Wednesday, April 08, 2009

Clarification

A clarification of my last post as I'm not firing off salvos of charged text.

I've come to realize that in the chaser community, there are many interpretations of the definition of a tornado. As a meteorologist, if I call something a tornado, I want proof of that. I don't want any doubt in my head. I'm looking for evidence that a tornadocyclone has come in contact with the ground. Seeing dust swirl under a base or wall cloud is not proof to me. If the wall cloud is rather low and the dust swirls are persistent, well that carries a little more weight. I'm not going to deny a dust swirl under a funnel cloud as being a tornado. I just want some connection ... some evidence that the swirl of dust is occurring because of a tornadocyclone that may not be visible.

Why is this important? Well, being as accurate as possible when reporting a tornado to the National Weather Service or local law enforcement is the best way to keep the warning process as honest as possible.

I'm sorry that my fueled post lead to such a backlash and that it caused accusations to fly against some people in the community. That was not my intention at all.

I was simply trying to bring attention to something I care deeply about.

I look forward to seeing some good tornados this year.

Dann.
PS: Possible chase coming in West Texas on Saturday. As we approach the day, I'll try and throw up a forecast entry.

2 comments:

CraigM said...

No problem Dann :) I'm waiting for Jared Curello to send me a copy of the video we took that day (unforunately I was driving). I agree 100% about making sure that any dirt etc. under a wallcloud/funnel is rotating before calling it in as a tornado or reporting it in. Just looking forward to when we'll have adequate moisture for fully condensed funnels/stronger tornados that are hopefully in better terrain and closer to where I live :)

Dann Cianca said...

I know man! Looks like there were some good ones (and bad ones, unfortunately) yesterday!