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 20–22
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.
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
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