What was the tornado outbreak sequence of May 2004?

The tornado outbreak sequence of May 2004 was a series of tornado events that affected large parts of southern Ontario, Canada, and the Central and Southern United States. These outbreaks occurred over an 11-day period, from May 21 to May 31, 2004, impacting areas from east of the Rockies to the Mid-Atlantic States.

Which specific regions were most significantly impacted by the May 2004 tornado outbreak sequence?

The Central Plains, stretching from Missouri to Iowa, and the Ohio Valley were particularly hard hit. The sequence also affected southern Ontario, Canada, and various states across the Central, Southern, and Eastern United States.

What was the total duration of the May 2004 tornado outbreak sequence?

The entire tornado outbreak sequence of May 2004 lasted for 11 days, from May 21 to May 31, 2004.

How many tornadoes were confirmed in total during the May 2004 outbreak sequence?

A total of 389 tornadoes were confirmed over the 11-day period of the May 2004 outbreak sequence.

How did the May 2004 tornado outbreak sequence compare to the May 2003 sequence?

The May 2004 sequence confirmed a similar number of tornadoes to the May 2003 sequence. However, the 2003 outbreak was more destructive, featuring more violent tornadoes and a higher fatality count.

What was the highest wind speed recorded by a tornado during the May 2004 outbreak sequence?

The highest winds were recorded from the Hallam, Nebraska tornado on May 22, 2004, with speeds estimated between 207 and 260 mph (333 to 418 km/h). These wind speeds are characteristic of powerful tornadoes.

What was the maximum Fujita scale rating for any tornado during the May 2004 outbreak sequence?

The maximum rating for any tornado during the May 2004 outbreak sequence was an F4 tornado, indicating severe damage potential.

What was the total number of fatalities and injuries caused by the May 2004 tornado outbreak sequence?

The entire sequence resulted in 7 fatalities and 123 injuries across four states. These figures represent the human cost of the widespread severe weather.

What were the estimated total damages from the May 2004 tornado outbreak sequence?

The total estimated damages were $175 million for the May 22 outbreak and $65 million for the May 29-31 outbreak, totaling $240 million. This economic impact reflects the destruction of property and infrastructure.

What was the distribution of confirmed tornadoes by Fujita rating during the May 2004 outbreak sequence?

The confirmed tornadoes were distributed as follows: 241 F0, 115 F1, 23 F2, 8 F3, and 2 F4. There were no F5 tornadoes confirmed during this sequence.

What was the Hallam, Nebraska tornado outbreak?

The Hallam, Nebraska tornado outbreak was a significant event on May 22, 2004, which was the first in a series of tornado events during the May 2004 sequence. It produced 56 tornadoes across several Midwestern states, with the most destructive hitting Hallam, Nebraska.

What meteorological conditions contributed to the Hallam tornado outbreak on May 22, 2004?

The outbreak was fueled by a warm, moist airmass over Nebraska combined with an upper-level low developing in Colorado. A dryline formed ahead of an advancing cold front, creating the atmospheric instability necessary for severe thunderstorms and tornadoes.

Describe the Hallam, Nebraska tornado's path and duration.

The F4 Hallam tornado first touched down in northwestern Jefferson County, Nebraska, at 7:30 p.m. CDT. It traveled northeast through Saline and Gage counties, reaching F4 intensity in Lancaster County, and dissipated near Palmyra, Nebraska. The tornado had a path length of approximately 54 miles and was on the ground for 100 minutes.

What was the impact of the Hallam tornado on the village of Hallam, Nebraska?

The village of Hallam was severely impacted, with approximately 95% of its buildings damaged or destroyed. The outbreak resulted in one fatality and 37 injuries within the village.

What specific structures were notably damaged by the Hallam tornado?

The Norris School District 160 high school building sustained severe damage, with its auditorium being completely destroyed. Additionally, several farms and rural homes experienced extensive damage.

What other significant tornado damage occurred in Nebraska on May 22, 2004, besides the Hallam tornado?

An F2 tornado caused significant damage in Adams and Clay counties, Nebraska, damaging fifteen homes and overturning another train, resulting in $5.5 million in damages.

What was the significance of the May 29-30, 2004, Memorial Day Weekend tornado outbreak?

This outbreak was notable for being the largest continuous tornado outbreak recorded in the month of May, lasting for two days with final tornadoes occurring on May 31. It produced a large number of tornadoes across the Midwest and into the Ohio and Tennessee Valleys.

How many tornadoes were attributed to the Memorial Day Weekend outbreak according to official records?

Official NOAA Storm Data archives list a total of 168 tornadoes during the two-day period of May 29-30, 2004. Unofficial reports suggested a higher number, but these were not yet quality-controlled.

How did the duration of the Memorial Day Weekend outbreak compare to the 1974 Super Outbreak?

The 168 tornadoes from the 2004 Memorial Day Weekend outbreak occurred over 32 hours of continuous activity. This is longer than the 1974 Super Outbreak, which saw 148 tornadoes in 18 hours, but the 1974 event had a greater number of large and violent tornadoes.

What was the total damage cost for the Memorial Day Weekend outbreak?

The damage totals from the Memorial Day Weekend outbreak were $62.321 million. This figure represents the economic impact of the tornadoes and associated severe weather during that period.

What was the human toll of the Memorial Day Weekend outbreak?

The outbreak resulted in at least 5 fatalities across two states: 4 in Missouri and 1 in Indiana. Additionally, 123 people were injured across the affected regions.

Where did the deadliest tornado of the Memorial Day Weekend outbreak occur?

Three of the fatalities occurred in Missouri due to an F4 tornado that struck the Weatherby area in DeKalb County late on May 29. Another person died in the St. Louis Metropolitan area, and the fifth fatality was in Marengo, Indiana.

What impact did an F2 tornado have on the Indianapolis Metropolitan Area on May 30, 2004?

An F2 tornado struck southern and eastern Marion County, Indiana, causing extensive damage to over 700 structures. It injured 26 people and forced post-Indianapolis 500 racing events to be moved indoors.

What was the impact of the F3 tornado near Lexington, Kentucky, on May 26-27, 2004?

An F3 tornado tore through a residential subdivision just north of Lexington, Kentucky, causing major damage to approximately 50 homes. This indicates a significant level of destruction in that area.

What damage occurred in Marengo, Indiana, during the Memorial Day Weekend outbreak?

The town of Marengo, Indiana, located northwest of Louisville, Kentucky, suffered severe damage, with 80% of its structures damaged or destroyed by a tornado. This event accounted for one fatality.

What was the impact of the May 21, 2004, outbreak on Bradgate, Iowa?

On May 21, a series of tornadoes hit Iowa, causing major damage to the town of Bradgate, where 75% of the buildings were damaged or destroyed. This highlights the localized but severe impact of some tornadoes in the sequence.

What kind of damage was reported in Michigan on May 21, 2004?

On May 21, clusters of thunderstorms moved from the Midwest to the Mid-Atlantic States, producing widespread damaging winds and weaker tornadoes across Michigan. This indicates the broad reach of the severe weather system.

What was the impact of the May 24, 2004, outbreak in the Great Plains and Mid-Mississippi Valley?

On May 24, several tornadoes touched down across the Great Plains and the Mid-Mississippi Valley. While most were weak, one person was killed in Illinois inside a mobile home, underscoring the danger even from less intense tornado events.

What areas in Indiana were affected by a tornado north of Louisville on May 26-27, 2004?

A tornado north of Louisville, Kentucky, on May 26-27, 2004, produced significant damage in Washington and Clark Counties in Indiana. This shows the progression of severe weather across state lines.

What was the total number of significant tornadoes confirmed during the May 2004 outbreak sequence?

Out of the 389 confirmed tornadoes, 33 were classified as significant. Significant tornadoes are typically rated F2 or higher on the Fujita scale, indicating a higher potential for damage.

What was the Fujita scale rating of the tornado that struck Hallam, Nebraska, on May 22, 2004?

The tornado that struck Hallam, Nebraska, on May 22, 2004, was rated as an F4 on the Fujita scale, signifying severe damage to well-constructed homes and structures.

What was the estimated damage from the May 22, 2004, outbreak?

The estimated damage from the May 22, 2004, outbreak was $175 million. This figure reflects the extensive destruction caused by the tornadoes, particularly the Hallam tornado.

What was the estimated damage from the May 29-31, 2004, outbreak?

The estimated damage from the May 29-31, 2004, outbreak was $65 million. This amount accounts for the damage caused by the numerous tornadoes and associated severe weather during the Memorial Day weekend.

What was the primary cause of tornadoes during the Memorial Day Weekend outbreak?

Most of the tornadoes during the Memorial Day Weekend outbreak were produced by supercells, which are powerful rotating thunderstorms. However, some tornadoes were also generated by a following squall line, a more linear arrangement of thunderstorms.

What type of damage was reported from a squall line during the Memorial Day Weekend outbreak?

A large squall line that moved through after the main tornado events caused widespread wind damage reports. This indicates that the severe weather system produced multiple types of hazardous conditions.

What was the Fujita scale rating of the tornado that struck Weatherby, Missouri, during the Memorial Day Weekend outbreak?

The tornado that struck the Weatherby area in DeKalb County, Missouri, during the Memorial Day Weekend outbreak was rated as an F4. This rating signifies extreme damage, capable of leveling well-built houses.

What was the impact of the May 22, 2004, Hallam tornado on the Indianapolis Motor Speedway?

The Hallam tornado did not impact the Indianapolis Motor Speedway; rather, it was an F2 tornado on May 30, 2004, that struck the Indianapolis Metropolitan Area, missing the Speedway by six miles. This distinction is important for understanding the specific locations affected by different tornadoes in the sequence.

What was the Fujita scale rating of the tornado that affected the Indianapolis Metropolitan Area on May 30, 2004?

The tornado that affected the Indianapolis Metropolitan Area on May 30, 2004, was rated as an F2. This rating indicates that the tornado caused considerable damage, such as lifting vehicles and damaging roofs.

What was the Fujita scale rating of the tornado that struck the Weatherby area in DeKalb County, Missouri, on May 29, 2004?

The tornado that struck the Weatherby area in DeKalb County, Missouri, on May 29, 2004, was rated as an F4. This classification indicates a very violent tornado capable of widespread destruction.

What was the Fujita scale rating of the tornado that struck the St. Louis Metropolitan area on May 29, 2004?

The source text does not specify the Fujita scale rating for the tornado that struck the St. Louis Metropolitan area on May 29, 2004, but it resulted in one fatality. Without a specific rating, the extent of its power is not detailed.

What was the Fujita scale rating of the tornado that struck the Marengo, Indiana area on May 30, 2004?

The source text does not specify the Fujita scale rating for the tornado that struck the Marengo, Indiana area on May 30, 2004, but it caused significant damage and one fatality. This suggests it was a destructive tornado, even if its precise rating isn't provided.

What did the radar image of the supercell that spawned the Hallam, Nebraska tornado depict?

The radar image of the supercell that spawned the Hallam, Nebraska tornado showed the storm's structure, indicating the presence of a powerful rotating updraft characteristic of tornadic storms. This visual data helps meteorologists understand the storm's development and potential for producing severe weather.

What was the extent of tornado damage shown in the image from Hallam?

The image depicting tornado damage in Hallam illustrates the destructive power of the F4 tornado, showing debris and damaged structures that resulted from its passage through the town. This visual evidence highlights the severe impact on the community.

What information does the map of the Hallam tornado's path provide?

The map of the Hallam tornado's path visually represents the trajectory and extent of the tornado's movement across the landscape. Such maps are crucial for understanding the tornado's impact zone and for post-event analysis and damage assessment.

What does the image labeled "More damage in Hallam" convey?

The image labeled "More damage in Hallam" provides further visual evidence of the destruction caused by the tornado, showcasing the widespread impact on buildings and infrastructure within the affected area.

Tornado Outbreak Sequence Of May 2004 Wiki: Mayhem in the Midwest: The 2004 Tornado Outbreak Sequence

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Overview

A Period of Intense Activity

The Tornado Outbreak Sequence of May 2004 encompassed a series of significant tornado events that affected a vast geographical area. This period of intense meteorological activity spanned from May 21 to May 31, 2004, impacting southern Ontario in Canada, and extending across the Central, Southern, and Eastern United States. The primary regions experiencing the most severe conditions included the Central Plains and the Ohio Valley.

Geographic Scope

The outbreak sequence demonstrated a wide reach, with tornadoes touching down across multiple states and provinces. Key areas affected included Nebraska, Iowa, Missouri, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, and Ontario. The meteorological setup involved a dynamic interplay of warm, moist air masses, upper-level low-pressure systems, and drylines, creating conditions conducive to severe thunderstorm development and tornado formation.

Impact and Scale

Over the 11-day period, a total of 389 tornadoes were confirmed. This included 33 significant tornadoes, with the most violent being an F4 tornado that struck Hallam, Nebraska. The sequence resulted in seven fatalities and 123 injuries, with total damages estimated at approximately $240 million across the affected regions.

Key Details

Duration and Intensity

The entire outbreak sequence spanned 11 days, from May 21 to May 31, 2004. During this time, numerous severe thunderstorms produced a high volume of tornadoes. The intensity of these tornadoes varied, with the Fujita scale classification indicating a range from F0 (weak) to F4 (violent). The sequence included 241 F0 tornadoes, 115 F1, 23 F2, 8 F3, and 2 F4 tornadoes, totaling 389 confirmed events.

Highest Winds Recorded

The most potent tornado of the sequence, an F4, struck Hallam, Nebraska, on May 22, 2004. The estimated wind speeds within this tornado ranged from 207 to 260 mph (333 to 418 km/h). This violent tornado was notable for its exceptional width, measuring 2.5 miles (4.0 km) across at its widest point as it traversed Hallam.

Areas Affected

The outbreak sequence affected a broad swath of North America. In the United States, the Central Plains and Ohio Valley were particularly hard hit. Specific states experiencing significant tornado activity included Nebraska, Iowa, Missouri, Illinois, Indiana, and Kentucky. In Canada, southern Ontario also experienced tornado impacts.

The Hallam Tornado

A Devastating F4 Event

On the evening of May 22, 2004, a severe outbreak of 56 tornadoes occurred across several Midwestern states. The most destructive tornado of this event was an F4 that made landfall in northwestern Jefferson County, Nebraska, at approximately 7:30 p.m. CDT. This violent tornado tracked northeastward through Saline and Gage Counties before reaching Lancaster County, where it intensified into an F4 with a path width of 2.5 miles (4.0 km).

The tornado's path length was approximately 54 miles, and it remained on the ground for 100 minutes. The village of Hallam bore the brunt of the storm, experiencing direct impact at 8:33 p.m. CDT. An estimated 95% of the buildings in Hallam sustained damage or were destroyed. Tragically, one fatality and 37 injuries occurred within the village. The Norris School District 160 high school suffered severe damage, with its auditorium completely destroyed. Significant damage was also reported in Princeton, Nebraska, due to straight-line winds. Several rural farms and homes experienced extensive destruction, and the storm was powerful enough to derail a freight train, displacing it 20 feet from the tracks.

Memorial Day Weekend Outbreak

Unprecedented Duration

The 2004 Memorial Day Weekend tornado outbreak, occurring from May 29-30, 2004, with final tornadoes extending into the early morning of May 31, was characterized as the largest continuous tornado outbreak recorded in May. This event saw tornadoes originate in the Great Plains and propagate eastward through the Midwest, Mississippi Valley, Ohio Valley, and Tennessee Valleys.

Official records from NOAA's Storm Data document 168 tornadoes over a 32-hour period. Unofficial reports suggested up to 199 tornadoes. While the 1974 Super Outbreak had more violent tornadoes in a shorter timeframe, the 2004 event's sustained nature was remarkable. The outbreak caused at least five fatalities: four in Missouri (three from an F4 tornado near Weatherby and one in the St. Louis area) and one in Indiana, near Marengo, where 80% of the town was impacted.

Additionally, an F2 tornado struck the Indianapolis Metropolitan Area on May 30, causing extensive damage to over 700 structures and injuring 26 people, narrowly missing the Indianapolis Motor Speedway.

Broader Impacts & Other Events

Interconnected Outbreaks

Beyond the two major events, the May 2004 sequence included several other notable tornado occurrences. On May 21, a series of tornadoes impacted Iowa, causing significant damage to Bradgate, where 75% of buildings were affected. On May 24, tornadoes touched down across the Great Plains and Mid-Mississippi Valley, including an event in Illinois that resulted in one fatality.

Regional Storms

The Ohio Valley experienced tornado activity on May 26-27. A tornado north of Louisville, Kentucky, caused considerable damage in Washington and Clark Counties, Indiana. Furthermore, an F3 tornado struck a residential subdivision north of Lexington, Kentucky, damaging approximately 50 homes. These events contributed to the overall severity and widespread nature of the May 2004 tornado sequence.

Statistical Summary

Tornado Classification

The confirmed tornado counts by Fujita scale rating highlight the distribution of intensity during the outbreak sequence:

Confirmed Tornadoes by Fujita Rating
FU	F0	F1	F2	F3	F4	F5	Total
0	241	115	23	8	2	0	389

Fatalities and Damage

The human and economic toll of the outbreak sequence was significant:

Outbreak Death Toll and Damage Estimates
Category	Details
Fatalities	7 total (1 in Nebraska, 4 in Missouri, 1 in Indiana)
Injuries	123 total
Damage (May 22)	$175 million
Damage (May 29-31)	$65 million
Total Damage	~$240 million

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References

http://www.spc.noaa.gov/faq/#6.1 SPC Local Storm Reports Disclaimer

Storm Prediction Center Storm Reports

A full list of references for this article are available at the Tornado outbreak sequence of May 2004 Wikipedia page

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Disclaimer

Important Notice Regarding Weather Data

This page has been generated by an Artificial Intelligence, synthesizing information from publicly available meteorological records. It is intended for educational and informational purposes only, providing an analysis of historical weather events.

This is not a substitute for official weather advisories or safety guidance. The information presented here is based on data that may not be exhaustive or entirely up-to-date. In the event of severe weather, always rely on official warnings and guidance from meteorological services such as the National Weather Service (NWS) or Environment Canada, and follow local emergency management directives.

The creators of this page are not responsible for any inaccuracies, omissions, or actions taken based on the information provided. Weather phenomena are complex and can have unpredictable impacts.

Mayhem in the Midwest

💡 Dive in with Flashcard Learning! 💡

Overview ☁️

🗓️ A Period of Intense Activity

🗺️ Geographic Scope

⚡ Impact and Scale

Key Details 📊

⏳ Duration and Intensity

💨 Highest Winds Recorded

📍 Areas Affected

The Hallam Tornado 🏠

💥 A Devastating F4 Event

Memorial Day Weekend Outbreak 🗓️

⚡ Unprecedented Duration

Broader Impacts & Other Events 🌍

🔗 Interconnected Outbreaks

🏞️ Regional Storms

Statistical Summary 🔢

📊 Tornado Classification

💀 Fatalities and Damage

Teacher's Corner 🧑‍🏫

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References

📜 References

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Disclaimer ⚠️

📜 Important Notice Regarding Weather Data

Dive in with Flashcard Learning!

Overview

A Period of Intense Activity

Geographic Scope

Impact and Scale

Key Details

Duration and Intensity

Highest Winds Recorded

Areas Affected

The Hallam Tornado

A Devastating F4 Event

Memorial Day Weekend Outbreak

Unprecedented Duration

Broader Impacts & Other Events

Interconnected Outbreaks

Regional Storms

Statistical Summary

Tornado Classification

Fatalities and Damage

Teacher's Corner

True or False?

Test Your Knowledge!

Gamer's Corner

Discover other topics to study!

References

Feedback & Support

Disclaimer

Important Notice Regarding Weather Data