Significant Tornado Events - Global Edition

[buckeye05]

In areas around the world where severe weather is much more uncommon, it's most likely they simply don't know what they're looking at. I've seen multiple cases of tornadoes being misclassified as gustnadoes, vice versa, or even going (in official sources) undocumented completely.

On top of that, there’s the obnoxious “mini tornado” phenomenon that seems to make its way into every news story about any tornado in the UK or Australia, regardless of damage intensity. I’m not seeing it quiiite as often recently, but it’s still pretty pervasive.

 

[TH2002]

On top of that, there’s the obnoxious “mini tornado” phenomenon that seems to make its way into every news story about any tornado in the UK or Australia, regardless of damage intensity. I’m not seeing it quiiite as often recently, but it’s still pretty pervasive.

Unfortunately there are quite a few news articles/videos that refer to the Bihucourt F3 as a "mini tornado"

Yep, 'mini' for sure...

 

[TH2002]

When was the first time a tornado was misclassified as gustnado?

The first example would be virtually impossible to pinpoint, but I did come across this video of a tornado in Panama. Despite the fact this is almost certainly a true tornado (and the video title even says tornado) the description refers to it as a gustnado.

 

[Lake Martin EF4]

So a copper painting exists of the Woldegk F5 (which has apparently reached "strongest of all time" levels despite only causing "F5" damage to a house that was under construction):

I never knew this before lol

EDIT: there was an F5 in Bowen, Queensland on February 22, 1876. Hmm.

 

[buckeye05]

Unfortunately there are quite a few news articles/videos that refer to the Bihucourt F3 as a "mini tornado"

Yep, 'mini' for sure...

So absurd. That thing was strong and long tracked. Nothing “mini” about it.

 

[warneagle]

So a copper painting exists of the Woldegk F5 (which has apparently reached "strongest of all time" levels despite only causing "F5" damage to a house that was under construction):
View attachment 18809
I never knew this before lol

EDIT: there was an F5 in Bowen, Queensland on February 22, 1876. Hmm.

I'm still working on my translation of the report that the F5 rating for Woldegk was based on. I'll finish eventually, it's just taking me longer than it usually would because 18th century German is harder to read.

 

[Ivanthetornadoenthusiast]

The first example would be virtually impossible to pinpoint, but I did come across this video of a tornado in Panama. Despite the fact this is almost certainly a true tornado (and the video title even says tornado) the description refers to it as a gustnado.

How many times Panama tornadoes has been called as "gustnado"

 

[TH2002]

How many times Panama tornadoes has been called as "gustnado"

Not sure - I only know of a few Panamanian tornadoes off the top of my head to begin with, and there unfortunately doesn't seem to be any kind of official record that keeps track of tornadoes in the country.

 

[buckeye05]

Speaking of Bihucourt, there's an article about the tornado that has this image included. Is this really the Bihucourt tornado? Reverse image search didn't bring anything else besides that article. If legit, this is one of the most visually impressive European tornadoes I have ever seen, but I'm really skeptical that this actually of the Bihucourt tornado itself. What do you guys think?

 

[TH2002]

Speaking of Bihucourt, there's an article about the tornado that has this image included. Is this really the Bihucourt tornado? Reverse image search didn't bring anything else besides that article. If legit, this is one of the most visually impressive European tornadoes I have ever seen, but I'm really skeptical that this actually of the Bihucourt tornado itself. What do you guys think?

Yandex image search brought it up as one of the Pilger family tornadoes:

 

[buckeye05]

Yandex image search brought it up as one of the Pilger family tornadoes:

Yup totally looks like it. Mystery solved. Thanks! Also, for anyone interested, here's a really good and highly detailed YouTube documentary on the Bihucourt tornado.


In addition, here's documentation of the Keraunos damage survey from this event. Really cool stuff!

 

[MNTornadoGuy]

There was a significant tornado in India today.

 

[buckeye05]

There was a significant tornado in India today.

This is the most significant tornado I’ve seen in this area since Brahambaria back in 2013.

 

[Lake Martin EF4]

This is the most significant tornado I’ve seen in this area since Brahambaria back in 2013.

And of course, it happens the same exact day as a far more significant event halfway across the world.

 

[gregassagraf]

I guess I will do some sort of summary of some of the tornadic events up until now in 2023 in southern Brazil.

In Feburary 3rd, Multiple waterspounts were seen over Lagoa dos Patos, Rio Grande do Sul state.



Although unconfirmed, on the afternoon of Feburary 26th, a possible tornado caused severe damage to a church in the municipality of São João de Itaperiú, Santa Catarina state.



On March 3rd a tornado uprooted several trees in the municipality of Campo Alegre, Santa Catarina state.



On March 9th a gorgeous waterspout provided some beautiful scenery for those around Lagoa dos Patos, Rio Grade do Sul state.

 

[buckeye05]

Today there was a tornado near Annerod, Germany. One structure sustained near total loss of its roofing, and partial loss of its roof structure, so potentially F2 damage here.

Also, the F2 last month near Lashorst, Germany produced some pretty impressive tree damage.

 

[buckeye05]

I guess I will do some sort of summary of some of the tornadic events up until now in 2023 in southern Brazil.

In Feburary 3rd, Multiple waterspounts were seen over Lagoa dos Patos, Rio Grande do Sul state.



Although unconfirmed, on the afternoon of Feburary 26th, a possible tornado caused severe damage to a church in the municipality of São João de Itaperiú, Santa Catarina state.



On March 3rd a tornado uprooted several trees in the municipality of Campo Alegre, Santa Catarina state.



On March 9th a gorgeous waterspout provided some beautiful scenery for those around Lagoa dos Patos, Rio Grade do Sul state.

That church damage look significant. That was probably a strong tornado.

 

[gregassagraf]

That church damage look significant. That was probably a strong tornado.

I agree with your observation.

As for this year expectation, I think we will have a higher than average season, specially due to El Niño settling in. Usually with warmer pacific waters the number of tornadic events in La Plata region increases in number and intensity (2015/2016 seasons is a great example).
These events tend to also happen earlier in the day and supercells tends to be more discrete in nature. But I have no research to back the latter, only footage recorded in years like 2005, 2009, 2015/2016/2017.

Also, the Wikipedia page about tornadic events in Brazil (in Portuguese unfortunately) seems to have consolidated a lot of events pointed out in research papers over the years. Some states only go up until 2010. link

 

[TH2002]

Today there was a tornado near Annerod, Germany. One structure sustained near total loss of its roofing, and partial loss of its roof structure, so potentially F2 damage here.

Also, the F2 last month near Lashorst, Germany produced some pretty impressive tree damage.

Annerod tornado is going into the ESWD database as an F1. Someone got video of it - great footage but holy moly, it's a perfect example of how people die in tornadoes. Good thing it wasn't a particularly intense storm...

A second tornado was also reported to the west in Garbenheim, though it remains unconfirmed.

 

[buckeye05]

Annerod tornado is going into the ESWD database as an F1. Someone got video of it - great footage but holy moly, it's a perfect example of how people die in tornadoes. Good thing it wasn't a particularly intense storm...

A second tornado was also reported to the west in Garbenheim, though it remains unconfirmed.

My god that escalated quickly. Sheesh...