Right. The term has really been around for quite a while, but usage was spotty. It really picked up after the May 2009 derecho. (A derecho on steroids!)
Some FReepers... (eye roll)
Are we going to quit using the word “squall” because it probably has its roots in the word skvala, which an Old Norse word?
We got hit by a derecho late overnight July 14-15 1995 in central Ontario. It was by far the worst storm I ever saw, and had continuous lightning (and thunder) for about 20-25 minutes, and damaging wind gusts with an F2 tornado track not far away (as we discovered driving around the area after daybreak). A derecho’s worst damage is certainly not comparable to a strong tornado (F-3 or stronger) but slight damage is often created over a much wider area. We were lucky not to have large trees knocked over, they were swaying around violently and we briefly went to the cellar, it got so windy. The continuous lightning was unique, I have never seen that in any other thunderstorm. This particular derecho went on to do damage in upstate NY and New England.
Probably. LOL
Remember when NBC (I think) bought up the Weather Channel and turned it into an entertainment channel with a little weather thrown in?
Their new weatherman (from NBC) tried to coin a new word..”Thorms”. It didn’t last.