The Worcester-Flint Tornadoes of 1953: When Nuclear Tests and Severe Weather Collide

In June of 1953, one of the wildest and deadliest tornado outbreak sequences in US history occurred. In just under 72 hours, a potent weather system dropped at least 50 significant tornadoes across a 1500 mile stretch of the Midwest and northeastern United States. Three of these violent tornadoes tore through the heart of major cities located well outside of tornado alley, resulting in a horrific 251 deaths. In an era prior to the National Weather Service and Dr. Fujita’s critical tornado research, increasing concern was voiced over the nuclear bombs being tested out west, and their potential impact on summer storm systems to the east. Today we examine the meteorological conditions that caused this multi-day travesty, investigate the irreparable damage that these tornadoes caused, and observe how this generational event catapulted tornado science into the modern age.


Sources and Further Reading:
https://controlc.com/0bae78cb

The Worcester-Flint Tornadoes of 1953: When Nuclear Tests and Severe Weather Collide