A rather active month, though slightly down on last years totals with (inc. probables) nine tornadoes, four waterspouts (one of which became TN) and seven funnel clouds. By comparison 2001 (inc. probables) had twelve tornadoes, nine waterspouts and two funnel clouds.
OCTOBER WHIRLWINDS
2 WS 7th Oct. 1300 BST Happisburgh, Norfolk. Coastguard witnessed the event which lasted approx. 15 mins. Said to have looked like elephant trunks sucking up huge quantities of water.
4 FC 7th Oct .1300 BST Happisburgh, Norfolk. Coastguard reported more funnels in the same region.
FC 7th Oct. 1400 BST . Mountsorrel, Leicestershire. Reported by Loughborough Echo. Eyewitness apparently witnessed the vortex aloft whilst driving home on the A6.
WS 13th Oct. 0900 BST. Ronaldsway Airport Isle of Man reported the event associated with thundery activity. Reported to TORRO via Met Office.
WS/TN 15th Oct. 0800 BST. Torbay near Torquay Devon. This report made national headlines with accompanying footage showing a wide spout working its way from sea to land. Caused many thousands of pounds in damages which included traffic lights ripped out the ground and several high street shop windows smashed. This vortex may have had a long track possibly as much as 10 miles.
TN 15th Oct 1630 BST. Kirby Cross, Essex. BBC news reported event. Site investigator David Owen undertook a full investigation and confirmed that it was a tornado.
TN 15th Oct. Tiptree, Essex. Essex Chronicle. Site visited by TORRO member.
TN 15th Oct. Mundon, Essex. Site visited by TORRO member.
TN 15th Oct. Holland on Sea nr Clacton Essex. Local newpaper report sent in by TORRO member Andy Scott.
TN 15th Oct. Shottisham, Essex. Local newspaper report sent in by Andy Scott.
FC 15th Oct. Edinburgh, Scotland. Photo in Edinburgh Evening News.
FC 22nd Oct. 1430 BST. Claverham nr Weston Supermare. A full site investigation is in progress by TORRO executive Harry Mcphillimy.
TN 22nd Oct. 1800 BST. Mossley, Manchester. Reported by Thames Side Reporter Newspaper.
FC 25th Oct. Southampton. Reported by BBC news.
TN 25th Oct. 1518 BST. Portchester, Hants. Partial investigation undertaken by myself Tony Gilbert.
OFFICIAL ADVISORIES WATCHES AND WARNINGS ISSUED Four tornado advisories, one tornado watch and one severe thunderstorm watch was issued during October.
COMMENTS
A big thanks to all those that attended the TORRO Autumn meeting last Saturday and in particular those who were speakers. The day went well and we hope to see more members at the Spring meeting next year. A productive and busy month on all fronts.
We would like to thank TORRO's new webweaver Matt Capper with his continued effort with the lengthy task of re constructing the official TORRO Web Pages. Please can all members be patient whilst his work continues.
Many thanks to TORRO's mail administrator Mark Humpage for his long awaited success in subscribing many new members to the TORRO mailing list. Those who are new to the mailing list 'welcome'! and we hope your interaction with TORRO affairs can now be much easier. The TORRO mailing list will likely see many more members join in with this open forum over the next few weeks. Therefore members should be reminded of etiquette and politeness when communicating. http://www.torro.org.uk/torrolst.htm will take you to the mailing list rules. It is in everyone's interest that they are observed. TORRO would like to see more interaction between members through discussions. This way we may all be able to learn and better our knowledge of severe weather. Please do not feel that your question or opinion may sound silly. The list was intended for qualified and beginner alike. It is therefore important that derogatory or unhelpful remarks are restrained. Likewise the list will be monitored and moderated accordingly. Please can I also remind all members that the mailing list is now HTML and will accept pictures up to 6000 bytes. Please keep all discussions 'on topic' and relevant. Remember that the BSWC is available for storm chase chat!
I would also once again like to thank all those that have sent me news clippings, photo' or links to internet news headlines. This has made my job alot easier and with the help of all members we may better be able to follow up and document all severe weather events more efficiently. I would also like to remind members that the Journal of Meteorology awaits any papers or reporting you may wish to make. http://www.journalofmeteorology.com/ will take you to the web site. Also those wishing to send in papers of a less scientific nature, but moreover of personal weather related experience please contact Alan Rogers flow@zetnet.co.uk
Many thanks to meteorologist and TORRO member Paul Knightly for his acceptance as TORRO's official Severe Weather forecaster. Support will be required by all members and staff in this important area of TORRO's work in the form of discussions. There is an old saying that 'the teacher best learns from his students'. In many ways this is true. By analysing our discussions and opinions a better and clearer picture will become apparent. In turn this may benefit all of us.
Re those interested in tornado site investigations please keep your TORRO details up to date on the TORRO data base. TORRO director Alan Rogers will be pleased to be notified of any changes such as address, email addresses and phone numbers. Many thanks.
November, statistically an active severe weather month. Please stay tuned.
Best Wishes Tony Gilbert (Site Investigation Co-ordinator and Executive to The Tornado and Storm Research Organisation)