7 years ago today

[Jim Cantore]

I cant believe nobody has mentioned this

[wxmann_91]

That was a very sad day.

[Jim Cantore]

[MGC]

I was up in the OKC area about a month after the May 3rd F5 tornado. Naturally, I had to go see the damage. Incredible to say the least. Thought I'd never see anything like that again until Katrina. I was watching TWC this morning and they said that there has not been another F5 since the May 99 OKC F5....MGC

[HurricaneBill]

Is this the longest we've gone without an F5? 7 years?

[wxmann_91]

Is this the longest we've gone without an F5? 7 years?

Yep. F4's are becoming less common also. The introduction of the EF Scale promises to continue to decrease the number of violent tornadoes, as another poster mentioned in another forum.

[HurricaneBill]

Is this the longest we've gone without an F5? 7 years?

Yep. F4's are becoming less common also.

Why is that? Are they getting stricter with the scale?

[wxmann_91]

Is this the longest we've gone without an F5? 7 years?

Yep. F4's are becoming less common also.

Why is that? Are they getting stricter with the scale?

Yeah, pretty much. If there are many houses nearby, or the structure is not constructed "to the standard" (which, unfortunately, many aren't), the tornado automatically cannot get an F5 rating.

However, I believe in the end they will cancel each other now, cause now you can get an F5 if the ground is scoured away completely (they couldn't before). The info in the first paragraph is purely from EF developers and researchers, so I'm probably wrong.

[HurricaneBill]

Why is that? Are they getting stricter with the scale?

Yeah, pretty much. If there are many houses nearby, or the structure is not constructed "to the standard" (which, unfortunately, many aren't), the tornado automatically cannot get an F5 rating.

However, I believe in the end they will cancel each other now, cause now you can get an F5 if the ground is scoured away completely (they couldn't before). The info in the first paragraph is purely from EF developers and researchers, so I'm probably wrong.

Oh, OK. I figured Derek Ortt had gotten to them.

[wxmann_91]

lol Bill

Another major svr event started 3 years ago today - The Great May Outbreak of 2003.

[cheezyWXguy]

I remember that...that was incredable...I couldve sworn there was an F5 with that event...

[MiamiensisWx]

I remember this from 1999, too. I was watching footage and images of it on TV as it unfolded and after it occurred. VERY impressive system for sure, and a very sad aftermath!

[WaitingForSiren]

While a very active period with numerous reports of tornadoes, the may outbreak of 2003 failed to live up to the expectations half the time. May 4 2003 lived up to the expectations, and may 6 was a over-producer, but may 8 and 10 didnt really produce what was forecast. Like i said there were numerous reports may 8 and 10, bt the tornadoes were weak (especially may 10) or short lived.

[wxmann_91]

While a very active period with numerous reports of tornadoes, the may outbreak of 2003 failed to live up to the expectations half the time. May 4 2003 lived up to the expectations, and may 6 was a over-producer, but may 8 and 10 didnt really produce what was forecast. Like i said there were numerous reports may 8 and 10, bt the tornadoes were weak (especially may 10) or short lived.

True. May 10-11 should've been a massive outbreak.

[WaitingForSiren]

Do you have any idea why all the tornadoes may 10 were weak? When i watch radar animations all of the supercells appear to be rather weak...like there just wasnt enough instability or something. Im thinking maybe the atmosphere was a little TOO moist, with dewpoints way into the 70s. seems like most major outbreaks have low 60s dews.

[wxmann_91]

Do you have any idea why all the tornadoes may 10 were weak? When i watch radar animations all of the supercells appear to be rather weak...like there just wasnt enough instability or something. Im thinking maybe the atmosphere was a little TOO moist, with dewpoints way into the 70s. seems like most major outbreaks have low 60s dews.

I recall there was an AMS paper on the reasons that outbreak failed, but I can't find it anymore.

I really think it's the quality vs. the quantity of the moisture. I wasn't watching the radars that day, or tracking the event, so I have no idea what doomed it.