Storm Australian Severe Weather Forum

Severe Weather Discussion => Australian Severe Storms, Weather Events and Storm Chasing => Topic started by: Antonio (stormboy) on 23 February 2011, 08:31:54 AM

Title: Tornado in Karatha Western Australia 21st Febuary 3:10pm 2011
Post by: Antonio (stormboy) on 23 February 2011, 08:31:54 AM
Lets find as much information as we can on the tornado that hit karatha

Was this a F1?
Wind speeds?
Duration?

My Grandad lives in Karatha but is very lucky since at the moment he is here in sydney FewH

Here is a video ( Swearing within )

Tornado in Karratha (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AlvpS4TRmyc#ws)

Images are From http://www.flickr.com/photos/41030170@N03/sets/72157625975631389/with/5464673160 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/41030170@N03/sets/72157625975631389/with/5464673160)


Antonio.
Title: Re: Tornado in Karatha Western Australia 21st Febuary 3:10pm 2011
Post by: Colin Maitland on 23 February 2011, 08:52:35 AM
You can hear the roar of the wind in that video, its like a freight train hitting. You hear that you run. I don't think the students realised what was going to hit them at the beginning.

Here is a link to some photos of damage around the area. 

http://www.watoday.com.au/photogallery/wa-news/tornado-rips-thorugh-karratha/20110222-1b370.html?rand=1298335976095 (http://www.watoday.com.au/photogallery/wa-news/tornado-rips-thorugh-karratha/20110222-1b370.html?rand=1298335976095)

From what I have read at this stage, it was associated with the tropical storm system TC Carlos.
Title: Re: Tornado in Karatha Western Australia 21st Febuary 3:10pm 2011
Post by: Andrej Flis on 27 February 2011, 05:05:11 AM
Very interesting video.

Looks like a formidable EF1 tornado to me, according to the photos of the damage.
Title: Re: Tornado in Karatha Western Australia 21st Febuary 3:10pm 2011
Post by: Paul D on 28 February 2011, 03:16:55 AM
Considering the building codes in Karatha it is possible it may be slightly higher rated as an EF2 seenings there was at least one roof peeled off, either that or that building wasn't quite as structuraly sound (tiled roof ect).
PD
Title: Re: Tornado in Karatha Western Australia 21st Febuary 3:10pm 2011
Post by: Jimmy Deguara on 28 February 2011, 11:50:54 AM
I tend to agree with mostly EF1 based on the images but I have not seen the image of the roof as yet.

Regards,

Jimmy Deguara
Title: Re: Tornado in Karatha Western Australia 21st Febuary 3:10pm 2011
Post by: Michael Bath on 28 February 2011, 01:12:11 PM
Radar shows the storms passing through about 06.50 UTC


128km Radar Loop for Dampier, 04:00 21/02/2011 to 12:00 21/02/2011 UTC
(http://www.theweatherchaser.com/radar-thumb/IDR153/2011-02-21-04/2011-02-21-12/300.s.png) (http://www.theweatherchaser.com/radar-loop/IDR153-dampier/2011-02-21-04/2011-02-21-12)


256km Radar Loop for Port Headland, 00:00 21/02/2011 to 12:00 21/02/2011 UTC
(http://www.theweatherchaser.com/radar-thumb/IDR162/2011-02-21-00/2011-02-21-12/300.s.png) (http://www.theweatherchaser.com/radar-loop/IDR162-port-headland/2011-02-21-00/2011-02-21-12)


There are three soundings from Port Hedland which give a great insight into the conditions.

(http://australiasevereweather.com/storm_news/2011/soundings/2011022023_porthedland.png)

(http://australiasevereweather.com/storm_news/2011/soundings/2011022105_porthedland.png)

(http://australiasevereweather.com/storm_news/2011/soundings/2011022111_porthedland.png)

(http://australiasevereweather.com/storm_news/2011/satpics/pilbara_vis_201102210333.jpg)

(http://australiasevereweather.com/storm_news/2011/satpics/pilbara_vis_201102210433.jpg)

(http://australiasevereweather.com/storm_news/2011/satpics/pilbara_vis_201102210533.jpg)

(http://australiasevereweather.com/storm_news/2011/satpics/pilbara_vis_201102210633.jpg)

(http://australiasevereweather.com/storm_news/2011/satpics/pilbara_vis_201102210733.jpg)
Title: Re: Tornado in Karatha Western Australia 21st Febuary 3:10pm 2011
Post by: Jimmy Deguara on 01 March 2011, 07:18:58 AM
Hi,

There is new information suggesting that 3 buildings will have to be torn down in Karatah as a result of this tornado. I wonder if there were structural damage to the foundations or were they toppled off stilts etc? It will be interesting to get further information as this may have a significant effect on the EF rating.

http://www.australiasevereweather.com/forum/storm-news-and-media-headlines/tornado-storm-homes-to-be-demolished-following-tornado-abc-news-(australian-broa/?topicseen (http://www.australiasevereweather.com/forum/storm-news-and-media-headlines/tornado-storm-homes-to-be-demolished-following-tornado-abc-news-(australian-broa/?topicseen)

Regards,

Jimmy Deguara
Title: Re: Tornado in Karatha Western Australia 21st Febuary 3:10pm 2011
Post by: Mathew Townsend on 03 March 2011, 06:15:08 AM
I think the tornado is mostly EF1 but probably brief EF2 which totally destroyed the buildings near to it.