What is a derecho? Here's a meteorological explanation and other interesting facts

Monday's deadly and destructive summertime storm that wreaked havoc on the Midwest is known as a "derecho" — but what exactly is this, and where did it get its name?

A derecho is "a widespread, long-lived windstorm that is associated with a band of rapidly moving showers or thunderstorms," according to the National Weather Service (NWS). 

Although a derecho can produce destruction similar to that of tornadoes, "the damage typically is directed" in one way "along a relatively straight swath," the service also said.