This article or section appears to contradict the article Tornadoes of 2010 on number of tornadoes in the event (this article claims 69, but that article claims 87). Please see the talk page for more information. (July 2021)
The October 2010 North American storm complex is the name given to a historic extratropical cyclone that impacted North America. The massive storm complex caused a wide range of weather events including a major serial derecho stretching from the Gulf Coast to the Great Lakes, a widespread tornado outbreak across the Southeast United States and Midwest and a blizzard across portions of the Canadian Prairies and the Dakotas.[2][3] The cyclone's lowest minimum pressure of 955.2 mb (28.21 inHg) made it the second most intense non-tropical system recorded in the continental United States (CONUS).[4] The lowest confirmed pressure for a non-tropical system in the continental United States was set by a January 1913 Atlantic coast storm.[4]
Meteorological synopsis
Significant snowfall was reported on the backside of the storm. The heaviest snow fell in parts of Minnesota where 9 inches (22.5 cm) of snow was reported in St. Louis County, Minnesota.[5] Heavy snow and blizzard conditions also occurred in North Dakota, southwestern Manitoba and southeastern Saskatchewan.
This animation shows this extratropical cyclone developing, starting late on October 25 and running through October 27, 2010.
Akron, Cleveland, Findlay, Marion, Lorain, Mansfield, Toledo, Wooster and Youngstown, Ohio all witnessed heavy winds on the 24th.[7]
Severe weather battered Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, and Ohio on the 25th and 26th of October, producing strong winds, rain, hail, and widespread tornadoes. It was the region's second strongest storm on record.[6] The weather station in Bigfork, Minnesota, recorded a state record atmospheric pressure of 955.2 millibars (28.21 inches of pressure), typical of a Category 3 hurricane.[8] The National Weather Service reported that a tornado with a maximum speed of 115 mph touched down about four miles east of Peotone in Will County, south of Chicago, that morning and traveled 2.9 miles, causing downed power lines and partially destroying a home. Another tornado was reported to have landed in Racine, Wisconsin.[6]
The storm developed so quickly, that it was declared to be a weather 'bomb', which is an extremely fast developing storm that drops at least one millibar of pressure per hour for 24 hours—a phenomenon more commonly seen over water than land.[8]
On the morning of October 26, a serial derecho caused widespread damage in Kentucky, Tennessee, Illinois, Wisconsin, Michigan and Ohio Tuesday. Louisville, Ky; Cincinnati, Cridersville, and Toledo, Ohio, Nashville, Tennessee[9]Indianapolis were hit at 9 am CDT, and Detroit was hit during the midday and early afternoon hours. Other cities impacted by the storms included Pittsburgh, Pa., Buffalo, N.Y., and Charleston, W.Va.[9] At one point in the morning a line of tornado warnings stretched from central Michigan down to northern Mississippi. Tornado damage to homes was also reported in and around Peotone, Ill., and Kokomo, Ind., while another tornado reportedly uprooted and downed trees onto homes near Racine, Wis.[9]
On October 28, the storm system left the East Coast. During the next few days, the system moved eastward across the Atlantic, before stalling over the western Mediterranean on November 1.[10] On November 5, the system dissipated over the western Mediterranean region.[10]
Five houses were destroyed and three others were damaged. A high school was also heavily damaged and a train was derailed. A baseball field was damaged and vehicles were flipped on the interstate. Trees were snapped and uprooted as well. Several people were injured.
Two industrial buildings were heavily damaged and a barn and garage were destroyed. Trees and power poles were also knocked down. Two people were injured.
Tornado touched down over Chickamauga Dam. An apartment complex lost its roof and a cement plant was destroyed. Two trailers were blown into the water and destroyed as well.
Several houses were destroyed and many others were damaged, some heavily. Many trees were also snapped or uprooted. 12 people were injured, one seriously.
Many trees were uprooted or snapped and grave stones were knocked over. Roof torn off of a furniture distribution center along with lesser roof damage to other homes and businesses. Tractor-trailers were flipped over as well.
Tornado developed on the north side of Richmond and tracked through the eastern suburbs. Many trees and power poles were knocked down, damaging over 100 houses in the process, a few severely. One person was injured.
