March 5, 2024 tornado outbreak
A widespread, deadly, and historic tornado outbreak affected large portions of Deltaland, Fictonia, Florence, and Valencia, among other states on March 5, 2024, the result of an extratropical cyclone. The Fictonia Storm Prediction Center (SPC) issued a rare high risk for severe weather in much of the map, the first high risk issuance ever. Strong to violent tornadoes in Deltaland, Fictonia, and Florence prompted the issuance of tornado emergencies. The strongest tornado was an EF5 that went through Northumberland, Fictonia, completely destroying the town.
In all, 13 tornadoes touched down. The outbreak ranks first in number of tornadoes produced in a single day. Tornadoes killed 119 people during the outbreak. Additionally, 306 injuries also occurred during the outbreak.
Meteorological synopsis
The Fictonia Storm Prediction Center (SPC) had already highlighted a large 15% contour for severe weather across parts of southern Fictonia for the Day 5 outlook, where conditions were expected to become increasingly favorable for a severe weather event. By March 3, large sections of Fictonia were given a moderate risk for severe weather. In this region, a powerful mid to upper level trough was expected to eject and interact with an atmosphere containing elevated moisture given the moderate dew points across the area, and elevated low and high level jet streams. This made the environment favorable for the development of a strong, fast-moving squall line, and discrete supercell thunderstorms capable of damaging winds, hail, and tornadoes.
By March 4, the Fictonia Storm Prediction Center introduced a high risk for severe weather for portions of Fictonia, Florence, and Valencia, where significant, long-tracked tornadoes were expected. This was the first Day 2 high risk to ever be issued, and in general the first high risk ever issued. The presence of very high CAPE values reaching into the 3,000J/kg range, strong wind shear, and strong helicity aided the possibility of supercells.
March 5
An extratropical cyclone developed over western Fictonia on the morning of March 5. As a result, meteorologists expected a storm mode of discrete supercells to develop. This, along with the presence of even stronger CAPE values and a more unstable environment across all of Fictonia, Florence, and Valencia, led to the SPC expanding the high risk to extend from south-central Fictonia all the way to central Florence. This high risk was extended given the extremely favorable environment for the development and sustainment of discrete supercells with strong to violent tornado potential. All throughout the main risk area, an elevated risk for damaging winds and large hail was also present.
A PDS Tornado Watch was later issued for everywhere stretching from southern Fictonia all the way to northeastern Florence, and not long after this watch was put out, isolated discrete supercells began to develop across the southern part of the state of Fictonia. The first tornado, which was rated EF5, to touch down in this area surprisingly did not prompt more than a tornado warning with a confirmed tag. This tornado tore directly through Northumberland, destroying a lot of the town, and killing 49. Later, another deadly long-tracked intense EF5 tornado moved directly through Lawport City, destroying a large portion of the community. Farther to the north, discrete supercell development was much more widespread with several forming in Florence, producing some hail and gusty winds before quickly becoming tornadic as they moved northeastward into central Florence. The only significant tornado in this area was a high-end EF4 that tore through mainly rural parts of Florence, however parts of Spotsylvania and James City were hit badly, severely damaging homes and outbuildings. As the afternoon progressed, numerous tornadoes, including three EF4 tornadoes, touched down across the high risk. Farther to the south, several tornadoes dropped including one that struck Greensburg, Fictonia, and another one that struck Gloucester, Fictonia.
Confirmed tornadoes
| Rating | Amount |
|---|---|
| EFU | 0 |
| EF0 | 0 |
| EF1 | 1 |
| EF2 | 3 |
| EF3 | 2 |
| EF4 | 5 |
| EF5 | 2 |
The tornadoes listed here go in order of intensity. Only EF3+ tornadoes are mentioned.
Northumberland, Fictonia EF5
This long-tracked, EF5 wedge tornado developed just southwest of the town of Northumberland, Fictonia, and quickly moved northeast, rapidly intensifying. The tornado went straight through the town at EF5 intensity, completely destroying the entire town. Soon after, the tornado crossed briefly over Northumberland Lake before coming back onto land. The tornado remained otherwise in mostly rural areas as it later crossed into Cape Aura County, Fictonia, and dissipated about halfway through the southern part of the county. There were 49 fatalities and 125 injuries with this tornado.
Lawport City, Fictonia EF5
This long-tracked, EF5 wedge tornado developed southwest of Lawport City, and intensified quickly, causing EF5 damage as soon as it entered Lawport City, Fictonia. The tornado then continued northeast over mainly rural areas before crossing the Fictonia Lake into Allegheny County, Florence. The tornado continued through much of Allegheny County before dissipating in the northeastern part of the county. The tornado killed 37 and injured 85.
Spotsylvania, Florence EF4
This high-end EF4 wedge tornado, almost classified as EF5, developed in rural Autauga County, Florence, before traveling east and entering Tunkhannock County and rapidly intensifying. The tornado entered northern Spotsylvania, and caused EF4+ damage in northern Spotsylvania before crossing into Susquehanna County and causing EF4 damage in James City. The tornado then rapidly weakened and lifted in Pittsylvania County. The tornado killed 3 and injured 5.
Gloucester, Fictonia EF4
This high-end EF4 wedge tornado developed in southern Conewango County, Fictonia, just west of Conewango Lake, and immediately moved northeast crossing the lake. The tornado slowly intensified as it entered Sparkle County, and caused EF4 damage when it crossed into southern Chesterfield County over Fictonia Route 8. The tornado then entered the town of Gloucester, although weakening fast, and only caused EF2 damage in the town. The tornado dissipated not long after exiting Gloucester. The tornado killed 2 and injured 16.
Greensburg-Bordenton, Fictonia EF4
This mid-level EF4 wedge tornado developed south of Kempton, Fictonia, and moved northeast, rapidly intensifying as it entered the town of Greensburg, Fictonia, causing EF4 damage and destroying much of the southern part of town. The tornado continued on into Waynesboro County, causing EF3 damage in Bordenton. The tornado then slowly started to weaken, and dissipated over central Omega County. This tornado killed 17 and injured 25.
Wheeling, Deltaland EF4
This low-end EF4 wedge tornado developed in southeastern Monongahela County, Fictonia, before moving northeast and crossing into Delaware County, Deltaland. This tornado remained over mostly rural areas until it struck the town of Wheeling, causing low-end EF4 damage. The tornado dissipated not long after exiting Wheeling. The tornado killed 5 and injured 7.
Southwestern Valencia EF4
This low-end EF4 wedge tornado developed in east-central Cape Aura County, Fictonia before quickly moving northeast and crossing into Monongahela County, still relatively weak. The tornado then crossed into Luma County, Valencia, and caused low-end EF4 damage south of Berkeley Springs on Fictonia Route 1. This tornado continued through Beaver and Dulciana counties before dissipating in northeastern Dulciana County. The tornado killed 1 and injured 6.
Soukoku, Fictonia EF3
This low-end EF3 tornado developed north of Soukoku, Fictonia, and moved northeast. There isn't much to say about this tornado except it caused EF3 damage when it crossed Fictonia Route 11 in Saturn County. The tornado dissipated in western Newnan County. The tornado killed 5 and injured 26.
Chancellorsville, Fictonia EF3
This low-end EF3 tornado developed in western Downsville County, Fictonia, and moved north, passing just to the west of Chancellorsville before crossing into Delaware County, Deltaland. The tornado caused low-end EF3 damage on Fictonia Route 1. The tornado crossed into Beaver County, Valencia, and dissipated in the northeastern part of Beaver County. The tornado had only 7 injuries, and nobody was killed.