Late report from July 2002
LD 27th July 1310 BST Wintersett, W. York. Sent courtesy of Dr Terence Meaden.
Due to the sudden and extensive number of whirlwinds reported throughout August. The following list has been collated to the best of my ability. Please post notification of any mistakes or additions directly to me. Thank you.
A very active month for whirlwinds. With 8 tornadoes, 2 waterspouts, 21 funnel clouds and 1 land devil (possible's Inc). This compares with 6 tornadoes, 5 waterspouts and 11 funnel clouds for August 2001.
AUGUST WHIRLWINDS:
FC 2nd Aug 1030 BST Nr Worcester, Worcestershire. Reported to be half way to the ground and lasted between 5-8 minutes.
FC 2nd Aug 1555 BST. Ashill, Somerset. TORRO members Ken & Diane Wright were lucky enough to film this funnel cloud almost directly overhead whilst in their garden.
FC 2nd Aug 1800 BST Shepton Mallet, Somerset. Photo's were shown on local TV weather forecast.
fc 2nd Aug 2130 BST. Leatherhead. Surrey. The report was made known by TV weather man Michael Fish. We have so far been unable to verify it's original source.
FC 3rd Aug (early morning)Cambridge, Cambridgeshire. Photo confirms a large cone shape funnel cloud almost overhead. Eyewitnesses were BSWC members.
TN 3rd Aug 1630 BST. Warndon, Worcestershire. Report sent via UKMO. Several houses slightly damage and a large tree shredded. Eyewitness said they heard the sound much like an express train and the sky go very dark. TORRO members Sarah Gray and Nikki Greenhough carried out a partial site investigation and confirmed tornado.
FC 3rd Aug 2030 BST. Ditchingham, Norfolk. TORRO member Chris Warner described seeing a large well defined wall cloud with trailing funnel cloud.
FC 4th Aug 1403 BST. Heaton Park, Manchester. Footage shown on TV.
FC 4th Aug Stanway, Essex. Eyewitness saw one or more funnel clouds. Colchester evening Gazzette.
FC 5th Aug 1845 BST. Rochester, Kent. Eyewitness reported a funnel over 100 ft in length almost touching the ground.
fc 5th Aug Jaywick, Essex. Report made by Anglia News.
FC 5th Aug 1745. Chadwell St Mary, Essex. Report sent via UKMO. Spoke to eyewitness who confirmed sighting.
FC 5th Aug. Eastbourne, E Sussex. Photo shown in Brighton Argus.
FC 7th Aug 1530 BST. NW of Gloucester. Eyewitness BSWC member. A distinct funnel cloud was observed for 5 minutes.
FC 9th Aug 1430 BST. Weston Super-Mare, Somerset. Photo verifies funnel cloud.
TN 9th Aug 1430 BST. Maidens Green Bucks nr Bracknell. Observed from the UKMO. TORRO executive Nigel Bolton carried out a site investigation soon afterwards. Severe damage to stables and horse box overturned.
FC 9th Aug 1440 BST . Maidens Green, Bucks. Observed by UKMO.
WS/TN 9th Aug. Burton Bradstock, Dorset. This item was filmed a shown on TV.
tn 9th Aug. Pool, Dorset. Reported on TV weather forecast.
fc 9th Aug. Cottesmore, Rutland. Reported on TV weather forecast.
fc 9th Aug. Middle Assendon, Oxfordshire. Reported on TV weather forecast.
FC 10th Aug. Tonbridge, Kent. Photo's were taken of a funnel cloud reaching very close to the ground.
TN/WS 10th Aug. (morning) Tollesbury Essex. Picture in local newspaper shows funnel and shows subsequent damage to roofs. Continued to cause mayhem to nearby yachts.
FC 10th Aug.1900 BST. Haverhill, Suffolk. Eyewitness confirmed sighting.
FC 11th Aug 1130 BST. Wormingford, Essex. Gliding club observed a well formed funnel cloud for 15 minutes. Sent in by UKMO.
TN 19th Aug. 1500 BST. Raunds, Northamptonshire. BSWC member Kevin Gilder observed a tornado for 30-40 seconds.
TN 23rd Aug. 1250 BST Trealaw Rhondda Valley, S Wales. Tornado was observed momentarily touching down. Sent in by UKMO.
TN 24th Aug. (morning) Bottesford, Leicestershire. Reported by Air Traffic Control. Sent in by Nigel Bolton. Site Investigation carried out by TORRO member Stuart Robinson.
LD 24th Aug. Odiham, Hants. 80 ft high hay devil was observed. Sent in by Nigel Bolton.
FC 24th Aug 1900 BST. Ealing, W London. Photo taken as proof. Report via BBC to Nigel Bolton.
NO OFFICIAL TORRO ADVISORIES/WATCHES/WARNINGS WERE ISSUED FOR AUGUST.
COMMENTS
August turned out to be a rather active month for thunderstorms, hail and tornadoes. Partly making up for the lack of activity in the previous months. The 10th August saw (inc. possibles) as many as four funnel clouds, three tornadoes and two waterspouts. Particular media attention centred over the Maidens Green Tornado which reaped havoc through stables. Many thanks to TORRO executive Nigel Bolton for following up with a site investigation soon after the event.
TORRO would also like to thank members Sarah Gray, Nikki Greebhough, John Bird, Diane and Ken Wright, Stuart Robinson, Mark Humpage, Harry McPhillamy and anyone else who has taken the time to send in newspaper cuttings or helped with additional reporting of events.
The BSWC created by TORRO member Laura Gilchrist remains a valuable source for new information. There are over 140 members subscribed to date. Whilst as yet the majority are 'not' TORRO members they are nevertheless helping in TORRO's ongoing work by passing on valuable information and observations.
Throughout August TORRO has been offered many items of footage or photographing from various sources. As yet, much of this I have been unable to chase up for TORRO's archive. Needless to say it will be a shame to lose the chance to acquire such film for TORRO's ongoing research..
Problems still remain regarding new subscription to the TORRO mailing list. This is obviously an important issue and one of which we hope will be sorted sooner rather than later. Needless to say, as with any organisation communication serves to be the most important feature for its success! Some of the months reporting as with site investigators contributions have received less support than we would normally like to give. As is often the case, it's either all or nothing. With any voluntary organisation it's a case of juggling our own work and social life with some pretty demanding research. All offers of assistance will be greatly appreciated. Please contact me directly and I will put your name forward at the next staff meeting.
Just to end on a quick note, I would like to thank all those qualified or not so qualified for helping with the severe weather advisories. Opening discussions or forecasting the next run of bad weather helps us all to stay alert. Good luck to the TORRO staff away in Prague representing TORRO at the Severe Storms European Conference and hoping for them a safe return!
Best Wishes Tony Gilbert (Site Investigation Co-ordinator and Executive to The Tornado and Storm Research Organisation)