What is a Derecho?

Derecho from Spanish meaning straight.

Derecho is a powerful long lasting straight-line wind that accompanies severe thunderstorms. A derecho is classified as a band of storms that have winds of at least 60 mph along the entire span of the storm front, maintained over a time span of at least six hours.They occur primarily in North America and in the Mid-west, but they have been recorded in other parts of the country and other countries of the world.

Derechos are primarily a warm-weather occurrence, usually June, July and August, but they may occur any time of the year and they also occur just as frequently at night as during the day.

Although semi-rare, a derecho can cause hurricane-force winds in a straight line and can produce tornadoes, heavy rains and flash floods.

They form in a line of storms and travel in the direction of the associated storm front. The wind in the derecho is sustained and increases in strength behind the front and will usually exceed hurricane strength.

I have spent the majority of my life in the Mid-west and I am pleased to say that I have never had to experience this phenomenon and I hope that I never do!