Deadly and destructive September weather

 

September 24, 2001 severe weather (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 be a significant contributing factor to severe weather during September. 

2024: Hurricane Helene was a deadly and destructive storm last September. It caused devastation along the U.S. Gulf Coast where it made landfall. Devastating flooding also occurred in the Tennessee Valley and Carolina’s from Helene’s remnants. One of the lesser discussed facets of the storm were the dozens of tornadoes it spawned on September 26-27. The strongest was an EF-3 that occurred in Nash County, North Carolina on September 27.

2020: There was a small but significant severe weather outbreak in the D.C. Metropolitan Area on September 3. Several 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 County, Maryland and tracked over six miles, according to NOAA.  

2018: Hurricane Florence made landfall in North Carolina on September 14. Its remnants lingered for several days and brought devastating flooding and severe weather to the Mid-Atlantic Region. The D.C. Metropolitan Area felt significant impacts on September 17-18, with 13 confirmed tornadoes in Virginia alone. The strongest was an EF-2 tornado 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 September 16 along the U.S. Gulf Coast. 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. Dulles Airport had a rainfall record of 1.71” on September 17 from the remnants of Ivan. 

2001: September 24 will be the 24^th 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 County, Virginia, that touched down in the D.C. Metropolitan Area.