Tornado outbreak sequence of March 18–24, 2012

The Tornado outbreak sequence of March 18–24, 2012 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.

Tornado outbreak sequence of March 18–24, 2012
EF2 damage to a home near LaCoste, Texas.
TypeTornado outbreak
DurationMarch 18 – March 24, 2012
Tornadoes confirmed63 confirmed
Max. rating1EF3 tornado
Duration of tornado outbreak2seven days
Damage$325 million[1] (estimated)
Casualties1 fatality
1Most severe tornado damage; see Enhanced Fujita scale
2Time from first tornado to last tornado

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, EF2 tornadoes caused severe damage in Texas as they impacted areas in and around Devine, Gardendale, and Lytle.

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. The town of Gueydan, Louisiana also sustained a direct hit from an EF2 tornado. An EF1 tornado also damaged at least 30 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 high-end EF1 tornado caused considerable damage to homes in the Louisville metro area.[3] An EF2 tornado caused one fatality in southern Illinois when a mobile home was thrown and completely destroyed.[4] On the 24th, an isolated EF0 touched down in Florida as the outbreak moved eastward and came to an end.

Tornadoes

Confirmed tornadoes by Enhanced Fujita rating
EFU EF0 EF1 EF2 EF3 EF4 EF5 Total
0 36 17 8 2 0 0 63

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 34.88°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 34.96°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 35.07°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 35.10°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 41.09°N 100.83°W / 41.09; -100.83 (North Platte (Mar. 18, EF3)) 0210 6.7 miles (10.8 km) Two homes were damaged and a large metal truss tower was destroyed. Outbuildings are garages were destroyed or damaged, two irrigation pivots were overturned, and a wooden transmission tower was destroyed. Extensive tree and power line damage occurred along the path. Two people were injured.
EF1 WSW of North Platte Lincoln 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, debris was scattered through fields, and one person was injured.
EF3 NW of North Platte (1st tornado) Lincoln 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. Debris from impacted structures was scattered up to a mile and a half away. Fifteen train cars and an irrigation pivot were overturned. Two people were injured.
EF2 NW of North Platte (2nd tornado) Lincoln 41.17°N 100.87°W / 41.17; -100.87 (North Platte (Mar. 18, EF2)) 0218 1.7 miles (2.7 km) Two homes were heavily damaged and a barn was destroyed, with debris from the barn driven into the ground. Garages and outbuildings were damaged or destroyed, and extensive tree damage occurred.
EF0 SSE of Ringgold McPherson 41.44°N 100.77°W / 41.44; -100.77 (Ringgold (Mar. 18, EF0)) 0239 5.3 miles (8.5 km) A church and a small storage building were damaged, and a pivot irrigation system was twisted and overturned. Trees were uprooted and limbs were snapped as well.
EF0 NNW of Valentine Cherry 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 Gardendale Ector 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 toppled, and a barn and trailer were destroyed. One house in Gardendale suffered significant roof damage and was shifted off of its foundation, and several power poles were damaged. A horse trailer and a cotton trailer were tossed, and a travel trailer was destroyed. Large amounts of debris was scattered throughout the area, some of which was speared into the walls of adjacent structures. Three people were injured.
EF2 WNW of Devine Medina 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 had roofs torn off or sustained major structural damage. A metal storage shed was largely destroyed, and trees and power lines were downed. 14 homes were destroyed, 11 sustained major damage, and 7 others sustained minor damage.
EF1 W of Lytle Medina 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 ENE of Lytle to E of LaCoste Bexar 29.24°N 98.76°W / 29.24; -98.76 (Lytle (Mar. 19, EF2)) 0130 5 miles (8.0 km) This strong tornado destroyed four frame homes and four mobile homes. Five other homes were severely damaged, and two others sustained minor damage. Four people were injured.
Kansas
EF0 ESE of Montrose Jewell 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 44.17°N 93.68°W / 44.17; -93.68 (Elysian (Mar. 19, EF0)) 2325 7 miles (11 km) Numerous trees and several structures were damaged along the path. Homes sustained roof damage, a metal shed was destroyed, and boat docks were lifted and thrown at Lake Francis.
Oklahoma
EF0 NW of Vian Sequoyah 35.52°N 95.00°W / 35.52; -95.00 (Vian (Mar. 19, EF0)) 0120 0.1 miles (160 m) Brief tornado remained over open country, causing no damage.
Arkansas
EF1 SW of Uniontown to WSW of Chester Crawford 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 Fayetteville Washington 36.09°N 94.14°W / 36.09; -94.14 (Efay (Mar. 19, EF0)) 0320 1 mile (1.6 km) Several homes and a Walmart in town sustained damage, 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 E of San Antonio International Airport Bexar 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. Fences and vegetation sustained damage as well.
EF0 Kirby Bexar 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, along with fences and vegetation.
EF0 Runge Karnes 28.88°N 97.72°W / 28.88; -97.72 (Runge (Mar. 20, EF0)) 0905 0.25 miles (400 m) Houses and outbuildings in Runge suffered minor damage. A few trees were downed as well.
Louisiana
EF0 E of Zwolle Sabine 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 92.89°W / 32.00; -92.89 (Goldonna (Mar. 20, EF0)) 1815 2.1 miles (3.4 km) Several trees were snapped or blown down, some of which landed on railroad tracks. Power lines were also downed.
EF0 E of Natchitoches Natchitoches 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 as well.
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 32.05°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 Jefferson Davis 30.08°N 92.68°W / 30.08; -92.68 (Lake Arthur (Mar. 21, EF1)) 0930 2 miles (3.2 km) An estimated 30 to 40 homes were damaged, barns destroyed, trees downed, and an antenna blown off the top of a water tower in town.
EF2 Gueydan Vermilion 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 in Gueydan was rolled upside down and completely destroyed. Five homes and city hall sustained significant roof damage. About 20 more homes received minor damage, and grave stones were blown over at a local cemetery. Several outbuildings were destroyed and numerous trees were downed. One minor injury occurred.
EF0 W of Henry Vermilion 29.88°N 92.10°W / 29.88; -92.10 (Henry (Mar. 21, EF0)) 1035 1 mile (1.6 km) Damage consisted of a roof blown off of a barn, several outbuildings damaged, and several trees snapped.
EF1 E of Abbeville Vermilion 29.97°N 92.12°W / 29.97; -92.12 (Abbeville (Mar. 21, EF1)) 1045 1.5 miles (2.4 km) A garage and a portable building were destroyed, and trees and telephone poles were snapped.
EF0 Patterson St. Mary 29.69°N 91.31°W / 29.69; -91.31 (Patterson (Mar. 21, EF0)) 1257 1 mile (1.6 km) A large industrial building had its garage doors blown in, and sheet metal was removed from other buildings and scattered throughout the area.
EF1 N of Clarks Caldwell 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, while one mobile home and several outbuildings were destroyed. Many trees were snapped or uprooted.
EF1 Prairieville Ascension 30.30°N 90.97°W / 30.30; -90.97 (Prairieville (Mar. 21, EF1)) 1434 3 miles (4.8 km) Several homes in town sustained significant roof damage, and numerous trees were snapped or uprooted by this high-end EF1 tornado.
EF1 E of Kleinpeter East Baton Rouge 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 30.53°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 30.43°N 90.13°W / 30.43; -90.13 (Madisonville (Mar. 21, EF0)) 1716 0.5 miles (0.80 km) Brief tornado caused minor damage to two homes and downed trees.
EF0 NE of Abita Springs St. Tammany 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, one of which fell through the roof of a house.
North Carolina
EF0 ENE of Wenona Washington 35.73°N 76.63°W / 35.73; -76.63 (Wenona (Mar. 21, EF0)) 1500 100 yards (91 m) Brief tornado remained over an open field and caused no damage.
Mississippi
EF1 E of McNair Jefferson 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 along the path.
EF2 NNE of Port Gibson Claiborne, Warren 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. A brick home sustained major roof damage, and three large outbuildings were destroyed. Numerous trees were snapped or uprooted, one of which landed on a house and caused significant damage.
EF1 SE of Vicksburg Warren 32.30°N 90.86°W / 32.30; -90.86 (Vicksburg (Mar. 21, EF1)) 1611 1.75 miles (2.82 km) A building had its metal roof peeled back, while a trailer and a mobile home were overturned. Many trees were downed, some of which landed on homes.
EF2 WSW of Pelahatchie Rankin 32.29°N 89.84°W / 32.29; -89.84 (Pelahatchie (Mar. 21, EF2)) 1904 6.3 miles (10.1 km) Narrow but strong tornado tore much of the roof from a large home and partially collapsed the back exterior wall. Many large trees were snapped and uprooted along the path.
EF0 SE of Eastabuchie Forrest 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, one of which fell on and destroyed a fence. Shingles were torn off of a home.
EF0 SW of Soso Jones 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 30.48°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 32.02°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 30.59°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. Trees were damaged as well.
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

List of reported tornadoes - Thursday, March 22, 2012
EF#
Location
County
Coord.
Time (UTC)
Path length
Comments/Damage
Mississippi
EF0 N of Biloxi Harrison 30.49°N 88.93°W / 30.49; -88.93 (Biloxi (Mar. 22, EF0)) 1010 4.1 miles (6.6 km) A large shed had its door blown in and sustained roof damage. Several residences sustained fence and shingle damage, and a patio roof was lifted off.
Sources: SPC Storm Reports for 03/21/12

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 31.83°N 86.04°W / 31.83; -86.04 (Troy (Mar. 23, EF1)) 1426 1.7 miles (2.7 km) Several trees and tree limbs were snapped or uprooted. Two houses, three chicken barns, and a single-wide manufactured home also sustained damage.
EF0 NW of Malvern Geneva 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 Cape Girardeau Cape Girardeau 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 in a neighborhood and downed a few small trees.
EF1 NW of Neely's Landing Cape Girardeau 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 power lines were downed by this brief tornado.
Illinois
EF0 E of Murphysboro Jackson 37.76°N 89.27°W / 37.76; -89.27 (Murphysboro (Mar. 23, EF0)) 1714 1.8 miles (2.9 km) A few trees and tree limbs were downed along the path.
EF1 NW of Desoto Jackson 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, and homes sustained roof and siding damage. Several sheds, barns, and carports were damaged, and a flag pole was blown down.
EF2 NW of Opdyke Jefferson 38.26°N 88.79°W / 38.26; -88.79 (Opdyke (Mar. 23, EF2)) 1826 2.5 miles (4.0 km) 1 death – A tied-down double-wide mobile home was thrown 100 feet (30 m) and obliterated by this high-end EF2 tornado, killing one person inside and injuring two others. The metal undercarriage was found 200 yards (180 m) away from where it originated. A house had its windows blown out, and trees were snapped and uprooted. Three barns were also damaged, one heavily.
EF0 NNE of Kell Marion 38.53°N 88.88°W / 38.53; -88.88 (Kell (Mar. 23, EF0)) 1857 100 yards (91 m) Brief touchdown caused no damage.
Kentucky
EF1 Heritage Creek Jefferson 38.09°N 85.62°W / 38.09; -85.62 (Jeffersontown (Mar. 23, EF1)) 1807 2.5 miles (4.0 km) This high-end EF1 tornado caused considerable damage in suburban areas of southeastern Louisville. A frail modular home sustained collapse of its first floor, causing it to pancake underneath the second floor. Another home had its roof blown off, while numerous other homes sustained roof, window, and siding damage.
EF1 E of Finchville Shelby 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 a trailer was overturned. Two more barns lost their roofs, with metal debris from one of them scattered through fields and into trees. Dozens of trees were snapped or uprooted as well.
Georgia
EF0 S of Kolomoki Mounds State Park Early 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 a few structures sustained minor roof damage.
Indiana
EF0 WNW of Center Square Switzerland 38.83°N 85.05°W / 38.83; -85.05 (Center Square (Mar. 23, EF0)) 2039 unknown Brief tornado remained over open country and caused no damage.
Ohio
EF0 NE of Butlerville Warren 39.32°N 84.07°W / 39.32; -84.07 (Harlan Township (Mar. 23, EF0)) 2330 0.5 miles (0.80 km) A pole barn sustained severe damage, with debris scattered up to a quarter-mile away. Debris from the pole barn was driven into the roof of a house, a second barn also sustained damage, and trees were snapped or uprooted.
EF0 Clarksville Clinton 39.39°N 83.98°W / 39.39; -83.98 (Clarksville (Mar. 23, EF0)) 2350 0.3 miles (0.48 km) Brief tornado touched down in Clarksville, where homes sustained roof damage and had windows blown out. Fences and play sets were blown over, and trees were snapped or uprooted.
Sources: SPC Storm Reports for 03/23/12, NWS Louisville, NWS Birmingham, NWS Paducah, KY, NWS Wilmington, OH
Sources:

March 24 event

List of reported tornadoes - Saturday, March 24, 2012
EF#
Location
County
Coord.
Time (UTC)
Path length
Comments/Damage
Florida
EF0 Alachua Alachua 29.75°N 82.56°W / 29.75; -82.56 (Gainesville (Mar. 24, EF0)) 1840 4.6 miles (7.4 km) Two homes and a carport were damaged, and trees were snapped.
Sources: SPC Storm Reports for 03/24/12, NCDC Storm Events Database

See also

References

  1. Jeff Masters (May 11, 2012). "2nd billion-dollar weather disaster of 2012: April 3 severe weather in Texas". Weather Underground. Retrieved May 12, 2012.
  2. Forsyth, Jim. "At least one Texas tornado damages homes, storms cause flooding". Reuters. Retrieved 2012-03-28.
  3. "Tornado damages about 7 houses in southeastern Louisville | The Courier-Journal". courier-journal.com. 2012-03-23. Retrieved 2012-03-28.
  4. "WJBD Radio". WJBD Radio. Retrieved 2012-03-28.
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