Central United States Tornado Outbreak Sequence of June 6-10, 2018

The Central United States Tornado Outbreak Sequence of June 6-10, 2018 (Also referred to as the 2018 Super Outbreak.) was an outbreak of tornadoes the affected the Midwestern United States. This outbreak was one of the deadliest and costliest in recorded history. An unprecedented amount of these tornadoes were rated at EF-4 and EF-5. The deadliest tornado of the outbreak was the EF-5 Carleton-Detroit Tornado, which killed 65 people and injured 123.

Meteorological Synopsis
On June 6th, meteorologists at the National Weather Service in Norman were monitoring increasingly unstable conditions in the atmosphere over the Great Plains. At 7:00 a.m., the first line of thunderstorms began forming over Colorado, moving east-northeast into Oklahoma and Kansas. This line of storms were designated "D-1". An hour later, more thunderstorms began developing over northwestern Nebraska and over Oklahoma Panhandle, moving east-northeast. The storms that were developing over Nebraska were designated "D-2" while the line of thunderstorms forming over Oklahoma were designated "D-3". These thunderstorms developed quickly into supercells over the course of three hours, and by 12:10 p.m., the first tornado watches were issued for central Nebraska, Kansas and northern Oklahoma.

By June 7th, the storms strengthened, showing no signs of slowing down. All three of the lines of thunderstorms were now crossing into Iowa, Illinois, and Missouri. Portions of northeastern Oklahoma and northwestern Arkansas were also affected. By June 8th, the lines of storms designated D-2 were crossing Minnesota, Wisconsin, and Northern Illinois. They would continue to move in a northeasterly fashion over the Great Lakes, through Michigan and into Canada. The other two lines of thunderstorms, D-1 and D-3 continued to move across central and southern Illinois, moving into Indiana, Ohio, Michigan, Kentucky, and Tennessee.

On June 9th, as the supercells of D-2 were dying out, the other two strings of supercell thunderstorms continued to march across Indiana, Ohio, Kentucky and Tennessee. Storm system D-1 would continue into Pennsylvania before dying out. D-3 would continue to wreak havoc over Virginia and North Carolina over the course of June 9th and June 10th before finally dying out.

Dodge City, Kansas
The first major tornado of the outbreak formed at 1:10 p.m. on June 6th, touching down 25 miles southwest of Dodge City. This tornado, rated as an EF-4, first touched down at the intersection of US route 56 and Kansas state route 23. The tornado began moving in a northeasterly track along along route 56, traveling northeast towards Dodge City. The tornado quickly strengthened as it narrowly missed the small community of Ensign, causing EF-3 damage to barns and homes along the this portion of the tornado's path. Wind rowing was noted along this portion of the tornado's path. The tornado continued northeast towards Dodge City. At 1:15 p.m., The National Weather Service issued a tornado warning for Dodge City. Shortly after, at 1:21 p.m., a tornado emergency was issued for Dodge City. The tornado crossed route 56 and into the southeastern side of Dodge City. Countless subdivisions on the south side of the city were completely leveled at EF-4 strength. The tornado then crossed the Arkansas River, leveling several businesses on the eastern side of the city. The tornado continued across route 283, causing major damage to the Dodge City Regional Airport. Past Dodge City, the tornado continued across rural farmland, damaging numerous homes and barns at EF-3 to EF-2 intensity before finally dying out northeast of Spearville. While being categorized as a major EF-4, no fatalities were reported in Dodge City. This is credited with the readiness of the city population, with many tuning into weather bulletins and close news coverage of the approaching tornado, as well as many residents taking to their shelters after hearing the warning sounded from the city's tornado sirens. However, this miraculous story would not be the case for many other areas in the country over the following days.

Kiowa, Kansas
The first tornado with reported fatalities struck the small city of Kiowa, Kansas on June 6th. Rated as an EF-3, this large tornado first touched down two miles southwest of the city in Oklahoma. The tornado paralleled a nearby railroad line into Kansas and into the Southwestern side of the city. Several homes sustained significant damage as the tornado passed through. The South Barber High School also received major damage. The tornado continued northeast over rural farmland. 2 people were killed as the tornado passed through town.

Monticello, Indiana
The fast moving, nighttime tornado that struck the city of Monticello, Indiana was the longest duration EF-5 in the outbreak, and is believed to be one of the most violent ever recorded.

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