Threat of Severe Weather in February

 

Severe weather is less common in the United States during the colder winter months than it is during the rest of the year.  However, it’s slightly more common during February as compared to December or January.  “Severe weather” is defined as a thunderstorm that contains any of the following: hail 1”/+ in diameter; wind gusts of 58/+ mph; or a tornado.  Severe thunderstorms can sometimes contain more than one of these criteria.

When severe weather does occur in February, it can most often be found on or near the Gulf Coast.  That’s because weather conditions there are often more favorable for it than other parts of the country.  Nevertheless, some February outbreaks have occurred in other parts of the United States that made them unusual.

2020:  An exceedingly rare February tornado outbreak occurred on February 7 in the D.C. Metro Area.  A total of six tornadoes touched down in Maryland and Virginia between 7:00 a.m. and 10:00 a.m.  Four of the six tornadoes were ranked as EF-1’s with winds between 86 mph and 110 mph.  Although some tree and structural damage was reported, it was fortunate that no injuries or fatalities occurred.  Tornado intensity is measured on the Enhanced Fujita Scale that ranges from EF-0 to EF-5.

2017:  Prior to 2020, the last time there was a February tornado in the D.C. Metro Area was on February 25, 2017.  That’s when an EF-1 developed in Charles County, Maryland, that had maximum wind speeds of 90 mph and a track of more than eight miles.   

2016:  A larger tornado outbreak with 33 confirmed tornadoes from Florida to Pennsylvania occurred on February 24, 2016.  Three deaths were reported from one of the tornadoes that touched down in Sussex County, Virginia.  Only one tornado occurred in the D.C. Metro Area during this outbreak with an EF-0 in St. Mary’s County, Maryland.

2011:  A relatively large severe weather outbreak occurred on February 28 from Missouri to Pennsylvania.  A total of 18 confirmed tornadoes developed, with one fatality in Tennessee.  This outbreak occurred shortly before two tornadoes developed in the D.C. Metro Area on March 10, 2011.  One was an EF-1 in Fauquier County, Virginia, and the other was an EF-0 in Fairfax County, Virginia.

1998:  Another significant outbreak occurred in central Florida on February 22 – 23.  NOAA reported that the 42 lives lost in this disaster made it one of Florida’s deadliest. What made this outbreak so deadly was its timing since the tornadoes occurred between 10:55 p.m. and 2:30 a.m. when most people were asleep.  This underscores the need to get weather alerts on your phone or to have a NOAA weather radio which provides the latest weather watches and warnings for your area 24/7.