(5-5-24) The National Weather Service has confirmed that a “landspout tornado” touched down Saturday evening in Mercer County between Chattanooga and Rockford. 

WHIO TV – EF-U landspout tornado spotted in Mercer Co.

What are landspouts?

Tornado Titans

Landspout tornadoes are formed from boundary winds near the surface and simply lack the power of supercell tornadoes. Landspouts are quick to form and quick to dissipate, causing to little to no damage. Landspout tornadoes are very difficult to detect on radar.

The National Weather Service has rated the storm as an EF-U for unknown since the storm did not cause damage. The tornado traveled over a field for approximately .6 miles and was 30 yards in width.

This confirmation brings the state’s total tornado count to 36 for the year.