WHIRLWIND EVENTS
One waterspout, two confirmed tornadoes, one probable tornado and two probable funnel clouds. By comparison January 2003 saw one definite and one probable funnel cloud.
WS 11th Jan 1300 GMT, Bristol Channel (nr Barry) This waterspout gained national press coverage and items of footage was shown on the late news. Initial report via Paul Brown. Local investigation by John Trenchard.
fc 14th Jan Morey Firth, Scotland. Report via TORRO executive Paul Knightley. Ships observation.
tn 14th Jan Eastbourne, E. Sussex. Minor damage to a row of shops and phone booth. A noise like a train was heard buy the shop keeper and the booth glass was blown outwards. Vortex was not seen but conditions were favourable for convergence based tornadoes and winds were light locally. Site investigation by Raymond Smith.
fc 17th Jan, 0710 GMT, Tiverton, Devon. TORRO executive Nigel Bolton saw a finger of cloud extend two thirds of the way to the ground whilst driving to work.
TN 28th Jan 1230 GMT Edgemont, West Cumbria. No official site investigation undertaken. Though several credible witnesses were able to give a graphic enterpretation of what they experienced.
TN 28th Jan approx 1600 GMT Coomb Down, Bath. This tornado was associated with a 'thunder snow' squall line. Site investigation by Dr Terence Meaden and Roger Baer. Mainly tree damage.
AN OFFICIAL SEVERE THUNDERSTORM ADVISORY WAS ISSUED for 11th and 31st Jan
AN OFFICIAL SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WATCH WAS ISSUED for 7th,11th, 12th and 13th Jan
AN OFFICIAL TORNADO WATCH WAS ISSUED for 11th and 12th Jan The Bristol waterspout occurred within a severe thunderstorm watch
Forecaster: (Meteorologist) Paul Knightley.
Photo of the month Bristol waterspout 11th Jan
COMMENTS
The spectacular Bristol waterspout caught the attention of the media and so too ensued a frenzy by journalist for more information from TORRO. An embarrassing miss quotation of information was made by the Guardian Newspaper and much to the amusement of other forums, though TORRO has since received an apology. Thanks should go out to TORRO site investigators John Trenchard (Bristol ws) , Raymond Smith (Eastbourne tn) Dr Terence Meaden and Roger Baer (Bath tn).
Thankyou to TORRO executive Stuart Robinson for taking on correspondence for Explorations Broadcasting. TORRO has been asked to involve itself in the making of this documentary for National Geographic. TORRO has been approached by Truevision a broadcasting company with the view to making a full length documentary of storm observations in the field.
Thankyou to TORRO executive Mark Humpage for representing TORRO with a lecture at the Wind Engineering Society 6pm Tues 3rd Feb 1 George Street, London SW1P 3AA . If you live locally please lend your support by attending. Telephone: +44 (0) 20 7665 2238.
Thankyou to Dr Terence Meaden who will be representing TORRO going live on radio Berkshire Monday morning 2nd Feb. If you are near a radio this will make interesting listening.
All in all quite an active month.
Best Wishes Tony Gilbert (Director and Site Investigation Co ordinator to TORRO)