zpostcode
'You certainly don't see this every day': Ultra-rare backward-spinning tornado formed over Oklahoma
Apr 17, 2026 5:09 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 >
Can Salamanders Regrow Body Parts?
     Western tiger salamander (Ambystoma mavortium) Western tiger salamander (Ambystoma mavortium). Salamanders can regrow their limbs and tail if they lose them. (more) Can Salamanders Regrow Body Parts? Ask the Chatbot a Question More Actions Share Share Share to social media Facebook X URL https://www.britannica.com/science/Can-Salamanders-Regrow-Body-Parts Feedback Corrections? Updates? Omissions? Let us know if you have suggestions to improve this article...
What’s the Difference Between Planets and Stars?
     Open cluster NGC 290 Stars in the open cluster NGC 290, as seen by the Hubble Space Telescope. (more) What’s the Difference Between Planets and Stars? Ask the Chatbot a Question More Actions Share Share Share to social media Facebook X URL https://www.britannica.com/science/Whats-the-Difference-Between-Planets-and-Stars Feedback Corrections? Updates? Omissions? Let us know if you have suggestions to improve this article (requires...
Why Is Chicago Called the Windy City?
     The Windy City The Chicago skyline, with Soldier Field in the foreground and the Willis Tower rising over it. (more) Why Is Chicago Called the Windy City? Ask the Chatbot a Question More Actions Share Share Share to social media Facebook X URL https://www.britannica.com/topic/Why-Is-Chicago-Called-the-Windy-City Feedback Corrections? Updates? Omissions? Let us know if you have suggestions to improve this article...
Why Do Humans Have Eyebrows?
     Eugene Levy Canadian actor and writer Eugene Levy, pictured here in 2023, has a stately set of eyebrows. (more) Why Do Humans Have Eyebrows? Ask the Chatbot a Question More Actions Share Share Share to social media Facebook X URL https://www.britannica.com/science/Why-Do-Humans-Have-Eyebrows Feedback Corrections? Updates? Omissions? Let us know if you have suggestions to improve this article (requires login). Feedback...
Information Recommendation
How Was the Grand Canyon Formed?
     Carving a canyon The Colorado River, the architect of the Grand Canyon, continues to flow and carve as it has for six million years. (more) How Was the Grand Canyon Formed? Ask the Chatbot a Question More Actions Share Share Share to social media Facebook X URL https://www.britannica.com/science/How-Was-the-Grand-Canyon-Formed Feedback Corrections? Updates? Omissions? Let us know if you have suggestions...
What is Dark Matter?
  What is Dark Matter? Ask the Chatbot a Question More Actions Share Share Share to social media Facebook X URL https://www.britannica.com/science/What-is-Dark-Matter 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...
Why is Mars Called the Red Planet?
     Mars Earth's planetary neighbor Mars has been associated with the color red for centuries. (more) Why is Mars Called the Red Planet? Ask the Chatbot a Question More Actions Share Share Share to social media Facebook X URL https://www.britannica.com/science/Why-is-Mars-Called-the-Red-Planet Feedback Corrections? Updates? Omissions? Let us know if you have suggestions to improve this article (requires login). Feedback Type Select...
Why Do Snakes Shed Their Skin?
     Garter snake Common garter snake (Thamnophis sirtalis) shedding its skin. (more) Why Do Snakes Shed Their Skin? Ask the Chatbot a Question More Actions Share Share Share to social media Facebook X URL https://www.britannica.com/science/Why-Do-Snakes-Shed-Their-Skin 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...
Why Do Stars Twinkle?
     Sirius Sirius A and B (lower left) photographed by the Hubble Space Telescope. Sirius A is the brightest star in the night sky. (more) Why Do Stars Twinkle? Ask the Chatbot a Question More Actions Share Share Share to social media Facebook X URL https://www.britannica.com/science/Why-Do-Stars-Twinkle Feedback Corrections? Updates? Omissions? Let us know if you have suggestions to improve this...
How Do Clouds Form?
     Cumulus clouds Rising warm air forms these puffy, low-altitude clouds which sometimes develop into storm clouds. (more) How Do Clouds Form? Ask the Chatbot a Question More Actions Share Share Share to social media Facebook X URL https://www.britannica.com/science/How-Do-Clouds-Form Feedback Corrections? Updates? Omissions? Let us know if you have suggestions to improve this article (requires login). Feedback Type Select a...
Why Do Giraffes Have Long Necks?
     Giraffe A lone giraffe in Kruger National Park, South Africa. (more) Why Do Giraffes Have Long Necks? Ask the Chatbot a Question More Actions Share Share Share to social media Facebook X URL https://www.britannica.com/science/Why-Do-Giraffes-Have-Long-Necks 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...
Why Is Summer Warmer Than Winter?
     Seasons in the Northern Hemisphere A diagram of the position of the Earth relative to the Sun during the solstices and equinoxes. (more) Why Is Summer Warmer Than Winter? Ask the Chatbot a Question More Actions Share Share Share to social media Facebook X URL https://www.britannica.com/science/Why-Is-Summer-Warmer-Than-Winter Feedback Corrections? Updates? Omissions? Let us know if you have suggestions to improve...