LATE REPORT FROM MARCH
LD 31st March AM. Bletchley, Milton Keynes. TORRO executive Ray Peverall witnessed and drove through a powerful land devil approx 1m wide in dimension.
APRIL WHIRLWIND EVENTS
A less than average month with just three land devils, two definite and one probable. Last year's April by comparison saw two tornadoes one probable and one definite, three or more waterspouts, three funnel clouds (one probable inc.), and one eddy whirlwind.
fc 1st April Blaenau, Ffestiniog, S.Wales. This item was sent in by Paul Knightley. Report made to the UKMO by member of the public. No further details.
LD 12th April 1625 BST Mountsorrel, Leicestershire. This report was sent in by TORRO member Stuart Robinson. Large Land devil whirlwind was reported to cause considerable damage near the Budgens superstore.
LD 21st April 1400 BST. Report sent in by Paul Knightley. Strong land devil lifted green house and knocked over horses together with other damage. Eyewitness gave verbal account.
NO OFFICIAL ADV/WATCH/WARNINGS WERE ISSUED. Forecaster Paul Knightley.
NEW POSTINGS
TORRO would like to announce new Executives:-
Paul Knightley (Meteorologist-Severe Weather Forecaster)
Mark Humpage (Mailing List and J.Met photo Administrator)
Matt Capper (Webmaster)
Scott Sawyer (Merchandise)
New Director:- Tony Gilbert (Site Investigation Co ordinator)
TORRO would like to thank the above for their time and effort offered within their division of work. Please note all relative future enquiries should be addressed to the head of division concerned:- as above. Thank you.
CONCLUDING COMMENTS
Not a particularly memorable month with just a few 'dancing dervishes' thrown in for good measure. Once again the UK was influenced by anticyclonic flow for the early part, giving warm spring like conditions to many of us. Later in the month a short run of low pressure systems did bring the much needed rain for many of us. Though several upper troughs did traverse the UK, severe weather was at a premium due to other limiting atmospheric factors. Some of us did get to sample the odd thunderstorm as an early taster for 2003.
TORRO would like to request that members, when reporting severe weather events specify specific details i.e. date, time, place (please also name the town and county) reporting 'Crounchers Bottom' at the end of the lane isn't particularly helpful. Please also make note of where the initial report originated from and add the hyperlink to any internet newsflash. Thank you.
Good to see a lively message board once again. Many thanks to Mark Humpage with his continued efforts in subscribing almost a new member per day. Now is a good time to mention that whilst the last few months have been rather quiet regarding severe weather events May and June will likely see more encouraging weather unfold. TORRO would like to remind members that during times of pending severe weather that postings remain 'On Topic' only. Showing off last years rainbow photo's may be rather a distraction when a substantial multiple tornadic event may be simultaneously taking place. Conversely TORRO would like to encourage all the new members just subscribed to enter into conversations and ask any weather questions or even participate in attempting a severe weather forecast. Please remember that the BritishStormWatchersCommunity@groups.msn.com is available exclusively for storm chase chat.
An attachment accompanies this email for those interested in a user friendly version of the AVN Plotter. Members are encouraged to use this program to access data in order to make their own predictions. Courtesy of Stuart Robinson, who will hopefully be attending the autumn meeting to explain how to use it and what the indices mean in basic terms. Thank you Stuart.
Matt Capper is currently busy moving home. But has intimated that he would like more help with completing the TORRO web site. Please can all TORRO staff who have time to help re write certain files from the old site contact matt.capper@btinternet.com for more information. It is important we have the site is fully up and running before the press enquiries start coming in.
The Convection publication flow@zetnet.co.uk requests more (non scientific) weather related stories of events for 2003. Thank you.
Best Wishes Tony Gilbert Tornado Site Investigation Co ordinator.
(Director to The Tornado and Storm Research Organisation)