Last Week’s South Jersey Storms Produce Tornado, Rare Gustnado

The National Weather Service (NWS) confirmed on Monday, May 19, that a rare tornado, called a gustnado, formed during violent storms that tore through South Jersey during the week of May 12.

CBS News Philadelphia explained that a gustnado is an area of swirling winds that gets stirred up along the leading edge of a thunderstorm. Gustnados are short-lived and ground-based, and they are not connected to a thunderstorm like a tornado. 

The NWS confirmed that an EF-1 tornado that touched down on Friday, May 16, began in Williamstown, Gloucester County, New Jersey, and ended in Collings Lakes, Atlantic County. NWS officials estimated that the tornado had peak winds of about 90-95 mph. And traveled approximately 8.6 miles, cutting a maximum path and width of about 300 yards. 

Storm reports confirmed that a hardwood tree fell. And some siding off the corner of a house peeled off during the event.

From its point of origin near Janvier and Tuckahoe roads, the tornado moved southeast in the direction of Birch Avenue. And snapped several hardwood trees from their trunks. NWS officials said the tornado grew to its maximum width of 300 yards at Birch Avenue. 

The tornado also severed a utility pole near the intersection of East Piney Hollow Road and U.S. Route 322 before it moved on to Collings Lakes.

NWS officials confirmed that the gustnado spun up around the same time as the tornado. The gustnado produced peak winds of about 100-105 mph. And traveled approximately 100 yards from its point or origin near North Blue Bell Road near Coles Mill Road. It toppled several trees in the area.

An NWS radar analysis indicated that a "strong signature of a rear-flank downdraft in the vicinity" spawned the gustnado.