"Willy-willy" in Australia

[James Hammett]

"Bureau of Meteorology senior forecaster Ward Rooney confirmed the tornado, also known as a willy-willy, was very weak — and probably would not register on the official Fujitsu tornado scale."

http://www.theage.com.au/news/natio...m-but-no-damage/2007/05/14/1178995076704.html

More images:

http://www.theage.com.au/photogallery/2007/05/15/1178995121676.html

 

[Chris Vagasky]

Experts believe there are one or two tornadoes in Victoria every year, but most go unnoticed.

I think a different adverb besides "most" should have been used. If there is one tornado per year, but most go unnoticed, how many of the tornado would be seen?

 

[Tarmo Tanilsoo]

I think mr. Fujita just flipped himself in his grave...

Since when is Fujita scale Fujitsu scale?

Must be bad education... I guess, that's Australian version of mini-tornadoes in UK.

 

[Dan Robinson]

and probably would not register on the official Fujitsu tornado scale."

Fujitsu bought corporate naming rights to the tornado scale in Australia. It's the new trend. Soon we'll be seeing:

- Alltel(R) All Hazards Radio
- the Nationwide(R) damage survey
- the Cinergy(R) WSR-88D
- the Office Depot(R) quick response team
- the Continental(R) sounding
- the Bank One(R) mesoscale discussion
- the Compaq(R) special weather statement
- the Gillette(R)-Edward Jones(R) composite parameter
- the U.S. Cellular(R) local storm report

 

[Darin Kaiser]

Wheres "Willie" when you need him.