Tornado path 120 miles long!
This is incredible. The lenth of the tornado track through the state of Arkansas was at least 120 miles long! That could be a record.
Also worth noting: At least five of the tornadoes were violent EF-4’s on the Enhanced Fujita Scale, with winds of 166-200 mph.
Here’s the info from NWS:
Public Information Statement
National Weather Service Little Rock Ar
1255 Pm Cst Sat Feb 9 2008
…aerial Survey Completed For Primary Tornado Track Over North
Arkansas…
An Aerial Survey Was Completed Late This Morning For The Tornadic Storm That Tracked Across West Central And Northern Arkansas On Tuesday. The Areal Survey Team Concluded That The Path Of The Tornado Was Continuous From Yell County… Northeastward Into Sharp County. The Tornado Was Earlier Rated An Ef4. Based On Preliminary Information…the Length Of The Tornado Track Will Be At Least 120 Miles Long.
An Nws Ground Survey Team Has Also Found The Starting Point Of This Tornado To Be 5.6 Miles East Southeast Of Centerville…in Yell
County. An Ending Point…along With A More Detailed Path Length…Will Be Determined Once The Teams Return Later This Afternoon.
The Aerial Survey Team Consisted Of John Lewis…senior Forecaster And Brian Smith…forecaster. The Ground Survey Team Is John
Robinson…warning Coordination Meteorologist…and Renee Fair…meteorologist In Charge. They Are All From The National
Weather Service In Little Rock. The Weather Service Would Also Like To Thank The Civil Air Patrol For Providing The Personnel And
Aircraft That Were Used To Conduct The Aerial Survey.
From the Storm Prediction Center released yesterday:
Click the photo above to see the maximized version!
JD isn’t that rare? I have never heard of one being that long before.
Hey Kathy, yes - very rare. that was a record for Arkansas…check out my latest blog entry for more info. Your comment made me do a little more research. Thank you for being interested.
Hey–
thanks for the education on the Enhanced Fujita scale–
I had to study the map to even figure out what the colors meant– How cool you can probably look at it and now what the graphics mean- I still don’t know what these mean-
what is a squall line track?
these poor people there– 58 fatalities—
Hey Susan!
A squall line is literally a line of thunderstorms that typically form along a front (in this case it was a strong cold front slamming into record warmth across the south) The storms need plenty of moisture (Gulf of Mexico)…and unstable warmth. As long as you have those two things (unstable atmosphere and lots of moisture, the squall line will continue to hold together, and bring with it the potential for severe weather.
WOW thats all there is to say about that WOW. Its amazing how something like a tornado can do that. Closest I ever came to one was in 1991. In Plainfield, IL which then was pretty much open land had a monsterous tornado that killed 29 people. Look at the place now and it has built up quite nicely I have friends and coworkers that live there now and sad it is very nice, And to the real estate is very cheap there. The farther away from Chicago you go the cheaper the land is.
JD, I am a great fan of Fox & Friends. I particular I really enjoy your weather presentations and bubbly personality. I hope you get this email because - well done!!!! pS enjoyed it when you co-hosted Fox & Friends last xmas.
Hey Derek! Thank you so much for writing! I would love to visit Sydney someday. I appreciate your nice words. Keep visiting and commenting!
That’s great stuff Janice,
Lot’s of technology being applied now to warnings, forecasts, and assessment of environmental hazards.
A few years ago I was exposed to a wave runup model developed by/for FEMA. Example used was NY… they showed innundation into the city from a 100 year with storm surge added. One place you wouldn’t want to be at that moment? The Holland Tunnel!
Yes Carl, I think I’ve seen that. Manhattan would unfortunately be in huge trouble if a Cat 3 or a higher slammed into New York.
I think the greatest story was that little toddler who somehow survived, although his mother perished. Angels were watching over him, without a doubt.
Amidst tragedy there will always be stories of miracles and kindness of others. That story is truly amazing. And what a gorgeous little boy.
SQUALL… I don’t know if this is a Southern thing, or an American thing, but growing up I remember the word “SQUALL” being used to describe someone crying. “She squalled all night.” “He squalled like a baby.” It wasn’t until I was in the military that I heard of a “SQUALL LINE”. Of course, you can see how it was the term was used, tears = rain. I just wonder if my Grandmothers and Aunts ever knew that Squall was a weather term.
Everyone please remember those that got hit with these killer storms. After having to work 3 Hurricanes and a string of Massive F5 Tornados in Alabama, I can tell you that no matter how bad it looks on TV, it’s far worse in real life! What struck me the hardest was not the houses that were destroyed, it was the little things, the photographs, the trophies, the books, all the things that can never be replaced no matter how large an insurance check you get.
That reminds me of something I was telling everyone after working Hurricane IVAN, and Janice, perhaps you can spread this during Hurricane season: DO NOT TAKE IRREPLACABLE FAMILY HEIRLOOMS AND PHOTOGRAPHS TO YOUR VACATION HOME OR CONDO ON THE BEACH!!! With a Hurricane, it isn’t a question of “IF”, it’s a question of “WHEN” and “HOW BAD!” I lost count of the number of times we violated orders to enter a condemed building to retrieve a valued treasure for people.
Great advice Thomas. Thank you again for your invaluable insight! And the interesting story about squall! I’ve heard of bawling before - but never squalling! Sounds painful!
Hi Janice. I am a newbie to your website, and just wanted you to know how much our family appreciates all the information you provide. The graphic from NOAA gives me a greater understanding of where all of those cells traveled. When i saw the dewpoint on Monday, the 4th was 61, I was somewhat alarmed. Then on Tuesday, the 5th, it was up to 66, and our area was placed in the “high risk” zone, we were ready and prepared for the worst. Fortunately, we were spared any damage or injuries in Holly Springs. Again, thank you for all you and Fox News do for the greater good!!
Hi Sharon! Welcome to the blog, and thank you for your kind words. I’m glad you’re ok! And it sounds like you know what to be on the look-out for when it comes to potential severe weather in your area. The NWS website is so informative when you get a chance to navigate the site. I’ll try to post as much as I can when it comes to important storm data. Hope you’ll come back again! jd