Tornado outbreak of May 19-22, 2017

the Tornado outbreak of May 19-22, 2017 was a moderately significant tornado outbreak that primarily effected the Great Plains and Ohio River Valley regions of the United States in mid to late May of 2017.

Despite it's moderate size, the outbreak produced the strongest tornado of the 2017, the 2017 Mulberry-Kokomo-Bluffton, Indiana tornado. This tornado peaked as a near-EF5 tornado as it moved over the major city of Kokomo, Indiana, and was the deadliest tornado of the season.

Days prior to outbreak
In early May, models began picking up on the possibility of a strong storm system tracking across the United States later that month, enhanced by a moist atmosphere. By May 7, models were suggesting some severe thunderstorms on May 18 and 19, and the following day the SPC highlighted a 15% Day 8 severe risk for portions of Colorado and New Mexico, concerning primarily damaging winds, some of which may gust to 75 mph.

The following day, a 30% Day 8 severe risk was highlighted valid May 19, concerning the possibility of both damaging winds and tornadoes along a line from Dallas, Texas to Lincoln, Nebraska. The event further escalated on May 15, with a Day 3 Slight Risk, Day 4 30%, Day 5 15% and Day 6 30% now in place.

A small severe weather outbreak occurred on May 18 along a line from Albuquerque, New Mexico, northeast to Denver, Colorado, however that event ultimately failed to produce any tornadoes, besides a single EF0 tornado near the Colorado-New Mexico state line.

May 19
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