The August 2020 Midwest derecho was a powerful derecho affecting the Midwestern United States on August 10–11, 2020–predominantly eastern Nebraska, Iowa, Illinois, Wisconsin, and Indiana. It caused high winds and spawned an outbreak of weak tornadoes. Some areas reported torrential rain and large hail.
Has a hurricane ever hit Iowa?
In early August, an extreme weather phenomenon often referred to as an “inland hurricane” swept across Iowa causing significant, widespread damage. So, how does that storm stack up against the strongest hurricane so far in the 2020 Atlantic hurricane season?
When did the big storm hit Iowa?
Aug. 10, 2020
Aug. 10, 2020: Known as a progressive derecho, the storm was fueled by a hot and moist environment. Straight-line winds traveled 770 miles from eastern Nebraska and South Dakota through Iowa, Illinois, Ohio, Minnesota and Wisconsin.
What was the storm called in Iowa?
The National Weather Service tweeted that Thursday’s storm that hit northwest Iowa looked like it “met the definition of a derecho.” The term derecho (duh-RAY’-choh) was coined in 1888 by University of Iowa physics professor Gustavus Hinrichs, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.
What was the worst storm in Iowa?
The Corn Belt derecho was a progressive derecho which affected a large area of the central United States on June 29, 1998. In the morning, thunderstorms, including a supercell, developed over South Dakota and tracked into central Iowa.
How often do derechos occur in Iowa?
once every two years
Forecasters expect Iowa to get hit by a derecho once every two years, Glisan said. Prior to last year’s derecho, the last to hit the state was in 2014. A total of 13 derechos have been recorded in Iowa since 1980, Glisan said.
How long did Iowa derecho last?
The term derecho was unknown to most everyone in Cedar Rapids until August 10, 2020, when we were faced with one head-on. The Midwest is known for flooding and tornados, but no one anticipated a fast-moving hurricane-like storm with straight-line winds of up to 140 miles per hour lasting over 45 minutes.
Is a derecho worse than a tornado?
Unlike the rotating winds in a hurricane or a tornado, a derecho’s winds are straight. That doesn’t mean it’s any less damaging; its winds can topple trees and lift up roofs. Another feature of a derecho is that unlike the slow building of a supercell thunderstorm, the business end of a derecho is at the front.
When was the worst tornado in Iowa?
Charles City – The May 15, 1968 Tornado Outbreak
| Summary of Fatalities & Injuries | |
|---|---|
| State | Injuries |
| Iowa | 619 |
| Minnesota | 3 |
| Mississippi | 7 |
What was the worst derecho in history?
The June 2012 Mid-Atlantic and Midwest derecho was one of the deadliest and most destructive fast-moving severe thunderstorm complexes in North American history.
What are 100 mph winds called?
Wind Resources
Straight line winds are thunderstorm winds that have no rotation, i.e. not a tornado. Downbursts are a common cause of wind damage from a thunderstorm. They can reach over 100 mph and are caused by air being dragged down by precipitation.
Is a derecho stronger than a hurricane?
The Short Answer: Derechos are fast-moving bands of thunderstorms with destructive winds. The winds can be as strong as those found in hurricanes or even tornadoes! Unlike hurricanes and tornadoes, these winds follow straight lines.
Did anyone died in derecho?
A deadly derecho moved across southern Ontario and southwest Quebec on Saturday, leaving at least 9 fatalities and 900,000 customers without power (half had been restored by early Monday, but it may take until the middle of the week to get everyone back online.
What was the worst winter in Iowa?
The winter of 1978-1979 was one of the most brutally cold in Iowa’s history. The average temperature was just 12.4 degrees for the entire season, and anyone who lived through it remembers a neverending chill in the air and seemingly constant snowfall.
What is the most snow Iowa has ever gotten?
6: 12.2 inches on Feb. 26, 1912.
When was the big ice storm in Iowa?
All of Iowa’s 99 counties were under a blizzard warning by 5 p.m. on December 8th, 2009 — but many had no idea just how bad the approaching storm would be. The National Weather Service in Des Moines sent out a warning calling it an “epic” blizzard, and it came with lightning, thunder, freezing rain, and hail.
How do you survive a derecho?
Lie flat and face-down on low ground, protecting the back of your head with your arms. If possible, avoid trees; even relatively small branches can become lethal when blown by storm winds. What can one do to after a derecho?
How many tornadoes has Iowa had in 2021?
114 tornados
Iowa had 114 tornados in 2021, the second-most for a single year. Half of those, 63, occurred in December’s Derecho and National Weather Service Meteorologist Rod Donavon says that’s twice as many tornadoes as the previous record for a single event, which was 35 set back in 2014.
How many tornadoes does Iowa have?
On average, the state is hit by about 50 tornadoes annually. The recent La Niña in the Pacific Ocean is bringing tornadoes to Iowa. There have been 35 tornadoes in Iowa as of April 20, about 25 more than the average number for this time of year, said Iowa State University meteorology professor William Gallus.
How many people were killed in the Iowa derecho?
Kim Reynolds issued a disaster declaration Thursday that includes 49 of Iowa’s 99 counties. The storms hit all across the Midwest and are responsible for killing at least five people, including one Iowan.
How often do derechos occur?
Derechos are a global phenomenon, but they primarily occur across the central and eastern United States, which see an average of one to two of these storms per year, compared to more than a thousand tornadoes that churn across the country each year.