Tornadoes & Funnel Clouds Fake Tornado

Total Page:16

File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb

Tornadoes & Funnel Clouds Fake Tornado NOAA’s National Weather Service Basic Concepts of Severe Storm Spotting 2009 – Rusty Kapela Milwaukee/Sullivan weather.gov/milwaukee Housekeeping Duties • How many new spotters? - if this is your first spotter class & you intend to be a spotter – please raise your hands. • A basic spotter class slide set & an advanced spotter slide set can be found on the Storm Spotter Page on the Milwaukee/Sullivan web site (handout). • Utilize search engines and You Tube to find storm videos and other material. Class Agenda • 1) Why we are here • 2) National Weather Service Structure & Role • 3) Role of Spotters • 4) Types of reports needed from spotters • 5) Thunderstorm structure • 6) Shelf clouds & rotating wall clouds • 7) You earn your “Learner’s Permit” Thunderstorm Structure Those two cloud features you were wondering about… Storm Movement Shelf Cloud Rotating Wall Cloud Rain, Hail, Downburst winds Tornadoes & Funnel Clouds Fake Tornado It’s not rotating & no damage! Let’s Get Started! Video Why are we here? Parsons Manufacturing 120-140 employees inside July 13, 2004 Roanoke, IL Storm shelters F4 Tornado – no injuries or deaths. They have trained spotters with 2-way radios Why Are We Here? National Weather Service’s role – Issue warnings & provide training Spotter’s role – Provide ground-truth reports and observations We need (more) spotters!! National Weather Service Structure & Role • Federal Government • Department of Commerce • National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration • National Weather Service 122 Field Offices, 6 Regional, 13 River Forecast Centers, Headquarters, other specialty centers Mission – issue forecasts and warnings to minimize the loss of life & property National Weather Service Forecast Office - Milwaukee/Sullivan Watch/Warning responsibility for 20 counties in southeast and south- central Wisconsin. What Do You See? Video Oakfield, WI - July 18, 1996 – Reached F5 intensity – 30 minute duration – Maximum path width of 400 yards – 13.3 mile path length – $40.5 million in damages – 12 injuries (705-735 pm… people could see it, county fair in progress, and Oakfield police officers and fire fighters recognized early on when they had a tornado and activated their sirens) Lessons Learned - from Oakfield Tornado • Tornado can develop before so-called funnel cloud • So-called funnel cloud isn’t the tornado and it sits inside the invisible tornado • Sometimes you can’t tell you have a tornado until you see rotating dirt/debris at ground level with cloud-based rotation directly above • Tornadoes don’t touch down – they spin up below cloud base - but many condensation funnels (what most people call a funnel cloud) do develop down to the ground – “touch down” Tornado Tornado: violently rotating column of air extending from the ground to the base of a convective cloud Width of tornado Note swirling debris at ground level. Condensation funnel doesn’t have to “touch” ground…condensation funnel isn’t the tornado. Once you have a tornado, you don’t have a funnel cloud. The Effective Spotter Report TV 800# Hams National Weather Service 911 What do You Report? Flash Floods Straight-line Winds Hail - Tornadoes - Funnel Clouds - Rotating Wall Clouds What do You Report? • Lightning is your most dangerous hazard as a spotter. • Normally, lightning reports are not needed during the heat of the battle Damaging Lightning • If you are aware of a lightning-related fire or deaths or injuries, send info via E-spotter What do you Report? • Tornadoes, funnel clouds (nothing going on at the ground, and rotating wall clouds • Hail stones ½ inch in diameter or larger. Hail stones => 1 inch generate Severe Thunderstorm Warnings • Thunderstorm wind gusts 50 mph or higher. Gusts =>58 mph generate Severe Thunderstorm Warnings • Flooding – water over the curb or covering a road, rainfall amounts => 1 inch General Report Format - TLCS * Time event occurred? - To the nearest minute * Location of spotter (stationary spotter) referenced to the nearest city/village? - To the nearest 1/10 mile (as the crow flies) and one of 16 compass directions * Condition – what are you looking at or experiencing – what is the event? * Source – some identification, ID letters, agency, etc. Reference Location City A X 4.1 ENE City A 2.6 SW City A Cultural-Political X center Note – in addition, we will take lat/long Spotter Position numbers General 911 Report Format • “Hello, I’m a trained severe weather spotter. At 4:05 pm, at a location 1.1 miles north of Saukville in Ozaukee County, I observed estimated golf-ball sized hail.” My name is… • “Hello, I’m a trained severe weather spotter. It’s 6:30 pm. I’m located in Brownsville in Dodge County. I observed a tornado to the north of me in Fond du Lac County. Dispatcher tells NWS tornado is in Fond du Lac County, north of Brownsville. • “Hello, I’m a trained severe weather spotter. It’s 630 pm. I’m located in Brownsville in Dodge County. I observed a tornado. Dispatcher tells NWS that tornado is in Brownsville. General 911 Report Format • Always mention if the size, speed, in your report is either estimated, or physically measured. • Try to reference your location to a city/village that is in your county (spotter location)…do not use a city/village in another county unless it is on the county line. Why we Need Spotter Reports Radar Horizon A B Radar Radar beam cannot see lower portion of storm “B” On-line Report System Register on our Storm Spotter Page NOAA Weather Radio All Hazards Your own personal siren - your home has a smoke alarm – does it have a weather radio? Receive weather information 24 hours a day Radio will sound a tone to alert you when a watch/warning has been issued Countless times, lives have been saved by NOAA Weather Radio Thunderstorm Structure • Think of a thunderstorm as a 2-part engine • Updraft tower – intake manifold (inflow) – inhaling warm, moist air – air goes up at 60 – 120 mph, the warm moist air is the gasoline supply. Rotating wall clouds, tornadoes (T), & funnel clouds underneath updraft tower. (rain-free base) • Downdraft tower – exhaust manifold (outflow) – exhaling of rain, hail, rain-cooled air, and gusty downburst winds that in extreme cases reach speeds of 60 to 150 mph! Shelf cloud (S) precedes. Thunderstorm Life Cycle Motion S T CumulusCumulus Stage Stage MatureMature Stage Stage (Cell) DissipationDissipating StageStage Thunderstorm Structure Those two cloud features you were wondering about… Storm Movement Shelf Cloud Rotating Wall Cloud Rain, Hail, Downburst winds Tornadoes & Funnel Clouds Shelf Clouds vs. Wall Clouds Shelf Clouds Wall Clouds Suggest downdraft/outflow Suggest updraft/inflow Move away from precipitation Maintain position with areas respect to precipitation Horizontally orientated and can extend for miles. Rare…but Isolated, vertically may “roll” like a rolling pin. orientated, and rotating, like a spinning skater Shelf Clouds vs. Wall Clouds Shelf Clouds Wall Clouds Appear on front side of Appear on the backside of a thunderstorm cells just ahead potentially tornadic of the downdraft. thunderstorm. Can extend for 10 to 50+ miles and have cloud fragments that Will change their shape, size, briefly resemble funnel clouds and color with time. Width typically ½ mile to 2 miles. Often resemble a “snow plow” The can be fragmented or since the colder air with the look like a beer barrel downdraft undercuts warmer air found out ahead of the storm. Thunderstorm Structure Overshooting Top Anvil Thunderstorm Structure Mammatus Clouds – these are not funnel clouds they are found on the underside of the anvil Downdraft - Downburst Storm Motion Gust Front - is leading edge of downdraft/ downburst, you don’t see it but you do feel it as winds pick up and temperatures drop and then rain/hail. Squall Line – many tstm cells orientated in a line Storm motion Shelf cloud Downdraft Updraft Gust Front (Cross section) Squall Line Shelf Cloud Storm Motion Gust Front Shelf Cloud “marker” is at leading edge (front side). Main hazards after shelf cloud passes overhead are strong downburst winds, large hail and heavy rains. Tornadoes uncommon. Downdraft – Microburst! Video Downburst Winds! Video – western Ontario, Canada • Many times downed trees do NOT indicate tornado damage! Shelf Cloud This Shelf Cloud was found just ahead of squall line in radar image Shelf Clouds – have SLCs Scary Looking Clouds These are often reported as false Funnel Clouds! …even by trained severe weather spotters! - they don’t rotate! Shelf Cloud - Outflow Movement Movement Movement Movement Shelf Clouds Storm Motion Paul Kohlman “snow-plow’ effect Shelf Cloud & Downdraft Storm Motion 1 2 3 Ryan Sax Near Lodi 07/28/08 Shelf Cloud Storm Motion July, 7, 2008, Waupun, Doug Raflik Shelf Cloud Storm Motion toward you Pancake layers Shelf Clouds – Vernon Co. Scary-looking clouds (scud) with shelf cloud The Tornado A Rare and Dangerous Storm • Large or populated counties typically have the higher tornado totals… • Combine Marquette and Green Lake county and you get 36 tornadoes! Wisconsin Tornadoes April 21, 1974 near Oshkosh April 27, 1984 near Wales (Waukesha Co.) July 18, 1996 approaching Oakfield (Fond du Lac Co.) August 18, 2005 in Stoughton (Dane Co.) Tornadic Thunderstorm What Doppler Can Detect - Mesocyclone Tornadic Tstm Structure Overshooting Top Anvil Storm Motion Downdraft Updraft Wall Cloud Tornado Rain-Free Cloud Base Tornadic Supercell Thunderstorm top down view Forward Flank N Downdraft Shelf Light Rain Cloud Rear Flank Downdraft Moderate/Heavy Rain & Hail Storm motion T Gust Front Viewing angle Rotating Wall cloud Flanking Line miles 0 5 10 RFD FFD Tornado Tornado: violently rotating column of air extending from the ground to the base of a convective cloud Width of tornado Note swirling debris at ground level. Condensation funnel doesn’t have to “touch” ground…condensation funnel isn’t the tornado. Rotating Wall Clouds An isolated lowering of the rain-free base, rotating on a vertical axis Beaver’s Tail Most tornadoes develop underneath or near a rotating wall cloud Rotating Wall Clouds • Often exhibit slow, persistent rotation.
Recommended publications
  • Tornadoes in the Gulf Coast States
    4.2 COOL SEASON SIGNIFICANT (F2-F5) TORNADOES IN THE GULF COAST STATES Jared L. Guyer and David A. Imy NOAA/NWS Storm Prediction Center, Norman, Oklahoma Amanda Kis University of Wisconsin, Madison, Wisconsin Kar’retta Venable Jackson State University, Jackson, Mississippi 1. INTRODUCTION Tornadoes pose a significant severe weather 300 mb winds and geopotential heights; 500 mb winds, threat during the cool season in the Gulf Coast states. geopotential heights, temperature, and absolute Galway and Pearson (1981) found that 68% of all vorticity; 700 mb winds, geopotential heights, and December through February tornadoes in the United temperature; 850 mb winds, geopotential heights, and States occur in the Gulf Coast/Southeast states. They temperature; precipitable water, surface temperature also noted that long track tornadoes in winter outbreaks and dewpoint, and MSLP; 0-3 km AGL helicity; and accounted for a higher percentage of deaths compared lowest 180 mb Most Unstable CAPE (MUCAPE). Aside to long track spring outbreak tornadoes. While strong from direct utilization for this study, the NARR maps wind fields are often present in association with dynamic were also compiled and organized to serve as an shortwave troughs that impact the region, uncertainty analog reference for operational forecasters. regarding low-level moisture and atmospheric instability can make forecasting such events quite challenging for operational forecasters (Vescio and Thompson 1993). The purpose of this study is to help identify a set of patterns, parameters, and conditions that are commonly associated with the development of cool season tornadoes in the Gulf Coast States, with a focus on significant (F2 and greater) tornadoes.
    [Show full text]
  • The Lagrange Torando During Vortex2. Part Ii: Photogrammetry Analysis of the Tornado Combined with Dual-Doppler Radar Data
    6.3 THE LAGRANGE TORANDO DURING VORTEX2. PART II: PHOTOGRAMMETRY ANALYSIS OF THE TORNADO COMBINED WITH DUAL-DOPPLER RADAR DATA Nolan T. Atkins*, Roger M. Wakimoto#, Anthony McGee*, Rachel Ducharme*, and Joshua Wurman+ *Lyndon State College #National Center for Atmospheric Research +Center for Severe Weather Research Lyndonville, VT 05851 Boulder, CO 80305 Boulder, CO 80305 1. INTRODUCTION studies, however, that have related the velocity and reflectivity features observed in the radar data to Over the years, mobile ground-based and air- the visual characteristics of the condensation fun- borne Doppler radars have collected high-resolu- nel, debris cloud, and attendant surface damage tion data within the hook region of supercell (e.g., Bluestein et al. 1993, 1197, 204, 2007a&b; thunderstorms (e.g., Bluestein et al. 1993, 1997, Wakimoto et al. 2003; Rasmussen and Straka 2004, 2007a&b; Wurman and Gill 2000; Alexander 2007). and Wurman 2005; Wurman et al. 2007b&c). This paper is the second in a series that pre- These studies have revealed details of the low- sents analyses of a tornado that formed near level winds in and around tornadoes along with LaGrange, WY on 5 June 2009 during the Verifica- radar reflectivity features such as weak echo holes tion on the Origins of Rotation in Tornadoes Exper- and multiple high-reflectivity rings. There are few iment (VORTEX 2). VORTEX 2 (Wurman et al. 5 June, 2009 KCYS 88D 2002 UTC 2102 UTC 2202 UTC dBZ - 0.5° 100 Chugwater 100 50 75 Chugwater 75 330° 25 Goshen Co. 25 km 300° 50 Goshen Co. 25 60° KCYS 30° 30° 50 80 270° 10 25 40 55 dBZ 70 -45 -30 -15 0 15 30 45 ms-1 Fig.
    [Show full text]
  • June 18, 2017 Landspout Tornadoes
    June 18, 2017 Landspout Tornadoes During the evening hours of Sunday, June 18, thunderstorms developed in the vicinity of a cold front over Reagan and Upton Counties.As a result of intense heating and an incredible amount of instability along this boundary, three EF0 landspout* (see definitionat bottom of report) tornadoes touched down in Reagan and southeast Upton Counties between 7 and 8 pm CDT. These tornadoes occurred in open country and no damage was reported. Tornado #1 – EF0: Southwest Reagan County to Southeast Upton County (~7:05-7:13 pm CDT) The first thunderstorm developed around 6:00 pm near Big Lake, TX and slowly moved west along and near US Hwy 67. Law enforcement officersand folks in the area viewed and took images of a tornado that developed 1-2 miles south of US Hwy 67 roughly 14 miles east of Big Lake and continued westward through open fields insouth east portions of Upton County. The tornado was narrow, perhaps 50-75 yards in width and no damage was reported with this tornado. Photo by Maybell Carrasco Photo by Greg Romero Tornado #2 – EF0: Central Reagan Photo by Shanna Gibson County (~8:00 pm CDT) Another thunderstorm moving west, entered eastern Reagan County around 7:30 pm. As this storm approached Big Lake, a second tornado was spotted around 8 pm roughly 6-7 miles northeast of Big Lake, 2-3 miles east of SH 137. This tornado was very short-lived and went undetected on radar. It occurred in open country and no damage was reported. Tornado #3 – EF0: Northeast Reagan County – approximately 20-25 miles north of Big Lake.
    [Show full text]
  • The Unnamed Atlantic Tropical Storms of 1970
    944 MONTHLY WEATHER REVIEW Vol. 99, No. 12 UDC 551.515.23:661.507.35!2:551.607.362.2(261) “1970.08-.lo” THE UNNAMED ATLANTIC TROPICAL STORMS OF 1970 DAVID B. SPIEGLER Allied Research Associates, Inc., Concord, Mass. ABSTRACT A detailed analysis of conventional and aircraft reconnaissance data and satellite pictures for two unnamed Atlantic Ocean cyclones during 1970 indicates that the stqrms were of tropical nature and were probably of at least minimal hurricane intensity for part of their life history. Prior to becoming a hurricane, one of the storms exhibited characteristics not typical of any of the recognized classical cyclone types [i.e., tropical, extratropical, and subtropical (Kona)]. The implications of this are discussed and the concept of semitropical cyclones as a separate cyclone category is advanced. 6. INTRODUCTION ing recognition of hybrid-type storms provides additional support for the recommendation. During the 1970 tropical cyclone season, tn7o storms occurred that were not given names at the time. The 2. UNNAMED STORM NO. I-AUG. Q3-$8, 6970 National Hurricane Center (NHC) monitored their prog- ress and issued bulletins throughout their life history but A mell-organized tropical disturbance noted on satellite they mere not officially recognized as tropical cyclones of pictures during August 8, south of the Cape Verde Islands tropical storm or hurricane intensity. In their annual post- in the far eastern tropical Atlantic, intensified to ti strong season summary of the hurricane season, NHC discusses depression as it moved westmarcl. On Thursday, August 13, these storms in some detail (Simpson and Pelissier 1971) some further intensification of the system appeared to be but thej- are not presently included in the official list of taking place while the depression was about 250 mi 1970 tropical storms.
    [Show full text]
  • Skip Talbot Photography by Jennifer Brindley
    STORM SPOTTING Skip Talbot SECRETS Photography by Jennifer Brindley Ubl and others Topics • Supercell Visualization • Radar Presentation • Structure Identification • Storm Properties • Walk Through Disclaimers • Attend spotter training • Your safety is more important than spotting, photos, video, or tornado reports Supercell Visualization Lemon and Doswell 1979 Supercell Visualization Supercell Visualization Photo: Chris Gullikson Supercell Visualization Photo: Chris Gullikson Anvil Anvil Backshear Mammatus Cumulonimbus Flanking Line Cloud Base Striations Precipitation Wall Cloud Precipitation-free Base Supercell Visualization Radar Presentation Classic Hook Echo Radar Presentation Android / iOS Android Windows GrLevel3 / GrLevel2 Radar Presentation Classic Hook Echo Radar Presentation Radar Presentation Radar Presentation Radar Presentation Storm Spotting Zoo • Bear’s Cage • Whale’s Mouth • Beaver Tail • Horseshoe • Ghost Train Base (Updraft Base) (Rain Free Base or RFB) Base (Updraft Base) (Rain Free Base or RFB) Base (Updraft Base) (Rain Free Base or RFB) Base (Updraft Base) (Rain Free Base or RFB) Base (Updraft Base) (Rain Free Base or RFB) Base (Updraft Base) (Rain Free Base or RFB) Horseshoe Horseshoe Horseshoe Horseshoe Horseshoe Horseshoe Horseshoe Horseshoe Horseshoe Horseshoe Horseshoe Horseshoe Horseshoe Horseshoe - Cyclical supercell with multiple tornadoes HorseshoeHorseshoe HorseshoeHorseshoe Horseshoe Horseshoe – Anticyclonic Funnel Horseshoe Horseshoe – Anticyclonic Funnel Horseshoe - No Wall Cloud Horseshoe - No Wall Cloud
    [Show full text]
  • Central Region Technical Attachment 95-08 Examination of an Apparent
    CRH SSD APRIL 1995 CENTRAL REGION TECHNICAL ATTACHMENT 95-08 EXAMINATION OF AN APPARENT LANDSPOUT IN THE EASTERN BLACK HILLS OF WESTERN SOUTH DAKOTA David L. Hintz1 and Matthew J. Bunkers National Weather Service Office Rapid City, South Dakota 1. Abstract On June 29, 1994, an apparent landspout occurred in the Black Hills of South Dakota. This landspout exhibited most of the features characteristic of traditional landspouts documented in eastern Colorado. The landspout lasted 3 to 8 minutes, had a width of less than 20 m and a path of 1 to 3 km, produced estimated wind speeds of Fl intensity (33 to 50 m s1), and emanated from a towering cumulus (TCU) cloud located along a quasi-stationary convergencq/cyclonic shear zone. No radar echo was observed with this event; however, a supercell thunderstorm was located 80-100 km to the east. National Weather Service meteorologists surveyed the “very localized” damage area and ruled out the possibility of the landspout being related to microburst, gustnado, or dust devil activity, as winds away from the landspout were less than 3 m s1. The landspout apparently “detached” from the parent TCU and damaged a farm which resulted in $1,000 dollars in expenses. 2. Introduction During the late 1980’s and early 1990’s researchers documented a phe­ nomenon with subtle differences from traditional tornadoes and waterspouts, herein referred to as the landspout (Seargent 1994; Brady and Szoke 1988, 1989; Bluestein 1985). The term “landspout” was actually coined by Bluestein (I985)(in the formal literature) when he observed this type of vortex along an Oklahoma squall line.
    [Show full text]
  • A Background Investigation of Tornado Activity Across the Southern Cumberland Plateau Terrain System of Northeastern Alabama
    DECEMBER 2018 L Y Z A A N D K N U P P 4261 A Background Investigation of Tornado Activity across the Southern Cumberland Plateau Terrain System of Northeastern Alabama ANTHONY W. LYZA AND KEVIN R. KNUPP Department of Atmospheric Science, Severe Weather Institute–Radar and Lightning Laboratories, Downloaded from http://journals.ametsoc.org/mwr/article-pdf/146/12/4261/4367919/mwr-d-18-0300_1.pdf by NOAA Central Library user on 29 July 2020 University of Alabama in Huntsville, Huntsville, Alabama (Manuscript received 23 August 2018, in final form 5 October 2018) ABSTRACT The effects of terrain on tornadoes are poorly understood. Efforts to understand terrain effects on tornadoes have been limited in scope, typically examining a small number of cases with limited observa- tions or idealized numerical simulations. This study evaluates an apparent tornado activity maximum across the Sand Mountain and Lookout Mountain plateaus of northeastern Alabama. These plateaus, separated by the narrow Wills Valley, span ;5000 km2 and were impacted by 79 tornadoes from 1992 to 2016. This area represents a relative regional statistical maximum in tornadogenesis, with a particular tendency for tornadogenesis on the northwestern side of Sand Mountain. This exploratory paper investigates storm behavior and possible physical explanations for this density of tornadogenesis events and tornadoes. Long-term surface observation datasets indicate that surface winds tend to be stronger and more backed atop Sand Mountain than over the adjacent Tennessee Valley, potentially indicative of changes in the low-level wind profile supportive to storm rotation. The surface data additionally indicate potentially lower lifting condensation levels over the plateaus versus the adjacent valleys, an attribute previously shown to be favorable for tornadogenesis.
    [Show full text]
  • Storm Spotting – Solidifying the Basics PROFESSOR PAUL SIRVATKA COLLEGE of DUPAGE METEOROLOGY Focus on Anticipating and Spotting
    Storm Spotting – Solidifying the Basics PROFESSOR PAUL SIRVATKA COLLEGE OF DUPAGE METEOROLOGY HTTP://WEATHER.COD.EDU Focus on Anticipating and Spotting • What do you look for? • What will you actually see? • Can you identify what is going on with the storm? Is Gilbert married? Hmmmmm….rumor has it….. Its all about the updraft! Not that easy! • Various types of storms and storm structures. • A tornado is a “big sucky • Obscuration of important thing” and underneath the features make spotting updraft is where it forms. difficult. • So find the updraft! • The closer you are to a storm the more difficult it becomes to make these identifications. Conceptual models Reality is much harder. Basic Conceptual Model Sometimes its easy! North Central Illinois, 2-28-17 (Courtesy of Matt Piechota) Other times, not so much. Reality usually is far more complicated than our perfect pictures Rain Free Base Dusty Outflow More like reality SCUD Scattered Cumulus Under Deck Sigh...wall clouds! • Wall clouds help spotters identify where the updraft of a storm is • Wall clouds may or may not be present with tornadic storms • Wall clouds may be seen with any storm with an updraft • Wall clouds may or may not be rotating • Wall clouds may or may not result in tornadoes • Wall clouds should not be reported unless there is strong and easily observable rotation noted • When a clear slot is observed, a well written or transmitted report should say as much Characteristics of a Tornadic Wall Cloud • Surface-based inflow • Rapid vertical motion (scud-sucking) • Persistent • Persistent rotation Clear Slot • The key, however, is the development of a clear slot Prof.
    [Show full text]
  • Synoptic Meteorology
    Lecture Notes on Synoptic Meteorology For Integrated Meteorological Training Course By Dr. Prakash Khare Scientist E India Meteorological Department Meteorological Training Institute Pashan,Pune-8 186 IMTC SYLLABUS OF SYNOPTIC METEOROLOGY (FOR DIRECT RECRUITED S.A’S OF IMD) Theory (25 Periods) ❖ Scales of weather systems; Network of Observatories; Surface, upper air; special observations (satellite, radar, aircraft etc.); analysis of fields of meteorological elements on synoptic charts; Vertical time / cross sections and their analysis. ❖ Wind and pressure analysis: Isobars on level surface and contours on constant pressure surface. Isotherms, thickness field; examples of geostrophic, gradient and thermal winds: slope of pressure system, streamline and Isotachs analysis. ❖ Western disturbance and its structure and associated weather, Waves in mid-latitude westerlies. ❖ Thunderstorm and severe local storm, synoptic conditions favourable for thunderstorm, concepts of triggering mechanism, conditional instability; Norwesters, dust storm, hail storm. Squall, tornado, microburst/cloudburst, landslide. ❖ Indian summer monsoon; S.W. Monsoon onset: semi permanent systems, Active and break monsoon, Monsoon depressions: MTC; Offshore troughs/vortices. Influence of extra tropical troughs and typhoons in northwest Pacific; withdrawal of S.W. Monsoon, Northeast monsoon, ❖ Tropical Cyclone: Life cycle, vertical and horizontal structure of TC, Its movement and intensification. Weather associated with TC. Easterly wave and its structure and associated weather. ❖ Jet Streams – WMO definition of Jet stream, different jet streams around the globe, Jet streams and weather ❖ Meso-scale meteorology, sea and land breezes, mountain/valley winds, mountain wave. ❖ Short range weather forecasting (Elementary ideas only); persistence, climatology and steering methods, movement and development of synoptic scale systems; Analogue techniques- prediction of individual weather elements, visibility, surface and upper level winds, convective phenomena.
    [Show full text]
  • Killer Tornado Guide (1950-2020) for North Central and Northeast Wisconsin
    KILLER TORNADO GUIDE (1950-2020) FOR NORTH CENTRAL AND NORTHEAST WISCONSIN Updated: 2/1/21 1 KILLER TORNADO GUIDE (1950-2020) FOR NORTH CENTRAL AND NORTHEAST WISCONSIN BROWN MENOMINEE CALUMET OCONTO DOOR ONEIDA FOREST OUTAGAMIE FLORENCE PORTAGE KEWAUNEE SHAWANO LANGLADE VILAS LINCOLN WAUPACA MANITOWOC WAUSHARA MARATHON WINNEBAGO MARINETTE WOOD 2 TORNADO REFERENCE GUIDE – KILLER TORNADOES DATE Time Deadly Tornadoes in GRB Service Area Deaths Month Day Year (CST) Start / End Location County or Counties 2 6 25 1950 21:00 1 W Woodboro - 5 NE Rhinelander Oneida 6 9 26 1951 15:45-1608 9 SSW Amherst - 2 SW Bear Creek Portage, Waupaca 2 4 3 1956 12:50 3 S Bancroft - 2 NW Amherst Portage 2 8 19 1968 16:10 3 SW Pound - Marinette Marinette 1 8 9 1979 18:20 Rockland Beach Calumet 1 4 27 1984 14:37-15:07 Fawn Lake - Star Lake Oneida, Vilas 1 4 27 1984 15:20-15:40 1 NE Winneconne - Freedom Winnebago, Outagamie 2 6 8 1985 18:15-18:32 Park Falls - 3 SE Monico Oneida 1 8 29 1992 19:10-19:55 1 N Wautoma - 3 SE Poy Sippi Waushara 1 8 19 2011 15:45-15:56 2.9 NW - 5.2 ESE Wausaukee Marinette 2 DEATHS: June 25, 1950 The EF4 tornado touched down one mile west of Woodboro in Oneida County around 9 PM CST and traveled 13.1 miles to five miles northeast of Rhinelander. The tornado reached a maximum width of 880 yards. Two deaths were reported in Oneida County. 6 DEATHS: September 26, 1951 The EF4 tornado developed 9 miles south southwest of Amherst in Portage County around 3:45 PM CST.
    [Show full text]
  • David L. Maack, CEM, CPM, WCEM Office of Emergency Management 730 Wisconsin Ave Racine, WI 53403 262-636-3515
    David L. Maack, CEM, CPM, WCEM Office of Emergency Management 730 Wisconsin Ave Racine, WI 53403 262-636-3515 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE DATE: April 18, 2017 FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT: David L. Maack, CEM, CPM, WCEM Racine County Emergency Management 262.636.3515 Racine County Emergency Management Debunks Common Tornado Myths (RACINE) There are many different myths associated with tornadoes and the biggest one in Racine County is that Lake Michigan protects Racine from tornadoes. This is simply not true. Racine County has had 26 tornadoes since 1844 and the May 18th, 1883 tornado which hit the north side of the City of Racine, just blocks from Lake Michigan, is still listed as one of Wisconsin’s Top Ten Killer Tornadoes in Wisconsin history. “I think most every community has some sort of reason why tornadoes don’t hit them,” commented David Maack, Racine County Emergency Management Coordinator, “Most people have never seen a tornado but that does not mean that they are not a threat.” Other myths include: • Seeking shelter under an overpass is safe. An overpass can act as a wind tunnel and flying debris is a huge concern. If you can safely drive away from the tornado, do so. Otherwise seek shelter in a building. If that isn’t possible, get out of the car and seek shelter in a low- lying ditch. Make sure to cover your head. • You can outrun a tornado in a vehicle. Tornadoes can move at up to 70 mph or more and shift directions erratically and without warning. It is unwise to try to outrun a tornado.
    [Show full text]
  • How Mobile Home Residents Understand and Respond to Tornado Warnings
    JULY 2019 L I U E T A L . 521 How Mobile Home Residents Understand and Respond to Tornado Warnings BROOKE FISHER LIU Department of Communication, University of Maryland, College Park, College Park, Maryland a MICHAEL EGNOTO National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism, University of Maryland, Downloaded from http://journals.ametsoc.org/wcas/article-pdf/11/3/521/4879140/wcas-d-17-0080_1.pdf by guest on 04 August 2020 College Park, College Park, Maryland JUNGKYU RHYS LIM Department of Communication, University of Maryland, College Park, College Park, Maryland (Manuscript received 26 July 2017, in final form 19 February 2019) ABSTRACT Mobile home residents experience higher fatality rates from tornadoes than ‘‘fixed home’’ residents. Yet, research on how mobile home residents understand and respond to tornado warnings is lacking. Such research can help meteorologists and their partners better communicate tornado risk. We conducted four surveys with residents of the southeastern United States. This region has the highest concentration of tornado fatalities and killer tornadoes, in part because of the high density of mobile homes. Findings reveal that today’s tornado warning system inadequately prepares mobile home residents to respond safely to tornadoes. The study offers recommendations for how to improve tornado communication for mobile and fixed home residents. 1. Introduction not safe. Instead, the NWS recommends that mobile home residents abandon their homes immediately if Tornadoes are one of nature’s most violent storms they have access to a sturdy shelter (NWS 2018a). (NOAA 2010). When the National Weather Service Unfortunately, mobile home residents may not have (NWS) issues a tornado warning, they recommend access to sturdy structures like a neighbor’s home, a that people go to a basement, safe room, or interior school, or a community shelter.
    [Show full text]