derecho

American  

[duh-rey-choh] / dəˈreɪ tʃoʊ /

noun

derechos plural

1. a widespread and severe windstorm that moves rapidly along a fairly straight path and is associated with bands of rapidly moving thunderstorms.

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Other Word Forms

Noun Inflected Forms

• derechos
  plural

Etymology

Origin of derecho

1885–90; < Spanish: straight < Old Spanish < Latin dīrēctus, dērēctus direct ( def. )

Explanation

A derecho is a powerful, widespread, fast-moving, and destructive system of storms with extremely high-speed, straight-line winds. A derecho produces a swath of wind damage more than 240 miles long, and has wind gusts of at least 58 miles per hour. The name of this severe weather event is derived from the Spanish word derecho, which means "straight." Unlike tornadoes and hurricanes, which have rotating winds, derechos have winds that blow in a straight line. These storm systems occur mainly in North America, especially in the central and eastern regions of the United States, but they have also been documented in Europe, Asia, and South America. Most derechos occur in the warmer months, from late spring through summer.

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

derecho derechos

In 2020, a particularly powerful derecho -- a widespread, straight-line windstorm associated with fast-moving thunderstorms -- caused an estimated $11 billion in damage in the Midwest.

From Science Daily ● Nov. 2, 2023

The resulting plants are about one-third shorter than normal, and less likely to fall over or snap in a derecho.

From Science Magazine ● Oct. 25, 2023

The National Weather Service described Thursday’s storm as a derecho as it moved east across Illinois.

From Seattle Times ● Jun. 30, 2023

A derecho is often described as an inland hurricane because of the strength of its winds.

From Seattle Times ● Feb. 27, 2023

The storm is expected to develop into a derecho, a wind storm extending more than 240 miles with a line of fast-moving thunderstorms, according to the National Weather Service’s Storm Prediction Center in Norman, Okla.

From New York Times ● Feb. 26, 2023

The farms are some of the most productive in Mexico but have long suffered from large, persistent windstorms called derechos.

From Science Magazine ● Oct. 25, 2023

The northern periphery of heat domes is a breeding ground for progressive derechos.

From Washington Post ● Jul. 6, 2022

While the green skies were unusual, the Plains and the Midwest are no strangers to derechos, Mr. Rogers said.

From New York Times ● Jul. 6, 2022

Serial derechos are produced by storms with strong winds that bow outward, the service said.

From Seattle Times ● Dec. 20, 2021

Out of the derechos, however, he knew he could square himself at the expense of the vice-regal government.

From The White Chief A Legend of Northern Mexico by Evans, L.