Tornadoes of 2020

On January 3, severe thunderstorms developed over the Mpumalanga province of South Africa. One thunderstorm developed into a supercell which produced an EF3 tornado that caused significant damage to a farm, destroyed the houses of seven families, and destroyed about 200 hectares (500 acres) of pine forest.[21]

High-end EF2 damage to a house near Carrollton, Alabama.

On January 10, the Storm Prediction Center issued a moderate risk of severe weather for much of the Southern United States, including a 15% hatched risk of tornadoes. A squall line of severe thunderstorms with numerous embedded circulations and semi-discrete supercell structures moved from Texas and Oklahoma to the East Coast, producing numerous tornadoes. A high-end EF2 tornado near Carrollton, Alabama destroyed multiple homes and mobile homes, and resulted in three fatalities.[22] Three people were fatally injured when a long-tracked EF2 tornado destroyed two mobile homes south of Haughton, Louisiana,[23] and an EF1 tornado killed one person near Nacogdoches, Texas when a large tree fell onto a mobile home.[24][25] An EF2 tornado struck Rome, Mississippi, causing significant damage and destroying the local post office. An EF2 tornado also struck Union Grove, Alabama, significantly damaging a school building in the community. Another school also sustained major damage near Kershaw, South Carolina, as a result of another EF2 tornado. Overall, this outbreak produced a total of 80 tornadoes, and resulted in seven fatalities. Total damage from the event reached $1.1 billion according to the National Centers for Environmental Information.[26]

EF2 damage to a house near Kannapolis, North Carolina.

Beginning on February 5, a moderate tornado outbreak affected the Deep South and Eastern United States. On the first day of the outbreak, an EF2 tornado caused significant tree and outbuilding damage near Pickens, Mississippi, and injured four people. A long-tracked EF2 tornado touched down near Bay Springs, Mississippi and passed though the town of Enterprise, downing numerous trees and power poles and toppling a metal fire tower. This tornado tore large sections of roofing off of multiple homes in rural areas as well. On February 6, one person was killed in Marengo County, Alabama when an EF1 tornado destroyed a mobile home near Demopolis.[27][28] An EF2 tornado also touched down near Kannapolis, North Carolina, to the north of Charlotte. No injuries were reported, though multiple homes were damaged, including one that lost its roof and some exterior walls.[29][30][31] Another EF2 downed metal truss transmission towers near Kings Mountain, and an EF1 tornado caused damage in the southern suburbs of Charlotte.[32][33][34] A high-end EF1 tornado moved directly through Spartanburg, South Carolina as well, causing considerable damage to homes and businesses.[33] On February 7, five tornadoes touched down in Maryland, including an EF1 that struck Westminster and Manchester, causing moderate damage. An EF0 tornado also caused minor damage in Leesburg, Virginia. Along with the tornadic storms, heavy rainfall resulted in widespread flooding also occurred throughout the southern states. Total economic losses from the event exceeded $925 million. Overall, this outbreak produced a total of 37 tornadoes, and resulted in one fatality.[35]

EF4 damage in a residential area near Cookeville, Tennessee.

A small but devastating tornado outbreak affected parts of the Southern United States on the evening of March 2 into the early morning hours of March 3, with a lone, long-tracked supercell thunderstorm being responsible for ten tornadoes in Tennessee as it moved from near Dyersburg in West Tennessee to near Knoxville in East Tennessee. The most severe damage and all the fatalities occurred in Tennessee, although other damaging tornadoes were reported Missouri, Alabama and Kentucky. The first fatal tornado outbreak occurred on the night of March 2, when an EF2 tornado killed one person and caused significant damage to homes, mobile homes, and outbuildings near Camden, Tennessee. Later, another EF2 tornado downed numerous trees and damaged homes and outbuildings near Alvaton, Kentucky. The north side Nashville, Tennessee was directly struck by a long-tracked, high-end EF3 tornado just after 12:30 a.m. CDT on March 3. Major structural damage and five fatalities occurred as the tornado passed just north of downtown Nashville and through Mount Juliet to the east. Damage estimates of $1.504 billion made this the 6th costliest tornado in US history. Later, another EF2 tornado caused heavy damage Clarkrange, Tennessee. The deadliest tornado of the outbreak occurred in Putnam County, where a violent EF4 tornado touched down near Baxter shortly before 2:00 a.m. and moved into western Cookeville. Many homes and other buildings were completely leveled or swept away in residential areas of Cookeville, and 19 people were killed in town.[37][38] Overall, this outbreak produced a total of 15 tornadoes, resulted in 25 tornado-related fatalities, and caused $1.606 billion (2020 USD).[37]

An outbreak of severe thunderstorms and tornadoes struck seven provinces in Vietnam with at least one fatality being reported as tornado-related. The outbreak as a whole left five people dead, over 350 homes destroyed, and 6,800 others damaged.[39]

On March 18, an intense supercell thunderstorm spawned numerous weak tornadoes as it tracked through Jack, Stephens, Wise, and Young counties in Texas.[40] With severe storms continuing into the early morning hours of March 19, two EF2 tornadoes caused considerable damage to trees, vehicles, farming equipment, and outbuildings near Trent, Texas.[41] The thunderstorm responsible for those tornadoes went on to produce another EF2 tornado that damaged a large building and over 100 cars at a correctional facility northeast of Abilene. Near Sweetwater, an EF2 tornado damaged or destroyed several wind turbines.[41] Later that day, a large portion of the southern Great Plains was in line for severe storms, along with parts of the Ohio Valley.[42] During the afternoon, a squall line with several embedded supercells formed from Oklahoma to Indiana, producing tornadoes in Oklahoma, Illinois, and Arkansas.[43][44][45] A large EF2 tornado touched down near Everton, Arkansas before moving through the southeastern part of town, causing significant damage to homes, a school, outbuildings, and trees.[45] Three EF1 tornadoes also touched down in Arkansas, one of which tracked between Gassville and Mountain Home, inflicting considerable damage to some homes. Further north, two EF1 tornadoes caused damage in Sunfield and Dahlgren, Illinois.[45] One person was injured in Illinois,[44] and another injury occurred in Arkansas. A total of 21 tornadoes were confirmed.[45]

On March 28, the SPC issued a moderate risk of severe weather for much of Illinois, including a 15% hatched risk of tornadoes. An enhanced risk of severe weather was in place across parts of Iowa, Missouri, Indiana, and Arkansas as well. At 2:40 p.m. CDT on March 28th, a Particularly Dangerous Situation Tornado Watch was issued by the Storm Prediction Center across central and eastern Iowa, central and northern Illinois, and northeastern Missouri.[46] Only weak tornadoes touched down in the moderate risk area, though a few strong tornadoes occurred elsewhere. A large EF3 tornado struck the city of Jonesboro, Arkansas, while being streamed live on local news stations, producing major damage to homes, businesses, and a shopping mall. Vehicles were thrown and mangled, and the local airport sustained severe damage as well. A train was also derailed, and 22 injuries occurred in Jonesboro.[47][48][49][50][51] The same storm that produced this tornado also produced two EF1 tornadoes, one before and one after it moved over Jonesboro.[52][50] Into the evening, numerous weak tornadoes touched down in Iowa and Illinois, and another in southwest Wisconsin. This included an EF1 tornado that caused moderate damage to apartment buildings and trees in Oelwein, Iowa.[49] A low-end EF2 tornado touched down in Corydon, Kentucky moved through the southern fringes of Henderson, destroying numerous outbuildings and a barn, snapping power poles, and damaging dozens of homes and trees.[53] Another EF2 struck the town of Newburgh, Indiana, where five homes sustained partial to total roof removal, and one home had a few upper floor exterior walls ripped off. Numerous other homes in town sustained less severe damage, and two people were injured in Newburgh. An EF1 tornado also caused roof and tree damage in Peoria, Illinois as well[54]

Early in the morning of March 29, the same storm system produced an EF0 tornado that mainly damaged trees near Sparta, Tennessee. Overall, this outbreak produced 20 tornadoes.[55]

On the evening of March 30, isolated supercells developed across Texas and Oklahoma, producing two weak tornadoes. One of these was given an EFU rating, and the other, which was a landspout or non-mesocylonic tornado, was given an EF0 rating.[56] On March 31, multiple supercells and embedded mesocyclones formed along and just ahead of a convective line, producing several tornadoes across parts of the Southeastern United States.[57] A high-end EF2 tornado caused significant damage just south of Eufaula, Alabama, where multiple homes in a subdivision had their roofs torn off. A few of these homes sustained partial exterior wall loss.[58][59] Multiple other weak tornadoes were confirmed in southeast Mississippi, southern Alabama, and northern Florida.[60][59] An EFU landspout tornado was also caught on video around 2:30 p.m. PDT at the north edge of Richland, Washington, causing no damage.[61] In all, 15 tornadoes were confirmed.[57]

A few weak tornadoes touched down across Ohio and Pennsylvania late on April 7 and into the early morning of April 8, causing tree and structure damage. Later on the night of April 8, a large EF2 cone tornado touched down near Weiner, Arkansas, completely destroying a mobile home. The tornado then struck Harrisburg, Arkansas in Poinsett County.[62][63] In Harrisburg, one frail home was completely leveled by the tornado, and several homes nearby were also badly damaged or destroyed in residential areas of town.[64] Extensive tree damage occurred and two people were injured in Harrisburg.[65] Numerous tornadoes, all of which weak and short-lived, occurred across Indiana, Kentucky, and Ohio that night as well. One EF1 tornado caused considerable damage to a brick building in downtown Mooresville, Indiana. Another EF1 tornado damaged two mobile homes, a garage, and trees near Wilkesville, Ohio on April 9 before the outbreak came to an end. Numerous reports of damaging straight line winds were also received throughout the event. A total of 31 tornadoes were confirmed.[66]

High-end EF4 damage to a large, well-anchored cabin northeast of Bassfield, Mississippi.

On the morning of April 12, the SPC issued a moderate risk of severe weather for much of the Southern United States, including a 15% risk of tornadoes. From the late morning of April 12 through the early morning of April 13, a major and deadly tornado outbreak unfolded across the region, with many strong to violent tornadoes touching down and causing major damage and numerous fatalities. Over a 48 hour period from the early morning hours of April 12 to the evening of April 13, 140 tornadoes touched down from Texas to Maryland. This event was well forecasted, with the Storm Prediction Center issuing severe weather outlooks as early as five days before the outbreak. At 10:40 a.m. CDT on April 12, a Particularly Dangerous Situation Tornado Watch was issued by the Storm Prediction Center across northeast Louisiana, southeast Arkansas, and central and northern Mississippi.[67] At 11:44 a.m. CDT, a tornado emergency was issued for Monroe, Louisiana as an EF3 tornado moved through the city, causing significant damage to more than 200 homes, as well as the Monroe Regional Airport.[68][69][70] At 3:30 p.m. CDT, two back-to-back supercells produced three intense and long-tracked tornadoes in southern Mississippi, including two rated EF4. The violent tornadoes promted the National Weather Service in Jackson, Mississippi to issue multiple tornado emergencies for numerous towns. The first of these two EF4 tornadoes leveled and swept away homes near Sartinville, Mississippi, killing four. The second one reached high-end EF4 strength as it completely debarked trees, lofted vehicles hundreds of yards through the air, and obliterated well-built homes and structures in and around the towns of Bassfield, Soso, and Moss. This high-end EF4 tornado killed eight people, and was the largest tornado ever recorded in Mississippi state history. At 4:40 p.m. CDT, a second PDS watch was issued affecting extreme southeast Mississippi and most of Alabama, including the cities of Mobile, Montgomery, Tuscaloosa, and Birmingham.[71] As the system progressed northeastward into the nighttime hours, another tornado emergency was issued, this time at 11:28 p.m. EDT for the towns of Ooltewah and Collegedale as a deadly EF3 tornado struck the eastern suburbs of Chattanooga, Tennessee, killing four and injuring 19.[72][73] A deadly high-end EF2 tornado also impacted the small community of Sumac, Georgia, destroying several mobile homes and killing eight people.[66]

During the early morning hours April 13, the storms that formed the day before congealed into a strong squall line as they advanced into eastern Georgia and the Carolinas. Multiple embedded circulations and semi-discrete supercells within the line spawned numerous strong and deadly tornadoes across the region.[74][75] 10 tornadoes of EF3 or greater strength occurred on day two of the outbreak, including eight in South Carolina, where nine tornado-related fatalities occurred. The most significant tornado that occurred on April 13 was a 3/4-mile wide EF4 in Hampton County, South Carolina that destroyed many homes and took the lives of five people near Estill and Nixville.[76] Another high-end EF3 struck Seneca, South Carolina, destroying multiple homes and a manufacturing plant, killing one person.[66]

With 34 tornado-related fatalities, it was the deadliest outbreak since April 27–30, 2014.[77]

For the second straight Sunday and Monday, several strong to violent tornadoes touched down across the Southern United States. On April 19, the SPC issued a moderate risk of severe weather for much of the Deep South, including a 15% hatched risk of tornadoes.[78] Later that evening, a large, violent EF4 tornado moved through or near the rural Mississippi communities of Hurricane Creek, Sandy Hook, Pine Burr, and areas north of Purvis, Mississippi, killing one person and injuring another. A well-built house was leveled by this tornado, and numerous other homes and mobile homes were damaged or destroyed as well. Numerous trees were also snapped and partially debarked along the path.[79][80] Later that evening, an EF2 tornado caused severe damage to a duplex, a home, some chicken houses, and other structures near Andalusia, Alabama, injuring one person.[81] An EF1 tornado caused damage to multiple mobile homes and destroyed an RV camper near Robertsdale, Alabama as well, causing another injury.[82] An EF2 tornado also struck the small community of Tumbleton, Alabama, tearing the roofs off of some homes and a business, and causing one fatality when a mobile home was destroyed.[66]

Early on April 20, another EF2 tornado heavily damaged several homes and a mobile home near Bridgeboro, Georgia.[83] Later on, several more tornadoes were reported throughout the morning into the afternoon in Central Florida.[84] An EF0 tornado caused considerable damage to mobile homes and businesses in Homosassa and Homosassa Springs, Florida.[85][86] Later, an EF1 tornado was caught on video lifting a stationary construction trailer across Interstate 75 in Wildwood, Florida.[87][88] A total of 22 tornadoes were confirmed as a result of this outbreak, which resulted in two fatalities.[66]

EF2 damage to a manufacturing facility in Madill, Oklahoma.

On the morning of April 22, the SPC issued an enhanced risk of severe weather for parts of Oklahoma, Texas, Louisiana, and Arkansas, which included a 10% hatched risk of tornadoes. Later that evening, multiple supercell thunderstorms developed and several tornadoes struck southern Oklahoma east of I-35, including a high-end EF2 tornado that killed two people and injured at least 30 others in Madill. Industrial buildings were severely damaged at three manufacturing facilities in Madill, while a few homes and mobile homes in town were damaged or destroyed.[89] Several EF1 tornadoes also caused damage to homes, outbuildings, and trees near Wapanucka, Pauls Valley, and Armstrong. Farther south, an isolated, long-tracked supercell tracked from East Texas to Western Mississippi, producing numerous strong and fatal tornadoes along the way. A deadly EF3 wedge tornado moved through San Jacinto and Polk County, Texas around 6:00 p.m. CDT, leaving three dead and causing severe damage in Onalaska and Seven Oaks. Numerous homes and mobile homes were also damaged or destroyed along the path of this tornado, and 33 others were injured.[90][91] The same cell warranted tornado emergencies for Jasper, Texas at 7:08 p.m. CDT and Fort Polk, Louisiana at 8:13 p.m. CDT respectfully. An EF2 tornado also passed just south of Alexandria, Louisiana, damaging structures at LSU-Alexandria, and killing one person east of Woodworth when a mobile home was destroyed.[92][93] The system continued eastward into Mississippi, Alabama, Florida, and Georgia on April 23, producing additional tornadoes. An early morning EF2 significantly damaged airplane hangars near Bunkie, Louisiana, while a massive EF2 wedge tornado mowed down hundreds of trees and destroyed half of a chicken house near Soso, Mississippi, which had been devastated by an EF4 tornado 11 days prior. Another large EF2 downed numerous trees, tore much of the roof off a house, and destroyed a metal building near McComb. Numerous tornadoes touched down in Florida later that day, most of which were weak. However, an EF2 tornado caused considerable damage to trees, outbuildings, and mobile homes near Marianna. Overall, this outbreak produced 45 tornadoes and resulted in six fatalities.[66]

The EF2 tornado that caused two fatalities in Apodaca, Mexico.

A strong, long-tracked EF2 tornado, with winds between 180 and 220 km/hour, struck the town of Apodaca, Nuevo León, Mexico damaging over 100 cars, overturning 12 tractor-trailers, and knocking down trees, lamp posts, and power lines. Significant damage also occurred at an industrial park. Two people were killed and at least five others were injured.[95]

An unusual lull in tornado activity during the first half of May was somewhat broken by a four-day outbreak of mostly weak tornadoes that occurred in mid-May. The event began May 15, as a large MCS affected New England, generating numerous reports of wind damage, as well as an EF1 tornado in Wilton, New York that damaged a warehouse and downed many trees. Meanwhile, another MCS struck Kansas, Oklahoma, and Arkansas, producing a high-end EF1 tornado that caused considerable damage in Keefeton, Oklahoma. Yet another large MCS formed in West Texas and pushed eastward into the morning hours of May 16, producing a few additional weak tornadoes.[96] Later in the day, an upper level low generated a localized outbreak of weak tornadoes in Southeastern Oklahoma and the Ark-La-Tex region, a few of which caused considerable damage. A total of 13 tornadoes were confirmed, with the most significant being a high-end EF1 that damaged a nursing home and destroyed a propane supply business in Malakoff, Texas. Another EF1 tornado that struck areas just east of Texarkana, Arkansas caused roof and power pole damage.[97] On May 17, additional tornadoes were reported in Illinois and Louisiana. The most significant tornado of the event occurred that evening, when an EF3 tornado destroyed multiple mobile homes and a site-built home near Church Point, Louisiana, injuring nine people and killing one.[98] An EF0 tornado touched down in the Ohio community of Lilly Chapel on May 18, causing damage to trees and a barn before the outbreak ended.[99] A total of 20 tornadoes were confirmed as a result of this outbreak, which resulted in one fatality.[100]

A destructive QLCS tornado occurred in Tulang Bawang regency, killing two people and leaving six others injured. Several houses were destroyed or collapsed and many trees were downed. A total of 66 homes were badly damaged or destroyed and 179 others sustained minor damage. The tornado itself was spawned along the leading edge of a squall line of severe thunderstorms that was moving through the area.[101][102][103]

Severe storms produced a damaging EF1 tornado that ripped through Geelong, Victoria, Australia, damaging more than 100 houses, with four of them being left uninhabitable. Winds in the tornado were estimated to be up to 160 km/h (100 mph) and the path width was up 60 m (197 feet). Fortunately, there were no casualties.[104]

A minor three-day long outbreak of weak tornadoes struck areas stretching from the Great Plains to the Southeast. On May 22, an EF1 tornado struck downtown Bowie, Texas, resulting in considerable damage to homes, businesses, trees, and vehicles. May 23 was the most prolific day of the event, when 10 tornadoes struck areas from the Quad Cities metro to the Chicago metro. This included an EF0 tornado that caused damage in the Chicago suburbs of Minooka and Shorewood, downing trees and power poles and flipping a car on I-80, injuring the driver. A high-end EF1 caused damage to outbuildings, grain bins, trees and power poles near Morse, Iowa as well. Overall, 14 tornadoes were confirmed, with no fatalities being reported.[105][106][107]

The approach of Tropical Storm Cristobal prompted numerous tornado warnings and four tornadoes throughout Florida on June 6.[108] A damaging EF1 tornado struck areas just east of Downtown Orlando. It started as a waterspout over Lake Conway before moving ashore and crossing an isthmus. A lakefront house on the isthmus suffered severe roof damage and numerous trees were downed. Again, the tornado became a waterspout as it moved across Little Lake Conway. The tornado moved ashore again, damaging or uprooting multiple trees, some of which fell onto homes. Several apartment buildings suffered severe roof damage before the tornado ultimately dissipated.[109][110] The next day, three more weak tornadoes struck Florida due to Cristobal.[111] After a lull occurring on June 8, tornado activity resumed on June 9, with a flurry of tornado warnings being issued in the Great Lakes region. A weak tornado occurred over an open field near Onarga, Illinois, causing no damage. A total of eight tornadoes were confirmed.[112]

Simultaneously to Tropical Storm Cristobal, a strong cold front moved slowly through the High Plains and Great Lakes regions, spawning at least 22 tornadoes. On June 6th, a brief tornado would strike Haakon County, South Dakota, flipping a vehicle.[113] An EF1 tornado in Arlington, Wyoming also snapped and uprooted numerous trees.[114] On June 7th, the SPC issued an enhanced risk of severe weather for the High Plains, including a 10% hatched risk of tornadoes. One supercell thunderstorm produced three EF1 tornadoes across central South Dakota, causing damage to sheds, outbuildings, and trees.[115] June 8th was the most prolific day of the outbreak, when nine tornadoes touched down in North Dakota, Minnesota, and Nebraska. A rain-wrapped EF1 tornado struck Middle River, Minnesota, snapping numerous trees.[116] On June 9th, two EF0 tornadoes would touch down in northern Kansas. The second tornado, ripped the roof off of a garage, in Washington County. As the cold front moved eastward, the SPC issued a moderate risk for severe weather for June 10th in the Great Lakes region. The moderate risk was for a 45% hatched area of damaging winds, although there was a 5% tornado area as well. Four tornadoes would strike Ohio, and western Pennsylvania. This included a mid-range EF2 tornado that struck the communities of Ohioville and Daugherty Township, in Pennsylvania. In Ohioville, several power poles and trees were snapped near I-376. As the tornado traveled eastward into Daugherty Township, 40-50 hardwood trees were snapped or uprooted. One tree left a six foot deep crater in the ground, before the tornado would eventually dissipate. This was the strongest tornado to hit Beaver County since 1985.[117] Two EF1 tornadoes also touched down in southwestern Ontario with one of them striking the town of Glencoe and the other impacting the town of Belmont.[118] Overall, 22 tornadoes touched down over the five-day period, along with over 1000 reports of severe winds and wind damage from Utah to New York. This included a 110 mph wind gust in Winter Park, Colorado.[119]

A small outbreak of mostly weak tornadoes impacted Europe beginning on June 7, including an F1 that caused considerable roof and tree damage as it struck the small Russian village of Yerunakovo in Kemerovo Oblast. The most damaging tornado was a high-end F1 that caused significant damage in Kaniów, Poland. Power lines were downed and at least 21 homes were damaged in town, several of which had their roofs torn off. Some garages and gazebos were destroyed as well. A tornado also touched down near the community of Kulikovka in Tula Oblast, Russia, though it remained over unpopulated areas and caused no damage. Additional tornadoes touched down on June 8, including three landspout type tornadoes that occurred in rural areas of western Russia, causing no damage. A large cone tornado was photographed and caught on video as it moved over fields near the town of Lukšiai in Lithuania, causing no known damage. An F0 tornado caused minor tree and roof damage in Vicoforte, Italy, while another F0 rope tornado flattened grass in a convergent pattern as it touched down in a field in Trecate. A total of nine tornadoes were confirmed.[120][121]

A large tornado caused a wood processing warehouse in Vĩnh Phúc Province of Vietnam to collapse, killing three people and injuring 18 others.[122]

A low pressure system was responsible for numerous weak, but damaging tornadoes across the Gulf Coast states of Louisiana, Mississippi, and Alabama. [123][124] The most damaging tornado was an EF1 tornado that struck Westminster, Louisiana, ripping roofing off of buildings, downing fences, and blowing out windows. The tornado also pushed a vehicle through a fence and onto an I-10 onramp, caused damage to an elementary school, and caused minor damage near I-12.[125] An EF0 tornado also struck Gulfport, Mississippi, snapping trees and causing minor roof damage.[126] Overall, 13 tornadoes were confirmed.

Four tornadoes hit New Zealand's upper North Island in late-June. On June 26, a tornado damaged farmland north of Auckland in Mangawhai. The following day, a tornado hit the northern Auckland suburb of Dairy Flat, knocking down trees and damaging buildings. An EF2 tornado then damaged homes and businesses in the South Auckland suburb East Tamaki. The final tornado then caused damage in Papamoa, Bay of Plenty.[127] [128][129]