Dayton Tornado Revised Up To EF-4

news image
Special Stories
30 May 2019 9:26 PM
National Weather Service Meteorologists have changed the estimated strength of this week's Dayton, OH area tornado to an EF-4. A preliminary report Tuesday estimated the storm's strength as an EF-3, packing wind between 140-150 miles per hour. However Thursday, NWS Wilmington revised that report to now say that the tornado is believed to have been EF-4 strength with wind up to 170 mph. EF stands for Enhanced Fujita, a scale to categorize the strength of tornadoes. You can read the report via this link here. NWS Wilmington said it would provide more detail on the change in the near future. In the meantime, it makes this tornado the first of two violent tornadoes two days in a row this week. The other violent tornado occurred in eastern Kansas, also an EF-4 near Linwood, Lawrence and Kansas City with wind up to 170 mph. Meteorologists survey the damage from the ground, from the air and also using saved radar data. They look at the damage to structures, how well-built the structures were, the array of tree damage, the placement of debris, and many other factors to determine the strength of a tornado. It's not uncommon to revise the strength of a tornado upon further examination. Many times meteorologists will release preliminary estimation for the media and public, then return to take a closer look at the damage. The Dayton, OH area tornado now makes three violent tornadoes this year in the U.S., joining the Kansas storm this week and March's EF-4 in Lee County, Alabama. For WeatherNation, Meteorologist Steve Glazier
All Weather News
More
Ross Fire Burning West of Fort Worth

Ross Fire Burning West of Fort Worth

A wildfire broke out in the Lone Star State o

25 Aug 2026 10:05 PM
Multiple Waves in the Pacific

Multiple Waves in the Pacific

ISELLETropical Storm Julio formed Tuesday mor

25 Aug 2026 10:00 PM
Atlantic Tropics: Two Areas of Investigation

Atlantic Tropics: Two Areas of Investigation

El Niño has been smothering tropical waves in

25 Aug 2026 10:00 PM
Significant Winds and Hail Possible for the Plains

Significant Winds and Hail Possible for the Plains

Strong storms rolled through the High Plains

25 Aug 2026 9:50 PM
Rounds of Storms for the Southeast

Rounds of Storms for the Southeast

In addition to the hot temperatures across th

25 Aug 2026 9:40 PM
Extreme Heat Returns to Los Angeles and the Southwest

Extreme Heat Returns to Los Angeles and the Southwest

High pressure has returned to the Southwest.

25 Aug 2026 10:00 AM
Stifling Heat Holds Steady for Southern U.S.

Stifling Heat Holds Steady for Southern U.S.

Record heat rolls on across the Lone Star Sta

24 Aug 2026 12:30 PM