zpostcode
'You certainly don't see this every day': Ultra-rare backward-spinning tornado formed over Oklahoma
Oct 13, 2026 7:50 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 >
What Is the Finalissima?
     2022 Finalissima champions Argentina's Lionel Messi lifting the 2022 Finalissima trophy after defeating Italy, 3–0. (more) What Is the Finalissima? Written by Andrew Pereira Andrew Pereira is an editor at Encyclopaedia Britannica. He covers a variety of topics, with a focus on Indian politics, foreign policy, and global affairs. Andrew Pereira Fact-checked by Britannica Editors Encyclopaedia Britannica's editors oversee...
Rebekah
  Rebekah biblical figure Also known as: Rebecca, Rivka, Rivqah Written by Charles Preston Charles Preston is Associate Editor for Religion at Encyclopædia Britannica. Charles Preston Fact-checked by Britannica Editors Encyclopaedia Britannica's editors oversee subject areas in which they have extensive knowledge, whether from years of experience gained by working on that content or via study for an advanced degree.... Britannica...
unification of Italy
     Unification of Italy The unification of Italy. The dates are those of annexation, first to Sardinia-Piedmont and after 1861 to the Kingdom of Italy. (more) unification of Italy Italian history Written and fact-checked by Britannica Editors Encyclopaedia Britannica's editors oversee subject areas in which they have extensive knowledge, whether from years of experience gained by working on that content...
How Were Ancient Chinese Bronzes Made?
     Chinese bronze work A ding, or ritual food vessel, with interlaced dragon designs from the ancient state of Jin, in modern Shanxi Province, Eastern Zhou dynasty (c. 500–450 bce); in the Los Angeles County Museum of Art. (more) How Were Ancient Chinese Bronzes Made? Written by Teagan Wolter Teagan Wolter is Associate Editor of Anthropology at Encyclopædia Britannica. Teagan...
Information Recommendation
Today in History—March 16: The Day Samoset Walked into Plymouth Colony
     March 16, 1621: The Pilgrims' first visitor had a question (more) Today in History—March 16: The Day Samoset Walked into Plymouth Colony Written by Michele Metych Michele Metych is the lead editor for Today in History at Encyclopædia Britannica. Michele Metych Fact-checked by Britannica Editors Encyclopaedia Britannica's editors oversee subject areas in which they have extensive knowledge, whether from...
Markwayne Mullin
     Markwayne Mullin His workout routines, bold stylistic choices, and brash manner have made Markwayne Mullin a memorable member of Congress. (more) Markwayne Mullin United States senator Written by Nick Tabor Nick Tabor is a freelance journalist and the author of Africatown: America's Last Slave Ship and the Community It Created. Nick Tabor Fact-checked by Britannica Editors Encyclopaedia Britannica's editors...
What Is the Largest Antelope?
     Giant eland This absolute unit of an antelope is a giant eland (Taurotragus derbianus). Elands are the largest species of antelopes. (more) What Is the Largest Antelope? Written and fact-checked by Britannica Editors Encyclopaedia Britannica's editors oversee subject areas in which they have extensive knowledge, whether from years of experience gained by working on that content or via study...
Gulf Arab States
     The Gulf Arab states Map showing the Gulf Arab states: Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Oman, and the United Arab Emirates. Iraq, which has a short coastline on the northern Persian Gulf, is sometimes included among the Gulf Arab states. (more) Gulf Arab States region, Asia Also known as: Arab states of the Persian Gulf Written by Katie Angell...
Ganges shark
     Ganges shark The Ganges shark (Glyphis gangeticus, formerly Carcharhinus gangeticus) has gained an undeserved reputation as a man-eater because of its resemblance to the bull shark (Carcharhinus leucas). (more) Ganges shark fish Also known as: Carcharhinus gangeticus, Ganges river shark, Glyphis gangeticus(Show More) Written by John P. Rafferty John P. Rafferty writes about Earth processes and the environment. He...
Bellingcat
     Bellingcat founder Eliot Higgins, shown in 2018, began Bellingcat as a blog before soliciting citizen journalists to help with investigations. (more) Bellingcat journalism organization Written by Nick Tabor Nick Tabor is a freelance journalist and the author of Africatown: America's Last Slave Ship and the Community It Created. Nick Tabor Fact-checked by Britannica Editors Encyclopaedia Britannica's editors oversee subject...
Today in History—March 15: The Nazi Seizure of Church Bells
     March 15, 1940: The day the bells went silent. (more) Today in History—March 15: The Nazi Seizure of Church Bells Written by Michele Metych Michele Metych is the lead editor for Today in History at Encyclopædia Britannica. Michele Metych Fact-checked by Britannica Editors Encyclopaedia Britannica's editors oversee subject areas in which they have extensive knowledge, whether from years of...
Which Country Has the Most Anglicans?
     The Anglican Communion Map of the churches and membership of the Anglican Communion. (more) Which Country Has the Most Anglicans? Written by Melissa Petruzzello Melissa Petruzzello (she/her) is Assistant Managing Editor and covers plants, algae, fungi, insects, spiders, renewable energy and environmental engineering. She also handles certain topics in Christianity,... Melissa PetruzzelloAll Fact-checked by Britannica Editors Encyclopaedia Britannica's editors...