Pat Shingleton for March 18, 2009

• By PAT SHINGLETON
• WBRZ Chief Forecaster
• Published: Mar 18, 2009 - Page: 8B

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The single deadliest tornado outbreak in U.S. history occurred on this date in 1925. Researchers recently analyzed data and concluded it wasn’t a single tornado that caused the damage but a “family” of tornadoes produced by a “cyclic” supercell thunderstorm. Weatherwise magazine reports the thunderstorm that produced the tornado developed in an area of low pressure centered over western Montana two days before the tornado hit. By 7 a.m. March 18, 1925, the low was centered over Arkansas, forming twisting funnel clouds with Annapolis, Mo., the first to receive damage. The tornado then crossed the Mississippi River, entering Illinois, with damaging stops in Murphysboro and Griffin, Ind.

Fastcast: Warm, dry.

Patchy fog before 9 a.m., otherwise sunny, high near 80. Easterly winds around  5 mph. Tonight: Mostly clear with a low around 53. Easterly winds around 5 mph.