Parts of this article (those related to pre-1970 outbreaks) need to be updated. Please help update this article to reflect recent events or newly available information. (March 2024) |
In late 2023, American meteorologist and tornado expert Thomas P. Grazulis created the Outbreak Intensity Score (OIS) as a way to rank tornado outbreaks. For the score, only significant tornadoes are counted: F2/EF2 tornadoes receive 2 points each, F3/EF3 tornadoes receive 5 points each, F4/EF4 tornadoes receive 10 points each, and F5/EF5 tornadoes receive 15 points each. The number of total points determine the rating for the outbreak, which is broken up into seven categories.
Type of outbreak | Weak | Minor | Significant | Major | Devastating | Historic | Super |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Number of points |
2–6 | 7–10 | 11–29 | 30–79 | 80–119 | 120–249 | 250+ |
List
This is a dynamic list and may never be able to satisfy particular standards for completeness. You can help by adding missing items with reliable sources.Super Outbreaks
"Super Outbreak" redirects here. Not to be confused with 2008 Super Tuesday tornado outbreak.There have been three tornado outbreaks which scored more than 250 points on the OIS, reaching the status of "Super Outbreak".
Outbreak | OIS score | # of (E)F2s | # of (E)F3s | # of (E)F4s | # of (E)F5s | Total tornadoes | Deaths | Injuries | References |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1974 Super Outbreak | 578 | 34 | 35 | 23 | 7 | 148 | 319 | 5,454 | |
2011 Super Outbreak | 378 | 49 | 22 | 11 | 4 | 367 | 324 | 2,892 | |
Tornado outbreak sequence of May 25 – June 1, 1917 | 296 | 28 | 17 | 14 | 1 | 66+ | 383+ | 746+ |
Historic Outbreaks
There have been 43 tornado outbreaks which scored at least 120 points, but less than 249 on the OIS, reaching the status of "Historic Outbreak".
Devastating Outbreaks
There have been several tornado outbreaks which scored at least 80 points, but less than 120 on the OIS, reaching the status of "Devastating Outbreak".
Major Outbreaks
There have been several tornado outbreaks which scored at least 30 points, but 79 or less on the OIS, reaching the status of "Major Outbreak".
See also
- Tornado intensity and damage
- List of tornadoes and tornado outbreaks
- List of tornadoes striking downtown areas
- Tornado myths
References
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- Grazulis, Thomas (August 29, 2023). "The Outbreaks Section". Tornado Project. Archived from the original on August 29, 2023. Retrieved August 29, 2023.
- ^ Grazulis, Thomas P. (July 1993). Significant Tornadoes, 1680–1991: A Chronology and Analysis of Events. St. Johnsbury, Vermont: The Tornado Project of Environmental Films. ISBN 1-879362-03-1.
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4/26/2024 (NE and IA) had score of 54 (with 12 EF2 and 6 EF3). The next day, 4/27/2024 (mostly OK), had a score of 33 (with 4 EF2, 3 EF3, and 1 EF4.
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