Mobile radar observation of tornadoes
This is a list of tornadoes which have been observed by mobile radars.
Background
List
Several tornadoes throughout the last few decades have been observed by various mobile radars. However, only the most notable ones are used for academic research and subsequently published.[1] This is a list of known tornadoes who were observed by mobile radars.
| Date | Location | Minimum wind speed | Maximum wind speed | Highest confirmed wind speed | Official surveyed damage rating | Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| May 3, 1999 | Bridge Creek, Oklahoma | 281 mph (452 km/h) | 321 mph (517 km/h) | 321 mph (517 km/h) | F5 | In 2007, Joshua Wurman along with other researchers, published that a Doppler on Wheels recorded 135 m/s (300 mph; 490 km/h) approximately 32 metres (105 ft) above the radar level.[2][1] In 2021, Wurman along with other researchers, revised the data using improved techniques and published that the Doppler on Wheels actually recorded 321 miles per hour (517 km/h) in the tornado.[3][4] |
| May 31, 2013 | El Reno, Oklahoma | 291 mph (468 km/h) | 336 mph (541 km/h) | 313 mph (504 km/h) | EF3 | A Doppler on Wheels recorded winds between 257–336 mph (414–541 km/h) approximately 22 metres (72 ft) above the radar level in a suction vortex inside the tornado.[1] This was later revised by the Doppler on Wheels team to 291–336 mph (468–541 km/h).[4] In 2015, Howard Bluestein, along with other researchers, reported that the radar did capture at least a moment of winds of 313 miles per hour (504 km/h).[5] |
| May 21, 2024 | Greenfield, Iowa | 309 mph (497 km/h) | 318 mph (512 km/h) | 271 mph (436 km/h) | EF4 | A Doppler on Wheels recorded winds of 263–271 mph (423–436 km/h) approximately 30–50 m (98–164 ft; 30–50 m) above the radar level. Following calculations to more accurately figuring out the winds, it was published that they recorded winds of 309–318 mph (497–512 km/h).[4] |
References
- ^ a b c Lyza, Anthony W.; Flournoy, Matthew D.; Alford, A. Addison (19 March 2024). "Comparison of Tornado Damage Characteristics to Low-Altitude WSR-88D Radar Observations and Implications for Tornado Intensity Estimation". Monthly Weather Review. -1 (aop). National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and University of Oklahoma via the American Meteorological Society. doi:10.1175/MWR-D-23-0242.1. Retrieved 19 March 2024.
- ^ Wurman, Joshua; Alexander, Curtis; Robinson, Paul; Richardson, Yvette (2007). "Low-Level Winds in Tornadoes and Potential Catastrophic Tornado Impacts in Urban Areas". Bulletin of the American Meteorological Society. 88 (1): 31–46. Bibcode:2007BAMS...88...31W. doi:10.1175/BAMS-88-1-31.
- ^ Wurman, Joshua; Kosiba, Karen; Pereira, Brian; Robinson, Paul; Frambach, Andrew; Gilliland, Alycia; White, Trevor; Aikins, Josh; Trapp, Robert J.; Nesbitt, Stephen; Hanshaw, Maiana N.; Lutz, Jon (August 2021). "The Flexible Array of Radars and Mesonets (FARM)". Bulletin of the American Meteorological Society. 102 (8): E1499 – E1525. doi:10.1175/BAMS-D-20-0285.1. Retrieved 25 June 2024.
- ^ a b c "Flexible Array of Radars and Mesonets (FARM) statement concerning preliminary peak wind speed determinations based on Doppler On Wheels (DOW) data obtained in the Greenfield, Iowa tornado of 21 May 2024" (PDF). Champaign–Urbana metropolitan area: University of Illinois. 23 June 2024. Archived (PDF) from the original on 24 June 2024. Retrieved 24 June 2024.
- ^ Bluestein, Howard B.; Snyder, Jeffrey C.; Houser, Jana B. (2015-06-01). "A Multiscale Overview of the El Reno, Oklahoma, Tornadic Supercell of 31 May 2013". Weather and Forecasting. 30 (3): 525–552. doi:10.1175/WAF-D-14-00152.1. ISSN 1520-0434.