 The extratropical cyclone responsible for the initial winter storm on February 22, 2023 | |
| Meteorological history | |
|---|---|
| Formed | February 21, 2023 |
| Dissipated | February 28, 2023 |
| Category 2 "Minor" winter storm | |
| Regional Snowfall Index: 4.60 (NOAA) | |
| Tornado outbreak | |
| Tornadoes | 32 |
| Maximum rating | EF2 tornado |
| Derecho | |
| Highest winds | 114 mph (183 km/h) in Memphis, Texas on February 26 (non-tornadic winds)[1] |
| Overall effects | |
| Fatalities | 15 fatalities (14 non-tornadic, 1 tornadic)[2][3][4] |
| Injuries | 25+ (10+ non tornadic, 15 tornadic) |
| Areas affected | Western, Southern and Midwestern United States |
| Power outages | >1,200,000[5] |
Part of the tornado outbreaks of 2023 and 2022–23 North American winter | |
A large and dynamic storm system bought widespread impacts across much of the United States at the end of February 2023. In the Western United States, heavy snow, hail, and gusty winds affected many areas. This led to the partial closure of several major highways, including I-205 in the Portland, Oregon metropolitan area, as well as numerous fatal accidents on other highways. Hundreds of flights were cancelled, thousands of people lost power, and multiple sporting events were postponed. In the Great Plains and Mississippi Valley, significant impacts from severe weather occurred. A severe squall line produced destructive straight-line winds in the St. Louis metropolitan area on February 23. The most impactful day in terms of severe weather was on February 26, when a powerful line of severe thunderstorms containing damaging straight-line winds and numerous embedded tornadoes impacted the Texas Panhandle, southern Kansas, and most of the state of Oklahoma. Dozens of instances of large hail, damaging wind gusts, and multiple tornadoes were confirmed with this event, including an EF2 tornado that killed a person in Cheyenne, Oklahoma. A 114 mph (183 km/h) wind gust from straight-line winds was reported in Memphis, Texas, which was the highest wind gust since the August 2020 Midwest derecho. Five of these tornadoes formed in the Oklahoma City metro area, including a high-end EF2 tornado that caused severe damage in the southeastern part of the city of Norman.[6] The event set the record for the most tornadoes ever recorded in Oklahoma in the month of February since modern records began in 1950.[7] More tornadoes touched down in Illinois the next day, including some in the Chicago metropolitan area. In addition to the severe weather impacts, parts of the Midwestern United States also received periods of heavy snowfall and gusty winds along with ice, causing dozens of accidents, knocking out power, and canceling hundreds of flights. The Northeastern United States was also affected by heavy snowfall.
- ^ "Tornadoes sighted in Oklahoma City; 114 mph gust in Texas as storms slam Midwest". Fox Weather. February 26, 2023. Retrieved March 1, 2023.
- ^ "'Everything is gone': Tornado devastates Cheyenne community, killing one". KFOR.com Oklahoma City. 28 February 2023. Retrieved 28 February 2023.
- ^ "At least two dead after emergency responses during Portland snow storm, commissioner says". KATU. 23 February 2023. Retrieved 28 February 2023.
- ^ "California braces for dangerous flooding as massive storm moves in". ABC News. Retrieved 28 February 2023.
- ^ "Live Updates: Winter Storm Knocks Out Power To 900,000 | Weather.com". The Weather Channel. Retrieved 28 February 2023.
- ^ Brackett, Ron (February 27, 2023). "Derecho, Tornadoes Leave Damage Across Southern Plains". Weather Underground. Retrieved February 28, 2023.
- ^ "The Severe Weather and Tornado Outbreak of February 26, 2023". www.weather.gov. National Weather Service Norman OK. Retrieved 3 March 2023.