“April was just beginning, and after the warm spring day it turned cooler, slightly frosty, and a breath of spring could be felt in the soft, cold air.”
- Anton Chekov
March was a true transition from winter to spring across North America, with sharp temperature swings, active storm tracks, and early-season warmth building (and quickly leaving, and building again…) across parts of the country. Systems moving across the central and eastern U.S. brought everything from severe weather to late-season snow, while brief surges of heat hinted at what’s ahead in the months to come.
Across the WeatherFlow-Tempest Network, those swings showed up clearly in the numbers.
The highest temperature recorded across the Tempest Network in March reached 112°F in Yuma, AZ, during the heat dome event that happened late in the month.
The lowest temperature dropped to -28°F in Ray, MN.
Data Look Back: Mapping the Heat Dome Event
Just a couple weeks ago, much of the country was under a strong early-season heat dome, with temperatures climbing well above average, breaking heat records in several states, and giving a widespread preview of summer conditions.
The WeatherFlow-Tempest Network captured the full scope of the event in real time, highlighting how expansive and persistent the heat became as high pressure held in place. Setups like this, driven by sinking air, can take hold quickly and linger, even this early in the season (as many of us felt first-hand).
We took a closer look at what drove this pattern and what the Tempest Network observed in our latest blog. Read More >>>
On April 3–4, 1974, one of the most intense tornado outbreaks in recorded history unfolded across the central and eastern United States and even portions of Canada in what became known as the 1974 Super Outbreak. Over the course of just 24 hours, 148 tornadoes touched down across 13 states, including multiple long-track and extremely violent tornadoes. Over 90 of the tornadoes recorded were rated F2 or higher, and the event holds many tornado-related records to this day.
Communities across the Midwest and Ohio Valley experienced devastating impacts as the fast-moving and strong storms ripped through cities, towns, and farmland. The outbreak resulted in over 300 fatalities and thousands of injuries, and it remains a defining event in severe weather history. By the evening of April 4th, 1974 the National Disaster Survey Team had been formed to review the effectiveness of NOAA’s tornado related warnings.
Events like the Super Outbreak helped shape modern forecasting, warning systems, and the way meteorologists study large-scale severe weather environments, a reminder of just how quickly conditions can escalate during peak storm season.
Photo and story details courtesy of the National Weather Service and the National Centers for Environmental Information. More information and photos from the tornado can be viewed here, and the official disaster survey report can be viewed here.
This month’s Tempest in the Elements comes from Richard W., who’s running not one, but two Tempest stations. That's some serious weather dedication! Thanks for sharing, Richard! Want your setup or project to be featured? Send us a photo of your Tempest setup, creative project, or unique way you’re using your station - or use the hashtag #tempestwx.
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When Rain Qualifies as a Downpour, and Why it Matters
With the coming of April comes classic "April showers" but what about types of heavier rainfall? A downpour is more than just heavy rain, it’s typically defined by how fast it falls, with rates around 0.30 inches per hour or higher. At that intensity, water can accumulate quickly, reducing visibility and overwhelming drainage systems in a matter of minutes. Understanding how rainfall is classified can help you better gauge when conditions may turn disruptive. Read More >>>
What to Plant - and Tackle - in Your Garden This Month
April is when gardens really start to come to life, with longer days, warming soil, and plenty of opportunities to get planting. It’s a great time to sow hardy vegetables, start fast-growing flowers, and get ahead on key tasks like pruning, weeding, and preparing soil for the growing season. Getting these jobs done now can set the stage for stronger growth and a more productive garden in the months ahead. Read More >>>