Great Storm of 1975

The Great Storm of 1975 (also known as the Super Bowl Blizzard, Minnesota's Storm of the Century, or the Tornado Outbreak of January, 1975) was an intense storm system that impacted a large portion of the Central and Southeast United States from January 9 to January 12, 1975. The storm produced 45 tornadoes in the Southeast U.S. resulting in 12 fatalities, while later dropping over 2 feet (61 cm) of snow and killing 58 people in the Midwest. This storm remains one of the worst blizzards to ever strike parts of the Midwest, as well as one of the largest January tornado outbreaks on record in the United States.

Great Storm of 1975 – Blizzard and Tornado Outbreak
Category 3 "Major" (RSI: 6.117)
January 11, 1975
TypeExtratropical cyclone
Winter storm
Blizzard
Panhandle Hook
Tornado outbreak
FormedJanuary 9, 1975
DissipatedJanuary 12, 1975
Lowest pressure961 mb (28.38 inHg)
Tornadoes confirmed45
Max. rating1F4 tornado
Maximum snowfall or ice accretion27 in (68.6 cm) (Riverton, Minnesota)
DamageUS$20 million (snow); US$43 million (tornado)
Casualties58 fatalities, unknown injuries (snow); 12 fatalities, 377 injuries (tornado)
Areas affectedMidwest and Southeast United States
1Most severe tornado damage; see Fujita scale

Meteorological synopsis

The storm originated over the Pacific Ocean and crashed into the Northwest Pacific coast with damaging gale-force winds on January 8, 1975.[1] By January 9 it had cleared the Rocky Mountains and began to redevelop and strengthen. At the same time, Arctic air was being drawn southward from Canada into the Great Plains, and large amounts of warm tropical air from the Gulf of Mexico were being pulled northward into much of the eastern U.S. The storm was a classic Panhandle Hook which moved from Colorado into Oklahoma before turning northward towards the Upper Midwest. It produced record low barometric pressure readings in the Midwest, with the pressure falling to an estimated 28.38 in (961 mb) just north of the Minnesota border in Canada.[2]

Tornado outbreak

Tornado summary event
Damage from an F3 tornado in St. Clair County, Alabama

An unusual feature of this outbreak was that daytime heating, typically a key ingredient in the formation of tornadoes, had very little impact on their development.[3] Rather, as the storm system pulled out into the central plains, strong thunderstorms and tornadoes quickly began to form despite the late hours. The first two tornadoes in the outbreak touched down after 10:00 p.m. CST on January 9 in Oklahoma and Louisiana. From there the progression of the twisters shifted eastward through the overnight and early morning hours, setting the stage for what would turn out to be a record-setting day on January 10. Texas saw five tornadoes between 1:30 a.m.–3:30 a.m., one tornado touched down in Arkansas at 6:00 a.m., Louisiana saw seven tornadoes between 5:30 a.m.–8:00 a.m. (killing one person), Mississippi had five tornadoes between 8:15 a.m.–10:00 a.m. (killing nine), and Illinois and Indiana each experienced three lunch-hour tornadoes. The tornadic line of storms then shifted into Alabama (killing one) and Florida during the afternoon and evening hours.[4]

Outbreak death toll
State Total County County
total
Alabama 1 St. Clair 1
Florida 1 Bay 1
Louisiana 1 Acadia 1
Mississippi 9 Lincoln 5
Pike 4
Totals 12
All deaths were tornado-related

Mississippi and Alabama were the two states hardest hit by this outbreak. Alabama saw the most twisters of any state with 13, but Mississippi saw the largest and deadliest tornado. An F4 tornado that tore through Pike, Lincoln, Lawrence, and Simpson Counties at 8:14 a.m. killed nine people and injured over 200; severely damaging 38 blocks in the town of McComb. The 39 tornadoes that touched down on January 10 marked the most active tornadic day in January in U.S. history at that time.[5] The 52 tornadoes that touched down during January 1975 also set a U.S. record for the most tornadoes during that month. Both of these records were eventually broken in January 1999.[6]

After a calm day on January 11, four more tornadoes touched down in Florida and Georgia on January 12, killing one person in Florida. By the time the outbreak was done it had produced 45 tornadoes, killed 12 people, injured 377 and caused $42 million in damages.[4]

Confirmed tornadoes
Confirmed tornadoes by Fujita rating
FU F0 F1 F2 F3 F4 F5 Total
0 1 28 14 1 1 0 45

January 9 event
List of confirmed tornadoes
F#
Location
County
Time (UTC)
Path length
Damage
Oklahoma
F1 E of Ashland to SE of Arpelar Pittsburg 0430 12.4 miles
(19.8 km)
Louisiana
F2 N of Quebec to E of Transylvania Madison, East Carroll 0440 18 miles
(28.8 km)		 Two homes were destroyed, along with numerous barns and outbuildings.[7] Two trailers were also destroyed in the Alsatia area. A church and a parsonage were damaged as well.[7] Six people were officially injured, but the actual total may have been three.[7]
Arkansas
F1 Springdale area Washington 0655 0.5 miles
(0.8 km)		 5 injuries.
Texas
F2 Daingerfield area Morris 0730 0.3 miles
(0.5 km)
Source: Grazulis (1975), Tornado History Project - January 9, 1975 Storm Data

January 10 event
List of confirmed tornadoes
F#
Location
County
Time (UTC)
Path length
Damage
Texas
F2 Hooks area Bowie 0800 4 miles
(6.4 km)
F1 La Marque area Galveston 0955 0.1 miles
(0.16 km)
F1 Jasper area Jasper 1030 0.1 miles
(0.16 km)
F1 Kountze area Jefferson 1030 0.1 miles
(0.16 km)
Louisiana
F1 Vinton Calcasieu 1125 0.5 miles
(0.8 km)
F1 SE of Fishville Grant 1230 0.1 miles
(0.16 km)
F1 Jennings to Evangeline Jefferson Davis, Acadia 1315 7.6 miles
(12.2 km)
F1 NE of Oak Grove West Carroll 1315 0.5 miles
(0.8 km)		 1 injury
F1 S of Mermentau to Crowley Acadia 1335 13.5 miles
(21.6 km)		 1 death – A trailer was destroyed near the touchdown point, resulting in the fatality. In Crowley, six trailers and seven homes were damaged.[7] Eight people were injured.
F1 Lawtell area St. Landry 1400 1 miles
(1.6 km)		 5 injuries
Arkansas
F1 S of Stuttgart Arkansas 1210 0.5 miles
(0.8 km)
Mississippi
F4 SW of McComb to SW Pinola Pike, Lincoln, Lawrence, Simpson 1414 56.5 miles
(90.4 km)		 9 deaths – This long-tracked tornado, possibly a tornado family, destroyed seven buildings and a marina near the beginning of its path.[7] Major damage occurred in McComb, where many homes, apartments, vehicles and businesses were completely destroyed. Two schools and two National Guard armories were badly damaged as well.[7] The tornado injured five students, out of 325 who had taken shelter in a school. Many homes, trailers, and barns were destroyed in rural areas as well.[7] In the community of "Camper", a trailer was completely destroyed, with its remains twisted around a utility pole. 210 people were injured and at least 10,000 trees were snapped or uprooted.[7]
F1 SE of Linwood to NW of Selma Adams 1448 11.9 miles
(19 km)
F2 Clinton to SE of Flora Hinds, Madison 1555 15 miles
(24 km)		 This tornado overturned a truck on I-20. It also destroyed a home and badly damaged another.[7] One person was injured.
F2 SE of Greenfield Rankin 1610 4.5 miles
(7.2 km)
F1 S of Biloxi Harrison 2000 0.5 miles
(0.8 km)
F1 W of Pascagoula Jackson 2025 2.5 miles
(4 km)
F2 N of Helena Jackson 2030 0.1 miles
(0.16 km)		 A brief touchdown destroyed two homes and two trailers near Helena.[7]
Illinois
F2 SE of Raleigh Saline 1715 2 miles
(3.2 km)
F1 Old Shawneetown area Gallatin 1732 0.1 miles
(0.16 km)
Indiana
F1 Harwood area Vanderburgh 1825 0.5 miles
(0.8 km)
Alabama
F1 NE of East Brookwood Tuscaloosa 2030 0.1 miles
(0.16 km)
F1 Citronelle area Mobile 2045 0.1 miles
(0.16 km)
F1 N of Faunsdale Marengo 2045 0.1 miles
(0.16 km)
F2 N of Porter Jefferson 2045 2 miles
(3.2 km)		 A short-lived tornado destroyed four houses, along with two trailers. Four minor injuries occurred.[7]
F1 Vestavia Hills area Jefferson 2145 0.1 miles
(0.16 km)
F1 Keystone area Shelby 2200 0.2 miles
(0.32 km)		 14 injuries
F3 W of Pell City to NE of Ragland St. Clair 2215 18.8 miles
(30 km)		 1 death – In Pell City, the tornado destroyed 49 homes and damaged 259 others.[7] 15 trailers and 27 businesses were damaged or destroyed as well. The tornado also destroyed five homes in Ragland, where 48 others were damaged.[7]
F1 NW of Loxley Baldwin 2215 0.1 miles
(0.16 km)
F1 Prattville area Autauga 2245 0.1 miles
(0.16 km)
F2 SW of Montgomery Montgomery 2250 2 miles
(3.2 km)
F2 SW of Davisville Macon 0000 1 miles
(1.6 km)		 A brief tornado produced major damage in the Cotton Valley area, destroying 17 homes and damaging 28 others.[7] Nine people were injured. Rating disputed, ranked F3 by Grazulis.[7]
F2 NE of Salem Lee 2030 0.1 miles
(0.16 km)		 A brief touchdown destroyed three homes and five trailers. It also damaged 22 homes and injured six people.[7] Rating disputed, ranked F3 by Grazulis.[7]
F1 E of Ranburne Cleburne 2030 0.1 miles
(0.16 km)
Florida
F1 W of Mary Esther Okaloosa 2355 1 miles
(1.6 km)
F0 N of Ponce de Leon Holmes 0130 0.1 miles
(0.16 km)
North Carolina
F2 W of Selica Transylvania 0230 4.3 miles
(6.9 km)
Source: Grazulis (1975), Tornado History Project - January 10, 1975 Storm Data

January 12 event
List of confirmed tornadoes
F#
Location
County
Time (UTC)
Path length
Damage
Florida
F1 SW of Greenhead to N of Horrsville Washington, Jackson 1615 53 miles
(84.8 km)		 A tornado destroyed a barn, and a house lost its roof. 12 people were injured.[7]
F2 Panama City to NE of Bethel, GA Bay, Calhoun, Jackson, Seminole, GA, Decatur (GA), Mitchell (GA), Worth (GA), Turner (GA) 1620 168.5 miles
(269.6 km)		 1 death – This was probably a family of skipping and shorter-lived tornadoes.[7] In Florida, 25 homes and trailers were torn apart. In Georgia, many trees were snapped and uprooted, and buildings were destroyed at an industrial park.[7] 100 homes and 50 trailers were damaged in Georgia as well. A total of 18 people were injured.[7]
Georgia
F2 Lyons area Toombs 2215 2 miles
(3.2 km)		 A brief tornado overturned trailers and tore roofs from several homes. Businesses in the area were destroyed as well.[7]
Source: Grazulis (1975), Tornado History Project - January 12, 1975 Storm Data

Blizzard

As the storm system began to move northeastward out of Oklahoma, the cool air behind pulled down behind the system interacted with the moisture being pulled northward to produce snow over a large part of the Midwest. The snow began falling on Friday, January 10 and continued for the next two days. Snowfall of a foot (30.5 cm) or more was common from Nebraska to Minnesota, with a high amount of 27 inches (69 cm) in Riverton, Minnesota.[8] The heaviest snow fell to the west of the low pressure center, which tracked from northeast Iowa through central Minnesota up to Lake Superior.[2] Sustained winds of 30 – 50 mph (48 – 80 km/h) with gusts from 70 – 90 mph (113 – 145 km/h) produced snowdrifts up to 20 feet (6 m) in some locations.[9] Some roads were closed for up to 11 days.[10]

Sioux Falls, South Dakota saw visibilities of below 1⁄4 mile (0.4 km) for 24 straight hours, and just east of Sioux Falls a 2,000-foot (610 m) broadcast tower collapsed under the storm's fury.[11] In Willmar, Minnesota, 168 passengers were trapped in a stranded train for hours, unable to walk to shelter because of dangerously low wind chill values.[12] In Omaha, Nebraska a foot (31 cm) of snow fell, Sioux Falls saw 7 inches (18 cm), Duluth, Minnesota saw 8 inches (20 cm), and International Falls, Minnesota saw 24 inches (61 cm).

Record low pressures were recorded in communities in Nebraska, Minnesota, Illinois, and Wisconsin, with a low of 28.55 in (966.8 mb) in Duluth, Minnesota. In all, approximately 58 people died from effects of the blizzard and over 100,000 farm animals were lost.[13] The combination of snowfall totals, wind velocities, and cold temperatures made this one of the most severe blizzards the Upper Midwest has experienced.[11]

Record events

This storm system had, in part, a large effect on the weather in the entire eastern half of the country. A number of different weather records (at the time) were set during the four days of this storm, especially in daily high temperatures, wind gusts, low barometric pressure readings, and number of tornadoes.[1]

January 10

January 11

Low pressure measurements

Tornadoes
  • Most tornadoes on one day in January: 39
  • Most tornadoes in the United States during January: 52

See also

References
  1. Wagner, A. James (1975). "Weather and Circulation of January 1975" (PDF). Monthly Weather Review. Allen Press. 103 (4): 360–367. Bibcode:1975MWRv..103..360W. doi:10.1175/1520-0493(1975)103<0360:WACOJ>2.0.CO;2. ISSN 1520-0493. Retrieved 2006-12-14.
  2. Watson, Bruce (January 7, 2000). "1975 Blizzard". PBS. Archived from the original (.ram) on June 27, 2006. Retrieved 2007-05-21.
  3. National Geographic. "Forces of Nature". Archived from the original on 2006-10-05. Retrieved 2006-12-14.
  4. NCDC. "Storm Event Database". Archived from the original on 2009-05-09. Retrieved 2006-12-14.
  5. NOAA (November 19, 2003). "Tornado Outbreak, January 21, 1999". Archived from the original on January 12, 2007. Retrieved 2006-12-14.
  6. NOAA (February 9, 1999). "JANUARY TORNADO NUMBER BREAKS NATIONAL RECORDS". Archived from the original on 2006-09-29. Retrieved 2006-12-14.
  7. Grazulis 1993, p. 1171
  8. NWS – Milwaukee. "A Century of Wisconsin Weather in Review". Retrieved 2006-12-14.
  9. NWS – Duluth. "Memorable Northland Storms". Retrieved 2006-12-14.
  10. Minnesota Public Radio. "A Prairie Home Companion". Retrieved 2006-12-14.
  11. NWS – Sioux Falls. "Big Weather Events of the 20th Century at Sioux Falls, South Dakota". Retrieved 2006-12-14.
  12. Seely, Mark W. (2006). Minnesota Weather Almanac. Minnesota Historical Society press. ISBN 0-87351-554-4.
  13. NWS – Sioux Falls. "Siouxland Weather History and Trivia January". Retrieved 2006-12-14.

Bibliography
  • Grazulis, Thomas (1993), Significant Tornadoes 1680-1991: A Chronology and Analysis of Events, St. Johnsbury, Vermont: Environmental Films, ISBN 1-879362-03-1
  • Grazulis, Thomas (2001), The Tornado: Nature's Ultimate Windstorm, Norman, Oklahoma: University of Oklahoma Press, ISBN 978-0-8061-3538-0

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