This preliminary map from the National Weather Service (NWS) in Marquette shows the path of the tornado that touched down in Delta County on Tuesday. The blue line is the track, and the triangles are points where damage was surveyed. (Map courtesy of the NWS)

Editor’s note: The information in this article is preliminary and subject to change pending final review of the event and publication in National Weather Service Storm Data.

DELTA COUNTY — The National Weather Service (NWS) confirmed Wednesday that a tornado touched down in Delta County on Tuesday evening, marking the county’s first reported tornado since 2020.

According to the NWS in Marquette, a thunderstorm that developed in southern Marquette County intensified into a supercell thunderstorm as it moved east into Delta and Alger County.

As the thunderstorm began splitting, the southern segment escalated and produced a weak EF0 tornado south of Trenary in Delta County. The tornado crossed Alger Delta 43rd road and proceeded northeast before dissipating.

The NWS reported the tornado touched down at 7:26 p.m. and dissipated at 7:33 p.m. Peak winds were estimated at 85 mph.

Survey crews estimated the tornado’s path at 0.60 miles long and approximately 25 yards wide. The assessment was based on drone footage provided by the Alger County Sheriff’s Office and data collected during an NWS ground survey.

No injuries or fatalities were reported. The NWS did not indicate the extent of the damage caused by Tuesday’s tornado in their statement, though a NWS preliminary map of the area marks a few spots with reported damage.

The Enhanced Fujita (EF) Scale classifies tornadoes based on estimated wind speeds and resulting damage. An EF0 tornado has winds of 65 to 85 mph; EF1, 86 to 110 mph; EF2, 111 to 135 mph; EF3, 136 to 165 mph; EF4, 166 to 200 mph; and EF5, more than 200 mph.

The last reported tornado in Delta County occurred Aug. 31, 2020, when a brief EF1 tornado developed about 5 miles west of Escanaba. The NWS estimated its winds at approximately 95 mph.

That tornado crossed U.S. 2, where it was observed by numerous motorists, and caused significant damage to part of a storage facility on the north side of the highway.

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Sophie Vogelmann can be reached at 906-786-2021 or svogelmann@dailypress.net.