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A powerful complex of storms erupted in the upper Midwest on Thursday night, triggering destructive gusts of wind over 100 miles per hour as they moved a towering wall of dust.
The National Weather Service has received more than 200 reports of damaging winds from Kansas to Wisconsin – but the worst damage has focused on a corridor from eastern Nebraska to southwestern Minnesota, including eastern South Dakota and northwestern Iowa. Significant structural damage was reported in the area and about 70,000 people were left without electricity on Thursday night.
The Minneapolis Star Tribune reported that one person died after a grain basket fell on a car in Candyiohi County, Minnesota, about 85 miles west of the twin cities.
The cloud of dust swept away by the storm created scenes reminiscent of the dust cup of the 1930s. Technically called a “haboob”, it engulfed entire communities, while the weedy complex, racing northeast at breakneck speeds of 65 to 85 mph, turned day into night.
Producing widespread damage along a vast path, the storm complex meets the criteria for dereho – the meteorological term for an arcuate, fast-moving line of strong storms whose damage can be comparable to a hurricane.
The most extreme gust of wind for the evening – 107 mph – was recorded in Hutchinson County, SD, which is about 50 miles west of Sioux Falls.
Other best urges include:
- 102 mph in Deuel County, SD
- 97 mph in Madison, SD
- 96 mph in Wentworth, SD
- 94 mph in Madison, Minnesota.
- 90 mph in Huron, SD
- 89 mph in Ord, Neb.
- 80 mph in Artichoke, Minn.
- 79 mph in Graceville, Minn.
- 75 mph in Canby, Minn.
At 22:30 Eastern time, the Meteorological Service’s Storm Forecast Center received 55 reports of winds with gusts above 74 mph. the second highest record for a calendar day. The record for the most 74+ mph gusts occurred less than six months ago: December 15, 2021.
A historic windstorm hit the central United States and unleashed a rare December tornado
The Meteorological Service has also issued numerous tornado warnings due to small areas of rotation built into the pilgrimage storm complex. Only two turns were confirmed by 9:30 p.m., one of which damaged two houses and the north side of a school in Castlewood, SD, about 80 miles north of Sioux Falls.
Reports from the meteorological service show that strong winds in a gorge uproot trees, tear down wires, flatten fences, blow out tiles and in some cases even peel off entire roofs. Numerous sheds and barns were destroyed.
The weather service also received numerous reports of blown-up tractor trailers; in Holt County, Nebraska, one person was injured.
The Meteorological Service highlighted the worst-hit areas by declaring level 4 of 5 at risk of severe thunderstorms on Thursday morning and then issuing a “particularly dangerous situation” a severe thunderstorm in the afternoon, reserved for the most severe storm potential.
Record heat feeding strong storms in the central United States
As the storms approached, he issued horrific warnings that triggered wireless alarms. The warnings called for winds of 80 to 100 miles per hour as storms rushed northeast. In a warning for parts of west-central Minnesota, the twin cities’ meteorological office wrote, “THESE ARE DESTRUCTIVE STORMS,” noting that they could cause winds of 100 mph. “You are in a life-threatening situation,” the warning said.
I-90 from Mitchell to Sioux Falls until 18:00 you will see gusts of wind from 80 to 100 mph, with the strongest gusts coming from the south, which makes the trip on I-90 VERY DANGEROUS DURING THIS TIME !!
– NWS Sioux Falls (@NWSSiouxFalls) May 12, 2022
The event was somewhat reminiscent of the Iowa Depression of August 2020, the most costly thunderstorm in US history.
The storm complex was fueled by a scattered heat dome responsible for setting record levels from Texas to Maine. The hottest temperatures – compared to normal – are focused in the Upper Midwest. The storms erupted as this hot air was greeted by much cooler air coming in from the northwest.
As with strong thunderstorms and tornadoes in December, the intensity of the event raises questions about the possible role of man-made climate change. The December outbreaks were similarly fueled by record temperatures that make climate change more likely.
December tornadoes are not uncommon, but the four-state epidemic was something completely different
A gust of 63 mph here in the office shortly after 16:00, but many reports of 80+ mph throughout the region with significant structural damage and fallen trees !! Please let us know what happened in your area. pic.twitter.com/WlkOg1L2ED
– NWS Sioux Falls (@NWSSiouxFalls) May 13, 2022
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