NWS: Dec. 15 storm was a ‘serial derecho’
By Patrick Lynn
The National Weather Service has formally classified the Dec. 15 storm that hit the central part of Wisconsin as a “serial derecho.”
It’s the first recorded December derecho in the United States, the NWS said.
A derecho is known as a lengthy, widespread wind storm associated with a band of showers and thunderstorms. To be officially designated as a derecho, the storm needs to carry wind damage for at least 240 miles with gusts of at least 58 mph for a majority of its path, and include several gusts of 75 mph or more.
The derecho formed as a line of severe thunderstorms that spawned over a dozen tornadoes between Iowa and Wisconsin, including five confirmed tornadoes in the Badger State.
Gusts of 55 mph were clocked at the Stevens Point Municipal Airport on Dec. 15, though the NWS said the strongest parts of the storm traveled north and south of the Stevens Point area.
In Portage Co., UWSP and much of the downtown district lost power for most of the evening following the storm, and hundreds of residents waited longer than 24 hours to power restoration due to trees being knocked onto powerlines.
Large trees were blown over in local parks and cemeteries, and Parks Director Dan Kremer said the roof of the bandshell at Pfiffner Pioneer Park sustained some damage.