What does derecho mean?
A derecho is a widespread and long-lived windstorm driven by a fast-moving line of severe thunderstorms. Unlike a tornado, whose destructive winds rotate around a narrow funnel, a derecho generates powerful straight-line winds that can sweep across an enormous area—sometimes several hundred miles—in a matter of hours. Gusts within a derecho often exceed 60 or even 80 miles per hour, downing trees, flattening crops, toppling power lines, and leaving large regions without electricity. The term comes from the Spanish word for 'straight' and was introduced into American meteorology in the late nineteenth century. Derechos are most common in the central and eastern United States during the warm months, though similar events occur elsewhere in the world. The word appears mainly in weather forecasts, meteorological literature, and news coverage, but it has become more familiar to the general public following high-profile storms that caused extensive damage across multiple states in a single day.
nounA widespread, long-lived windstorm associated with a fast-moving band of severe thunderstorms, characterized by straight-line winds that can cause damage across hundreds of miles.
- A widespread, long-lived straight-line windstorm produced by a fast-moving band of severe thunderstorms.
"The June derecho knocked out power to more than a million people across the Midwest."
"Forecasters warned that the approaching derecho could produce damaging gusts exceeding 80 miles per hour."
"After the derecho tore through the state overnight, crews spent days restoring power along the storm's entire path."
Standard English plural; note that in the source Spanish, 'derecho' functions as an adjective meaning 'straight' rather than a noun naming a storm.
"Several significant derechos have struck the upper Midwest over the past two decades."
The word 'derecho' was coined in 1888 by a physics professor at the University of Iowa who wanted a term for these storms that blow as 'straight' as a tornado spins.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of derecho
The word derecho is borrowed directly from Spanish, where it means 'straight' or 'right', ultimately deriving from the Latin directus, the past participle of dirigere ('to direct or make straight'). It shares this Latin root with English words such as 'direct', 'direction', and 'erect'. The meteorological sense was coined in the late nineteenth century by University of Iowa physics professor Gustavus Hinrichs, who deliberately chose a term contrasting with the rotating winds of a tornado—the Spanish 'tornado' implying turning, while 'derecho' implied straight-line winds.
Related word forms
How derecho is actually used
Primarily used in American meteorology and news reporting, especially in the central and eastern United States where such storms are most frequent. The word is technical but has entered popular usage during major storm events.
Easily confused with derecho
A tornado features violently rotating winds concentrated in a narrow funnel, while a derecho produces straight-line, non-rotating winds spread over a broad swath of land.