Tornado outbreak sequence of May 19–27, 2024: Difference between revisions

Tornado outbreak sequence of May 19–27, 2024

Map of tornado warnings and confirmed tornadoes from the outbreak sequence
Meteorological history
Duration	May 19–27, 2024
Tornado outbreak
Tornadoes	225
Maximum rating	EF4 tornado
Duration	6 days, 9 hours, 40 minutes
Highest winds	Tornadic – >185 mph (298 km/h) (Greenfield, IA EF4 tornado on May 21)* *Wind gusts of up to 309–318 mph (497–512 km/h) were calculated in this tornado by Doppler on Wheels (DOW)
Highest gusts	Non-tornadic – 110 mph (180 km/h) (Ansted, West Virginia, May 26)[1]
Overall effects
Fatalities	21 (+10 non-tornadic)[2][3][4][5][6][7][8]
Injuries	243+[9][10]
Areas affected	Midwestern, Southern and Eastern United States, Canada
Part of the Tornadoes of 2024

A multi-day period of significant tornado activity along with significant derechos occurred across the Midwestern United States and the Mississippi Valley as well as an additional tornado in the Canadian province of Quebec. From May 19–27, 2024, two derechos occurred and tornadoes were reported across large portions of the Central United States, with multiple Particularly Dangerous Situation (PDS) watches issued across the sequence.^{[11][12][13][14]} On May 19, strong tornadoes occurred with isolated supercells in Colorado and Oklahoma while a derecho produced widespread wind damage and weak tornadoes across Kansas into the early morning hours of May 20. Limited tornadic activity took place on May 20, but another outbreak along with widespread damage struck mainly Iowa and Wisconsin on May 21. Five fatalities were confirmed with a large, violent, long-tracked EF4 tornado that went through Greenfield, Iowa. Scattered to widespread severe weather and tornadoes occurred over the next two days, including an EF2 tornado that injured 30 people on the west side of Temple, Texas. Another derecho formed in southwestern Nebraska late on May 23 and moved eastward, producing widespread wind damage and weak tornadoes through Nebraska and Iowa and northwestern Illinois before withering away in the northern part of the state during the morning hours of May 24.

A nocturnal outbreak occurred during the overnight hours of May 25 into May 26. An isolated supercell in northern Texas produced multiple tornadoes, including a low-end EF3 tornado that passed near Valley View, Texas, killing seven people. Another longer-lived supercell moved through northeastern Oklahoma and across northern Arkansas, producing several tornadoes along with straight-line winds of 100 mph (160 km/h). Two fatalities were confirmed from an EF3 tornado that struck Claremore, Oklahoma along with areas near Pryor. Later, it produced a very large EF3 tornado near Decatur, Arkansas, which became the largest tornado ever recorded in Arkansas. Another EF3 tornado killed four people near Olvey and Pyatt while an additional tornadic death occurred with yet another EF3 tornado that passed near Yellville and through Briarcliff. Another supercell in southern Missouri produced a low-end EF3 tornado that passed near Morehouse and through Sikeston, killing one. May 26 would be the most active day of severe weather; several rounds of squall lines and tornadic supercells moved through the Mid-Mississippi and the Ohio Valleys, producing widespread wind damage, large hail, and tornadoes. This included a very destructive, intense high-end EF3 tornado that prompted the issuance of four tornado emergencies across areas that had been previously impacted by the 2021 Western Kentucky tornado. One person was killed by this tornado.^[15] Severe weather activity became more isolated and scattered on May 27, marking the end of the outbreak sequence.

In all, 225 tornadoes occurred during the outbreak sequence; 21 people were killed by tornadoes while 10 other people died due to non-tornadic events as well. Over 240 people were injured.

On May 19, the Storm Prediction Center (SPC) outlined a level 4/Moderate risk of severe weather across southwest to central Kansas, encompassed by a level 3/Enhanced risk that extended into northwestern Oklahoma as well. Across the highest risk area, forecasters warned of the potential for a developing derecho capable of producing damaging winds upwards of 100 mph (160 km/h).^[16] By the early afternoon hours, a northwest-to-southeast-oriented dryline extended from eastern Colorado into the Texas Panhandle, while a cold front laid across northern and central Kansas. Between these boundaries, dewpoints rose into the lower 60s °F and effective wind shear reached 50 kn (60 mph; 90 km/h), supportive of supercell thunderstorms that would likely evolve into a line of storms as a shortwave trough approached from the west.^[17] Given the environment, the SPC issued a particularly dangerous situation severe thunderstorm watch across much of Kansas, northwestern Oklahoma, and the far northeastern Texas Panhandle.^[18] An intense supercell developed in north-central Kansas, producing large hail in excess of 2 in (51 mm), tornadoes, and a wind gust to 71 kn (82 mph; 131 km/h) near Russell,^[19] eventually growing upscale as additional convective clusters formed to the southwest.^[20] In Oklahoma, an isolated intense supercell developed and tracked eastward toward the Oklahoma City metropolitan area as low-level wind shear began to increase.^[21] Meanwhile, dual mesoscale convective vortices tracked across eastern Kansas,^[22] contributing to widespread damaging wind reports—including multiple high wind gusts in excess of 65 kn (75 mph; 120 km/h)—as well as several tornadoes.^[23] As the complexes continued into Missouri, they encountered more stable air, causing the severe threat to gradually diminish.^[24]

The severe threat shifted northward on May 20 as the SPC issued a level 3/Enhanced risk across northeastern Colorado and southwestern Nebraska. Here, forecasters expected a mixture of supercells and clusters of storms to originate near the Palmer Divide. Although rich moisture waned with westward extent,^[25] dewpoints in the upper 50s to lower 60s °F were expected to spread northwestward from Kansas and into Colorado.^[26] Thunderstorms developed in this area by the late afternoon hours, though their growth was stunted by marginal instability.^[27] Several discrete supercells eventually evolved across northeastern Colorado and began to grow upscale while encountering a more moist and unstable environment to the east across western Nebraska.^[28] The bowing line of storms traversed Nebraska and eventually Iowa through the pre-dawn and early morning hours of May 21, resulting in continued damaging wind gusts.^[29][30]

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The Storm Prediction Center forecast for May 21

On May 21, the SPC issued another Moderate risk for severe weather in the states of Iowa, Missouri, Minnesota, Wisconsin, and Illinois, including a 15% risk for significant tornadoes.^[31] Upper-air soundings observed steep lapse rates in the middle troposphere over parts of Kansas and Missouri on the morning of May 21. The SPC predicted that these conditions would spread into the primary severe weather risk area, overlapping with a moist airmass with dew points approaching 70 °F (21 °C) and leading to strong potential atmospheric instability.^[32] That morning, an organized cluster of thunderstorms moved into Iowa after having produced severe wind gusts in central and eastern Nebraska. This line of storms continued across central and eastern Iowa just north of a warm front, presenting a continued threat for damaging wind gusts.^[33] Additional storms began to develop along the border between Kansas and Nebraska ahead of an approaching trough. The SPC anticipated that the atmospheric environment over eastern Nebraska and western Iowa would become increasingly conducive for further organization of these storms into supercells.^[34] A tornado watch was issued by the SPC for areas near and along the Nebraska–Iowa border region at 11:10 a.m. CDT in anticipation of these changes.^[35] At 1:10 p.m. CDT, the SPC issued a tornado watch flagged as a particularly dangerous situation for much of Iowa and parts of surrounding states, including an 80% likelihood of a significant tornado occurring within the watch area.^[36] Supercells were active over southwestern Iowa by the mid-afternoon, approaching an environment favorable for tornadogenesis leading into the Des Moines area.^[37]

Multiple tornadoes were reported in Iowa, including a damaging tornado near Corning and in Greenfield, where multiple fatalities were reported.^[38][10] Tornadoes were also reported in Minnesota and Wisconsin.^[38]

On May 22, the SPC outlined an Enhanced risk extending from central Texas across southeastern Oklahoma, extreme northwestern Louisiana, and southwestern Arkansas.^[39] In Texas, a cold front stretched from the Red River southwestward into the Permian Basin, with a surface trough just ahead of that front. Supercells were expected to evolve within a sheared and deeply unstable environment given effective wind shear of 60 kn (70 mph; 110 km/h) and mixed-layer CAPE of 3,000 J/kg. As such, very large hail was anticipated to be the main threat, although isolated tornadoes were possible too before storms grew upscale into one or more convective lines.^[40] To the northeast, lines of storms tracked across Oklahoma, Arkansas, and Tennessee, with a primary risk of damaging winds and large hail.^[41][42] Meanwhile, intense supercells developed across central Texas in a very unstable and deeply sheared environment, riding along outflow boundaries that enhanced the tornado threat.^[43] A particularly intense tornado developed southwest of Sterling City. Ongoing storms across Texas eventually evolved into an intense mesoscale convective system moving across eastern portions of the state and into Louisiana through the late evening.^[44]

On May 23, the SPC issued an Enhanced risk over central Nebraska to Western Iowa for the threat of damaging winds. Conditions weren't quite as favorable this day compared to others with dew points only expected to reach the upper 50s °F, creating conditions for high-base supercells, lowering the tornado potential. However, CAPE values were still able to reach 1000-3000 J/kg. Combined with shear reaching 45-55 kts, conditions were favorable for severe weather.^[45] Storms initiated along a front over northwest Nebraska around 4pm CDT, though the line quickly dissipated with only a supercell able to maintain itself as it went around the corner of Colorado as it produced several tornadoes.^[46] Eventually the line reformed over Southern Nebraska and began to produce damaging winds, growing to the height of the state at 1am CDT. Despite nighttime cooling, the line maintained itself and swept across all of Iowa bringing damaging winds up to 85 mph to the entire state and producing brief, weak tornadoes.^[47]

Meanwhile, in Texas and Oklahoma, a Slight Risk for all hazards was issued, though the tornado threat was seen as secondary to the more likely hail threat, with dew points in the low 70s °F and CAPE values around 3000 J/kg, but a supercellular storm mode.^[45] Supercells initially developed over western Texas, though failed to sustain themselves, except for a cluster that sustained themselves on the TX/OK border.^[46]

For May 24, the SPC initially issued a large Slight Risk from Southern Wisconsin to Central Texas, but in the 1300z Outlook upgraded northeast Illinois (for damaging winds) and a thin area of western/southern Oklahoma and northern Texas (for large hail) to an Enhanced Risk.^[48] The line MCS from the previous night in Iowa continued into the late morning and produced a couple tornadoes over that area of Illinois. Following this, little tornado activity occurred during the day.^[49] However, due to its long-lived hazard of damaging winds and long track length, the MCS was officially declared as a derecho by the Storm Prediction Center.^[50]

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A briefing by the National Weather Service in Norman, Oklahoma

On May 25, the SPC warned of an outbreak of severe thunderstorms across a level 4/Moderate risk area that encompassed much of Oklahoma and Kansas, as well as southwestern Missouri. In this region, forecasters expected the development of a few discrete supercells that would be capable of producing giant hail and strong to violent tornadoes. Across the northern portion of the risk, these supercells were forecast to evolve into a mesoscale convective system with swaths of damaging winds into the overnight hours.^[51] The potential for a level 5/High risk was discussed by forecasters in the preceding 24 hours given "a rare combination of instability and shear" that was depicted by model guidance.^[52] However, multiple uncertainties precluded a categorical upgrade, particularly questions about the influence of storms in Texas on the risk area farther north. A broad upper-level trough existed over the Western United States, with several embedded shortwaves, one of which was expected to translate across the risk area during the afternoon. A stationary boundary lifted northward as a warm front while a dryline sharpened from western Kansas into western Texas. In the warm sector between these boundaries, dewpoints rose into the upper 60s to even mid-70s °F, aiding in the development of extreme mixed-layer instability of 4,000–5,000 J/kg.^[53][54] A particularly dangerous situation tornado watch was subsequently issued for portions of extreme northern Texas, much of Oklahoma, and south-central Kansas.^[55]

Shortly thereafter, multiple supercells evolved over time across Texas and Oklahoma, but the convective evolution quickly became messy as splitting storms developed in close proximity.^[56] Additional supercells evolved across northern Oklahoma and southern Kansas, but those too underwent negative interaction with left-split storms and their accompanying outflow approaching from the south.^[57][58] As a result, central Oklahoma was completely void of storms for the entire day. Just before midnight, however two distinct areas of severe weather became the focus of intense tornadic activity. To the south, a discrete supercell developed within an extremely sheared environment north of the Dallas–Fort Worth metropolitan area. This supercell produced several tornadoes over the course of three hours, the first of which was a deadly low-end EF3 tornado near Valley View, Texas, before dissipating.^[59] To the north, several supercells formed in northeastern Oklahoma and southern Kansas, while a southeast-propagating mesoscale convective system developed across northern Kansas. A line of discrete storms also formed in eastern Oklahoma, but they all quickly dissipated.^[60] Meanwhile, the supercells moved eastward across northeastern Oklahoma, southern Missouri, and northern Arkansas continued into the pre-dawn hours,^[61] resulting in multiple large, intense, and fatal tornadoes. A bowing mesoscale convective system evolved across the mid-Mississippi River Valley by sunrise.^[62]

As the convective line with a history of damaging wind gusts spread eastward across the Mississippi and Ohio river valleys through the morning hours, it encountered a warming and destabilizing airmass, further increasing the severe threat.^[63] This initial line moved toward portions of West Virginia, Virginia, and North Carolina and was subsequently trailed by a secondary line of convection across western portions Kentucky and Tennessee.^[64][65] Cumulatively, this resulted in hundreds of damaging wind reports.^[66] Meanwhile, farther to the south and west, forecasters became increasingly concerned about a corridor from southeastern Missouri eastward into western Kentucky and adjacent areas. Here, the influx of warm and dry air aloft allowed for the rapid destabilization of the atmosphere previously impacted by morning storms. An outflow boundary from that convection was expected to become the focal point for enhanced tornadic activity. As such, the SPC outlined a level 4/Moderate risk across portions of the Tennessee and Ohio river valleys due to increased confidence in an outbreak of damaging winds and strong tornadoes. Supercells began to develop across southwestern Missouri during the early afternoon.^[67] As they continued eastward, they encountered an increasingly favorable environment, with MLCAPE over 3,500 J/kg and effective wind shear around 50 kn (60 mph; 90 km/h).^[68] Additional storms began to develop in the open warm sector across Missouri, Illinois, Indiana, and Kentucky as well.^[69] As these supercells interacted with the remnant outflow boundary, they resulted in the formation of several strong tornadoes.^[70] By the evening hours, these storms were quickly trailed by a well-organized and intense line of convection moving toward the southeast.^[71] This line maintained vigorous for several hours even as it encountered a more stable airmass but finally began to lose strength as it approached the Appalachian Mountains region, resulting in a gradually diminishing severe threat through the morning of May 27.^[72][73] While severe storms formed across the eastern part of the continent on May 27 only a few weak tornadoes touched down in multiple areas in Georgia, Pennsylvania as well as an EF1 tornado near the Ontario-Quebec border in Rigaud, Quebec.

Nodaway–Corning–Greenfield, Iowa

The EF4 tornado approaching Greenfield, Iowa
Meteorological history
Formed	May 21, 2024, 2:57 p.m. CDT (UTC−05:00)
Dissipated	May 21, 2024, 3:45 p.m. CDT (UTC−05:00)
Duration	48 minutes
EF4 tornado
on the Enhanced Fujita scale
Highest winds	>185 mph (298 km/h)* *Wind gusts of up to 309–318 mph (497–512 km/h) were measured in this tornado by Doppler on Wheels (DOW)[74][75][76][77]
Overall effects
Fatalities	5
Injuries	35

This large, violent, multi-vortex tornado first touched down near the town of Villisca in Page County and moved northeastward at EF1 intensity, destroying all but one wall of an outbuilding and damaging the roof of a home. It then clipped the far northwestern tip of Taylor County before moving into Adams County, inflicting EF0 damage to trees. Continuing northeastward, the tornado reached EF1 intensity again as it approached and passed southeast of Nodaway, snapping wooden power poles, heavily damaging or destroying outbuildings, causing minor damage to homes, and snapping trees.^[78] Continuing northeastward, the tornado passed just west of Brooks, destroying and throwing a grain bin and damaging trees. Crossing US 34 west of Corning and continuing northeastward, the tornado heavily damaged or destroyed outbuildings, inflicted roof damage to homes and snapped trees. As the tornado crossed Iowa 148, an outbuilding was obliterated, and a home suffered moderate roof damage with its garage being destroyed. This damage was rated low-end EF2.^[78] A woman driving on Iowa 148 died when she was ejected from her car after it was lofted by the tornado.^[79] The tornado continued northeastward over rural, open terrain, with the only damage being EF0-EF1 damage to the roofs of an outbuilding and a home along the outer edge of the circulation. The next area of concentrated damage was at the intersection of 150th Street and Notchwood Avenue. The tornado was at high-end EF3 intensity here and a cinderblock home was completely leveled with the debris collapsing into the basement. Outbuildings on the property were destroyed, a loaded grain bin had its top ripped off, a tractor-trailer was lofted and turned 360°, and trees were snapped. To the northeast of here, the tornado continued over open terrain. EF2 damage was inflicted to a large metal outbuilding that lost its roof with EF1 roof damage to a home along with a destroyed outbuilding. It also toppled at least five wind turbines at EF2 strength along this portion of the track, including one turbine that caught on fire.^[78] The tornado exhibited violent motion and multiple vortices along this segment of the path as well.

The tornado then crossed into Adair County and continued northeastward through Richland Township at EF1 intensity, uprooting and snapping trees, inflicting roof and siding damage to a home, toppling a silo, and damaging an outbuilding.^[78] After toppling another wind turbine, knocking down a metal transmission tower, and destroying an outbuilding at EF2 intensity, the tornado quickly became violent and reached low-end EF4 intensity, leveling multiple homes and outbuildings. Severe damage to other homes and outbuildings also occurred and trees were snapped, including some that had partial debarking. As the tornado approached Greenfield from the southwest, it inflicted EF1-EF3 damage with two homes and several outbuildings being destroyed, another home suffering severe roof damage, and multiple vehicles being tossed.^[78] The tornado then turned east-northeastward and became violent again, reaching its peak intensity of mid-range EF4 as it moved through Greenfield. Dozens of homes were leveled with some homes being partially to completely swept away, and mobile homes and outbuildings were obliterated. Many other homes suffered extensive roof and exterior wall damage or were shifted off their foundations, and many large trees were snapped and stubbed, including some that landed on and contributed to houses being leveled. All throughout the town, vehicles were destroyed and wooden power poles were snapped as well.^[78][10] Four fatalities and 35 injuries were reported in the town.^[9][80][10] As the tornado moved through the town, a Doppler on Wheels measured winds initially reported as being at least >250 mph (400 km/h), "possibly as high as 290 mph (470 km/h)" at 48 yards (44 m) above the surface.^[75] Pieter Groenemeijer, the director of the European Severe Storms Laboratory noted that "on the IF-scale, 250 mph measured below 60 m above ground level is IF4 on the IF-scale, 290 mph is IF5."^[76] After further analysis, this report was revised to winds of 308–319 mph (496–513 km/h) at 36–38 yards (33–35 m) above the surface.^[77] An EF2 tornado developed to the northeast of Greenfield as the violent tornado moved through the town. After exiting Greenfield, this tornado moved east-northeastward, weakened, and dissipated over open terrain as the other tornado became the dominant circulation within the supercell.^[78]

The tornado was on the ground for 46 minutes, traveled 43.08 mi (69.33 km), and had a peak width of 1,600 yd (1.5 km). Five people were killed and at least 35 others were injured.^[78]

Forestburg–Rosston–Era–Valley View–Pilot Point, Texas

Debris strewn through fields south of Valley View exactly three weeks after the tornado struck.
Meteorological history
Formed	May 25, 2024, 9:42 p.m. CDT (UTC−05:00)
Dissipated	May 25, 2024, 11:15 p.m. CDT (UTC−05:00)
Duration	1 hour, 33 minutes
EF3 tornado
on the Enhanced Fujita scale
Highest winds	140 mph (230 km/h)
Overall effects
Fatalities	7
Injuries	100

This intense, deadly, long-tracked tornado initially touched down southeast of Bowie in Montague County at 9:42 PM CDT. It initially caused EF0-EF1 damage to trees and outbuildings as it moved through rural areas. Moving eastward, the tornado intensified to EF2 strength, causing severe damage to two rural residence, with lesser damage being inflicted to other nearby residences. The tornado then weakened slightly as it continued eastward and passed south of Forestburg. Widespread EF0 to high-end EF1 damage to trees and outbuildings, along with minor damage to homes, was observed along this segment of the path. The tornado further weakened as it turned east-southeastward, crossed into Cooke County, and passed through Rosston, causing widespread EF0 tree damage. As the tornado approached and crossed FM 51 south of Era, the tornado strengthened again, with trees and structures suffering EF1 damage. Further strengthening occurred as the tornado continued eastward southeast of Era and west of Valley View, inflicting EF2 damage to three residences. After causing some additional EF1 damage, the tornado reached its peak intensity of low-end EF3 along County Road 200.^[78] Several newly constructed homes were heavily damaged or destroyed with roofs removed and exterior walls knocked down. To the east, the tornado struck a neighborhood along West Lone Oak Rd at EF2 intensity heavily damaging manufactured and mobile homes, including some that were demolished. A few fatalities occurred at this location.^[81]

The tornado maintained high-end EF2 intensity as it crossed I-35 at the Lone Oak Road/FM 3002 interchange south of Valley View, tossing multiple cars and tractor-trailers off the interstate. On the east side of the interstate, a Shell gas station, where dozens of people had taken shelter in, a metal building shop, and an RV and boat storage units were heavily damaged or destroyed. Despite the heavy damage, no one was killed in the gas station. Continuing eastward along FM 3002 towards Ray Roberts Lake causing more roof damage to structures along with tree damage. The tornado then weakened to EF1 strength, crossed the lake, and struck a mobile home and RV park at the Ray Roberts Lake State Park Johnson Branch on the Cooke County-Denton County border, tossing and rolling multiple mobile homes and RVs, including some that were thrown in the lake, and causing additional tree damage.^[78] Multiple fatalities were reported in this area. The tornado then began to occlude near Pilot Point and crossed back into Cooke County. Some tree damage was observed at the end Anderson Road before the tornado dissipated over the lake at 11:15 PM CDT.^[81][3]

The tornado was on the ground for just over an hour and a half, reaching a peak width of 1,200 yd (1,100 m) along its 47.99-mile (77.23 km) journey. It killed seven people, making it the deadliest tornado of both the outbreak sequence and in the United States in 2024, and injured 100 others. It was also the deadliest tornado in the United States since a tornado in Tennessee killed nine people in March 2023.^[81][3][82] Due to a malfunction, tornado sirens in Valley View would not sound. However, the areas affected by the tornado would not have been able to hear it.^[83] Recovery efforts were also hampered by an inch of rain that fell across the region.^[84]

Keetonville–Claremore–Pryor, Oklahoma

A home that was mostly destroyed at EF3 intensity east of Claremore, Oklahoma.
Meteorological history
Formed	May 25, 2024, 11:19 p.m. CDT (UTC−05:00)
Dissipated	May 25, 2024, 11:59 p.m. CDT (UTC−05:00)
Duration	40 minutes
EF3 tornado
on the Enhanced Fujita scale
Highest winds	155 mph (249 km/h)
Overall effects
Fatalities	2
Injuries	23+

This very large, intense tornado touched down on the south side of Limestone in Rogers County at 11:19 pm CDT. Upon touching down, the tornado inflicted roof damage to a home and uprooted trees at EF1 intensity. The tornado then moved eastward and strengthened to high-end EF1 intensity as it passed north of Valley Park, snapping and uprooting more trees. The tornado then passed through Keetonville, continuing to snap and uproot trees as it began to move along SH-20. The tornado then turned to the east-northeast and moved into Claremore, snapping dozens of trees, and damaging businesses, metal building systems, and other structures. An area of EF2 damage was observed just east of downtown, where two homes and a two-story building had their roofs partially removed and power poles were snapped. The tornado then continued eastward, continuing to inflict high-end EF1 roof damage to homes and snapping and uprooting trees before crossing I-44. The tornado then restrengthened to EF2 intensity after crossing the interstate and turning east-northeastward, partially or completely removing the roofs off several houses, including some that had exterior walls knocked down, removing part of the roof of a set of bleachers, flattening an outbuilding, and snapping numerous trees. The tornado then briefly reached its peak intensity of mid-range EF3 along E480 Road. Two homes had all of their exterior walls knocked with one of them having some interior walls knocked down as well. Two nearby homes suffered heavy EF2 damage as well with roofs removed and exterior walls knocked down. The tornado then briefly paralleled I-44 at high-end EF2 intensity, ripping off roofs and knocking down the exterior walls of homes, heavily damaging or destroying outbuildings, and snapping and uprooting numerous trees.^[78]

The tornado then turned east-southeastward and moved into Mayes County, continuing to snap and uproot trees at EF2 strength. A mobile home just east of the county line was obliterated and swept away, killing two people and injuring four others. A nearby home had all of its exterior walls knocked down with damage to interior walls as well. After briefly weakening to EF1 intensity, the tornado inflicted EF2 roof damage to homes and snapped more trees. It then reached low-end EF3 intensity northwest of Pryor along N 428, knocking down the exterior walls of a home and sweeping away a mobile home. The tornado then began to quickly weaken, snapping and uprooting trees before dissipating at 11:59 pm CDT, ending its 23.88-mile-journey (38.43 km).^[78] It was on the ground for 40 minutes, reached a peak width of 2,000 yd (1,800 m), killed two people, and injured at least 23 others. The tornado was accompanied by extensive straight-line winds associated with the rear flank downdraft outside of the tornado track to the south, which caused additional damage. This information is still preliminary pending further surveys and analysis.^{[82][85][86][87]}

Bellefonte–Olvey–Pyatt–Summit, Arkansas

EF3 damage to a home southwest of Olvey
Meteorological history
Formed	May 26, 2024, 3:27 a.m. CDT (UTC−05:00)
Dissipated	May 26, 2024, 4:04 a.m. CDT (UTC−05:00)
Duration	37 minutes
EF3 tornado
on the Enhanced Fujita scale
Highest winds	140–145 mph (225–233 km/h)
Overall effects
Fatalities	4
Injuries	1

This large, strong, early-morning tornado initially touched down at 3:27 a.m. CDT (08:27 UTC) south of Bellefonte, and quickly strengthened to low-end EF2 intensity as it moved east, destroying a hay barn. It also damaged trees, snapped power poles, and caused roof and exterior wall damage to houses; this damage was rated mid-range to high-end EF1. The tornado then weakened slightly to EF1 intensity as it continued to snap trees in an open field before crossing US 65. After crossing the highway, it caused minor damage to the roofs and light poles of the Boone County Sheriff's Department and an Arkansas State Police troop center, damaged a storage unit complex, overturned an RV, and caused a large metal building to collapse as it continued to move east. To the east of there, the tornado grew in width and continued to snap trees and power poles. It then quickly intensified to low end EF3 intensity, throwing and destroying two unanchored homes along Penny Lane, injuring one person. A nearby mobile home was lofted, rolled, and destroyed, and trees were snapped, including some that were stubbed.^[78] The tornado then turned northeastward and passed southeast of Olvey, continuing to cause damage to trees, and killing a woman inside of a mobile home which was destroyed.^[88] Extensive EF1 tree damage continued as the tornado continued east-northeastward and crossed into Marion County. It then passed south of Pyatt, where more homes suffered moderate to heavy roof damage, mobile homes were heavily damaged, including one that was rolled and destroyed, and more trees were snapped. Three people were killed as it moved south of, and eventually crossed, US 62 where it briefly strengthened to EF2 strength. A home was heavily damaged and power poles were left leaning. After continuing northeast and snapping trees at EF1 intensity as it crossed AR 125, the tornado again briefly reached EF2 intensity. A mobile home was completely obliterated with no sign of any part of the structure being left behind and more trees were snapped. The tornado continued to cause significant tree damage until it dissipated north-northwest of Summit at 4:04 a.m. CDT (09:04 UTC).^[78]

The tornado was on the ground for approximately 37 minutes, traveling a total path length of 21.10 miles (33.96 km), and reaching a peak width of 1,500 yards (1,400 m). A total of four people were killed by this tornado and one other person was injured.^[89]

Yellville–Briarcliff–Elizabeth, Arkansas

EF3 damage to the Briarcliff City Hall building in Briarcliff, Arkansas.
Meteorological history
Formed	May 26, 2024, 3:59 a.m. CDT (UTC−05:00)
Dissipated	May 26, 2024, 4:51 a.m. CDT (UTC−05:00)
Duration	52 minutes
EF3 tornado
on the Enhanced Fujita scale
Highest winds	140 mph (230 km/h)
Overall effects
Fatalities	1
Injuries	17

As the EF3 Olvey tornado was occluding and dissipating, this very large, long-tracked tornado developed at 3:59 a.m. CDT (08:59 UTC) south of Yellville in Marion County. Moving generally eastward as it fluctuated between mid-range to high-end EF1 intensity, the tornado snapped and uprooted numerous trees as it approached and then crossed AR 14. Beyond that point, the tornado continued to snap and uproot trees as it moved along county roads with some homes suffering minor roof damage as well. Further to the east along Backway Road, a mobile home and an outbuilding were shifted off their foundations, and more trees were snapped or uprooted, including one tree that fell on the mobile home. More trees were snapped or uprooted as the tornado crossed County Road 6074 and an outbuilding was destroyed. The tornado then grew significantly to over 1,000 yards (910 m) wide, snapping and uprooting numerous trees as it moved over Hand Mountain before crossing the White River into Baxter County. Some homes in a small residential area on the other side of the river suffered minor roof and siding damage and countless trees were snapped or uprooted. The tornado then reached its maximum width of 1 mile (1.6 km) as it briefly turned east-northeastward before continuing eastward, producing a widespread area of snapped and uprooted trees. The tornado then contracted slightly, producing swaths of uprooted and snapped trees before crossing the White River again. The tornado then abruptly made a sharp left turn as it passed between Arkana and Norfork and began moving north-northeast, crossing the White River a third time and approaching Briarcliff, snapping and uprooting more trees as it moved over and then away from AR 201. As it reached AR 5, the tornado increased in strength, snapping and uprooting dozens of trees, and heavily damaging homes and a metal shop building. Five fifth-wheel recreation trailers at an RV/trailer camping park were tossed and destroyed, resulting in a fatality. The tornado also snapped two-poled wooden 350 kW transmission towers and bent two pairs of double-posted steel high transmission line posts in half. Damage in this area was rated EF1-EF2.^[78][90]

The strong tornado then turned northeastward and once again grew to 1 mile (1.6 km) wide as it entered Briarcliff, snapping and uprooting a large number of trees as it moved over the hilly terrain. A few homes sustained moderate damage from both tornadic winds and flying debris. The most significant damage occurred on top of a hill on Scenic Drive, where the Briarcliff City Hall building had its top floor almost completely destroyed with several lower-level walls also collapsing. This damage was rated low-end EF3. Several outbuildings were destroyed, and a two-story home lost its roof as well. Areas to the west and northwest of the tornado also suffered damage due to a low-end EF2 satellite tornado that traveled in close proximity to this tornado as it moved through Briarcliff. Continuing northeastward, the tornado crossed Norfork Lake at EF1 intensity, continuing to cause widespread tree damage as it moved over peninsulas adjacent to the lake. After crossing the lake, the tornado struck the Holiday Hills Resort Area, damaging several buildings, including a smaller cabin building that was unroofed and had multiple exterior walls knocked down. By this time, the tornado was shrinking in size, although it was still uprooting large areas of trees. After crossing into Fulton County, the tornado moved erratically northeastward, snapping and uprooting additional trees before dissipating at 4:51 a.m. CDT (09:51 UTC) northwest of Elizabeth.^[78][90]

The tornado reached a peak width of 1,760 yards (1,610 m) along its 52-minute, 36.3-mile-journey (58.4 km). One person was killed and 17 others were injured in Briarcliff.^[78][90]

Morehouse–Sikeston–Diehlstadt, Missouri

EF3 damage to a home southwest of Sikeston
Meteorological history
Formed	May 26, 2024, 7:15 a.m. CDT (UTC−05:00)
Dissipated	May 26, 2024, 7:31 a.m. CDT (UTC−05:00)
Duration	16 minutes
EF3 tornado
on the Enhanced Fujita scale
Highest winds	140 mph (230 km/h)
Overall effects
Fatalities	1
Injuries	0

This intense, fast-moving tornado occurred along the northern edge of a much larger area of damaging straight-line winds. It first touched down at EF1 intensity northeast of Baker in Stoddard County at 7:15 am CDT, snapping a power pole along County Road 293. Moving northeastward, the tornado steadily strengthened as it crossed into New Madrid County, damaging and snapping more trees and inflicting roof damage to a home. An area of EF2 damage occurred just beyond this point where at least five consecutive wooden power poles were snapped to the south of Morehouse. After snapping more trees at high-end EF1 strength, the tornado abruptly reached low-end EF3 intensity along County Road 824. A well-built brick home had its roof removed and most of its exterior walls knocked down and wooden power poles were snapped. The tornado quickly weakened back to high-end EF1 intensity as it crossed US 60. More trees were snapped, a mobile home suffered roof damage and an outbuilding was heavily damaged. Another small area of EF2 damage occurred along Route FF south of Browns where several wooden power poles were snapped. After flipping a center pivot irrigation system, the tornado entered Sikeston while straddling the New Madrid-Scott County at EF1 intensity, snapping and uprooting trees, and inflicting roof, siding, and exterior wall damage to homes. The tornado then moved solidly into Scott County and through the south side Sikeston. A widespread area of snapped and uprooted trees and roof damage to homes and outbuildings occurred. Along South Main Street (US 61/US 62), a strip mall and several businesses had their roofs partially or completely removed. The tornado continued to snap power poles and trees and damage homes as it moved northeastward until it reached US 62 again east of Sikeston, where it restrengthened to EF2 intensity. A school and a business had part of their roofs removed and large cinderblock walls knocked down, another business suffered roof damage, a tall wooden light pole at a ball field was knocked down, a home lost most of its roof, and more trees and power poles were snapped. The tornado then exited Sikeston as it continued northeastward as it approached and then crossed I-55 north of Miner, damaging outbuildings, inflicting roof damage to homes, and snapping trees at EF1 strength. Similar damage occurred after the tornado crossed the interstate and into more rural areas with center pivot irrigation systems also being damaged. The tornado then clipped the northwestern part of Diehlstadt, damaging trees before dissipating north of the town.^[78][91]

The tornado traveled 19.58 mi (31.51 km) over a span of 16 minutes, reaching a peak width of 300 yd (270 m).^[78][91][92] One person was killed by a fallen tree limb in New Madrid County.^[93]

Eddyville–Crider–Charleston–Barnsley, Kentucky

EF3 damage to a house north of Dawson Springs, Kentucky.
Meteorological history
Formed	May 26, 2024, 8:01 p.m. CDT (UTC−05:00)
Dissipated	May 26, 2024, 9:15 p.m. CDT (UTC−05:00)
Duration	1 hour, 14 minutes
EF3 tornado
on the Enhanced Fujita scale
Highest winds	160 mph (260 km/h)
Overall effects
Fatalities	1
Injuries	21

This long-tracked, high-end EF3 tornado paralleled I-69 along its path, striking some of the same areas affected by the 2021 Western Kentucky tornado.^[94] It touched down at 8:01 PM (00:01 UTC) in Lyon County, Kentucky just northeast of Eddyville and moved eastward across US 641 at high-end EF1 intensity, snapping trees, damaging a home, and collapsing the roof of an outbuilding. Turning northeastward, the tornado snapped or uprooted more trees, before reaching low-end EF2 intensity as it crossed KY 3169. A home suffered heavy damage and had an exterior wall knocked down. The home's poorly built attached garage was also destroyed with the debris wrapping around the back of the structure, which left a trench in the ground. Two outbuildings were destroyed, many trees were snapped, and cycloidal scour marks were left in farm fields as well.^[78][91] As the tornado crossed into Caldwell County, the first of four tornado emergencies was issued as a debris ball was evident on radar and law enforcement reported that a large tornado was in progress.^[95] Upon entering Caldwell County, the tornado weakened to high-end EF1 intensity, snapping dozens of trees and damaging power poles. Southeast of Crider, a barn along KY 91 was mostly destroyed. The tornado then turned due east, snapping and uprooting more trees north of Princeton before briefly strengthening to high-end EF2 intensity, along KY 293. A mobile home was destroyed, a home was completely unroofed, and trees were snapped. Another home suffered minor roof damage as well.^[78][91]

The tornado then turned back to the east-northeast and continued at EF1 intensity, heavily damaging an outbuilding, inflicting roof damage to homes, and snapping more trees. Another area of high-end EF2 damage occurred along Princeton Olney Road, where wooden power poles and large trees were snapped. The tornado then began to grow in size as it approached Charleston, causing widespread tree damage. As the tornado crossed into Hopkins County it reintensified to high-end EF2 intensity and reached its peak width of 700 yards (640 m) north of Dawson Springs. Several homes were severely damaged with roofs ripped off and exterior walls knocked down, outbuildings were destroyed, and many trees were snapped. The tornado then narrowed but rapidly reached high-end EF3 strength southwest of Charleston where a home was flattened. South of Charleston along KY 109, more homes were leveled, including one poorly-anchored home that was removed from its foundation, other homes were heavily damaged or shifted off their foundations, outbuildings were destroyed, and more trees were snapped. Turning eastward at high-end EF2 intensity, the tornado snapped dozens of trees and obliterated two mobile homes before reaching low-end EF3 intensity along Daylight Road, flattening two poorly-anchored homes. Another home was destroyed at EF3 intensity northwest of St. Charles, killing one person and injuring another before the tornado rapidly weakened to high-end EF1 strength. It snapped trees along KY 112 and moved through heavily forested areas before rapidly reaching high-end EF3 intensity as it moved directly through Barnsley and crossed US 41. A home was flattened, two double-wide mobile homes were obliterated, and trees were snapped. Immediately after leaving the town, the tornado abruptly dissipated north of Mortons Gap just before crossing I-69 at 9:15 PM (02:15 UTC). The parent supercell was rapidly absorbed by a squall line at that time, which caused the tornadic circulation to dissipate.^[78][91]

The tornado was on the ground for 74 minutes, traveling 35.05 miles (56.41 km), and reaching a peak width of 700 yards (640 m). One person was killed, and 21 others were injured.^[78][91][96]

This section needs expansion with: more details about impacts beyond May 21 in Iowa and May 25–26 in the Southern United States. You can help by adding to it. (May 2024)

The start of the 2024 Indianapolis 500 was delayed on May 26th due to thunderstorms near the event.^[97] On May 27, a New York Mets game against the Los Angeles Dodgers was postponed for a day due to the severe storms,^[98] with severe storms also resulting in ground stops at both LaGuardia Airport and John F. Kennedy International Airport.^[99] One person was killed in Colorado due to a lightning strike,^[8] while another person was killed when straight-line winds downed a tree onto them in Anchorage, Kentucky.^[78] A very large area of damaging straight-line winds impacted Central Alabama on May 27. Many large tree limbs were snapped, some trees were uprooted, and at least one home suffered minor exterior damage.^[78]

Several people were killed, and dozens injured in Greenfield, Iowa. Hospitals in the Adair County Health System were evacuated.^{[citation needed]} Multiple fatalities and at least a dozen injuries have been confirmed. There is also a curfew in effect indefinitely, and authorities have limited traffic in and out of town.^[100]

The May 25–26 severe weather outbreak killed at least 26 people in total, including seven in Texas, two in Oklahoma, eight in Arkansas, five in Kentucky, one in Alabama,^[5][6] two in Missouri,^[7] and one in Colorado.^[8] At least 16 of these deaths were due to tornadoes.^{[citation needed]}

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Tornado outbreak sequence of May 19–27, 2024.

• Weather of 2024
• Research on tornadoes in 2024
• List of North American tornadoes and tornado outbreaks
• List of derecho events
• List of F4 and EF4 tornadoes
  • List of F4 and EF4 tornadoes (2020–present)
• List of tornadoes observed by mobile radars
• Tornado outbreak and derecho of April 1–3, 2024 – another significant severe weather event that happened less than two months earlier.
• List of United States tornadoes in May 2024

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