2006/07/05

Two N.B. tornadoes confirmed

Environment Canada meteorologist observes 'path of damage' 7 kms long, 15-25 metres wide

 
Environment Canada confirmed yesterday that the storm, which caused considerable damage Monday night in western New Brunswick, was a tornado.

"It appears that probably two tornadoes touched down in the Argyle area," Environment Canada meteorologist Claude Cot?? of Fredericton said, "but there were some good squall lines with winds in excess of 100 kilometres an hour, just to the northwest of Argyle and also around the Napadogan area."

The storms toppled trees, knocked down power lines and levelled at least one barn. The worst damage was in Argyle, located about 30 kilometres (19 miles) southeast of Perth-Andover.

Cot?? investigated the storm site yesterday, where heavy winds, rain, thunder and lightning and hail hit the area, starting just south of Perth-Andover and stretching southeast for 100 kilometres (62 miles).

In determining whether it was a tornado and not some other type of storm, Cot?? said he had to look for signs of rotation, noting a tornado spins in a circular route.

He was able to observe a "path of damage" that was about seven kilometres (four miles) long and varied in width between 50 and 83 feet (15 and 25 metres).

He noticed several uprooted trees all pointing in the same direction.

But in the corridor in the Argyle area, where the storm was the heaviest, Cot?? said the trees were pointing in opposite directions. And as you crossed Route 107, he said it was apparent from the way the debris was scattered, there were signs of rotation.

In one site in the Argyle area, uprooted trees were pointing in one direction while a demolished travel trailer was facing in another direction.

It was also determined that the tornado in question was rated F1, meaning its wind speed was between 116 and 180 kilometres (72 and 112 miles) an hour.

Cot?? said this measurement was developed in 1971 by Ted Fujita, a research scientist at the University of Chicago. It is an "aftermath ground survey" where scientists and engineers can correlate the extent of damage based on wind velocity.

Cot?? said the F1 tornado is the most common one in the Maritimes, but in the so-called "tornado alley" in the United States, which begins in the south and travels up through the midwest, storms can hit F5, with speeds of 500 kilometres (311 miles) an hour.

Cot?? said New Brunswick will usually average one tornado per year of the magnitude of this week's storm. The western and northwestern parts of the province are the most common areas for tornadoes.

Across Canada, southern Ontario and the southern Prairies are two hot beds for tornadoes.

There are certain immediate criteria necessary for this type of storm, said the Environment Canada spokesman. It has to hot and humid and with an unstable air mass.

Cot?? said thunderstorm activity is also needed and tornadoes frequently include hail storms, such as occurred on Monday night. However, he said the hail does not always accompany them.

I wonder if I tie down my tralier with rope would that help?

When are these expected to stop by?

I hope it's not anythime soon.

Tornado reported in Cap-Pel??

Environment Canada studying videotape reportedly showing funnel cloud

An unidentified motorist and a stranded motorist splash each other as they both try to make their way through the causeway traffic circle during a rush hour yesterday. Heavy rains in late afternoon flooded the traffic circle.
 
Environment Canada was waiting to confirm an apparent small tornado in the Cap-Pel?? area yesterday afternoon as part of the severe weather system crossing southeastern New Brunswick.

A spokesman with the weather office said a video clip showing a funnel cloud in the Cap-Pel?? area was sent to the office but tornado reports had yet to be confirmed.

It was the only report so far of any tornado-like activity in the province's southeast region. There were no reports of damage.

An unstable air mass earlier in the day resulted in a tornado warning being issued by Environment Canada late yesterday afternoon for the southern half of New Brunswick and parts of Nova Scotia. Heavy thunderstorms were also forecast.

Environment Canada described it as 'a very fast-moving system ...which could well be over in an hour or two" and that's exactly what happened.

The skies darkened and heavy rain, thunder and lightning moved into southern N.B. in late afternoon, but were followed by clear skies as the system moved on into Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island.

then prove my theory wrong 

did you hear of tornadoes that frequently before the forest were destroyed

Whatever happened to the cow that was lifted into the air by the tornado?

Udder disaster!

What did the one tornado say to the other?

Let???s twist again like we did last summer.

What did the thermometer say to the other thermometer?

You make my temperature rise.

What happens when fog lifts in California?

UCLA!

What???s the difference between a horse and the weather?

One is reined up and the other rains down.

What did one raindrop say to the other raindrop?

My plop is bigger than your plop.

Why did the woman go outdoors with her purse open?

Because she expected some change in the weather.

What did the tornado say to the other tornado?

You turn me on!

What???s the difference between weather and climate?

You can???t weather a tree, but you can climate.

What happens when it rains cats and dogs?

You have to been careful not to step in a poodle.  

What do you call it when it rains chickens and ducks?

Foul (fowl) weather.

What did the hurricane say to the other hurricane?

I have my eye on you.

How do you find out the weather when you???re on vacation?

Go outside and look up.

Stolen from http://www.weatherwizkids.com/Weather%20Jokes1.htm