Tornadoes of 1988

Tornadoes of 1988

Raleigh tornado path
Timespan January–December 1988
Maximum rated tornado

F4 tornado

Tornadoes in U.S. 702[1]
Damage (U.S.) $1.1 billion (1988 USD)
Fatalities (U.S.) 32[2]
Fatalities (worldwide) >32

This page documents the tornadoes and tornado outbreaks of 1988, primarily in the United States. Most tornadoes form in the U.S., although some events may take place internationally. Tornado statistics for older years like this often appear significantly lower than modern years due to fewer reports or confirmed tornadoes.

Synopsis

The Tornado "Season" of 1988 was one of the least active on record. March and April saw unusually low activity, as did June. There were some notable outbreaks later in the year, including the Raleigh tornado which was probably the most publicized tornado event of the year.

Events

Confirmed tornado total for the entire year 1988 in the United States.

Confirmed tornadoes by Fujita rating
F0 F1 F2 F3 F4 F5 Total
283 311 81 24 3 0 702

January

There were 17 tornadoes confirmed in the US in January. Three separate tornadoes, rated F2/F3, killed five people in Tennessee on January 19. Another F4 tornado on the 19th struck Mississippi, but resulted in no fatalities.

February

There were 4 tornadoes confirmed in the US in February.

March

There were 28 tornadoes confirmed in the US in March.

April

There were 58 tornadoes confirmed in the US in April. An F3 tornado killed four people in Madison County, Florida on April 19.

May

There were 132 tornadoes confirmed in the US in May.

May 8

The outbreak on May 8 saw 57 tornadoes mainly in Iowa, Illinois and Wisconsin (two rated as high as F3 in Darlington, Wisconsin and Eldridge, Iowa). There were no reported fatalities.

June

There were 63 tornadoes confirmed in the US in June. On June 7, an F1 tornado in Smyrna, Delaware caused no fatalities, but at least 30 injuries, with damage estimated between 500,000 and 5 million dollars, and on June 15, an F3 tornado in Colorado struck 4.4 miles south of downtown Denver.

July

There were 103 tornadoes confirmed in the US in July. On July 5, a tornado outbreak saw three F3 tornadoes in and around Fort Benton, Montana. There were no reported fatalities.

August

There were 61 tornadoes confirmed in the US in August.

September

There were 76 tornadoes confirmed in the US in September.

October

There was 19 tornadoes confirmed in the US in October.

November

There were 121 tornadoes confirmed in the US in November. One F2 tornado killed five people in Arkansas on November 15.

November 28

The 1988 F4 Raleigh tornado killed four people and was part of a series of moderate outbreaks that month.

December

There were 20 tornadoes confirmed in the US in December. On December 24, an F4 tornado killed one person in Tennessee.

See also

References

  1. ↑ "U.S. Annual Tornado Maps (1952 - 2011): 1988 Tornadoes". Storm Prediction Center. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Retrieved May 16, 2015.
  2. ↑ "Tornadoes in 1988". Tornado History Project. Retrieved May 16, 2015.
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