Heat Wave of 1995 Derecho Series

The Heat Wave of 1995 Derecho Series are a series of derechos that occurred from July 11 through July 15, 1995 in the U.S. This weather event is among one of the least known about but still notable weather events that occurred during the 20th century.

Synopsis

A tremendously hot and humid air mass over the Great Plains contributed to the development of four powerful derechos. These particular derechos occurred during the Heat Wave of 1995. The derechos developed along the northern rim of the air mass on a stationary front.

• The first derecho started in Montana during the evening of July 11 and dissipated over northern Wisconsin during the morning hours on July 12.

• The second, and the longest lived, of the derecho series started in Montana on July 12 following the same path as the first and moved into northern Michigan on the morning of the 13th. It moved south and hit eastern Michigan before dissipating over southern Ohio and extreme northern West Virginia at around midnight on July 14.

• The third began developing in southwestern central South Dakota in the late evening hours of July 13. It moved northeast through Minnesota on the 14th. For some residents of northern Minnesota, this is the third time in a row they have been hit by a derecho.

• The fourth derecho, another significant derecho of this series, started over upper Michigan on the evening of July 14 and moved east through Ontario and north and western New York in the early morning hours on the 15th. The derecho moves into the waters of the Atlantic Ocean in the mid-afternoon hours that same day.

The "Right Turn Derecho" of July 12 and 13

This derecho raced through six states in 24 hours: Montana, North Dakota, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Michigan, and Ohio. It developed from a band of thunderstorms in Montana and became a "progressive derecho". The airport at Fargo, North Dakota recorded a 91 mph wind gust. This is the second day of three that Minnesota has been hit by a derecho. Five million trees were blown down and buildings were damaged or destroyed. Six campers were injured from falling trees in the early morning hours.

The derecho moved south and southeast during the afternoon hours and blew more trees down. Three people were killed and several injuries occurred in eastern Michigan. In Roscommon County, 100,000 trees and 100 miles of power lines were blown down. In Detroit, Michigan, 400,000 people lost power. It was the biggest power loss for the city since the July 7, 1991 derecho event. The power loss only added to what might have been a very uncomfortable situation. As previously mentioned, Detroit was in a massive heat wave. Luckily, they were rain cooled.

The derecho wreaked havoc in Ontario, hundreds of trees fell and damage was caused to buildings. When the derecho crossed Lake Erie, the storm capsized many boats and one man was killed.

The derecho moved into Ohio and felled thousands of more trees. Three more people were killed and several more were injured. The derecho met its demise near the Ohio River at midnight on July 14.

The Ontario-Adirondacks Derecho of July 14 and 15

The Ontario-Adirondacks Derecho got its start near the straits of Mackinac on Friday evening July 14, 1995. At the Mackinac Bridge, 100 mph winds were detected. The storm raced southeastward into Ontario. Several brief tornadoes were reported. An F2 tornado was reported near Bridgenorth destroying 20 homes and a marina.

Thousands of trees were blown down severing power lines, blocking roadways, and damaing homes. One person was killed, and several people were injured. The derecho caused CAN$53 million in damage.

The storm entered New York state at around 4 A.M. The storm slammed into the Adirondacks felling 900,000 acres (3,600 km²) of forest. The value of the loss of timber was estimated at over $200 million (1995 dollars).

The derecho passed through the Syracuse airport with a 76 mph wind gust. A parked Boeing 727 was blown into another plane. A 77 mph wind gust was recorded at Albany. It moved into New England a little after sunrise producing 70-90 mph wind gusts in several towns in Massachusetts. Fifty people were left homeless after the derecho blew the roof of an apartment building in Holyoke, Massachusetts. Three people were injured in Deerfield, Massachusetts when a hot air balloon got caught into the winds of the derecho gust front and blew the balloon into a tree.

The Ontario-Adirondacks Derecho is among the costliest thunderstorms in history. It caused a $500 million US dollars in damage. Altogether, the four derecho events caused nearly $1 billion in damage.