What are the different types of derechos?

Derechos can be categorized into three main types; serial, progressive, and hybrid. These categories are largely based on the overall organization and behavior of the thunderstorms producing the derecho. The type of derecho most often encountered during the spring and fall is called a serial derecho.

What is a progressive derecho?

Progressive derechos The second type of derecho is called a progressive derecho. These are associated with a relatively short line of thunderstorms (typically from 40 miles to 250 miles in length) that may at times take the shape of a single bow echo, particularly in the early stages of development.

What is the difference between a derecho and a bow echo?

Bow echoes form when strong winds help the line of thunderstorms to surge forwards in the middle of the line. A derecho is a large straight-line wind storm that is associated with a very severe bow echo.

What is a serial derecho?

Serial derechos are a line of storms that move based on the direction of the winds produced by the larger storm system, a low-pressure system in Wednesday’s case. Ryherd said the environment in serial derechos is more favorable for the development of tornadoes. At least 12 tornadoes touched down in Iowa Wednesday.

Can a derecho happen in winter?

Damage risk Since derechos occur during warm months and often in places with cold winter climates, people who are most at risk are those involved in outdoor activities.

What is a hybrid thunderstorm?

And that’s a big deal because of freshwater floods. The second greatest hurricane disaster in the whole Western Hemisphere was the hurricane of 1998 [Hurricane Mitch], and that was all freshwater flooding. It wasn’t wind or even storm surge that caused damage.

How long does a derecho usually last?

According to the National Weather Service (NWS) criterion, a derecho is classified as a band of storms that have winds of at least 25 m/s (50 kn) along the entire span of the storm front, maintained over a time span of at least six hours.

Why do they call it derecho?

Derechos (pronounced like “deh-REY-chos”) are fast-moving bands of thunderstorms with destructive winds. But instead of spiraling like a tornado or hurricane, the winds of a derecho move in straight lines. That’s where the storm gets its name; the word derecho means “straight ahead” in Spanish.

What happens during a derecho?

The Short Answer: Derechos are fast-moving bands of thunderstorms with destructive winds. The winds can be as strong as those found in hurricanes or even tornadoes! Unlike hurricanes and tornadoes, these winds follow straight lines.