(Please note that due to my absence for much of the May period the following list has been made up as draft and may be subject to further additions or alterations). By comparison to May last year, a slightly better month for tornadic events with three tornadoes and two funnel clouds. 2001 saw just one definite and three probable funnel clouds, one land devil.
MAY EVENTS:-
TN 2nd May 1715 BST. Thurrock, Essex. Eyewitness was contacted and said she saw the vortex touch down for approx. 15-20 seconds. (No further details available).
FC 11th May Essex. Spotted over aerodrome by Air Traffic Control. Sent in by TORRO executive Nigel Bolton.
FC 26th May. Approx. 1200 BST. Surfleet S. Lincs. Photo was taken by Jim Burrill.
TN 26th May. S. Lincs. A family out hiking took photo as proof. Sent in by Nigel Bolton. (No further details available).
TN 26th May. Haywards Heath W. Sussex. Farmer watched a tornado pass through his fields damaging trees and killing a cow. This report was sent in courtesy of the UKMO. (no further details available).
SEVERE WEATHER ADVISORIES:- Four tornado advisories and three severe thunderstorm advisories were issued by TORRO director Dr David Reynolds. Advisory number three for the month proved to be successful with the 26th seeing atleast three tornadic events in the UK and an intense thunderstorm over N. Ireland.
COMMENTS
Nice to see good verbal traffic on the mailing list for the May period. This issue is also set for the agenda for the next TORRO staff meeting. Discussions will be made regarding the creation of a separate mailing list for those within TORRO who actively chase/spot storms and of whom would like to display their photo's and discuss severe weather more freely.
It would appear that in my absence further discussions have been made regarding the AVBrief radar subscriptions. I'm sure that all those who value access to radar in order to monitor advancing severe weather will be eagerly awaiting the final offer to be made to members.
I would like to remind all TORRO members that it is imperative that any and all information regarding severe weather events is passed on to myself or the appropriate member of staff in order for it to be investigated and officially logged. Please make as many enquiries yourselves via media web sites, papers etc. Also feel free to make your own enquiries of such events by phone even if you do not reside in that particular area. Remember to announce your representation to TORRO. This will enable staff more time to co ordinate individual members to tasks.
Many thanks to all those who are qualified meteorologically for their interaction with members by answering questions and for actively involving themselves on current severe weather forecasting and topics. June, statistically an active severe weather month. So, out with the camcorders and in particular digital cameras. For those who do not have a web site set up please use the link below to create your own free web space easily, step by step. http://www.freeserve.com/sitebuilder/
Best Wishes Tony Gilbert (Site Investigation Co-ordinator and Executive to The Tornado and Storm Research Organisation)