Severe Weather in September

 

Tornadoes spawned by Ivan's remnants, September 2004 (Source: NOAA)

Severe weather is defined as a thunderstorm that contains any of the following: wind gusts of at least 58 mph, hail 1”/+ in diameter, or a tornado.  Although less common than during the spring and early summer, severe weather does occur in September.  The remnants of tropical storms and hurricanes can also be a significant contributor to severe weather during September. 

2020: A small but significant severe weather outbreak occurred in the D.C. Metro Area on September 3.  Several reports of severe wind gusts were reported with a variety of damage that ranged from downed trees and power lines to roof damage.  An EF-1 tornado also developed in Anne Arundel Co., Maryland and tracked over six miles according to NOAA.  

2018: Hurricane Florence made landfall on September 14 and its remnants lingered for several days and brought devastating flooding and severe weather to the Mid-Atlantic Region.  The D.C. Metro Area felt significant impacts on September 17-18, with 13 confirmed tornadoes in Virginia alone.  The strongest was an EF-2 tornado on the Enhanced Fujita Scale with wind speeds of 115-125 mph.  A record rainfall total of 2.22” occurred at BWI Airport on September 18.

2004: Once a Category 5, Ivan made landfall as a Category 3 on the U.S. Gulf Coast on September 16.  It had far-reaching impacts, including in the Mid-Atlantic Region where its remnants produced a tornado outbreak on September 17, 2004.  According to NOAA, Ivan was the top tornado producing hurricane on record with a total of 127 tornadoes in the United States.  (Hurricane Beulah had been the previous record-holder with 115 confirmed tornadoes in 1967.)  Dulles Airport had a rainfall record of 1.71” on September 17 from the remnants of Ivan. 

2001: September 24 will be the 21^st anniversary of the deadly F3 College Park tornado that claimed the lives of two sisters who were caught in their car on the campus of the University of Maryland.  At peak intensity, the tornado had winds of nearly 200 mph.  Although it was ranked an F3 at the time, the College Park tornado would be a borderline EF4/EF5 tornado today.  The College Park tornado was one of several, including an F4 in Culpeper Co., Virginia that touched down in the D.C. Metro Area.