Tornadoes of 1978
| Timespan | January 4 - December 24, 1978 |
|---|---|
| Maximum rated tornado |
F4 tornado
|
| Tornadoes in U.S. | 595 |
| Damage (U.S.) | >$1 billion |
| Fatalities (U.S.) | 53 |
| Fatalities (worldwide) | 236< |
This page documents the tornadoes and tornado outbreaks of 1978, primarily in the United States. Most tornadoes form in the U.S., although some events may take place internationally. Tornado statistics for older years like this often appear significantly lower than modern years due to fewer reports or confirmed tornadoes.
Numbers for 1978 were really below average, but on the other hand, the death toll was well above average.
23 tornadoes were reported in the U.S. in January.
7 tornadoes were reported in the U.S. in February.
The longest tracked tornado in Japan tracked over 25 miles, causing no major damage. No injuries or deaths occurred in this large, threatening tornado.
17 tornadoes were reported in the U.S. in March.
On March 17, a tornado of unknown rating killed 28 people in New Delhi. The damage was considerable from the possible tornado.
107 tornadoes were reported in the U.S. in April, including an F4 that struck Monticello, Mississippi, killing 4 people.
A confirmed but unrated tornado hit Odisha, India, killing at least 150 people, and injuring over 700 people.
213 tornadoes were confirmed in the U.S. in May.
A minor tornado outbreak caused severe damage in Clearwater, Florida, killing 3 people. The damage from the Clearwater tornado was rated F3. An F2 tornado struck Gainesville, Florida, injuring at least 4 people.
148 tornadoes were reported in the U.S. in June. On June 20, there were three tornadoes, with the strongest being an F2 tornado in Bryans Road, Maryland.
On June 17, an F1 tornado capsized a boat, drowning 16 people.
A minor outbreak of tornadoes occurred in Northern Indiana. An F3 tornado touched down on the northwestern end of Indianapolis. Another F3 damaged buildings in Lafayette, Indiana. An F0 satellite tornado, the satellite tornado of the Lafayette tornado, briefly touched down in a small field at least two miles north of West Lafayette, Indiana.
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Wikipedia