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3/23/09 DISC: OK, KS, NE, SD

Joe Acord said:
This was an image a buddy of mine fowarded to me earlier today with the hook echo near Norman.
Click to expand...

That storm was more impressive on radar than in person. Got some heavy rain out of it along with some 0.5 to maybe 1" hail that almost covered the ground here in south Norman.
 
 
Last edited by a moderator:
Glad this system lacked enough moisture to produce the feared powerful "long track" tornadoes. Does seem like a lot of smaller and thankfully less powerful tornadoes were still produced though.

That brings up this question. Less then 48 hours after a reported tornado, those listed above already have an EF rating. Who actually decides on the final strength for NOAA? Especially if the path is limited to an open field without stucture damage. I'm assuming a Dopler didn't get them all.

Thanks for helping.
 
Scott Nelson said:
That brings up this question. Less then 48 hours after a reported tornado, those listed above already have an EF rating. Who actually decides on the final strength for NOAA? Especially if the path is limited to an open field without stucture damage. I'm assuming a Dopler didn't get them all.
Click to expand...
Those that did the survey suggest the rating, however, it's up to the local FO management as to what the final rating is. If the tornado didn't hit anything, it gets a EF0. Also, Doppler winds will no longer be a valid source for tornado rating when the new Storm Data directive is released.
 
Scott Nelson said:
That brings up this question. Less then 48 hours after a reported tornado, those listed above already have an EF rating. Who actually decides on the final strength for NOAA? Especially if the path is limited to an open field without stucture damage. I'm assuming a Dopler didn't get them all.
Click to expand...

This probably belongs in another thread, but the Warning Coordination Meteorologist (WCM) with the NWS office having area responsibility typically visits the damage site as soon as possible to conduct a post-storm survey. The WCM compares the damage with the EF Scale Damage Assessment Guide. More info can be found here.

In the case of a major tornado causing extensive damage and/or injuries/deaths, the NWS may send an assessment team to examine the event in more detail. Occasionally, the original EF rating will be updated based on the team report.
 
I agree Tom. I was actually "thinking" about starting another thread so I didn't step on Joe's post. Figured the question went hand and hand though with the ratings posts added by others.

Thanks for the info.
 
Joe Acord said:
This was an image a buddy of mine fowarded to me earlier today with the hook echo near Norman.
Click to expand...

I was 4 miles south of Goldsby as that storm crossed I-35. It had a ragged, disorganized lowering that had a very low base on it. The radar image as it was approaching was very impressive, it had consistent TVS from south of Anadarko to Norman on GRL3, to go along with a nice hook. But it was not as organized as it appeared on radar.
 
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