WFAA TV: A 'PDS' Tornado Watch, really?

Randy Jennings

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Here are several media stories in reaction to yesterday's PDS tornado watch:

WFAA (Dallas,TX) A 'PDS' Tornado Watch, really?

North Texas experienced the first PDS (Particularly Dangerous Situation) Tornado Watch in five years on Tuesday. These are obviously rare and only issued when there's higher than normal confidence that long track tornadoes may develop.

So, if in theory, we had the most significant tornado threat since 2011, why did virtually no thunderstorms impact our area during the first six hours of the watch? And why were most of the storms only marginally severe once they did impact our area? Many of you canceled plans. Other folks went to great lengths to protect their vehicles from large hail. So, we completely understand the frustration that results from a lack of truly impactful weather when the forecast calls for potentially dangerous and destructive weather.

Full story at: http://www.wfaa.com/news/local/texas-news/a-pds-tornado-watch-really/155245593

Washington Post (Washington, DC): Tuesday’s severe weather ‘bust’ is a communication wake-up call

Tuesday’s severe weather forecast was grim. So much so that schools in Oklahoma closed for the safety of students and faculty. A moderate risk of severe storms was in place, and a “potentially dangerous situation” tornado watch was issued late in the afternoon. One local station in Oklahoma City said that on a scale from zero to 10, Tuesday’s tornado risk was a “10.” EF-4 tornadoes were possible, they said.

That threat proved to be unfounded.

Full story at: https://www.washingtonpost.com/news...weather-bust-is-a-communication-wake-up-call/
Includes comments from SPC

Forbes: Was Yesterday's Severe Weather Forecast A Bust? It Depends On Your Perspective


A week ago we were talking about the possibility of severe weather and tornadoes. Tuesday (April 26th) was supposed to be the “day.” Adequate warnings were up. The National Weather Service even issued a rare “Particularly Dangerous Situation (PDS)” Tornado Watch, which is only used about 3% of the time according to the Weather Channel (more on this later). As the event played out (and afterwards), I couldn’t help but notice on social media that the word “bust” was starting to appear in the narrative of some colleagues and enthusiasts. I ask the question this morning, “Was Yesterday’s Severe Weather Forecast A Bust?”

Full story at: http://www.forbes.com/sites/marshal...eather-forecast-a-bust-depends-on-perspective

Mashable: Storm chasers disappointed when intense tornadoes failed to materialize on Tuesday

The outbreak of severe thunderstorms that struck the heart of "Tornado Alley" on Tuesday sent legions of tornado chasers onto area roadways in search of tornadoes.

Most of the chasers, though, were sorely disappointed when the majority of thunderstorms produced large hail and damaging straight-line winds — rather than twisters. In the end, there were just six tornadoes reported.

Full story at: http://mashable.com/2016/04/27/tornado-chasers-disappointed/#uPFPN8P3j5qA
 
Mashable: Storm chasers disappointed when intense tornadoes failed to materialize on Tuesday

The outbreak of severe thunderstorms that struck the heart of "Tornado Alley" on Tuesday sent legions of tornado chasers onto area roadways in search of tornadoes.

Most of the chasers, though, were sorely disappointed when the majority of thunderstorms produced large hail and damaging straight-line winds — rather than twisters. In the end, there were just six tornadoes reported.

Full story at: http://mashable.com/2016/04/27/tornado-chasers-disappointed/#uPFPN8P3j5qA


LOL what was disappointing? You guys who know your sh-tuff were saying in the Target area 3 days out how it looked like an ugly setup and would likely be a wind and hail event not worth chasing.
 
To me this was still a great chase. The long 1000+ mile drive went by in no time, a chase partner with personality and great humor always makes the hours pass in minutes. Still got to see a few really amazing wall clouds one of which gets strangely enveloped. This chase also presented an opportunity to work on more time lapse video. While the forecast in all was a let down I as a chaser am hardly "dissapointed that tornadoes failed to materialize" Its not about the tornadoes, its about getting those vaulted structure shots and green hail cores. Maybe its just SDS but did anyone else see the tornadocane look alike on radar?

https://www.facebook.com/n/?video/e...05338.Abn8i-yBhyesn7ka&[email protected]

1) The Storm Prevention Center offers tips on what to do while your waiting for initiation. "Cap won't break, no problem try space heaters"
2) Strange lizzards exist around wind mills.
3) Storm chaser camera spam. It just had to be done

Yes things were way off on this forecast and storm mode, well I'm not even going to start on that one!. On the shear issues, Im defenitly not going there... Focus on the positive. For all of you guys that stayed home arent you glad you saved all that gas money?
 
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