This article revisits the February 23–24, 2016 widespread outbreak of severe thunderstorms and tornadoes across the Eastern United States. It analyzes the meteorological setup, regional impacts, and the broader seasonal context.
Drawing on a decade of research and forecasting experience, it highlights how late-winter extreme weather can emerge when warm, humid air surges ahead of a powerful storm system. The article also discusses what forecasts and public safety lessons can be drawn for future events.
What happened and where
The February 23–24, 2016 event unfolded from Florida through the Carolinas and into New England. It produced a total of 65 tornadoes and nearly 600 severe weather reports over two days.
This outbreak culminated in seven fatalities and 136 injuries. It was the deadliest tornado episode of 2016, a year otherwise noted for relatively few tornado deaths.
Across the region, severe winds and damaging thunderstorms accompanied the tornado activity. Strong winds were observed as far north as Massachusetts and even extended to Penobscot County, Maine.
The outbreak marked notable firsts in several states for February. Pennsylvania experienced two tornadoes in one day, including an EF2 tornado in Lancaster County, the state’s first strong February tornado in modern records.
Virginia saw fatalities from February tornadoes, with storms striking Appomattox County and the town of Waverly.
Key regional impacts
Several local stories highlighted the breadth of damage and danger associated with this outbreak:
- Pennsylvania—Lancaster County saw an EF2 tornado, with an earlier touchdown in Bradford County.
- Virginia—First deadly February tornadoes in the state, impacting Appomattox County (1 fatality) and the town of Waverly (3 fatalities).
- Massachusetts—Severe winds reached at least 83 mph in parts of the state, contributing to widespread wind damage.
- New England nordic winds—Damaging thunderstorm winds extended as far north as Penobscot County, Maine.
Meteorological drivers and unusual timing
Central to this outbreak was a combination of record-warm, humid air surging northward and a powerful eastern storm system. This warm air advected ahead of the system created a volatile environment for thunderstorms and tornado development well into February.
Such activity is less common in the mid-Atlantic and New England regions at this time of year. From a forecasting perspective, the setup was notable for breaking a long-standing pattern.
It had been 19 years since NOAA’s Storm Prediction Center issued a February severe thunderstorm watch in New England. This underscored how unusual and challenging the early-spring transition can be for forecasters and public safety managers alike.
Atmospheric setup
The event stood out for its dynamic interplay between thermodynamics and dynamics. Ample instability from warm, moist air, wind shear profiles favorable for tornadoes, and a strong storm system provided the trigger for widespread severe weather.
Meteorologists highlighted these ingredients as the primary drivers behind both tornado formation and the breadth of damaging winds reported across multiple states.
Historical context and the forecasting response
Coming about a month after Winter Storm Jonas, which produced record snowfall across parts of the Northeast, the February 2016 outbreak reminded scientists and the public that the late-winter period can host a diverse array of extreme weather hazards.
The overlap of a historic snow event with a major tornado outbreak in the same region underscored the importance of flexible monitoring and preparedness across seasonal boundaries.
Jonathan Erdman, senior meteorologist at Weather.com, provided a comprehensive account of the outbreak and its implications. He situated the event within the broader narrative of 2016’s severe-weather season and highlighted the need for continued improvements in warning processes, community resilience, and climate-context awareness for extreme events in transition seasons.
Forecasting lessons and public safety takeaways
From a scientific and public-safety standpoint, several important lessons emerge from the February 2016 outbreak:
- Regional heterogeneity—Even within a single weather system, the risk of tornadoes, damaging winds, and large hail can vary dramatically by location and time of day.
- Early-season vigilance—Late-winter events can deliver high-consequence weather. Forecasters and emergency managers should maintain heightened readiness when warm air advection coincides with strong storm systems.
- Communication and warning cadence—The historical gap in February New England tornado watches demonstrates the need for robust communication channels. Public education on evolving severe-weather threats in transitional seasons is also important.
Here is the source article for this story: On This Date: Weird February Northeast Severe Outbreak, Including Pennsylvania Tornadoes