March 18–24, 2012 tornado outbreak sequence| Type |
Tornado outbreak |
|---|
| Duration |
March 18 – March 24, 2012 |
|---|
| Tornadoes confirmed |
63 confirmed |
|---|
| Max rating1 |
EF3 tornado |
|---|
| Duration of tornado outbreak2 |
seven days |
|---|
| Damage |
$325 million[1] (estimated) |
|---|
| Casualties |
1 fatality |
|---|
|
1Most severe tornado damage; see Enhanced Fujita scale
2Time from first tornado to last tornado |
The March 18–24, 2012 tornado outbreak sequence was a long lasting tornado outbreak that occurred due to a slow moving, but powerful trough and cutoff low. The outbreak began in the Great Plains, where, over a two-day period, several tornadoes touched down, some of which were significant. The North Platte area was damaged by an EF3 that was produced by a supercell that spawned many tornadoes throughout its lifespan. The tornadic activity then shifted the Southern United States over subsequent days, particularly in Louisiana and Mississippi.[2] These states were struck by a series of tornadoes for 3 days, most of which were relatively weak on the Enhanced Fujita Scale. However, a few reached EF2 intensity and caused considerable damage. Tornado activity continued across the Ohio Valley on the 23rd, with one confirmed fatality in southern Illinois.
Meteorological synopsis
March 18 – 19
As a powerful trough ejected into the Central Plains on March 18, the Storm Prediction Center issued a Slight risk for Severe Weather stretching from southern Nebraska to western Texas. That evening, many supercells evolved across the Texas Panhandle and Oklahoma, producing large hail and damaging wind gusts. As the supercells moved towards the northeast, four tornadoes were produced across western Oklahoma, all rated an EF0 on the Enhanced Fujita Scale. Early that night, a tornado-producing supercell moved across southwestern Nebraska, where four tornadoes were confirmed. The first was an EF3, the second was an EF1, the third was an EF3, and the fourth was an EF2. Severe damage was noted just to the west of the city of North Platte, Nebraska.
The following day, the Storm Prediction Center issued a Moderate risk of Severe Weather, encompassing much of central and eastern Texas, into southeastern Oklahoma and extreme western Arkansas. Although this event was not as severe as initially anticipated, an EF1 tornado was confirmed in Arkansas, as well as an EF0 in Minnesota, and an EF2 in central Texas, where extensive damage was noted near the city of Devine.
March 20 – 22
The slow moving system produced a series of tornadoes across the South for 3 days. Most of the damage occurred in Mississippi and Louisiana. An EF2 caused significant damage near Port Gibson, Mississippi, and another EF2 badly damaged a home near Pelahatchie. A tornado also damaged at least 20 homes in Lake Arthur, Louisiana. Other tornadoes occurred along the Gulf Coast, and one touched down in North Carolina as well.
March 23–24
A slight risk was issued for parts of the Ohio Valley, but notable tornado activity was not expected. However several tornadoes touched down across Indiana, Illinois, Ohio, and Kentucky. Supercell thunderstorms developed and produced large hail as well. One EF1 tornado caused damage to homes in the Louisville metro area.[3] Another EF2 tornado caused one fatality in southern Illinois.[4] On the 24th, an isolated EF0 touched down in Florida as the outbreak moved eastward.
Tornadoes
March 18 event
| List of reported tornadoes - Sunday, March 18, 2012 |
|---|
| EF# | Location | County | Coord. | Time (UTC) | Path length | Comments/Damage |
| Oklahoma |
| EF0 |
W of Mangum |
Greer |
34°53′N 99°41′W / 34.88°N 99.68°W / 34.88; -99.68 (Mangum (Mar. 18, EF0)) |
2350 |
3.85 miles (6.20 km) |
No damage reported with this tornado. |
| EF0 |
WSW of Brinkman |
Greer |
34°58′N 99°36′W / 34.96°N 99.60°W / 34.96; -99.60 (Brinkman (Mar. 18, EF0)) |
0010 |
0.1 miles (160 m) |
No damage reported with this tornado. |
| EF0 |
WNW of Willow |
Greer |
35°04′N 99°34′W / 35.07°N 99.56°W / 35.07; -99.56 (Willow (Mar. 18, EF0)) |
0027 |
1.4 miles (2.3 km) |
No damage reported with this tornado. |
| EF0 |
NW of Willow |
Greer |
35°06′N 99°34′W / 35.10°N 99.57°W / 35.10; -99.57 (Willow (Mar. 18, EF0)) |
0037 |
1 mile (1.6 km) |
No damage reported. This tornado was from the same supercell that produced the other tornadoes in Greer County. |
| Nebraska |
| EF3 |
SW of North Platte |
Lincoln |
41°05′N 100°50′W / 41.09°N 100.83°W / 41.09; -100.83 (North Platte (Mar. 18, EF3)) |
0210 |
6.7 miles (10.8 km) |
Two homes were damaged. Two transmission towers and several garages and outbuildings were destroyed. Extensive tree and power line damage occurred. Two people were injured. |
| EF1 |
WSW of North Platte |
Lincoln |
41°07′N 100°52′W / 41.12°N 100.86°W / 41.12; -100.86 (North Platte (Mar. 18, EF1)) |
0213 |
1.5 miles (2.4 km) |
A semi truck and fence line were destroyed. A garage was damaged and an irrigation pivot was destroyed. Extensive tree damage occurred. One person was injured. |
| EF3 |
NW of North Platte (1st tornado) |
Lincoln |
41°08′N 100°51′W / 41.13°N 100.85°W / 41.13; -100.85 (North Platte (Mar. 18, EF3)) |
0214 |
1.7 miles (2.7 km) |
Two homes were destroyed and two others suffered significant damage. Fifteen train cars and an irrigation pivot were overturned. Two people were injured. |
| EF2 |
NW of North Platte (2nd tornado) |
Lincoln |
41°10′N 100°52′W / 41.17°N 100.87°W / 41.17; -100.87 (North Platte (Mar. 18, EF2)) |
0218 |
1.7 miles (2.7 km) |
A barn, two homes, and a garage were destroyed with debris from the barn driven into the ground. An outbuilding was destroyed. Extensive tree damage occurred. |
| EF0 |
SSE of Ringgold |
McPherson |
41°26′N 100°46′W / 41.44°N 100.77°W / 41.44; -100.77 (Ringgold (Mar. 18, EF0)) |
0239 |
5.3 miles (8.5 km) |
A church was damaged, a small storage building was destroyed, and a nine tower irrigation pivot system was twisted and overturned. Trees were uprooted. |
| EF0 |
NNW of Valentine |
Cherry |
42°55′N 100°35′W / 42.92°N 100.59°W / 42.92; -100.59 (Valentine (Mar. 18, EF0)) |
0319 |
100 yards (91 m) |
Brief touchdown with no damage. |
| Sources: SPC Storm Reports for 03/18/12, NWS Norman, OK, NWS North Platte, NE |
March 19 event
| List of reported tornadoes - Monday, March 19, 2012 |
|---|
| EF# | Location | County | Coord. | Time (UTC) | Path length | Comments/Damage |
| Texas |
| EF2 |
ENE of Gardendale |
Ector |
32°02′N 102°20′W / 32.03°N 102.34°W / 32.03; -102.34 (Gardendale (Mar. 19, EF2)) |
0628 |
1 mile (1.6 km) |
A camper was flipped, a cinder block fence was overturned, and a barn and trailer were destroyed. One house suffered significant roof damage and several power poles were damaged. A horse trailer and a cotton trailer were tossed, and a travel trailer was destroyed. Three people were injured. |
| EF2 |
WNW of Devine |
Medina |
29°08′N 98°56′W / 29.14°N 98.94°W / 29.14; -98.94 (Devine (Mar. 19, EF2)) |
0106 |
3.5 miles (5.6 km) |
A semi trailer was overturned and a mobile home was destroyed. Multiple permanent homes were badly damaged or destroyed, and a steel storage shed was destroyed as well. Trees and power lines were also downed. |
| EF1 |
W of Lytle |
Medina |
29°11′N 98°50′W / 29.18°N 98.84°W / 29.18; -98.84 (Lytle (Mar. 19, EF1)) |
0120 |
7 miles (11 km) |
Power lines were knocked down and an RV was flipped. |
| EF2 |
NNE of Lytle |
Bexar |
29°14′N 98°46′W / 29.24°N 98.76°W / 29.24; -98.76 (Lytle (Mar. 19, EF2)) |
0130 |
5 miles (8.0 km) |
Damage reported to six homes, at least one of which had its roof torn off. Two people were injured. |
| Kansas |
| EF0 |
ESE of Montrose |
Jewell |
39°46′N 98°02′W / 39.77°N 98.04°W / 39.77; -98.04 (Montrose (Mar. 19, EF0)) |
1055 |
0.8 miles (1.3 km) |
A large machine shed was destroyed. |
| Minnesota |
| EF0 |
S of Elysian |
Waseca, Le Sueur |
44°10′N 93°41′W / 44.17°N 93.68°W / 44.17; -93.68 (Elysian (Mar. 19, EF0)) |
2325 |
7 miles (11 km) |
Second-earliest tornado on record in Minnesota history (earliest was on March 18, 1968). Numerous trees and several structures were damaged along the tornado's path. |
| Oklahoma |
| EF0 |
NW of Vian |
Sequoyah |
35°31′N 95°00′W / 35.52°N 95.00°W / 35.52; -95.00 (Vian (Mar. 19, EF0)) |
0120 |
0.1 miles (160 m) |
Brief tornado over open country with no damage. |
| Arkansas |
| EF1 |
Uniontown |
Crawford |
35°35′N 94°26′W / 35.58°N 94.44°W / 35.58; -94.44 (Uniontown (Mar. 19, EF1)) |
0252 |
13 miles (21 km) |
The roof of a mobile home was damaged, and numerous trees were snapped or uprooted. |
| EF0 |
ENE of Efay |
Washington |
36°05′N 94°08′W / 36.09°N 94.14°W / 36.09; -94.14 (Efay (Mar. 19, EF0)) |
0320 |
1 mile (1.6 km) |
Two homes and a Walmart were damaged and a few trees and tree limbs were snapped. |
| Sources: SPC Storm Reports for 03/19/12, NWS Odessa, TX, NWS San Antonio, TX, NWS Tulsa, OK |
March 20 event
| List of reported tornadoes - Tuesday, March 20, 2012 |
|---|
| EF# | Location | County | Coord. | Time (UTC) | Path length | Comments/Damage |
| Texas |
| EF0 |
NE of Longhorn |
Bexar |
29°32′N 98°25′W / 29.54°N 98.41°W / 29.54; -98.41 (Longhorn (Mar. 20, EF0)) |
0555 |
0.75 miles (1.21 km) |
A post office and 10 homes suffered minor damage, with another home suffering major damage. |
| EF0 |
N of Kirby |
Bexar |
29°29′N 98°23′W / 29.49°N 98.38°W / 29.49; -98.38 (Kirby (Mar. 20, EF0)) |
0559 |
0.25 miles (400 m) |
A few homes sustained minor damage. |
| EF0 |
W of Runge |
Karnes |
28°53′N 97°43′W / 28.88°N 97.72°W / 28.88; -97.72 (Runge (Mar. 20, EF0)) |
0905 |
0.25 miles (400 m) |
Houses and outbuildings suffered minor damage. A few trees were downed. |
| Louisiana |
| EF0 |
E of Zwolle |
Sabine |
31°38′N 93°34′W / 31.64°N 93.56°W / 31.64; -93.56 (Zwolle (Mar. 20, EF0)) |
1636 |
3 miles (4.8 km) |
Several trees were snapped and uprooted and a few power lines were downed. |
| EF0 |
SE of Goldonna |
Natchitoches, Winn |
32°00′N 92°53′W / 32.00°N 92.89°W / 32.00; -92.89 (Goldonna (Mar. 20, EF0)) |
1815 |
2.1 miles (3.4 km) |
Several trees were snapped or blown down. Power lines were also downed. |
| EF0 |
E of Natchitoches |
Natchitoches |
31°46′N 93°04′W / 31.76°N 93.06°W / 31.76; -93.06 (Natchitoches (Mar. 20, EF0)) |
0228 |
1 mile (1.6 km) |
Three mobile homes sustained damage, one with moderate roof damage. One tree was snapped. |
| Sources: SPC Storm Reports for 03/20/12, NWS Shreveport, LA |
March 21 event
| List of reported tornadoes - Wednesday, March 21, 2012 |
|---|
| EF# | Location | County | Coord. | Time (UTC) | Path length | Comments/Damage |
| Louisiana |
| EF0 |
S of Sikes |
Winn |
32°03′N 92°29′W / 32.05°N 92.49°W / 32.05; -92.49 (Sikes (Mar. 21, EF0)) |
0814 |
0.4 miles (0.64 km) |
A few trees were snapped. |
| EF1 |
Lake Arthur area |
Jefferson Davis |
30°05′N 92°41′W / 30.08°N 92.68°W / 30.08; -92.68 (Lake Arthur (Mar. 21, EF1)) |
0930 |
2 miles (3.2 km) |
An estimated 20 to 30 homes were damaged, barns destroyed, trees downed, and antennas blown off the top of a water tower. |
| EF1 |
S of Gueydan |
Vermilion |
30°01′N 92°31′W / 30.01°N 92.51°W / 30.01; -92.51 (Gueydan (Mar. 21, EF1)) |
0945 |
2.5 miles (4.0 km) |
A tied-down mobile home was rolled upside down. Five homes and city hall sustained significant roof damage. About 20 homes received minor damage. Several outbuildings were destroyed and numerous trees were downed. There was one minor injury. |
| EF0 |
W of Henry |
Vermilion |
29°53′N 92°06′W / 29.88°N 92.10°W / 29.88; -92.10 (Henry (Mar. 21, EF0)) |
1035 |
1 mile (1.6 km) |
Damage included a roof blown off a barn, several outbuildings destroyed, and several trees snapped. |
| EF1 |
Abbeville area |
Vermilion |
29°58′N 92°07′W / 29.97°N 92.12°W / 29.97; -92.12 (Abbeville (Mar. 21, EF1)) |
1045 |
1.5 miles (2.4 km) |
A garage was destroyed and telephone poles were snapped. |
| EF0 |
Patterson area |
St. Mary |
29°41′N 91°19′W / 29.69°N 91.31°W / 29.69; -91.31 (Patterson (Mar. 21, EF0)) |
1257 |
1 mile (1.6 km) |
A few trees had limbs removed and a garage was damaged. |
| EF1 |
W of Grayson |
Caldwell |
32°03′N 92°09′W / 32.05°N 92.15°W / 32.05; -92.15 (Grayson (Mar. 21, EF1)) |
1330 |
4.1 miles (6.6 km) |
Twenty homes were damaged and 1 mobile home and several sheds were destroyed. Several trees were downed. |
| EF1 |
Prairieville area |
Ascension |
30°18′N 90°58′W / 30.30°N 90.97°W / 30.30; -90.97 (Prairieville (Mar. 21, EF1)) |
1434 |
3 miles (4.8 km) |
Several homes sustained significant roof damage and numerous trees were snapped or uprooted. |
| EF1 |
E of Kleinpeter |
East Baton Rouge |
30°20′N 90°56′W / 30.34°N 90.94°W / 30.34; -90.94 (Kleinpeter (Mar. 21, EF1)) |
1443 |
0.6 miles (0.97 km) |
Several homes suffered roof damage and numerous trees were downed. |
| EF1 |
NE of Corbin |
Livingston |
30°32′N 90°50′W / 30.53°N 90.83°W / 30.53; -90.83 (Corbin (Mar. 21, EF1)) |
1505 |
0.6 miles (0.97 km) |
Several trees were downed and a house lost part of its roof. |
| EF0 |
NE of Madisonville |
St. Tammany |
30°26′N 90°08′W / 30.43°N 90.13°W / 30.43; -90.13 (Madisonville (Mar. 21, EF0)) |
1716 |
0.5 miles (0.80 km) |
Brief tornado damaged several homes and downed many trees. |
| EF0 |
NE of Abita Springs |
St. Tammany |
30°29′N 90°01′W / 30.49°N 90.02°W / 30.49; -90.02 (Abita Springs (Mar. 21, EF0)) |
1735 |
1.4 miles (2.3 km) |
Several trees were downed and a house suffered roof damage. |
| North Carolina |
| EF0 |
Wenona area |
Washington |
35°44′N 76°38′W / 35.73°N 76.63°W / 35.73; -76.63 (Wenona (Mar. 21, EF0)) |
1500 |
100 yards (91 m) |
Brief tornado with no damage. |
| Mississippi |
| EF1 |
E of McNair |
Jefferson |
31°38′N 91°01′W / 31.64°N 91.02°W / 31.64; -91.02 (McNair (Mar. 21, EF1)) |
1523 |
3 miles (4.8 km) |
Numerous trees were snapped or uprooted. |
| EF2 |
NNE of Port Gibson |
Claiborne, Warren |
32°05′N 90°59′W / 32.09°N 90.99°W / 32.09; -90.99 (Port Gibson (Mar. 21, EF2)) |
1551 |
10 miles (16 km) |
Two mobile homes were destroyed and four power poles were snapped. Numerous trees were snapped or uprooted, one of which caused significant damage to a house. |
| EF1 |
SE of Vicksburg |
Warren |
32°18′N 90°52′W / 32.30°N 90.86°W / 32.30; -90.86 (Vicksburg (Mar. 21, EF1)) |
1611 |
1.75 miles (2.82 km) |
Several buildings were damaged, including a mobile home that was flipped. Numerous trees were downed. |
| EF2 |
WSW of Pelahatchie |
Rankin |
32°17′N 89°50′W / 32.29°N 89.84°W / 32.29; -89.84 (Pelahatchie (Mar. 21, EF2)) |
1904 |
6.3 miles (10.1 km) |
Narrow tornado caused extensive damage to a home and snapped or uprooted numerous trees. |
| EF0 |
SE of Eastabuchie |
Forrest |
31°25′N 89°15′W / 31.42°N 89.25°W / 31.42; -89.25 (Eastabuchie (Mar. 21, EF0)) |
2100 |
0.3 miles (0.48 km) |
Brief tornado snapped several trees and tore shingles off a home. |
| EF0 |
SW of Soso |
Jones |
31°44′N 89°20′W / 31.73°N 89.33°W / 31.73; -89.33 (Soso (Mar. 21, EF0)) |
2231 |
0.2 miles (0.32 km) |
Brief tornado heavily damaged the roof of a chicken house and uprooted a tree. |
| EF0 |
NW of Long Beach |
Harrison |
30°29′N 89°19′W / 30.48°N 89.31°W / 30.48; -89.31 (Long Beach (Mar. 21, EF0)) |
0132 |
0.25 miles (0.40 km) |
Brief tornado damaged a trailer. |
| EF0 |
ESE of Paulding |
Jasper |
32°01′N 89°01′W / 32.02°N 89.02°W / 32.02; -89.02 (Paulding (Mar. 21, EF0)) |
0203 |
0.5 miles (0.80 km) |
Brief tornado uprooted several trees. |
| EF1 |
NNE of Gulfport |
Harrison |
30°35′N 88°58′W / 30.59°N 88.97°W / 30.59; -88.97 (Gulfport (Mar. 21, EF1)) |
0535 |
1 mile (1.6 km) |
A trailer was flipped and several homes lost part of their roofs. |
| Sources: SPC Storm Reports for 03/20/12, SPC Storm Reports for 03/21/12, NWS Shreveport, LA, NWS Lake Charles, LA, NWS Newport / Morehead City, NC, NWS Jackson, MS |
March 22 event
March 23 event
| List of reported tornadoes - Friday, March 23, 2012 |
|---|
| EF# | Location | County | Coord. | Time (UTC) | Path length | Comments/Damage |
| Alabama |
| EF1 |
NNW of Troy |
Pike |
31°50′N 86°02′W / 31.83°N 86.04°W / 31.83; -86.04 (Troy (Mar. 23, EF1)) |
1426 |
1.7 miles (2.7 km) |
Several large trees were snapped or uprooted. Two houses, three chicken barns, and a single-wide manufactured home suffered minor damage. |
| EF0 |
NW of Malvern |
Geneva |
31°09′N 85°34′W / 31.15°N 85.56°W / 31.15; -85.56 (Malvern (Mar. 23, EF0)) |
1748 |
1.7 miles (2.7 km) |
A few houses suffered minor roof damage and several trees were downed. |
| Missouri |
| EF0 |
NE of Cape Girardeau |
Cape Girardeau |
37°20′N 89°30′W / 37.33°N 89.50°W / 37.33; -89.50 (Cape Girardeau (Mar. 23, EF0)) |
1633 |
0.25 miles (400 m) |
Brief tornado caused roof damage to several homes and downed a few small trees. |
| EF1 |
NW of Neely's Landing |
Cape Girardeau |
37°31′N 89°31′W / 37.52°N 89.52°W / 37.52; -89.52 (Neely's Landing (Mar. 23, EF1)) |
1638 |
0.6 miles (0.97 km) |
Trees and powerlines were downed. |
| Illinois |
| EF0 |
E of Murphysboro |
Jackson |
37°46′N 89°16′W / 37.76°N 89.27°W / 37.76; -89.27 (Murphysboro (Mar. 23, EF0)) |
1714 |
1.8 miles (2.9 km) |
A few trees were downed. |
| EF1 |
NW of Desoto |
Jackson |
37°51′N 89°16′W / 37.85°N 89.27°W / 37.85; -89.27 (Desoto (Mar. 23, EF1)) |
1724 |
7.5 miles (12.1 km) |
Dozens of trees were uprooted or snapped. Several sheds, barns, and homes were damaged and a flag pole was blown down. |
| EF2 |
NW of Opdyke |
Jefferson |
38°16′N 88°47′W / 38.26°N 88.79°W / 38.26; -88.79 (Opdyke (Mar. 23, EF2)) |
1826 |
2.5 miles (4.0 km) |
1 death – A double wide mobile home was thrown 100 feet (30 m) and destroyed. One home and three barns were damaged, one heavily. Several trees were uprooted or snapped. In addition to the fatality, two people were injured. |
| EF0 |
NNE of Kell |
Marion |
38°32′N 88°53′W / 38.53°N 88.88°W / 38.53; -88.88 (Kell (Mar. 23, EF0)) |
1857 |
100 yards (91 m) |
Brief touchdown with no damage. |
| Kentucky |
| EF1 |
S of Jeffersontown |
Jefferson |
38°05′N 85°37′W / 38.09°N 85.62°W / 38.09; -85.62 (Jeffersontown (Mar. 23, EF1)) |
1807 |
2.5 miles (4.0 km) |
Several homes were damaged, some severely. Numerous trees were downed. |
| EF1 |
E of Finchville |
Shelby |
38°09′N 85°17′W / 38.15°N 85.29°W / 38.15; -85.29 (Finchville (Mar. 23, EF1)) |
1828 |
2.25 miles (3.62 km) |
Two barns were destroyed and two others were damaged. A trailer was overturned and about two dozen trees were snapped to uprooted. |
| Georgia |
| EF0 |
S of Kolomoki Mounds State Park |
Early |
31°26′N 84°57′W / 31.43°N 84.95°W / 31.43; -84.95 (Kolomoki Mounds S.P. (Mar. 23, EF0)) |
2020 |
3.6 miles (5.8 km) |
Several trees were downed and minor roof damage occurred to a couple of structures. |
| Indiana |
| EF0 |
WNW of Center Square |
Switzerland |
38°50′N 85°03′W / 38.83°N 85.05°W / 38.83; -85.05 (Center Square (Mar. 23, EF0)) |
2039 |
unknown |
Brief tornado with no damage. |
| Ohio |
| EF0 |
Harlan Township area |
Warren |
39°19′N 84°04′W / 39.32°N 84.07°W / 39.32; -84.07 (Harlan Township (Mar. 23, EF0)) |
2330 |
0.5 miles (0.80 km) |
Brief tornado significantly damaged a pole barn and a nearby home. Debris from the barn was found up to 50 yd (46 m) upstream. Several trees were also uprooted and many more were snapped. |
| EF0 |
Clarksville area |
Clinton |
39°23′N 83°59′W / 39.39°N 83.98°W / 39.39; -83.98 (Clarksville (Mar. 23, EF0)) |
2350 |
0.3 miles (0.48 km) |
Brief tornado struck the village of Clarksville, causing minor damage to numerous structures. |
| Sources: SPC Storm Reports for 03/23/12, NWS Louisville, NWS Birmingham, NWS Paducah, KY, NWS Wilmington, OH |
| Sources: |
March 24 event
See also
References