatalities | 10-12 |
Injuries | 103 |
Damage | $25.250 million (1957 USD) $281 million (2024 USD) |
A violent F5 tornado family tore directly through Downtown Fargo,killing 10 and injuring 103. The supercell produced the first tornado at 5:40 pm CDT near Wheatland,North Dakota. The weak F0 tornado moved east-northeast,tossing haybales and damaging crops. After 11 miles (18 km),the tornado lifted and another tornado touched down just to its south. It struck the town of Casselton at F2 intensity,causing major damage. After traveling 5 miles (8.0 km) the tornado lifted and supercell continued to the east for about 10 miles (16 km) without producing a tornado,although a consistent wall cloud was present. [3]
As it neared Fargo,the cell dropped another tornado over West Fargo. As it traveled east,it began to rapidly intensify,grew to 500 yards (460 m),and became violent as it struck Fargo. Numerous homes,businesses,and vehicles were damaged and destroyed. One neighborhood had multiple homes that were completely swept away and all 10 fatalities occurred here. Damage at this location was rated F5. The tornado then weakened,but remained strong as it crossed the Red River into Moorhead,Minnesota,damaging more buildings and homes. The tornado then turned sharply north and dissipated after being on the ground for 9 miles (14 km) and injuring 103. After continuing another 5 miles (8.0 km),the supercell dropped a fourth tornado,which quickly became a violent F4 storm as it moved eastward through Glyndon. It then turned northeastward,and produced significant tree damage along the Buffalo River before completely destroying a family farm. Significant damage was observed on a second farm before the tornado abruptly turned north and dissipated after traveling 10 miles (16 km). The cell traveled about 5 miles (8.0 km),before dropping one final F3 tornado in Dale. It traveled for 7 miles (11 km),destroying a family farm as it occluded northward. A clock inside the residence stopped at 9:05 pm CDT,when the tornado struck. The tornado dissipated five minutes later at 9:10 pm CDT. [3] [33]
The family of tornadoes traveled a total 52.4 miles (84.3 km),was 500 yards (460 m) wide at its peak,and was rated F5 when the Fujita scale came into effect in 1973. Although numerous studies indicate that this was a tornado family,it is officially listed as one continuous tornado. A total of 10 people were killed (some sources list the death toll as 12) and 103 others were injured with all the casualties occurring in Fargo,making it the deadliest tornado ever recorded in North Dakota. Damage was estimated $25.25 million (1957 USD). [9] [10]
Along with tornadoes,numerous reports of strong winds and large hail occurred during the period. June 20 saw baseball-sized hail south of Valley City in Barnes County,North Dakota. [34] Later,a 94 mph (151 km/h) wind gust was recorded just southeast of Ruskin Park,South Dakota. [35] The next day,a 100 mph (160 km/h) wind gust was recorded just northwest of Castleton,Kansas. [36] Just after midnight on June 22 in the Kansas City metropolitan area,an 92 mph (148 km/h) was recorded in Parkville,Missouri. [37] The strongest winds from the event were in Downtown Kansas City,where wind gusts reached as high as 115 mph (185 km/h). [38] The next day,a massive 4.5 in (11 cm) hailstone was documented northeast of Fort Stockton,Texas,the largest from the event. [39]
From April 26 to 27, 1991, multiple supercells across Oklahoma and Kansas led to a regional tornado outbreak. Forced by a potent trough and focused along a dryline, these distinct thunderstorms moved northeast through a moist and highly unstable environment. A total of 55 tornadoes were confirmed, many of which were strong, F2 or greater on the Fujita scale. A widely documented F5 tornado tore through Andover, Kansas, killing 17 people. Additional fatalities occurred from significant tornadoes in other portions of Kansas and Oklahoma, with 21 deaths recorded in total. An F4 tornado was detected by a mobile doppler weather radar team which observed winds up to 270 mph (430 km/h) at the top of the funnel, the first time winds of F5 intensity were measured by radar, and the highest winds recorded by radar at the time. A news team filming an F2 tornado sought shelter under a Kansas Turnpike overpass, causing a misconception that overpasses can provide adequate shelter during a tornado. This outbreak occurred within a transition period for the National Weather Service and proved the value of NEXRAD radars, which were utilized in Oklahoma to provide advanced warning to residents.
This page documents notable tornadoes and tornado outbreaks worldwide in 2006. 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, Argentina, Brazil and Australia. Tornadic events are often accompanied with other forms of severe weather, including strong thunderstorms, strong winds, and hail.
The Tornado outbreak sequence of March 9–13, 2006 was an early season and long lasting tornado outbreak sequence in the central United States that started on the morning of March 9 and continued for over four days until the evening of March 13. The outbreak produced 99 confirmed tornadoes, which killed a total of 10 people. The Storm Prediction Center (SPC) issued multiple elevated outlook throughout the sequence, including a rare high risk for March 12, which would end up being the most intense day of the outbreak, producing 62 in total. 11 F3 tornadoes were tallied, and a violent F4 tornado touched down in Monroe County, Missouri, becoming the strongest of the outbreak. Multiple tornado emergencies were issued for tornadoes throughout the outbreak as well. An intense F3 tornado that affected the towns of Renick and Maddison in Missouri killed 4 people and injured dozens others, becoming the deadliest of the sequence. Multiple of the tornadoes were long-tracked in nature, with 6 of them having paths exceeding 30 miles (48 km). One particular supercell thunderstorm during the outbreak persisted for many hours and progressed in excess of 800 miles (1,300 km) through Oklahoma, Kansas, Missouri, Illinois, Indiana, and extreme southern Michigan.
This page documents notable tornadoes and tornado outbreaks worldwide in 2004. 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.
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.
A series of at least four tornadoes hit the Southeastern United States during March 3-4, 1966. The worst event was a violent and long-lived F5 tornado, dubbed the Candlestick Park tornado after the name of a recently opened Jackson, Mississippi shopping center that was leveled by the storm. The storm would bring catastrophic damage in Mississippi and Alabama along a 202.5-mile (325.9 km) track. The outbreak killed 58, injured 521, and caused $75.552 million in damage.
The Hurricane Ivan tornado outbreak was a three-day tornado outbreak that was associated with the passage of Hurricane Ivan across the Southern United States starting on September 15, 2004, across the Gulf Coast states of Alabama and Florida as well as southern Georgia before ending in the Middle Atlantic Coast on September 18.
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).
This page documents the tornadoes and tornado outbreaks of 1997, 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.
This page documents the tornadoes and tornado outbreaks of 1984, 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.
This page documents the tornadoes and tornado outbreaks of 1966, 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.
This page documents the tornadoes and tornado outbreaks of 1958, 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.
This page documents the tornadoes and tornado outbreaks of 1951, 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.
This page documents the tornadoes and tornado outbreaks of 1950, primarily in the United States. Most tornadoes form in the U.S., although some events may take place internationally.
The first six days of December 1953 produced a destructive and deadly tornado outbreak sequence across the Southern United States. There were 19 confirmed tornadoes, including a violent F4 tornado that hit the northwest side of Alexandria, Louisiana and even more violent F5 tornado that hit Vicksburg, Mississippi. In all, the tornadoes killed 49 people, injured 404 others, and caused $45,709 million in damage. The death toll made this deadliest December tornado outbreak ever recorded and it would not be surpassed until 2021. This was also the last of the series of deadly and catastrophic tornado outbreaks to strike the US in 1953.
A highly destructive outbreak of 19 tornadoes struck areas from Oklahoma to Indiana. The Oklahoma City metropolitan area took the brunt of the outbreak with 10 F2 or F3 tornadoes touching down in the area alone on April 28, including one F3 tornado that just missed Downtown Oklahoma City, tearing through southeast of there. The outbreak killed three, injured 79, and caused $3.883 million (1960 USD) in damage.
Between April 23–30, 1961, a tornado outbreak sequence struck the Midwest, Ohio, and Mississippi Valleys, and the Eastern United States. Large hailstorms accompanied the tornadoes as well and numerous other weather events also occurred. Three people were killed, 38 others were injured and losses totaled $26.810 million. Two additional fatalities also occurred due to flooding and lightning.
A destructive outbreak of 14 tornadoes hit the Southeast. Seven of the 14 tornadoes were significant (F2+) and multiple populated areas were struck. Overall, the outbreak injured 11 and caused $460,030 in damage.