| April 2018 North American storm complex | |
| Lowest Pressure: | 985 |
| Rsi: | 15.7 |
| Tornadoes: | 73 |
| Fujitascale: | EF3 |
| Enhanced: | yes |
| Tornado Duration: | 2 days, 5 hours, and 31 minutes |
| Damages: | $1.5 billion (2022 USD) [1] |
| Total Fatalities: | Tornadic: 1 fatality (+1 indirect), 29 injuries Winter weather: 3 fatalities[2] |
| Partof: | the 2017–18 North American winter and tornado outbreaks of 2018 |
The April 2018 North American storm complex brought a wide swath of severe and winter weather that affected much of Midwest across to the East Coast of the United States. This particular outbreak led to at least 73 confirmed tornadoes over a three-day period, most of which occurred across Arkansas and Louisiana during the evening hours of April 13. The most significant tornadoes were an EF1 that caused a fatality in Red Chute, Louisiana, early on April 14, an upper-end EF2 tornado that impacted eastern sections of Greensboro, North Carolina on April 15, causing 17 injuries, and a significant EF3 tornado that impacted areas from Lynchburg to Elon, Virginia, causing severe damage and at least 10 injuries.
The system also resulted in a record-breaking and severe blizzard across the Midwest into the Northeastern United States; killing three additional people and leaving hundreds of thousands without power. Snowfall amounts of up to NaNinches, which are rarely seen in the month of April in the region were observed, shattering numerous records.
On April 8, the Storm Prediction Center (SPC) first introduced a risk of severe weather in their day 6 outlook, valid on April 13. The threat area included the South Plains and the Mid-South from northeastern Texas into southern Missouri, where maturing convection was expected to lead to all modes of severe weather.[3] Subsequent day 5 and day 4 forecasts maintained this area with little deviation.[4] [5] In its day 3 outlook on April 11, the SPC issued an Enhanced risk of severe weather for areas between northeastern Texas into southwestern Missouri, noting that a supercellular storm mode was likely to produce large hail, damaging winds, and a few tornadoes.[6] The Enhanced risk was later extended northward into southern Iowa on April 12,[7] and by the following morning, a Moderate risk was issued across far northeastern Texas and northwestern Louisiana onward into central Arkansas. Several tornadoes, including some strong (EF2+) ones, were expected in the highest risk area. As a result, the outlook included a 15% hatched risk area for tornadoes.[8] An outbreak of tornadoes unfolded across the region as an expansive upper-level trough pushed into the Central United States, along with a 100kt jet streak pushing into Oklahoma and Missouri. A surface area of low pressure tracked from North-Central Kansas toward the Missouri-Iowa state border, supporting a warm front arced across southern Iowa, and a dryline extending from Kansas into Texas. Within the warm sector of the low, surface dewpoints rose to the mid 60s. A swath of 850mb winds at or above 50kt persisted underneath an elevated mixed layer, yielding an unstable environment characterized by mean-layer Convective Available Potential Energy (CAPE) of 1500–2500 J/kg. Throughout the afternoon, confluent low-level flow caused several discrete thunderstorms to form across Arkansas, where the SPC had issued a Particularly Dangerous Situation (PDS) tornado watch.[9] The most significant supercell of the day developed over LeFlore County, Oklahoma and eventually progressed into Crawford County, Arkansas, where it produced a half-mile-wide EF2 tornado that caused substantial damage in and near Mountainburg.[10]
Into the evening hours of April 13, the low-level jet kept intensified across Arkansas and Louisiana, with 850mb winds topping 60kt. Meanwhile, a cold front pushed eastward and soon overtook the dryline, forcing discrete thunderstorm activity into a quasi-linear convective system. With abundant moisture and mean-layer CAPE still on the order of 1,500–2,000 J/kg, the SPC mentioned potential for swaths of damaging winds with isolated embedded tornadoes.[11] Around 05:10 UTC, an EF1 tornado was developed southwest of Shreveport, Louisiana and progressed directly into the city. It damaged billboards, trees, and hotels before entering Bossier City; there, several mobile homes were damaged and a shopping center was severely devastated. After entering Red Chute, the tornado downed a tree onto a travel trailer, causing one fatality inside. The fatality marked the only tornado-related fatality of the multi-day outbreak.[12] Into the morning hours of April 14, EF2 tornadoes impacted areas near Portland, Arkansas,[13] Carencro, Louisiana,[14] and in Meridian, Mississippi.
The SPC first mentioned the threat for organized severe weather across the Southeast and Mid-Atlantic regions on April 12, noting that the main threat was expected to be damaging winds.[15] A day 3 Slight risk was outlined for central Florida northward into extreme southern Virginia the next day,[16] with an Enhanced risk of severe weather introduced across much of South Carolina and central North Carolina during the morning hours of April 15. This outlook included a 10% risk area for tornadoes. The potent upper-level trough that sparked severe weather farther west over subsequent days began to tilt in a northwest-to-southeast fashion, forcing rapid cooling aloft and geopotential height falls over a large region. The surface low progressed from Iowa into Ohio and across the Appalachian Mountains, resulting in strong low-level flow and substantial moisture return across the severe weather risk area; dewpoints in the low to mid-60s caused an unstable atmosphere that ultimately led to a quasi-linear convective system and hundreds of damaging wind reports.[17] Embedded semi-discrete supercell structures within this line produced several tornadoes, including EF2 ones that affected areas east of Gilbert, South Carolina and the eastern sections of Greensboro, North Carolina. Another strong tornado moved through the Virginia towns of Timberlake and Lynchburg before reaching EF3 strength as it destroyed several homes in Elon.[18]
| Location | County / Parish | State | Start Coord. | Time (UTC) | Path length | Max width | Summary | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| bgcolor= | EF2 | NNE of Rudy to Mountainburg | Crawford | AR | 21:04–21:19 | 11.7abbr=onNaNabbr=on | 1000abbr=onNaNabbr=on | A multiple-vortex wedge tornado touched down near Rudy and moved north-northeast before tracking into Mountainburg, where significant damage to structures occurred. Along its path, several homes were severely damaged, numerous outbuildings were completely destroyed, power poles were downed, and many trees were snapped or uprooted. Several cars were rolled off Arkansas Highway 282 and Interstate 49. Four people were injured.[19] | |
| bgcolor= | EF1 | E of Lavaca | Sebastian, Franklin | AR | 22:46–22:54 | 5.6abbr=onNaNabbr=on | 400abbr=onNaNabbr=on | Trees were uprooted, power poles were snapped, and a mobile home was damaged.[20] [21] | |
| bgcolor= | EF1 | N of Calhoun | Ouachita | LA | 23:34–23:38 | 1.72abbr=onNaNabbr=on | 600abbr=onNaNabbr=on | Numerous trees and power lines were snapped or uprooted. Several houses and barn suffered severe damage, and a mobile home was flipped.[22] | |
| bgcolor= | EF1 | E of Downsville | Union | LA | 23:43–23:49 | 3.94abbr=onNaNabbr=on | 950abbr=onNaNabbr=on | Many trees were snapped or uprooted.[23] | |
| bgcolor= | EF1 | NW of Ozone | Johnson | AR | 23:48–23:54 | 4.96abbr=onNaNabbr=on | 250abbr=onNaNabbr=on | Numerous trees were snapped or uprooted in the Ozark–St. Francis National Forest. A power pole was snapped as well.[24] | |
| bgcolor= | EF1 | WNW of Sterlington | Union | LA | 00:04–00:06 | 0.38abbr=onNaNabbr=on | 200abbr=onNaNabbr=on | A brief tornado snapped or uprooted trees.[25] | |
| bgcolor= | EF2 | W of Umpire | Howard | AR | 00:10–00:20 | 2.2abbr=onNaNabbr=on | 350abbr=onNaNabbr=on | Many trees were snapped or uprooted by this large multiple-vortex tornado. A metal barn was destroyed, while a second had portions of its tin roof peeled back. Two large chicken houses suffered significant roof damage, and numerous power poles were snapped.[26] | |
| bgcolor= | EF2 | Macomb to NNE of Norwood | Wright | MO | 00:13–00:23 | 9abbr=onNaNabbr=on | 100abbr=onNaNabbr=on | This tornado touched down in Macomb before moving to the northeast and reaching high-end EF2 strength. A one-story home was destroyed, losing its roof and some exterior walls. Numerous trees were snapped or uprooted, and outbuildings were damaged.[27] | |
| bgcolor= | EF2 | WNW of Clarks | Caldwell | LA | 00:33–00:43 | 4.11abbr=onNaNabbr=on | 340abbr=onNaNabbr=on | A strong tornado moved through the Catahoula National Wildlife Refuge, snapping and uprooting numerous trees. Several outbuildings and campsites were severely damaged by falling trees, and power poles were snapped.[28] | |
| bgcolor= | EF1 | W of Dawson | Wright | MO | 00:35–00:40 | 5abbr=onNaNabbr=on | 75abbr=onNaNabbr=on | Trees and outbuildings were damaged.[29] | |
| bgcolor= | EF0 | W of Pencil Bluff | Montgomery | AR | 00:51–00:52 | 0.65abbr=onNaNabbr=on | 100abbr=onNaNabbr=on | Trees were uprooted.[30] | |
| bgcolor= | EF1 | SW of Success | Texas | MO | 01:00–01:02 | 1.44abbr=onNaNabbr=on | 50abbr=onNaNabbr=on | A roof, a carport, and outbuilding were damaged, and trees were snapped.[31] | |
| bgcolor= | EF1 | WNW of Licking | Texas | MO | 01:20–01:25 | 5.54abbr=onNaNabbr=on | 50abbr=onNaNabbr=on | Numerous trees were snapped or uprooted. A house and a vacant mobile home were damaged.[32] | |
| bgcolor= | EF1 | W of Gamaliel | Baxter | AR | 01:45–01:46 | 0.5abbr=onNaNabbr=on | 150abbr=onNaNabbr=on | A church, a garage, and outbuildings sustained damage. Several trees were snapped or uprooted.[33] | |
| bgcolor= | EF0 | W of Rayville | Richland | LA | 02:00–02:06 | 3.19abbr=onNaNabbr=on | 400abbr=onNaNabbr=on | Several large tree branches were broken.[34] | |
| bgcolor= | EF0 | SW of Oppelo | Conway | AR | 02:13–02:14 | 0.16abbr=onNaNabbr=on | 100abbr=onNaNabbr=on | Several trees were snapped or uprooted.[35] | |
| bgcolor= | EF1 | WNW of Pioneer | Morehouse, West Carroll | LA | 02:46–02:50 | 1.9abbr=onNaNabbr=on | 200abbr=onNaNabbr=on | An unoccupied building had portions of its metal roof ripped off, and multiple trees were uprooted or had their branches snapped.[36] [37] | |
| bgcolor= | EF0 | SE of El Paso | White | AR | 03:13–03:14 | 0.09abbr=onNaNabbr=on | 80abbr=onNaNabbr=on | Some trees were snapped or uprooted, and an outbuilding lost its metal roof.[38] | |
| bgcolor= | EF1 | SE of Diana | Gregg, Harrison | TX | 04:04–04:13 | 4.35abbr=onNaNabbr=on | 580abbr=onNaNabbr=on | Several trees were snapped or uprooted, one of which landed on a shed. The roof was lifted off a hay storage shed.[39] [40] | |
| bgcolor= | EF0 | SSW of Waskom to SE of Greenwood | Harrison, Caddo | TX, LA | 04:50–05:04 | 10.47abbr=onNaNabbr=on | 100abbr=onNaNabbr=on | In Texas, tree limbs were snapped and the roof was blown off a small barn. In Louisiana, the tornado downed power lines and snapped or uprooted trees before dissipating.[41] [42] | |
| Location | County / Parish | State | Start Coord. | Time (UTC) | Path length | Max width | Summary | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| bgcolor= | EF1 | SW of Shreveport to N of Princeton | Caddo, Bossier | LA | 05:10–05:41 | 22.54abbr=onNaNabbr=on | 1100abbr=onNaNabbr=on | 1 death – This large tornado touched down southwest of Shreveport and moved directly into the city, inflicting roof damage to three hotels and damaging a few billboard signs. It snapped or uprooted numerous trees in and around the downtown area before crossing into Bossier City. There, a shopping center sustained collapse of an east-facing wall, and several mobile homes were damaged by falling trees. In the Red Chute area, a tree fell onto a travel trailer and killed a two-year-old child inside. Extensive tree damage occurred further along the path before the tornado dissipated.[43] [44] | |
| bgcolor= | EF0 | Sarepta | Bossier, Webster | LA | 05:42–05:48 | 5.11abbr=onNaNabbr=on | 300abbr=onNaNabbr=on | Many trees were snapped or uprooted along the path, including in Sarepta.[45] [46] | |
| bgcolor= | EF1 | NW of Shongaloo | Webster | LA | 05:58–06:04 | 2.93abbr=onNaNabbr=on | 500abbr=onNaNabbr=on | Considerable tree damage was observed.[47] | |
| bgcolor= | EF1 | NW of Homer | Claiborne | LA | 06:11–06:19 | 6.85abbr=onNaNabbr=on | 1000abbr=onNaNabbr=on | Numerous trees were snapped or uprooted by this large tornado.[48] | |
| bgcolor= | EF2 | E of Bryceland | Bienville | LA | 06:47–06:53 | 5.38abbr=onNaNabbr=on | 210abbr=onNaNabbr=on | A house had most of its roof torn off, two barns were completely destroyed, and numerous trees were snapped or uprooted.[49] | |
| bgcolor= | EF1 | SE of El Dorado | Union | AR | 06:51–07:00 | 7.13abbr=onNaNabbr=on | 800abbr=onNaNabbr=on | The roofs of several houses were damaged, a travel trailer was rolled and destroyed, and a number of mobile homes suffered roof damage as well. Many trees were snapped or uprooted.[50] | |
| bgcolor= | EF1 | S of Grambling to Ruston | Lincoln | LA | 07:00–07:08 | 6.45abbr=onNaNabbr=on | 470abbr=onNaNabbr=on | Numerous trees were snapped or uprooted. Many homes had their metal roofs peeled away or were damaged by fallen trees.[51] | |
| bgcolor= | EF1 | E of El Dorado | Union | AR | 07:03–07:09 | 5.11abbr=onNaNabbr=on | 1200abbr=onNaNabbr=on | This large tornado downed many trees, with some trees landing on structures and causing damage. The roofs of a number of homes, mobile homes, and barns were damaged.[52] | |
| bgcolor= | EF1 | Choudrant | Lincoln | LA | 07:14–07:21 | 4.6abbr=onNaNabbr=on | 865abbr=onNaNabbr=on | Trees were snapped or uprooted in and around Choudrant.[53] | |
| bgcolor= | EF1 | SE of Downsville | Lincoln, Ouachita, Union | LA | 07:24–07:34 | 7.31abbr=onNaNabbr=on | 1545abbr=onNaNabbr=on | A large tornado snapped or uprooted many trees, including a 100-year-old tree that landed on a home.[54] [55] [56] | |
| bgcolor= | EF1 | S of Crossett | Ashley | AR | 07:42–07:47 | 2.72abbr=onNaNabbr=on | 600abbr=onNaNabbr=on | Many large trees were snapped or uprooted, some of which landed on homes and caused significant damage. Several other houses sustained shingle damage as well.[57] | |
| bgcolor= | EF1 | E of Crossett | Ashley | AR | 07:53–07:58 | 4.05abbr=onNaNabbr=on | 300abbr=onNaNabbr=on | A significant number of trees were snapped or uprooted, and a few small sheds were damaged.[58] | |
| bgcolor= | EF1 | E of Mer Rouge | Morehouse | LA | 08:21–08:25 | 3.18abbr=onNaNabbr=on | 200abbr=onNaNabbr=on | A small shed was blown across a road, another shed was destroyed, and a third shed was damaged. A mobile home sustained damage to its roof and skirting, and a farm outbuilding had its front facade pushed in and had substantial loss of roof panels. Trees were snapped or uprooted, and a fence was toppled.[59] | |
| bgcolor= | EF2 | NNE of Portland | Ashley, Chicot | AR | 08:22–08:34 | 8.88abbr=onNaNabbr=on | 700abbr=onNaNabbr=on | A silo had its top ripped off and structure bent, and power poles were snapped. A travel trailer was destroyed, a house lost most of its roof, and a couple of businesses sustained mostly minor damage. Several other homes and mobile homes sustained less severe damage, and numerous trees were snapped or uprooted along the path.[60] [61] | |
| bgcolor= | EF0 | WNW of Forest | West Carroll | LA | 08:33–08:36 | 2.38abbr=onNaNabbr=on | 200abbr=onNaNabbr=on | A barn sustained roof damage, multiple trees were damaged, and a storage shed was destroyed. Another small storage shed was turned on its side and pushed over against a mobile home.[62] | |
| bgcolor= | EF0 | WNW of Pioneer | West Carroll | LA | 08:36–08:42 | 4.42abbr=onNaNabbr=on | 200abbr=onNaNabbr=on | Multiple trees were snapped or uprooted. A mobile home sustained roof damage.[63] | |
| bgcolor= | EF1 | SE of Abbeville | Lafayette | MS | 09:48–09:49 | 0.8abbr=onNaNabbr=on | 150abbr=onNaNabbr=on | Three small outbuildings were destroyed. The roofs of several homes and farm buildings were damaged. Several trees were uprooted.[64] | |
| bgcolor= | EF0 | ENE of Oxford | Lafayette | MS | 09:49–09:50 | 0.5abbr=onNaNabbr=on | 40abbr=onNaNabbr=on | Several trees were uprooted, and minor roof damage to homes occurred.[65] | |
| bgcolor= | EF1 | SW of Grand Prairie | St. Landry | LA | 11:03–11:05 | 1.25abbr=onNaNabbr=on | 580abbr=onNaNabbr=on | One home had its roof destroyed while several others suffered minor damage. Multiple trees were snapped.[66] | |
| bgcolor= | EF2 | N of Carencro | Lafayette | LA | 11:37–11:40 | 4.13abbr=onNaNabbr=on | 650abbr=onNaNabbr=on | Numerous homes and businesses were damaged, a large advertising billboard was toppled, and multiple trees were downed. A metal outbuilding and an RV were rolled.[67] | |
| bgcolor= | EF1 | N of Flowood | Rankin | MS | 12:44–12:55 | 6.21abbr=onNaNabbr=on | 50abbr=onNaNabbr=on | A tornado caused scattered damage near the Jackson–Medgar Wiley Evers International Airport, mainly to the roofs of homes. Trees were snapped and uprooted as well.[68] | |
| bgcolor= | EF0 | ENE of Oak Hills Place | East Baton Rouge | LA | 13:13–13:15 | 1.5abbr=onNaNabbr=on | 50abbr=onNaNabbr=on | The doors of several metal buildings were bent or blown in; minor roof damage occurred as well. Several trees were downed.[69] | |
| bgcolor= | EF0 | N of Greensburg | St. Helena | LA | 13:20–13:21 | 0.08abbr=onNaNabbr=on | 20abbr=onNaNabbr=on | Two large trees were uprooted while a third was twisted and snapped.[70] | |
| bgcolor= | EF0 | NW of Arcola | St. Helena, Tangipahoa | LA | 13:35–13:40 | 6.15abbr=onNaNabbr=on | 120abbr=onNaNabbr=on | Large trees were uprooted, some shingles were ripped from a house, and small canopies and trampolines were mangled.[71] [72] | |
| bgcolor= | EF0 | E of Arcola | Tangipahoa | LA | 13:38–13:40 | 3.6abbr=onNaNabbr=on | 25abbr=onNaNabbr=on | Small trees sustained minor damage.[73] | |
| bgcolor= | EF0 | S of Bayou Vista | St. Mary | LA | 14:13–14:14 | 0.3abbr=onNaNabbr=on | 40abbr=onNaNabbr=on | A hotel had a section of its roof uplifted, and multiple windows were broken.[74] | |
| bgcolor= | EF1 | SW of Noxapater | Winston | MS | 14:23–14:25 | 0.81abbr=onNaNabbr=on | 150abbr=onNaNabbr=on | Some tin was ripped from a large shed, several trees were snapped or uprooted, and part of the roof was ripped from a home.[75] | |
| bgcolor= | EF1 | ESE of Columbia | Lamar | MS | 15:07–15:15 | 6.08abbr=onNaNabbr=on | 200abbr=onNaNabbr=on | Trees were snapped along the path.[76] | |
| bgcolor= | EF0 | SE of Starkville | Oktibbeha | MS | 15:08–15:10 | 2.17abbr=onNaNabbr=on | 200abbr=onNaNabbr=on | A metal awning was damaged and some boats were tossed at a marina. A couple of trees were downed, including one that fell on a house.[77] | |
| bgcolor= | EF2 | Meridian | Lauderdale | MS | 15:43–15:53 | 8.49abbr=onNaNabbr=on | 780abbr=onNaNabbr=on | This damaging tornado developed along the leading edge of a squall line and moved directly through Meridian. A two-story apartment building had its roof torn off, power poles were snapped, and a building at Magnolia Middle School had a large portion of its roof removed. A one-story home had its roof torn off and sustained collapse of its front exterior wall, and other homes and structures in town sustained roof and facade damage. Numerous trees were snapped or uprooted, some of which landed on homes. Two people were injured.[78] | |
| bgcolor= | EF0 | Carriere | Pearl River | MS | 16:30–16:31 | 0.19abbr=onNaNabbr=on | 25abbr=onNaNabbr=on | A piece of a gas station awning in town was ripped off and thrown, striking a vehicle. Several tree limbs were broken, and a bank building had an awning ripped off and flung into nearby treetops.[79] | |
| bgcolor= | EF0 | Long Beach | Harrison | MS | 19:09–19:10 | 0.61abbr=onNaNabbr=on | 75abbr=onNaNabbr=on | A small multiple-vortex tornado began over the Gulf of Mexico as a waterspout before moving ashore at Long Beach. A shed had its roof blown off and two tall-masted sail boats were toppled over at a harbor.[80] | |
| bgcolor= | EF1 | NW of Vancleave | Jackson | MS | 23:18–23:28 | 1.91abbr=onNaNabbr=on | 50abbr=onNaNabbr=on | Trees were snapped and a shed was destroyed.[81] | |
| bgcolor= | EF1 | St. Martin | Jackson | MS | 23:19–23:22 | 1.36abbr=onNaNabbr=on | 75abbr=onNaNabbr=on | A shopping center sustained considerable roof, window, and exterior wall damage. Vehicles were flipped and piled atop each other in the parking lot, while a restaurant and power lines sustained damage as well.[82] | |
| bgcolor= | EF1 | NNW of Wade | Jackson | MS | 23:39–23:40 | 0.27abbr=onNaNabbr=on | 25abbr=onNaNabbr=on | Several trees were snapped.[83] | |
| Location | County / Parish | State | Start Coord. | Time (UTC) | Path length | Max width | Summary | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| bgcolor= | EF0 | NW of Mexico Beach | Bay | FL | 11:09–11:13 | 1.13abbr=onNaNabbr=on | 60abbr=onNaNabbr=on | A brief tornado touched down on the eastern portion of Tyndall Air Force Base, damaging pine trees and utility lines.[84] | |
| bgcolor= | EF1 | Eastern Ausmac | Decatur | GA | 12:55–12:56 | 0.46abbr=onNaNabbr=on | 31abbr=onNaNabbr=on | A brief tornado snapped multiple trees in the eastern part of Ausmac.[85] | |
| bgcolor= | EF2 | E of Gilbert | Lexington | SC | 18:03–18:07 | 2.98abbr=onNaNabbr=on | 200abbr=onNaNabbr=on | Numerous large trees were snapped, twisted, or uprooted, and power poles were snapped. Vehicles, two campers, and a group of seven chicken houses were severely damaged.[86] | |
| bgcolor= | EF0 | Northeastern Lexington | Lexington | SC | 18:15–18:16 | 0.43abbr=onNaNabbr=on | 100abbr=onNaNabbr=on | This brief tornado touched down in a residential area of Lexington. Numerous trees were snapped and uprooted, some of which fell on homes and vehicles.[87] | |
| bgcolor= | EF1 | Southern Irmo | Lexington | SC | 18:16–18:18 | 2.33abbr=onNaNabbr=on | 150abbr=onNaNabbr=on | Numerous trees were snapped and uprooted in the southern part of Irmo, some of which fell on homes and vehicles.[88] | |
| bgcolor= | EF1 | NNE of Ridgeway | Fairfield | SC | 18:46–18:50 | 4.18abbr=onNaNabbr=on | 100abbr=onNaNabbr=on | Numerous trees were snapped or uprooted, several of which fell on homes.[89] | |
| bgcolor= | EF0 | SW of Lake Wylie | York | SC | 18:58–19:00 | 1.07abbr=onNaNabbr=on | 75abbr=onNaNabbr=on | Several homes sustained roof, siding, and window damage. A number of trees were downed, and a plastic fence was destroyed.[90] | |
| bgcolor= | EF0 | ENE of Gulfport | Pinellas | FL | 19:12–19:13 | 0.2abbr=onNaNabbr=on | 20abbr=onNaNabbr=on | One tree was toppled and a second was toppled, falling onto a home.[91] | |
| bgcolor= | EF1 | NE of New Castle | Craig | VA | 21:03–21:04 | 0.5abbr=onNaNabbr=on | 150abbr=onNaNabbr=on | Six homes suffered extensive removal of shingles, exterior vinyl siding, and trimming. Several outbuildings and garages were severely damaged or destroyed. Three cars and a large double-axle trailer were displaced, including a truck that was flipped and landed on another vehicle. Two dogs were displaced or lofted over 100yd when their pens were destroyed; neither were seriously injured. Approximately 50 trees were snapped or uprooted.[92] | |
| bgcolor= | EF2 | Eastern Greensboro to NNE of Ruffin | Guilford, Rockingham | NC | 21:07–21:46 | 32.75abbr=onNaNabbr=on | 500abbr=onNaNabbr=on | This high-end EF2 tornado first touched down on the north side of Interstate 40 in Greensboro, heavily damaging numerous homes and trees. It continued into the Hampton neighborhood, reaching peak intensity near Hampton Elementary School, where a large portion of the roof was ripped off and three nearby portable classroom buildings were blown away and completely destroyed. Major damage occurred in adjacent neighborhoods, with homes pushed off their foundations or sustaining significant roof and exterior wall loss. Power poles were snapped, while many businesses, vehicles, apartment buildings, and churches sustained severe damage as well. The tornado continued into Rockingham County, where at least 20 homes, barns, and outbuildings were significantly damaged near McLeansville, Reidsville, and in Ruffin, where an event center was also damaged, before the tornado dissipated. Countless trees were snapped or uprooted, and at least 9 people were injured along the path. There was also an indirect fatality and $67.2 million in damage.[93] [94] | |
| bgcolor= | EF1 | W of Pelham, NC to SW of Dry Fork, VA | Caswell (NC), Pittsylvania (VA) | NC, VA | 21:51–22:10 | 16.4abbr=onNaNabbr=on | 175abbr=onNaNabbr=on | In North Carolina, this rain-wrapped tornado damaged several outbuildings. The tornado continued northeast into Virginia, snapping or uprooting many trees in the western part of Danville. Several homes sustained minor roof and structural damage, power lines were downed, and several outbuildings were destroyed. A farm near the end of the path sustained the most intense damage, where a large barn was destroyed at high-end EF1 intensity.[95] [96] [97] [98] | |
| bgcolor= | EF1 | NW of Moneta | Bedford | VA | 22:10–22:11 | 0.7abbr=onNaNabbr=on | 100abbr=onNaNabbr=on | A home sustained significant damage to its roof, and was pushed slightly off of its cinder block foundation. A nearby barn and outbuilding also sustained extensive damage. Approximately 50 trees were snapped or uprooted.[99] | |
| bgcolor= | EF1 | Coventry Township | Summit | OH | 22:16–22:17 | 0.12abbr=onNaNabbr=on | 25abbr=onNaNabbr=on | This small tornado was embedded in a squall line. Signs and a light pole were damaged at a Burger King, and two cars were flipped and spun around in the parking lot of a Wendy's. Several tree limbs were also snapped off of a tree.[100] | |
| bgcolor= | EF1 | ESE of Rustburg | Campbell | VA | 22:56–22:59 | 1.7abbr=onNaNabbr=on | 400abbr=onNaNabbr=on | Several trees were snapped or uprooted, a roof was blown off a garage, and a manufactured home was pushed off its foundation. A large shed had its metal roof peeled off as well.[101] | |
| bgcolor= | EF3 | Timberlake to Lynchburg to WNW of Amherst | Campbell, City of Lynchburg, Bedford, Amherst | VA | 23:00–23:25 | 20.4abbr=onNaNabbr=on | 600abbr=onNaNabbr=on | This strong rain-wrapped tornado touched down in Timberlake, where businesses sustained heavy structural damage, cars and a semi-truck trailer were flipped, and roof damage occurred. In Lynchburg, the tornado destroyed one mobile home and damaged others at a mobile home park, damaged the roofs of several homes and businesses, and snapped or uprooted many trees The tornado briefly entered and exited Bedford County. In Amherst County, the community of Elon sustained EF3 damage, with dozens of frame homes damaged or destroyed in the area. Several of the homes were swept away with only the subflooring left behind, though these homes were very poorly anchored. A motor home was also lofted 30feet and overturned. Additional trees were snapped or uprooted before the tornado dissipated. Twelve people were injured. Damage totaled $20 million.[102] [103] [104] | |
| bgcolor= | EF0 | WNW of Lowesville | Amherst | VA | 23:38–23:41 | 1.5abbr=onNaNabbr=on | 75abbr=onNaNabbr=on | Trees were uprooted.[105] | |
| bgcolor= | EF1 | Plantation Key to Tavernier | Monroe | FL | 01:12–01:20 | 1.11abbr=onNaNabbr=on | 60abbr=onNaNabbr=on | A waterspout began over Florida Bay and moved ashore at Plantation Key, downing large tree limbs, ripping a driveway gate from its mounts, and pushing a boat and car. One home lost its entire gutter and downspout system, and numerous loose items such as trash cans and outside furniture were tossed. The tornado reached peak intensity as it struck a church, where large trees were uprooted and tiles were ripped from the roof. It moved back over the ocean before making a second landfall in Tavernier, where fences were damaged and tree limbs were downed.[106] [107] | |
| bgcolor= | EF1 | NNW of Wendell | Wake | NC | 02:35–02:36 | 0.74abbr=onNaNabbr=on | 100abbr=onNaNabbr=on | A few homes suffered damage to their shingles and siding. Numerous trees were snapped or uprooted, one of which inflicted severe damage to a home upon falling. An outbuilding was also destroyed.[108] | |
The larger extratropical cyclone, named Xanto by The Weather Channel, responsible for the outbreak also resulted in a record-breaking and severe winter storm and blizzard across the Midwest into the Northeastern United States, as well as neighboring Ontario and Quebec.
Green Bay, Wisconsin, reported 24.2inches, its second-heaviest snowstorm of all time and largest ever for the month of April. In Minneapolis, Minnesota, 15.8inches of snow fell, which was the largest April snowstorm on record. The storm was officially classified as a blizzard, the first to affect the Minneapolis - St. Paul metropolitan area since 2005.[109] A baseball game where the Minnesota Twins hosted the Chicago White Sox was postponed.[110] The storm contributed to a record-high 26inches of snow for the month of April. Sioux Falls, South Dakota, received 13.7inches of snow on April 14, making it the heaviest one-day April snow total on record in the city. Further east, a severe ice storm took place. 0.625inches of freezing rain accumulated near Midland, Michigan, and up to an inch of ice was reported in Lowville, New York, in the foothills of the Tug Hill Plateau. [111] Further east, 42nd Street–Bryant Park/Fifth Avenue station and 145th Street Station flooded, and the flash flooding in New York City also resulted in the Henry Hudson Parkway being closed down.[112] In Edison, New Jersey, flooding forced both sides of Interstate 287 to close.[113] Interstate 76 in Philadelphia also flooded.[114] The 2018 Boston Marathon was held in poor conditions due to the storm.[115]
In Ontario, a mix of snow, freezing rain, ice pellets and rain battered Toronto and the surrounding area, causing hundreds of vehicle collisions, flight cancellations, power outages and transportation delays. The CN Tower and surrounding areas in downtown Toronto were closed for several days due to falling chunks of ice after the storm. Falling ice also damaged the roof at Rogers Centre, forcing a Toronto Blue Jays game to be postponed.[116] Watch parties for both the Toronto Maple Leafs and Toronto Raptors were cancelled.[117] Freezing rain also caused problems in Ottawa, Montreal, and parts of New Brunswick.[118]
Outbreak summaries from regional National Weather Service offices: