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
Tropical Storm Moke Has Formed in the Pacific; Impacts to Hawaii Start Sunday

Tropical Storm Moke Has Formed in the Pacific; Impacts to Hawaii Start Sunday

TROPICAL STORM MOKEJust days after Hurricane

22 Aug 2026 8:10 PM
Severe Storms Continue to Ride Around Heat Dome

Severe Storms Continue to Ride Around Heat Dome

Several frontal systems will cross the countr

22 Aug 2026 8:05 PM
Atlantic Tropics : Watching Several Areas, Strong Tropical Wave Next Week

Atlantic Tropics : Watching Several Areas, Strong Tropical Wave Next Week

El Niño has been smothering tropical waves in

22 Aug 2026 8:05 PM
Heat, Some Humidity, and Storms for the Southwest

Heat, Some Humidity, and Storms for the Southwest

As we get through the work week, high pressur

22 Aug 2026 9:55 AM
Stifling Heat Holds Steady for Southern U.S.

Stifling Heat Holds Steady for Southern U.S.

A ridge of high pressure has dominated the so

21 Aug 2026 11:00 AM
Severe Storms and Heavy Rain Across the East Coast

Severe Storms and Heavy Rain Across the East Coast

A stormy end to the week is taking shape for

21 Aug 2026 10:00 AM
Front That Caused Flooding Heading East

Front That Caused Flooding Heading East

MIDWEST - After a week of flooding rains in t

18 Aug 2026 1:30 AM