Early American Tornadoes

The Natchez, Mississippi tornado of 1840

This tornado is considered the second deadliest in U.S. history.

8 years ago

Historic outbreak sequences: Eight days of mayhem in late May and early June 1917

The 1917 case is perhaps the most relentless of all the outbreak sequence events that that will be covered in…

8 years ago

A list of instructions for observing tornadoes during the late 1800s

While these spinny winds are not unique to our country, they are very much a part of the American experience.

9 years ago

Historic outbreak sequences: Five major tornado events during the second half of May 1896

For the first case study on outbreak sequences, we examine two weeks of nearly nonstop tornadoes. Twisters brought devastating results…

9 years ago

New Jersey’s deadliest twister and the first scientific tornado study in the United States

Even in the 1830s, a large tornado between New York City and Philadelphia drew crowds in its aftermath.

9 years ago

The Tri-State Tornado of 1925

On March 18, 1925 a dark "smokey fog" touched down approximately three miles northwest of Ellington, Missouri. It would become…

11 years ago

U.S. Tornado History: Early American thought presented in textbooks of the 1800s

Tornadoes have been part of the historical record for a very long time. It wasn't until the 1800s that advances…

12 years ago

U.S. Tornado History: The Smithsonian Institution’s “Queries Relative to Tornadoes,” circa 1860s

For much of the mid-1800s, the Smithsonian Institution in Washington, D.C. was the center of weather observation for the United…

13 years ago