Dr. Jeff Masters' WunderBlog

Vortex2 tornado study finally gets some twisters to study

Posted by: Dr. Jeff Masters, 1:56 PM GMT en Junio 08, 2009

A proven way to reduce the incidence of dangerous weather phenomena is to schedule a multi-million dollar field experiment to study the phenomena. Up until this past weekend, that has certainly been true of this year's $10 million Vortex2 tornado study. The 7-week study (which also runs next year) has deployed an armada of over 100 storm chasing vehicles across the Great Plains this Spring, but has largely been frustrated by an exceptionally quiet tornado season. Tornado activity in May was less than half of what was observed last year in May, thanks to a ridge of high pressure that has dominated the weather. The residents of Tornado Alley ran out of luck over the weekend, though, as a strong low pressure system and associated cold front brought severe weather and multiple tornadoes to the region. Sixteen tornado reports were received by NOAA's Storm Prediction Center yesterday, and three on Friday. The team of University of Michigan students that has been writing our featured Vortex2 blog caught some excellent pictures of tornadoes on both Friday and Sunday. Yesterday was probably the last best chance for the Vortex2 project to document a strong tornado, since the project ends this Saturday and no significant tornado outbreaks appear likely for the remainder of this week.

Aurora, Colorado tornado yesterday
A tornado with a 3/4 mile wide debris cloud swept through Aurora, Colorado yesterday, staying on the ground for 8 - 11 miles and damaging a shopping mall, but causing no deaths or injuries. The tornado passed close to one of the high-resolution Terminal Doppler Weather Radars (TDWRs) that we now feature on our web site (see the radar FAQ for more details on these great new additions to our radar offerings). Posted below are the reflectivity and Doppler velocity images from the tornado, showing the amazing fine-scale details these high-resolution radars offer.

Figure 1. Radar reflectivity (top) and Doppler velocity (bottom) from the Denver, Colorado Terminal Doppler Weather Radar (TDWR), which caught the classic signature of a supercell thunderstorm tornado over Aurora, Colorado. A tornado dropped down from the low-level mesocyclone inside the parent supercell thunderstorm at the time of these images. Yellow colors located right next to greens/blues indicate that winds are moving towards and away from the radar in close proximity, the signature of strong rotation at low levels. Also visible on the plot are the winds spreading out from a downdraft on the rear side of the tornado. Black arrows denote the direction of wind flow. The dryline was bent back into a E-W orientation near Denver, creating an area of moisture convergence, which triggered thunderstorm formation.

Western Caribbean disturbance unlikely to develop this week
As area of disturbed weather over the Western Caribbean has brought rains of 2 - 3 inches over portions of Nicaragua and Honduras over the past few days. Wind shear is a high 20 - 30 knots over the disturbance, and no computer models are indicating that the disturbance will develop this week.

Jeff Masters, with help from wunderground's tornado expert, Dr. Rob Carver

(Vortex2)

Dying out after an official 24 minutes on the ground

Tornado (Fungus)

Twisted (rrose1)

This was taken approximately 30 minutes after a brief tornado passed through South Hutchinson, KS tonight. The building is a bus manufacturing facility.

Categories: Tornado

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1401. homelesswanderer 11:39 PM GMT en Junio 09, 2009
Quoting Orcasystems: Sure... everyone on here says come visit Florida.. come visit Georgia... go to NOLA... are you guys NUTS. Even you don't like the heat. Lol. Member Since: Agosto 15, 2008 Posts: 10 Comments: 3665

1402. MobileMob 11:41 PM GMT en Junio 09, 2009
Good Evening all, humidity is horrible in Mobile as always. Now it's 85°F Feels Like: 90°F Wind Chill: 85° Heat Index: 89° Dew Point: 70° Wind: 6mph Humidity: 61% Pressure: 29.94in Gusts: 0mph

1403. Orcasystems 11:41 PM GMT en Junio 09, 2009
Maximum Temperature 40.2 C at 16:31 on 03 June Minimum Humidity 12 % at 16:41 on 03 June We live close to the ocean (everyone does.. its an Island), but you would have to call it a dry heat. Member Since: Octubre 1, 2007 Posts: 77 Comments: 26077

1405. Patrap 11:42 PM GMT en Junio 09, 2009
AGW aint just for Models.. Wait till 2025 rolls around. Member Since: Julio 3, 2005 Posts: 372 Comments: 111617

1406. Joanie38 11:45 PM GMT en Junio 09, 2009
I gotta go for now...gonna help hubby cook..:) i'll check back on the blog in a little while...nice meeting you all...:) Member Since: Junio 16, 2008 Posts: 0 Comments: 461

1407. SavannahStorm 11:48 PM GMT en Junio 09, 2009
Quoting Joanie38: Hi Savannah..thank you for that info!! I am understanding more now thanks to you all!! Nice to meet you as well Savannah!!! :) Nice to have you on board! Member Since: Septiembre 22, 2005 Posts: 18 Comments: 2135

1408. nrtiwlnvragn 11:47 PM GMT en Junio 09, 2009
Quoting Weather456: I know when there are watches and warnings for the USA/PR but other than tropical cyclone watches and warning, I won't know about the islands. Is there a possible way to get watches and warnings for the Caribbean. I think there are official sites for each island country. no? caribweather.net has links to most countries Member Since: Septiembre 23, 2005 Posts: 11 Comments: 8942

1409. homelesswanderer 11:48 PM GMT en Junio 09, 2009
Quoting Orcasystems: Ohhhh now that was a silly thing to say... you know your just asking for one now..... Uh Oh! Hurry Antonio knock wood three times!! Our angelic friend is right. Lol. We've become very superstitious round here in the last few years. Thats why my husband told me not to change my WU name. Lest mother nature thinks I'm getting cocky. Lol. Member Since: Agosto 15, 2008 Posts: 10 Comments: 3665

1410. antonio28 11:48 PM GMT en Junio 09, 2009
LOL! No I don't want a Cane I had been in two of them George & Hortense and is not funny been two moths without electric power & potable water and see your country flood. Thanks God that we have FEMA back in up us in those situations. Member Since: Julio 15, 2008 Posts: 0 Comments: 799

1412. Cavin Rawlins 11:50 PM GMT en Junio 09, 2009
Member Since: Julio 24, 2005 Posts: 407 Comments: 19076

1413. Orcasystems 11:50 PM GMT en Junio 09, 2009
Quoting homelesswanderer: Uh Oh! Hurry Antonio knock wood three times!! Our angelic friend is right. Lol. We've become very superstitious round here in the last few years. Thats why my husband told me not to change my WU name. Lest mother nature thinks I'm getting cocky. Lol. Gasp!!! that may be first time those words have been used in relation to me.. quick.. someone save them.. Vortex will never believe it. Member Since: Octubre 1, 2007 Posts: 77 Comments: 26077

1414. Cavin Rawlins 11:51 PM GMT en Junio 09, 2009
Quoting nrtiwlnvragn: caribweather.net has links to most countries Thanks..I remember going to: http://weather.caribseek.com/ when Arthur was made landfall in Belize last year Member Since: Julio 24, 2005 Posts: 407 Comments: 19076

1415. homelesswanderer 11:53 PM GMT en Junio 09, 2009
Quoting Orcasystems: Gasp!!! that may be first time those words have been used in relation to me.. quick.. someone save them.. Vortex will never believe it. Lol. Y'all are a hoot! Member Since: Agosto 15, 2008 Posts: 10 Comments: 3665

1416. Cavin Rawlins 11:56 PM GMT en Junio 09, 2009
Global Hazards 3. Increase chance of tropical cyclogenesis in the Western Caribbean due to low level convergence, regions of low shear and warm ssts. Confidence: Moderate IMO, Confidence is uncertain Member Since: Julio 24, 2005 Posts: 407 Comments: 19076

1417. HaboobsRsweet 11:56 PM GMT en Junio 09, 2009
Yes, it is hotter than crud here in Southern Mississippi. I went running today at 3PM and lost every drop of water in my body within two minutes. We could use a cool off. It has been a fast transition to summer. If this keeps up for the next two weeks, then the Gulf will be a boiling pot of water for some good storms. Long range forecast shows a lot of clear skies and hot days for the next two weeks. Member Since: Mayo 20, 2009 Posts: 0 Comments: 1640

1419. AussieStorm 12:09 AM GMT en Junio 10, 2009
Quoting MobileMob: Good Evening all, humidity is horrible in Mobile as always. Now it's 85F Feels Like: 90F Wind Chill: 85 Heat Index: 89 Dew Point: 70 Wind: 6mph Humidity: 61% Pressure: 29.94in Gusts: 0mph Come to Sydney Australia now at 09:50 EST Temperature: 11.5C (52.7F) Relative humidity: 35% Feels like: 9.1C (48.4F) Wind: W 22km/h (16.6mph) Wind gusts: 35km/h(21.7mph) Snow on Melbourne's outskirts. Snow on the western side of the Blue Mountains NSW Falls Creek Victoria Thredbo NSW Thredbo Supertrail. More Snow cam's here Link Member Since: Septiembre 30, 2007 Posts: 5 Comments: 13358

1420. zoomiami 12:09 AM GMT en Junio 10, 2009
Nice blog tonight --- Angelic is never a word that can be used regarding Orca - its all a coverup, just lift the halo a little, watch what falls out! Habo - are you out of your mind running at 3 pm when "its hotter than crud?" Pat - I hope you pick up the remains and send them back. There are days here in the summer where the asphalt actually gets syrupy. Ick. But, you have to admit we don't have to use snow shovels.... Member Since: Agosto 13, 2007 Posts: 10 Comments: 4065

1421. sporteguy03 12:10 AM GMT en Junio 10, 2009
Quoting Weather456: 456, I can barely read that but I think it says moderate for Caribbean development? lol Member Since: Julio 7, 2005 Posts: 0 Comments: 4824

1422. Cavin Rawlins 12:13 AM GMT en Junio 10, 2009
Quoting sporteguy03: 456, I can barely read that but I think it says moderate for Caribbean development? lol I highlighted it in post 1414 Full size image Member Since: Julio 24, 2005 Posts: 407 Comments: 19076

1423. homelesswanderer 12:13 AM GMT en Junio 10, 2009
Quoting HaboobsRsweet: Yes, it is hotter than crud here in Southern Mississippi. I went running today at 3PM and lost every drop of water in my body within two minutes. We could use a cool off. It has been a fast transition to summer. If this keeps up for the next two weeks, then the Gulf will be a boiling pot of water for some good storms. Long range forecast shows a lot of clear skies and hot days for the next two weeks. Bout the same here in SE TX. Humidity is climbing through the day. Up to 66% now. Wind dying out of the S at 8. The Icky Sticky's are here to stay. I'm out to watch Deadliest Catch and Out of the wild. Thanks for answering my quetions y'all. And for the laughs. Got my fingers crossed for ya Antonio. ;) Lol. BBL. Member Since: Agosto 15, 2008 Posts: 10 Comments: 3665

1425. sporteguy03 12:15 AM GMT en Junio 10, 2009
Quoting Weather456: I highlighted it in post 1414 Full size image Thanks 456! Member Since: Julio 7, 2005 Posts: 0 Comments: 4824

1429. AussieStorm 12:19 AM GMT en Junio 10, 2009
El Nino event 'may affect WA in coming months' Tuesday June 9, 2009 - 11:26 EST Scientists are monitoring weather patterns to determine whether an El Nino event will impact Western Australia later this year. The Pacific Ocean weather pattern could see a continuation of below-average rainfall in parts of the Wheatbelt and Great Southern regions. Farmers near Katanning and Gnowangerup have already been hit by dry conditions, recording their lowest May rainfall levels on record. David Stephens from the Department of Agriculture and Food says there is a strong possibility an El Nino pattern will develop in the coming months. "We've got slightly reduced sea surface gradient, we've got stronger high pressures in our region, we've got weaker long-wave troughs," he said. "With the possibility of an El Nino, everything really is in the balance. "We really have to watch in the next few weeks how the indicators will develop. "At the moment there's been a little bit of warming in the eastern Pacific, and a bit of a rise in pressure in the Australian region. "So we're really at a point where it may develop in the next month or two, or it may rebound and go back to a more neutral, normal pattern." © ABC 2009 Member Since: Septiembre 30, 2007 Posts: 5 Comments: 13358

1430. KEHCharleston 12:20 AM GMT en Junio 10, 2009
How many of y'all have tried to cook an egg on the sidewalk? Umm... and how many of you ate the eggs? Member Since: Agosto 19, 2008 Posts: 6 Comments: 2490

1432. gator23 12:22 AM GMT en Junio 10, 2009
Quoting KEHCharleston: How many of y'all have tried to cook an egg on the sidewalk? Umm... and how many of you ate the eggs? sounds tasty Member Since: Agosto 26, 2008 Posts: 0 Comments: 1994

1433. SavannahStorm 12:23 AM GMT en Junio 10, 2009
Quoting StSimonsIslandGAGuy: 5% of the way through the hurricane season and all's well! When you put it that way, it doesn't sound so promising. Member Since: Septiembre 22, 2005 Posts: 18 Comments: 2135

1434. Cavin Rawlins 12:23 AM GMT en Junio 10, 2009
Quoting StSimonsIslandGAGuy: Weather456 what's the coolest and warmest temperature you've ever seen where you are in St. Kitts? 34C in April or May 2005 and 17C for several occasions during the winter of 2007-2008, which was one the coldest for islands. Member Since: Julio 24, 2005 Posts: 407 Comments: 19076

1435. AussieStorm 12:24 AM GMT en Junio 10, 2009
Quoting KEHCharleston: How many of y'all have tried to cook an egg on the sidewalk? Umm... and how many of you ate the eggs? I cooked 1 on the bonnet of a car... and ate it. also made pancakes/flapjacks. Member Since: Septiembre 30, 2007 Posts: 5 Comments: 13358

1436. MobileMob 12:24 AM GMT en Junio 10, 2009
Nice!! Just looked at the Sydney cam and it's looks like it's a beautiful day there.

1437. AussieStorm 12:26 AM GMT en Junio 10, 2009
Quoting MobileMob: Nice!! Just looked at the Sydney cam and it's looks like it's a beautiful day there. Beautifully cold and windy Member Since: Septiembre 30, 2007 Posts: 5 Comments: 13358

1438. KEHCharleston 12:27 AM GMT en Junio 10, 2009
Quoting gator23: sounds tasty The eggs do not scrape off the sidewalk easily - so a bit difficult to eat ; ) Ants make short work of the remains though. Quoting AussieStorm: I cooked 1 on the bonnet of a car... and ate it. also made pancakes/flapjacks. Now that makes sense! Much more edible. Member Since: Agosto 19, 2008 Posts: 6 Comments: 2490

1439. KEEPEROFTHEGATE (Mod) 12:28 AM GMT en Junio 10, 2009
Quoting Levi32: Yeah, it's pretty inconsistent at this point. The GFS and ECMWF have been very consistent in at least having something down there though. its there. what is there remains to be seen! AOI MARK 12.69N/83.29W Member Since: Julio 15, 2006 Posts: 144 Comments: 40651

1440. AussieStorm 12:29 AM GMT en Junio 10, 2009
I'm currently watching the Red Sox playing Yankies. Looks quiet cold and at any moment it could rain. Member Since: Septiembre 30, 2007 Posts: 5 Comments: 13358

1441. gator23 12:29 AM GMT en Junio 10, 2009
Quoting KEHCharleston: The eggs do not scrape off the sidewalk easily - so a bit difficult to eat ; ) Ants make short work of the remains though. Now that makes sense! Much more edible. Still better for you than McDonalds Member Since: Agosto 26, 2008 Posts: 0 Comments: 1994

1442. PELLSPROG 12:29 AM GMT en Junio 10, 2009
Hey, it DIDN'T rain today in Pompano Beach :) Wow !!!!!!! Got to about 90F Member Since: Septiembre 4, 2008 Posts: 0 Comments: 142

1443. SavannahStorm 12:30 AM GMT en Junio 10, 2009
Quoting Weather456: 34C in April or May 2005 and 17C for several occasions during the winter of 2007-2008, which was one the coldest for islands. lol, seems pretty comfortable there. Highest temp recorded in Savannah- 105F, the record low 3F. That pales in comparison to some places like South Dakota- Records for Pierre, SD: Record high: 117F Record low: -35F How's that for a temperature range? Member Since: Septiembre 22, 2005 Posts: 18 Comments: 2135

1444. AussieStorm 12:30 AM GMT en Junio 10, 2009
Quoting gator23: Still better for you than McDonalds hahahahahaha roflmao Member Since: Septiembre 30, 2007 Posts: 5 Comments: 13358

1446. adrianalynne 12:31 AM GMT en Junio 10, 2009
Hey All!!! I just got a new NOAA weather radio so I'm rather excited... However there is one feature that I really don't get.... The weather radio I purchased is "Oregon Scientific Noaa, Weather Radio Model WR601" when I go and set the Time/Date it gives me an "S....E or F" option after the time... does anyone have any clue what this is! thanks again!!! Member Since: Agosto 7, 2006 Posts: 0 Comments: 134

1447. Levi32 12:31 AM GMT en Junio 10, 2009
Scattered thunderstorms near Panama this evening: Member Since: Noviembre 24, 2005 Posts: 586 Comments: 25459

1448. JRRP 12:34 AM GMT en Junio 10, 2009
Quoting Weather456: 34C in April or May 2005 and 17C for several occasions during the winter of 2007-2008, which was one the coldest for islands. only 34ºc? well... Member Since: Agosto 16, 2007 Posts: 0 Comments: 4315

1450. gator23 12:35 AM GMT en Junio 10, 2009
Can anyone tell me why JFV soesnt just use his JFV account? Was he banned? This weather student character makes me feel... uncomfortable... Member Since: Agosto 26, 2008 Posts: 0 Comments: 1994

1451. KEEPEROFTHEGATE (Mod) 12:36 AM GMT en Junio 10, 2009
Quoting AussieStormCome to Sydney Australia now at 09:50 EST Temperature: 11.5C (52.7F) Relative humidity: 35% Feels like: 9.1C (48.4F) Wind: W 22km/h (16.6mph) Wind gusts: 35km/h(21.7mph) and it ain't even winter yet Member Since: Julio 15, 2006 Posts: 144 Comments: 40651

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