2010 Bowdle tornado

Conditions over South Dakota were favorable for supercell development on May 22,{{Harvnb|Lee|Finley|Karstens|2012|p=3421}}. "Conditions over portions of South Dakota on the evening of 22 May 2010 were quite favorable for tornadic supercells." caused by a low-level jet stream that had advanced over the Midwest and plains region.{{Harvnb|Lee|Finley|Karstens|2012|p=3421}} CAPE values in the area were as high as 4,840 joules per kilogram. A weak surface low formed in the afternoon, encompassing portions of South Dakota, including the area where the Bowdle tornado would occur. The supercell that produced the tornado first formed at 22:00 UTC, one of several cells that fired over a north-south stretch near the Missouri River. The supercell cycled at least five times, the fifth producing two tornadoes. The first tornado was confirmed by storm chasers and received an EF1 rating, being on the ground for six minutes.{{Harvnb|Lee|Finley|Karstens|2012|p=3424}} The supercell gained a defined hook echo around this time, producing a rotating wall cloud that was visible on the ground. The cell also garnered a large rain curtain just prior to dropping the Bowdle tornado.{{Harvnb|Lee|Finley|Karstens|2012|p=3426}} Circulation that had produced the first tornado merged with a broader area of rotation, strengthening before producing the Bowdle tornado.{{Harvnb|Lee|Finley|Karstens|2012|p=3428}}

The tornado first touched down by a farmstead in eastern Walworth County, approximately {{Convert|6.8|mi|km}} away from Bowdle. At the time of the tornado touching down, the parent supercell was in the process of cycling.{{Harvnb|Karstens|Samaras|Gallus|Catherine|2012|p=3.2.1}} A 2010 study produced by numerous scientists, including tornado researcher Tim Samaras, determined that the tornado was likely a smaller condensation funnel within a larger area of circulation, but began to rapidly intensify and became the dominant funnel as it crossed South Dakota Highway 79. The visible funnel of the tornado centered itself in proportion to the supercell's mesocyclone as it moved to the northeast; a multiple-vortex structure was documented within the tornado.

Immediately at EF2 intensity, several outbuildings were severely damaged with the residence sustaining siding and roof damage. A stock trailer was thrown about {{convert|75|yd|m|abbr=on|sortable=on}} from its original location. Tree damage was sustained on the west side of the property. The tornado continued moving northeast crossing into Edmunds County, where it then briefly weakened to EF1 strength, where it snapped and broke power poles. At the first farm, several large cottonwood trees were uprooted along with damage to several trailers. Three grain bins were also destroyed. The residence suffered some shingle and antenna damage. The tornado then abruptly weakened over a span of thirty seconds, losing a visible condensation funnel. At this point, the tornado was estimated to have been {{Convert|220|yd|m}} in width.{{Harvnb|Karstens|Samaras|Gallus|Catherine|2012|p=3.2.2}}

The tornado rapidly intensified as it moved to the northeast,{{Harvnb|Karstens|Samaras|Gallus|Catherine|2012|p=3.2.3}}{{Cite web |title=May 22nd, 2010 Severe Storms |url=https://www.weather.gov/abr/saturdaysseverestorms |access-date=2025-03-01 |website=National Weather Service |language=EN-US}} quickly intensifying to EF3 strength where it impacted a second farm {{convert|1.5|mi|km|abbr=on}} northwest of Bowdle. At this farmstead, several outbuildings were damaged or destroyed along with widespread tree damage. The main residence at this location suffered no damage. Several grain cars were also rolled about {{convert|100|yd|m|abbr=on|sortable=on}} into the trees behind the house. As the tornado exited this farmstead, it intensified to EF4 strength before tearing through a third farmstead. At this farm, the main residence suffered major damage to walls with part of the roof removed.

Widespread tree damage was sustained with many of the trees completely debarked with only the stumps of the largest branches remaining. Two large garages were completely destroyed with the concrete slab wiped clean. The vehicles in one garage were rolled or tossed from {{convert|25|yd|m|abbr=on|sortable=on}} to {{convert|100|yd|m|abbr=on|sortable=on}} yards away. Another vehicle flew through the air before resting in a tree shelter belt to the north of the residence. Several other outbuildings were completely destroyed.The tornado then toppled six to eight metal power transmission towers as it moved to the north of the farm. One tower was sheared off from the concrete footings and was thrown an estimated {{convert|400|yd|m|abbr=on|sortable=on}}. Ground scouring was visible along the path of these towers. The large tornado began to track east, declining to EF2 intensity before crossing over SD-47 where a state radio tower was toppled. The tornado lifted a short time later.{{cite report |url=https://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/stormevents/eventdetails.jsp?id=235932 |title=South Dakota Event Report: EF2 Tornado |author=National Weather Service in Aberdeen, South Dakota |year=2024 |publisher=National Centers for Environmental Information |access-date=February 10, 2024}}{{cite report |url=https://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/stormevents/eventdetails.jsp?id=235969 |title=South Dakota Event Report: EF4 Tornado |author=National Weather Service in Aberdeen, South Dakota |year=2024 |publisher=National Centers for Environmental Information |access-date=February 10, 2024}}

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The tornado was the first to be rated EF4 in South Dakota history since 2003.{{Cite web |title=First EF4 (F4) Tornado in South Dakota Since 2003 |url=https://www.weather.gov/abr/firstf4ef4tornadoinsouthdakotasince2003 |access-date=2025-02-28 |website=National Weather Service |language=EN-US}}{{Cite web |last=Dickey |first=Elissa |title=Throwback Thursday - Historic Tornado: May 22 EF4 twister was one of six to hit state (2010) |url=https://www.aberdeennews.com/story/news/local/2014/05/22/hrowback-thursday-historic-tornado-may-22-ef4-twister-was-one-of-six-to-hit-state-201/116745094/ |access-date=2025-03-01 |website=Aberdeen News |language=en-US}}

• List of F4 and EF4 tornadoes (2010–2019)

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• {{Cite journal |last1=Lee |first1=Bruce D. |last2=Finley |first2=Catherine Av. |last3=Karstens |first3=Christopher D. |date=2012 |title=The Bowdle, South Dakota, Cyclic Tornadic Supercell of 22 May 2010: Surface Analysis of Rear-Flank Downdraft Evolution and Multiple Internal Surges |url=https://journals.ametsoc.org/view/journals/mwre/140/11/mwr-d-11-00351.1.xml?tab_body=pdf |access-date=February 28, 2025 |journal=American Meteorological Society|volume=140 |issue=11 |pages=3419–3441 |doi=10.1175/MWR-D-11-00351.1 |doi-access=free |url-access=subscription }}
• {{Cite web |last1=Karstens |first1=Christopher |last2=Samaras |first2=Timothy |author-link2=Tim Samaras |last3=Gallus |first3=William A. |last4=Catherine |first4=A |date=2012 |title=ANALYSIS OF NEAR-SURFACE WIND FLOW IN CLOSE PROXIMITY TO TORNADOES |url=https://www.researchgate.net/publication/267264054 |access-date=February 28, 2025 |website=ResearchGate}}

• {{Cite web |last1=Finley |first1=Catherine |last2=Lee |first2=D.B. |last3=Grzych |first3=M. |last4=Karstens |first4=C. D. |last5=Samaras |first5=T.M. |author-link5=Tim Samaras |date=2010 |editor8-first=Mobile mesonet observations of the rear-flank downdraft evolution associated with a violent tornado near Bowdle, SD on 22 May 2010 |title=The Bowdle, South Dakota, Cyclic Tornadic Supercell of 22 May 2010: Surface Analysis of Rear-Flank Downdraft Evolution and Multiple Internal Surges |url=https://ams.confex.com/ams/25SLS/techprogram/paper_176132.htm |access-date=February 28, 2025 |website=American Meteorological Society}}
• {{Cite web |last=Fowle |first=Michael A. |date=2010 |title=An operational approach for integrating multiple high resolution model solutions during a high impact event: the 22 May 2010 EF4 Bowdle tornado |url=https://ams.confex.com/ams/25SLS/techprogram/paper_176070.htm |access-date=February 28, 2025 |website=American Meteorological Society}}
• {{Cite web |last=Nolte |first=Nick |date=2010 |title=May 22, 2010 - Bowdle, South Dakota |url=https://nnwx.us/blog/2010/05/22/may-22-2010-bowdle-sd/ |access-date=February 28, 2025 |website=NNWX}}

{{2010 tornado outbreaks}}

Category:Tornadoes of 2010

Category:F4, EF4 and IF4 tornadoes

Category:Edmunds County, South Dakota

Category:Tornadoes in South Dakota