Hurricane Beryl unleashed an unprecedented wave of tornadoes across the United States, surpassing all other tropical systems in nearly two decades. A staggering total of 65 tornadoes were officially recorded by the National Weather Service, stemming from Beryl and its remnants from early July 8 to July 10. The tornadoes wreaked havoc across six states, from Texas to New York, leaving a trail of destruction in their wake.
This remarkable tornado activity is more commonly associated with severe thunderstorms rather than hurricanes. In a statistical comparison, Hurricane Rita in 2005 was the last tropical cyclone to generate a similar number of tornadoes, with a total of 97. Among the noteworthy occurrences, 43 tornadoes struck the region under the purview of the NWS-Shreveport, Louisiana office in a single day, the highest since 1995.
Experts attribute the surge in tornadoes to the unique atmospheric conditions created by hurricanes and tropical storms. These systems have the propensity to spawn tornadoes both within their outer rainbands and through the formation of supercells as they progress inland and weaken. The combination of warm, humid air and wind shear often results in multiple days of tornado activity as the storm traverses the country.
Traditionally, tropical tornadoes tend to be weaker, with over 90% falling within the EF0 or EF1 categories. However, instances of stronger tornadoes, such as the EF3 tornado near Mt. Vernon, Indiana, are rare but not unheard of. Surprisingly, a significant proportion of these tornadoes occur while the system is transitioning into a tropical depression or a remnant low, underscoring the persistent threat of tornadoes even as the storm’s wind speeds diminish.
Beryl’s tornado outbreak has etched its name among the top five U.S. tropical cyclones with the highest tornado count. This exceptional event underscores the unpredictable nature of tropical weather systems and the diverse array of hazards they can unleash.
In 1967, a total of 115 tornadoes were recorded, with Hurricane Frances in 2004 following closely behind with 103 tornadoes. The impact of Hurricane Rita in 2005 resulted in 97 tornadoes, while Hurricane Beryl in 2024 brought about 65 tornadoes. These numbers showcase how the occurrence of tornadoes from tropical systems can be comparable to the more common spring outbreaks that often take place, such as the one seen in April 2024.
Notably, Ivan, Frances, and Rita each produced one F3 tornado, while Ivan, Katrina, and Rita were responsible for at least one deadly tornado. Specifically in Florida and Georgia, four deadly tornadoes caused the tragic loss of seven lives during Ivan.
The occurrence of Hurricane Beryl served as an important reminder that tropical systems can have far-reaching impacts, extending hundreds of miles inland and lingering for several days after making landfall.
For more information on weather-related news, visit weather.com, where you can delve into detailed reports on Hurricane Beryl and read about the devastating effects of deadly flooding in Vermont, among other topics.
Jonathan Erdman, a seasoned meteorologist at weather.com, has been providing comprehensive coverage of national and international weather patterns since 1996. His passion for meteorology was sparked at a young age by a close encounter with a tornado in Wisconsin. Erdman holds a Bachelor’s degree in physics from the University of Wisconsin-Madison and a Master’s degree focused on dual-polarization radar and lightning data from Colorado State University. Extreme and unusual weather phenomena are his preferred areas of expertise. Connect with him on X (formerly Twitter), Threads, Facebook, and Bluesky to engage in discussions about weather-related matters.