New satellites may lead to earlier tornado warnings

Posted on March 1, 2013 by Bob Berwyn

Tracking lighting inside clouds helps predict tornado formation

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Earlier tornado warnings could help save lives. Photo courtesy NOAA.

By Summit Voice

SUMMIT COUNTY — New satellite technology that can detect lightning inside clouds and track cloud formation may help weather forecasters develop earlier warnings for severe weather, especially tornadoes.

The national average for tornado warnings is 14 minutes. More time would give people in harm’s way a better chance to protect themselves, said the NOAA and NASA scientists working on the new GOES-R technology. The satellites will be able to monitor thunderstorm development with more temporal and spatial detail. (more…)

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Colorado: Tornado reported near Mt. Evans

Posted on July 30, 2012 by Bob Berwyn

Mt. Evans, Colorado.

Twister one of the highest ever reported

By Summit Voice

SUMMIT COUNTY — The National Weather Service this week confirmed that a tornado that touched down at about 11,900-feet near Mt. Evans, Colorado is the second-highest ever reported in the U.S.

The highest reported tornado came July 2004 in Sequoia National Park, California, when a hiker photographed a twister at about 12,000 feet.

The strongest reported high-elevation tornado, with damage reported at the F4 level, was in 1987 in Wyoming, between about 8,500 and 10,000 feet. Another strong tornado (F3) was reported from the Uinta Mountains in Utah in 1993, at about 10,800 feet.

Severe weather experts suggest there have likely been other strong tornadoes at high elevations that were unreported simply because much of the high country is only sparsely populated.

Pictures of the Mt. Evans tornado are online at the Boulder NWS website.

 

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Climate: Record heat wave fuels rare March tornadoes

Posted on March 17, 2012 by Bob Berwyn

A file image of a tornado from the NOAA image library.

More severe weather possible across the plains this weekend

By Summit Voice

SUMMIT COUNTY — Record-breaking late winter warmth fueled an unusual spell of severe weather in Michigan this week, with May-like temperatures prevailing across the Midwest and the East during the start of March.

So far in March, more than 1,000 high temperature records have been set, and the average temperature for the month in Detroit is running about 11 degrees above normal, according to AccuWeather.com.

When the tornado hit on March 15, temps had climbed well into the 70s across some parts of Michigan, more than 20 degrees above normal for the date. The warm, moist air helped develop thunderstorms capable of spawning tornadoes.

Several tornadoes struck the area, including one near Columbiaville that damaged trees and power lines along a mile-long path. Farther south, another tornado near Dexter damaged more than 100 homes with more than a dozen severely damaged. Scores of trees and power lines were toppled in the tornado’s path. (more…)

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