Tornado outbreak sequence of December 18–20, 1957#Gorham–Sand Ridge–Murphysboro–Plumfield, Illinois
{{Short description|Tornado outbreak in the United States}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=May 2022}}
{{Infobox storm
| name = Tornado outbreak sequence of December 18–20, 1957
| image =
| alt =
| caption =
| type = Tornado outbreak sequence
| active = December 18–20, 1957
| lowest pressure =
| lowest temperature =
| tornadoes = 37 confirmed
| fujitascale = F5
| tornado duration = 1 day and 14{{frac|1|2}} hours
| highest winds =
| hail = {{convert|1+1/4|in|cm|lk=on|abbr=on}} in diameter in Missouri on December 18{{harvnb|Storm Data Publication|1957|loc=[https://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/stormevents/eventdetails.jsp?id=10060860 #10060860]}}
| gusts = {{convert|53|kn|mi/h km/h|lk=on|abbr=on}} (estimated) in Hannibal, Missouri, on December 18{{harvnb|Storm Data Publication|1957|loc=[https://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/stormevents/eventdetails.jsp?id=10062408 #10062408]}}
| maximum snow =
| power outages =
| casualties = 19 fatalities, 291 injuries
| damages = $15,855,000 (1957 USD){{refn|group=nb|name=Losses|All losses are in 1957 USD unless otherwise noted.}}{{harvnb|Storm Data Publication|1957|loc=[https://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/stormevents/listevents.jsp?eventType=%28C%29+Tornado&beginDate_mm=12&beginDate_dd=18&beginDate_yyyy=1957&endDate_mm=12&endDate_dd=20&endDate_yyyy=1957&hailfilter=0.00&tornfilter=0&windfilter=000&sort=DT&submitbutton=Search&statefips=-999%2CALL Events Reported]}}
${{Formatprice|{{Inflation|US|15,855,000|1957|r=-4}}}} ({{CURRENTYEAR}} USD)
| affected = Midwestern and Southern United States, especially eastern Missouri and Southern Illinois
| current advisories =
| enhanced =
| notes =
| partof = the tornado outbreaks of 1957
}}
On December 18–20, 1957, a significant tornado outbreak sequence affected the southern Midwest and the South of the contiguous United States. The outbreak sequence began on the afternoon of December 18, when a low-pressure area approached the southern portions of Missouri and Illinois. Supercells developed and proceeded eastward at horizontal speeds of {{convert|40|to|45|mi/h|km/h}}, yielding what was considered the most severe tornado outbreak in Illinois on record so late in the calendar year. Total losses in the state were estimated to fall within the range of $8–$10 million.{{sfn|Joos|1957|p=160}}{{sfn|Wilson|Changnon|1971|p=39}}{{refn|group=nb|name=Outbreak|An outbreak is generally defined as a group of at least six tornadoes (the number sometimes varies slightly according to local climatology) with no more than a six-hour gap between individual tornadoes. An outbreak sequence, prior to (after) the start of modern records in 1950, is defined as a period of no more than two (one) consecutive days without at least one significant (F2 or stronger) tornado.{{cite conference |url=http://www.spc.noaa.gov/publications/schneider/otbrkseq.pdf |title=Tornado Outbreak Day Sequences: Historic Events and Climatology (1875–2003) |last1=Schneider |first1=Russell S. |last2=Brooks |first2=Harold E. |last3=Schaefer |first3=Joseph T. |author-link2=Harold E. Brooks |year=2004 |publisher=American Meteorological Society |location=Hyannis, Massachusetts |conference=22nd Conf. Severe Local Storms |conference-url=https://ams.confex.com/ams/11aram22sls/techprogram/programexpanded_230.htm |access-date=September 17, 2019}}}}{{refn|group=nb|name=Fujita|The Fujita scale was devised under the aegis of scientist T. Theodore Fujita in the early 1970s. Prior to the advent of the scale in 1971, tornadoes in the United States were officially unrated.{{sfn|Grazulis|1993|p=141}}{{sfn|Grazulis|2001a|p=[https://archive.org/details/tornadonaturesul0000graz/page/131 131]}} While the Fujita scale has been superseded by the Enhanced Fujita scale in the U.S. since February 1, 2007,{{cite web|last1=Edwards|first1=Roger|title=Enhanced F Scale for Tornado Damage|url=http://www.spc.noaa.gov/faq/tornado/ef-scale.html|website=The Online Tornado FAQ (by Roger Edwards, SPC)|publisher=Storm Prediction Center|access-date=February 25, 2016|date=March 5, 2015}} Canada used the old scale until April 1, 2013;{{cite web |title=Enhanced Fujita Scale (EF-Scale) |url=https://www.ec.gc.ca/meteo-weather/default.asp?lang=En&n=41E875DA-1 |website=Environment and Climate Change Canada |access-date=February 25, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303220706/http://www.ec.gc.ca/meteo-weather/default.asp?lang=En&n=41E875DA-1 |archive-date=March 3, 2016 |date=June 6, 2013 |url-status=dead }} nations elsewhere, like the United Kingdom, apply other classifications such as the TORRO scale.{{cite web|title=The International Tornado Intensity Scale |url=http://www.torro.org.uk/tscale.php |website=Tornado and Storm Research Organisation |access-date=February 25, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160305120332/http://www.torro.org.uk/tscale.php |archive-date=March 5, 2016 |year=2016 |url-status=dead }}}}{{refn|group=nb|name=Count|Historically, the number of tornadoes globally and in the United States was and is likely underrepresented: research by Grazulis on annual tornado activity suggests that, as of 2001, only 53% of yearly U.S. tornadoes were officially recorded. Documentation of tornadoes outside the United States was historically less exhaustive, owing to the lack of monitors in many nations and, in some cases, to internal political controls on public information.{{sfn|Grazulis|2001a|pp=251–4}} Most countries only recorded tornadoes that produced severe damage or loss of life.{{cite web|last1=Edwards|first1=Roger|title=The Online Tornado FAQ (by Roger Edwards, SPC)|url=http://www.spc.noaa.gov/faq/tornado/#Climatology|website=Storm Prediction Center: Frequently Asked Questions about Tornadoes|publisher=Storm Prediction Center|access-date=February 25, 2016|date=March 5, 2015}} Significant low biases in U.S. tornado counts likely occurred through the early 1990s, when advanced NEXRAD was first installed and the National Weather Service began comprehensively verifying tornado occurrences.{{harvnb|Cook|Schaefer|2008|p=3135}}}}
Background
At 6:00 a.m. CST (12:00 UTC) on December 18, 1957, a vigorous shortwave trough entered the Great Plains with a cold front moving east across Oklahoma and Kansas. A dissipating stationary front over Oklahoma underwent frontolysis and later redeveloped as a warm front which extended across central Illinois. By 3:00 pm. CST (21:00 UTC), surface dew points reached the low 60s °F across portions of southeast Missouri and southern Illinois, including the St. Louis area. Although most areas were then recording overcast weather conditions, a strong upper-level jet stream helped impart synoptic-scale lifting, a factor that favors updrafts, and little vertical mixing occurred, so instability remained favorable for thunderstorm development. Additionally, very cold temperatures following a surface cyclone raised the lifted index to −6 due to high adiabatic lapse rates. Wind speeds at the middle level of the atmosphere, just under {{convert|6|km|mi}} from the ground, were close to {{convert|70|mi/h|km/h|abbr=on}} as well. Conditions were therefore very conducive to a large tornado outbreak on the afternoon of December 18.{{cite web|last=Finch |first=Jonathan D. |title=Historical Tornado Cases for Saint Louis County Warning Area of Eastern Missouri and SW Illinois |url=http://bangladeshtornadoes.org/UScases/STL/discussion.html |date=November 13, 2005|accessdate=December 27, 2012 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20060515202732/http://bangladeshtornadoes.org/UScases/STL/discussion.html |website=Bangladesh Tornadoes |archivedate=May 15, 2006 |url-status=live }}{{cite web|last=Finch |first=Jonathan D. |title=Historical Tornado Cases for North America, 1950–1959 |url=http://bangladeshtornadoes.org/UScases50to59.html |website=Bangladesh Tornadoes |accessdate=December 27, 2012 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110722100606/http://bangladeshtornadoes.org/UScases50to59.html |archivedate=July 22, 2011 |url-status=live }}{{cite web|title=U.S. Daily Weather Maps|url=https://library.noaa.gov/Collections/Digital-Collections/US-Daily-Weather-Maps|website=NOAA Central Library|publisher=National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration|accessdate=December 11, 2019|series=NOAA Central Library Data Imaging Project}}
Similarly favorable conditions occurred a day later, as a warm and moist air mass spread northward from the Gulf of Mexico. In fact, temperatures in the Mississippi Valley and the upper Midwest approached record highs for December. St. Louis and Detroit, recorded afternoon highs of {{convert|57|F|C}}, while Chicago measured {{convert|56|F|C|abbr=on}}, only eight degrees lower than the local record high for December 19. Local residents and meteorologists described temperatures as being "springlike" for the time of year, even though astronomical winter was due to begin on December 23. Farther south, temperatures along the Gulf Coast reached the low 70s °F. Just as on December 18, a second tornado outbreak occurred in a broad warm sector from Arkansas to Illinois and south to Alabama.{{cite news|title=2 Die in Arkansas in New Tornadoes|newspaper=The New York Times|agency=Associated Press|date=December 20, 1957|page=56}}
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Confirmed tornadoes
{{Tornado Chart | Total=37 | F0=0 | F1=8 | F2=16 | F3=9 | F4=3 | F5=1 }}
{{Clear}}
=December 18 event=
| class="wikitable sortable" style="width:100%;"
|+ Confirmed tornadoes – Wednesday, December 18, 1957{{refn|group=nb|name=Date/Time|All dates are based on the local time zone where the tornado touched down; however, all times are in Coordinated Universal Time and dates are split at midnight CST/CDT for consistency.}}{{refn|group=nb|name=Width|Prior to 1994, only the average widths of tornado paths were officially listed.{{sfn|Brooks|2004|p=310}}}} |
| scope="col" style="width:3%; text-align:center;"|F#
! scope="col" style="width:7%; text-align:center;" class="unsortable"|Location ! scope="col" style="width:6%; text-align:center;" class="unsortable"|County / Parish ! scope="col" style="width:5%; text-align:center;"|State ! scope="col" style="width:6%; text-align:center;"|Start ! scope="col" style="width:6%; text-align:center;"|Time (UTC) ! scope="col" style="width:6%; text-align:center;"|Path length ! scope="col" style="width:6%; text-align:center;"|{{abbr|Max.|Maximum}} width ! scope="col" class="unsortable" style="width:48%; text-align:center;"|Summary |
|---|
| bgcolor=#{{storm colour|cat1}} | F1
|WSW of Truxton |MO |{{Coord|39.00 |
| 91.25|name=Truxton (December 18, F1)}}
|18:30–? |{{convert|0.3|mi|km|sortable=on}} |{{convert|100|yd|m|sortable=on}} |Brief tornado unroofed three homes, one of which it dislodged, injuring a woman inside. Losses totaled $25,000. Tornado researcher Thomas P. Grazulis classified the tornado as an F2.{{harvnb|Storm Data Publication|1957|loc=[https://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/stormevents/eventdetails.jsp?id=10062409 #10062409]}}{{sfn|USWB|1957|p=526}}{{sfn|Grazulis|1993|p=1012}} |
| bgcolor=#{{storm colour|cat2}} | F2
|ENE of Knob Lick to WSW of Libertyville |MO |{{Coord|37.68 |
| 90.35|name=Libertyville (December 18, F2)}}
|19:50–? |{{convert|2.7|mi|km|sortable=on}} |{{convert|33|yd|m|sortable=on}} |1 death – Tornado leveled barns and silos in its path through three farms north of Fredericktown, destroying a home and killing an infant inside. One person was injured and losses totaled $25,000. Grazulis classified the tornado as an F3.{{harvnb|Storm Data Publication|1957|loc=[https://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/stormevents/eventdetails.jsp?id=10060858 #10060858]}}{{sfn|USWB|1957|p=526}}{{sfn|Grazulis|1993|p=1012}} |
| bgcolor=#{{storm colour|cat3}} | F3
|SE of Diamond Cross to NE of Conant |IL |{{Coord|37.97 |
| 89.82|name=Diamond Cross (December 18, F3)}}
|20:40–? |{{convert|20.2|mi|km|sortable=on}} |{{convert|33|yd|m|sortable=on}} |Intense tornado produced intermittent damage near Chester, Steeleville, Cutler, Jamestown, and Conant. Tornado affected 10 farmsteads, destroyed one home, and damaged numerous buildings. Losses totaled $25,000.{{harvnb|Storm Data Publication|1957|loc=[https://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/stormevents/eventdetails.jsp?id=10008653 #10008653]}}{{sfn|USWB|1957|p=526}}{{sfn|Grazulis|1993|p=1012}} |
| bgcolor=#{{storm colour|cat2}} | F2
|ESE of McBride |MO |{{Coord|37.83 |
| 89.83|name=McBride (December 18, F2)}}
|21:00–? |{{convert|0.5|mi|km|sortable=on}} |{{convert|50|yd|m|sortable=on}} |Strong tornado momentarily lifted, set down, and shifted an occupied elementary school, but none of the 32 students in attendance was injured. Tornado also destroyed or damaged 15–20 structures on farms, including a number of barns. Losses totaled $250,000.{{harvnb|Storm Data Publication|1957|loc=[https://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/stormevents/eventdetails.jsp?id=10060859 #10060859]}}{{sfn|USWB|1957|p=526}}{{sfn|Grazulis|1993|p=1012}} |
| bgcolor=#{{storm colour|cat3}} | F3
|SE of Chester to NW of Denmark |IL |{{Coord|37.90 |
| 89.80|name=Chester (December 18, F3)}}
|21:15–? |{{convert|17.7|mi|km|sortable=on}} |{{convert|33|yd|m|sortable=on}} |Tornado destroyed or damaged at least 24 homes in Willisville, along with the local brick high school. Losses totaled $250,000.{{harvnb|Storm Data Publication|1957|loc=[https://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/stormevents/eventdetails.jsp?id=10008654 #10008654]}}{{sfn|USWB|1957|p=526}}{{sfn|Grazulis|1993|p=1012}} |
| bgcolor=#{{storm colour|cat2}} | F2
|IL |{{Coord|38.85 |
| 90.08|name=Wood River (December 18, F2)}}
|21:20–? |{{convert|1|mi|km|sortable=on}} |{{convert|33|yd|m|sortable=on}} |Intense, brief tornado may have first touched down near Florissant, Missouri, before destroying or damaging nine buildings on the southern outskirts of Wood River. One person was injured and losses totaled $25,000. Grazulis classified the tornado as an F3.{{harvnb|Storm Data Publication|1957|loc=[https://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/stormevents/eventdetails.jsp?id=10008655 #10008655]}}{{sfn|USWB|1957|p=526}}{{sfn|Grazulis|1993|p=1012}} |
| bgcolor=#{{storm colour|cat1}} | F1
|IL |{{Coord|40.20 |
| 89.70|name=Mason City (December 18, F1)}}
|21:35–? |{{convert|0.1|mi|km|sortable=on}} |{{convert|33|yd|m|sortable=on}} |Brief tornado caused minimal damage to three or four buildings. One person was injured and losses totaled $25,000.{{harvnb|Storm Data Publication|1957|loc=[https://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/stormevents/eventdetails.jsp?id=10008656 #10008656]}}{{sfn|USWB|1957|p=526}} |
| bgcolor=#{{storm colour|cat3}} | F3
|NNE of Cutler |IL |{{Coord|38.08 |
| 89.55|name=Cutler (December 18, F3)}}
|21:35–? |{{convert|2.5|mi|km|sortable=on}} |{{convert|33|yd|m|sortable=on}} |Tornado destroyed or damaged six homes near the Illinois Routes 154–150 crossroads. Cars were blown off the highways and destroyed. One person was injured and losses totaled $250,000.{{harvnb|Storm Data Publication|1957|loc=[https://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/stormevents/eventdetails.jsp?id=10008657 #10008657]}}{{sfn|USWB|1957|p=526}}{{sfn|Grazulis|1993|p=1012}} |
| bgcolor=#{{storm colour|cat2}} | F2
|IL |{{Coord|38.42 |
| 89.02|name=Boyd (December 18, F2)}}
|21:45–? |{{convert|4.5|mi|km|sortable=on}} |{{convert|33|yd|m|sortable=on}} |Tornado unroofed or extensively damaged eight structures. Two people were injured and losses totaled $25,000. Tornado may have dissipated near Kell.{{harvnb|Storm Data Publication|1957|loc=[https://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/stormevents/eventdetails.jsp?id=10008658 #10008658]}}{{sfn|USWB|1957|p=526}}{{sfn|Grazulis|1993|p=1013}} |
| bgcolor=#{{storm colour|cat4}} | F4
|S of Roaches to NNE of Marlow |IL |{{Coord|38.28 |
| 89.08|name=Roaches (December 18, F4)}}
|21:55–22:10 |{{convert|16.8|mi|km|sortable=on}} |{{convert|250|yd|m|sortable=on}} |1 death – See section on this tornado – 45 people were injured and losses totaled $2.5 million.{{harvnb|Storm Data Publication|1957|loc=[https://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/stormevents/eventdetails.jsp?id=10008659 #10008659]}}{{sfn|USWB|1957|p=526}}{{sfn|Grazulis|1993|p=1013}} |
| bgcolor=#{{storm colour|cat2}} | F2
|IL |{{Coord|37.90 |
| 89.50|name=Ava (December 18, F2)}}
|22:00–? |{{convert|5.4|mi|km|sortable=on}} |{{convert|33|yd|m|sortable=on}} |Tornado damaged three or four properties. Losses totaled $25,000. Grazulis did not list the event as an F2 or stronger.{{harvnb|Storm Data Publication|1957|loc=[https://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/stormevents/eventdetails.jsp?id=10008661 #10008661]}}{{sfn|USWB|1957|p=526}}{{sfn|Grazulis|1993|pp=1012–3}} |
| bgcolor=#{{storm colour|cat3}} | F3
|ESE of Belgique, MO to WNW of Degognia, IL |IL |{{Coord|37.83 |
| 89.75|name=Belgique (December 18, F3)}}
|22:15–? |{{convert|5.7|mi|km|sortable=on}} |{{convert|33|yd|m|sortable=on}} |Tornado passed near Rockwood, Illinois, flipping freight cars and damaging nearby buildings. Losses totaled $25,000. Grazulis did not list the event as an F2 or stronger.{{harvnb|Storm Data Publication|1957|loc=[https://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/stormevents/eventdetails.jsp?id=10008662 #10008662]}}{{sfn|USWB|1957|p=527}}{{sfn|Grazulis|1993|pp=1012–3}} |
| bgcolor=#{{storm colour|cat2}} | F2
|E of Woodlawn to ENE of Camp Ground |IL |{{Coord|38.33 |
| 89.02|name=Woodlawn (December 18, F2)}}
|22:30–? |{{convert|11.6|mi|km|sortable=on}} |{{convert|200|yd|m|sortable=on}} |Tornado impacted the northernmost outskirts of Mount Vernon as it damaged 12 structures. Losses totaled $25,000. Grazulis classified the tornado as an F3.{{harvnb|Storm Data Publication|1957|loc=[https://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/stormevents/eventdetails.jsp?id=10008663 #10008663]}}{{sfn|USWB|1957|p=527}}{{sfn|Grazulis|1993|p=1013}} |
| bgcolor=#{{storm colour|cat5}} | F5
|NNW of Sunfield to ESE of Tamaroa |IL |{{Coord|38.08 |
| 89.25|name=Sunfield (December 18, F5)}}
|22:35–? |{{convert|5.4|mi|km|sortable=on}} |{{convert|200|yd|m|sortable=on}} |1 death – See section on this tornado – Six people were injured.{{harvnb|Storm Data Publication|1957|loc=[https://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/stormevents/eventdetails.jsp?id=10008664 #10008664]}}{{sfn|USWB|1957|p=527}}{{sfn|Grazulis|1993|p=1013}} |
| bgcolor=#{{storm colour|cat2}} | F2
|E of Scopus to NE of Pocahontas |MO |{{Coord|37.40 |
| 89.87|name=Scopus (December 18, F2)}}
|22:45–22:55 |{{convert|15.8|mi|km|sortable=on}} |{{convert|700|yd|m|sortable=on}} |Intense tornado passed near Millersville, Oak Ridge, and Highway 61, affecting five farmsteads, one of which lost its farmhouse and all barns. One person was injured and losses totaled $250,000. Grazulis classified the tornado as an F3.{{harvnb|Storm Data Publication|1957|loc=[https://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/stormevents/eventdetails.jsp?id=10060861 #10060861]}}{{harvnb|Storm Data Publication|1957|loc=[https://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/stormevents/eventdetails.jsp?id=10060862 #10060862]}}{{sfn|USWB|1957|p=527}}{{sfn|Grazulis|1993|p=1013}} |
| bgcolor=#{{storm colour|cat4}} | F4
|Jackson, Williamson, Franklin |IL |{{Coord|37.70 |
| 89.48|name=Happy Hollow (December 18, F4)}}
|22:45–23:05 |{{convert|28.3|mi|km|sortable=on}} |{{convert|300|yd|m|sortable=on}} |11 deaths – See section on this tornado – 200 people were injured and losses totaled $7.5 million.{{harvnb|Storm Data Publication|1957|loc=[https://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/stormevents/eventdetails.jsp?id=10008665 #10008665]}}{{harvnb|Storm Data Publication|1957|loc=[https://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/stormevents/eventdetails.jsp?id=10008671 #10008671]}}{{harvnb|Storm Data Publication|1957|loc=[https://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/stormevents/eventdetails.jsp?id=10008672 #10008672]}}{{sfn|Grazulis|1993|p=1013}} |
| bgcolor=#{{storm colour|cat2}} | F2
|N of Altenburg |MO |{{Coord|37.68 |
| 89.58|name=Altenburg (December 18, F2)}}
|23:00–? |{{convert|1|mi|km|sortable=on}} |{{convert|10|yd|m|sortable=on}} |Brief tornado destroyed a home near Altenburg. Losses totaled $25,000. Grazulis classified the tornado as a high-end F3.{{harvnb|Storm Data Publication|1957|loc=[https://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/stormevents/eventdetails.jsp?id=10060863 #10060863]}}{{sfn|Grazulis|1993|p=1012}} |
| bgcolor=#{{storm colour|cat3}} | F3
|ESE of Orchardville to Southern Clay City |IL |{{Coord|38.50 |
| 88.63|name=Orchardville (December 18, F3)}}
|23:00–? |{{convert|19.6|mi|km|sortable=on}} |{{convert|200|yd|m|sortable=on}} |Tornado, its trajectory varying from east-northeast to northeast, destroyed or damaged structures on 20 farmsteads. One person was injured and losses totaled $500,000. Another, unconfirmed tornado may have hit the same area at 22:30 UTC.{{harvnb|Storm Data Publication|1957|loc=[https://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/stormevents/eventdetails.jsp?id=10008666 #10008666]}}{{harvnb|Storm Data Publication|1957|loc=[https://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/stormevents/eventdetails.jsp?id=10008668 #10008668]}}{{sfn|USWB|1957|p=527}}{{sfn|Grazulis|1993|p=1013}}{{sfn|Wilson|Changnon|1971|p=40}} |
| bgcolor=#{{storm colour|cat2}} | F2
|MO |{{Coord|37.18 |
| 89.67|name=Chaffee (December 18, F2)}}
|23:22–? |{{convert|0.5|mi|km|sortable=on}} |{{convert|33|yd|m|sortable=on}} |3 deaths – One or more tornadoes, possibly paralleling each other, destroyed or unroofed a shoe factory, businesses, and homes. All fatalities occurred in a small home. At least one person—possibly three others—was injured and losses totaled $2.5 million.{{harvnb|Storm Data Publication|1957|loc=[https://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/stormevents/eventdetails.jsp?id=10060864 #10060864]}}{{sfn|Grazulis|1993|p=1013}} |
| bgcolor=#{{storm colour|cat2}} | F2
|IL |{{Coord|37.70 |
| 89.22|name=Carbondale (December 18, F2)}}
|23:25–? |{{convert|1.5|mi|km|sortable=on}} |{{convert|33|yd|m|sortable=on}} |Tornado touched down near Southern Illinois University, destroying 15 trailers and damaging three other homes. Five people were injured and losses totaled $2,500. Grazulis did not list the tornado as an F2 or stronger.{{harvnb|Storm Data Publication|1957|loc=[https://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/stormevents/eventdetails.jsp?id=10008667 #10008667]}}{{sfn|USWB|1957|p=527}}{{sfn|Grazulis|1993|pp=1012–3}} |
| bgcolor=#{{storm colour|cat3}} | F3
|W of Ste. Marie to ESE of Willow Hill |IL |{{Coord|38.93 |
| 88.05|name=Ste. Marie (December 18, F3)}}
|23:25–? |{{convert|4.5|mi|km|sortable=on}} |{{convert|33|yd|m|sortable=on}} |Tornado damaged four farmsteads and destroyed one or more barns in a limited area between Boos and Ste. Marie. Losses totaled $25,000.{{harvnb|Storm Data Publication|1957|loc=[https://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/stormevents/eventdetails.jsp?id=10008669 #10008669]}}{{sfn|USWB|1957|p=527}}{{sfn|Grazulis|1993|p=1013}} |
| bgcolor=#{{storm colour|cat3}} | F3
|IL |{{Coord|38.20 |
| 88.70|name=Dahlgren (December 18, F3)}}
|23:35–? |{{convert|2.5|mi|km|sortable=on}} |{{convert|150|yd|m|sortable=on}} |Tornado destroyed or extensively damaged several homes. Tornado may have formed from the same supercell as the Sunfield F5. Three people were injured and losses totaled $250,000.{{harvnb|Storm Data Publication|1957|loc=[https://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/stormevents/eventdetails.jsp?id=10008670 #10008670]}}{{sfn|USWB|1957|p=527}}{{sfn|Grazulis|1993|p=1013}} |
| bgcolor=#{{storm colour|cat3}} | F3
|SW of Springerton to NW of Grayville |IL |{{Coord|38.17 |
| 88.42|name=Springerton (December 18, F3)}}
|00:00–? |{{convert|19.8|mi|km|sortable=on}} |{{convert|33|yd|m|sortable=on}} |Tornado affected 20 farmsteads, destroying four or more barns and a home. Four people were injured and losses totaled $250,000.{{harvnb|Storm Data Publication|1957|loc=[https://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/stormevents/eventdetails.jsp?id=10008674 #10008674]}}{{sfn|Grazulis|1993|p=1013}} |
| bgcolor=#{{storm colour|cat2}} | F2
|IL |{{Coord|37.30 |
| 88.92|name=Karnak (December 18, F2)}}
|00:00–? |{{convert|0.1|mi|km|sortable=on}} |{{convert|33|yd|m|sortable=on}} |Tornado destroyed one church and struck a school and two farms. Two tornadoes were probably involved but the event is not officially listed as such. Losses totaled $25,000.{{harvnb|Storm Data Publication|1957|loc=[https://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/stormevents/eventdetails.jsp?id=10008673 #10008673]}}{{sfn|USWB|1957|p=527}}{{sfn|Grazulis|1993|p=1013}} |
| bgcolor=#{{storm colour|cat1}} | F1
|SE of Sidell to W of Indianola |IL |{{Coord|39.90 |
| 87.80|name=Sidell (December 18, F2)}}
|00:40–? |{{convert|3|mi|km|sortable=on}} |{{convert|60|yd|m|sortable=on}} |This tornado was apparently heard to produce a "'roaring'" noise with minimal damage.{{harvnb|Storm Data Publication|1957|loc=[https://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/stormevents/eventdetails.jsp?id=10009739 #10009739]}}{{sfn|USWB|1957|p=527}} |
=December 19 event=
| class="wikitable sortable" style="width:100%;"
|+ Confirmed tornadoes – Thursday, December 19, 1957{{refn|group=nb|name=Date/Time}}{{refn|group=nb|name=Width}} |
| scope="col" style="width:3%; text-align:center;"|F#
! scope="col" style="width:7%; text-align:center;" class="unsortable"|Location ! scope="col" style="width:6%; text-align:center;" class="unsortable"|County / Parish ! scope="col" style="width:5%; text-align:center;"|State ! scope="col" style="width:6%; text-align:center;"|Start ! scope="col" style="width:6%; text-align:center;"|Time (UTC) ! scope="col" style="width:6%; text-align:center;"|Path length ! scope="col" style="width:6%; text-align:center;"|{{abbr|Max.|Maximum}} width ! scope="col" class="unsortable" style="width:48%; text-align:center;"|Summary |
|---|
| bgcolor=#{{storm colour|cat4}} | F4
|AR |{{Coord|33.35 |
| 93.25|name=Waldo (December 19, F4)}}
|18:44–? |{{convert|17.7|mi|km|sortable=on}} |{{convert|33|yd|m|sortable=on}} |2 deaths – This violent tornado produced F4 damage as it touched down at "Cotton Belt", a community between Waldo and McNeil. There, five homes were levelled and a boy killed and thrown {{convert|250|yd|ft|abbr=on}} from his home. Elsewhere, the tornado damaged five other homes. The tornado also threw and rolled a car {{convert|600|yd|mi|abbr=on}} just before dissipating, having caused nine injuries and destroyed eight buildings.{{harvnb|Storm Data Publication|1957|loc=[https://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/stormevents/eventdetails.jsp?id=9980864 #9980864]}}{{harvnb|Storm Data Publication|1957|loc=[https://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/stormevents/eventdetails.jsp?id=9980865 #9980865]}}{{harvnb|USWB|1957|p=528}}{{sfn|Grazulis|1993|p=1013}} |
| bgcolor=#{{storm colour|cat1}} | F1
|S of Milan |TN |{{Coord|35.87 |
| 88.75|name=Sitka (December 19, F1)}}
|21:00–? |{{convert|0.1|mi|km|sortable=on}} |{{convert|7|yd|m|sortable=on}} |A brief tornado destroyed four tenant homes on a farm in the Sitka community, south of Milan.{{harvnb|Storm Data Publication|1957|loc=[https://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/stormevents/eventdetails.jsp?id=10124064 #10124064]}} |
| bgcolor=#{{storm colour|cat3}} | F3
|AR |{{Coord|34.38 |
| 91.95|name=Sherrill (December 19, F3)}}
|21:40–? |{{convert|3.8|mi|km|sortable=on}} |{{convert|100|yd|m|sortable=on}} |This intense tornado affected two farmsteads and struck the Tucker State Prison Farm.{{harvnb|Storm Data Publication|1957|loc=[https://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/stormevents/eventdetails.jsp?id=9980866 #9980866]}}{{sfn|Grazulis|1993|p=1013}} |
| bgcolor=#{{storm colour|cat2}} | F2
|SE of Golden City |Dade |MO |{{Coord|37.37 |
| 94.07|name=Golden City (December 19, F2)}}
|22:10–22:15 |{{convert|6.6|mi|km|sortable=on}} |{{convert|100|yd|m|sortable=on}} |This tornado intermittently damaged five farmsteads. The tornado alternately lifted and touched down, and a number of funnel clouds were reported, so more than one tornado may have been involved. Grazulis did not list this tornado as an F2 or stronger.{{harvnb|Storm Data Publication|1957|loc=[https://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/stormevents/eventdetails.jsp?id=10060865 #10060865]}}{{sfn|Grazulis|1993|pp=1012–3}} |
| bgcolor=#{{storm colour|cat2}} | F2
|IL |{{Coord|38.20 |
| 89.05|name=Waltonville (December 19, F2)}}
|23:50–? |{{convert|1|mi|km|sortable=on}} |{{convert|67|yd|m|sortable=on}} |This tornado extensively damaged one farm and caused lesser damage to a number of structures. Grazulis did not list this tornado as an F2 or stronger.{{harvnb|Storm Data Publication|1957|loc=[https://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/stormevents/eventdetails.jsp?id=10009740 #10009740]}}{{sfn|Grazulis|1993|pp=1012–3}} |
| bgcolor=#{{storm colour|cat2}} | F2
|IL |{{Coord|37.70 |
| 88.53|name=Pankeyville (December 19, F2)}}
|03:00–? |{{convert|0.5|mi|km|sortable=on}} |{{convert|100|yd|m|sortable=on}} |A tornado damaged a barn and other buildings south of Harrisburg. Grazulis did not list this tornado as an F2 or stronger.{{harvnb|Storm Data Publication|1957|loc=[https://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/stormevents/eventdetails.jsp?id=10009741 #10009741]}}{{sfn|Grazulis|1993|pp=1012–3}} |
| bgcolor=#{{storm colour|cat2}} | F2
|TN |{{Coord|35.82 |
| 88.92|name=Humboldt (December 19, F2)}}
|03:15–? |{{convert|0.5|mi|km|sortable=on}} |{{convert|10|yd|m|sortable=on}} |A hotel and the local city hall were partially or entirely unroofed. Four tenant homes, a warehouse, and a CBS-built garage were wrecked. A cotton gin and a building sustained damage, the latter of which was also shifted and twisted. Electrical wires and TV antennae were downed as well. Flying debris damaged numerous structures.{{harvnb|Storm Data Publication|1957|loc=[https://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/stormevents/eventdetails.jsp?id=10124067 #10124067]}} |
| bgcolor=#{{storm colour|cat1}} | F1
|TN |{{Coord|35.92 |
| 88.75|name=Milan (December 19, F1)}}
|03:20–? |{{convert|0.1|mi|km|sortable=on}} |{{convert|7|yd|m|sortable=on}} |This tornado, the second to hit the Milan area on December 19, damaged roofs, windows, and antennae. Flying debris injured two people. The tornado may have originated from the same storm as the previous event.{{harvnb|Storm Data Publication|1957|loc=[https://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/stormevents/eventdetails.jsp?id=10124068 #10124068]}} |
| bgcolor=#{{storm colour|cat1}} | F1
|S of Winfield |AL |{{Coord|33.87 |
| 87.80|name=Winfield (December 19, F1)}}
|04:30–? |{{convert|0.1|mi|km|sortable=on}} |{{convert|33|yd|m|sortable=on}} |This brief tornado destroyed a home and several outbuildings.{{harvnb|USWB|1957|p=529}}{{harvnb|Storm Data Publication|1957|loc=[https://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/stormevents/eventdetails.jsp?id=9977951 #9977951]}} |
| bgcolor=#{{storm colour|cat2}} | F2
|AL |{{Coord|34.60 |
| 87.67|name=Littleville (December 19, F2)}}
|05:15–? |{{convert|0.1|mi|km|sortable=on}} |{{convert|33|yd|m|sortable=on}} |This tornado destroyed or damaged fifteen homes, seven businesses, and the local city hall. Damage neared F3-level intensity. Seven people were injured.{{harvnb|Storm Data Publication|1957|loc=[https://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/stormevents/eventdetails.jsp?id=9977952 #9977952]}} |
=December 20 event=
| class="wikitable sortable" style="width:100%;"
|+ Confirmed tornadoes – Friday, December 20, 1957{{refn|group=nb|name=Date/Time}}{{refn|group=nb|name=Width}} |
| scope="col" style="width:3%; text-align:center;"|F#
! scope="col" style="width:7%; text-align:center;" class="unsortable"|Location ! scope="col" style="width:6%; text-align:center;" class="unsortable"|County / Parish ! scope="col" style="width:5%; text-align:center;"|State ! scope="col" style="width:6%; text-align:center;"|Start ! scope="col" style="width:6%; text-align:center;"|Time (UTC) ! scope="col" style="width:6%; text-align:center;"|Path length ! scope="col" style="width:6%; text-align:center;"|{{abbr|Max.|Maximum}} width ! scope="col" class="unsortable" style="width:48%; text-align:center;"|Summary |
|---|
| bgcolor=#{{storm colour|cat1}} | F1
|AL |{{Coord|32.80 |
| 86.65|name=Clanton (December 20, F1)}}
|08:53–? |{{convert|0.1|mi|km|sortable=on}} |{{convert|33|yd|m|sortable=on}} |This tornado unroofed or extensively damaged twenty to thirty-five homes, three of which were destroyed, and a cotton mill. Grazulis classified the tornado as an F2.{{harvnb|Storm Data Publication|1957|loc=[https://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/stormevents/eventdetails.jsp?id=9977953 #9977953]}} |
| bgcolor=#{{storm colour|cat1}} | F1
|E of Castleberry |AL |{{Coord|31.30 |
| 86.88|name=Castleberry (December 19, F1)}}
|09:00–? |{{convert|0.8|mi|km|sortable=on}} |{{convert|33|yd|m|sortable=on}} |This tornado damaged two areas about {{convert|1/2|mi|km|abbr=on}} apart. It destroyed two homes and one barn. Grazulis classified the tornado as an F2.{{harvnb|Storm Data Publication|1957|loc=[https://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/stormevents/eventdetails.jsp?id=9977954 #9977954]}} |
{{clear}}
=Sunfield, Illinois=
{{Infobox weather event
| name = 1957 Sunfield tornado
| image =
| caption =
| formed = December 18, 1957, 4:35 p.m. CST (UTC−06:00)
| duration =
| dissipated =
}}{{Infobox weather event/Tornado
| basin = atl
| winds = >{{convert|261|mph|km/h|abbr=on}}
| fujita-scale = F5
| enhanced = no
}}{{Infobox weather event/Effects
| damages = $250,000–$500,000 (1957 USD)
| affected =
}}{{Infobox weather event/Footer
| season =
}}
{{Wikisource|NCDC Climatological Data National Summary for the 1957 Sunfield tornado|The U.S. Weather Bureau's finalized damage survey and analysis}}
On December 18, 1957, a violent tornado struck Sunfield, Illinois, completely wiping out the community.{{cite journal |author1=United States Weather Bureau |author2=F. W. Reichelderfer (U.S. Weather Bureau) |author3=Sinclair Weeks (Secretary of the United States Department of Commerce) |title=Climatological Data National Summary December 1957 |journal=Climatological Data |date=1958 |volume=8 |issue=12 |page=527 |url=https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/pub/orders/IPS/IPS-F34FBD0F-1D12-4032-8E41-3AF6B975E0EB.pdf |access-date=13 September 2023 |publisher=United States Department of Commerce |archive-date=13 September 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230913171056/https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/pub/orders/IPS/IPS-F34FBD0F-1D12-4032-8E41-3AF6B975E0EB.pdf |url-status=dead }} The extreme damage in Sunfield caused the National Weather Service to assign a rating of F5 on the Fujita scale.{{cite web |author1=Storm Prediction Center |title=F5 and EF5 Tornadoes of the United States |url=https://www.spc.noaa.gov/faq/tornado/f5torns.html |website=Storm Prediction Center |publisher=National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration |access-date=13 September 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230912012525/https://www.spc.noaa.gov/faq/tornado/f5torns.html |archive-date=12 September 2023 |url-status=live}}{{cite web |last1=Hausen |first1=Nick |title=Digging Deeper: December 18, 1957 tornado outbreak |url=https://www.wsiltv.com/news/digging-deeper/digging-deeper-december-18-1957-tornado-outbreak/article_2641519b-0e04-5e1e-8ae5-18610a083a3b.html |publisher=WSIL-TV |access-date=13 September 2023 |date=6 May 2021}}{{cite web |title=Homes in Sunfield in Perry County Damaged by Thursday Afternoon Storm |date=19 March 2020 |url=https://thesouthern.com/news/local/homes-in-sunfield-in-perry-county-damaged-by-thursday-afternoon-storm/article_c6c0735b-d1a5-541a-8848-5e493fbeec83.html |publisher=The Southern Illinosian |access-date=13 September 2023}}
The east-northeastward moving tornado struck Sunfield at the junction of U.S. Route 51 and Illinois Route 154, also called the Sunfield Y or Wye on account of the branching shape of the intersection.{{Cite news |last=Kopshever |first=Kathy |date=December 18, 2012 |title=The 1957 Tornadoes: Sunfield Hard-Hit 55 Years Ago Today |work=Benton Evening News |url=https://www.bentoneveningnews.com/article/20121218/news/701251135/ |url-status=live |access-date=September 13, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230913200541/https://www.bentoneveningnews.com/article/20121218/news/701251135/ |archive-date=September 13, 2023}} The United States Weather Bureau documented "very heavy destruction", albeit in a small area, and referred to the Sunfield Y as having been "wiped out". Tornado expert Thomas P. Grazulis stated that the “entire community literally vanished.”{{sfn|Grazulis|1993|p=407}} Several people survived the tornado by taking cover in buildings, including some which were destroyed. A man who remained outside was killed, later found in a drainage ditch by the road. In total, the tornado killed three people, injured six others, and caused between $250,000 to $500,000 (1957 USD) in damage.{{cite web |author1=National Centers for Environmental Information |title=Illinois Event Report: F5 Tornado (Perry County) |url=https://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/stormevents/eventdetails.jsp?id=10008664 |website=Storm Event Database |publisher=National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration |access-date=13 September 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230913024822/https://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/stormevents/eventdetails.jsp?id=10008664 |archive-date=13 September 2023 |url-status=live}}{{sfn|Grazulis|1993|p=407}}
The United States Weather Bureau documented that the tornado reached a maximum width of {{convert|200|yd|m}} and traveled {{convert|5|mi|km}}. They also documented that the tornado caused between $50,000 to $500,000 (1957 USD) in damage. After the creation of the Fujita scale in 1971, the National Weather Service assigned a rating of F5 to the tornado.{{cite web |first1=Neal|last1= Lott |first2=Sam|last2= McCown |first3=Tom|last3= Ross |title=1998-1999 Tornadoes and a Long-Term U.S. Tornado Climatology |url=https://repository.library.noaa.gov/view/noaa/13829 |website=Technical Report 99-02 |publisher=United States Department of Commerce |access-date=13 September 2023 |pages=1–24 |date=August 2000}} In the 2010s, the National Centers for Environmental Information published information about the tornado, which included a path length of {{convert|5.4|mi|km}} and a damage total of $250,000 (1957 USD).
{{clear}}
=Mount Vernon, Illinois=
{{Infobox weather event
| name = Mount Vernon, Illinois
| image =
| caption =
| formed =
| duration =
| dissipated =
}}{{Infobox weather event/Tornado
| basin = atl
| winds =
| fujita-scale = F4
| enhanced = no
}}{{Infobox weather event/Effects
| deaths = 1
| injuries = 45
| damages =
| affected =
}}{{Infobox weather event/Footer
| season =
}}
The second deadly tornado to develop on December 18 became one of two tornadoes to strike Mount Vernon in Jefferson County, Illinois. The first tornado was the strongest and formed at 3:55 pm. CST (21:55 UTC) about {{convert|10|mi|km|abbr=on}} west-southwest of downtown Mount Vernon, whence local police monitored its movement from patrol vehicles and disseminated reports via radio. As the tornado approached downtown Mount Vernon, it completely levelled small, "prefabricated", ranch-style homes in southwest Mount Vernon; damage in this area was later rated F4 by meteorologists, though on the low end of the category. Thereafter, the tornado weakened as it neared downtown Mount Vernon and may have even dissipated before reforming as a separate tornado to the north. It then continued on a skipping path and caused less severe damage to older homesites northeast of Mount Vernon. In Mount Vernon, the tornado damaged or destroyed about fifteen to twenty buildings, including the Block Grade School, where students left only half an hour beforehand. The funnel was described as being "swirling black clouds", filled with debris, that vanished northwest of downtown Mount Vernon. The tornado was up to {{convert|250|yd|m|abbr=on}} wide at times.{{sfn|USWB|1957|p=526}}
{{clear}}
=Gorham–Sand Ridge–Murphysboro–Plumfield, Illinois=
{{Infobox weather event
| name = Gorham–Sand Ridge–Murphysboro–Plumfield, Illinois
| image =
| caption =
| formed =
| duration =
| dissipated =
}}{{Infobox weather event/Tornado
| basin = atl
| winds =
| fujita-scale = F4
| enhanced = no
}}{{Infobox weather event/Effects
| deaths = 11
| injuries = 200
| damages =
| affected =
}}{{Infobox weather event/Footer
| season =
}}
This tornado, the deadliest of the outbreak sequence, closely resembled the 1925 Tri-State tornado and affected some of the same areas that were hit in 1925, including locations in and near Gorham, Sand Ridge, Murphysboro, and De Soto. It may have touched down in eastern Missouri but was first observed at 4:45 pm. CST (some sources say 4:30 pm. CST) in Gorham, destroying or damaging forty homes there. One fatality occurred in nearby Sand Ridge. As it neared and passed through the southeast side of Murphysboro, the tornado paralleled the Big Muddy River, moving east-northeast. It produced the worst damage, which was rated F4, in this area, destroying old buildings; however, the most intense damage only affected a small section of southeast Murphysboro, where 10 of the 11 deaths occurred. Afterward, the tornado continued on to damage parts of De Soto, Hurst, and Bush. The tornado was last reported near Plumfield at 5:05 pm. CST (23:05 UTC). Murphysboro was powerless for almost three days as most utilities were in the worst-hit area. The tornado injured two hundred people along its path.{{sfn|USWB|1957|p=527}}{{sfn|Grazulis|1993|p=1012}}
{{clear}}
Non-tornadic effects
Severe thunderstorms in connection with the outbreak on December 18 produced hail up to {{convert|3/4|in|cm|abbr=on}} in diameter in St. Francois County, Missouri. Severe winds estimated at up to {{convert|60|mi/h|km/h|abbr=on}} also affected the Hannibal area in that state, downing power lines and wires. In addition to the six known tornadoes in Missouri, unconfirmed reports of tornadoes occurred in Jefferson County, along with many reports of funnel clouds elsewhere in the state. Other unconfirmed tornadoes were reported in other states, including an alleged tornado that hit Rockville, Indiana. On December 19, a dust storm with {{convert|50|mi/h|km/h|adj=on}} wind gusts tossed three roofs onto vehicles and reduced visibility to just {{convert|1/2|mi|km|abbr=on}} in Dallas, Texas. In addition to the three confirmed tornadoes that hit the state that day, severe winds in Tennessee, reportedly unrelated to tornado activity, destroyed farm buildings, tore off roofs, and downed trees and electrical wires; though these may have been due to tornadoes, none was confirmed. In addition to two confirmed tornadoes, unconfirmed reports of tornado damage arrived from Royalton and Elkville, Illinois; though attributed to thunderstorm winds, these damages may have been due to tornadoes. Additionally, severe thunderstorm activity on December 18–19 contributed to severe flood conditions across parts of southern Illinois and in Missouri.{{cite news|title=Tornadoes Kill 8 in Midwest Area|newspaper=The New York Times|date=December 19, 1957|agency=United Press|page=63}}{{sfn|USWB|1957|p=527}}{{harvnb|USWB|1957|p=525}}{{sfn|USWB|1957|p=526}}
{{clear}}
Aftermath and recovery
After severe weather left the Murphysboro area in Illinois, police officers, firefighters, deputies, and other assistance were called out to the worst-hit subdivisions, Country Heights and Crown View. Then-Illinois Director of Public Health Dr. Roland Cross also sent for the hard-hit Mount Vernon area. Then-Governor of Illinois William G. Stratton directed Illinois state police to the affected areas of southern Illinois and also readied the Illinois National Guard for possible deployment to the region.
{{clear}}
See also
- List of tornadoes and tornado outbreaks
- List of North American tornadoes and tornado outbreaks
- List of F5 and EF5 tornadoes
- Southern Illinois tornado history
- St. Louis tornado history
- Tornado records
- Tornado outbreak of March 27, 1890 – Yielded numerous deadly, violent tornadoes
- Tornado outbreak sequence of May 1896 – Produced the third-deadliest tornado in U.S. history
- Tri-State tornado outbreak – Impacted some of the same areas as in 1957 on March 18, 1925
- 2012 Leap Day tornado outbreak – Produced an EF4-rated tornado on February 29
- Tornado outbreak of November 17, 2013 – Deadliest and costliest on record in Illinois since 1950
- Tornado outbreak of December 10–11, 2021 – Deadliest tornado outbreak in the month of December
Notes
{{Reflist|group=nb}}
References
{{Reflist|2}}
Sources
- {{cite journal |last1=Brooks |first1=Harold E. |authorlink1=Harold E. Brooks |title=On the Relationship of Tornado Path Length and Width to Intensity |journal=Weather and Forecasting |date=April 2004 |volume=19 |issue=2 |pages=310–19 |doi=10.1175/1520-0434(2004)019<0310:OTROTP>2.0.CO;2 |publisher=American Meteorological Society |location=Boston|bibcode=2004WtFor..19..310B |doi-access=free |url=https://zenodo.org/records/1234655/files/article.pdf }}
- {{cite journal|last1=Cook|first1=A. R.|last2=Schaefer|first2=J. T.|title=The Relation of El Niño–Southern Oscillation (ENSO) to Winter Tornado Outbreaks|journal=Monthly Weather Review|publisher=American Meteorological Society|location=Norman, Oklahoma|publication-place=Boston|date=August 2008|volume=136|issue=8|page=3135|doi=10.1175/2007MWR2171.1|bibcode=2008MWRv..136.3121C|doi-access=free}} {{open access}}
- {{cite book |last1=Grazulis |first1=Thomas P. |authorlink1=Thomas P. Grazulis |title=Significant Tornadoes 1680–1991: A Chronology and Analysis of Events |date=July 1993 |publisher=The Tornado Project of Environmental Films |location=St. Johnsbury, Vermont |isbn=1-879362-03-1}}
- {{cite book|last1=Grazulis|first1=Thomas P.|authorlink1=Thomas P. Grazulis|title=The Tornado: Nature's Ultimate Windstorm|url=https://archive.org/details/tornadonaturesul0000graz|url-access=registration|date=2001a|publisher=University of Oklahoma Press|location=Norman, Oklahoma|isbn=978-0-8061-3538-0}}
- {{Cite book|last=Grazulis|first=Thomas P. |title=F5-F6 Tornadoes|publisher=The Tornado Project of Environmental Films|year=2001b |location=St. Johnsbury, Vermont}}
- {{cite journal|last1=Joos|first1=Lothar A.|title=Illinois – December 1957|department=Weather Summary|journal=Climatological Data|series=Illinois|location=Champaign, Illinois|publication-place=Asheville, North Carolina|publisher=National Climatic Data Center|date=December 1957|publication-date=January 1958|volume=62|issue=12|page=160}}
- {{cite report|ref={{harvid|Storm Data Publication|1957}}|author=National Weather Service|date=December 1957 |title=Storm Data Publication|publisher=National Centers for Environmental Information|via=Storm Events Database}}
- {{cite journal|ref={{harvid|USWB|1957}}|author1=U.S. Weather Bureau|title=Storm data and unusual weather phenomena|journal=Climatological Data National Summary|date=December 1957|volume=8|issue=12|pages=522–531|publisher=National Climatic Data Center |location=Asheville, North Carolina|url=https://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/IPS/cdns/cdns.html}}
- {{cite tech report|last1=Wilson|first1=John W.|last2=Changnon|first2=Stanley A.|url=https://www.isws.illinois.edu/pubdoc/C/ISWSC-103.pdf|title=Illinois Tornadoes|number=103|series=Illinois State Water Survey|year=1971|location=Urbana, Illinois|publisher=State of Illinois Department of Registration and Education|accessdate=December 12, 2019|page=39}}
{{F5 and EF5 tornadoes}}{{Alabama tornado events}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:1957-12-18 Tornado Outbreak}}
Category:F4, EF4 and IF4 tornadoes
Category:F5, EF5 and IF5 tornadoes
Category:Tornadoes in Missouri
Category:Tornadoes in Illinois