The Tornado outbreak of November 1992, sometimes referred to as The Widespread Outbreak (as was the 1974 Super Outbreak initially), was a devastating and large three-day outbreak of tornadoes that struck the Eastern and Midwestern United States on November 21–23. This exceptionally long-lived and geographically large outbreak produced 95 tornadoes over a 41-hour period, making it one of the longest-lasting and largest outbreaks ever recorded in the US, and published studies of the outbreak have indicated the possibility of even more tornadoes (92, 94, 146 and 143, with higher numbers reflected in NOAA studies). There were 26 fatalities, 641 injuries, and over $300 million in damage.

Meteorological synopsis On November 21, 1992, a very strong cold-core low was located over southeastern New Mexico; in nearby El Paso, mid-level temperatures of were recorded. Rounding the base of this feature was an jet streak. At the surface and in the lower levels of the atmosphere, low pressure was becoming established across western Texas. Strong wind flow in advance of these features led to the northward transport of warm, moist air from the Gulf of Mexico and into the Southern United States. The cold-core low progressed northeastward from western Texas toward the eastern Great Lakes region as the tornado outbreak unfolded. Areas of low pressure at and just above the surface followed similar tracks, with the associated low-level jet advancing across most of the Gulf Coast region and eventually along the Atlantic Coast. A preceding system had left a weak cold front stretching from Texas to Michigan on November 21, and in fact, forecasters initially questioned whether moisture would be sufficient for an organized severe weather event across Texas the following day. However, continued southerly flow advanced dewpoints in excess of across central and southern portions of the state, and the cold front soon surged northward as a warm front instead. Convective available potential energy values, though modest, still reached 1,000 J/kg across southern Texas. This moist and unstable environment, combined with very strong wind shear, promoted the development of an intense squall line and isolated supercells ahead of it, contributing to multiple tornadoes in the Greater Houston area on the afternoon of November 21. As the squall line spread eastward the next day, an intense low-level jet contributed to provide favorable wind profiles, abundant moisture, and a sufficiently unstable airmass. As such, the line of thunderstorms maintained vigor as it moved eastward across the Gulf Coast, while discrete supercells continued to form to its east. The same general environment persisted into the Mid-Atlantic early on November 23. This severe weather setup contributed to dozens of tornadoes during that time, many of which were significant and deadly.

Farther north, a secondary concentration of tornadoes developed across the Ohio River Valley, resulting in the most damaging late-season tornado outbreak at the time there. Environmental conditions were more comparable to a widespread springtime event instead of a late season event.

+Outbreak death tollStateTotalCounty CountytotalGeorgia6Greene1Lumpkin1Putnam4Kentucky1Carroll1Mississippi15Choctaw1Kemper1Leake1Rankin10Webster2North Carolina2Orange2South Carolina1Saluda1Tennessee1Hardeman1Totals26 All deaths were tornado-related

Confirmed tornadoes

November 21 event + List of confirmed tornadoes – Saturday, November 21, 1992F#LocationCounty / ParishStateStart Coord.Time (UTC)Path lengthMax widthSummary F1NE of Glen Flora WhartonTX19:30Several barns were damaged or destroyed. F1NE of Jones CreekWhartonTX19:40Several barns were damaged or destroyed. F1W of WhartonWhartonTX20:15One unoccupied home was destroyed. F2NE of Foster to W of DecoFort Bend, Harris TX20:20A strong tornado began in the Cinco Ranch area before moving into Katy, where roofs and walls were removed from homes, garages were destroyed, and some homes under construction collapsed. The tornado crossed I-10 and struck West Houston Lakeside Airport, destroying several metal hangars and 12 planes. The tornado continued through residential areas of northwest Houston, destroying garages and causing roof damage to homes. Several apartment complexes and a Randalls store sustained roof damage as well. The tornado caused substantial roof and wall damage to more than 100 homes. Camera footage revealed that the tornado sometimes exhibited multiple vortices. Eleven people were injured. F1Pecan Grove Fort BendTX20:40Garages were destroyed, and 78 homes were reported to have received roof damage. F1E of Thompsons Fort BendTX20:45A barn and many outbuildings were destroyed. Several large trees were damaged as well. F1Pearland Brazoria, HarrisTX21:10A tornado removed shingles and cladding from six homes. Additional commercial and apartment buildings sustained roof damage as well. F3SE of Huffman to W of Rye Harris, LibertyTX21:20 F3 tree damage began near the northeast end of Lake Houston. Less intense damage occurred to residential buildings in Tarkington and Hoot and Holler, east of Romayor. F2SW of Riverside Terrace to NW of Jacinto City HarrisTX21:20The tornado began near Hermann Park, close to Rice University in Houston, before moving through residential and industrial areas. Many homes lost their roofs and walls were collapsed at masonry buildings. After touching down, the tornado crossed heavily trafficked U.S. Route 59, Interstate 45, I-10, and I-610, damaging more than 600 buildings, including 500 residences. Despite crossing many busy roads, the tornado only caused six negligible injuries. F4W of Galena Park to N of DaytonHarris, LibertyTX21:27See section on this tornado – 15 people were injured. F2SE of Schwab CityPolkTX21:27A few trees were downed and two barns were destroyed. The tornado injured one person. F1NE of CrosbyHarris, LibertyTX22:15Several homes reported minor damage, but mostly losses were to outbuildings on farms. F0E of Texas CityGalvestonTX22:45Trees were downed and windows were smashed. A radio antenna was also bent over. F1S of Buna JasperTX00:00Power lines were downed and trees were prostrated. Some roofs were removed and windows were broken. F2W of Simpson VernonLA01:12 A mobile home was thrown on top of a van and trees were prostrated. Rating disputed, ranked F1 by Grazulis. F3Iowa Calcasieu, Jefferson DavisLA01:30–02:08 Six homes were destroyed and 18 damaged. There was $100,000 damage to an outlet mall that had its I-beams deformed and its roof blown away. Two people were injured. F2Tioga RapidesLA02:50 Some homes were damaged and trees uprooted. Rating disputed, ranked F1 by Grazulis. F1Centreville WilkinsonMS03:30One mobile home and several barns were destroyed. Several other homes were damaged. Numerous trees were blown down. F2NE of Lozes to NE of Parks Iberia, St. MarinLA03:30–03:45 Six mobile homes were destroyed, and one was overturned with a woman injured inside. The damage swath was discontinuous. F2N of Monterey CatahoulaLA03:45 The first of two tornadoes in Catahoula Parish destroyed 18 mobile homes, damaged two permanent homes, and downed trees. The tornado also caused $200,000 in timber damage alone. F3W of Monterey ConcordiaLA03:45 A barn was unroofed and two homes and a mobile home were destroyed. The tornado caused an additional $200,000 in timber damage and injured six people. F3SW of Foules to SE of Richmond Catahoula, Tensas, MadisonLA03:55–04:15 The second tornado to strike Catahoula Parish first struck Foules, where it destroyed 12 mobile homes and a church. The tornado also damaged three permanent homes in Foules. It then struck Cooter Point, where it partially destroyed eight homes and completely destroyed a mobile home. In Madison Parish, the tornado heavily damaged two permanent homes and destroyed two mobile homes and three barns. It continued intermittently to near Tallulah before dissipating, completely destroying a church and three homes. Five other homes were damaged and eight nearly destroyed. F2N of Jackson West Feliciana, East FelicianaLA04:00–04:15 Numerous greenhouses and six residences were destroyed. F2W of Goldman to S of Newellton TensasLA04:18–04:32 A tornado first downed numerous trees near Goldman before destroying three barns and damaging four other buildings near St. Joseph. The tornado destroyed several outbuildings and heavily damaged five homes south of Newellton before dissipating. In all, five homes were severely damaged and many outbuildings destroyed. F1W of Woodland East FelicianaLA04:30–04:45 One home was destroyed and some others were damaged nearby. F2SE of West Lincoln to W of Beauregard Lincoln, CopiahMS04:50–05:05 A tornado struck the town of Brookhaven. Four homes were destroyed and five others sustained major damage. Extensive tree and power pole damage occurred as well. F1E of Hazlehurst CopiahMS05:15–05:24 One house was destroyed and several others were damaged. Numerous trees were downed as well. F3E of Oak Vale to Mount Olive Jefferson Davis, CovingtonMS05:23–06:05 Many well-constructed homes were destroyed, including 14 in Jefferson Davis County and 32 in Mount Olive. In Jefferson Davis County, a total of 14 homes were destroyed and numerous trees were downed. In the town of Mount Olive, 32 homes were destroyed and 55 others were damaged. At least 105 people were injured. F4N of Hopewell to W of Sherwood Copiah, Simpson, Rankin, Scott, Leake, Attala, ChoctawMS05:27–08:0112 deaths — See section on this tornado – 122 people were injured. F1NE of Kelso SharkeyMS05:30–05:38 A tornado damaged many vehicles and trees, and destroyed one mobile home. One house was damaged as well. F4NW of Wisner to Newton Smith, Jasper, NewtonMS06:14–07:14 This large and violent tornado produced a path wide through the Bienville National Forest and sparsely populated areas. Most of the damage was in Smith County, near Sylvarena. There, a large church was leveled and 90 homes were destroyed. The tornado then moved into Jasper County, where three houses and four mobile homes were destroyed. In the area, 21 houses and two mobile homes were damaged. In Newton County, six homes were damaged, one mobile home was destroyed, and one commercial building was destroyed. Timber loss was well into the millions of dollars, mainly through the Bienville National Forest, where substantial tree damage occurred over a wide, long swath. F1N of Little Rock Newton, NeshobaMS07:22–07:35 One church had roof damage and four homes received severe damage. Two mobile homes were destroyed, four houses sustained major damage, and 16 homes had minor damage, mainly in the small community of House. Numerous trees and power lines were also downed.

November 22 event