Tornado Outbreaks

March 5, 2022 regional outbreak and the Winterset EF4

(Winterset, Iowa — Roger Riley via Nataional Weather Service)

More than a dozen tornadoes struck the Midwest on March 5, with the majority focused on southeast Iowa.

The first violent tornado of 2022, an EF4 that impacted Winterset, Iowa, traveled almost 70 miles and killed six people along its path. Its 69.5-mile track was the second longest track for tornado in Iowa since 1980, per NWS Des Moines. It was on the ground for an hour and a half.

Another intense tornado occurred near Chariton, killing one and injuring one. It was rated an EF3.

In the modern record since 1950, the Winterset EF4 was also the farthest north violent tornado so early in the year.

A quasi-linear convective system (QLCS) raced east and northeast after the twisters to the west. It produced a widespread damaging wind event in the Chicago area.

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Information lead and forecaster for the Washington Post's Capital Weather Gang.

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Ian Livingston

Information lead and forecaster for the Washington Post's Capital Weather Gang.

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