May’s uptick in severe weather

 

Hail from southern Maryland (Photo Credit: Kristen Leitch)

May is one of the most active severe weather months of the year in the United States. NOAA defines “severe weather” as a thunderstorm that produces any of the following: A) wind gusts of at least 58 mph; B) hail 1” in diameter or greater; or C) a tornado. 

The most dangerous thunderstorms (supercells) can cause more than one type of severe weather as large hail often precedes tornadoes. The area in and around the nation’s capital has had a number of memorable May severe weather events.   

2019: Three tornadoes touched down in central Maryland on May 30, producing two EF-0’s and an EF-1 in Frederick and Howard Counties. Wind damage was more widespread across the DC Metropolitan Area, with a wind gust as high as 71 mph in Frederick County, Maryland. A 66 mph wind gust was also reported at Davison Army Airfield in Fairfax County, Virginia. 

Even more severe weather impacted the DMV (DC, Maryland and Virginia) just a week earlier. An EF-1 tornado was confirmed in Columbia, Maryland that caused some structural damage. There were also many severe wind gusts from the thunderstorms that developed. Winds gusted as high as 68 mph at National Airport, 63 mph at Andrews AFB in Maryland, and 67 mph in Gaithersburg, Maryland. Damage was reported that ranged from downed trees and power lines to minor structural damage of homes and businesses.

2016: On May 2, hail 2.5” – 2.75” in diameter, ranging in size from tennis ball to baseball, occurred in Rockville, Maryland. Baseball-size hail was also reported in Charles County, Maryland, while golf ball-size hail was seen in Huntingtown. There were other reports of hail in the DMV that were smaller, but still met severe criteria.

2008: Several tornadoes developed in north-central Virginia on May 8. A weak tornado also developed in Camp Springs, Maryland. The strongest tornado in the DMV during this outbreak was an EF-2 in Stafford County, Virginia with peak winds of 120 mph. Many severe wind and hail events were also observed in Maryland and Virginia.

2002:  An F1 tornado was confirmed in Rockville, Maryland on May 13. It was part of a larger outbreak that saw a number of severe wind and hail reports. There was an F2 tornado on May 2 north of Baltimore in Cecil County, Maryland with winds of 150 mph. A weaker tornado was also reported in Rockville, Maryland. There were also multiple reports of severe wind gusts and hail.