On this day: The 1974 Super Outbreak

It’s been 50 years since the 1974 Super Outbreak, now the second largest 24-hour outbreak since the 2011 Super Outbreak.

Thirteen states were impacted by more than 145 tornadoes within a 24-hour period east of the Mississippi between April 3rd and 4th, 1974.

Thirty of the tornadoes that slammed the 13 states ended up being F4 and F5 strengths. Winds were between 207 to 318 mph! The whole event is remembered by many, but some of the more unforgettable tornadoes touched down in Xenia, Ohio (F5 strength, 36 fatalities, $100 million in damages), Depauw-Daisy Hill, Ind., (first F5 strength during the event, 86 injuries, and 6 fatalities), and Tanner, Ala., (struck by 2 F5 tornadoes that lasted 90 minutes apiece).

Alabama had the most fatalities in the entire event with 77. Kentucky was close behind with 71 fatalities.

A large low-pressure system moving across the central Plains along with an associated cold front along its southern flank initiated the severe weather outbreak. On Wednesday, April 3rd, above average temperatures soared into the upper 60s and 70s across the Midwest as warm, water-laden air was swept northward.

The video below shows the low-pressure system from satellite view as storms streaked across the Midwest and South.

The cold front clashed with the warm air mass, producing the dangerous storms. Additionally, a squall line moving into the Midwest early that morning helped initiate later afternoon storms with its leftover energy too.

This storm outbreak was an eye-opener and led to many innovations when it came to weather information, forecasting, and preparedness. In fact, it led to the online promotion of the #SafePlaceSelfie by the National Weather Service to help everyone know the best place to be during a severe weather outbreak, no matter where they are.

You can be prepared for the worst by staying ahead of the forecast with the Weather & Radar app. Download it for free today and stay weather-aware with the helpful WeatherRadar and LightningRadar throughout severe weather season.