50 years since the “Super Outbreak” of tornadoes
April 3 marks 50 years since the second-largest tornado outbreak on record for a 24-hour period across the U.S. Called the “1974 Super Outbreak,” 10 tornadoes occurred across North Alabama. The storm system produced tornadoes from Alabama and Georgia north to Indiana and Ohio.
The weather setup featured a strong low-pressure system that lifted through the Midwest. Warm, humid air was in place across the Deep South north through the Midwest. At upper levels of the atmosphere, a powerful jet streak approached the region from the west. This, along with a strong low-level jet that developed in the evening, led to strong tornadoes. A low-level jet is a fast current of air at roughly 5,000 feet and can enhance the low-level wind field.
Several F5 tornadoes occurred in North Alabama. The EF-scale was developed in 2007. Here’s a look at some of the tornado tracks from that day.
Below are some pictures from that day, including a bathtub that was lodged into the ground and homes reduced to concrete slabs.
More than 300 people were killed in the tornado outbreak.
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