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
Severe Storms Target the Midwest Again Saturday

Severe Storms Target the Midwest Again Saturday

The Midwest has been hammered by severe weath

13 Jun 2026 3:35 PM
Record Heat Fuels Severe Storms in the Northeast

Record Heat Fuels Severe Storms in the Northeast

Summer heat has been building around the East

13 Jun 2026 10:40 AM
Numerous Tornadoes Tear Across the Midwest

Numerous Tornadoes Tear Across the Midwest

The Midwest has been dealing with several rou

13 Jun 2026 10:15 AM
First Tropical Disturbance in the Atlantic Tracking Toward Mexico & Texas

First Tropical Disturbance in the Atlantic Tracking Toward Mexico & Texas

AtlanticThe first disturbance of the season i

13 Jun 2026 10:00 AM
Tropical Moisture to Raise Flooding and Severe Concerns Across Central U.S.

Tropical Moisture to Raise Flooding and Severe Concerns Across Central U.S.

A surge of tropical moisture streaming north

13 Jun 2026 9:40 AM
El Niño Forms, Very Strong El Niño Likely Late 2026

El Niño Forms, Very Strong El Niño Likely Late 2026

El Niño has arrived! It didn't take long for

13 Jun 2026 9:30 AM
East & West Coast Weekend Heat

East & West Coast Weekend Heat

Heat advisories have been expanding across th

12 Jun 2026 10:00 AM