June 3rd, 1980: A cyclic supercell spawned a family of seven tornadoes in Grand Island, Nebraska. Four of the tornadoes were significant (F2+). The circulations moved on complex and winding paths, and three of the twisters were anticyclonic. Five people were killed.

Generally not a huge storm chase anniversary person but shoutout to the Silverton, TX storm 2 years ago today, perhaps my most relaxed/serene tornado encounter.

June 2nd, 1929: A spectacular tornado impacted areas near Hardtner, Kansas. The estimated F2 moved very slowly on an eastward path and was visible up to 30 miles away. A few homes and barns were damaged. At the time, this tornado was one of the most photographed in U.S. history.

New Capital Weather [Gang] page is live! Welcome! www.capitalweather.com/welcome/ Wishing you all a safe parting from WaPo

June 2nd, 1925: An outbreak of 12 significant (F2+) tornadoes impacted the Midwest and Central Plains. Dozens of farmsteads were damaged or completely leveled by F4s near Madison, Nebraska, and Adair & Smithland, Iowa. Eight people were killed and 26 were injured.

June 1, 1917: An outbreak of 13 significant (F2+) tornadoes struck the Plains and Ohio Valley. The strongest tornado of the day was an estimated F4 that ravaged Colgate, OK. An F3 destroyed dozens of homes and businesses in Coffeyville, KS. 22 people were killed.

#June is a relatively quiet month for tropical systems in the Atlantic. The Gulf, which usually maintains prime sea surface temps, is generally where systems form during this month. #Hurricane Beryl is the strongest June hurricane on record: reaching Cat 4 on June 30, 2024. #wx

May 31 is a big weather day - it's the date of the remarkable and tragic El Reno, OK tornado in 2013, which I wrote about extensively in my book; and in Pennsylvania, it's the day of the 1985 tornadoes and the disastrous 1889 Johnstown Flood, which I've got videos on. Links below

May 31st, 1985: One of the worst outbreaks ever to hit the Northeast US and Canada spawned 44 tornadoes. Nine tornadoes were violent, the strongest of which was an F5 that devastated Niles, OH, and Wheatland, PA. Many other towns in PA, OH, and ON were ruined. 88 people were killed.

May 30th, 2022: An outbreak of 37 tornadoes struck the Northern Plains and Upper Midwest. Some areas impacted by this event had experienced a powerful derecho only 18 days prior. Six tornadoes were significant (EF2+), the strongest of which was an EF3 near Altamont, SD.

May 30th, 1998: A violent tornado struck Spencer, SD. The F4 wedge damaged or destroyed much of the town, killing six people and injuring 150 others. A DOW recorded wind gusts in the vortex as high as 220 mph. This event is one of South Dakota's deadliest tornadoes. 1/2

May 28th, 1880: A violent tornado slammed Savoy, Texas. Described as a funnel blazing with balls of fire, the estimated F4 leveled the entire business and northeast residential sections of the town. Nineteen stores and 25 homes were destroyed. 14 people were killed.

May 28th, 1996: A violent F4 tornado struck the southern Louisville, Kentucky suburbs. Several communities were impacted, resulting in over 1000 homes being damaged or destroyed. Over $100 million in damage was produced, but advanced warning led to just ten injuries.

May 27-28th, 2001: The "People Chaser" derecho tore across Kansas, Oklahoma, and Texas. The event's nickname comes from the speed at which it overtook chasers & researchers. Wind gusts up to 100 mph were recorded, one person was killed, and at least 5 were injured.

May 27th, 1997: An F5 tornado produced some of the most extreme tornadic damage ever seen. The incredibly violent wedge hit the Double Creek Estates subdivision of Jarrell, Texas. Much of the neighborhood was obliterated, with little debris & deep ground scouring left behind. 1/2

May 25th, 2011: One of the largest single-day outbreaks in modern US history saw 93 tornadoes touch down in numerous states. Fourteen tornadoes were significant (EF2+), two of which near Ellsinore, MO, and Bedford, IN, reached EF3 intensity. 23 people were injured.

May 25-26th, 2024: An upper-echelon environment produced several dozen tornadoes in the Plains, Ozarks, and Midsouth. Sixteen of these tornadoes were significant (EF2+). One EF3 in AR was 1.82 miles wide. Fourteen people were killed, including 7 in Valley View, Texas.

I think by the time we finished surveying these tornadoes my car added ~900 miles, I surveyed 3 of them (1 partially) from the air and we had one of the most fascinating discussions on what the final rating of the big 3 should be ams.confex.com/ams/92Annual...

May 24th, 2011: An outbreak of 49 tornadoes ravaged the Southern Plains and Ozarks regions. 15 tornadoes were significant, the strongest of which was an extremely violent EF5 near El Reno & Piedmont in central Oklahoma. 18 people were killed and 375 were injured. 1/2

May 22nd, 1981: An outbreak of 13 tornadoes struck Oklahoma. A violent F4 tracked 16.7 miles from Binger to west of Union City and destroyed several homes. A very photogenic elephant trunk F2 was photographed by NSSL researchers near Cordell. 12 people were injured.

May 21-22nd, 1957: Three dozen tornadoes impacted several states in the Southern Plains, Midwest, and Ohio Valley. 18 tornadoes were significant (F2+), two of which were violent. Fremont, Missouri, was decimated by an extremely intense F4. 15 people lost their lives.

May 21st, 2024: A major outbreak of over 30 tornadoes struck the Midwest. Four tornadoes were significant (EF2+), the strongest of which was an EF4 that devastated Greenfield, IA. Mobile radar recorded wind speeds over 300 mph in the funnel. Five people were killed.

(🧵) It's the anniversary of the EF5 tornado disaster in Moore, OK on May 20, 2013. The event is explored in detail in my book TORNADO COUNTRY, serving along with El Reno as the climax of the whole narrative. Here's a preview of Chapter Nine: Nature's Fury #sciencewriter #indieauthor #selfpublished

The National Weather Service just put out a flood advisory and severe thunderstorm warning. Here's how to stay safe, New York.  Text NOTIFYNYC to 692-692 to sign up for NYC emergency alerts and find more information at nyc.gov/floodprep.

May 20th, 2013: An EF5 tornado devastated Moore, Oklahoma. The extremely violent tornado leveled entire neighborhoods, destroying homes, a hospital, several schools, and hundreds of other structures. 24 people were killed and 212 were injured. 1/2

May 18-19th, 1944: A major two-day outbreak brought 15 significant (F2+) tornadoes to Nebraska and Iowa. Two tornadoes, striking near Fort Dodge, IA, and Tekamah, NE, were violent F4s. Near Maxwell, IA, a powerful F3 leveled several homes. Three people were killed.

May 18, 1980 | Early Reports By mid-morning on the West Coast, the world beyond knows: Mount St. Helens has erupted. Local news crews scramble into helicopters and small planes, staking out ridges and overlooks to film what comes next. The mountain is still erupting. And they're rolling.

May 18th, 1980: Mount Saint Helens erupted, spewing ash and smoke sixty-three thousand feet into the air. Heavy ash covered the ground to the northwest, and small particles were carried to the Atlantic coast. The eruption claimed 57 lives.

OTD last year, May 18, 2025, Juston Drake, Michelle Reed, and I documented a significant Great Plains tornado outbreak across 3 states: 10 tornadoes near Arnett, Oklahoma, Greensburg, Pratt, and Plevna, Kansas. okwx txwx kswx VIDEO LINK BELOW: youtu.be/jVfpAXoPJSM?...

May 17th, 1981: Twenty tornadoes struck the Plains. Oklahoma bore the brunt of this event, as several intense twisters wrecked areas east of the OKC metropolitan area. Homes, trailers, and a church were damaged or destroyed near Okmulgee. Eight people were injured.

May 16th, 1977: Scattered activity spawned 13 tornadoes in the Midwest and Southern Plains. Several F3s struck on the Texas/Oklahoma border and were documented in-depth by NSSL researchers. A few homes, businesses and a school were damaged near Shamrock and Quail.

May 15th, 1968: 39 tornadoes touched down in 10 states. Northern Iowa bore the brunt of two F5s that tore through Charles City and Oelwein, leveling numerous structures. To the south, an F4 impacted Jonesboro, Arkansas. In total, 72 people were killed, and 1200+ were injured.

May 14th, 1913: A violent tornado tore through Fillmore, York, and Seward counties in Nebraska. The F4 tracked across 16 blocks in the northwest part of Seward. The damage totaled approximately $ 220,000, as 22 homes were destroyed and another 20 were damaged. Eight people were killed.

There were several big tornado days in the Midwest in 1995, May 13th was one of the biggest. 31 years ago today! youtu.be/azDVaxvaH0c?...

May 13, 1989: A widely-viewed and incredibly photogenic tornado struck near Hawley, Texas. The tornado was observed by numerous storm chasers, including a research team from the University of Oklahoma, who deployed an early mobile Doppler radar.

May 12th, 1997: A widely-documented F1 tornado impacted Miami, Florida. The twister produced over $500,000 in damage and injured a dozen people. Images from this event have been used in several documentaries and other educational material.

May 11, 1970: An F5 ripped through Lubbock, Texas. Thousands of homes and other structures were damaged or destroyed at a toll of over $250 million (1970 USD). 26 people were killed and 500 were injured. Dr. Ted Fujita comprehensively surveyed and mapped this event.

May 11th, 1999: An incredibly intense F4 struck near Loyal Valley, Texas. The massive wedge damaged or destroyed 18 homes, shredded mesquite trees, produced widespread ground scouring, and ripped up a large swath of asphalt. One person was killed, and six were injured.

An epic webcam capture of the sun skirting the horizon at Utqiaġvik, Alaska, this morning. @alaskawx.bsky.social

May 10th, 2016: A small but potent outbreak of 12 tornadoes impacted the Ohio River Valley and Nebraska. Two were significant (EF2+). An EF3 struck the northern edge of Mayfield, Kentucky, destroying numerous structures. Ten people were injured.

30 years ago the film "Twister" was released in theaters. Strong characters, actors, and shots drove an entertaining movie despite the relatively early CGI. Several terms taken out of context and a few over-the-top scenes. Still waiting on NSSL to predict an F5.

May 9-10th, 1953: 28 tornadoes struck nine states from Oklahoma to Wisconsin. Fourteen tornadoes were significant (F2+), three violent F4s. An F3 damaged/destroyed 50 homes and 40 businesses in Hebron, Nebraska. 17 people were killed, and 139 were injured.

ON THIS DAY in 1977, a major nor'easter came together just south of New England, bringing heavy snow accumulations to parts of the region just after Mother's Day. 12-20 inches fell across the Worcester Hills, Berkshires and Litchfield Hills. #MAwx #RIwx #CTwx #VTwx

Nehawka. 26 minutes of rural drillbit violence on a 3000 j/kg warm front.

May 9th, 2016: An outbreak of 28 tornadoes impacted the Central and Southern US. Six tornadoes were significant (EF2+), the strongest of which was a violent EF4 near Katie, Oklahoma. RaXPol mobile radar measured wind speeds over 200 mph in a large EF3 near Sulphur, OK.

May 8-9th, 1927: A devastating outbreak of (at least) 34 tornadoes struck the Central and Southern US. Eight tornadoes were rated as estimated F4, the worst of which ravaged Strong, AR, and Poplar Bluff, MO. Estimates placed the death toll at 224 with >1100 injured.

May 8th, 1988: A widespread severe weather outbreak struck the central United States. Numerous reports of large hail and damaging winds were received, and nearly five dozen tornadoes were confirmed in the Midwest. F3s hit near De Witt, IA, and Darlington, WI. 10 people were injured.

With graduation from Millersville University coming up, I’m honored to share that earlier this spring I accepted a graduate school offer at the Atmospheric Science program at Texas Tech, and will continue exploring tornado winds. I look forward to beginning this fall!

Responses due 8 June 2026

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