A total of 224 tornadoes have been reported to the Storm Prediction Center in the last 6 days. This includes the first EF4 tornado in Oklahoma since 2016. That tornado (see pic. above) had peak winds of 170 mph. That number will likely go down a bit as NWS storm surveys are completed.
During the 6 days from April 25-30, the Storm Prediction Center received 292 reports of thunderstorm wind damage and 450 reports of severe criteria hail (including hail 2″ in diameter that pounded Onekama in northern Manistee Co. Michigan on April 27). That’s 960 reports of severe weather.
So far, the NWS has confirmed 1 EF4 tornado, eight EF3, 15 EF2, 46 EF1 and 28 EF0. There are eight places where tornadoes have been confirmed, but the intensity of these twisters has not been determined.
There were at least 5 fatalities and 155 significant injuries due to the tornadoes.
Here’s the Severe Weather Outlook Map from the Storm Prediction Center for today, May 1. More severe thunderstorms are likely in the Plains States (none in Michigan). SPC says: “Scattered severe thunderstorms are possible across parts of the central and southern Great Plains from Wednesday afternoon into Wednesday night. A few tornadoes, very large hail, and damaging winds are anticipated.”
ALSO: Giant solar flare. Tuesday night’s Arizona Diamondbacks/Los Angeles Dodgers Major League Baseball game was delayed due to a bee colony forming on the protective netting behind home plate. Mammatus clouds. Reed Timmer in the midst of the Westmoreland KS twister. More Westmoreland KS tornado video. Flooding in Saudi Arabia. Gigantic hail in China.
