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Air Force Weather: Barksdale Tornado A Case Study. 2d Lt Nathan Smith Weather Operations Officer 26 th Operational Weather Squadron. Approved for Public Release - Distribution Unlimited. Overview. Air Force Weather Structure Watches, Warnings, Advisories Back-up Procedures - PowerPoint PPT Presentation
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26th Operational Weather Squadron
Fly – Fight – Win
2d Lt Nathan SmithWeather Operations Officer
26th Operational Weather Squadron
Air Force Weather: Barksdale Tornado
A Case Study
Approved for Public Release - Distribution Unlimited
Fly – Fight – Win
Overview
Air Force Weather Structure Watches, Warnings, Advisories Back-up Procedures 09 April 2009: Barksdale Tornado Damage Resuming Operations Summary
Fly – Fight – Win
USAF Structure Three Levels
Strategic: Air Force Weather Agency (AFWA) Operational: Operational Weather Squadrons (OWS) Tactical: Weather Flights
Fly – Fight – Win
Watches, Warnings, Advisories
Watches: forecast that event may happen May require Lead Time Up to 4 hours
Warnings: forecast that event will happen Requires Lead Time Up to 2 hours
Advisories: observed that event is happening Some Observed, some require Lead Time Up to 1 hour
Fly – Fight – Win
NWS vs USAFNWS (area forecast) Severe
Thunderstorms Tornado Flash Flood
USAF (site specific forecast) Damaging Winds ≥ 50kt Moderate Winds ≥
35<50kt Advisory Winds ≥ 25kt Hail <3/4” Hail ≥ 3/4” Lightning Tornado Heavy Rain 2” in 12hrs
Fly – Fight – Win
WWAsCriteria List
WWA Type Category Criteria DLTKBAD Barksdale AFB
Advisory Surface Winds
Observed surface winds are greater than or equal to 30 kts. at Barksdale AFB. 0
Warning Damaging winds
Damaging winds >= 50 kts are forecasted to occur at Barksdale AFB. 2:00
Warning Large Hail
Large Hail >= 3/4 in is forecast to occur at Barksdale AFB. 2:00
Warning Tornado
Tornado is forecasted to occur at Barksdale AFB. 30
Watch A tornado watch
A tornado watch is in effect at Barksdale AFB. 4:00
Watch A watch for hail
A watch for hail >= 3/4 in is in effect at Barksdale AFB. 4:00
Fly – Fight – Win
Backup Support
Emergency preparedness COOP practiced monthly
Local Forecasts & WWAs Handed off to Weather Flights
Flight Weather Briefs 25th OWS Davis-Monthan AFB, AZ
Total Force Locations WWAs 15th OWS Scott AFB, IL
Fly – Fight – Win
Barksdale Tornado Event
Severe Potential briefed as “Possible not probable” Stronger dynamics to the north and strong CAP
Line of supercells developed over E TX along dryline SCIT took storm slightly North
High Winds issued VIL/ET chart 65 VIL/50kft indicated 42kt
Hail Issued SRM Storm Top Divergence ~115kt STD indicated at least 1” hail
SRR to look for rotation 95kts gate to gate Hook echo formed, issued when at TX/LA border
Evacuated Ops Floor to basement Perfect Back up Ops
Fly – Fight – Win
Barksdale Tornado Event
Fly – Fight – Win
Barksdale Tornado Event
KBAD 100330Z 36028G47KT 1 1/2SM FC OVC025CB 21/17 A2960
Fly – Fight – Win
WWAs Issued
# Site Start Time End Time WWA Type Category Issue Time Occurred Time
1 Barksdale AFB
4/10/2009 02:00
4/10/2009 06:00 Warning Large Hail 4/10/2009
01:124/10/2009 03:16
2 Barksdale AFB
4/10/2009 03:30
4/10/2009 04:30 Warning Tornado 4/10/2009
03:054/10/2009 03:30
3 Barksdale AFB
4/10/2009 03:20
4/10/2009 06:00 Warning Damaging
winds4/10/2009 03:13
4 Barksdale AFB
4/10/2009 02:00
4/10/2009 06:00 Warning High Winds 4/10/2009
01:124/10/2009 03:30
5 Barksdale AFB
4/10/2009 03:30
4/10/2009 05:30 Watch A tornado
watch4/10/2009 02:32
6 Barksdale AFB
4/10/2009 03:30
4/10/2009 06:00 Watch Lightning 4/10/2009
03:024/10/2009 03:15
Fly – Fight – Win
SPC Storm Reports
Fly – Fight – Win
Impacts on Base
EF2 tornado touched down on Barksdale Blvd “Bounced” over base Communications knocked out for 12hrs Power Outage for ~24hrs Damaged dorms, signs, fitness center, guard house,
multiple trees down
Fly – Fight – Win
Damage
Fly – Fight – Win
Damage
Fly – Fight – Win
Damage
Fly – Fight – Win
Damage
Fly – Fight – Win
Damage
Fly – Fight – Win
Damage
Fly – Fight – Win
Damage
Fly – Fight – Win
Resuming Operations
Resumed basic functionality ~0830L
Back-up generator allowed for power
Communications restored to Ops floor
System continued to pound SE CONUS Issued Severe immediately out of basement
Fly – Fight – Win
Storm Reports 10 Apr 09
Fly – Fight – Win
Summary
Overview Air Force Weather Structure Watches, Warnings, Advisories Back-up Procedures 09 April 2009: Barksdale Tornado Damage Resuming Operations
Fly – Fight – Win
Questions??