Late reports from Aug 2002:
TN 9th Aug 1430 BST. Middle Assendon. South Oxfordshire. A large tornado was photographed and filmed by two separate eyewitnesses. Nick Verge has since undertaken a site investigation and uncovered damage to trees in the area. (This event was earlier recorded as a FC and should be corrected)
TN 10th Aug 1145 BST Birch, Essex. This tornado was filmed moving toward the eyewitness. At one point the tornado turned green as it sucked up all the leaves from a tree.
A rather quiet month with just two probable tornadoes and nine funnel clouds. By comparison 2001 saw six tornadoes, five waterspouts and eleven funnel clouds (inc. Probable's).
SEPTEMBER EVENTS
FC 4th Sept 1525 BST Inverue, Aberdeenshire, Scotland. Spoke to eyewitness who sent photo's as evidence. Report courtesy UKMO.
FC 6th Sept Whiteness, Shetland. Shetland times showed photo. tn 7th Sept (mid day) Dungannon, Co Tyrone, N. Ireland. Report courtesy BBC Belfast. No further information available.
6 WS 9th Sept Tenby, SW Wales. Spoke to eyewitness who saw a very spectacular succession of spouts. Each lasting approx. 5-10 minutes.
tn? 9th Sept Brighton, E. Sussex. According to Daily Telegraph trees were uprooted and traffic lights were sent flying.
NO SEVERE OFFICIAL ADV/WATCH/WARNINGS WERE ISSUED IN SEPTEMBER
COMMENTS
Not a particularly exciting month as we are all well aware! Yet another 'blocking high' which is unusual for September sat defiantly over the UK for a good part of the month.
TORRO would like to thank members Matt Capper and Mark Humpage for their offer of assistance with the running of certain TORRO functions. TORRO would also like to thank meteorologist Paul Knightly for his offer to post the official TORRO advi/watch/warnings to the main list. Paul as many of you are already aware has good background knowledge and experience with the forecasting of tornadoes and other severe weather. Many thanks to TORRO director Alan Rogers for editing and publishing the new TORRO magazine called 'Convection'. This publication will add a light hearted and less scientific look at peoples personal weather experiences.
The recent staff meeting gave a unanimous go ahead for a basic overhaul regarding some important aspects within the organisation. Hopefully when implemented these will see a more efficient and enjoyable membership to all members alike.
TORRO will be endeavouring to once again encourage all those with internet access to subscribe to the mailing list with the bar on HTML lifted. There will nevertheless be a maximum post size in order to keep the system running efficiently.
Finally Dr Terence Meaden, TORRO founder and director of TORRO has retired from his role as editor to the Journal of Meteorology. TORRO would like to thank him for the 27 years of publications, the likes of which were regarded with distinction and had been distributed throughout the UK and much of the globe. We hope that Terence will continue his active role within TORRO (with maybe a bit more time on his hands) as a central authority and point of knowledge to severe weather events. We would also like to wish TORRO Director Robert Doe the best of luck with his new appointment as the new editor to the Journal of Meteorology. We must all offer as much support as is possible to the continued popularity of the publication.
Best Wishes Tony Gilbert (Site Investigation Co-ordinator and Executive to The Tornado and Storm Research Organisation)