What's a derecho storm?

A derecho, pronounced deh-REY-cho, is a long-lived, fast-moving thunderstorm that causes widespread wind damage. This particular storm system was fed by a heat dome over the eastern United States.

Is a derecho stronger than a hurricane?

Derechos can pack lethal gusts in excess of 100 mph – hurricane strength – across a front stretching for many miles, and last for hours. Storms that have sustained winds of at least 58 mph and leave a path of damage at least 250 miles long qualify as derechos, according to the National Weather Service.

Is a derecho like a hurricane?

derecho, also called land hurricane, windstorm traveling in a straight line characterized by gusts in excess of 93 km (58 miles) per hour and the production of a swath of wind-generated damage along a front spanning more than 400 km (250 miles) in length.

Why do they call it a derecho?

The term derecho—which means “straight ahead” in Spanish—was coined in 1888 by Gustavus Hinrichs, a physics professor at the University of Iowa who sought to distinguish these straight-moving winds from the swirling gusts of a tornado.

What is the difference between a derecho and a thunderstorm?

A Derecho is a very long lived and damaging thunderstorm. A storm is classified as a derecho if wind damage swath extends more than 240 miles and has wind gusts of at least 58 mph or greater along most of the length of the storm's path. For more on derechos visit the Storm Prediction Center's derecho page.

What is a Derecho?

What was the worst derecho ever?

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.

When was the last derecho in the US?

A severe weather event which took place from August 10–11, 2020 across the Midwestern United States and portions of southwestern Ontario. The derecho caused notably high wind speeds of up to 126 mph (203 km/h) recorded in Iowa, with post-damage assessments of up to 140 mph (230 km/h) in some places.

How often do derechos happen?

The occurrence of derechos is divided into two seasons; the "warm" season which is May, June, July and August. 70% of all derechos occur during these four months. The remaining eight month comprise the "cool" season. Percent occurrences of derechos by month.

How often do derechos occur in Iowa?

In Iowa, derechos occur every year or two on average. Winds above 85 mph like that of the August 10, 2020, derecho are quite unusual. While meteorologists can forecast potential severe weather outbreaks a few days in advance, predicting a derecho can be difficult.

Are derechos becoming more common?

Whether such strong derechos might become more, or less, common due to climate change is difficult to say, however. Some anticipated effects of climate change, such as warming at the planet's surface, could increase the likelihood of more and stronger derechos by increasing atmospheric instability.

Where do derechos occur in the world?

Derechos in the United States most commonly occur along two axes. One extends along the "Corn Belt" from the upper Mississippi Valley southeast into the Ohio Valley, and the other from the southern Plains northeast into the mid Mississippi Valley (figure below).

What was the strongest derecho?

In 2020 that record was broken with a gust of 126 mph recorded in Atkins. The Iowa Derecho is among the strongest across the country on record. The highest wind speed in a derecho was recorded in Utah, which was likely aided by the mountains in the region.

What's the difference between a derecho and a tornado?

The winds of a derecho travel at least 58 miles per hour and have been recorded as fast as 130 miles per hour. That's as fast as some tornados! But instead of spiraling like a tornado or hurricane, the winds of a derecho move in straight lines.

What does derechos mean in English?

Definition of derecho

: a large fast-moving complex of thunderstorms with powerful straight-line winds that cause widespread destruction.

How do you stay safe during 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?

What is a sideways tornado called?

This harmless phenomenon, called a roll cloud, forms where cold air drives low-hanging, moist warm air upward. Cooler temperatures condense the moisture to form clouds.

What states have the most derechos?

On average, Alabama is impacted by a derecho one time every 2-4 years. The northern half of the state is more at-risk and susceptible to being hit by a derecho than locations south of U.S. 80 and I-85. The Plains, Mississippi River Valley, Midwest, and Ohio River Valley are where it's most common to get derechos.

Has Iowa ever had a derecho before 2020?

Derechos of similar intensity to the August 2020 storm impact the Midwestern U.S. roughly once per decade, with similar derechos having occurred in 1998 and 2011.

Was the dust Bowl a derecho?

Meteorologists said that the wall of dust was technically part of a derecho, which is a powerful wind storm extending more than 240 miles, with a line of quickly-moving thunderstorms.

Was there a derecho in 2021?

Dec. 20, 2021, at 12:33 p.m. O'FALLON, Mo. (AP) — A line of severe thunderstorms and tornadoes that swept across the north-central U.S. last week was the result of a serial derecho — the first on record in December, officials with the National Weather Service said Monday.

Are derecho storms rare?

Although derechos are rare west of the Great Plains, derechos occasionally do occur over interior portions of the western United States, especially during spring and early summer (e.g, see this case that affected parts of Utah and adjacent states on May 31, 1994).

Does Florida get derechos?

The squall line produced a serial derecho as it swept across the Florida peninsula, Cuba, and adjacent waters. The squall line reached the northern part of Florida's west coast and western Cuba between 11 p.m. and midnight (EST) on the evening of the 12th.

Do derechos happen in Canada?

Derechos affecting this region typically develop in the U.S. Midwest and affect only a small part of the Quebec City-Windsor Corridor. This was the first event in Canada since 1999. In Southern Ontario, a derecho can be expected about once every year, to about once in every four years depending on the area.

How many tornadoes has Iowa had in 2021?

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.