Tornadoes of 2005

Tornadoes of 2005

Madisonville, Kentucky F4 Tornado
Timespan	January 7 – December 28, 2005
Maximum rated tornado	F4 tornado Madisonville, KY on November 15
Tornadoes in U.S.	1,265
Damage (U.S.)	$229.8 million
Fatalities (U.S.)	38
Fatalities (worldwide)	>38
2003 2004 2005 2006 2007

This page documents the tornadoes and tornado outbreaks of 2005, primarily (but not entirely) in the United States. Most tornadoes form in the U.S., although some events may take place internationally, particularly in parts of neighboring southern Canada during the summer season.

The first half of 2005 was fairly slow when it comes to tornadoes. There were no major outbreaks in the first half of 2005, which is rather unusual. The inactivity in what is normally the peak months can be related to a stable low-pressure system that blocked the parade of storms from moving eastward.

The third quarter of 2005 was dominated by the tropics, and many of the tornadoes were related to the many hurricanes and tropical storms of the 2005 Atlantic hurricane season. Several of the tornadoes were destructive.

November was clearly the most active month for tornado activity in the US, with four significant - and completely separate - tornado events, as the wind pattern shifted and the warm tropical Gulf of Mexico added fuel to the fire when cold fronts passed southward, initiating the development of tornado outbreaks. December was much quieter as colder Arctic air became entrenched and the cold fronts became far less active.

There were officially 1,265 tornadoes reported in the US in 2005.

There were 33 tornadoes reported in the US in January. A total of 30 tornadoes were confirmed.

A small outbreak of tornadoes occurred over a two-day period from the 13th to the 14th. On the 13th, an F1 tornado touched down near Arlington, Georgia and carried a small double wide trailer 35 feet before impacting the ground and disintegrating. Of the five people inside, two were killed and three were injured. In South Carolina, an F2 struck Laurens, where homes, businesses, and a factory were damaged. A mobile home was destroyed and one person was injured. On the 14th, an F2 near Rockwell, North Carolina snapped trees, flattened a barn, and heavily damaged two metal industrial buildings. Overall, the outbreak produced 13 tornadoes and killed 2 people.

A storm produced strong winds, severe hail, and an F1 tornado in the southern Manzini and Shiselweni regions of Swaziland. Thirty people were killed, though it is unknown how many of these deaths are directly attributable to the tornado.