NWS: "SVR Storm Moving at 115mph" ???

[HAltschule]

While most other stroms in Texas were moving at 45-50 mph, this storm was moving at 115 mph? Hmmm.

WUUS54 KEWX 200304
SVREWX
TXC259-200400-
/O.NEW.KEWX.SV.W.0020.060320T0304Z-060320T0400Z/

BULLETIN - EAS ACTIVATION REQUESTED
SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE AUSTIN/SAN ANTONIO TX
904 PM CST SUN MAR 19 2006

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN AUSTIN SAN ANTONIO HAS ISSUED A

* SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING FOR THE FOLLOWING COUNTIES...
KENDALL

* UNTIL 1000 PM CST

* AT 900 PM CST...NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DOPPLER RADAR INDICATED A
SEVERE THUNDERSTORM CAPABLE OF PRODUCING LARGE DAMAGING HAIL UP TO
GOLF BALL SIZE. THIS STORM WAS LOCATED 5 MILES NORTHWEST OF
SISTERDALE...AND MOVING EAST AT 115 MPH.

* THE SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WILL BE NEAR COMFORT AT 915 PM.

THIS IS A DANGEROUS STORM. IF YOU ARE IN ITS PATH...PREPARE
IMMEDIATELY FOR DAMAGING WINDS...DESTRUCTIVE HAIL...AND DEADLY CLOUD
TO GROUND LIGHTNING. PEOPLE OUTSIDE SHOULD MOVE TO A SHELTER...
PREFERABLY INSIDE A STRONG BUILDING BUT AWAY FROM WINDOWS.

LAT...LON 3008 9893 2991 9891 2998 9846 3014 9860

$$[/b]

 

[Jordan Gerth]

Hardly a big deal. It was just a quick selection of points using the interactive WarnGen feature. When it comes down to warnings, time counts.

 

[rdale]

Hardly a big deal.[/b]

True, because nobody reads the NWS bulletin, but you'd think that when the met took a glance at his pathcast times he would have noticed... It hit Comfort just moments after the warning came out, and was pretty much done by the "arrival time" of 915.

 

[rdale]

Actually I think they are just having a bad day! Issued a SVR for that county, replaced with a TOR minutes later, canceled the TOR with no mention of the SVR still in effect. Then issued a SVR for the next county, upgraded to TOR a few minutes later but made it narrowest in the path of the TOR! Expanded it WELL to the north and northeast even though the cell would have had to make a SHARP left turn to impact...

http://skywatch.org/sat.png

 

[Joe Nield]

True, because nobody reads the NWS bulletin[/b]

Well, hell, why even have 'em then?

 

[rdale]

I think that's taking it too extreme, but you have a point. People only really use the county info. Many offices (like the one in question here) still don't use the polygons effectively, otherwise those would be a good alternative.

 

[Alex Lamers]

I'll agree with Jordan here. They probably had a spotter report and wanted to get the warning out as quickly as possible. The severe weather statement (SVS) following would probably have a more reasonable speed. Whatever the case, people knew there was a severe thunderstorm in the vicinity.

 

[rdale]

They probably had a spotter report and wanted to get the warning out as quickly as possible.
[/b]

No, they didn't have a spotter report. You'll notice that in the text of the warning. This storm had been showing signs of severe for several hours, so I would hope they weren't caught off-guard.