MICHIGAN TORNADO SOUNDING REANALYSIS ARCHIVE
(Reading the disclaimer before use is suggested)
Welcome!
This page acts as a library of model reanalysis vertical profiles (soundings) that represent near-storm environments of notable Michigan tornado events from 1950-present using RAP/RUC (UCAR) & ERA-5 (ECMWF) reanalysis data. This archive is meant to act as a reference and to aid CMU student forecasters in pattern recognition of tornadic environments in Michigan.
Total cases in archive: 43 | Dates: 1953-2022
(E)F5 Cases: 5% | (E)F4 Cases: 28% | (E)F3 Cases: 23%
INSTRUCTIONS: Select a date/event below to view the plot and information regarding the event. Click the plot to enlarge.
TORNADO CASES BY DECADE:
1950s
> June 8, 1953 - The Great Flint-Beecher F5 (10th Deadliest Tornado in US history)
EVENT LOCATION: Genesee and Lapeer County | Mount Morris to North Flint to Columbiaville
EVENT DATE: June 8th, 1953 – 9:30 PM ET
NUMBER OF TORNADOES: 7
MAX TORNADO RATING(S): F5
MAX PATH LENGTH: 18.9 miles / 30.4 km
MAX WIDTH: 833 yd
MAX WIND: UND
MODEL DATA: MODEL: ECMWF ERA-5 (PRELIM BACK EXTENSION) F00 – RUN: 06/09/53/00 UTC – VAILD: 06/09/53/00 UTC – LOCATION: Flint, Mich
Read more about this event:
> June 8, 1953 - Lapeer and St. Clair F4
EVENT LOCATION: Lapeer & St. Clair County | Kings Mill – Yale – North Lakeport
EVENT DATE: June 8th, 1953 – 11:30 PM ET
NUMBER OF TORNADOES: 7
MAX TORNADO RATING(S): F4
MAX PATH LENGTH: 33.8 miles / 54.3 km
MAX WIDTH: 830 yd
MAX WIND: UND
MODEL DATA: MODEL: ECMWF ERA-5 (PRELIM BACK EXTENSION) F00 – RUN: 06/09/53/03 UTC – VAILD: 06/09/53/03 UTC – LOCATION: Goodland, Mich (6 miles SE Kings Mill, Mich)
Read more about this event:
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> April 3, 1956 - Grand Rapids Long Track F5 (Michigan's Most Recent (E)F5)
EVENT LOCATION: Ottawa, Kent, Montcalm Counties | Vriesland to Grand Rapids to Trufant
EVENT DATE: April 3rd, 1956 – 6:40 PM ET
NUMBER OF TORNADOES: 4
MAX TORNADO RATING(S): F5
MAX PATH LENGTH: 58.8 miles / 94.6 km
MAX WIDTH: 400 yd
MAX WIND: UND
MODEL DATA: MODEL: ECMWF ERA-5 (PRELIM BACK EXTENSION) F00 – RUN: 04/03/56/22 UTC – VAILD: 04/03/56/22 UTC – LOCATION: Grand Rapids, Mich
Read more about this event:
NWS GRR: https://www.weather.gov/grr/1956TornadoOutbreakVrieslandTrufant
> April 3, 1956 - Lake Michigan to Grand Traverse Bay Long Track F4
EVENT LOCATION: Manistee, Benzie, Grand Traverse, Leelanau Counties | Onekama to Bingham
EVENT DATE: April 3rd, 1956 – 7:35 PM ET
NUMBER OF TORNADOES: 4
MAX TORNADO RATING(S): F4
MAX PATH LENGTH: 50.3 miles / 80.9 km
MAX WIDTH: 400 yd
MAX WIND: UND
MODEL DATA: MODEL: ECMWF ERA-5 (PRELIM BACK EXTENSION) F00 – RUN: 04/03/56/23 UTC – VAILD: 04/03/56/23 UTC – LOCATION: Cadillac, Mich (40 miles E Onekama, Mich)
Read more about this event:
NWS GRR: https://www.weather.gov/grr/1956TornadoOutbreakVrieslandTrufant
> May 12, 1956 - Flint & Burton F4
EVENT LOCATION: Genesee County | Flint to Burton
EVENT DATE: May 12th, 1956 – 7:25 PM ET
NUMBER OF TORNADOES: 11
MAX TORNADO RATING(S): F4
MAX PATH LENGTH: 6.6 miles / 10.6 km
MAX WIDTH: 100 yd
MAX WIND: UND
MODEL DATA: MODEL: ECMWF ERA-5 (PRELIM BACK EXTENSION) F00 – RUN: 05/12/56/23 UTC – VAILD: 05/12/56/23 UTC – LOCATION: Grand Blanc, Mich (4 miles S Burton, Mich)
Read more about this event:
> July 4, 1957 - Independence Day Oakland County F4
EVENT LOCATION: Livingston & Oakland Counties | Brighton to Wixom to Farmington Hills to Royal Oak
EVENT DATE: July 4th, 1957 – 7:55 PM ET
NUMBER OF TORNADOES: 1
MAX TORNADO RATING(S): F4
MAX PATH LENGTH: 29.9 miles / 40.1 km
MAX WIDTH: 100 yd
MAX WIND: UND
MODEL DATA: MODEL: ECMWF ERA-5 (PRELIM BACK EXTENSION) F00 – RUN: 07/04/57/23 UTC – VAILD: 07/04/57/23 UTC – LOCATION: Novi, Mich (4 miles SSE Wixom, Mich)
Read more about this event:
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1960s
> September, 1961 - Ottawa & Kent Counties F2
EVENT LOCATION: Ottawa and Kent County | Marne to Fruit Ridge Center
EVENT DATE: September 22th, 1961 – 6:22 PM ET
NUMBER OF TORNADOES: 1
MAX TORNADO RATING(S): F2
MAX PATH LENGTH: 2.7 miles / 4.3 km
MAX WIDTH: 2000 yd
MAX WIND: UND
MODEL DATA: MODEL: ECMWF ERA-5 F00 – RUN: 09/22/61/21 UTC – VAILD: 09/22/61/21 UTC – LOCATION: Grand Rapids (8 miles SE Marne)
Read more about this event:
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>April 11, 1965 - Grand Rapids F4 - Palm Sunday 'Super Outbreak'
EVENT LOCATION: Ottawa and Kent County | Allendale to Grand Rapids to Rockford
EVENT DATE: April 11th, 1965 – 6:54 PM ET
NUMBER OF TORNADOES: 12
MAX TORNADO RATING(S): F4
MAX PATH LENGTH: 20 miles / 32.1 km
MAX WIDTH: 300 yd
MAX WIND: UND
MODEL DATA: MODEL: ECMWF ERA-5 F00 – RUN: 04/11/65/23 UTC – VAILD: 04/11/65/23 UTC – LOCATION: Grand Rapids
Read more about this event:
> April 11, 1965 - Southern Mich Long Track F4 - Palm Sunday 'Super Outbreak'
EVENT LOCATION: Steuben County, IN to Branch, Hillsdale, Lenawee, Washtenaw, Monroe Counties, MI
EVENT DATE: April 11th, 1965 – 7:03 PM ET to 8:15 PM ET
NUMBER OF TORNADOES: 12
MAX TORNADO RATING(S): F4
MAX PATH LENGTH: 90.3 miles / 145.3 km
MAX WIDTH: UND – a damage path up to 4 miles wide was found but this damage was caused by two tornadoes.
MAX WIND: UND
MODEL DATA: MODEL: ECMWF ERA-5 F00 – RUN: 04/12/65/00 UTC – VAILD: 04/12/65/00 UTC – LOCATION: Hudson, Mich (15 miles SSE Hillsdale, Mich)
Read more about this event:
> April 11, 1965 - DeWitt F4 - Palm Sunday 'Super Outbreak'
EVENT LOCATION: Clinton and Shiawassee Counties | DeWitt to Bennington
EVENT DATE: April 11th, 1965 – 9:15 PM ET
NUMBER OF TORNADOES: 12
MAX TORNADO RATING(S): F4
MAX PATH LENGTH: 21 miles / 33.7 km
MAX WIDTH: 100 yd
MAX WIND: UND
MODEL DATA: MODEL: ECMWF ERA-5 F00 – RUN: 04/12/65/00 UTC – VAILD: 04/12/65/00 UTC – LOCATION: DeWitt, Mich
Read more about this event:
> June 26, 1969 - Traverse City F3
EVENT LOCATION: Clinton and Shiawassee Counties | DeWitt to Bennington
EVENT DATE: June 26th, 1969 – 3:30 PM ET
NUMBER OF TORNADOES: 2
MAX TORNADO RATING(S): F3
MAX PATH LENGTH: 6.4 miles / 10.2 km
MAX WIDTH: 600 yd
MAX WIND: UND
MODEL DATA: MODEL: ECMWF ERA-5 F00 – RUN: 06/26/69/19 UTC – VAILD: 06/26/69/19 UTC – LOCATION: Traverse City, Mich
Read more about this event:
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1970s
> April 3, 1974 - Hillsdale to Liberty F2 (1974 'Super Outbreak')
EVENT LOCATION: Hillsdale & Jackson Counties | Hillsdale to Liberty Township
EVENT DATE: April 3rd, 1974 – 8:44 PM ET
NUMBER OF TORNADOES AROUND MICHIGAN: 5
MAX TORNADO RATING(S): F2
MAX PATH LENGTH: 19.3 miles / 30 km
MAX WIDTH: 440 yd
MAX WIND: UND
MODEL DATA: MODEL: ECMWF ERA-5 F00 – RUN: 04/04/74/00 UTC – VAILD: 04/04/74/00 UTC – LOCATION: Hudson, Mich (15 miles SE Hillsdale, Mich)
Read more about this event:
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> March 20, 1976 - Farmington Hills F4
EVENT LOCATION: Oakland County | Farmington Hills and West Bloomfield Township
EVENT DATE: March 20th, 1976 – 8:15 PM ET
NUMBER OF TORNADOES AROUND MICHIGAN: 5
MAX TORNADO RATING(S): F4
MAX PATH LENGTH: 3.8 miles / 6.1 km
MAX WIDTH: 117 yd
MAX WIND: UND
MODEL DATA: MODEL: ECMWF ERA-5 F00 – RUN: 03/20/76/01 UTC – VAILD: 03/20/76/01 UTC – LOCATION: Farmington Hills. Mich
Read more about this event:
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> April 2, 1977 - Bellevue to Eaton Rapids F4
EVENT LOCATION: Eaton County – Bellevue to Eaton Rapids
EVENT DATE: April 2nd, 1977 – 4:06 PM ET
NUMBER OF TORNADOES AROUND MICHIGAN: 5
MAX TORNADO RATING(S): F4
MAX PATH LENGTH: ~18 miles / ~28.9 km
MAX WIDTH: 616 yds
MAX WIND: UND
MODEL DATA: MODEL: ECMWF ERA-5 F00 – RUN: 04/02/77/19 UTC – VAILD: 04/02/77/19 UTC – LOCATION: Brookfield, Mich (8 miles WSW Eaton Rapids, Mich)
> April 2, 1977 - Kalamazoo to Augusta F4
EVENT LOCATION: Kalamazoo County | Kalamazoo to Augusta
EVENT DATE: April 2nd, 1977 – 3:30 PM ET
NUMBER OF TORNADOES AROUND MICHIGAN: 5
MAX TORNADO RATING(S): F4
MAX PATH LENGTH: 12.4 miles /19.9 km
MAX WIDTH: 183 yds
MAX WIND: UND
MODEL DATA: MODEL: ECMWF ERA-5 F00 – RUN: 04/02/77/19 UTC – VAILD: 04/02/77/19 UTC – LOCATION: Climax, Mich (7 miles SSE Augusta, Mich)
1980s
> May 13, 1980 - Kalamazoo F3
EVENT LOCATION: Kalamazoo County | Kalamazoo
EVENT DATE: May 13th, 1980 – 3:58 PM ET
NUMBER OF TORNADOES AROUND MICHIGAN: 2
MAX TORNADO RATING(S): F3
MAX PATH LENGTH: 10.6 miles / 17 km
MAX WIDTH: 450 ft
MAX WIND: UND
MODEL DATA: MODEL: ECMWF ERA-5 F00 – RUN: 05/13/80/19 UTC – VAILD: 05/13/80/19 UTC – LOCATION: Portage, Mich (6 miles S Kalamazoo, Mich)
Read more about this event:
> June 9, 1982 - Saginaw County F2
EVENT LOCATION: Saginaw County | Lakefield to Saginaw
EVENT DATE: June 9th, 1982 – 4:25 PM ET
NUMBER OF TORNADOES AROUND MICHIGAN: 7
MAX TORNADO RATING(S): F2
MAX PATH LENGTH: 19 miles / 30.5 km
MAX WIDTH: 300 yd
MAX WIND: UND
MODEL DATA: MODEL: ECMWF ERA-5 F00 – RUN: 06/09/82/19 UTC – VAILD: 06/09/82/19 UTC – LOCATION: Chesaning, Mich (18 miles SW Saginaw, Mich)
Read more about this event:
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> June 12, 1984 - Bay & Huron Counties (Saginaw Bay) F3
EVENT LOCATION: Bay County to the Saginaw Bay to Huron County – Bay City to Bay Port
EVENT DATE: June 12th, 1984 – 6:20 PM ET
NUMBER OF TORNADOES AROUND MICHIGAN: 1
MAX TORNADO RATING(S): F3
MAX PATH LENGTH: 38 miles / 61.1 km
MAX WIDTH: 500 ft
MAX WIND: UND
MODEL DATA: MODEL: ECMWF ERA-5 F00 – RUN: 06/12/84/22 UTC – VAILD: 06/12/84/22 UTC – LOCATION: Saginaw, Mich (12 miles SSW Bay City, Mich)
Read more about this event:
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> July 14, 1984 - Schoolcraft & Mackinac County F2
EVENT LOCATION: Schoolcraft & Mackinac Counties – Hiawatha to Curtis
EVENT DATE: July 14th, 1984 – 8:00 PM ET
NUMBER OF TORNADOES AROUND MICHIGAN: 1
MAX TORNADO RATING(S): F3
MAX PATH LENGTH: 27 miles / 43.5 km
MAX WIDTH: 100 yd
MAX WIND: UND
MODEL DATA: MODEL: ECMWF ERA-5 F00 – RUN: 07/15/84/00 UTC – VAILD: 07/15/84/00 UTC – LOCATION: Manistique, Mich (10 miles S Hiawatha, Mich)
Read more about this event:
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> June 10, 1987 - Upper Peninsula - Quad-County Long Track F3
EVENT LOCATION: Dickinson – Menominee – Delta – Schoolcraft Counties | Iron Mountian to Thompson
EVENT DATE: June 10th, 1987 – 8:05 PM ET
NUMBER OF TORNADOES AROUND MICHIGAN: 1
MAX TORNADO RATING(S): F3
MAX PATH LENGTH: 71 miles / 114.2 km
MAX WIDTH: 150 yd
MAX WIND: UND
MODEL DATA: MODEL: ECMWF ERA-5 F00 – RUN: 06/10/87/23 UTC – VAILD: 06/10/87/23 UTC – LOCATION: Menominee, Mich (48 miles SSW Escanaba, Mich)
Read more about this event:
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1990s
> March 27, 1991 - Huron National Forest Pair of F3s (Michigan's Largest Outbreak)
EVENT LOCATION: Huron National Forecast – Ogemaw, Iosco, Alcona Counties
EVENT DATE: March 27th, 1991 – 6:00 to 6:40 PM ET
NUMBER OF TORNADOES AROUND MICHIGAN: 15 (Michigan’s largest 24hr tornado outbreak)
MAX TORNADO RATING(S): F3 (x2)
MAX PATH LENGTH: 35 miles / 56.3 km
MAX WIDTH: 100 yd
MAX WIND: UND
MODEL DATA: MODEL: ECMWF ERA-5 F00 – RUN: 03/27/91/21 UTC – VAILD: 03/27/91/21 UTC – LOCATION: Whittemore, Mich (20 miles SE Rose City, Mich)
Read more about this event:
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> January 18, 1996 - Richland F0 (Michigan's only January tornado)
EVENT LOCATION: Kalamazoo County | Richland
EVENT DATE: January 18th 1996 – 5:01 PM ET
NUMBER OF TORNADOES AROUND MICHIGAN: 1 (Michigan’s only January Tornado on record, 2nd ever during astronomical winter)
MAX TORNADO RATING(S): F0
MAX PATH LENGTH: 0.1 miles
MAX WIDTH: UND
MAX WIND: UND
MODEL DATA: MODEL: ECMWF ERA-5 F00 – RUN: 01/18/96/22 UTC – VAILD: 01/18/96/22 UTC – LOCATION: Richland, Mich
Read more about this event:
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> June 21, 1996 - Isabella County F1
EVENT LOCATION: Isabella County | Beal City
EVENT DATE: June 21st, 1996 – 9:26 PM ET
NUMBER OF TORNADOES AROUND MICHIGAN: 4
MAX TORNADO RATING(S): F1
MAX PATH LENGTH: 4.4 miles / 7 km
MAX WIDTH: 80 yd
MAX WIND: UND
MODEL DATA: MODEL: ECMWF ERA-5 F00 – RUN: 06/22/96/01 UTC – VAILD: 06/22/96/01 UTC – LOCATION: Mount Pleasant, Mich (8 miles SE Beal City, Mich)
Read more about this event:
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> June 21, 1996 - Frankenmuth F3
EVENT LOCATION: Saginaw County | Frankenmuth
EVENT DATE: June 21st, 1996 – 11:03 PM ET
NUMBER OF TORNADOES AROUND MICHIGAN: 4
MAX TORNADO RATING(S): F3
MAX PATH LENGTH: 1 miles / 1.6 km
MAX WIDTH: 100 yd
MAX WIND: UND
MODEL DATA: MODEL: ECMWF ERA-5 F00 – RUN: 06/22/96/03 UTC – VAILD: 06/22/96/03 UTC – LOCATION: Birch Run, Mich (8 miles SE Frankenmuth, Mich)
Read more about this event:
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> July 2, 1997 - Genesee County Pair of F3s ('The Great Tornado Outbreak of 1997')
EVENT LOCATION: Genesee County | Clio to SE of Clio
EVENT DATE: July 2nd, 1997 – 4:30 PM ET
NUMBER OF TORNADOES AROUND MICHIGAN: 14 (Michigan’s 2nd largest 24hr tornado outbreak)
MAX TORNADO RATING(S): F3 (x2)
MAX PATH LENGTH: 2 miles / 3.2 km
MAX WIDTH: 1000 yd
MAX WIND: UND
MODEL DATA: MODEL: ECMWF ERA-5 F00 – RUN: 07/02/97/20 UTC – VAILD: 07/02/97/20 UTC – LOCATION: Mount Morris, Mich (5 miles SSE Clio, Mich)
Read more about this event:
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> July 2, 1997 - Metro Detroit F2 ('The Great Tornado Outbreak of 1997')
EVENT LOCATION: Wayne County | Hamtramck
EVENT DATE: July 2nd, 1997 – 6:30 PM ET
NUMBER OF TORNADOES AROUND MICHIGAN: 14 (Michigan’s 2nd largest 24hr tornado outbreak)
MAX TORNADO RATING(S): F2
MAX PATH LENGTH: 6.7 miles / 10.7 km
MAX WIDTH: 2500 yd
MAX WIND: UND
MODEL DATA: MODEL: ECMWF ERA-5 F00 – RUN: 07/02/97/22 UTC – VAILD: 07/02/97/22 UTC – LOCATION: Detroit, Mich (4 miles S Hamtramck, Mich)
Read more about this event:
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> July 23, 1999 - Mount Pleasant Brief F0
EVENT LOCATION: Isabella County | Mount Pleasant
EVENT DATE: July 23th, 1999 – 1:13 PM ET
NUMBER OF TORNADOES AROUND MICHIGAN: 2
MAX TORNADO RATING(S): F0
MAX PATH LENGTH: 0.1 miles / 0.1 km
MAX WIDTH: 10 yd
MAX WIND: UND
MODEL DATA: MODEL: ECMWF ERA-5 F00 – RUN: 07/23/99/17 UTC – VAILD: 07/23/99/17 UTC – LOCATION: Mount Pleasant, Mich
Read more about this event:
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2000s
> June 6, 2001 - Bi-State Long Track F3 (Indiana, Ohio, Michigan Outbreak)
EVENT LOCATION: Berrien, Cass, St. Joseph Counties | Bertrand to Cassopolis to Marcellus
EVENT DATE: October 24th, 2001 – 2:11 AM ET
NUMBER OF TORNADOES AROUND MICHIGAN: 4
MAX TORNADO RATING(S): F2
MAX PATH LENGTH: 47 miles / 75.6 km
MAX WIDTH: 1320 yds
MAX WIND: UND
MODEL DATA: MODEL: ECMWF ERA-5 F00 – RUN: 10/24/01/20 UTC – VAILD: 10/24/01/20 UTC – LOCATION: Edwardsburg, Mich (8 miles SSW Cassopolis, Mich)
Read more about this event:
NWS IWX: https://www.weather.gov/iwx/20011024_tornado
> August 22, 2003 - Webberville F2
EVENT LOCATION: Ingham and Lenawee County | Webberville
EVENT DATE: August 22nd, 2003 – 8:55 PM ET
NUMBER OF TORNADOES AROUND MICHIGAN: 1
MAX TORNADO RATING(S): F2
MAX PATH LENGTH: 4.7 miles / 7.5 km
MAX WIDTH: 880 yd
MAX WIND: UND
MODEL DATA: MODEL: ECMWF ERA-5 F00 – RUN: 08/22/03/00 UTC – VAILD: 08/22/03/00 UTC – LOCATION: Dansville, Mich (9 miles SSE Webberville, Mich)
Read more about this event:
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> August 24, 2007 - Charlotte to Potterville EF3
EVENT LOCATION: Eaton County | Charlotte to Potterville
EVENT DATE: August 24th, 2007 – 4:25 PM ET
NUMBER OF TORNADOES AROUND MICHIGAN: 4
MAX TORNADO RATING(S): EF3
MAX PATH LENGTH: 6.5 miles / 10.4 km
MAX WIDTH: 300 yd
MAX WIND: UND
MODEL DATA: MODEL: RUC F00 – RUN: 08/24/07/20 UTC – VAILD: 08/24/07/20 UTC – LOCATION: Eaton Rapids, Mich (9 miles ESE Charlotte, Mich)
Read more about this event:
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> October 18, 2007 - Long Rapids EF2
EVENT LOCATION: Alpena County | NW of Long Rapids
EVENT DATE: October 18th, 2007 – 5:25 PM ET
NUMBER OF TORNADOES AROUND MICHIGAN: 10
MAX TORNADO RATING(S): EF2
MAX PATH LENGTH: 4.1 miles / 6.5 km
MAX WIDTH: 430 yd
MAX WIND: UND
MODEL DATA: MODEL: RUC F00 – RUN: 10/18/07/22 UTC – VAILD: 10/18/07/22 UTC – LOCATION: Long Rapids, Mich
Read more about this event:
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2010s
> June 6, 2010 - White Pigeon, Michigan EF2 (Michigan, Ohio & Indiana 'Mini-Outbreak')
EVENT LOCATION: St. Joseph County | White Pigeon
EVENT DATE: June 6th, 2010 – 12:32 AM ET
NUMBER OF TORNADOES AROUND MICHIGAN: 9
MAX TORNADO RATING(S): EF2
MAX PATH LENGTH: 9.4 miles / 15.1 km
MAX WIDTH: UND
MAX WIND: 135 mph
MODEL DATA: MODEL: RUC F00 – RUN: 06/06/10/03 UTC – VAILD: 06/06/10/03 UTC – LOCATION: White Pigeon, Mich
Read more about this event:
NWS IWX: https://www.weather.gov/iwx/20100606_tornado
> June 6, 2010 - Dundee, Michigan Overnight EF2 (Michigan, Ohio & Indiana 'Mini-Outbreak')
EVENT LOCATION: Monroe County | Dundee
EVENT DATE: June 6th, 2010 – 2:11 AM ET
NUMBER OF TORNADOES AROUND MICHIGAN: 9
MAX TORNADO RATING(S): EF2
MAX PATH LENGTH: 13 miles / 20.9 km
MAX WIDTH: 800 yds
MAX WIND: 115 mph
MODEL DATA: MODEL: RUC F00 – RUN: 06/06/10/06 UTC – VAILD: 06/06/10/06 UTC – LOCATION: Dundee, Mich
Read more about this event:
> April 26, 2011 - Allegan County EF-0 (2011 'Super-Outbreak')
EVENT LOCATION: Allegan County | New Salem
EVENT DATE: April 26th, 2011 – 5:44 PM ET
NUMBER OF TORNADOES AROUND MICHIGAN: 1
MAX TORNADO RATING(S): EF0
MAX PATH LENGTH: 3.3 miles / 15.1 km
MAX WIDTH: 50 yds
MAX WIND: UND
MODEL DATA: MODEL: RUC F00 – RUN: 04/26/11/21 UTC – VAILD: 04/26/11/21 UTC – LOCATION: Dorr, Mich (4 miles SE New Salem, Mich)
Read more about this event:
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> May 28, 2013 - Fenton, Michigan EF2 (Localized 'Mini-Outbreak')
EVENT LOCATION: Genesee County | Fenton to near Grand Blanc
EVENT DATE: May 28th, 2013 – 9:30 PM ET
NUMBER OF TORNADOES AROUND MICHIGAN: 5
MAX TORNADO RATING(S): EF2
MAX PATH LENGTH: 5.1 miles / 8.2 km
MAX WIDTH: 500 yds
MAX WIND: 115 mph
MODEL DATA: MODEL: RAP F00 – RUN: 05/29/13/01 UTC – VAILD: 05/29/13/01 UTC – LOCATION: Fenton, Mich
Read more about this event:
> May 28, 2013 - Fenton, Michigan EF2 (Localized 'Mini-Outbreak') - DTX RAOB
EVENT LOCATION: Genesee County | Fenton to near Grand Blanc
EVENT DATE: May 28th, 2013 – 9:30 PM ET
NUMBER OF TORNADOES AROUND MICHIGAN: 5
MAX TORNADO RATING(S): EF2
MAX PATH LENGTH: 5.1 miles / 8.2 km
MAX WIDTH: 500 yds
MAX WIND: 115 mph
RAOB DATA: DTX (Detroit / White Lake Mich) | May 29th, 2013 – 00 UTC
Read more about this event:
> June 22, 2015 - Birch Run EF2 - (Thumb 'Mini-Outbreak')
EVENT LOCATION: Saginaw to Tuscola Counties – Birch Run to Millington
EVENT DATE: June 22th, 2015 – 9:03 PM ET
NUMBER OF TORNADOES AROUND MICHIGAN: 5
MAX TORNADO RATING(S): F2
MAX PATH LENGTH: 11.1 miles / 17.8 km
MAX WIDTH: 400 yards
MAX WIND: 115 mph
MODEL DATA: MODEL: RAP F00 – RUN: 06/23/15/01 UTC – VAILD: 06/23/15/01 UTC – LOCATION: Clio, Mich (5 miles SSE Birch Run, Mich)
Read more about this event:
> December 23, 2015 - Canton EF-1 (Michigan's Only December Tornado)
EVENT LOCATION: Wayne County | Canton
EVENT DATE: December 23rd, 2015 – 6:43 PM ET
NUMBER OF TORNADOES AROUND MICHIGAN: 1 (Michigan’s Only December tornado on record, 3rd ever during astronomical winter)
MAX TORNADO RATING(S): EF-1
MAX PATH LENGTH: 2 miles / 17.8 km
MAX WIDTH: 100 yards
MAX WIND: 90 mph
MODEL DATA: MODEL: RAP F00 – RUN: 12/23/15/23 UTC – VAILD: 12/23/15/23 UTC – LOCATION: Westland, Mich (3 miles SE Canton, Mich)
Read more about this event:
> August 20, 2016 - Allegan County EF1 (West Michigan QLCS 'Mini-Outbreak')
EVENT LOCATION: Allegan County | Allegan
EVENT DATE: June 21st, 1996 – 1:42 PM ET
NUMBER OF TORNADOES AROUND MICHIGAN: 6
MAX TORNADO RATING(S): EF1
MAX PATH LENGTH: 12.8 miles / 20.5 km
MAX WIDTH: 100 yd
MAX WIND: 110 mph
MODEL DATA: MODEL: RAP F00 – RUN: 06/22/96/01 UTC – VAILD: 06/22/96/01 UTC – LOCATION: Mount Pleasant, Mich (8 miles SE Beal City, Mich)
Read more about this event:
> March 14, 2019 - Perry to Lennon EF2
EVENT LOCATION: Shiawassee County | Perry to Durand to Lennon
EVENT DATE: March 14th, 2019 – 6:45 to 7:05 PM ET
NUMBER OF TORNADOES AROUND MICHIGAN: 4
MAX TORNADO RATING(S): EF2
MAX PATH LENGTH: 18.2 miles / 29.2 km
MAX WIDTH: 700 yds
MAX WIND: 125 mph
MODEL DATA: MODEL: RAP F00 – RUN: 03/14/19/23 UTC – VAILD: 03/14/19/23 UTC – LOCATION: Perry, Mich
Read more about this event:
2020s
> June 26, 2021 - Port Austin, Michigan EF2
EVENT LOCATION: Huron County | Port Austin
EVENT DATE: June 26th, 2021 – 5:49 PM ET
NUMBER OF TORNADOES AROUND MICHIGAN: 1
MAX TORNADO RATING(S): EF3
MAX PATH LENGTH: 6.8 miles / 10.4 km
MAX WIDTH: 400 yds
MAX WIND: 120 mph
MODEL DATA: MODEL: RAP F00 – RUN: 06/26/21/21 UTC – VAILD: 06/26/21/21 UTC – LOCATION: Kinde, Mich (7 miles S Port Austin, Mich)
Read more about this event:
NWS DTX: https://www.weather.gov/dtx/MetroDetroitFlooding_PortAustinTornado_June2021
> July 24, 2021 - White Lake, Michigan Highly Deviant EF1
EVENT LOCATION: Oakland County | White Lake Township
EVENT DATE: July 24th, 2021 – 7:45 PM ET
NUMBER OF TORNADOES AROUND MICHIGAN: 4
MAX TORNADO RATING(S): EF2
MAX PATH LENGTH: 1.8 miles / 2.8 km
MAX WIDTH: 400 yds
MAX WIND: 100 mph
MODEL DATA: MODEL: RAP F00 – RUN: 07/25/21/00 UTC – VAILD: 07/25/21/00 UTC – LOCATION: Pontiac, Mich (10 miles SE White Lake Township, Mich)
Read more about this event:
NWS DTX: https://www.weather.gov/dtx/Severe-Thunderstorms-and-Tornadoes-July-24-2021
> May 20, 2022 - Gaylord, Michigan EF3
EVENT LOCATION: Ostego County – Gaylord
EVENT DATE: May 20th, 2022 – 3:35 PM ET
NUMBER OF TORNADOES AROUND MICHIGAN: 1
MAX TORNADO RATING(S): EF3
MAX PATH LENGTH: 17.8 miles / 28.6 km
MAX WIDTH: 200 yds
MAX WIND: 150 mph
MODEL DATA: MODEL: RAP F00 – RUN: 05/20/22/19 UTC – VAILD: 05/20/22/19 UTC – LOCATION: Ostego Lake, Mich (9 miles S Gaylord, Mich)
Read more about this event:
> May 20, 2022 - Gaylord, Michigan EF3 - APX RAOB
EVENT LOCATION: Ostego County – Gaylord
EVENT DATE: May 20th, 2022 – 3:35 PM ET
NUMBER OF TORNADOES AROUND MICHIGAN: 1
MAX TORNADO RATING(S): EF3
MAX PATH LENGTH: 17.8 miles / 28.6 km
MAX WIDTH: 200 yds
MAX WIND: 150 mph
RAOB DATA: APX (Gaylord, Mich) | May 20th, 2022 – 18 UTC
Read more about this event:
MICHIGAN TORNADO QUICK STATS (1950-2022)
TOTAL CONFIRMED TORNADOES: ~ 1,194
TOTAL ESTIMATED PROPERTY DAMAGE & CROP DAMAGE: $1,133,086,550 | $1,512,500
TOTAL EF/F5s: 2 (1953 & 1956) (plus 2 pre-1950)
TOTAL EF/F4s: 17 (most recent: 1977) (plus 11 pre-1950)
TOTAL EF/F3s: 44 (most recent: 2022)
TOTAL </= EF/F2: ~ 1131
REANALYSIS DATA DISCLAIMER
Please note that the plots found on this page use MODELED REANALYSIS data from the RAP/RUC (2005-present), ERA-5 (1958-present), and a preliminary back extension of the ERA-5 (1950-1978) – i.e. not actual observations of the atmosphere*. Because of this, the plots provided here may not be entirely representative of the actual atmosphere that existed at the time & location of these reanalyzed plots. However, these reanalysis data provide a vertical profile that should closely resemble that of the actual atmosphere at the time. Reanalysis data are subject to the parameterization and schemes of the respective model. Plot time and location for each plot are determined by the author in order to best reflect an accurate, uncontaminated, and as-representative-as-possible profile.
*A few cases in this library are actual RAOB profiles (marked RAOB) from NWS launch sites around the time of nearby tornado events.
Note that there have been no modifications to the raw model output. Some interpolation operations take place to simplify parameter calculation and data plotting. Parameter calculations are subject to the author’s discretion.
This archive is meant to act as a library of soundings that represent notable Michigan tornado environments in order to aid CMU student forecasters in tornadic-environment pattern recognition in the state of Michigan.
Important note: vertical profiles (soundings) are not the only data forecasters should use to analyze meteorological conditions and weather phenomena. Other data sources such as surface analysis, mesoanalysis, and upper-air data should be considered but are not provided here. Check out this page for additional archive data resources.
RAP model data comes from the NOAA NCAR THREDDS data server. ERA-5 data comes from the ECMWF CDS service. Tornado stat data comes from NOAA SPC / NCEI & NOAA NWS.
The author of this page is Kyle Gillett.
Acknowledgments: Cameron Nixon, Sam Brandt, Dan Butler, Ryan May. MetPy, SharpPy, Unidata.
Read more about the RAP MODEL DATA. Read more about ERA-5 MODEL DATA.
MICHIGAN TORNADO SOUNDING ARCHIVE GUIDE
ABOUT THESE PLOTS:
This plot style has been developed in a way that acts to provide as much information to the user as possible with attributes designed specifically for the analysis of severe convective environments. You will also find that this particular plot style lacks many of the common and popular severe weather composite indices – that was intentional. Most, if not all, of the data provided on this plot, are considered ‘true’ observations of the atmosphere and are not related to the ideology of ‘composite-index-forecasting’ but may be subject to heavy assumptions. The data on this plot are considered, by most, to be useful in determining critical characteristics of the atmosphere related to tornadogenesis. Additionally, analysis of the data presented is not provided here. This page is meant to act solely as a library of plots. However, in this section, you can find short descriptions of certain parameters and patterns to look for.
About the page author
This page, the plots in the archive, and the archive itself were created by Kyle Gillett, the webmaster for the CMU Student Chapter of the American Meteorological Society (2020-present). Kyle considers himself a very amateur programmer. He has also worked on other various projects such as MVP-RAP, the CMU Weather Mapwall, CMU Weather Model Viewer, maintaining this website, creating News Central graphic packages, and developing plots for Dr. Baxter’s electronic mapwall.
If you have questions you can contact Kyle on Twitter (@wxkylegillett) or via email (gille3kj@cmich.edu).
This page is currently not, and may never be entirely completed and is subject to changes at the discretion of the page author.
(C) CMU SCAMS & Kyle Gillett 2022