zpostcode
'You certainly don't see this every day': Ultra-rare backward-spinning tornado formed over Oklahoma
Apr 5, 2026 7:20 AM

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 >
Why Are Some Eggs Brown and Some White?
  Why Are Some Eggs Brown and Some White? Ask the Chatbot a Question More Actions Share Share Share to social media Facebook X URL https://www.britannica.com/science/Why-Are-Some-Eggs-Brown-and-Some-White 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...
Hammerfest
     The port of Hammerfest on Sørøy Sound, Norway. (more) Hammerfest Norway Ask the Chatbot a Question More Actions Print Cite verifiedCite While every effort has been made to follow citation style rules, there may be some discrepancies. Please refer to the appropriate style manual or other sources if you have any questions. Select Citation Style MLA APA Chicago Manual...
What Is the Either-Or Fallacy?
  What Is the Either-Or Fallacy? Ask the Chatbot a Question More Actions Share Share Share to social media Facebook X URL https://www.britannica.com/topic/What-Is-the-Either-Or-Fallacy 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 Thank you...
White Nights
     Early work Russian writer Fyodor Dostoyevsky, shown in 1876, was introduced to a new generation of readers in 2024–25 when “White Nights” surged in popularity thanks to TikTok and Instagram users. (more) White Nights short story by Dostoevsky Ask the Chatbot a Question More Actions Share Share Share to social media Facebook X URL https://www.britannica.com/topic/White-Nights Feedback Corrections? Updates? Omissions?...
Information Recommendation
Nicholas Of Verdun
     Nicholas of Verdun: Shrine of the Three Kings Shrine of the Three Kings, Cologne Cathedral, Germany; the shrine is attributed to Nicholas of Verdun. (more) Nicholas Of Verdun Flemish enamelist Ask the Chatbot a Question More Actions Print Cite verifiedCite While every effort has been made to follow citation style rules, there may be some discrepancies. Please refer to...
Central Papua
     Indonesia (Upper map) Indonesia in its entirety; (lower map) the islands of Java, Bali, Lombok, and Sumbawa. (more) Central Papua province, Indonesia Ask the Chatbot a Question More Actions Share Share Share to social media Facebook X URL https://www.britannica.com/place/Central-Papua-Indonesia Feedback Corrections? Updates? Omissions? Let us know if you have suggestions to improve this article (requires login). Feedback Type Select...
15 Best-Selling Manga
     Tankōbon volumes on display A set of tankōbon volumes from various manga series. These standalone books collect multiple serialized chapters into a single volume for readers. (more) 15 Best-Selling Manga Ask the Chatbot a Question More Actions Share Share Share to social media Facebook X URL https://www.britannica.com/art/15-Best-Selling-Manga Feedback Corrections? Updates? Omissions? Let us know if you have suggestions to...
Highland Papua
     Indonesia (Upper map) Indonesia in its entirety; (lower map) the islands of Java, Bali, Lombok, and Sumbawa. (more) Highland Papua province, Indonesia Ask the Chatbot a Question More Actions Share Share Share to social media Facebook X URL https://www.britannica.com/place/Highland-Papua-Indonesia Feedback Corrections? Updates? Omissions? Let us know if you have suggestions to improve this article (requires login). Feedback Type Select...
What Does a Narwhal Use Its Horn For?
     Narwhals A male narwhal (right) swimming with another, possibly female, narwhal. (more) What Does a Narwhal Use Its Horn For? Ask the Chatbot a Question More Actions Share Share Share to social media Facebook X URL https://www.britannica.com/science/What-Does-a-Narwhal-Use-Its-Horn-For Feedback Corrections? Updates? Omissions? Let us know if you have suggestions to improve this article (requires login). Feedback Type Select a type...
Celine Song
     Celine Song at the Academy Awards in 2024 Celine Song is a Canadian filmmaker known for her debut feature, Past Lives, and her sophomore film, Materialists. (more) Celine Song Canadian filmmaker Ask the Chatbot a Question More Actions Share Share Share to social media Facebook X URL https://www.britannica.com/biography/Celine-Song Feedback Corrections? Updates? Omissions? Let us know if you have suggestions...
auricle
  auricle heart Ask the Chatbot a Question More Actions Share Share Share to social media Facebook X URL https://www.britannica.com/science/auricle-heart 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 Thank you for your feedback...
Wellington Harbour
     Port Nicholson Port Nicholson, North Island, New Zealand. (more) Wellington Harbour inlet, New Zealand Ask the Chatbot a Question More Actions Print Cite verifiedCite While every effort has been made to follow citation style rules, there may be some discrepancies. Please refer to the appropriate style manual or other sources if you have any questions. Select Citation Style MLA...