Four tornadoes confirmed in central Ohio from Wednesday storms
Columbus and Central Ohio Weather
COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) — A string of strong but brief storms tore through portions of central Ohio Wednesday night, resulting in at least four tornadoes being confirmed in the region.
Tornado warnings were issued for a handful of counties — Delaware, Knox, Union, Muskingum, Morrow, Marion, and later, Licking — with most being allowed to expire without reports of damage or circulation.
Storm Team 4’s latest forecast
With storm surveys continuing through Thursday, the National Weather Service currently has confirmed four tornadoes while another county faces extensive damage.
Delaware County tornado
An EF-0 tornado was confirmed by the NWS in northeast Delaware County. The peak wind speed was 65 mph and touched down for one minute over a track of one quarter of a mile.
The tornado moved through a wooded area along Porter Central Road and caused minor tree damage.
Licking County tornado
Around 2 p.m., the NWS confirmed an EF-0 tornado briefly touched down southwest of Hanover in Licking County. It had speeds recorded around 80 mph, and snapped and uprooted multiple trees. Surveyors noted some structures in the area also had minor roof damage.
Frazeysburg EF-2 tornado
Muskingum County had extensive damage from Wednesday’s storms as the National Weather Service confirmed an EF-2 tornado touched down in the village of Frazeysburg. Maximum wind speeds hit 130 mph just after midnight Thursday.
NBC4 Photo/Jon Edwards Courtesy Photo/Frazeysburg Fire Department Courtesy Photo/Frazeysburg Fire Department Courtesy Photo/Frazeysburg Fire Department Courtesy Photo/Frazeysburg Fire Department Courtesy Photo/Frazeysburg Fire Department Courtesy Photo/Frazeysburg Fire Department
The Muskingum County Sheriff’s Office said that a shelter has been set up at a school on 120 East Main Street in Zanesville. Authorities ask people to avoid areas of Frazeysburg that have storm damage.
Knox County tornado
A tornado was confirmed in southeast Knox County. Sycamore Road was closed due to a downed tree as a result of the storm. Other trees in the area were down as well, but there were no other reports of damage.
According to AccuWeather, a tornado was spotted over Centerburg, 11 miles southwest of Mount Vernon, at 8:29 p.m.
Ohio nearing tornado record
Ohio’s total tornado count for 2024 has reached 62, meaning it has tied the record of 62 set in 1992. Last year saw 60 tornadoes for the entire year with the average number of tornadoes in Ohio during an entire year being 22.
The winter and spring have produced multiple active storm days including Feb. 28 and March 14 where nine tornadoes were confirmed, and 11 tornadoes on April 2.
The likely reason for this year’s historic early-season activity is linked to an unusually warm winter, mild ground temperatures, virtually no ice on the Great Lakes (record low extent in the satellite era), and abnormally warm water in the Gulf of Mexico.
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