zpostcode
'You certainly don't see this every day': Ultra-rare backward-spinning tornado formed over Oklahoma
Apr 6, 2026 5:10 PM

An ultra-rare backward-spinning tornado was spawned Tuesday (April 30) from a powerful supercell thunderstorm that formed over the Oklahoma-Texas border.

This backward tornado burst to life in the wake of another odd twister, which was unusual in that it looped back over its own path, CNN reported. Tornadoes tend to travel from west to east, because the prevailing winds in the U.S. travel in that direction and thus push storm systems that way. However, tornadoes can sometimes turn back on themselves as they lose strength; in this case, the tornado completed a full loop over its original path before dying out.

This looping tornado had formed north of Loveland, Oklahoma, around 10 p.m. local time. It traveled east before heading north, west and then east again, over the same area it had already hit.

To be clear, in this loop we have a westward moving, dissipating cyclonic tornado AND and newly developed anticyclonic tornado also moving west-southwest with a debris signature. This is so incredibly rare its hard to describe. pic.twitter.com/SCpnyWXOgAMay 1, 2024

"You certainly don't see this every day," Rick Smith, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service (NWS) in Norman, Oklahoma, told CNN.

Related: 'Wedge tornado' in Mississippi is the deadliest in more than 50 years

As the looping tornado died down, the backward-spinning twister appeared a few miles southeast of Loveland, just before 10:30 p.m. Smith told CNN that both tornadoes were likely active for a brief period.

A weather service warning called the tornado "large and extremely dangerous" and noted that it was "nearly stationary or moving very slowly south." It warned people located in Loveland, Grandfield and Devol that "This is a PARTICULARLY DANGEROUS SITUATION. TAKE COVER NOW!"

RELATED STORIESDeadly cyclone 'Freddy' may be the longest-lived and most energetic storm ever recorded

How the 'deadly December tornado' carved a 250-mile path through 4 states

Most powerful solar storm in 6 years caused auroras all over the US. And nobody saw it coming

According to the NWS, nearly all tornadoes in the Northern Hemisphere have winds that whip counterclockwise around a central point; this motion is known as "cyclonic." But in about 1% of cases, twisters spin in the opposite direction; these are called anticyclonic. (In the Southern Hemisphere, cyclonic tornadoes spin clockwise, while anticyclonic ones spin counterclockwise.)

It was unusual enough to see a backward-spinning tornado, but the cyclone's lack of movement was also odd, Smith told CNN. And radar suggested the storm was strong enough to chuck debris thousands of feet into the air, even though anticyclonic tornadoes are often relatively weak.

Thankfully, the tornadoes mostly traveled over farmland, according to recent updates issued by Tillman County Emergency Management on Facebook. There have been no injuries, deaths or extensive structural damage reported, according to CNN.

Oklahoma has seen more than two dozen tornadoes this week. On April 27 and 28, a "slow-moving, but potent" storm triggered at least 27 tornadoes in Oklahoma and Texas, with 24 confirmed in Oklahoma, the NWS reported.

Comments
Welcome to zpostcode comments! Please keep conversations courteous and on-topic. To fosterproductive and respectful conversations, you may see comments from our Community Managers.
Sign up to post
Sort by
Show More Comments
Recommend >
climate of India
     Leh Palace, Ladakh, India Some places in Ladakh, such as Leh at an elevation of 11,550 feet (3,520 meters), may receive less than 24 inches (610 mm) rainfall annually because of the high altitude and cold-desert climate. (more) climate of India Ask the Chatbot a Question More Actions Share Share Share to social media Facebook X URL https://www.britannica.com/science/climate-of-India Feedback...
Why Is the U.S. Bailing Out Argentina?
     President Trump welcoming Argentinian President Milei U.S. Pres. Donald Trump (left) and president of Argentina Javier Milei at the White House in Washington, D.C., October 14, 2025. (more) Why Is the U.S. Bailing Out Argentina? 2025 political development Ask the Chatbot a Question More Actions Share Share Share to social media Facebook X URL https://www.britannica.com/topic/Why-Is-the-US-Bailing-Out-Argentina Feedback Corrections? Updates? Omissions?...
Ashkenazi Hasidism
  Ashkenazi Hasidism Jewish religious movement [12th–13th century] Ask the Chatbot a Question More Actions Share Share Share to social media Facebook X URL https://www.britannica.com/topic/Ashkenazi-Hasidism Feedback Corrections? Updates? Omissions? Let us know if you have suggestions to improve this article (requires login). Feedback Type Select a type (Required) Factual Correction Spelling/Grammar Correction Link Correction Additional Information Other Your Feedback Submit Feedback...
Fairmont Conference
     Thomas Sowell One of the organizers of the 1980 Black Alternatives Conference, economist Thomas Sowell played a key role in bringing Black conservatism to wider attention. (more) Fairmont Conference United States history [1980] Ask the Chatbot a Question More Actions Share Share Share to social media Facebook X URL https://www.britannica.com/event/Fairmont-Conference-1980 Feedback Corrections? Updates? Omissions? Let us know if you...
Information Recommendation
Mission: Impossible
     Mission: Impossible - Rogue Nation Tom Cruise as Ethan Hunt in Mission: Impossible - Rogue Nation (2015), directed by Christopher McQuarrie. (more) Mission: Impossible film franchise Ask the Chatbot a Question More Actions Share Share Share to social media Facebook X URL https://www.britannica.com/topic/Mission-Impossible-film-francise Feedback Corrections? Updates? Omissions? Let us know if you have suggestions to improve this article (requires...
strawberry tree
     Strawberry tree Ripening fruits of the strawberry tree (Arbutus unedo). (more) strawberry tree plant Ask the Chatbot a Question More Actions Share Share Share to social media Facebook X URL https://www.britannica.com/plant/strawberry-tree Feedback Corrections? Updates? Omissions? Let us know if you have suggestions to improve this article (requires login). Feedback Type Select a type (Required) Factual Correction Spelling/Grammar Correction Link...
hematinic
     Red blood cells The formation of healthy red blood cells depends on essential nutrients known as hematinics, examples of which include iron and vitamin B12. (more) hematinic biochemistry Ask the Chatbot a Question More Actions Share Share Share to social media Facebook X URL https://www.britannica.com/science/hematinic Feedback Corrections? Updates? Omissions? Let us know if you have suggestions to improve this...
Z-Library
     Libraries sure have come a long way… 19th-century illustration of the ancient Library of Alexandria, Egypt. (more) Z-Library online shadow library Ask the Chatbot a Question More Actions Share Share Share to social media Facebook X URL https://www.britannica.com/topic/Z-Library Feedback Corrections? Updates? Omissions? Let us know if you have suggestions to improve this article (requires login). Feedback Type Select a...
2025 NBA Betting and Gambling Scandal
     Head coach Chauncey Billups Portland Trail Blazers head coach Chauncey Billups before a home game against the Philadelphia 76ers, December 30, 2024. A former guard who won an NBA title in 2004 with the Detroit Pistons, Billups was hired by the Trail Blazers in 2021. In October 2025 he was placed on leave after being indicted for participating in...
The Odyssey
     Christopher Nolan Director Christopher Nolan at the London premiere of Oppenheimer, 2023. (more) The Odyssey film by Nolan [2026] Ask the Chatbot a Question More Actions Share Share Share to social media Facebook X URL https://www.britannica.com/topic/The-Odyssey-film-by-Nolan Feedback Corrections? Updates? Omissions? Let us know if you have suggestions to improve this article (requires login). Feedback Type Select a type (Required)...
Abigail Johnson
     Abigail Johnson is the third generation of her family to lead Fidelity Investments.© Barry Chin—The Boston Globe/Getty ImagesMost chief executives who lead Wall Street’s largest financial firms have to answer to shareholders, but Abigail Johnson isn’t among them. As chair and chief executive officer of Fidelity Investments, she oversees a privately held company started by her grandfather that has grown...
New Year’s Resolutions
     Are New Year's resolutions helpful? Every January 1 scores of people make resolutions. Few keep them. (more) New Year’s Resolutions Are New Year’s Resolutions Helpful? (Quick Take) Ask the Chatbot a Question More Actions Print print Print Please select which sections you would like to print: Table Of Contents Cite verifiedCite While every effort has been made to follow...