A derecho left a path of destruction across the Midwest and northern Plains on Thursday, killing 3, as more rounds of severe weather stretch from Texas to the Great Lakes on Friday and from Texas to Pennsylvania on Sunday.
Derecho with hurricane-force winds leaves massive destruction, kills 3
On Thursday, a violent complex of storms roared across the upper Midwest and northern Plains unleashing hurricane-force wind gusts in excess of 100 mph taking out structures and leaving two people dead, the Weather Channel reported. There were several reports of semi-trucks and tractor-trailers being blown over.
A derecho is a widespread, long-lived windstorm and the term “straight-lined wind damage” is sometimes used to describe derecho damage, according to the NOAA. It is defined by wind gusts of at least 58 mph, at least 60 miles wide, and wind damage that extends at least 400 miles.
The ferocious winds swept up a towering dust cloud, technically called a “haboob” that turned day into night as it raced through and swallowed up entire communities at speeds between 65 to 85 mph.
Weather Channel video showed the aftermath of Castlewood, South Dakota, after the town was struck by both a derecho and tornado.
The most extreme wind gust was recorded in Hutchinson County, South Dakota, at 107 mph. Another wind gust of 105 mph was clocked near Tripp, and 102 mph in Deuel County, South Dakota. Madison, Minnesota recorded a gust of 94 mph and 89 mph in Ord, Nebraska.
The National Weather Service (NWS) received over 200 reports of damage that stretched from Kansas to Wisconsin, with the most severe damage occurring from eastern Nebraska, into eastern South Dakota and northwest Iowa, and southwest Minnesota, the Washington Post reported.
One person died when a grain bin fell on a car in Kandiyohi County, Minnesota, and another person died in South Dakota as a result of the storm.
A female storm chaser was killed on Interstate 90 in Minnesota after stopping to avoid downed power lines, when the vehicle was struck by a tractor-trailer. Three others in the vehicle were injured, as well as one person in another car, the Washington Post reported.
Severe weather threat on Friday
The potential for severe weather will stretch from northeastern Texas through Oklahoma, Arkansas, Kansas, Missouri, Illinois, Iowa, Wisconsin, into northern Michigan, according to the NWS.
Damaging winds with large hail, and a few possible tornadoes are the major threats for the Plains and upper Midwest on Thursday through the weekend, the Weather Channel reported.
The SPC of the NOAA issued a Level 2 severe weather threat for central, northern and northeastern Oklahoma; northwestern Arkansas southeastern Kansas; southwestern, central, and northeastern Missouri; east-central Illinois; and southeastern Iowa for Friday.
NWS weather alerts for Friday:
The National Weather Service (NWS) issued the following weather alerts for Friday.
High wind warning: northwestern Montana; North Dakota; northwestern and north-central South Dakota; northwestern Minnesota.
Flood watch and warning: northeastern Minnesota.
Red flag alert: south-central, central and north eastern Colorado.
Expansive severe weather threat on Sunday
Thunderstorms will blanket most of the eastern half of the US on Saturday. A large area of potential severe weather on Saturday will extend from eastern Texas over Oklahoma, Kansas, Louisiana, Arkansas, Missouri, Mississippi, Alabama, Tennessee, Kentucky, Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, West Virginia, and into Western Pennsylvania, according to the latest forecast by the NWS.
The SPC has issued a Level 2 severe weather risk over portions of Oklahoma, Kansas, Missouri, Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Tennessee, Kentucky, Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, West Virginia, and Pennsylvania.
