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EspañolMAY 2003 TORNADO OUTBREAK SEQUENCE
The 'May 2003 Tornado Outbreak Sequence' in the United States was a series of tornado outbreaks that occurred from May 3 to May 11, 2003. Some would argue that it actually began April 30th, but the most prolific continuous period was the seven day period of May 4-10. There were 401 tornado reports in 19 states, 1,587 reports of large hail, and 740 reports of wind damage. More severe weather broke out this week alone than any other week in U.S. history, though comparable events occurred in May 1917, 1930, and 1949 before the modern era of tornado detection. There was an outbreak every day during the week. The old record for most tornado reports in one week was 171 during the week of the May 1995 tornado outbreak sequence (May 12 to May 18, 1995).[1] The Super Outbreak of April 3 to April 4 still hold the record for the most tornadoes produced in a 24 hour period, and produced more significant and violent tornadoes than any other week in history.
It should be noted, however, that there were far more tornado spotters and development in 2003 than in the past, so many tornadoes in historic outbreaks could have been missed.
Meteorological Synopsis
The main enabling factor for this massive series of outbreaks was the presence of a persistent 500 mb trough over the western United States, coupled with a series of shortwave disturbances which propagated through the central and eastern United States. These shortwaves provided a mechanism for the deepening of surface low pressure areas, which followed the upper level flow from southwest to northeast. The cyclones induced a strong north to southeasterly flow in the low levels of the atmosphere (1000 mb, 850 mb) off the Gulf of Mexico. This persistent flow provided an abundance of warm, moist maritime tropical air in the central and eastern US.
The interaction between warm, dry air from the western United States and the moist Gulf airmass resulted in a boundary known as the dryline. This boundary, along with other factors provided a source of lift promoting thunderstorm development. CAPE (convective available potential energy) describes the instability in the atmosphere and the tendency for it to rise; high CAPE values are usually associated with severe weather. CAPE values during the period of April 30 - May 11 were extremely high in the affected areas. A strong, persistent southeast to northwest upper level flow contributed to wind shear (changing winds with height), and induced strong rotation in many of the thunderstorms that developed. These rotating thunderstorms, or supercells, are capable of spawning tornadoes.
Total Confirmed Tornadoes
April 30 Event
Confirmed Tornadoes
| Confirmed tornadoes - Wednesday, April 30, 2003 | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ' | | | | | | |
| 'Iowa' | ||||||
| 'F0' | 'Monroe, Wapello ' | Monroe, Wapello | 0530 | 2.5 miles (4.0 km) | Short-lived, weak tornado in the Open. Little damage reported. | |
| 'F0' | 'Louisa' | Louisa | 0535 | 16 miles (25.6 km) | Tornadic circulation was initially almost 1/2 mile wide. It then consolidated into a 50 yd wide funnel. There was some light damage to buildings in the area. | |
| 'F0' | 'Wapello' | Wapello | 0545 | unknown | brief touchdown in a field | |
| 'Missouri' | ||||||
| 'F0' | 'Albany area' | Gentry, Harrison | 0604 | 2 miles (3.2 km) | Tornado touched down in open country, causing no damage. | |
| 'F0' | 'Weston area' | Platte | 0615 | 1 miles (1.6 km) | Touchdown noted near ski resort. | |
| 'F0' | 'Ridgeway to Cainsville' | Harrison | 0622 | 10 miles (16.0 km) | Some damage to power lines and transformers was noted. | |
| 'F0' | 'Edgerton area' | Platte | 0635 | unknown | Brief touchdown near I-29. | |
| 'F0' | 'N of Lemons' | Putnam | 0755 | 2 miles (3.2 km) | Tornado spotted in open country; no damage reported. | |
| 'F0' | 'NE of Greentop' | Schuyler | 0853 | 6 miles (9.6 km) | Up to 1/4 mile wide tornado reported in open country. | |
| 'Illinois' | ||||||
| 'F1' | 'S of Aledo' | Mercer | 0542 | unknown | Tornado damaged several farm buildings. | |
| 'F0' | 'E of Aledo' | Mercer | 0557 | 1 miles (1.6 km) | Traveled through open country. | |
| 'F1' | 'S of Viola' | Mercer | 0609 | unknown | Damaged farm house. | |
| 'F0' | 'SE of Viola' | Mercer | 0611 | 1 miles (1.6 km) | Tornado damaged a house. | |
| 'F1' | 'SE of Viola' | Mercer | 0612 | 1 miles (1.6 km) | A house was pushed 6 feet off its foundation. | |
| 'F0' | 'N of Alpha' | Henry | 0629 | unknown | Brief touchdown in field. | |
| 'F0' | 'NE of Victoria' | Knox | 0730 | 1 miles (1.6 km) | No damage reported. | |
| 'Kansas' | ||||||
| 'F0' | 'E of Cambridge' | Cowley | 0917 | 2 miles (3.2 km) | Remained in open country. | |
| 'F0' | 'N of Cedar Vale' | Chautauqua | 0937 | 1 miles (1.6 km) | Remained in open country. | |
| 'F0' | 'NW of Sedan' | Chautauqua | 0958 | 1 miles (1.6 km) | Remained in open country. | |
| 'Colorado' | ||||||
| 'F0' | 'ESE of Hudson' | Weld | 0300 | unknown | Small tornado; no damage reported. | |
| 'F0' | 'Prospect area' | Weld | 0321 | unknown | No damage reported. | |
| Sources: NOAA Storm Data | ||||||
May 1 Event
Confirmed Tornadoes
| Confirmed tornadoes - Thursday, May 1, 2003 | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ' | | | | | | |
| 'Nebraska' | ||||||
| 'F0' | 'N of Kimball' | Kimball | 1154 | unknown | brief tornado in open country | |
| 'Indiana' | ||||||
| 'F0' | 'Muncie area' | Delaware | 0601 | unknown | weak, brief touchdown | |
| 'F0' | 'W of Union City' | Randolph | 0620 | unknown | weak, brief touchdown | |
| 'New York' | ||||||
| 'F0' | 'Tribes Hill' | Montgomery | 0420 | 50 yards | weak, brief tornado destroyed the deck of a house | |
| 'Oklahoma' | ||||||
| 'F1' | 'Okay area' | Wagoner, Muskogee | 0455 | 3 miles (4.8 km) | Tornado damaged to destroyed several mobile homes. It also destroyed outhouses and damaged several anchored structures. | |
| 'F1' | 'SW of Fort Gibson' | Muskogee | 0503 | 2 miles (3.2 km) | Trees were downed and a few buildings sustained light damage (shingles and roofing torn off) | |
| 'F1' | 'N of Nashoba' | Pushmataha | 0514 | 1 miles (1.6 km) | Trees uprooted and power lines downed | |
| 'F0' | 'N of Gore' | Sequoyah | 0546 | 1 miles (1.6 km) | tornado touched down in open country | |
| 'F0' | 'NE of Gore' | Sequoyah | 0551 | unknown | brief touchdown | |
| 'F0' | 'SW of Battiest' | McCurtain | 0630 | unknown | tornado damaged a barn and downed several trees | |
| 'F0' | 'E of Heavener' | Le Flore, Scott | 0633 | 3 miles (1.6 km) | Minor tree damage | |
| 'F2' | 'SE of Broken Bow' | McCurtain | 0546 | 13 miles (20.8 km) | Two framed homes had their roofs torn off. 30 homes had roof/frame damage and broken windows. One home was largely destroyed. Numerous trees and power poles were snapped | |
| 'Arkansas' | ||||||
| 'F2' | 'Board camp to Pine Ridge' | Polk, Montgomery | 0724 | 11 miles (17.6 km) | Several barns were destroyed, and a few homes were damaged | |
| Sources: NOAA Storm Data | ||||||
May 2 Event
Confirmed Tornadoes
| Confirmed tornadoes - Friday, May 2, 2003 | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ' | | | | | | |
| 'South Carolina' | ||||||
| 'F1' | 'E of Easley' | Pickens | 0255 | 2 miles (3.2 km) | Only report that day. Tornado blew down numerous trees and power lines. Several structures received minor damage, and a few mobile homes were destroyed. One person was injured. | |
| Sources: NOAA Storm Data | ||||||
May 3 Event
Confirmed Tornadoes
| Confirmed tornadoes - Saturday, May 3, 2003 | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ' | | | | | | |
| 'Nebraska' | ||||||
| 'F0' | 'N of Minatare' | Scotts Bluff | 0241 | unknown | nearly stationary tornado; cow shed destroyed | |
| 'F0' | 'N of Bayard' | Morrill | 0300 | unknown | brief tornado over open country | |
| 'F1' | 'NE of Angora' | Morrill | 0400 | 4 miles (6.4 km) | Tornado destroyed a mobile home and damaged a wind mill. Power lines were also blown down along its track | |
| 'F1' | 'N of Mc Grew' | Scotts Bluff | 0434 | 8 miles (12.8 km) | Tornado damaged manypower lines and leveled outbuildings | |
| 'F0' | 'WNW of Bayard' | Morrill | 0435 | unknown | brief tornado over open country | |
| 'F0' | 'Mumper' | Garden | 0550 | unknown | brief tornado over open country | |
| 'F0' | 'N of Dannebrog' | Howard | 0115 | 1 miles (1.6 km) | minor damage to several outbuildings | |
| 'South Dakota' | ||||||
| 'F0' | 'NNE of Bison' | Perkins | 0535 | 1 miles (1.6 km) | no damage reported | |
| 'Texas' | ||||||
| 'F0' | 'NE of Aspermont' | Stonewall | 0457 | 1 miles (1.6 km) | tornado over open country | |
| 'F0' | 'N of Old Glory' | Stonewall | 0537 | unknown | tornado over open country | |
| 'F0' | 'S of Rule' | Haskell | 0611 | 1 miles (1.6 km) | passing car was damaged by debris | |
| 'F0' | 'SSE of Haskel' | Haskell | 0620 | 1 miles (1.6 km) | multiple vortex tornado. no damage reported | |
| 'F2' | 'ESE of Haskel' | Haskell | 0710 | 4 miles (6.4 km) | large, quarter mile wide tornado reported near power plant. The tornado caused little damage. | |
| 'F0' | 'SE of Haskel' | Haskell | 0620 | 1 miles (1.6 km) | small rope tornado | |
| Sources: NOAA Storm Data | ||||||
May 4 Event
May 4, 2003 Tornado Tracks
The Most Prolific Day of the Outbreak Sequence
The meteorological ingredients that made conditions favorable for devastating severe weather came together early in the day on May 4. One of the 500 mb shortwaves that had propagated from the Rockies into the central plain states had induced the deepening of a 990 mb low over northwestern Missouri. A warm front extended from this low through Missouri, Arkansas, and Tennessee. South of this front, southerly winds at the surface had advected unseasonably warm, moist air from the Gulf into the Mississippi Valley and surrounding states. Temperatures reached the Mid 80s and dew points had risen above 70 degrees.
In the upper levels of the atmosphere, the left exit region of a 250 mb jet streak had been positioned over the affected area, providing enhanced lift. This in combination with low level instability contributed to explosive thunderstorm development. Winds at the 850 mb level were enhanced as the day progressed, and velocity maxima exceeded 70 kts by 0300 UTC.
The thunderstorms that developed in the region quickly began rotating, due to the enhanced environmental wind sheer. Long-lived supercells were prevalent; many of which produced families of strong to violent, long-tracked tornadoes. Kansas, Missouri, Arkansas, and Tennessee were hardest hit. A total of 86 tornadoes touched down, making May 4, 2003 one of the largest single-day outbreaks in history. 38 people were killed, and nearly 400 injured by the twisters.
Confirmed Tornadoes
| Confirmed tornadoes - Sunday, May 4, 2003 | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ' | | | | | | |
| 'South Dakota' | ||||||
| 'F0' | 'SE of Mission' | Todd | 0230 | 1 miles (1.6 km) | No damage reported | |
| 'Nebraska' | ||||||
| 'F0' | 'Colon' | Saunders | 0228 | 1 miles (1.6 km) | Minor shed and roof damage | |
| 'F1' | 'W of Memphis' | Saunders | 0235 | 1 miles (1.6 km) | Tornado blew a grain bin off its foundation and knocked a storage shed over. | |
| 'F0' | 'SW of Plattsmouth' | Cass | 0328 | unknown | Brief touchdown in open country | |
| 'Kansas' | ||||||
| 'F0' | 'NW of Scott City' | Scott | 0159 | unknown | brief, weak landspout | |
| 'F1' | 'NE of Levenworth' | Leavenworth, Platte | 0254 | 3 miles (4.8 km) | tornado touched down in Kansas and crossed the Missouri river into Platte County, Missouri | |
| 'F2' | 'SW of Basehor' | Leavenworth, Platte | 0255 | 6 miles (9.6 km) | Tornado touched down at county road 25. It proceeded to move across the Kansas turnpike and damage several homes and structures. - ''see section on this'' | |
| 'F4' | '1 mile N of Kansas City' | Leavenworth, Platte, Clay | 0318 | 21 miles (33.6 km) | '2 deaths' - A moderate sized tornado touched down just NE of the Kansas Speedway producing F0 and F1 damage. Near I-435 it underwent intensification and became very large and dangerous. In Kansas City, numerous homes received F3 damage, and several were completely destroyed (indicative of F4). It continued across the Missouri River into Missouri. In Missouri a dozen or so homes were destroyed and numerous damaged before the tornado dissipated. - ''see section on this'' | |
| 'F0' | 'W of Parsons' | Labette | 0318 | 1 miles (1.6 km) | Brief event | |
| 'F0' | 'NE of Parsons' | Labette | 0330 | 1 miles (1.6 km) | Brief event | |
| 'F4' | 'NW of Mc Cune to Liberal MO' | Labette, Crawford, Barton | 0335 | 33 miles (52.8 km) | '4 deaths' - The first of a series of large and destructive tornadoes touched down in western Crawford County. The tornado initially produced high end F2 damage, but quickly intensified as it approached the communities of Girard and Franklin. Through the second half of Crawford county it was over 1/2 mile wide and produced high end F4 (maybe F5) damage to numerous structures. It crossed into Barton County, MO and destroyed several additional structures before roping out and dissipating. - ''see section on this'' | |
| 'F0' | 'S of St. Paul' | Neosho | 0337 | 4 miles (6.4 km) | Damage to two homes and power lines | |
| 'F1' | 'SSW of New Lancaster' | Miami, Cass | 0406 | 9 miles (14.4 km) | Tornado moved through open country across the Kansas/Missouri border | |
| 'F1' | 'SW of Bartlett' | Labette | 0425 | 12 miles (14.4 km) | Tornado heavily damaged two dozen farm structures and several service buildings | |
| 'F0' | 'N of Chetopa' | Labette | 0440 | 1 miles (1.6 km) | Brief event | |
| 'F3' | 'Melrose to Crestline' | Cherokee, Jasper | 0515 | 25 miles (40.0 km) | '5 deaths' - A large tornado initially touched down in western Cherokee county and began causing F1-F2 damage. It intensified as it approached the Kansas/Missouri border and Destroyed several structures (F3 damage). It then crossed into missouri and wreaked havoc in the town of Carl Junction before dissipating N of Joplin. - ''see section on this'' | |
| 'Oklahoma' | ||||||
| 'F0' | 'WNW of Vinita' | Craig | 0424 | 3 miles (4.8 km) | Trees damaged. No structures affected. | |
| 'F1' | 'S of Narcissa' | Ottawa | 0455 | 5 miles (8.0 km) | Large tornado destroyed several mobile homes and damaged others, before dissipating. | |
| 'F0' | 'E of Heavener' | Le Flore | 0558 | 18 miles (28.8 km) | Small trees snapped - No significant structural damage | |
| 'Missouri' | ||||||
| 'F4' | 'Gladstone' | Clay | 0345 | 5 miles (8.0 km) | After the first Kansas City tornado (F4 as well) dissipated, another tornado touched down in Gladstone. Initially it produced F0 to F1 damage, but quickly intensified and produced marginal F4 damage in several locations. It dissipated near I-435, after having traveled for only 5 miles. - ''see section on this'' | |
| 'F2' | 'Liberty' | Clay | 0359 | 8 miles (12.8 km) | Several minutes after the Gladstone tornado dissipated, another large tornado touched down near Rout 291. Substantial damage was done in liberty before the tornado moved into rural areas and lifted. - ''see section on this'' | |
| 'F3' | 'Liberal to Tunas' | Barton, Cedar, Polk , Dallas | 0431 | 86 miles (137.6 km) | '6 deaths' - As the Franklin, KS tornado was dissipating, a new large tornado touched down several miles to the south (just outside of Liberal). It tracked through southwest missouri for almost 2 hours, ranging from 1/4 to 3/4 mile in diameter. The town of Stockton was completely destroyed, and several other communities sustained heavy damage. - ''see section on this'' | |
| 'F2' | 'Garden City to Warrensburg' | Cass, Johnson | 0504 | 22 miles (35.2 km) | Tornado touched down sporatically in mainly open country | |
| 'F0' | 'E of Sheldon' | Vernon | 0510 | unknown | Brief touchdown in open country | |
| 'F0' | 'joplin Muni Arpt' | Jasper | 0530 | unknown | Brief tornado near airport | |
| 'F0' | 'N of Ritchey' | Newton | 0501 | 2 miles | Brief tornado touchdown | |
| 'F3' | 'Ritchey to Battlefield' | Newton, Lawrence, Christian, Greene | 0504 | 49 miles (78.4 km) | '7 deaths' - A large tornado touched down in eastern Newton County. The tornado plowed through the communities of Pierce city and Battlefield, before lifting near Springfield. Pierce City was utterly destroyed, and Battlefield sustained heavy damage. - ''see section on this'' | |
| 'F1' | 'WNW of Meinert' | Dade | 0555 | unknown | Tree and roof damage was produced | |
| 'F1' | 'S of Warrensburg' | Johnson | 0558 | 10 miles (16.1 km) | Some businesses damaged. Tornado passed north of Whiteman AFB | |
| 'F0' | 'WSW of Hughesville' | Pettis | 0635 | 1 miles (1.6 km) | Brief touchdown with minor damage | |
| 'F3' | 'Decaturville to Montreal' | Camden | 0636 | 14 miles (22.4 km) | '4 deaths' - The supercell that spawned the Franklin and Stockton tornadoes produced yet another large tornado in Camden county. The tornado moved through suburban areas south of Camdenton completely destroying many structures and causing several injuries and fatalities. - ''see section on this'' | |
| 'F1' | 'SW of Hornersville' | Dunklin | 0650 | 3 miles (4.8 km) | Two homes damaged | |
| 'F0' | 'Steele' | Pemiscot | 0650 | 6 miles (9.6 km) | A few homes suffered minor roof damage | |
| 'F0' | 'NE of Rogersville' | Webster | 0720 | unknown | No damage reported | |
| 'F0' | 'S of Iberia' | Miller | 0730 | unknown | no damage reported | |
| 'F0' | 'Arnica' | Cedar | 0735 | 6 miles (9.6 km) | No property damage reported; several trees downed | |
| 'F0' | 'S of Morley' | Scott | 0753 | 12 miles (19.2 km) | One mobile home destroyed and several homes/businesses damaged | |
| 'F0' | 'Rondo' | Polk | 0755 | unknown | No significant damage reported | |
| 'F0' | 'S of Vienna' | Maries | 0805 | unknown | Brief tornado - no damage reported | |
| 'F0' | 'W of Tunas' | Dallas | 0805 | unknown | Brief tornado - no damage reported | |
| 'F0' | 'S of Vienna' | Maries | 0823 | unknown | Brief tornado - no damage reported | |
| 'F0' | 'Camdenton' | Camden | 0830 | unknown | no damage reported | |
| 'F0' | 'Swedeborg' | Pulaski | 0855 | unknown | Brief touchdown over open country | |
| 'F0' | 'S of Rolla' | Phelps | 0930 | unknown | Brief touchdown over open country | |
| 'F0' | 'N of Salem' | Dent | 01000 | unknown | Brief tornado - no damage reported | |
| 'Arkansas' | ||||||
| 'F0' | 'SW of Bree Branch' | Van Buren | 0552 | 3 miles (4.8 km) | Tornado destroyed hay barn and knocked down trees | |
| 'F1' | 'WNW of Buckeye' | Mississippi | 0615 | 4 miles (6.4 km) | Several large trees blown down | |
| 'F2' | 'SE of Guy' | Faulkner, Cleburne | 0634 | 15 miles (24.0 km) | Numerous trees blown down. Tornado destroyed several barns and outbuildings, and damaged a few homes. A mobile home was destroyed as well. | |
| 'F2' | 'Black Oak to Manila' | Craighead, Mississippi | 0639 | 15 miles (24.0 km) | Three homes were severely damaged. | |
| 'F1' | 'Wooster Area' | Faulkner | 0650 | 2 miles (3.2 km) | Minor damage to a home and another structure | |
| 'F3' | 'Saltillo to Searcy' | Faulkner, Lonoke, White | 0652 | 35 miles (56.0 km) | Large tornado tracked through Faulkner County into Lonokee downing numerous power lines and trees. After briefly crossing the corner of Lonokee, it destroyed numerous homes and businesses in White County. Two tractor trailer trucks were overturned, injuring the drivers. The track may have been over 1/4 mile in diameter in White County. | |
| 'F3' | 'Georgetown to Vanndale' | White, Woodruff, Cross | 0755 | 43 miles (68.8 km) | Another large tornado touched down in eastern White county and moved into Woodruff. Numerous trees were downed and man-made structures sustained severe damage. In Pumpkin Bend, several homes were completely destroyed. The tornado then tracked into Cross county destroying a dozen or so more homes before dissipating. | |
| 'F1' | 'NW of Weldon' | Jackson | 0810 | 2 miles (3.2 km) | Weak tornado touched down briefly damaging power lines | |
| 'F1' | 'keiser Area' | Mississippi | 0900 | 8 miles (12.8 km) | Tornado damaged several homes | |
| 'Illinois' | ||||||
| 'F1' | 'SSW of Golconda' | Pope, Livingston | 0909 | 2 miles (1.6 km) | Little damage reported | |
| 'F1' | 'SE of Bay City' | Massac, Ballard | 0910 | 10 miles (16. km) | Tornado caused minimal damage to homes/businesses | |
| 'Kentucky' | ||||||
| 'F1' | 'NE of Monkeys Eyebrow' | Ballard, Massac | 0843 | 4 miles (6.4 km) | Tornado downed several trees | |
| 'F2' | 'NE of Murray' | Calloway | 0930 | 2 miles (3.2 km) | Six homes received moderate damaqe, and a barn was destroyed. | |
| 'F1' | 'W of Sheridan' | Crittenden | 0930 | 6 miles (9.6 km) | Widespread tree damage | |
| 'F1' | 'SW of Sheridan' | Crittenden | 0932 | 2 miles (3.2 km) | Tornado downed several trees | |
| 'F2' | 'NE of Mattoon' | Crittenden | 0945 | unknown | Tornado destroyed a mobile home, injuring the occupant | |
| 'F1' | 'WSW of Clay' | Webster | 0953 | unknown | An old barn was destroyed and a home received minor damage | |
| 'F2' | 'W of Clay' | Webster | 0958 | 2 miles (3.2 km) | Six homes and businesses were destroyed in Clay, and numerous others heavily damaged. Only one injury was reported. | |
| 'F2' | 'S of St. Joseph' | Daviess | 0958 | unknown | A mobile home was destroyed and its occupants injured | |
| 'Tennessee' | ||||||
| 'F0' | 'E of Dyersburg' | Dyer | 745 | 1 miles (1.6 km) | Many trees were blown down | |
| 'F1' | 'S of Newbern' | Dyer | 820 | 2 miles (3.2 km) | Several homes had their roofs blown off | |
| 'F1' | 'S of Brazil' | Gibson | 825 | 8 miles (12.8 km) | One home was destroyed and several others were damaged | |
| 'F1' | 'SW of Finley' | Dyer | 830 | 4 miles (6.4 km) | Several homes were damaged or destroyed | |
| 'F2' | 'Martin' | Weakley | 835 | 4 miles (6.4 km) | Scattered damage in Martin. An elementary school had its roof partially removed. | |
| 'F0' | 'W of Nebonville' | Gibson | 940 | 12 miles (19.2 km) | Several homes were damaged | |
| 'F1' | 'Medina' | Gibson | 950 | 5 miles (8.0 km) | Two homes were destroyed and several others damaged | |
| 'F2' | 'Paris to Elkhorn' | Henry | 953 | 17 miles (27.2 km) | Dozens of structures were damaged or destroyed in south Paris. A school was also damaged. | |
| 'F2' | 'Dyersburg' | Dyer | 1000 | 15 miles (24.0 km) | Tornado tracked through downtown Dyersburg. As many as 500 structures were damaged or destroyed (almost 100 of which were commercial businesses) and 10 injuries were reported. | |
| 'F1' | 'E of Buchanan' | Henry | 1010 | 6 miles (9.6 km) | As many as 50 homes were damaged | |
| 'F1' | 'Gleason' | Weakley | 1020 | 3 miles (4.8 km) | A church was damaged in Gleason, as well as a water tower | |
| 'F4' | 'Denmark to Lexington' | Madison, Henderson | 1035 | 39 miles (62.4 km) | '11 deaths' - A large tornado touched down in southwest Madison county and tracked directly through downtown Jackson. Hundreds of structures were destroyed, and many were completely obliterated (warranting an F4 rating). The tornado weakened as it left Jackson, and continued through mostly open country before dissipating near Lexington. This was the deadliest single tornado of the outbreak. - ''see section on this'' | |
| 'F0' | 'Indian Mound' | Stewart | 1035 | unknown | Brief tornado damaged a brick home | |
| 'F3' | 'Denmark to Huron' | Madison, Henderson | 1043 | 21 miles (33.6 km) | Tornado touched down in southwest Madison county and moved to the south of Jackson. Numerous structures were damaged or destroyed. A few homes received light damage in Henderson County. - ''see section on this'' | |
| 'F1' | 'Atwood' | Carroll | 1100 | 1 miles (1.6 km) | 60 homes were either damaged or destroyed in Atwood. | |
| 'F3' | 'S of Clarksville' | Montgomery | 1153 | 12 miles (19.2 km) | A large 3/4 mile wide tornado moved through southern Montgomery county, damaging almost a hundred homes. Several brick homes were completely destroyed, and one person was injured. | |
| 'F1' | 'Stroudsville to Cross Plains' | Robertson | 1155 | 24 miles (38.4 km) | Tornado damaged over 30 homes in Stroudsville before moving off to the northeast and dissipating. | |
| 'F0' | 'La Vergne' | Rutherford | 0130 | unknown | Brief touchdown in industrial park. No damage reported | |
| 'F1' | 'NNW of Woodbury' | Cannon | 0145 | 3 miles (3.8 km) | Up to 60 homes sustained minor damage | |
| Sources: NOAA Storm Data | ||||||
Southwest Missouri Tornadoes
Tornado Tracks in Southwest Missouri
The Franklin Tornado (F4)
A large tornado touched down in Neosho County, Kansas at 432 PM on May 4. The tornado was initially about 250 yards wide and produced F2 damgage as it crossed into Crawford County (moving through mostly rural areas). Aerial damage surveys indicate an increase in width and intensification as the tornado approached the community of Ringo, in Crawford county. Dramatic scouring of the ground was observed , and heavy objects such as vehicles were tossed long distances (over 100 yards). NWS described the damage in this portion of the track as "high end F4". It was rumored that they coinsidered rating it F5, but hesitated for some unknown reason. As it barreled pasted Ringo and entered the unincorporated town of Franklin, the path reached over 1/2 mile wide at points. Franklin was all but destroyed. Numerous buildings and homes were completely demolished and 3 deaths were reported, along with 20 or so injuries. The tornado continued producing "high end F4" damage as it passed the town of Mulberry, where a train was derailed from the winds of the storm, and crossed into Barton County, Missouri. In Missouri, the twister completely demolished several farm houses, killing one 88 year old man. Its path began to narrow several miles into Missouri; video and eyewitness accounts suggust that the tornado was "roping out". It finally lifted to the north of Liberal, MO after having traveled for approximately 35 miles. Many consider this the most violent tornado of the outbreak, and perhaps 2003 as a whole. Almost immediately after the Franklin tornado lifted, a second large tornado was reported to have touched down on the east side of Liberal.
Tornado near Franklin
The Tornado Intensifies
The Stockton Tornado (F3)
The second major tornado produced by the Franklin supercell was initially observed to the east of Liberal (531 PM). Analysis indicates a 1/2 mile wide damage path through rural portions of Barton county. Several structures received F1 to F2 damage. The tornado crossed into Cedar county and continued producing high end F2/low end F3 damge. One man was killed to the east of Liberal as his home was destroyed. As it approached the town of Stockton, several framed houses were completely swept off their foundations. Structural annalysis indicated poor anchoring of the homes, thus warranting a high end F3 rating. The funnel then proceeded to plow through the center of Stockton causing utter devastation, and killing 3. Numerous structures were damaged or destroyed, and there was arguably some low end F4 damage present (NWS stuck with a high end F3 rating). The tornado was approximately 3/4 mile in diameter as it left Stockton. A two-story framed home to the east of Stockton was almost entirely destroyed, and several vehicles were tossed hundreds of feet (also high end F3). Also, almost all the buildings on the "square" of Stockton were completely destroyed, and the only thing left was the vault from the bank. The roof was torn off of most of the Stockton school, yet amazingly, the court house, just 1/8 mile south of the square only took minor damage. The city was closed off to the public for nearly two days. The tornado crossed into northern Polk county, and appeared to have weakened slightly. A handful of structures received F1 and F2 damage. Continuing all the way through Polk county, it shrank to approximately 300 yards in diameter as it entered Dallas county. Damage analysis indicates twin funnels in western Polk (another tornado touched down just to the south of the parent funnel) (Observers did confirm twin tornadoes on the ground near Humansville MO in northwest polk county). Over 48 homes were destroyed in northern Dallas county (again F3 damage), and two additional fatalities occurred. South of Tunas, its track shifted form northeasterly to almost east-southeasterly. It then proceeded to abruptly weaken and dissipate. The Stockton tornado had traveled for an astonishing 86 miles, across 4 counties in their entirety. A plaque at the town park was place in honor of the three men who lost their lives, one year after the tornado.
The Camden County Tornado (F3)
Yet another tornado touched down in Camden county, Missouri, several minutes after the Stockton tornado dissipated (731 PM). This tornado quickly grew to 400 yards in diameter, and completely destroyed 50 homes near Camdenton. Two homes (considered to have been well anchored) were completely swept free short distances from their foundations. 4 fatalities were reported in the Camdenton area. The tornado then moved northeast and dissipated near Montreal. Its path length was 15 miles. Again, it would appear that the tornado had produced at least low end F4 damage, yet NWS gave it a high end F3 rating.
The Carl Junction Tornado (F3)
Weather spotters reported a funnel that may have touched down briefly several times in western Cherokee County. The first observable damage was observed to the north of Melrose. It initially produced minimal F0 and F1 damage. One death occurred south of Columbus, where the tornado produced some F2 damage to several structures. It widened and intensified as it approached the Kansas/Missouri border; several homes were almost entirely destroyed and numerous structures were severely damaged. A couple was killed in their home by flying debris in this area. The now 1/2 mile wide tornado crossed into Jasper county Missouri and raged through the center of Carl Junction. More than 500 structures were damaged or destroyed and 2 additional deaths occurred. F2 to F3 damage was observed in Carl Junction. The storm then veered north and dissipated, moving just north of Oronogo. It had traveled approximately 25 miles.
The Pierce City Tornado (F3)
A second supercell south of the storm that spawned the Franklin/Stockton/Camdenton tornadoes produced several funnel clouds through Newton county before any tornado touchdown was reported. Damage was first observed south of Ritchey, in Newton county. Several structures were moderately damaged. The most significant damage in Newton county was rated F2. The tornado reached over 1/2 mile wide as it crossed into Lawrence county, and abruptly strengthened to an F3 as it entered the town of Pierce City. Pierce city was devastated. Nearly every structure was either damaged or destroyed (including several buildings of historical significance). 5 people were killed, many of whom died in mobile homes. The tornado continued through Lawrence county and on into Christian county, barely missing several large population centers. In Christian county, dozens of structures were damaged and one fatality was reported. Damage here ranged between high end F2 and F3. After passing Clever, the path veered north into Greene county (toward Springfield). 100 homes were destroyed in the Springfield suburb of Battlefield. One fatality was also reported here. The damage path abruptly ended several miles past Battlefield, just before the tornado would have entered Springfield. NWS gave this tornado an F3 rating overall. It traveled just shy of 50 miles, across 4 counties.
The Kansas City Tornado Family
Tornado Tracks in Kansas City Area
The Kansas City Tornado
The Linwood Tornado (F2)
The first tornado of the Kansas City storm touched to the Northwest of Linwood, just South of the Kansas Turnpike. It initially produced F1 damage as it crossed the Turnpike, and was reported to have been approximately 250 yards wide. Notable F2 damage was observed near the intersection of 166th and Kansas Avenue. Numerous homes and buildings were damaged, and 2 injuries were reported. The tornado lifted just to the south of Basehor. It had traveled just over 6 miles.
The North Kansas City Tornado (F4)
Several minutes after the first tornado dissipated, a second larger funnel touched down Northwest of Bonner Springs. It initially produced light damage (F0 to F1); however, 2 homes were almost completely destroyed near I-435, indicating F3 damage. The tornado grew to nearly 500 yards in diameter as it passed through Northern Kansas City, Kansas, and a few well constructed homes were completely leveled near 91st and Leavenworth Road. NWS rated this portion of the track low-end F4. The only two fatalities attributed to the storm occurred here. To the northeast persistent F2 and F3 damage was observed through 84th street. In the vicinity of 79th Street and Cernech additional F4 damage was produced. Several structures were completely demolished, and metal power poles engineered to withstand 200 mph winds were tossed to the ground. The tornado then crossed the Missouri River into Platte County, Missouri. The path width decreased and high end F1 damage was observed for the remainder of the tornado's track. It dissipated just to the south of Gladstone, after having traveled for 21 miles.
Another image of the Kansas City Tornado
Damage from the Gladstone Tornado via NOAA
The Gladstone Tornado (F4)
The third tornado touched down in Gladstone (reportedly as a new circulation developed in the thunderstorm). Like the others, it was initially weak (F1), but quickly strengthened and widened to approximately 300 yards in diameter. Near the intersection of NE 63rd Terrace and N Jackson, marginal F4 was produced. Just to the Northeast of this location, NWS noted an additional pocket of F4 damage. The tornado continued producing F2 to F3 damage before dissipating, after having traveled for only 5 miles.
The Liberty Tornado (F2)
The fourth and final tornado of the Kansas City Supercell touched down in Liberty, Missouri around 5 p.m. Substantial damage occurred on the downtown square, into William Jewell College (high end F2) and continued tracking east along Route H into unincorporated Clay County. The total track length was 8 miles. The funnel was reported to have been 200 to 300 yards in diameter, though photographs suggest that it may have been somewhat larger. It continued tracking east along Route H into Clay County, and then lifted. The total track length was 8 miles.
The Jackson Area Tornadoes
Jackson Area Tornado Tracks
Jackson Tornado #1 (F4)
A large tornado touched down in southwest Madison County, TN after dark. It was initially 200 to 300 yards in diameter; however, rapid intensification occurred as the funnel approached Jackson. The now 1/2 mile wide tornado plowed through downtown Jackson and damaged or destroyed hundreds of buildings and homes. Several structures were completely leveled, warranting an F4 rating. 66 people were injured and tragically 11 fatalities were reported, most of which occurred downtown. The tornado continued into Henderson county, though aerial damage surveys indicate significant weakening occurred just to the east of Jackson. Sporatic F0 to F1 damage was observed for the remainder of the tornado's path. It lifted just to the west of Lexington, after having traveled for an impressive 39 miles.
Jackson Tornado #2 (F3)
The second Jackson area tornado touched down to the south of the initial track. It was reported to have been up to 1/4 mile wide, and produced F1 damage to the southwest of Jackson. The tornado then moved south of the Jackson City limits, destroying several homes and businesses. The damqage in this area was rated by NWS officials to be F2 to F3. The track became sporatic and narrow as the tornado crossed from Madison county to Henderson county, and damage surveys indicated that the tornado dissipated to the south of Lexington. The total path length was 21 miles.
May 5 Event
Confirmed Tornadoes
May 6 Event
Confirmed Tornadoes
The Paducah Area Tornadoes
The Jackson Missouri Tornado (F3)
At approximately 845 PM, a small tornado touched down in Jackson, Missouri. The tornado initially tore the roof off the town police station and the fire department, which share the same structure. It also damaged the roof of a pottery factory, completely destroyed a local bakery, and completely destroyed the gymnasium of a local Catholic elementary school, with some walls partially remaining. It passed directly through downtown Jackson with a width of about 50 yards, tossing vehicles and uprooting trees. Roofs were torn from many structures as well. Just outside of downtown several homes were completely destroyed, with only a few interior walls remaining (F3 damage). Many other homes in this area were severely damaged. The tornado lifted to the northeast of Jackson, after having traveled for just over 2 miles. Only two injuries were reported.
The Massac County Tornado (F4)
A very large tornado touched down in Pulaski County, IL at approximately 932 PM. The funnel was estimated to have been 3/4 to 1 mile in diameter as it moved into Massac County, blowing several framed homes completely off their foundations, and completely leveling others. A mobile home was literally wrapped around a tree and its occupant killed. Another fatalitiy occurred in as an unanchored home was destroyed. Damage in eastern Massac County was consistent with F4 intensity. Many structures were also severely damaged even further east in the Mermet Lake Conservation Area. Several vehicles were thrown over 100 yards; glass was implaled into trees; trees were either completely debarked or uprooted. The tornado continued into northern Pope county, producing a fairly steady array of F3 to F4 damage before it dissipated. The path length was 33 miles.
May 7 Event
Confirmed Tornadoes
May 8 Event
Confirmed Tornadoes
Northeast Kansas Tornadoes
The Lawrence Tornado
In the evening hours of May 8, a tornado warning was issued for Douglas County, Kansas for a supercell storm that produced a tornado in nearby Osage County. As the tornado tracked across Douglas County, it mushroomed into a 400-yard wide vortex, as reported by one storm chaser. By the time it reached Lawrence, the tornado had weakened and shrunk in size, but it was still strong enough to cause F1-F2 damage in the southwest part of town.
Central Oklahoma Tornadoes
The Moore Tornado (F4)
May 9 Event
Confirmed Tornadoes
Central Oklahoma - Round Two
May 10 Event
Confirmed Tornadoes
May 11 Event
Confirmed Tornadoes
2003 Tornado Season in Perspective
| 'State' | 'Total' | 'County' | 'County total' |
|---|---|---|---|
| Illinois | '2' | Massac | 1 |
| Pulaski | 1 | ||
| Kansas | '8' | Cherokee | 3 |
| Crawford | 3 | ||
| Wyandotte | 2 | ||
| Kentucky | '1' | Mercer | 1 |
| Missouri | '19' | Barton | 1 |
| Camden | 4 | ||
| Cedar | 3 | ||
| Christian | 1 | ||
| Dallas | 2 | ||
| Greene | 1 | ||
| Jasper | 2 | ||
| Lawrence | 5 | ||
| Tennessee | '11' | Madison | 11 |
| Totals | '41' | ||
| All deaths were tornado-related | |||
The 2003 tornado season had been relatively slow up until May 1. In fact, around May 1 through July 1 was the most active time of the year in tornadoes. The first tornado report of the year came on February 15. About 400 tornadoes were reported during the first 10 days of May, more than 500 were reported during the entire month.
A little unusual
Sacramento, California had a large hail report on May 8, and a tornado was reported in Northern Arizona on May 6; however, it is unknown whether or not these reports were part of the same storm system.
See also
★ List of tornadoes and tornado outbreaks
Notes
1. RECORD NUMBER OF TORNADOES, NOAA REPORTS
References
★ (2004). Studies of the May 2003 tornado outbreaks, Session 12, ''22nd Conference on Severe Local Storms'', American Meteorological Society.
External links and sources
;Overall
★ May 2003 Tornado Statistics (SPC, NOAA)
★ NWS Service Assessment
★ Working_Together_to_Save_Lives:
Early_May_Delivers_Nations_Busiest_Tornado_Outbreak_in_Many_Years class=wikiexternal target=_blank>Early May Delivers Nation's Busiest Tornado Outbreak in Many Years (NOAA's NWS Focus)
★ NCDC Billion Dollar U.S. Weather Disasters Summary
★ May 2003 Tornado Outbreak (Climate Diagnostics Center)
★ Tornado Outbreak Day Sequences: Historic Events and Climatology (1875-2003) (Russell S. Schneider, Harold E. Brooks, and Joseph T. Schaefer, American Meteorological Society)
★ May 2003 Events (NWS Little Rock, AR)
★ Memphis National Weather Service Perspective of the Severe Weather Outbreak of May 2003 - Focus on the F4 Madison County, Tennessee Tornado (NWS Memphis, TN)
★ OK-FIRST Case Study: The Tornado Outbreaks of May 2003
★ Worst Week Ever For Twisters (CBS News)
★ NOAA: Cold Front Spawns Super-Cell Storms, Deadly Tornadoes in Central Plains States
;April 30 - May 3
★ National weather service storm survey results for April 30 2003 (NWS Quad Cities, IA/IL)
★ Severe Storms and Flooding from April 30th - May 1st 2004 {NWS Springfield, MO)
★ Severe Weather May 1-3, 2003 (NWS Little Rock, AR)
;May 4 - 5
★ Severe Weather Event - May 4, 2003 (NWS Kansas City, MO)
★ Tornadoes Rip Across Southeast Kansas and the Missouri Ozarks May 4th 2003 (NWS Springfield, MO)
★ Severe Weather May 4-5, 2003 (Little Rock, AR)
★ May 4-7 2003 Mid-South Severe Weather (NWS Memphis, TN)
★ Summary of the May 4-5, 2003 Middle Tennessee Tornadoes (NWS Nashville, TN)
★ Cold Front Spawns Supercell Storms, Deadly Tornadoes in Central Plains States (NOAA News)
★ May 4, 2003 Severe Weather Outbreak (Midwestern Regional Climate Center)
★ Pierce City Rebuilds (USA Today)
★ Kansas City, KS May 4, 2003 "The 5-4-3 Tornado Outbreak" - Images and videos of the Kansas City Tornadoes
★ 5-04-03 Kansas City, Missouri Chase - Twister Sister images of the Kansas City Tornadoes
;May 6 - 7
★ May 6, 2003 Tornado Outbreak (NWS Paducah, KY)
★ May 6-8, 2003 (NWS Little Rock, AR)
★ White Plains Tornado. March 6, 2003 (NWS Birmingham, AL)
★ Severe Weather & Flooding of May 7, 2003 (NWS Birmingham, AL)
★ May 7-8, 2003: Nocturnal Tornado Event in Southern Oklahoma (NWS Norman, OK)
;May 8
★ May 8, 2003: Central Oklahoma Tornadoes (NWS Norman, OK)
★ Perry and Breckinridge Counties, KY Tornado Damage (NWS Louisville, KY)
:May 9
★ May 9, 2003: Central Oklahoma Tornadoes (NWS Norman, OK)
;May 10
★ Central Illinois Tornadoes on May 10, 2003 (NWS Central Illinois)
★
★ Radar Images from May 10, 2003 (NWS Central Illinois)
★ Storm Survey Results for the May 10 2003 Event (NWS Quad Cities, IA/IL)
★ The Tornadoes of May 10, 2003 (NWS St. Louis)
★ Preliminary Storm Survey Results for the May 10 2003 Event (NWS Quad Cities, IA/IL)
★ Lafayette and Iowa County Tornadoes (NWS Milwaukee, WI)
;May 11
★ Mercer County, KY Tornado Damage (NWS Louisville, KY)
★ Hart County, KY Tornado Damage (NWS Louisville, KY)
★ Hardin County, KY Tornado Damage (NWS Louisville, KY)
★ Summary of the May 11, 2003 Middle Tennessee Tornadoes (NWS Nashville, TN)
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