What are derechos and how do they differ from other extreme weather events?

Derechos are long-lived lines of thunderstorms that can produce winds over 60 mph and travel hundreds of miles, causing widespread damage similar to tornadoes or hurricanes. Unlike these more well-known weather events, derechos are an uncommon occurrence, with several years sometimes passing without a recorded derecho.

Where are derechos most likely to occur in the United States?

Derechos are most common in the central and eastern regions of the United States, particularly in the northern and central Plains, Midwest, Great Lakes, and Ohio Valley area. This is due to the formation of heat domes and high levels of atmospheric instability in these regions.

What are some of the most destructive derechos on record?

In 2009, a "Super Derecho" traveled from western Kansas to eastern Kentucky, causing several deaths and over $500 million in damages. More recently, a 2020 derecho that swept across Iowa and parts of Wisconsin and Illinois reached wind speeds of a major hurricane, snapping or uprooting an estimated 100,000 trees in Cedar Rapids, Iowa.

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Derechos: Thunderstorms That Pack a Punch Across the U.S.

28 Jul

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Summary

Derechos can produce winds over 60 mph, causing damage comparable to tornadoes or hurricanes
Derechos can travel hundreds of miles and last for hours, creating a swath of destruction
Derechos are an uncommon weather event, with several years sometimes passing without a recorded occurrence

Derechos are a unique form of extreme weather that can pose a serious threat to communities across the United States. These long-lived lines of thunderstorms can produce winds gusting over 60 mph and travel hundreds of miles, causing damage comparable to tornadoes or hurricanes.

In recent years, several notable derechos have impacted the central and eastern U.S. In 2003, a derecho traveled from Arkansas through several southern states, resulting in two deaths and 11 injuries. In 2009, a "Super Derecho" traveled from western Kansas to eastern Kentucky, causing several deaths and over $500 million in damages. More recently, a 2020 derecho that swept from eastern Nebraska across Iowa and parts of Wisconsin and Illinois reached wind speeds of a major hurricane, snapping or uprooting an estimated 100,000 trees in Cedar Rapids, Iowa.

Despite their destructive potential, derechos are an uncommon weather event, with several years sometimes passing without a recorded occurrence. However, when they do form, they can be just as dangerous as their more well-known counterparts, tornadoes and hurricanes. Meteorologists advise using radios and monitoring weather alerts to stay informed and seek sturdy shelter when a derecho approaches.

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