AN INTEGRATED DAMAGE, VISUAL, AND RADAR ANALYSIS OF THE 2013 MOORE, OKLAHOMA, EF5 TORNADO

An integrated damage, visual, and radar analysis of the EF5 Moore, Oklahoma, tornado that occurred on 20 May 2013 is presented. Characteristics of the damage path are discussed based on detailed ground and aerial surveys. Tree fall reveals highly convergent surface flow over the majority of the dama...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Bulletin of the American Meteorological Society 2014-10, Vol.95 (10), p.1549-1561
Main Authors: Atkins, Nolan T., Butler, Kelly M., Flynn, Kayla R., Wakimoto, Roger M.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Aerial surveying
Analysis
Condensation
Freshwater
Fujita, Tetsuya
Meteorology
Meteors
Moorings
Oklahoma
Radar
Radar tracking
Storm damage
Storms
Surveillance radar
Texas
Tornadoes
Wind
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Summary:An integrated damage, visual, and radar analysis of the EF5 Moore, Oklahoma, tornado that occurred on 20 May 2013 is presented. Characteristics of the damage path are discussed based on detailed ground and aerial surveys. Tree fall reveals highly convergent surface flow over the majority of the damage path. At times, the convergent flow is observed at radii less than that of the condensation funnel. A photogrammetric analysis of still photos and video shows that the damaging winds extend well beyond the condensation funnel location. The condensation funnel often coincides with the EF1, EF2, and EF3 isopleths. Observations of the tornado debris signature (TDS) by the Twin Lakes (KTLX)–Weather Surveillance Radar-1988 Doppler (WSR-88D) are presented. The TDS is not a good indicator of tornado intensity just after tornadogenesis. The spatial relationship between the TDS, condensation funnel, and damage path is highlighted. An analysis of the area encompassed by the respective EF-scale isopleths is presented to quantify damage risk. The area of successively weaker EF-scale categories exponentially increases. These results are compared to other well-surveyed EF5 tornadoes. A comparison is made between independent ground and aerial surveys that rated 4,039 structures along the entire damage path. The aerial survey produces a low bias in EF0 and EF1 ratings. No apparent bias is observed in the EF2–4 categories. It is not possible to draw definitive conclusions concerning the small number of EF5-rated structures.
ISSN:0003-0007
1520-0477
DOI:10.1175/BAMS-D-14-00033.1