What the Tornado System Looked Like From Space

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This NOAA GOES-East satellite image from Monday shows the same storm system that generated the severe weather outbreak Sunday, moved to the east.

By Amanda Wills2014-04-29 16:50:16 UTC

A satellite captured the massive weather system that spawned a tornado outbreak that ripped across seven states across the central and southern U.S. on Sunday and Monday.

NASA released the images, which were acquired by NOAA's GOES-East satellite, as the storm system billowed across the country.

At least 17 people were killed as the result of the large, long-track tornadoes. There was extensive damage in the Arkansas towns of Mayflower and Vilonia, where witnesses said the tornado was a half mile wide.

See also: Most of Sunday's Deadly Tornadoes Came With Plenty of Warning

According to Arkansas authorities, at least 15 people had died across the state. Another person was killed in Quapaw, Okla.

Just one day later, another swath of tornadoes pummeled the southern and central states, bringing the total dead to at least 29 people.

Until now, the 2014 tornado season was considered to be one of the quietest on record. However, the storm that hit Arkansas might have been at the top end of the Enhanced Fujita Scale, which goes from EF-1 to EF-5.

Andrew Freedman contributed to this report.

Topics: Climate, NASA, NOAA, Space, tornadoes, U.S., US & World