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OceanStWx

Meteorologist
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Everything posted by OceanStWx

  1. In simple terms, the construction of the building in question. EF4 winds devastate structures, EF5 winds devastate well built structures.
  2. The most difficult questions will come when going from EF4 to EF5, and will likely take more than just today to determine the answers. A single family home can be reduced to a bare slab in EF1 winds if the house isn't anchored to the foundation. Experts will need to come in and view construction to determine how well they were built. However there are some clues that can help. For instance, a bare slab next to a tree with a couple branches down, or an intact flag pole can be indicative of poor construction. Whereas, a bare slab with debarked trees and a flag pole bent to the ground can show that it was indeed EF3+. Not to mention the number and magnitude of the rest of the tornadoes mean these surveys are going to take a while, even though they likely have region and surrounding WFOs assisting.
  3. Just going off things we know for sure at this moment... Trees debarked with only stumps of largest limbs remaining is EF3 expected damage, but only can be determined up to the highest (167 mph) at that scale. After that it becomes impossible to tell with any certainty how strong the winds were. Likewise, we know transmission towers outside of Birmingham were taken down. Again this type of damage is consistent with EF3 damage, but once total loss occurs it is impossible to tell if winds were stronger. As for other structures we've seen, there was that McDonalds in Tuscaloosa that was rendered down to just about nothing but the guts (could even argue completely gone). This damage is consistent with EF3 (or high EF4 if you consider it a total loss), and again higher wind speeds can't be stated with any certainty because the structure is expected to be gone at high EF4. Easily EF3+, almost definitely EF4, and I personally need some context with what certain structures were before they were reduced to rubble before declaring EF5 for sure.
  4. Totally agree, I don't like the premature assessments especially when viewing photos without any sort of perspective. However, like you said there is a lot of information pointing in that direction at this hour.
  5. On a day like today, 100 casualties can accidentally be relayed as 100 deaths pretty easily.
  6. Also careful with the siren discussion because they are only designed to be outdoor warning systems. Folks in cars, office buildings, homes, etc. need to have some other form of communication to receive warnings effectively. For instance, ABC 33/40 was being simulcast on the radio, especially for those without power for TVs.
  7. Fact of the matter is too many people have already died today. There is a reason we work everyday towards improving both the warning process and the responses they generate.
  8. Could have sworn he had to do this last year on the Yazoo City, MS day.
  9. The type of atmosphere today can be seen with the horizontal funnels rising up the outside of the tornado. Shear/helicity just incredible...
  10. It was certainly strengthening on the way from Tuscaloosa to Birmingham, I would say the best couplet was just prior to entering the western Birmingham suburbs.
  11. I especially like (and appreciate) how Spann reiterated not to trust any storm today. That if any thunder was headed your way to take cover, not just the tornado warned ones.
  12. Good point, the Winfield, AL NOAA weather radio xmtr has been offline or at least having trouble staying online since this morning. Which of course, is why there is overlap with surrounding xmtrs. Inevitably there will be gaps in coverage though.
  13. Normally with these early reports I would urge caution with taking them verbatim, but coupled with the radar signatures unfortunately this type of damage is not only possible but probable.
  14. Which time though, it got slammed by two clear tornadoes with debris balls visible on radar. Many of these towns are taking their 2nd (3rd even) hits of the day.
  15. I haven't been at it very long, but I know my velocity would max out at 250 gate to gate, and I had 240 for a scan. That statement doesn't surprise me, unfortunately.
  16. Very nice RFD punch it looks like on radar, would not be surprised to see another touchdown. As for the cell that just went through town, radar velocities are about maxed out. Damage reports are going to be extreme.
  17. And getting larger on the video stream, it is going to be a very close call for Tuscaloosa.
  18. Sounds like Walker County, Alabama tornado is cycling. BMX WCM reported two tornadoes with one roping out while he was on the phone.
  19. Near Pisgah, AL, two tornadoes on the ground, one very large and the second one anticyclonic (both doing damage with debris balls).
  20. Even the relatively small storms are showing impressive signatures, like this BWER. Very reminiscent of how the storms developed on 6/5/10.
  21. Everything is spinning because updrafts have 1000 m2/s2 helicity to work with, and plenty of low level CAPE to stretch it. Then add in that 0-1 km shear is 50+ kts and you will have many, many strong and probably more than a few violent tornadoes.
  22. Not just that many supercells with tornadic signatures, but that many supercells with strong tornadic signatures.
  23. Hackleburg, AL just got rocked, dBZs in the debris ball spiked to 65 when the tornado went through town. Gut wrenching feeling to say the least.
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