November 9

The first signs for organized severe weather became apparent on November 7, when the Storm Prediction Center (SPC) outlined a Slight risk across portions of the mid-Mississippi and western Ohio River valleys valid for November 9.^[6][7] On that day, a powerful and negatively-tilted upper-level trough upwards of 150 kn (175 mph; 280 km/h) was observed driving east-southeastward toward the U.S. Central and Southern Plains. While a shortwave trough at the leading edge of this feature progressed across the Texas Panhandle, a surface area of low pressure resided across the Central and Northern Plains.^[8] Southerly flow associated with the cyclone prompted the northward advection of moisture from the Gulf of Mexico, with dewpoints rising into the lower 60s °F as far north as southern Illinois; this moisture promoted modest destabilization and mid-level convective available potential energy (CAPE) values from 500 to 1,000 J/kg. As the shortwave trough continued eastward, it aided in the formation of thunderstorms across northeastern Arkansas around 00:00 UTC. These storms resided in a strongly sheared environment, with storm relative helicity – a measure of the potential for cyclonic updrafts – around 800 m2/s2. Despite initial concern that the lower levels of the atmosphere were not quite as favorable,^[9] evening atmospheric soundings from Little Rock, Arkansas, and Memphis, Tennessee, showcased an extremely favorable environment for significant tornadoes.^[10] Clusters of supercells tracked from Arkansas into Tennessee over ensuing hours, and in fact, the persistence of these storms resulted in the formation of a weak outflow boundary that further enhanced the tornado threat.^[11] A total of 10 tornadoes occurred throughout the evening of November 9, including multiple strong tornadoes and one that killed two people near Huntingdon, Tennessee.^[12]

November 10–11

On November 10, the SPC warned of the potential for a significant tornado outbreak and/or widespread damaging wind episode across northeastern Mississippi, much of Tennessee, northwestern Alabama, and much of Kentucky, where the organization issued a High risk of severe weather. Morning upper-air analyses showed mid- to upper-level winds of 100–150 kn (115–175 mph; 185–280 km/h) across the southern Rocky Mountains, as well as an embedded shortwave trough moving east toward the Mississippi and Ohio River valleys. At the surface, a strong area of low pressure was positioned over Wisconsin and moving northeastward toward Ontario.^[13] Throughout the afternoon hours, the tornado outbreak unfolded in three distinct locations.^[7] To the north across Indiana and Ohio, temperatures rose into the lower 70s and dewpoints climbed into the mid-60s °F, supporting CAPE values of 1,000–2,000 J/kg. In addition, significant pressure falls in the region contributed to backed surface winds, aiding in favorable low-level shear profiles.^[14] Although storms in this region were initially congealed into a squall line ahead of a cold front, the presence of strong shear and dry air in the mid-levels supported the line's breakdown into supercells and bowing segments.^[15] Ahead of this activity, additional discrete supercells overspread much of Ohio owing to a prefrontal trough.^[16][7] A long-tracked, violent F4 tornado began in Van Wert and tracked for over 52 mi (84 km), killing 4 people and injuring 17 others.^[17] An F3 tornado near Tiffin killed one person and injured two others.^[18] An F2 tornado in Clark, Pennsylvania, killed 1 person.^[19] Numerous other tornadoes were recorded throughout the afternoon.^[1] The event evolved into more of a significant damaging wind episode as storms progressed farther east into Pennsylvania by the evening hours.^[20]

With the northern outbreak unfolding, a central outbreak simultaneously overspread portions of Tennessee and Kentucky, while a southern outbreak spanned areas from Mississippi into South Carolina.^[21] Surface observations and atmospheric soundings across the High and Moderate risk areas showed a very unstable environment with surface-based CAPE values in the 2,000–3,000 J/kg range. Despite the presence of a cap, this inversion was weak and expected to be eroded by warming daytime temperatures. Meanwhile, deep-layer wind shear of 50–60 kn (60–70 mph; 95–110 km/h) overspread the area. Though shear profiles were largely unidirectional initially, low-level winds were expected to become more conducive for discrete supercells and tornadoes.^[22] As expected, temperatures climbing to around 80 °F (27 °C) and dewpoints reaching the mid-60s °F allowed for deep convective development into the afternoon.^[23] Multiple swaths of supercells developed throughout the region, including one in middle Tennessee,^[24] a second from central Mississippi into northwestern Alabama, and a third from northeastern Louisiana into central Mississippi.^[25] Fatal tornadoes occurred near Shelbyville,^[26] Joyner,^[27] and Crossville in Tennessee;^[28] Carbon Hill,^[29] Saragossa,^[30] and Centre in Alabama;^[31] and Crawford in Mississippi.^[32] Numerous other tornadoes were documented throughout the area.^[1] Much like the outbreak farther north, the event transitioned into more of a damaging wind event by the evening hours,^[33] though a few tornadoes still occurred during the early morning hours across Georgia and South Carolina.^[34]

November 9 event

November 10 event

November 11 event

Van Wert–Roselms, Ohio

On November 10, a violent tornado struck the city of Van Wert and the community of Roselms in Ohio.^{[132][133][134]} The National Weather Service rated the worst of the damage F4 on the Fujita scale, with several homes and businesses sustaining F4 damage in the city of Van Wert.^{[132][135][136]} The tornado touched down approximately four miles (6.4 km) northeast of the village of Willshire, Ohio in Van Wert County and began moving northeast towards the city of Van Wert.^[132][133] Right after touching down, the tornado rapidly intensified to F4 intensity as it crossed Zook Road approximately five miles (8.0 km) southwest of Van Wert.^[133] Around Zook Road, a 75-year-old man was killed when the tornado destroyed his house at F4 intensity.^{[133][134][137]} The National Weather Service documented that he was attempting to shield his wheelchair-bound wife when the tornado struck.^[134] As the tornado continued into Van Wert, it maintained F4 intensity.^[133] In Van Wert, 43 homes and five businesses were destroyed and 164 homes and 27 businesses were damaged.^[133] The Twin Cinemas and the five buildings in the Vision Industrial Park sustained F4 damage.^[133] In the Twin Cinemas, 60 people, mostly children, were inside watching a movie when the tornado destroyed the building.^[133] Vehicles from the cinema parking lot were thrown into the seats of the cinema.^[133] An 18-year-old was killed after driving near the cinema and having his car thrown into the cinema seats.^[133][134] Three county engineering buildings were also destroyed by the tornado in Van Wert.^[133] After passing through the Vision Industrial Park, several homes and business in Van Wert sustained F3 to F4 damage.^[133]

The tornado continued northeast out of Van Wert and crossed into Paulding County, where it struck the community of Roselms. Only one building remained standing in Roselms after the tornado.^[133] Every structure in Roselms sustained up to F3 damage, and the entire nine-mile (14 km) track of the tornado through Paulding County was rated F3 by the National Weather Service.^[133][138] The Dayton Daily Newspaper reported that in Paulding County, 23 homes, 32 barns, and a church were completely leveled and 19 additional homes were damaged.^[139] The Washington Township building was also leveled by the tornado.^[137] The tornado continued northeast at F3 intensity as it crossed into Putnam County.^[138] In Putnam County, the tornado destroyed a mobile home in Continental, killing a man and his wife.^[133][134] After traveling seven miles (11 km) through the county, the tornado rapidly weakened to F0 intensity just before it crossed into Defiance County.^[133] While traveling three miles (4.8 km) through Defiance County, the tornado skipped and caused F0 damage to five homes and some outbuildings before crossing into Henry County.^[133] In Henry County, the tornado continued to skip and caused F0 damage to outbuildings and trees along a path of 12 miles (19 km). The tornado lifted approximately two miles (3.2 km) southeast of Malinta.^[133]

In total, the tornado killed four people and injured 17 others along a path of 53 miles (85 km), while reaching a peak width of 880 yards (800 m).^[133][140] The tornado caused at least $30 million (2002 USD) in damage just in the city of Van Wert.^[133]

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration later stated that out of the entire tornado outbreak, which included a total of 76 tornadoes, the Van Wert–Roselms tornado was the most remembered, due to "the heroic efforts of [Scott Shaffer] at the Van Wert Cinemas. After hearing the tornado warning that was broadcasted over the county's warning system, the manager led 60 patrons to interior hallways and restrooms. This was only a few minutes before the tornado destroyed the theater. Besides leveling the building, 3 cars were tossed into the seats that were previously occupied by moviegoers, many of which were children."^{[136][141][142]}