Tornadoes · United States · Michigan · 2018

EF0 tornado, Alba, Michigan, August 28, 2018

This EF0 tornado ran 6.6 miles across Antrim County on August 28, 2018, touching down at 7:49 PM EDT and reaching 70 yards wide. It killed nobody, and did $80,000 of property damage.

The rating scale

Tracks are drawn in the color of the rating. The Enhanced Fujita scale rates the damage rather than measuring the wind: the speeds are what that damage is taken to imply.

  1. EF065 to 85 mphthis tornado

    Light damage. Surface peeled off some roofs, gutters and siding damaged, branches broken, shallow-rooted trees pushed over.

  2. EF186 to 110 mph

    Moderate damage. Roofs badly stripped, mobile homes overturned or badly damaged, exterior doors lost, windows broken.

  3. EF2111 to 135 mph

    Considerable damage. Roofs torn off well-built houses, frame homes shifted on their foundations, mobile homes destroyed, large trees snapped or uprooted, cars lifted off the ground.

  4. EF3136 to 165 mph

    Severe damage. Whole stories of well-built houses destroyed, large buildings badly damaged, trains overturned, trees debarked, heavy cars lifted and thrown.

  5. EF4166 to 200 mph

    Devastating damage. Well-built houses leveled, structures with weak foundations moved some distance, cars thrown and large missiles generated.

  6. EF5over 200 mph

    Incredible damage. Strong frame houses swept off their foundations, car-sized missiles thrown more than 100 meters, steel-reinforced concrete badly damaged, high-rise buildings deformed.

  7. Unrated

    The survey recorded a tornado but could not put a number on it, most often because it crossed open country and damaged nothing a rating can be read from.

The record

Rating
EF0
Date
August 28, 2018
Touchdown
7:49 PM EDT (23:49 UTC)
Lifted
8:00 PM EDT (00:00 UTC)
On the ground
11 minutes
Path length
6.6 miles (10.7 km)
Path width
70 yards (64 m)
Deaths
0
Injuries
0
Property damage
$80,000
County
Antrim County
Touchdown point
44.934, -85.000
Lift-off point
44.989, -84.889
Record number
1808281749-01

The damage survey

85 damage points were recorded along this path by NWS APX, in the Damage Assessment Toolkit the survey teams carry. The strongest indicator was rated EF0. The highest wind the damage implies is 104 mph.

Survey points are preliminary and are the raw material the published rating was built from. Source: NWS Damage Assessment Toolkit.

What the Weather Service recorded

Another line of thunderstorms crossed northern Michigan in the evening of the 28th. This line produced considerable wind damage, along with a handful of tornadoes.

A tornado with estimated maximum winds of 80 mph touched down south of Alba, and followed a discontinuous path to the northeast, lifting just before the Otsego County line. A number of hardwood and softwood trees were downed.

From NOAA NCEI's Storm Events Database, the narrative the local forecast office wrote for Storm Data.

The warnings

No tornado warning for this county appears in the archive as in force at the moment the tornado touched down. One was issued for the county at another hour that day.

The county was under a severe thunderstorm watch, issued at 22:23 UTC and running to 00:44 UTC.

Issued (UTC)ExpiredProductOffice
05:58 UTC06:27 UTCSevere Thunderstorm WarningAPX
21:00 UTC10:12 UTCFlood WatchAPX
22:23 UTC00:44 UTCSevere Thunderstorm WatchAPX
22:59 UTC23:30 UTCTornado WarningAPX
23:32 UTC00:30 UTCSevere Thunderstorm WarningAPX
23:56 UTC00:15 UTCTornado WarningAPX

Every warning and watch covering the touchdown point that day, from the Iowa Environmental Mesonet's archive of National Weather Service products. Lead time is measured from the issue of the warning in force to the touchdown time in the database, both of which were recorded to the minute by different people.

The forecast that day

The Storm Prediction Center had this point in a Slight Risk, with a 0.02 chance of a tornado within 25 miles. The outlook in force was issued at 19:44 UTC.

SPC's Day 1 convective outlook as it stood when the tornado began, read at the touchdown point. The same archive is on the radar archive.

The air that afternoon

The radiosonde launches on either side of the tornado, from the nearest station that was launching then, drawn and analyzed the way Storm Lab does: the same diagram, the same parcel and shear definitions SPC's mesoanalysis uses.

Alpena, MI (KAPX), 12:00Z

11.8 hours before the tornado, 200 km from the path. August 28, 2018.

Skew-T log-pSkew-T log-p diagram, Alpena, MI at 12:00Z on 2018-08-28Temperature and dew point through the depth of the atmosphere, with the mixed-layer parcel lifted from the surface. Mixed-layer CAPE 0 joules per kilogram, CIN -87427, lifted condensation level 733 meters above ground. Wind barbs in knots down the right edge.LCL10008507005003002001001 km2 km3 km6 km9 km12 km15 km-30°-20°-10°0°10°20°30°40°
Temperature in red, dew point in green, the mixed-layer parcel dashed. The warm shading is its CAPE, the cool shading the inhibition it has to break through.
HodographHodograph, Alpena, MI at 12:00Z on 2018-08-28The wind through the lowest 10 kilometers as a curve, rings every 10 meters per second labeled in knots. Zero to 1 km storm-relative helicity 300 square meters per square second, 0 to 6 km bulk shear 58 knots.19395878Sfc1 km3 km6 km9 kmRMLM
The wind turning with height, colored by layer: ground to 1 km, 1 to 3 km, 3 to 6 km, 6 to 10 km. RM and LM are the right and left moving storms Bunkers' method gives; the shaded area is the 0 to 1 km storm-relative helicity.
Mixed-layer CAPE
0 J/kg
Mixed-layer CIN
-87427 J/kg
Surface CAPE
3 J/kg
Mixed-layer LCL
733 m above ground
0-6 km bulk shear
58 kt
0-1 km bulk shear
30 kt
0-1 km storm-relative helicity
300 m²/s²
0-3 km storm-relative helicity
308 m²/s²
Significant tornado parameter
0.0
Supercell composite
0.0
0-3 km lapse rate
3.1 K/km

Open this sounding in Storm Lab

Alpena, MI (KAPX), 00:00Z

0.2 hours after it, 200 km from the path. August 29, 2018.

Skew-T log-pSkew-T log-p diagram, Alpena, MI at 00:00Z on 2018-08-29Temperature and dew point through the depth of the atmosphere, with the mixed-layer parcel lifted from the surface. Mixed-layer CAPE 1666 joules per kilogram, CIN -6, lifted condensation level 766 meters above ground. Wind barbs in knots down the right edge.LCLLFCEL10008507005003002001001 km2 km3 km6 km9 km12 km15 km-30°-20°-10°0°10°20°30°40°
Temperature in red, dew point in green, the mixed-layer parcel dashed. The warm shading is its CAPE, the cool shading the inhibition it has to break through.
HodographHodograph, Alpena, MI at 00:00Z on 2018-08-29The wind through the lowest 10 kilometers as a curve, rings every 10 meters per second labeled in knots. Zero to 1 km storm-relative helicity 196 square meters per square second, 0 to 6 km bulk shear 38 knots.1939587897Sfc1 km3 km6 km9 kmRMLM
The wind turning with height, colored by layer: ground to 1 km, 1 to 3 km, 3 to 6 km, 6 to 10 km. RM and LM are the right and left moving storms Bunkers' method gives; the shaded area is the 0 to 1 km storm-relative helicity.
Mixed-layer CAPE
1666 J/kg
Mixed-layer CIN
-6 J/kg
Surface CAPE
1678 J/kg
Mixed-layer LCL
766 m above ground
0-6 km bulk shear
38 kt
0-1 km bulk shear
31 kt
0-1 km storm-relative helicity
196 m²/s²
0-3 km storm-relative helicity
165 m²/s²
Significant tornado parameter
1.2
Supercell composite
7.5
0-3 km lapse rate
5.7 K/km

Open this sounding in Storm Lab

The radar

The NCL Michigan radar (KAPX), 19 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the touchdown began at 23:46 UTC.

Open the radar archive at this moment, over the track

Reflectivity and velocity, decoded from the Level II archive in the browser. Volumes take a few seconds to open the first time.

What was reported nearby

Local storm reports within 60 km of the path, in the three hours either side.

Time (UTC)ReportWhereCountyRemark
22:39 UTCTSTM WND DMG3 Sw NorthportLeelanau, MIONE LARGE TREE DOWN AT CARLSON RD AND M-22. TIME ESTIMATED FROM RADAR.
22:45 UTCHEAVY RAIN 1.033 W Suttons BayLeelanau, MITHE DURATION OF THE HEAVY RAIN EVENT WAS 40 MINUTES.
23:14 UTCTSTM WND DMG5 S Traverse CityGrand Traverse, MIONE LARGE TREE DOWN BLOCKING WESTBOUND HOCH RD WEST OF RUSCH RD. TIME ESTIMATED FROM RADAR.
23:15 UTCTSTM WND DMG5 Ese Traverse CityGrand Traverse, MIONE TREE DOWN ON PROUTY RD NEAR FIVE MILE RD. TIME ESTIMATED FROM RADAR.
23:25 UTCTSTM WND DMGRapid CityKalkaska, MITREES DAMAGED IN RAPID CITY.
23:26 UTCTSTM WND DMGSw KingsleyGrand Traverse, MIONE TREE DOWN ON FENTON ST NEAR GEORGE ST. TIME ESTIMATED FROM RADAR.
23:48 UTCHEAVY RAIN 1.363 W BayshoreCharlevoix, MIMESONET STATION MC019, 3 W BAYSHORE. THE DURATION OF THE HEAVY RAIN EVENT WAS 24 HOURS.
23:49 UTCTORNADO3 S AlbaAntrim, MIAN EF-0 TORNADO WITH ESTIMATED MAXIMUM WINDS OF 80 MPH TOUCHED DOWN 3.5 MILES SOUTH OF ALBA AND FOLLOWED A DISCONTINUOUS PATH TO THE NORTHEAST LIFTING JUST BEFORE THE OTSEGO COUNTY LINE. TORNADO PATH LENGTH WAS 6.78 MILE
23:53 UTCHEAVY RAIN 1.95Traverse City - CherryGrand Traverse, MIASOS STATION TVC, TRAVERSE CITY - CHERRY CAPITAL AIRPORT. THE DURATION OF THE HEAVY RAIN EVENT WAS 24 HOURS.
23:57 UTCTORNADO4 Ene AlbaAntrim, MITORNADO CONFIRMED BY RADAR (TDS). NO OTHER REPORTS AT THIS TIME.
00:00 UTCHEAVY RAIN 2.12 Wsw PeshawbestownLeelanau, MITHE DURATION OF THE HEAVY RAIN EVENT WAS 21 HOURS.
00:12 UTCHEAVY RAIN 1.032 S Indian RiverCheboygan, MIMESONET STATION INDM4, 2 S INDIAN RIVER. THE DURATION OF THE HEAVY RAIN EVENT WAS 24 HOURS.
00:15 UTCTSTM WND DMG2 W GaylordOtsego, MI18 INCH MAPLE TREE SNAPPED AND FELL ON HOUSE. EXTENT OF ROOF DAMAGE TO BE EVALUATED TOMORROW.
00:16 UTCTSTM WND DMG3 Sse ElmiraOtsego, MISEVERAL LARGE TREES DOWN IN THE AREA. TIME ESTIMATED FROM RADAR.
00:16 UTCHEAVY RAIN 1.82 E OdenEmmet, MIMESONET STATION E7833, 2 E ODEN. THE DURATION OF THE HEAVY RAIN EVENT WAS 24 HOURS.
00:17 UTCHEAVY RAIN 1.831 Nne ClarionEmmet, MIMESONET STATION E3521, 1 NNE CLARION. THE DURATION OF THE HEAVY RAIN EVENT WAS 24 HOURS.
00:18 UTCHEAVY RAIN 1.97PetoskeyEmmet, MIMESONET STATION AS614, PETOSKEY. THE DURATION OF THE HEAVY RAIN EVENT WAS 24 HOURS.
00:25 UTCHEAVY RAIN 1.44MancelonaAntrim, MIMESONET STATION D3512, MANCELONA. THE DURATION OF THE HEAVY RAIN EVENT WAS 24 HOURS.
00:25 UTCHEAVY RAIN 1.5IrontonCharlevoix, MIMESONET STATION D7501, IRONTON. THE DURATION OF THE HEAVY RAIN EVENT WAS 24 HOURS.
00:27 UTCTSTM WND DMG2 Wnw GaylordOtsego, MISEVERAL TREES DOWN NEAR M-32 AND MURNER RD. TIME ESTIMATED FROM RADAR.
00:37 UTCHEAVY RAIN 1.03LovellsCrawford, MITHE DURATION OF THE HEAVY RAIN EVENT WAS 30 MINUTES.
02:00 UTCHEAVY RAIN 2.74Lake LeelanauLeelanau, MISTORM TOTAL RAINFALL SINCE AROUND 6 PM.

From the Iowa Environmental Mesonet's archive of National Weather Service local storm reports.

This ground now

The live radar over the trackEvery 2018 tornado in MichiganEvery tornado in Michigan since 1950Warnings in force in Michigan nowThe forecast where you are

The other tornadoes of August 28, 2018

25 more were confirmed in the United States that day.

DateTimeRatingWherePath (mi)Width (yd)DeathsInjuriesDamage
August 283:00 PM CDTEF1Marquette, WI0.750
August 283:03 PM CDTEF1Marquette, WI1.875
August 283:17 PM CDTEF1Green Lake, WI3.190
August 283:25 PM CDTEF0Green Lake, WI2.150
August 283:55 PM CDTEF1Fond du Lac, WI4.6175
August 284:00 PM CDTEF0Fond du Lac, WI0.650
August 284:04 PM CDTEF1Fond du Lac, WI4.4100
August 284:08 PM CDTEF0Fond du Lac, WI0.150
August 284:09 PM CDTEF1Fond du Lac, WI0.9100
August 284:11 PM CDTEF1Fond du Lac, WI0.180
August 284:11 PM CDTEF2Fond du Lac, WI3.9150$169,000
August 284:12 PM CDTEF1Dodge, WI2.7100
August 284:16 PM CDTEF1Fond du Lac, WI2.8100
August 284:22 PM CDTEF1Fond du Lac, WI4.590
August 284:27 PM CDTEF1Fond du Lac, WI4.0100
August 284:30 PM CDTEF0Fond du Lac, WI0.080
August 284:33 PM CDTEF1Calumet, WI1.075$75,000
August 284:36 PM CDTEF1Sheboygan, WI5.3100
August 284:57 PM CDTEF0Sheboygan, WI0.375
August 287:27 PM EDTEF0Lake, MI1.1500$100,000
August 287:30 PM EDTEF1Lake, MI1.0500$100,000
August 287:09 PM CDTEF0Scott, IA4.125
August 288:53 PM EDTEF1Ogemaw, MI0.240$65,000
August 288:58 PM EDTEF0Arenac, MI0.440$45,000
August 289:14 PM EDTEF1Arenac, MI0.950$70,000

What this means

Ratings are the survey's, read off the damage rather than measured; the rating scale is above. Tornado counts rise through the record as reporting improved, so a year in the 1950s is not comparable with one today except for the strongest tornadoes, which were always noticed.

Sources

NOAA Storm Prediction Center tornado database, 1950-2025, the official record kept by NOAA's Storm Prediction Center.