STORM2K

A tornado warning was issued for manhattan by the NWS but there wasnt a funnel cloud nor tornado. There was hail though and heavy rain.

do they get warnings often or was this a rare instance?

I'm shocked that no one is talking about this (at least here). This was all over CNN live at 5:30 pm ET and they were showing a live shot of downtown NY. I was amazed when I heard it was for Manhattan county which must be one of the most built up areas in North America. I have never seen a warning for that county In New York City.

Here is the warning:

TORNADO WARNING
NJC003-NYC005-061-152145-
/O.NEW.KOKX.TO.W.0007.080815T2116Z-080815T2145Z/

BULLETIN - EAS ACTIVATION REQUESTED
TORNADO WARNING
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE UPTON NY
516 PM EDT FRI AUG 15 2008

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN UPTON NY HAS ISSUED A

* TORNADO WARNING FOR...
NEW YORK (MANHATTAN) COUNTY IN SOUTHEAST NEW YORK...
BRONX COUNTY IN SOUTHEAST NEW YORK...
EASTERN BERGEN COUNTY IN NORTHEAST NEW JERSEY...

* UNTIL 545 PM EDT...

* AT 515 PM EDT...NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DOPPLER RADAR INDICATED A
SEVERE THUNDERSTORM CAPABLE OF PRODUCING A TORNADO NEAR
ENGLEWOOD...OR NEAR BERGENFIELD...MOVING EAST AT 19 MPH.

* THE TORNADO WILL BE NEAR...
RIVERDALE BY 525 PM...
EAST TREMONT BY 530 PM...
CO-OP CITY AND CITY ISLAND BY 540 PM...

IN ADDITION TO THE TORNADO...THIS STORM IS CAPABLE OF PRODUCING
QUARTER SIZE HAIL AND DESTRUCTIVE STRAIGHT LINE WINDS.

THE SAFEST PLACE TO BE DURING A TORNADO IS IN A BASEMENT. GET UNDER A
WORKBENCH OR OTHER PIECE OF STURDY FURNITURE. IF NO BASEMENT IS
AVAILABLE...SEEK SHELTER ON THE LOWEST FLOOR OF THE BUILDING IN AN
INTERIOR HALLWAY OR ROOM SUCH AS A CLOSET. USE BLANKETS OR PILLOWS TO
COVER YOUR BODY AND ALWAYS STAY AWAY FROM WINDOWS.

IF IN MOBILE HOMES OR VEHICLES...EVACUATE THEM AND GET INSIDE A
SUBSTANTIAL SHELTER. IF NO SHELTER IS AVAILABLE...LIE FLAT IN THE
NEAREST DITCH OR OTHER LOW SPOT AND COVER YOUR HEAD WITH YOUR HANDS.

LAT...LON 4094 7404 4097 7390 4093 7390 4091 7386
4091 7384 4089 7383 4089 7379 4086 7379
4086 7380 4083 7379 4083 7406
TIME...MOT...LOC 2116Z 268DEG 16KT 4090 7396

$$

BAS

Tornadoes can happen anywhere if there is a strong updraft and the severity of the storm is bad enough.. Although conditions are normally better on the plains and that region. No one seemed to be worried though everyone was walking on the street taking no notice of the situation. Some people don't understand how powerful the weather can be.

There would be a massive amount of debris if a tornado did touch down. Because Manhattan is such a tightly packed area it would only enhance the effect of the tornado. The winds would be forced into such tight spots, only making them pressurized and more dangerous.

There's always that "wind tunnel" affect in any city with tall buildings and the wind is blowing. I can't even imagine what it would be like if a tornado hit.