May 2 in Weather History

258 events on record, 1621 to 2026

Every tornado, hurricane, flood, blizzard, heat wave, record, earthquake, eruption, tsunami, wildfire and geomagnetic storm on record for May 2, in any year, each linked to its full record.

← May 1TodayMay 3 →

May 2 on the map

Every event with a place, colored by kind. Tap one to open its record.

  • Tornadoes
  • Hurricanes and tropical storms
  • Floods
  • Severe storms
  • Winter storms and snow
  • Heat and drought
  • Wildfires
  • Earthquakes
  • Volcanoes
  • Tsunamis
  • Other weather

The most significant

By deaths, damage and strength together, across every archive.

Tornadoes

1920F4 tornado, Cherokee County, Oklahoma

An F4 tornado touched down in Cherokee County, Oklahoma and tracked 3.1 miles, 800 yards wide at its widest, killing 71 and injuring 100. From Grazulis's record of significant tornadoes: Peggs, OK.

Rating
F4
Deaths
71
Injuries
100
Path
3.1 mi
Width
800 yd

The full record

Tornadoes

1942F4 tornado, Payne, Creek, Tulsa counties, Oklahoma

An F4 tornado touched down in Payne, Creek, Tulsa counties, Oklahoma and tracked 55.5 miles, 400 yards wide at its widest, killing 7 and injuring 20. From Grazulis's record of significant tornadoes: S Cushing to N Owasso, OK.

Rating
F4
Deaths
7
Injuries
20
Path
55.5 mi
Width
400 yd

The full record

Tornadoes

1948F4 tornado, Clinton, Wayne counties, Kentucky

An F4 tornado touched down in Clinton, Wayne counties, Kentucky and tracked 9.9 miles, 300 yards wide at its widest, killing 5 and injuring 60. From Grazulis's record of significant tornadoes: Alpha, KY.

Rating
F4
Deaths
5
Injuries
60
Path
9.9 mi
Width
300 yd

The full record

Wildfires

20182018 Indian dust storms

From 2 to 3 May 2018, an extremely severe dust storms swept across parts of North India. 125 people died and over 200 were injured.

Ended
May 3, 2018
Where
India
Country
India
Deaths
125

From Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0.

The full record

Tornadoes

1942F4 tornado, Noble, Pawnee, Osage counties, Oklahoma

An F4 tornado touched down in Noble, Pawnee, Osage counties, Oklahoma and tracked 80.4 miles, 600 yards wide at its widest, killing 3 and injuring 28. From Grazulis's record of significant tornadoes: Pawhuska, OK.

Rating
F4
Deaths
3
Injuries
28
Path
80.4 mi
Width
600 yd

The full record

Tornadoes

1942F4 tornado, Allen, Bourbon, Linn counties, Kansas

An F4 tornado touched down in Allen, Bourbon, Linn counties, Kansas and tracked 30.9 miles, 200 yards wide at its widest, killing 2 and injuring 15. From Grazulis's record of significant tornadoes: Mound City, KS.

Rating
F4
Deaths
2
Injuries
15
Path
30.9 mi
Width
200 yd

The full record

Tornadoes

1942F4 tornado, Wilson, Neosho counties, Kansas

An F4 tornado touched down in Wilson, Neosho counties, Kansas and tracked 29.7 miles, 300 yards wide at its widest, killing 1 and injuring 10. From Grazulis's record of significant tornadoes: Altoona, KS.

Rating
F4
Deaths
1
Injuries
10
Path
29.7 mi
Width
300 yd

The full record

By kind

Tornadoes

138 on May 2, oldest first.

1887F1 tornado, Fulton County, Ohio

An F1 tornado touched down in Fulton County, Ohio and tracked 1.5 miles, 15 yards wide at its widest, killing 1 and injuring 10. From Grazulis's record of significant tornadoes: SW Wauseon, OH.

Rating
F1
Deaths
1
Injuries
10
Path
1.5 mi
Width
15 yd

The full record

1892F3 tornado, Kingfisher County, Oklahoma

An F3 tornado touched down in Kingfisher County, Oklahoma and tracked 12.3 miles, 500 yards wide at its widest, killing 2 and injuring 3. From Grazulis's record of significant tornadoes: Kingfisher, OK.

Rating
F3
Deaths
2
Injuries
3
Path
12.3 mi
Width
500 yd

The full record

1892F3 tornado, Shawnee County, Kansas

An F3 tornado touched down in Shawnee County, Kansas and tracked 13.4 miles, killing 1 and injuring 15. From Grazulis's record of significant tornadoes: E Auburn/SE Topeka, KS.

Rating
F3
Deaths
1
Injuries
15
Path
13.4 mi

The full record

1906F4 tornado, Collin, Fannin counties, Texas

An F4 tornado touched down in Collin, Fannin counties, Texas and tracked 8.9 miles, 300 yards wide at its widest, injuring 11. From Grazulis's record of significant tornadoes: NW Blue Ridge, TX.

Rating
F4
Injuries
11
Path
8.9 mi
Width
300 yd

The full record

1920F4 tornado, Cherokee County, Oklahoma

An F4 tornado touched down in Cherokee County, Oklahoma and tracked 3.1 miles, 800 yards wide at its widest, killing 71 and injuring 100. From Grazulis's record of significant tornadoes: Peggs, OK.

Rating
F4
Deaths
71
Injuries
100
Path
3.1 mi
Width
800 yd

The full record

1920F3 tornado, Rogers, Craig counties, Oklahoma

An F3 tornado touched down in Rogers, Craig counties, Oklahoma and tracked 5.2 miles, 200 yards wide at its widest, killing 4 and injuring 8. From Grazulis's record of significant tornadoes: N Chelsea, OK.

Rating
F3
Deaths
4
Injuries
8
Path
5.2 mi
Width
200 yd

The full record

1920F4 tornado, Mayes County, Oklahoma

An F4 tornado touched down in Mayes County, Oklahoma and tracked 3.6 miles, 800 yards wide at its widest, injuring 4. From Grazulis's record of significant tornadoes: N Chouteau, OK.

Rating
F4
Injuries
4
Path
3.6 mi
Width
800 yd

The full record

1927F3 tornado, Stearns County, Minnesota

An F3 tornado touched down in Stearns County, Minnesota and tracked 4 miles, 200 yards wide at its widest, injuring 6. From Grazulis's record of significant tornadoes: E Fairhaven, MN.

Rating
F3
Injuries
6
Path
4 mi
Width
200 yd

The full record

1928F3 tornado, Cuming County, Nebraska

An F3 tornado touched down in Cuming County, Nebraska and tracked 10 miles, 800 yards wide at its widest. From Grazulis's record of significant tornadoes: West Point/Bancroft, NE.

Rating
F3
Path
10 mi
Width
800 yd

The full record

1929F3 tornado, Culpeper, Fauquier counties, Virginia

An F3 tornado touched down in Culpeper, Fauquier counties, Virginia and tracked 18.2 miles, 400 yards wide at its widest, killing 6 and injuring 15. From Grazulis's record of significant tornadoes: Lagrange/Lignum to Weaversville/Catlett, VA.

Rating
F3
Deaths
6
Injuries
15
Path
18.2 mi
Width
400 yd

The full record

1929F2 tornado, Scott County, Virginia

An F2 tornado touched down in Scott County, Virginia and tracked 4.4 miles, 200 yards wide at its widest, killing 13 and injuring 100. From Grazulis's record of significant tornadoes: NW Gate City, VA.

Rating
F2
Deaths
13
Injuries
100
Path
4.4 mi
Width
200 yd

The full record

1929F3 tornado, Rappahannock County, Virginia

An F3 tornado touched down in Rappahannock County, Virginia and tracked 12.7 miles, 200 yards wide at its widest, killing 3 and injuring 30. From Grazulis's record of significant tornadoes: Woodville/Flint Hill, VA.

Rating
F3
Deaths
3
Injuries
30
Path
12.7 mi
Width
200 yd

The full record

1929F3 tornado, Montgomery, Howard counties, Maryland

An F3 tornado touched down in Montgomery, Howard counties, Maryland and tracked 9.9 miles, 200 yards wide at its widest, killing 4 and injuring 4. From Grazulis's record of significant tornadoes: Laytonsville/Brookeville, MD.

Rating
F3
Deaths
4
Injuries
4
Path
9.9 mi
Width
200 yd

The full record

1929F3 tornado, Frederick, Carroll counties, Maryland

An F3 tornado touched down in Frederick, Carroll counties, Maryland and tracked 32.9 miles, 100 yards wide at its widest, killing 2 and injuring 8. From Grazulis's record of significant tornadoes: NW Adamstown/W Frederick/Harmony Grove to Taneytown, MD.

Rating
F3
Deaths
2
Injuries
8
Path
32.9 mi
Width
100 yd

The full record

1929F2 tornado, Franklin County, Ohio

An F2 tornado touched down in Franklin County, Ohio and tracked 9.9 miles, 50 yards wide at its widest, killing 2 and injuring 10. From Grazulis's record of significant tornadoes: Galloway to Columbus, OH.

Rating
F2
Deaths
2
Injuries
10
Path
9.9 mi
Width
50 yd

The full record

1929F2 tornado, Duval County, Florida

An F2 tornado touched down in Duval County, Florida and tracked 3.8 miles, 300 yards wide at its widest, killing 1 and injuring 25. From Grazulis's record of significant tornadoes: Jacksonville, FL.

Rating
F2
Deaths
1
Injuries
25
Path
3.8 mi
Width
300 yd

The full record

1935F2 tornado, Mississippi County, Arkansas

An F2 tornado touched down in Mississippi County, Arkansas and tracked 13 miles, 400 yards wide at its widest, killing 3 and injuring 23. From Grazulis's record of significant tornadoes: Luxora to Armorel, AR.

Rating
F2
Deaths
3
Injuries
23
Path
13 mi
Width
400 yd

The full record

1935F1 tornado, Chicot County, Arkansas

An F1 tornado touched down in Chicot County, Arkansas and tracked 0.9 miles, 100 yards wide at its widest, killing 1. From Grazulis's record of significant tornadoes: Dermott, AR.

Rating
F1
Deaths
1
Path
0.9 mi
Width
100 yd

The full record

1942F4 tornado, Payne, Creek, Tulsa counties, Oklahoma

An F4 tornado touched down in Payne, Creek, Tulsa counties, Oklahoma and tracked 55.5 miles, 400 yards wide at its widest, killing 7 and injuring 20. From Grazulis's record of significant tornadoes: S Cushing to N Owasso, OK.

Rating
F4
Deaths
7
Injuries
20
Path
55.5 mi
Width
400 yd

The full record

1942F4 tornado, Noble, Pawnee, Osage counties, Oklahoma

An F4 tornado touched down in Noble, Pawnee, Osage counties, Oklahoma and tracked 80.4 miles, 600 yards wide at its widest, killing 3 and injuring 28. From Grazulis's record of significant tornadoes: Pawhuska, OK.

Rating
F4
Deaths
3
Injuries
28
Path
80.4 mi
Width
600 yd

The full record

1942F4 tornado, Allen, Bourbon, Linn counties, Kansas

An F4 tornado touched down in Allen, Bourbon, Linn counties, Kansas and tracked 30.9 miles, 200 yards wide at its widest, killing 2 and injuring 15. From Grazulis's record of significant tornadoes: Mound City, KS.

Rating
F4
Deaths
2
Injuries
15
Path
30.9 mi
Width
200 yd

The full record

1942F4 tornado, Wilson, Neosho counties, Kansas

An F4 tornado touched down in Wilson, Neosho counties, Kansas and tracked 29.7 miles, 300 yards wide at its widest, killing 1 and injuring 10. From Grazulis's record of significant tornadoes: Altoona, KS.

Rating
F4
Deaths
1
Injuries
10
Path
29.7 mi
Width
300 yd

The full record

1942F4 tornado, Allen, Anderson counties, Kansas

An F4 tornado touched down in Allen, Anderson counties, Kansas and tracked 20 miles, 400 yards wide at its widest, injuring 10. From Grazulis's record of significant tornadoes: N Iola to N Lone Elm, KS.

Rating
F4
Injuries
10
Path
20 mi
Width
400 yd

The full record

1948F4 tornado, Clinton, Wayne counties, Kentucky

An F4 tornado touched down in Clinton, Wayne counties, Kentucky and tracked 9.9 miles, 300 yards wide at its widest, killing 5 and injuring 60. From Grazulis's record of significant tornadoes: Alpha, KY.

Rating
F4
Deaths
5
Injuries
60
Path
9.9 mi
Width
300 yd

The full record

1979Severe thunderstorms produced tornadoes and very large hail over northern Oklahoma on May 2nd and 3rd, back in 1979

Severe thunderstorms produced tornadoes and very large hail over northern Oklahoma on May 2nd and 3rd, back in 1979. One tornado, which formed near Cleo Springs, in Major County, damaged the southern and eastern parts of Tahoma. The storm killed one person and injured 25 others. A second tornado struck the Fairview area and flipped an airplane that was taxiing down a runway. The two occupants were not injured. Extremely large hail was also common. A huge chunk of hail, with an incredible circumference of 17 inches, fell in Woods County. Softball-size hail fell in Mulhall, and baseball-size hail fell in Enid.

From the National Weather Service in Norman, Oklahoma.

The full record

1994Tornado and Hail in Texas, May 2, 1994

Thunderstorm produced golf ball-sized hail for over 20 minutes in Cameron. Minor damage to crops in the form of shredded leaves was indicated, with most of the damage to grain and sorghum crops. Damage was indicated to roofs and to windows of homes and vehicles.

Damage
$1.7 million
Strongest
F1
Events
60

The full record

1997Tornado in Georgia, May 2, 1997

The tornado touched down just southwest of Chickamauga in the Ridgecrest Acre mobile home park. Touchdown was noted to be at the intersection of Georgia Highway 136 and 193.

Deaths
1
Injuries
3
Damage
$100,000
Strongest
F1
Events
1

The full record

1997Tornado in Alabama, May 2, 1997

A tornado, rated at F2 on the Fujita scale, struck the southern and eastern sections of Athens in Limestone County. The tornado path began about 2 miles south-southwest of Athens near the intersection of Sanderfer Road and County Road 45.

Injuries
12
Damage
$2.4 million
Strongest
F2
Events
1

The full record

1997Tornado in Alabama, May 2, 1997

A short but powerful tornado struck the area northwest of Meridianville destroying four homes along with major damage to two otehrs and minor damage to twelve more. The tornado path began in an hope area just southwest of the Colonial Golf Course.

Injuries
1
Damage
$600,000
Strongest
F2
Events
1

The full record

1997Tornado in Tennessee, May 2, 1997

A half dozen farm related buildings sustained damage. About 100 big trees were blown down in an apple orchard on White Gap Road. The trees were lying in different directions.

Damage
$160,000
Strongest
F2
Events
1

The full record

2000Tornado and Flash Flood in Texas, May 2, 2000

A National Weather Service storm survey team confirmed that a F0 tornado touched down briefly on a farmer's home at the intersection of FM2925 and Jaurez Road. Moderate damage to the property's roof and back fence occurred. A cyclonic pattern was observed in the debris field.

Damage
$5.0 million
Strongest
F0
Events
4

The full record

2002Tornado in Maryland, May 2, 2002

The first F2 (on the Fujita Scale) tornado in 21 years struck Cecil County during the late afternoon of the 2nd. About 21 homes, silos, sheds and barns sustained moderate to extensive damage. One family was displaced as their house was condemned because of the wind damage.

Damage
$330,000
Strongest
F2
Events
1

The full record

2004Tornadoes in Georgia, May 2, 2004

A tornado touched down and destroyed three homes and damaged two others. It also toppled several trees and power lines. The tornado moved moved northeast into Randolph County. Reported by the Clay County EMA and WALB-TV Albany.

Injuries
6
Damage
$550,000
Strongest
F1
Events
2

The full record

2007Tornadoes and Hail in Texas, May 2, 2007

A potent upper level system moved across Texas beginning in the late morning and continued into the afternoon. This produced a Quasilinear Convective System or Line Echo Wave Pattern (LEWP) that produced widespread damaging winds and a few isolated tornadoes.

Damage
$400,000
Strongest
EF1
Events
25

The full record

200840 tornadoes across 8 states

40 tornadoes were recorded on May 2, 2008, in Kansas, Oklahoma, Missouri, Arkansas, Texas, Louisiana, Tennessee, Mississippi. They killed 6 people.

Tornadoes
40
States
8
Deaths
6

The full record

2008Tornadoes and Flooding in Missouri, May 2 to 3, 2008

An early morning line of storms developed across south central Kansas. This line of storms, developed into a Bow Echo, which raced northeast at speeds in excess of 50 mph, into the greater Kansas City metropolitan area and surrounding communities, early on the morning of May 2,…

Damage
$15 million
Strongest
EF3
Events
35

The full record

2008Tornadoes and Flash Flood in Arkansas, May 2, 2008

A cold front approached the Midsouth during the afternoon hours of May 2nd, 2008, Numerous showers and thunderstorms developed ahead and along the front. Storms quickly became severe and produced large hail, damaging winds and a few tornadoes.

Injuries
5
Damage
$2.5 million
Strongest
EF3
Events
14

The full record

2008Tornadoes and Hail in Missouri, May 2, 2008

A few clusters of strong to severe thunderstorms impacted southern Missouri with large hail, damaging winds, and a couple of tornadoes. The two tornadoes were confirmed by a National Weather Service storm survey over Douglas County, including northern sections of the city of Ava.

Damage
$732,000
Strongest
EF0
Events
47

The full record

2008Tornado and Flash Flooding in Tennessee, May 2, 2008

A cold front approached the Midsouth during the afternoon hours of May 2nd, 2008, Numerous showers and thunderstorms developed ahead and along the front. Storms quickly became severe and produced large hail, damaging winds, flash flooding, and a few tornadoes.

Injuries
2
Damage
$199,000
Strongest
EF2
Events
12

The full record

2008Tornadoes and Hail in Texas, May 2, 2008

Severe thunderstorms developed under a very unstable airmass across portions of northeast Texas, southwest Arkansas and northwest Louisiana during the morning and afternoon hours of May 2nd.

Damage
$450,000
Strongest
EF1
Events
10

The full record

2009Tornado and Flash Flooding in Texas, May 2 to 3, 2009

The combination of a southward advancing cold front, warm air advection over the cold front, and an approaching shortwave aided in an explosive period that began the afternoon of May 2nd and continued into the morning hours of May 3rd.

Injuries
15
Damage
$6.2 million
Strongest
EF0
Events
84

The full record

2009Tornadoes and Flash Flooding in Texas, May 2 to 3, 2009

A very unstable airmass developed across the four state region during the afternoon hours of May 2nd. A weak cold front had moved southward during the morning hours into southeast Oklahoma and southwest Arkansas and had stalled.

Deaths
1
Injuries
1
Damage
$370,000
Strongest
EF1
Events
42

The full record

2010Tornado and Flash Flooding in Georgia, May 2 to 3, 2010

A deep upper-level trough was shifting slowly east from the central U.S. into the eastern U.S. A leading cold front was located from New York to Alabama. A summerlike subtropical ridge across the southeast U.S. was slowly shifting off the southeast U.S. coast.

Damage
$1.0 million
Strongest
EF0
Events
17

The full record

2018To start the year 2018, no tornadoes were recorded in Oklahoma from January 1 through April 30, the first time with no…

To start the year 2018, no tornadoes were recorded in Oklahoma from January 1 through April 30, the first time with no tornadoes during this stretch since weather records began. A brief, weak tornado occurred on May 1 near the Kansas border north of Buffalo, bringing this record stretch to an end. On May 2, several tornadoes occurred from southwest Oklahoma, near Lone Wolf, into the southern part of the OKC metro. The metro tornado affected northeast sides of Norman with EF1 damage. No injuries were reported with any of the tornadoes.

From the National Weather Service in Norman, Oklahoma.

The full record

2021Tornadoes in Mississippi, May 2, 2021

A warm front lifted north into North Mississippi while an upper-level disturbance pushed into the Lower Mississippi Valley. Low topped supercells developed across central Mississippi and lifted north with the warm front.

Damage
$1.7 million
Strongest
EF1
Events
9

The full record

2022Tornadoes and Hail in Oklahoma, May 2, 2022

A dryline was the main focus for storm development during the afternoon of the 2nd as a compact upper wave crossed the area. Numerous storms led to reports of hail, high winds, and a few tornadoes through the afternoon and evening.

Damage
$330,000
Strongest
EF1
Events
46

The full record

Hurricanes and tropical storms

5 on May 2, oldest first.

19941994 Bangladesh cyclone

The 1994 Bangladesh cyclone was a powerful tropical cyclone in the Bay of Bengal. The cyclone closely followed the path, strength, and time of year of a deadly cyclone in 1991 that killed more than 138,000 people.

From Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0.

The full record

Floods

22 on May 2, oldest first.

1998Flash Flood in Colorado, May 2 to 3, 1998

The Carl Smith Dam at Patterson Reservoir #3 failed, sending a wall of water down Leroux Creek. The earthen dam break was 200 feet wide and 45 feet high. The wall of water was up to 10 feet high and averaged 100 feet in width.

Damage
$1.5 million
Events
1

The full record

2000Flash Flood and Hail in Texas, May 2 to 3, 2000

May 2-3, 2000 - Event NarrativeSlow moving showers and thunderstorms developed along a stationary boundary generally from the Dallas Fort Worth metroplex south and eastward. On the 2nd, the storms were confined mainly to Tarrant, Dallas, Ellis, and Kaufman counties.

Damage
$341,000
Strongest
3 in hail
Events
40

The full record

2002Flooding in Kentucky, May 2 to 4, 2002

Heavy rains fell across the Big Sandy and Kentucky River basins, primarily on Thursday, May 2. This resulted in excessive runoff and flooding in four eastern Kentucky counties. At 11 p.m EDT on May 2.

Deaths
1
Damage
$6.3 million
Events
4

The full record

2002Flood in Pennsylvania, May 2, 2002

A 13-year-old boy drowned while swimming in the Tookany Creek in Philadelphia. Four boys were swimming in the creek when a thunderstorm occurred. The heavy rain caused a rapid and significant, but within bankfull rise of the creek.

Deaths
1
Events
1

The full record

2002Flash Flooding and Hail in Virginia, May 2, 2002

Thunderstorms during the afternoon and evening of the 2nd produced damaging winds, flash flooding, hail up to 3 inches in diameter, and dangerous lightning.A woman in Roanoke was struck by lightning and injured while using the phone.Thunderstorm winds downed trees in Blacksburg,…

Injuries
1
Damage
$1.1 million
Strongest
3 in hail
Events
78

The full record

2002Flash Flooding in West Virginia, May 2, 2002

Thunderstorms during the early morning of the second produced flash flooding, Numerous roads in Hinton were flooded and closed, including the Route 3 and Route 20. A mobile home was also washed off its foundation.

Damage
$1.0 million
Events
6

The full record

2009Flash Flooding in Tennessee, May 2, 2009

A strong cold front that had moved in Middle Tennessee on May 1st moved north as a warm front during the afternoon hours near the Tennessee/Kentucky Border, and in association with a strong low pressure system that had developed across central Arkansas, resulted in flash…

Damage
$1.0 million
Events
13

The full record

2010Flooding in Ohio, May 2 to 3, 2010

A strong southerly flow, ahead of a cold front, transported very moist air through Tennessee, Kentucky and into southeast Ohio. Surface dew points were in the mid and upper 60s.

Deaths
2
Damage
$2.5 million
Events
8

The full record

2010Flash Flooding and Flooding in Kentucky, May 2 to 4, 2010

A strong southerly flow, ahead of a cold front, transported very moist air through Tennessee and Kentucky. Surface dew points were in the mid and upper 60s. Wave after wave in the mid and upper levels helped trigger widespread showers, with embedded thunderstorms.

Damage
$14 million
Events
5

The full record

2010Flash Flooding and Flooding in Alabama, May 2 to 4, 2010

A slow moving frontal boundary pushed into a moist and unstable air mass during the afternoon hours on the 2nd. This produced numerous showers and thunderstorms resulting in 2 to 5 inch rainfall accumulations through 2 or 3 in the morning on the 3rd across northern Alabama.

Damage
$1.0 million
Strongest
56 kt wind
Events
33

The full record

2012Flash Flood and Hail in Minnesota, May 2, 2012

Severe thunderstorms moved along a stationary front over southern Minnesota during the late evening hours on May 2nd producing large hail and high winds over portions of Dodge and Wabasha Counties.

Damage
$896,000
Strongest
1.75 in hail
Events
15

The full record

2019Flood in Indiana, May 2, 2019

After a prolonged period of heavy rain in April (rainfall amounts were 150 to 200 percent above normal) widespread flooding was reported throughout much of Northern and Central Indiana.

Deaths
1
Events
1

The full record

20232023 Emilia-Romagna floods

A series of floods were in and around the cities of Bologna, Cesena, Forlì, Faenza, Ravenna, and Rimini, in the Emilia-Romagna region of Italy. The first floods occurred between 2 and 3 May 2023, killing two people.

Ended
June 5, 2023
Where
Emilia-Romagna
Country
Italy
Deaths
17

From Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0.

The full record

Severe storms

9 on May 2, oldest first.

1997Hail and High Wind in Arkansas, May 2, 1997

A localized non-thunderstorm wind gust produced damage in the towns of Helena and West Helena. A large awning blew on a car killing one person. Three schools were damaged. Numerous trees and power lines were knocked down.

Deaths
1
Damage
$25,000
Strongest
1 in hail
Events
2

The full record

2001High Wind in Utah, May 2 to 4, 2001

Strong canyon winds developed along the Wasatch Front late on the 2nd, lasting into the wee hours of the 4th. The storm caused an estimated 3 million dollars in property damage in Davis and Salt Lake Counties, and several hundred thousand dollars damage to trees.

Damage
$3.4 million
Strongest
67 kt wind
Events
2

The full record

2002Hail in Illinois, May 2, 2002

A severe thunderstorm produced very large hail as it moved east across Jackson and Williamson Counties. The largest hail, which was between golf ball and tennis ball size, occurred in a swath parallel to and just south of Illinois Route 13.

Damage
$3.1 million
Strongest
2 in hail
Events
3

The full record

2003Hail in Alabama, May 2, 2003

Golfball to Tennis Ball sized hail fell between Chatom and Wagarville. Numerous automobiles and roofs were damaged by the large hail. Two automobile dealerships in Chatom sustained major damage to their automobile inventory.

Damage
$1.4 million
Strongest
2.5 in hail
Events
1

The full record

Winter storms and snow

1 on May 2, oldest first.

2013Heavy Snow in Iowa, May 2 to 3, 2013

The system that affected the state the previous day continued to affect Iowa as a large upper level low pressure system intensified to the south of the state. Initially, cold air settled into the state during the evening of the 2nd.

Damage
$1.3 million
Events
12

The full record

Heat and drought

2 on May 2, oldest first.

2026Heat in Arizona, May 2, 2026

Temperatures in Southeastern Arizona was near normal with Little to Minor HeatRisk. The Pima County Medical Examiner found that heat was the cause of death for an individual in Tucson.

Deaths
1
Events
1

The full record

Cold

1 on May 2, oldest first.

2013It was a chilly start to May across Oklahoma and western north Texas in 2013

It was a chilly start to May across Oklahoma and western north Texas in 2013. Record low temperatures were set on May 2, 2013 when Oklahoma City reported a low of 37 degrees and Wichita Falls 38 degrees. Both locations also set records for the coolest high temperatures for the date. Oklahoma City only reached 48 degrees while Wichita Falls made it to 53 degrees.

From the National Weather Service in Norman, Oklahoma.

The full record

Wildfires

35 on May 2, oldest first.

1994Aspen Fire

The Aspen Fire was discovered on May 2, 1994, in North Dakota, and burned 1,640 acres; the cause was recorded as debris and open burning.

When
May 2, 1994
Acres
1,640

The full record

1995Icehouse Fire

The Icehouse Fire was discovered on May 2, 1995, in Arizona, and burned 3,408 acres; the cause was recorded as arson/incendiarism.

When
May 2, 1995
Acres
3,408

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199511MI Fire

The 11MI Fire was discovered on May 2, 1995, in New Mexico, and burned 2,240 acres.

When
May 2, 1995
Acres
2,240

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1995Simmons Fire

The Simmons Fire was discovered on May 2, 1995, in New Mexico, and burned 1,200 acres.

When
May 2, 1995
Acres
1,200

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1996Kleberg Fire

The Kleberg Fire was discovered on May 2, 1996, in Texas, and burned 1,000 acres; the cause was recorded as smoking.

When
May 2, 1996
Acres
1,000

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1997R307 Fire

The R307 Fire was discovered on May 2, 1997, in Minnesota, and burned 2,178 acres; the cause was recorded as human.

When
May 2, 1997
Acres
2,178

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1999Wildfire in Michigan, May 2 to 7, 1999

Hot, dry and windy weather, along with abundant dry fuel left over from winter set the stage and careless campers and an unattended campfire added the spark to start a major wildfire in Michigan's Upper Peninsula.

Injuries
4
Damage
$2.0 million
Events
4

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2004Wildfire in California, May 2 to 7, 2004

Hot and dry conditions were present for several days before and after these five fires broke out. Afternoon temperatures were over 100 degrees. The relative humidity ranged from less than 10 percent during the day to only 25 percent at night.

Injuries
18
Damage
$8.1 million
Events
5

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2004Eagle Fire

The Eagle Fire was discovered on May 2, 2004, in California, and burned 8,945 acres; the cause was recorded as human.

When
May 2, 2004
Acres
8,945

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2004India Fire

The India Fire was discovered on May 2, 2004, in San Diego County, California, and burned 2,040 acres.

When
May 2, 2004
Acres
2,040

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2006Unnamed Fire

The Unnamed Fire was discovered on May 2, 2006, in Hemphill County, Texas, and burned 1,920 acres; the cause was recorded as natural.

When
May 2, 2006
Acres
1,920

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2007Surprise Fire

The Surprise Fire was discovered on May 2, 2007, in Florida, and burned 1,238 acres; the cause was recorded as natural.

When
May 2, 2007
Acres
1,238

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2008Myakka Cut Fire

The Myakka Cut Fire was discovered on May 2, 2008, in Glades County, Florida, and burned 38,000 acres; the cause was recorded as arson/incendiarism.

When
May 2, 2008
Acres
38,000

The full record

2008Arizona Fire

The Arizona Fire was discovered on May 2, 2008, in Lea County, New Mexico, and burned 5,200 acres; the cause was recorded as human.

When
May 2, 2008
Acres
5,200

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2009Elgin Fire

The Elgin Fire was discovered on May 2, 2009, in Santa Cruz County, Arizona, and burned 379 acres; the cause was recorded as human.

When
May 2, 2009
Acres
379

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2010Dust Storm in Arizona, May 2, 2010

An intense storm system passed through the Four Corners region on May 2. An increase in pressure gradients resulted in strong winds and areas of blowing dust across southeast Arizona.

Deaths
1
Damage
$30,000
Events
1

The full record

2011Greaterville Fire

The Greaterville Fire was discovered on May 2, 2011, in Arizona, and burned 1,825 acres; the cause was recorded as equipment and vehicle use.

When
May 2, 2011
Acres
1,825

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2013Springs Fire

The Springs Fire was discovered on May 2, 2013, in California, and burned 24,238 acres; the cause was recorded as human.

When
May 2, 2013
Acres
24,238

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20182018 Indian dust storms

From 2 to 3 May 2018, an extremely severe dust storms swept across parts of North India. 125 people died and over 200 were injured.

Ended
May 3, 2018
Where
India
Country
India
Deaths
125

From Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0.

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2018Nees Fire

The Nees Fire was reported on May 2, 2018, in Merced County, California, and burned 1,756 acres.

When
May 2, 2018
Acres
1,756

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2020Moore Fire

The Moore Fire was reported on May 2, 2020, in Mora County, New Mexico, and burned 3,800 acres; the cause was recorded as human.

When
May 2, 2020
Acres
3,800

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2021Slates Church Fire

The Slates Church Fire was reported on May 2, 2021, in Scotland County, North Carolina, and burned 1,500 acres; the cause was recorded as human.

When
May 2, 2021
Acres
1,500

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2022Smoke Stack Lightning Fire

The Smoke Stack Lightning Fire was reported on May 2, 2022, in Stonewall County, Texas, and burned 14,898 acres; the cause was recorded as natural.

When
May 2, 2022
Acres
14,898

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2022Truck Tire Fire

The Truck Tire Fire was reported on May 2, 2022, in Roosevelt County, New Mexico, and burned 1,500 acres; the cause was recorded as human.

When
May 2, 2022
Acres
1,500

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2022Truck Tire Fire

The Truck Tire Fire was reported on May 2, 2022, in Roosevelt County, New Mexico, and burned 1,500 acres.

When
May 2, 2022
Acres
1,500

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2024School Fire

The School Fire was reported on May 2, 2024, in Kern County, California, and burned 1,479 acres.

When
May 2, 2024
Acres
1,479

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2025Sunset RD Fire

The Sunset RD Fire was reported on May 2, 2025, in Brunswick County, North Carolina, and burned 1,331 acres; the cause was recorded as human.

When
May 2, 2025
Acres
1,331

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2026AFM - Hazen Fire

The AFM - Hazen Fire was reported on May 2, 2026, in Maricopa County, Arizona, and burned 1,191 acres; the cause was recorded as human.

When
May 2, 2026
Acres
1,191

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2026Guide Fire

The Guide Fire was reported on May 2, 2026, in Oglala Lakota County, South Dakota, and burned 1,104 acres; the cause was recorded as human.

When
May 2, 2026
Acres
1,104.5

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Earthquakes

19 on May 2, oldest first.

16211621 Panama earthquake

The 1621 Panama earthquake, also known as the Panamá Viejo earthquake occurred between 16:30 and 16:45 (UTC−5) on 2 May. It is considered to be the first documented violent quake in the Isthmus of Panama, with the epicenter at Pedro Miguel Fault, with a maximum Mercalli intensity of VII.

Where
Panama
Country
Panama
Magnitude
6.9

From Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0.

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Volcanoes

3 on May 2, oldest first.

Tsunamis

8 on May 2, oldest first.

Space weather and aurora

5 on May 2, oldest first.

1976G4 (Severe) Geomagnetic Storm of May 2, 1976

A G4 (severe) geomagnetic storm began May 2, 1976, reached Kp 8+ and lasted 27 hours, with a daily Ap as high as 97; at that Kp the aurora may be seen from about 43 degrees geomagnetic latitude.

When
May 2 to 3, 1976
Peak Kp
8+
Storm level
G4

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1986G3 (Strong) Geomagnetic Storm of May 2, 1986

A G3 (strong) geomagnetic storm began May 2, 1986, reached Kp 7+ and lasted 21 hours, with a daily Ap as high as 43; at that Kp the aurora may be seen from about 48 degrees geomagnetic latitude.

When
May 2 to 3, 1986
Peak Kp
7+
Storm level
G3

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1994G3 (Strong) Geomagnetic Storm of May 2, 1994

A G3 (strong) geomagnetic storm began May 2, 1994, reached Kp 7- and lasted 15 hours, with a daily Ap as high as 49; at that Kp the aurora may be seen from about 52 degrees geomagnetic latitude.

When
May 2 to 3, 1994
Peak Kp
7-
Storm level
G3

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1998G5 (Extreme) Geomagnetic Storm of May 2, 1998

A G5 (extreme) geomagnetic storm began May 2, 1998, reached Kp 9- and lasted 60 hours, with a daily Ap as high as 101; at that Kp the aurora may be seen from about 42 degrees geomagnetic latitude.

When
May 2 to 4, 1998
Peak Kp
9-
Storm level
G5

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Billion-dollar disasters

1 on May 2, oldest first.

Other weather

9 on May 2, oldest first.

1998Rip Current in Guam, May 2, 1998

A man snorkeling with two friends became separated from them in strong currents. His body is yet to be found and is presumed drowned. The drought conditions across the Western Pacific seem to have abated this month.

Deaths
1
Events
1

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20142014 Badakhshan mudslides

On 2 May 2014, a pair of mudslides occurred in Argo District, Badakhshan Province, Afghanistan. The death toll is uncertain, the number of deaths is believed to be at least 350 and no more than 2,700.

Where
Q106234140
Missing
600

From Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0.

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Every day of the year

Sources

Gathered from this site’s archives: the tornado record (NOAA SPC, and Grazulis before 1950), IBTrACS and the National Hurricane Center, NOAA NCEI’s Storm Events Database, Regional Snowfall Index, billion-dollar disasters list, State Climate Extremes Committee and hazard databases, USGS, NIFC, GFZ Potsdam’s Kp index (CC BY 4.0), the National Weather Service in Norman, Oklahoma, and Wikidata (CC0), with article leads from Wikipedia under CC BY-SA 4.0, each credited where it appears. Rebuilt 2026-09-24.