HoarfrostHubb Posted June 4, 2011 Share Posted June 4, 2011 I actually did the interview with WFCR in Amherst, but still NPR. TY...I think!! TY Josh...can't wait to see you in Balmore in July! --Turtle You folks handled it well. BOX has been helpful in a very trying time. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Turtle Posted June 4, 2011 Author Share Posted June 4, 2011 Hi gang! They say that patience is a virtue. Well, info will be coming out shortly. My boss got back a little while ago after doing a detailed aerial survey of the path of the tornadoes. Again, all I have to say is...simply AMAZING!!! Once it's posted, will post it here. --Turtle Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
weatherwiz Posted June 4, 2011 Share Posted June 4, 2011 3 confirmed tornadoes in MA...most since 7/3/97. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Turtle Posted June 4, 2011 Author Share Posted June 4, 2011 As promised, guys...here you go... PUBLIC INFORMATION STATEMENT NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE TAUNTON MA 1002 PM EDT FRI JUN 3 2011 ...THREE TORNADOES CONFIRMED ON JUNE 1 2011 IN MASSACHUSETTS... ...EF3 TORNADO CONFIRMED FROM WESTFIELD TO CHARLTON... LOCATION...WESTFIELD TO CHARLTON IN HAMPDEN AND WORCESTER COUNTIES DATE...JUNE 1 2011 ESTIMATED TIME...417 PM TO 527 PM EDT MAXIMUM EF-SCALE RATING...EF3 ESTIMATED MAXIMUM WIND SPEED...160 MPH MAXIMUM PATH WIDTH...ONE HALF MILE PATH LENGTH...39.0 MILES BEGINNING LAT/LON...42.10N / 72.75W ENDING LAT/LON...42.10N / 71.99W * FATALITIES...4 * INJURIES...200 * THE INFORMATION IN THIS STATEMENT IS PRELIMINARY AND SUBJECT TO CHANGE PENDING FINAL REVIEW OF THE EVENT(S) AND PUBLICATION IN NWS STORM DATA. ...SUMMARY... THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN TAUNTON MASSACHUSETTS HAS CONFIRMED AN EF3 TORNADO FROM WESTFIELD TO CHARLTON MASSACHUSETTS ON JUNE 1 2011. A SUPERCELL THUNDERSTORM DEVELOPED OVER WESTERN MASSACHUSETTS WEDNESDAY AFTERNOON. THIS STORM STRENGTHENED AND PRODUCED A LONG- LIVED...VERY SIGNIFICANT TORNADO...THAT DID EXTENSIVE DAMAGE ACROSS SOUTHWEST AND SOUTH-CENTRAL MASSACHUSETTS. THIS STORM WILL BE NOTED NOT ONLY FOR ITS INTENSITY...BUT ALSO FOR THE LENGTH OF THE CONTINUOUS DAMAGE PATH...APPROXIMATELY 39 MILES. THE TORNADO WAS ALSO VERY WIDE AT SOME POINTS...REACHING A MAXIMUM WIDTH OF ONE-HALF MILE. THE TORNADO FIRST TOUCHED DOWN IN THE MUNGER HILL SECTION OF WESTFIELD WITH DAMAGE MAINLY LIMITED TO TREES...MANY UPROOTED AND SNAPPED. THE ROOF OF MUNGER HILL ELEMENTARY SCHOOL WAS ALSO DAMAGED. THE TORNADO RAPIDLY INTENSIFIED AS IT MOVED INTO WEST SPRINGFIELD. THE TORNADO CAUSED EXTENSIVE DAMAGE TO INDUSTRIAL BUILDINGS AND HOMES. SEVERAL BUILDINGS HAD THEIR ROOFS REMOVED BY THE TORNADO...A FEW STRUCTURES COLLAPSED...AND SEVERAL MULTI- STORY BUILDINGS LOST THEIR UPPER STORIES. THE TORNADO THEN CROSSED THE CONNECTICUT RIVER AT THE MEMORIAL AVENUE BRIDGE AND INTO THE CITY OF SPRINGFIELD. HERE THE TORNADO PRODUCED EXTENSIVE DAMAGE TO THE SOUTH SIDE OF THE DOWNTOWN AREA WITH MANY HOMES DESTROYED. IN ADDITION COMMERCIAL BRICK BUILDINGS SUSTAINED MAJOR DAMAGE. ROOFS WERE REMOVED FROM MANY OF THESE LARGE COMMERCIAL STRUCTURES. THE TORNADO ALSO PRODUCED SEVERE STRUCTURAL DAMAGE TO TOWN HOMES AND APARTMENTS NEAR SPRINGFIELD COLLEGE. THE TORNADO CONTINUED MOVING EAST INTO THE ISLAND POND SECTION OF SPRINGFIELD...WHERE CATHEDRAL HIGH SCHOOL SUSTAINED SIGNIFICANT DAMAGE...AND MANY HOMES IN THIS PART THE CITY WERE COMPLETELY DESTROYED. THE TORNADO CONTINUED TO MOVE EAST THROUGH WILBRAHAM NEAR THE WILBRAHAM-HAMPDEN TOWN LINE PRODUCING NEARLY COMPLETE DEFORESTATION AND SIGNIFICANT DAMAGE TO NEARBY STRUCTURES. THE TORNADO THEN CONTINUED DIRECTLY THROUGH THE MIDDLE OF THE TOWN OF MONSON. IN MONSON WIDESPREAD DAMAGE OCCURRED TO COMMERCIAL AND RESIDENTIAL BUILDINGS...WITH MANY HOMES COMPLETELY DESTROYED. THE ROOF OF MONSON HIGH SCHOOL WAS DESTROYED. FORESTED PARTS OF TOWN EXPERIENCED NEARLY COMPLETE DEFORESTATION AND IN SOME LOCATIONS TREE BARK WAS STRIPPED FROM REMAINING TRUNKS. THE TORNADO MOVED ACROSS THE BRIMFIELD STATE FOREST WHERE IT REACHED IT MAXIMUM WIDTH OF APPROXIMATELY ONE-HALF MILE. ADDITIONAL SIGNIFICANT DAMAGE OCCURRED BOTH TO STRUCTURES AND FORESTED AREAS FOR MANY MILES BEFORE THE TORNADO REACHED THE SOUTHBRIDGE AIRPORT. HERE NUMEROUS AIRCRAFT WERE LIFTED OFF THE GROUND AND INTO THE WOODS EAST OF THE AIRPORT. THE TORNADO THEN MOVED EAST BEFORE LIFTING IN THE SOUTHWEST PART OF CHARLTON. && ...EF1 TORNADO CONFIRMED IN WILBRAHAM... LOCATION...WILBRAHAM IN HAMPDEN COUNTY DATE...JUNE 1 2011 ESTIMATED TIME...632 PM TO 640 PM EDT MAXIMUM EF-SCALE RATING...EF1 ESTIMATED MAXIMUM WIND SPEED...90 MPH MAXIMUM PATH WIDTH...200 YARDS PATH LENGTH...3.6 MILES BEGINNING LAT/LON...42.14N / 72.48W ENDING LAT/LON...42.15N / 72.40W * FATALITIES...0 * INJURIES...0 * THE INFORMATION IN THIS STATEMENT IS PRELIMINARY AND SUBJECT TO CHANGE PENDING FINAL REVIEW OF THE EVENT(S) AND PUBLICATION IN NWS STORM DATA. ...SUMMARY... THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN TAUNTON MASSACHUSETTS HAS CONFIRMED AN EF1 TORNADO IN WILBRAHAM ON JUNE 1 2011. A NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE SURVEY TEAM CONFIRMED THAT AN EF1 TORNADO TOUCHED DOWN IN THE NORTHWEST CORNER OF WILBRAHAM. THE TORNADO CONTINUED EAST CROSSING MAIN STREET AND MOUNTAIN ROAD...BUT REMAINED SOUTH OF ROUTE 20. MOST OF THE DAMAGE WAS TO TREES WITH LARGE LIMBS SNAPPED OFF...AS WELL AS NUMEROUS TREES DOWNED. SEVERAL WERE UPROOTED. && ...EF1 TORNADO CONFIRMED IN NORTH BRIMFIELD... LOCATION...NORTH BRIMFIELD IN HAMPDEN COUNTY DATE...JUNE 1 2011 ESTIMATED TIME...654 PM TO 657 PM EDT MAXIMUM EF-SCALE RATING...EF1 ESTIMATED MAXIMUM WIND SPEED...90 MPH MAXIMUM PATH WIDTH...100 YARDS PATH LENGTH...1.3 MILES BEGINNING LAT/LON...42.14N / 72.23W ENDING LAT/LON...42.15N / 72.20W * FATALITIES...0 * INJURIES...0 * THE INFORMATION IN THIS STATEMENT IS PRELIMINARY AND SUBJECT TO CHANGE PENDING FINAL REVIEW OF THE EVENT(S) AND PUBLICATION IN NWS STORM DATA. ...SUMMARY... THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN TAUNTON MASSACHUSETTS HAS CONFIRMED AN EF1 TORNADO IN NORTH BRIMFIELD ON JUNE 1 2011. A NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE SURVEY TEAM CONFIRMED THAT A SECOND EF1 TORNADO TOUCHED DOWN NORTH OF BRIMFIELD WEST OF ROUTE 19. THIS TORNADO CROSSED ROUTE 19 AND LIFTED NEAR TOWER HILL ROAD. THE DAMAGE WAS SURVEYED ON THE GROUND AND BY AIRCRAFT. THE DAMAGE CONSISTED OF TREES WITH LARGE LIMBS SNAPPED OFF...AS WELL AS NUMEROUS TREES DOWNED...A FEW OF WHICH WERE UPROOTED. THIS TORNADO IS FROM THE SAME PARENT THUNDERSTORM THAT PRODUCED THE TORNADO IN NORTH WILBRAHAM. THIS INFORMATION CAN ALSO BE FOUND ON OUR WEBSITE AT WEATHER.GOV/BOX. FOR REFERENCE...THE ENHANCED FUJITA SCALE CLASSIFIES TORNADOES INTO THE FOLLOWING CATEGORIES: EF0...WIND SPEEDS 65 TO 85 MPH. EF1...WIND SPEEDS 86 TO 110 MPH. EF2...WIND SPEEDS 111 TO 135 MPH. EF3...WIND SPEEDS 136 TO 165 MPH. EF4...WIND SPEEDS 166 TO 200 MPH. EF5...WIND SPEEDS GREATER THAN 200 MPH. THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE WOULD LIKE TO THANK THE VARIOUS STATE AND LOCAL AGENCIES AND THE CIVIL AIR PATROL FOR ALL OF THEIR ASSISTANCE IN COMPLETING THESE STORM SURVEYS. $$ THOMPSON/MANNING/DELLICARPINI/DUNHAM/DOODY/VALLIER-TALBOT/MCCORMICK Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HurricaneJosh Posted June 4, 2011 Share Posted June 4, 2011 OK, so a high-end EF3 with a 39-mi path. That's what I call a quality storm for these parts. P.S. Eleanor-- psyched to see you in July as well! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
yoda Posted June 4, 2011 Share Posted June 4, 2011 Deleted my three posts cause Turtle's post looks nicer than my three spread out ones... http://forecast.weather.gov/product.php?site=NWS&format=CI&version=1&glossary=0&highlight=off&issuedby=BOX&product=PNS Nice job BOX Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Typhoon Tip Posted June 4, 2011 Share Posted June 4, 2011 Amazing....what does it take to "STRIP BARK OFF THE REMAINING TRUNKS". What does it take to scour pavement up for that matter. In 1980 I watched a tornado do major damage to downtown Kalamazoo, Michigan. I watched that from about 8 citty blocks away on the south side of the storm, just before the RFD and golf-ball-sized hail forced me to take cover. I was grounded for 2 weeks for that little stunt of storm chasing. There's nothing that compares to the majesty of all that power; you almost feel embarressed to be aforded existence while in its company. I imagine someone out there around Springfield, or Monson Mass, thought the same things I did when I saw an F3 tornado eviscerate brick buildings. I always found it awesome how such an omnipotent force has such a limited lease on time, yet a something as fragile as the mind that observes it may surpass 80 years of life. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ginx snewx Posted June 4, 2011 Share Posted June 4, 2011 OK, so a high-end EF3 with a 39-mi path. That's what I call a quality storm for these parts. P.S. Eleanor-- psyched to see you in July as well! 4 in Brimfield at Hallow Rd. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Damage In Tolland Posted June 4, 2011 Share Posted June 4, 2011 It was def an Ef4..and we'll see that upped as it should be..Just like Joplin was Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ginx snewx Posted June 4, 2011 Share Posted June 4, 2011 It was def an Ef4..and we'll see that upped as it should be..Just like Joplin was Yep, Matt Noyes all over it too. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HurricaneJosh Posted June 4, 2011 Share Posted June 4, 2011 4 in Brimfield at Hallow Rd. It was def an Ef4..and we'll see that upped as it should be..Just like Joplin was I trust the NWS and the professionally-qualified surveyors who looked at the damage firsthand and rated it EF3. The initial Joplin EF4 rating was positioned as very preliminary, and it was obvious they were probably going to up the estimate when they picked an initial value of 198 mph. With this survey, if they felt it was that borderline, I feel they would have said 165 mph, and there would be some mention of the suspect areas in the discussion. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheTrials Posted June 4, 2011 Share Posted June 4, 2011 It was def an Ef4..and we'll see that upped as it should be..Just like Joplin was Why will it be upgraded, because you want to verify your call? The hard working and underpaid NWS mets spent two full days working on this report so they clearly wanted it to be as accurate as possible. We had one of the mets who did the survey post the final report who didn't say anything about it changing. Its a powerful EF3. EDIT: Sorry, it does say preliminary, appology for that, but the rest stands. I would like Turtle to go into detail about the evidence. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ski MRG Posted June 4, 2011 Share Posted June 4, 2011 Why will it be upgraded, because you want to verify your call? The hard working and underpaid NWS mets spent two full days working on this report so they clearly wanted it to be as accurate as possible. We had one of the mets who did the survey post the final report who didn't say anything about it changing. The report isn't marked as preliminary in any way and makes no mention of any other follow up coming. Its a powerful EF3. Are you a great skier?lol Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HoarfrostHubb Posted June 4, 2011 Share Posted June 4, 2011 Perhaps laterwe can get a definitive reason why it was NOT an EF4. I would think there would need to be good evidence. Based on what many knowledgeable posters on here have seen firsthand and the pics and videos, this rating might be questionable Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HoarfrostHubb Posted June 4, 2011 Share Posted June 4, 2011 One kicker...I personally have no clue as to how to rate one and I really don't care. EF3 or whatever...it sucked for those it hit Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ginx snewx Posted June 4, 2011 Share Posted June 4, 2011 Why will it be upgraded, because you want to verify your call? The hard working and underpaid NWS mets spent two full days working on this report so they clearly wanted it to be as accurate as possible. We had one of the mets who did the survey post the final report who didn't say anything about it changing. The report isn't marked as preliminary in any way and makes no mention of any other follow up coming. Its a powerful EF3. Did you read the fookin report? It says preliminary until final.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HurricaneJosh Posted June 4, 2011 Share Posted June 4, 2011 Why will it be upgraded, because you want to verify your call? The hard working and underpaid NWS mets spent two full days working on this report so they clearly wanted it to be as accurate as possible. We had one of the mets who did the survey post the final report who didn't say anything about it changing. The report isn't marked as preliminary in any way and makes no mention of any other follow up coming. Its a powerful EF3. I agree with your post, except I looked at the report again, and at the top it says it is, indeed, preliminary. But, like you wrote and I wrote, there's no hint it may go higher-- for example, wording such as "at least EF3 damage" or a wind estimate at the top of EF3 (which would be 165 mph and not the chosen value of 160 mph). It's conceivable it can change-- but my only points are 1) I trust the actual surveyors more than anyone here and 2) as of now, they give no hints of any pending upgrade. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ginx snewx Posted June 4, 2011 Share Posted June 4, 2011 I trust the NWS and the professionally-qualified surveyors who looked at the damage firsthand and rated it EF3. The initial Joplin EF4 rating was positioned as very preliminary, and it was obvious they were probably going to up the estimate when they picked an initial value of 198 mph. With this survey, if they felt it was that borderline, I feel they would have said 165 mph, and there would be some mention of the suspect areas in the discussion. Me too but betcha a dinner either it gets upgraded or someone was not on the ground with boots on Hallow Rd in Brimfield. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ski MRG Posted June 4, 2011 Share Posted June 4, 2011 Did you read the fookin report? It says preliminary until final.... lol. This could get ugly. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HoarfrostHubb Posted June 4, 2011 Share Posted June 4, 2011 Why will it be upgraded, because you want to verify your call? The hard working and underpaid NWS mets spent two full days working on this report so they clearly wanted it to be as accurate as possible. We had one of the mets who did the survey post the final report who didn't say anything about it changing. The report isn't marked as preliminary in any way and makes no mention of any other follow up coming. Its a powerful EF3. It says preliminary several times dude... This is the baseline Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HurricaneJosh Posted June 4, 2011 Share Posted June 4, 2011 Perhaps laterwe can get a definitive reason why it was NOT an EF4. I would think there would need to be good evidence. Based on what many knowledgeable posters on here have seen firsthand and the pics and videos, this rating might be questionable I think you have it reversed. There needs to be specific evidence to support EF4 (or any rating). Going by your logic, the NWS would be burdened with proving every EF0 was not an EF5. That makes no sense. The rating must be supported with actual evidence. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HurricaneJosh Posted June 4, 2011 Share Posted June 4, 2011 Me too but betcha a dinner either it gets upgraded or someone was not on the ground with boots on Hallow Rd in Brimfield. More interesting to me than making bets would be to see imagery from this location. Can you share a link? Perhaps Eleanor can answer your question as to whether someone was there at that location. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HoarfrostHubb Posted June 4, 2011 Share Posted June 4, 2011 Me too but betcha a dinner either it gets upgraded or someone was not on the ground with boots on Hallow Rd in Brimfield. Those pics and videos are sick. Can you tell me what specifically points to that being EF4 damage vs EF3. My knowledge of severe is worse than my knowledge of Jeter's defensive skill level. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HoarfrostHubb Posted June 4, 2011 Share Posted June 4, 2011 I think you have it reversed. There needs to be specific evidence to support EF4 (or any rating). Going by your logic, the NWS would be burdened with proving every EF0 was not an EF5. That makes no sense. The rating must be supported with actual evidence. No... I mean it would be good if Bill or Eleanor could say well we saw such and such which means it was EF3. We did not see any of these things...(citing EF4 requirements). Nothing official. This is not a courtroom with burden of proof requirements. Just a hobby site I can understand why they wouldn't want to though. Again, this is a very rare thing in Mass so many of us are just trying to learn. Please come down off your tropical high horse and chase a Cat 5 Kidding... I understand your point Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HoarfrostHubb Posted June 4, 2011 Share Posted June 4, 2011 More interesting to me than making bets would be to see imagery from this location. Can you share a link? Perhaps Eleanor can answer your question as to whether someone was there at that location. There are videos and pics in the video and pic thread. I think it was a car dealership. Destroyed with huge damage all around Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Damage In Tolland Posted June 4, 2011 Share Posted June 4, 2011 I;m heading up to Monson and Brimfield today to make my own assessment Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CoastalWx Posted June 4, 2011 Share Posted June 4, 2011 Those pics and videos are sick. Can you tell me what specifically points to that being EF4 damage vs EF3. My knowledge of severe is worse than my knowledge of Jeter's defensive skill level. That's probably very hard to do, unless you're there. Don't forget in a tornado, you have vertical motion as well as horizontal motion. Even a very weak EF1 could flip a car over. So you have all this up and down...twisting and turning motion that makes things look much worse than straight line wind damage of the same velocity. It's a science to determine the damage....simply saying a structure turned over in its side looks like EF4 or better, is not right. That said, it looked EF3 to me, but there very well may be EF4 type stuff which could be caused by a vortex embedded in the actual tornado itself, etc. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HoarfrostHubb Posted June 4, 2011 Share Posted June 4, 2011 That's probably very hard to do, unless you're there. Don't forget in a tornado, you have vertical motion as well as horizontal motion. Even a very weak EF1 could flip a car over. So you have all this up and down...twisting and turning motion that makes things look much worse than straight line wind damage of the same velocity. It's a science to determine the damage....simply saying a structure turned over in its side looks like EF4 or better, is not right. That said, it looked EF3 to me, but there very well may be EF4 type stuff which could be caused by a vortex embedded in the actual tornado itself, etc. Thanks Scott. You are very patient Hope I am not coming off sounding like a jerk. I trust the NWS Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mattmfm Posted June 4, 2011 Share Posted June 4, 2011 I;m heading up to Monson and Brimfield today to make my own assessment It's all preliminary I suppose, but doesn't sound like they're considering any additional upgrade. Though it's clear there's a bit of a debate within the NWS, considering their hedging in the first summary. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CoastalWx Posted June 4, 2011 Share Posted June 4, 2011 Thanks Scott. You are very patient Hope I am not coming off sounding like a jerk. I trust the NWS No not at all...I was just saying how tedious the process can be. I've never been on one of these evaluations, but I know some of the things that go into them. There are so many mesoscale things that can happen in tornadoes where damage can vary from EF2 to EF4 in small distances. Embedded vortices, contracting funnel..just various things that can change in a short amount of time. But based on some of the pics, I wouldn't be shocked at all if there were a pocket or two of EF4. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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