Keywords

Tornadoes, definition of outbreaks, destructive power, damage path length and width.

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Physical Sciences

Is this submission part of ICaP/PW (Introductory Composition at Purdue/Professional Writing)?

No

Abstract

This study has focused on the analysis and comparison of the two greatest outbreaks of tornado activity in the modern U.S. record (1950-2018). The most productive 24 hour period of tornado activity for each was selected: 3 April 1974 and 27 April 2011 from 12 am CST to 11:59 pm CST. The 3 April 1974 outbreak totaled 119 tornadoes ranging from (E)F1- (E)F5, 88 of which were significant. The 27 April 2011 outbreak totaled 137 tornadoes ranging from (E)F1- (E)F5, 59 of which were significant. These events far exceed the criteria for a tornado outbreak, defined as 6-10 tornadoes in a 24 hour period with intensity ≥ (E)F1, and including at least one significant tornado (of intensity ≥ (E)F2). The objective of this study was to determine appropriate physical quantities of severity for the two superoutbreaks in order to analyze and compare the extremeness of the events. These quantities consisted of path width, path length, maximum intensity, and the Total Destructive Index (TDI). Based on these results the 27 April 2011 outbreak is determined to be the most destructive tornado outbreak in the modern tornado record. The quantities calculated showed the 27 April 2011 had twice as much destructive power as the 3 April 1974 outbreak.

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A Search for the Most Destructive Tornado Outbreak in the Modern Record (1950-2018).

This study has focused on the analysis and comparison of the two greatest outbreaks of tornado activity in the modern U.S. record (1950-2018). The most productive 24 hour period of tornado activity for each was selected: 3 April 1974 and 27 April 2011 from 12 am CST to 11:59 pm CST. The 3 April 1974 outbreak totaled 119 tornadoes ranging from (E)F1- (E)F5, 88 of which were significant. The 27 April 2011 outbreak totaled 137 tornadoes ranging from (E)F1- (E)F5, 59 of which were significant. These events far exceed the criteria for a tornado outbreak, defined as 6-10 tornadoes in a 24 hour period with intensity ≥ (E)F1, and including at least one significant tornado (of intensity ≥ (E)F2). The objective of this study was to determine appropriate physical quantities of severity for the two superoutbreaks in order to analyze and compare the extremeness of the events. These quantities consisted of path width, path length, maximum intensity, and the Total Destructive Index (TDI). Based on these results the 27 April 2011 outbreak is determined to be the most destructive tornado outbreak in the modern tornado record. The quantities calculated showed the 27 April 2011 had twice as much destructive power as the 3 April 1974 outbreak.