2010 Billings tornado

The 2010 Father's Day tornado was an EF2 tornado that hit Billings, Montana on Sunday, June 20, 2010 (Father's Day). The tornado was on the ground for about 12 minutes and took the roof off the Rimrock Auto Arena at MetraPark, a 10,000 seat arena, and heavily damaged numerous businesses.[1] The storm was accompanied by high winds and a major hail storm that caused severe damage and flash flooding in the Heights section of the city. It was the first time since 1958 that a significant tornado struck the Downtown Billings area.[2]

2010 Billings, Montana tornado
EF2 tornado
The tornado as it was moving through Billings, Montana
FormedJune 20, 2010 3:24 p.m. MST (UTC−07:00)
DissipatedJune 20, 2010 3:36 p.m. MST (UTC−07:00)
Max. rating1EF2 tornado
Highest winds
  • 120-135 mph/193-217 kph
Damage$30 million (2010 USD)
CasualtiesNone
Areas affectedYellowstone County, Montana (part of a larger outbreak)

1Most severe tornado damage; see Enhanced Fujita scale

Synopsis and tornado event

An unsettled pattern continued across a large part of the US, with widespread isolated tornadoes across various parts of the Plains states. The most notable tornado touched down in Billings, Montana at the MetraPark trade facility. Damage was significant, including a large section of the roof being removed at the Rimrock Auto Arena at MetraPark.

The Storm Prediction Center in Norman, Oklahoma had issued a severe thunderstorm watch for south-central Montana, including Yellowstone County, at 1:55 pm CDT on June 20, in anticipation of active severe weather throughout the region.[3] Strong southwesterly flow aloft combined with a moderately unstable air mass created conditions favorable for producing severe thunderstorms, and potentially tornadoes.[4]

A supercell thunderstorm moved through the Billings area in the late afternoon. At approximately 4:24 pm MDT, a tornado touched down near the intersection of Lake Elmo drive and Main Street. It damaged several buildings, including tearing roofs off of multiple structures. It also downed several power poles and billboards, and uprooted multiple trees. The tornado moved south, where it struck the Rimrock Auto Arena at MetraPark, tearing off a large portion of the roof and doing nearly $27 million worth of damage to the arena.[5] The tornado lofted debris and deposited it as far as one mile from the damage path. After approximately 12 minutes on the ground, the tornado dissipated over the arena. The storm then moved northeast, producing numerous funnel clouds, but no further touchdowns.[6]

Aftermath

The damage survey revealed damage from the tornado consistent with wind speeds of 120-135 mph, garnering a rating of EF2. It was the strongest tornado to strike the Billings area in over 50 years.[7] Despite the major damage in the urban area, only some minor injuries were reported.[1]

See also

References
  1. Pickett, Mary. "Tornado destroys Metra, several Heights businesses". The Billings Gazette. Retrieved 29 August 2012.
  2. "Montana Tornado Rips Roof off Sports Arena". CBS News. Retrieved 29 August 2012.
  3. Center, Storm Prediction. "Storm Prediction Center Tornado/Severe Thunderstorm Watch Page". www.spc.noaa.gov. Retrieved 24 November 2020.
  4. "Storm Prediction Center Jun 20, 2010 1630 UTC Day 1 Convective Outlook". www.spc.noaa.gov. Retrieved 24 November 2020.
  5. Hagengruber, Matt. "10 months later, a new arena ready to shine". The Billings Gazette. Retrieved 26 July 2018.
  6. "Billings Tornado of June 20, 2010 Overview" (PDF). NOAA. Retrieved 26 July 2018.
  7. "Tornado tears through Montana city, ripping roof off a sports arena". Associated Press. Retrieved 26 July 2018.

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