Explaining what a derecho storm is, how they differ from tornadoes and what it's like to be trapped in one. On May 16, 2024 we were caught outside when a deadly derecho slammed into Houston Texas.
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A derecho is a classification of powerful long-lived windstorms.
Typical derechos can blow down large trees and wreak havoc on power lines. Tornadoes often like to hang out with derechos and so derechos are often accompanied by tornado warnings.
But what’s the difference?
The damaging winds in derechos typically occur in one general direction along a relatively straight swath, whereas tornado winds as we all know are circulating. In fact, the word "tornado" originates from the Spanish words “tronada," meaning thunderstorm and "tornar," to twist or turn. To distinguish lower end tornado damage from long-lived straight line wind-storm damage, we again use Spanish... “derecho” which can mean straight.
DERECHO QUALIFICATIONS
For a windstorm to qualify as a derecho It must include wind gusts of at least 58 mph or greater along most of its length. (50 knots or 93 km/h)
It must have a path of continuous or intermittent wind damage
that extends at least 400 miles (650 km)
and is at least 60 miles wide. (100 km)
DERECHO TECHNICAL DEFINITION
NOAA/NWS defines a derecho as a continuous or intermittent path of wind damage from a squall line of thunderstorms, bow echo, or quasi-linear convective system (QLCS) that extends at least 400 miles and is at least 60 miles wide. In other words: It’s a swath of wind damage from mostly non-tornadic thunderstorms that extends for 400+ miles and is at least 60 miles wide.
When people are hit by a derecho, many believe it was a tornado.
If you correct them, they’re usually disappointed or disagree.
This is because being in a derecho often makes for an un-macho dinner party story. But derechos can be dead serious.
THE DEADLY DERECHO / HOUSTON TX May 16, 2024
At least eight lives were lost in the event that spanned from Texas to Florida. With hurricane force wind gusts reported up to 100 mph, countless trees and power lines were brought down causing massive power outages.A couple transmission towers collapsed from estimated 115 mph winds near the top of the towers. Damage occurred to numerous structures and thousands of windows were blasted out in downtown Houston alone. All of this inflicted over a billion dollars in damage.