What is a derecho? Here are some meteorological explanations and interesting facts.

A "derecho" is a deadly and destructive summertime storm that wreaked havoc on the Midwest. Where did this name come from?

A derecho is a long-lived windstorm with rapidly moving showers or thunderstorms, as defined by the National Weather Service (NWS).

While a derecho can cause damage similar to that of tornadoes, the service stated that the damage is usually directed in one way along a straight path.

"Straight-line wind damage" is sometimes used to describe derecho destruction.

If the wind damage area exceeds 240 miles and has wind gusts of at least 58 mph for most of its length, the event may be classified as a derecho, according to the NWS.

Derecho leaves damaging mark on Midwest

Nearly 500 miles of damage were caused by Monday's derecho, which affected the Chicagoland area and extended from Indiana to Iowa, according to FOX Weather.

Trees, utility poles, and building roofs were toppled, snapped, and ripped off by the derecho.

Nearly 400,000 power outages occurred during the storm, affecting thousands of utility customers across the region, according to FOX Weather.

The NWS in Chicago issued 16 tornado warnings on Monday.

On April 20, 2021, the National Weather Service in Chicago issued the third-most severe thunderstorm warnings in a single day, with a record of 20 warnings set more than 20 years ago on April 20, 2004.

In Cedar Lake, Indiana, a 44-year-old woman died after a tree fell on her house.

Derecho means ‘direct’ or 'straight ahead'

In 1888, the term "derecho" was first used by Dr. Gustavus Hinrichs, a physics professor at the University of Iowa, as per the NWS's Storm Prediction Center.

"Straight ahead" is the English translation for the Spanish word "derecho."

In a paper published in the American Meteorological Journal, Hinrichs differentiated between straight-line winds caused by thunderstorms and the rotating winds of tornadoes using the term.

The term "derecho" was rarely used for almost a century until it was revived by meteorologists Robert Johns and William Hirt in a 1987 study.

Derechos pose specific threats

During the summer months, individuals participating in outdoor activities are at the highest risk of contracting derechos, according to the SPC.

Tents and debris at fairs and festivals can cause injuries or death to attendees.

The SPC stated that both campers and hikers are at risk of being injured or killed by falling trees, while boaters face the possibility of injury or drowning due to high waves that can capsize boats.

Derechos are summertime storms

The NWS defines the "warm" season as the months of May, June, July, and August, during which derechos are more common.

According to the NWS, 70% of all derechos happen.

Isolated derechos, though uncommon west of the Great Plains, have been known to occur in the western U.S. during spring and early summer.

They are most common in the Midwest.

In May 2022, a derecho swept through parts of Iowa, Minnesota, Nebraska, North Dakota, and South Dakota, resulting in the death of at least three individuals.

The August 2020 derecho, which affected more than 90,000 square miles and caused $11.5 billion in damage across the Midwest, has been referred to as the most expensive thunderstorm event in modern U.S. history.

According to the NWS, the incident resulted in four deaths and numerous injuries.

In June 2020, a derecho occurred in Pennsylvania and New Jersey, resulting in the deaths of four individuals.

A severe thunderstorm complex developed over Kansas a month ago and traveled across southern Missouri and western Kentucky before reaching the Nashville area, where an off-duty firefighter was killed and three others were injured by falling trees.

Travis Fedschun and Julia Musto contributed reporting.