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
Storms Zero In on the Lone Star State Today

Storms Zero In on the Lone Star State Today

A stormy pattern in the Plains states looks t

10 May 2026 10:30 AM
The Countdown to Hurricane Season

The Countdown to Hurricane Season

Ready for hurricane season? As a reminder, wa

10 May 2026 8:30 AM
Flood Threat Expands Across Southeast for Mother’s Day Weekend

Flood Threat Expands Across Southeast for Mother’s Day Weekend

A widespread stretch of wet weather is expect

10 May 2026 2:05 AM
Weekend Warm-up for the Southwest

Weekend Warm-up for the Southwest

WEST - Denver just received 5.8" of snowfall

10 May 2026 2:05 AM
Tornadoes Cause Damage in Mississippi, Strong Storms Linger in the South

Tornadoes Cause Damage in Mississippi, Strong Storms Linger in the South

WednesdayA cyclic supercell produced a damagi

9 May 2026 2:15 AM
CO May Snowstorm Could Lead to Icy Thursday Roads

CO May Snowstorm Could Lead to Icy Thursday Roads

Parts of Colorado and Wyoming received up to

7 May 2026 1:50 AM
Northeast in for Some Heavy Rain

Northeast in for Some Heavy Rain

WHAT TO EXPECTThe Northeast is forecast to ge

6 May 2026 11:00 AM