A less than average month with a mere two land devils reported. By comparison June last year saw two tornadoes, one funnel cloud and three land devils.
LATE EVENTS FROM MAY
TN 13th May 1720 BST. Eastbourne, East Sussex. Garden shed roof carried approx 40m.
FC 26th May Ellon, Aberdeen. Viewed for 30 minutes. Sent in by TORRO member Alistair McHardy.
JUNE WHIRLWIND EVENTS
LD 15th June . Cheltenham, Gloucestershire. Sent in by TORRO director Jonathan Webb. His brother reported a huge column of hay and other debris carried into the sky.
LD 22nd June. Stratford on Avon. Wiltshire. TORRO member Karl Robbins sent in this report. 6ft swirling column carried debris into the air and lasted a few seconds.
AN OFFICIAL TORNADO WATCH WAS ISSUED FOR THE UK for the 1st,2nd, 22nd and 23rd June . Several thunderstorms were recorded for each of the days. AN OFFICIAL TORNADO ADVISORY WAS ISSUED FOR THE UK 3rd and 21st June. FORECASTER:-executive Paul Knightley.
CONCLUDING COMMENTS
Not a significant month for any severe weather. Though several days did see intense thunderstorms across the UK wet the appetite for those still awaiting something spectacular. There were a few let down days when it seemed that severe weather was inevitable and then to be flushed with, 'dare I say it'! Just a few rumbles. Mid June saw a mini heatwave push temperatures into the 30's for a time allowing for many of us to drown our sorrows over a hot barbi and a can of Fosters!
MAILING LIST
Thankyou to TORRO mail administrator Mark Humpage who has continued to deal with as many as seven new subscriptions per week. We now have well over a hundred on the list which continues to grow rapidly. It has been good to see more interaction by members making the discussion more interesting and varied. Please note that the list is an open forum for severe weather related ideas and points of view. Likewise, if we all had the same point of view then we would have nothing to learn from each other. The place to turn over ideas i.e.. 'cause and consequence'! is here on the mailing list. Please note that Mark has recently added a section on our web site regarding etiquette and politeness when using the mailing list. Please do remember to try and keep discussions 'On Topic'! and for which we may all have an interest in. If you wish to chat then please post directly to that person.
REPORTING INCIDENTS
Please can I remind all members to give more detail when reporting a severe weather related incident i.e., time, date, place and contact details. An easy way of passing on info to TORRO is to merely post a link to a newspaper or other media report. It is rare for us to send out questionnaires anymore due to overload. With the internet we can all be involved with the sharing of knowledge at the touch of a button.
WEB SITE
Thank you Matt Capper our web weaver for his continued efforts with the web site. Those staff yet to post a divisional summary for the site please can we make a concerted effort before our new leaflets are in circulation. All website related information and queries to matt.capper@torro.org.uk Thank you. Mark Humpage mhumpage@aol.com has offered to run the TORRO Gallery and would be happy to receive any photo's you have of UK severe weather events or cloud structure. This part of the web page will be divided into sub divisions and categories. Please send in details with your photo's such as time, place, date and weather conditions etc. Thank you
REQUEST FOR HELP
TORRO is desperately in need of someone to help with administration, archiving, publicity and applications for grants. If anyone can help with this work please contact either Robert Doe robertkdoe@aol.com or myself anthony.gilbert@torro.org.uk We have had a response from Karl Robbins for administration and will be pleased to receive more. Please note, once established with a role for TORRO you will receive the usual benefits that an executive role enjoys. Thankyou
DONATIONS REQUIRED
Many of you may use the http://www.xcweather.co.uk/ for surface observations. This site although simple in design is usually updated every 30 minutes or so which faster than most of the others. This site is not commercial and a request of £5.00 by users has been made for it to continue on the internet. If you use it please dig deep into your pockets as I have. Thank you!!
AUTUMN MEETING
Please remember the Autumn meeting will be 20th September Oxford Brookes University. This is an important day for TORRO and your attendance will be much appreciated. Details will be released shortly.
TORRO's CONSTITUTION
Below is not a private opinion. TORRO has a constitution. This was very well described on the old web site by our recent director David Reynolds. The constitution remains the same and will be re established within the site shortly. TORRO does not wish for anyone to suffer by the effects of severe weather. Severe weather will damage homes claim victims irrespective of TORRO's existence. We can atleast study why these events happen and try to forecast in a responsible manner and maybe learn more so that we are all be better prepared. The organisation is not a selfish collection of data for our own ends, but is a means of aiding the public with their understanding and to act as a portal for information, for the good of the public. Please remember that it was ALWAYS our aim to make the public better informed.
Best Wishes Tony Gilbert (Executive to The Tornado and Storm Research Organisation)
Tornado Site Investigation Co ordinator.