The worst tornado on record occurred on March 18, 1925. The storm touched down in Reynolds County, Mo., then raced northeastward at over 50 mph getting all the way to Indiana before lifting back into the clouds.
This was a major EF5 tornado with peak winds probably exceeding 300 mph. The storm was on the ground for 3 hours and 18 minutes. The continuous 219-mile-long track was the longest ever for such a storm. The base of the tornado was up to a mile wide, and it obliterated all things in its path.
The storm took the lives of 689 people, making it the single deadliest tornado ever.
Currently, the stage is being set for an outbreak of strong thunderstorms through the South Friday night and Saturday. This will not give birth to any EF5 tornadoes, but there will be localized episodes of large hail and winds gusts over 50 mph.
Mid-March is the front end of the tornado season, and averages dictate that it will only become worse with time. The peak time for tornadoes normally occurs in May.
Story by AccuWeather.com Senior Meteorologist John Kocet.
