APRIL WHIRLWIND EVENTS
Another quiet month. One confirmed, one unconfirmed tornado and one funnel cloud. By comparison last years April saw one unconfirmed funnel cloud and two confirmed land devils.
tn? 3rd April 2200 BST Stoke Prior, Bronsgrove, Worcestershire. This report has yet to be confirmed. Sent in by TORRO executive Mark Humpage. A sudden and strong wind with localised damage found the following morning. Trees uprooted and hutches overturned.
TN 7th April 2135 BST Malton. N York. Eyewitness has given a graphic interpretation of the event, which has justified a confirmed sighting. Soundings for that day were conducive to tornado development. Apparently the eyewitness and two children noticed a green hue to the sky ahead, the vehicle headlights silhouetted a tornado moving slowly across a field. The family were rather concerned at what they had seen and made quick exit from the tornadoes path.
FC 26th April Isle of Wight. Report sent in by Sam Jowett.
APRIL HAIL EVENTS HAIL
HS 26th April 25mm 1700 BST Honor Oak Park SE London. Report sent in by Sam Jowett
BALL LIGHTNING
BL 28th April 1700 . Mid Sussex. Truck driver viewed the event. TORRO Director Peter Van Doorn sent in the report.
AN OFFICIAL TORNADO ADVISORY WAS ISSUED 21st April for Scotland AN OFFICIAL TORNADO WATCH WAS ISSUED 26th April for central and NE UK Forecaster Executive Meteorologist Paul Knightley
CONCLUDING COMMENTS
A few thunderstorms thrown in to brush the cobwebs away, though a lack of any decent shear put a cap on a wide spread severe activity. The first signs of some spring sea breeze convergence hopefully paving the way for some localised thunder activity.
A note on the night-time tornado 7th April. This was an interesting report to say the least, with the funnel illuminated by some means. This is not as far fetched a story as many would believe. This is merely one of many such reports passed onto TORRO in the past. Static illumination has been suggested, though there is very little research on this type of phenomena to date. I managed to speak to the eyewitness directly and there is very little room for doubt over what she had seen. TORRO would like to wish those booked in for chase vacations in the USA a safe journey. Please come back in one piece as we are trying to keep our membership totals as high as possible!!! We will look forward to sharing your experiences and footage at the autumn meeting.
TORRO would like to thank members who have taken the time to copy reports listed on other weather forums. This will greatly increase our potential for acquiring data that we would otherwise not hear about.
Yours Faithfully Tony Gilbert (Director and Site Investigation Co coordinator to TORRO)