F1/EF1 – Tornado Talk

The San Francisco Bay Area Tornadoes – January 11, 1951

During the morning hours of January 11, 1951, a squall line pushed across the San Franciso Bay area. The storms produced millions of dollars in damage as straight-line winds and tornadoes ripped through the region. Per the Storm Prediction Center (SPC) and National Climatic Data Center (NCDC) databases, one twister occurred on this day, an F2 in Sunnyvale. Thomas Grazulis in Significant Tornadoes lists two tornadoes, the Sunnyvale F2, as well as an F2 at San Jose. Upon doing research, we were able to definitively confirm two additional tornadoes, one that moved through parts of Marin and Sonoma counties and a weak one in Contra Cosa County. It is likely that other funnels occurred, though reports in the newspapers were not detailed enough to confirm others.

By Nick Wilkes, 1 monthDecember 29, 2022 ago

Uniontown, PA EF1 Tornado – February 15, 2018

An EF1 tornado struck Uniontown, PA, on the evening of February 15, 2018. One person was injured, and 200-300 homes were damaged or destroyed along a 2.35-mile path.

By Nick Wilkes, 1 yearOctober 30, 2021 ago

Groesbeck, TX EF1 Tornado – April 26, 2011

During the April 25-28, 2011 Super Outbreak, 34 tornadoes occurred in Texas. Most of the tornadoes produced damage in the EF0 range. Two were rated EF2. The remaining twisters caused EF1 damage. This summary explores one of the EF1 tornadoes that struck Groesbeck, TX.

By Jen Narramore, 2 yearsApril 6, 2021 ago

Great Smoky Mountains, TN Tornadoes – April 27, 2011

The 2011 Super Outbreak reached far beyond populated areas into the wilderness. Deep in the Great Smoky Mountains, five tornadoes occurred on April 27 within five hours. These twisters repeatedly pounded areas of the Cherokee National Forest and Great Smoky Mountains National Park, tearing large chunks of forest from mountains and shutting down trails for months. Check out this premium summary by becoming a member!

By Nelson Tucker - Nick Wilkes, 2 yearsApril 3, 2021 ago

Howard County, IN Tornadoes – August 24, 2016

It was one for the record books! A large, unexpected tornado outbreak occurred on August 24, 2016. 22 tornadoes were confirmed across parts of IN and OH. We look at five of them that hit in Howard County, IN including one of the strongest of the day.

By Jen Narramore, 2 yearsAugust 23, 2020 ago

Kinzua Bridge, PA F1 Tornado – July 21, 2003

On July 21, 2003, a derecho moved across portions of Ohio, Pennsylvania, into New York and New England. This summary delves into the most notable tornado this day, which toppled the Kinzua Bridge Viaduct.

By Nick Wilkes, 3 yearsJuly 9, 2020 ago

June 2, 1998 Tornado Outbreak

Just two days after a tornado outbreak affected Pennsylvania and New York, another tornado outbreak ripped through the East Coast. Pennsylvania was the hardest hit. This summary documents 20 tornadoes from this event. 17 of which were in PA.

By Nick Wilkes, 3 yearsMay 31, 2020 ago

May 31, 1998 PA/NY Tornado Outbreak

A total of 46 tornadoes occurred on May 31, 1998. The focus of this summary will be on the 32 tornadoes that ravaged parts of New York and Pennsylvania. 22 Tornadoes ripped through Pennsylvania, and 10 through New York. The 22 tornadoes on this day in PA is a state record.

By Nick Wilkes, 3 yearsMay 24, 2020 ago

Northeast Detroit, MI F3 (F1?) Tornado – November 20, 1957

I chose this event because it hit within a large city, Detroit, MI. As I started delving into the data, I became even more intrigued because right of the bat there is a discrepancy in the rating. Officially, the SPC Database lists the rating of this tornado as an F3. Thomas Grazulis in Significant Tornadoes believes the damage was more in the F1 range.

By Jen Narramore, 3 yearsNovember 20, 2019 ago