The Tornado Super Outbreak of 1974

On April 3 - 4 1974 an event occurred over 13 states and at least one Canadian province unlike any event that has occurred before. It was an event so unpredictable and so devastating that many believe it will not happen again for at least 500 years. When it was over 148 tornadoes had been confirmed. There had been confirmed six F5 tornadoes and numerous F4 tornadoes. There were 330 deaths and over five thousand people were injured. Billions of dollars worth of damage had been incurred. The entire way in which tornadoes behaved was rethought and many tornado myths were destroyed. The way in which the weather service worked and issues tornado warning changed. While many people do not even remember this even to those who study weather this event has become known as the Tornado Super Outbreak of 1974.

The Day Begins

April 3 1974 dawned with very mundane predictions of what the weather would be throughout most of the Midwest. Showers were predicted for many cities along the East coast and there was a general prediction of thunderstorms for states across the Midwest. In April of 1974 the country was experiencing and event now commonly known as La Nina which involves unusually warm water in the ocean affecting the weather over much of the planet but particularly North America.