Discussion (May 18-19-20-21) Moore Tornado EF-5 from NWS

[cycloneye]

Makes sense as that big tank sealed the deal. I think it's the right call no doubt.

How far did it travel. Was is a liquid-gas tank once standing in the backyard ?

Don't know those details. Only I am going with what Dr Forbes said last night about that tank.

[apocalypt-flyer]

First tornado of the day confirmed on the ground in - wait for it - the vicinity of the NY/CT/MS border, 10 miles SE of Hudson.

Talk about throwing the ultimate curveball.

Tornado Warning for the area.

[WeatherGuesser]

Tornado Warning in Connecticut?

That seems a bit odd.

[EF-5bigj]

Connecticut? you do not hear about that everyday.

[Houstonia]

Pretty fascinating summary of social media during yesterday's storm event. This is courtesy of Jeff Lindner, met with Harris County (Hou/Gal) flood control district:

(NOT INCLUDED) The attached PDF shows the Tornado Warning Operations yesterday at NWS Norman.

The twitter feed from their office shows the rapid ramp up in the severity of the situation between 230pm and 300pm.

Radar loop:
http://www.srh.noaa.gov/oun/?n=events-20130520-radar

Survey:
EF 5 damage found in the Moore portion of the damage track. Initial NWS ground survey indicates the tornado was on the ground for 17 miles (starting 4.4 miles west of Newcastle, OK at 245pm and ending 4.8 miles east of Moore, OK at 335pm. The tornado appears to have been an EF0/EF 1 and then rapidly grew and intensified as it moved across I-44 with damage greatly increasing to EF 4. The tornado remained an EF 4 through nearly all of Moore, OK. Damage survey teams are still working on the Moore section of the damage path, but indicate EF 5 damage has been found. The tornado will be rated an EF 5 maximum rating in the City of Moore. Preliminary radar sampling of storm chaser equipment suggest wind speeds may have approached 270mph in portions of Moore. Ground surveys are ongoing and this information is subject to change.

You Tube Tornado Video:
http://www.facebook.com/video/embed?vid ... 7107263068
http://www.wmctv.com/category/240217/vi ... start=true
http://www.facebook.com/video/embed?vid ... 4097727626

National Weather Service Norman Twitter feed:

* 12:08 p.m. -- @NWSNorman : Just launched a weather balloon. Cap is still there, but not strong and very breakable. Strong shear in place. #okwx

* 12:30 p.m. -- @NWSNorman: A tornado watch will be issued soon for much of Oklahoma. Stay alert! #okwx

* 12:51 p.m. -- @NWSNorman: 12:50pm - first signs on storm development on radar southeast of Lawton. #okwx

* 1:20 p.m. -- @NWSNorman: Tornado watch: rapid intense storm development expected next few hours, both near stalled front west of I-35, and near the dry line SW OK.

* 1:23 p.m. -- @NWSNorman: Isolated supercells likely along dry line with storms initially capable of very large hail. Tornado threat increases thru afternoon.

* 1:34 p.m. -- @NWSNorman: 1:33pm - rapidly intensifying storm near Pumpkin Center - NW Stephens Co - already producing nickel sized hail. #okwx

* 1:58 p.m. - @NWSNorman: 1:56pm - dry line visible on radar from SW of Minco to Elgin to Walters. Cold front from Minco to Yukon to Perkins. Areas S and E stay alert.

* 2:09 p.m. -- @NWSNorman: 2:08pm storms developing near Blanchard and Tuttle, moving NE at 30 mph. Stay alert Norman, Moore, and S OKC. Not severe yet. #okwx

* 2:13 p.m. -- @NWSNorman: 2:11pm - severe thunderstorm warning for OKC metro area. Severe storm near Bridge Creek moving NE 40 mph.#okwx

* 2:24 p.m. -- @NWSNorman: 2:22pm - things are getting very busy! Every storm that forms goes severe quickly. Please stay alert and be ready to act quickly! #okwx

* 2:30 p.m. -- @NWSNorman: 2:30pm - people in south OKC, Moore and north Norman need to be pay VERY close attention to the storm near Newcastle!! #okwx

* 2:34 p.m. -- @NWSNorman: One warning forecaster focusing on big supercell west of OKC. #okwx pic.twitter.com/MVbwWhvigl

* 2:39 p.m. -- @NWSNorman: 2:39pm - storm west of Newcastle is intensifying and showing some rotation. Stay alert! No tornado warning yet. #okwx

* 2:41 p.m. -- @NWSNorman: 2:40pm - TORNADO WARNING for OKC metro! Developing tornado near Newcastle moving E 20 MPH. Take shelter!! #okwx

* 2:46 p.m. -- @NWSNorman: 2:45pm - you DO NOT want to be in your car in a tornado! Stay where you are. Get in, get down and cover up. Tornado may affect Moore/S OKC

* 2:52 p.m. -- @NWSNorman: DO NOT take cover under highway overpasses!!! You will prevent people from getting to shelter. Get OFF THE ROAD and find a store, restaurant

* 2:56 p.m. -- @NWSNorman: 2:55pm - TORNADO! ON the north side of Newcastle moving east! #okwx

* 2:57 p.m. -- ‏@NWSNorman: Tornado north side of Newcastle at 2:56pm! pic.twitter.com/yryCp4WUW1

* 3:00 p.m. -- @NWSNorman: Large dangerous tornado at 3pm!!! pic.twitter.com/2hUzM0BV7k

* 3:01 p.m. -- @NWSNorman: 3:01pm - TORNADO EMERGENCY OKC METRO!!

* 3:03 p.m. -- @NWSNorman: 3:02pm - LARGE VIOLENT TORNADO moving toward Moore and SW OKC. Take cover right NOW!!! Do not wait!! #okwx

* 3:14 p.m. -- @NWSNorman: Large deadly tornado moving into Moore near 134th and Western. pic.twitter.com/YA2pzEegqG

* 3:19 p.m. -- @NWSNorman: 3:19pm - TORNADO Approaching area near Warren Theater in Moore! Please take shelter. This is as bad as it gets. #okwx

3:21 p.m. -- @NWSNorman: TORNADO EMERGENCY for the City of Moore. Get as far inside a sturdy building as you can. Cover up! Do not wait! #okwx

* 3:22 p.m. -- @NWSNorman: 3:22pm - the tornado is so large you may not realize it's a tornado. If you are in Moore, go to shelter NOW! #okwx

* 3:26 p.m. -- @NWSNorman: 3:25pm - tornado crossed I-35 in south Moore and is now moving along and south of 4th street. Take cover! #okwx

* 3:29 p.m. -- @NWSNorman: TORNADO EMERGENCY for Moore. 3:28pm pic.twitter.com/OiS2qIUcmc

* 3:34 p.m. -- @NWSNorman: 3:32pm - SE OKC is in immediate danger! Take cover. Large violent tornado moving your way. Do not wait to see the tornado! #okwx

* 3:35 p.m. -- @NWSNorman: 3:34pm - tornado moving toward lake Stanley Draper and will come VERY close to the KTLX radar site. #okwx

* 3:37 p.m. -- @NWSNorman: 3:36pm - tornado has roped out west of Lake Stanley Draper. #okwx

* ‏3:42 p.m. -- @NWSNorman: 3:40pm - Tornado could develop again at any time near Lake Stanley Draper! We are NOT in the clear yet! Stay alert! #okwx

[Bunkertor]

Makes sense as that big tank sealed the deal. I think it's the right call no doubt.

How far did it travel. Was is a liquid-gas tank once standing in the backyard ?

Don't know those details. Only I am going with what Dr Forbes said last night about that tank.

Gastank in metric units for fluid medium per DIN 51622. Considering the size in comparison to the weight and condidering the size of the Tornado, that is not the tiebreaker, even if had travelled some hundred meters.

[apocalypt-flyer]

Tornado warning for Cayuga, Seneca and Yates Counties in NY. Moving east at 35mph.

The other supercell with a tornado warning is headng SE into CT.

[EF-5bigj]

That's impressive still but I wonder what gave it the EF-5 rating besides that.

[Bunkertor]

That's impressive still but I wonder what gave it the EF-5 rating besides that.

It´s always a mixture mate. You have to read the criteria given by Mr. Fujita and the NOAA. It comes down to windspeed and if the numbers are not available they are evaluating the degree of destruction.

[EF-5bigj]

I figured the survey would be complicated given how big the path of destruction is.

[artist]

on CNN they showed two vehicles as they stated 'fused' together. It was lke they had been what I call melded together.

[EF-5bigj]

That is a very powerful tornado then. A lot of cars and trucks just looked mangled and and a lot from what I have seen you can't even tell what they where.

[RL3AO]

I've completely changed my tune on the NWS use of facebook and twitter. It is clearly a powerful tool that people are using to get information. I think the guys at NWS Norman showed yesterday how it should be done.

[Annie Oakley]

I've completely changed my tune on the NWS use of facebook and twitter. It is clearly a powerful tool that people are using to get information. I think the guys at NWS Norman showed yesterday how it should be done.

The latest/newest/fastest way of transmitting Comms is where it is these days. Technology at its finest.

Now, if only they could control the weather..........



Let's thank NASA for the technology.

[Hurricaneman]

I don't think any other city or town has been hit by 2 EF-5 tornadoes that I know of to answer an earlier question

[cycloneye]

For those who may have not seen it,at the Sticky Thread on page 10 there is a photo of that big tank that may be part of the analysis by the NWS folks to determine it was an EF-5 Tornado.

[HurricaneBill]

I don't think any other city or town has been hit by 2 EF-5 tornadoes that I know of to answer an earlier question

Murphysboro, IL was hit by the 1925 Tri-State Tornado (most experts consider it to have been an F5). It was hit by another F5 in 1957 (a rare December F5).

The 2011 Hackleburg tornado struck 3 towns previously impacted by F5 tornadoes:

Pleasant Grove, AL (1998 and 2011)
Mount Hope, AL (1974 and 2011)
Tanner, AL (1974 and 2011)

[JonathanBelles]

Prior to this weekend, Universal was going to be pre-opening one it's newest attractions on the TODAY show tomorrow morning. Since this tornado Universal and the TODAY show have decided to change their schedule and have released this statement:

Universal Orlando Resort
The TODAY Show has made adjustments to its programming in response to events in Oklahoma and will now be broadcasting a limited portion of its show live from Universal Orlando Resort on Thursday, May 23rd. If you were one of the 1,000 who RSVP'ed you will be receiving an email soon with more details.

As planned, a portion of Universal Studios Florida will be opening to the public at 7:00 a.m. While select attractions will be open at this time, all additional park experiences will open at 9:00 a.m. Guests who arrive at 7:00 a.m. may have the opportunity to catch a glimpse of the TODAY Show in action while experiencing the park at their leisure. Theme park admission is required for each guest three years and older. Our hearts are with all who were affected by Monday’s events.

[Cyclenall]

I don't think any other city or town has been hit by 2 EF-5 tornadoes that I know of to answer an earlier question

Murphysboro, IL was hit by the 1925 Tri-State Tornado (most experts consider it to have been an F5). It was hit by another F5 in 1957 (a rare December F5).

The 2011 Hackleburg tornado struck 3 towns previously impacted by F5 tornadoes:

Pleasant Grove, AL (1998 and 2011)
Mount Hope, AL (1974 and 2011)
Tanner, AL (1974 and 2011)

I didn't even know any of this but now I'm starting to recall towns during the April 27, 2011 outbreak were hit twice by F5's in history, so I guess its happened before several times but its still insane. What we do know from this event was that some exact locations got hit 100% by both E/F5's in Moore which is mind numbing and its just 14 years apart too. Thanks for the info.

That's impressive still but I wonder what gave it the EF-5 rating besides that.

Wait, you still didn't know why? Pretty much everything gave it away. When I saw everything from this event, I knew 100% it was an EF5, not a shred of doubt whatsoever. I was calling it one before officially was stated like 99% of us.

[EF-5bigj]

That's true it was obvious it was a EF-5 from both video and devastation.