Derecho facts for kids

Derechos are a widespread and damaging group of severe thunderstorms. The word "derecho" means "straight" in Spanish. That is because it is a straight line of thunderstorms. They often have rapid forward speeds. They have a distinct appearance on radars, known as bow echos. They have very strong winds. Unlike other thunderstorms, derecho storms usually hit suddenly, with strong hurricane force winds, spraying rain, and frequent lightning from all directions. A derecho can create heavy damage in only a short time. These storms usually happen in North America, although they can occur elsewhere around the world. Winds with these storms can exceed 100 mph in certain cases.

Images for kids

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  A shelf cloud along the leading edge of a derecho in Minnesota

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  Development of derechos

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  Composite radar image of the June 2012 North American derecho (a progressive derecho) as it moved from Indiana to Virginia

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  A typical multi-bow serial derecho

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  A typical progressive derecho

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  This image shows derecho frequency for the lower 48 United States

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  Damage to the Väike-Maarja Church in Estonia after the derecho hit on 8 August 2010

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  Trees felled by downbursts in the Boundary Waters – Canadian derecho of 1999

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  Barn in Mount Solon, Virginia, destroyed by June 2012 North American derecho