Sudden downturn of F5 tornadoes

The United States has been experiencing an unusual lack of tornadoes ranked at "F5" on the Fujita scale. As of May 2004, no F5s have occurred since the Oklahoma Tornado Outbreak of May 1999. This is the longest known period of time without F5 tornadoes in the U.S. 2004 has been one of the least tornado-active years on record, with about 25% fewer events recorded than in an average year.

So far this century, there have been several F4s in the US:

• Hoisington, Kansas - April 21, 2001 - 1 death.
• College Park, Maryland - September 24, 2001 - 2 deaths.
• La Plata, Maryland - April 28, 2002 - 1 death. (almost classified F5)
• Van Wert, Ohio - November 10, 2002 - 5 deaths.
• Leavenworth, Kansas - May 4, 2003 - 4 deaths.
• Hallam, Nebraska - May 22, 2004 - 1 death.

Deaths in a Home

Up to this year there has always been a death in a home before May 10. If the May 22 death in Nebraska was in a home, it would be the latest date for a tornado death in a home. The previous record is May 7, 1900. The two outbreaks on the 22nd and the 23rd are now among the 15 biggest tornado outbreaks in United States history.

See also: Tornado; List of tornadoes and tornado outbreaks; Tornado records