Terms that spotter/Media use that bothers me

[Rob Gardner]

The local stations around Salina were describing it in the same manner. I had to explain to my friend (his first chase) that this was a terrible way to judge power/strength. It is unfortunate as it only perpetuates incorrect information.

Exactly. I wonder how many people hear something like that and think oh its a small tornado I can be reed timmer and drive through it, or I don`t need to go to my basement, thinking it`s an EF0 or it`s dying because it's small. I always thought weather stations in the plains were better than in the midwest, but as of late I`ve found that not to be the case. There is disinformation and dangerous disinformation at that, everywhere.

 

[ChristianTerry]

Definitely the amount the media tries to determine the rating a tornado will receive before damage assessment. Calling tornadoes funnel clouds. Minor things mainly though.

 

[Jake Orosi]

The local stations around Salina were describing it in the same manner. I had to explain to my friend (his first chase) that this was a terrible way to judge power/strength. It is unfortunate as it only perpetuates incorrect information.

More bizarre is some towns' reaction on the rare occasions the NWS downgrades an EF rating; EF-anythings can cause damage, and a small town could easily be completely devastated by an EF-3. But it seems many take it as a personal affront if the scientists say the tornado that hit them was anything less than an EF-5.

 

[Chris Nuttall]

LOL. I found it funny one day, on an SN report, it said "NWS employee reports marble sized hail"

If I'm not mistaken, I think the default program in WFOs that is used to generate LSRs still lists "Marble Size 0.50 INCH," so it's possible that old terminology can still be floating around. Old habits can be hard to break, even among forecasters.

 

[StormScotter]

The Weather Channel - everything is either a wedge or a multi-vortex tornado, even if it's a skinny little rope...

 

[leachman90]

If I'm not mistaken, I think the default program in WFOs that is used to generate LSRs still lists "Marble Size 0.50 INCH," so it's possible that old terminology can still be floating around. Old habits can be hard to break, even among forecasters.

I have just recently taken the Spotter Class here in Alabama. And you are right Chris, that is the old term. It was a point of emphases NOT to use the term "marble" size anymore. So when I hear that now I just roll my eye's and wonder "WHY"?