May 17, 2011 Severe Weather

Thunderstorms and Heavy Rain Across the Southern and Eastern US; Heat and Fire Weather Concerns in the West

Showers and thunderstorms are expected across the southern and eastern US this week, with heavy rain and localized flooding, particularly near the Gulf Coast. Monsoonal moisture will bring rain and potential flooding to parts of the Southwest. Heat and fire weather threats will continue to impact the West. Read More >

...TORNADO CONFIRMED NEAR WOLFSVILLE IN FREDERICK COUNTY MD... LOCATION...WOLFSVILLE IN FREDERICK COUNTY MD DATE...17 MAY 2011 ESTIMATED TIME...535 PM TO 539 PM EDT MAXIMUM EF-SCALE RATING...EF0 ESTIMATED MAXIMUM WIND SPEED...75 MPH MAXIMUM PATH WIDTH...50 YARDS PATH LENGTH...1.1 MILES BEGINNING LAT/LON...39.590N / 77.539W ENDING LAT/LON...39.603N / 77.551W * FATALITIES...0 * INJURIES...0 * THE INFORMATION IN THIS STATEMENT IS PRELIMINARY AND SUBJECT TO CHANGE PENDING FINAL REVIEW OF THE EVENT(S) AND PUBLICATION IN NWS STORM DATA. ...SUMMARY... BASED ON A GROUND SURVEY CONDUCTED BY THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN BALTIMORE MD/WASHINGTON DC AND EYEWITNESS REPORTS...A TORNADO HAS BEEN CONFIRMED NEAR WOLFSVILLE IN FREDERICK COUNTY MD ON 17 MAY 2011. DIRECT WIND DAMAGE ALONG THE TRACK CONSISTED PRIMARILY OF SNAPPED OR UPROOTED TREES AND SNAPPED LIMBS. THE TRACK BEGAN SOUTH- SOUTHEAST OF THE INTERSECTION OF FOREST SCHOOL ROAD AND BRANDENBURG HOLLOW ROAD AND ENDED SOUTHWEST OF THE INTERSECTION OF GARFIELD ROAD AND JOHN CLINE ROAD. MINOR SHINGLE DAMAGE WAS NOTED TO TWO STRUCTURES. SIDING PARTIALLY WAS REMOVED FROM A SINGLE- FAMILY HOME...WHERE A BACKYARD PLAY CENTER THAT HAD BEEN BOLTED TO THE GROUND WAS SNAPPED FROM ITS MOORINGS AND ROLLED. DAMAGE WAS CONSISTENT WITH MAXIMUM WIND GUSTS OF 75 MPH...RATING THIS TORNADO EF-0 ON THE ENHANCED FUJITA SCALE. APPRECIATION IS EXTENDED TO THE PUBLIC FOR THEIR ASSISTANCE AND COOPERATION DURING THE DAMAGE SURVEY.