SVR In Puerto Rico?

[Steve Miller TX]

I think this is my first time to see a warning like this out of Puerto Rico. Thought it interesting.

BULLETIN - EAS ACTIVATION REQUESTED
SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE SAN JUAN PR
522 PM AST FRI JUL 2 2010

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN SAN JUAN HAS ISSUED A

* SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING FOR...
ARECIBO MUNICIPALITY IN PUERTO RICO...
THIS INCLUDES THE CITY OF ARECIBO...
HATILLO MUNICIPALITY IN PUERTO RICO...

* UNTIL 600 PM AST

* AT 515 PM AST...A LOCAL EMERGENCY MANAGER REPORTED A SEVERE
THUNDERSTORM NEAR BARRIO ESPERANZA IN ARECIBO. THIS STORM WAS
REPORTED PRODUCING VERY LARGE HAIL AND REPORTS OF A FUNNEL CLOUD.
THIS STORM IS NOT EXPECTED TO DISSIPATE BEFORE 6 PM AST...AND WILL
BE CAPABLE OF PRODUCING HAIL OF ONE INCH OR GREATER...STRONG WIND
GUSTS...FREQUENT LIGHTNING...AS WELL AS FUNNEL CLOUDS OR TORNADOES.

 

[MatthewCarman]

One day every country will have their own warnings for severe storms. I could be wrong but I think it would be a good idea for most countries to do this.

 

[Zach Young]

Not that I disagree with you or anything, but Puerto Rico is part of the United States. It just happens to be a territory, not a state.

I'm wondering why they didn't issue a tornado warning if there were reports of funnel clouds... I assume the WFO in San Juan follows generally the same guidelines as the rest of the country.

 

[rdale]

Because a funnel cloud is not a tornado, and a citizen reported funnel cloud is REALLY not

 

[Zach Young]

True, but funnel clouds CAN be enough to warn for tornadoes, because warnings are issued when severe weather is imminent. I'll grant you that a citizen reported funnel cloud certainly doesn't hold a lot of weight though, since EVERYTHING looks like a tornado/funnel to some people (even people that should know better).