Tornadoes of 1983
 A map of all recorded tornadoes in the United States in 1983 | |
| Timespan | January–December 1983 |
|---|---|
| Maximum rated tornado | F4 tornado
|
| Tornadoes in U.S. | 931[1] |
| Damage (U.S.) | unknown |
| Fatalities (U.S.) | 34[2] |
| Fatalities (worldwide) | >34 |
This page documents the tornadoes and tornado outbreaks of 1983, in the United States. Most tornadoes form in the U.S.,[3] although some events may take place internationally. Tornado statistics for older years like this often appear significantly lower than modern years due to fewer reports or confirmed tornadoes.
Synopsis[]
The 1983 season saw a relatively average number of tornadoes, but just four "violent" tornadoes (all F4, no F5's) and the number killed by tornadoes was lower than average at just 34, and no tornado killed more than three people. Two notable outbreaks took place in May, but it was generally a much less destructive tornado season, particularly in the main tornado alley, which saw no tornadoes stronger than F3.
Events[]
Confirmed tornado total for the entire year 1983 in the United States.
| FU | F0 | F1 | F2 | F3 | F4 | F5 | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0 | 350 | 372 | 147 | 58 | 4 | 0 | 931 |
January[]
There were 13 tornadoes confirmed in the US in January.
January 31-February 2[]
| FU | F0 | F1 | F2 | F3 | F4 | F5 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0 | 2 | 8 | 6 | 3 | 0 | 0 |
A large upper level through developed over New Mexico and produced a gargantuan-type storm system that contained a blizzard. Two people were killed in Louisiana in separate F3 tornadoes on January 31 and one person was killed by an F2 tornado in Florida, on February 2. 33 Tornadoes were confirmed in the outbreak.
February[]
There were 41 tornadoes confirmed in the US in February.
March[]
There were 71 tornadoes confirmed in the US in March.
March 1[]
An F2 tornado in Los Angeles, California hit just south of downtown, destroying property and causing 30 injuries, the highest number of tornado related injuries in California history.
March 17[]
| FU | F0 | F1 | F2 | F3 | F4 | F5 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
A severe weather event struck South Florida. Although only two tornadoes were confirmed, there may have been at least five in the region and as many as 17 were reported. Two injuries were reported from the F2 tornado.
April[]
There were 65 tornadoes confirmed in the US in April.
April 1[]
Two were killed and 20 others were injured by an F4 tornado in Collinston, Louisiana.
April 9[]
Three people were killed by an F3 tornado in Inverness, Florida.
April 23[]
An F3 tornado tracked through Barnwell County, South Carolina without causing any fatalities.
April 29[]
One person was killed by an F3 tornado in Springfield, Missouri.
May[]
There were 249 tornadoes confirmed in the US in May, resulting in 14 fatalities.
May 1–2 (U.S. and Canada)[]
Two were killed by an F0 tornado in Illinois on May 1[4] and an F3 tornado in Linn, Missouri caused no fatalities. On May 2, five were killed by tornadoes in Ohio and New York, while outside the US, an F4 tornado in Reece's Corners, Ontario caused no fatalities.
May 12–23[]
| FU | F0 | F1 | F2 | F3 | F4 | F5 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0 | 60 | 48 | 33 | 16 | 0 | 0 |
At least four tornadoes were confirmed every day between May 12 and May 23, with 157 tornadoes confirmed over 12 days in a prolific tornado outbreak sequence.
The outbreak started on May 12, with eight tornadoes confirmed in Kansas, Oklahoma and northwestern Texas. Two of the tornadoes were rated F2, both of which occurred in southwestern Oklahoma near the towns of Mangum and Blair. The next day, 32 tornadoes were confirmed, primarily in Oklahoma. One of the tornadoes was rated F3, which occurred near Kingfisher. Another F2 tornado caused a significant injury south of Sulphur, Oklahoma that same day. On May 14, four tornadoes were confirmed. An F3 tornado directly hit the city of Pine Bluff, Arkansas causing two significant injuries. Four more tornadoes would be confirmed on May 15, including another F3 tornado which struck New Brockton, Alabama. Nine more tornadoes would be confirmed on May 16, as the first storm system moved into the Atlantic Ocean. On May 17, another storm system moved into the Great Plains yet again, producing tornadoes in Oklahoma, Kansas, and Colorado. An F2 tornado occurred just north of El Reno, Oklahoma that afternoon. On May 18, 21 tornadoes were confirmed, with Louisiana and Mississippi being the most affected. Two F3 tornadoes were confirmed in Louisiana, near the towns of Newellton and Tallulah. 26 tornadoes were confirmed on May 19, with multiple F3 tornadoes striking northern Louisiana. A tornado outbreak struck Southeast Texas during May 20–21, killing five people, three in Harris County alone. On May 22, an F3 tornado touched down in Emmitsburg, Maryland, causing no deaths or injuries. It was the third recorded F3 tornado in Maryland history. On May 23, the last day of the outbreak sequence, four weak tornadoes were confirmed in Texas and Pennsylvania. In total, six fatalities occurred throughout the entire outbreak sequence.
June[]
There were 178 tornadoes confirmed in the US in June and two fatalities, one in Texas the other in Oklahoma.
July[]
There were 99 tornadoes confirmed in the US in July. An F3 tornado in Ocean County, New Jersey caused no fatalities or injuries while tornado–related fatalities were recorded in Michigan and Montana.
July 3[]
An outbreak in the Upper Mississippi Valley resulted 26 total tornadoes, including two F4 tornadoes in Andover, Minnesota and Dodgeville, Wisconsin. There were no fatalities.
July 21[]
Two people were killed by an F2 tornado in Hartly, Delaware while nine others were injured.
August[]
There were 76 tornadoes confirmed in the US in August.
September[]
There were 19 tornadoes confirmed in the US in September.
October[]
There were 13 tornadoes confirmed in the US in October.
October 13[]
An F2 tornado in Maryland touched down in St. Mary's County (near Hollywood) and tracked through Calvert County, dissipating near Broomes Island.[5] It was the only significant tornado to hit St. Mary's County since tornado records began in 1950.[6]
November[]
There were 49 tornadoes confirmed in the US in November.
December[]
There were 58 tornadoes confirmed in the US in December.
December 3[]
Two were killed and 51 others were injured by an F3 tornado in Oxford, Alabama.
December 6[]
A tornado caused fatalities in Selma, Alabama while an F4 tornado struck LaPlace, Louisiana resulting in at least 25 people were injured.
December 10[]
A tornado caused fatalities in Independence, Texas.
See also[]
- Tornado
- Tornadoes by year
- Tornado records
- Tornado climatology
- Tornado myths
- List of tornado outbreaks
- List of F5 and EF5 tornadoes
- List of North American tornadoes and tornado outbreaks
- List of 21st-century Canadian tornadoes and tornado outbreaks
- List of European tornadoes and tornado outbreaks
- List of tornadoes and tornado outbreaks in Asia
- List of Southern Hemisphere tornadoes and tornado outbreaks
- List of tornadoes striking downtown areas
- Tornado intensity
References[]
- ^ "U.S. Annual Tornado Maps (1952 - 2011): 1983 Tornadoes". Storm Prediction Center. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Retrieved May 16, 2015.
- ^ "Tornadoes in 1983". Tornado History Project. Retrieved May 16, 2015.
- ^ "U.S. Tornado Climatology". ncdc.noaa.gov. Retrieved June 19, 2019.
- ^ "F0 Tornado - Fujita Scale". factsjustforkids.com. Retrieved June 19, 2019.
- ^ "Tornado History Project: 19831013.24.2". www.tornadohistoryproject.com.
- ^ "Maryland Tornadoes". www.tornadoproject.com.
External links[]
- U.S. tornadoes in 1983 - Tornado History Project
- Tornadoes and Deaths by year and month
- Tornado deaths monthly
- Tornadoes of 1983
- 1983 meteorology
- Tornado-related lists by year
- 1983-related lists