Severe today!

luvthelake · 07-21-2008, 05:15 PM

We were on our way to Moultonboro on Friday when we stopped for gas only to see some very strange looking clouds. I snapped a couple of pictures before the wind and pouring rain came in. When we finally arrived at camp, two trees came down on top of power lines and we were without power until1:30 a.m.

gravy boat · 07-21-2008, 05:38 PM

Luvthe,

THAT is impressive -- looks like a tornado/funnel cloud to me!

What does Canis say -- any other shots or information from NOAA to confirm tornadic activity?

GB

hilltopper · 07-22-2008, 08:00 AM

I had clouds like that cross right in front of me as I was heading up the Route 25 hill in Meredith going by the BlueCanoe. The first thing I noticed is that they were definitely going from cloud to ground. The second thing I noticed is that they had no rotation. I'd love to witness a tornado some day but I'd rather witness it a mile or two away, not 20 feet.

Does anyone know where you can view the video footage shot from the Inn at Bay Point looking up the Bay? Apparently it was in the news but I can't find it on WMUR's site.

luvthelake · 07-22-2008, 12:50 PM

Hilltopper,

That's where I was taking the pictures, on Route 25 at the Irving Blue Canoe. I agree, it would be neat to see a tornado, but not THAT close!

kthy66 · 07-22-2008, 05:59 PM

WOW

Those pictures are amazing!!

CanisLupusArctos · 07-23-2008, 01:21 AM

Gravy Boat,

I say it was a funnel cloud... BUT, only because of everyone's pics and descriptions here, and also a description of clear rotation from a known-sane friend of mine who saw the funnel from the Wolfeborough/Alton town line as she drove south on 28.

My eyes saw what Hilltopper's eyes saw. I really wanted to report it, but I kept biting my lip and praying to see rotation so I could report it, but alas, no rotation. What I DID see was this: Nearly calm wind as it approached, then a VERY sudden blast (44 mph) from the north as the funnel passed directly south... in other words the wind was blowing toward the funnel. This action continued as the funnel passed southeast, and the wind blew from the northwest. One could easily argue that the feature was drawing air towards it, even if clear rotation was not visible.

Prior to the storm's arrival I was watching this storm on two self-updating radar screens, each with a different variation in view, and I believe I saw rotation in the cell that was headed for us. It caused me to make preparations for my own safety that I don't normally take. Therefore I was not totally surprised to see the funnel, although totally amazed.

What surprised me was the lack of even a severe thunderstorm warning for Belknap County--the severe thunderstorm warning didn't come until after I'd seen the funnel pass, and it should have been a tornado warning in my opinion. The tornado warning didn't come until the storm had cleared the lake and was bearing down on Dover. In the end, we saw a lot more funnel action here, while in Dover Foster's said there were no funnel reports at all.

I have a friend in Madbury (next town over from Dover) who collected some lemon-size hailstones and put them in his freezer.

Here are my two photos of the funnel, followed by my guess as to the wind flow that created the cloud formation posted by Squam Friend. If what we all saw was definitely a funnel cloud, then it appears Squam Friend saw the wall cloud--the low-hanging, collar-like precursor. I drew an arrow on his picture to show the action forming it. My arrow appears to be clockwise but if we were to look at the same scene from above it would be counter-clockwise.

It is only July and already we have two "tornado" storms for the summer. Late summer is the typical peak of New England's severe weather season, as the colder air of the approaching season starts to push out the warm humid air of the current season.

kthy66 · 07-23-2008, 08:45 AM

These pictures are amazing...

Thank you CLA for your insight! I have always been fascinated with meteorology and reading your posts about the weather is a great learning experience... The weather in our beautiful lakes region is amazing.

Squam Friend · 07-23-2008, 11:00 AM

CLA - although I wasn't thinking about rotation as I watched those clouds, the area where the pointed end of the arrow is was definitely moving faster across the sky (L to R in that picture) than the area where the arrow starts. In other words, I agree with your thoughts that my picture might show the beginning of some rotation.

For reference, the picture was taken at about 4:50pm, in Ashland on the SW end of Little Squam Lake (by the covered bridge there), looking more or less NE from there.

Great pictures you got there, I've never seen anything quite like that in NH, and I've been watching the weather and casually studying it my whole life, and mostly from out on Squam Lake...

meteotrade · 07-23-2008, 11:08 AM

Very nice pics Luvthelake and CLA!

Upon first glance I'd say these were low hanging scud, not funnel clouds... although its hard to judge solely on a pic sometimes. Nice pics, nonetheless.

CanisLupusArctos · 07-24-2008, 01:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by meteotrade

Upon first glance I'd say these were low hanging scud, not funnel clouds... although its hard to judge solely on a pic sometimes. Nice pics, nonetheless.

I thought the same thing until I showed my pics to my friend later. She had seen the same thing approaching Alton 15 minutes later and she said the "fingers" were rotating around each other. That was when I knew I had seen the early funnel cloud. Other posts on this forum, describing how the column was rising, support it.

But, I didn't have enough reason at the time to call it in to the NWS as a funnel cloud.

WATCH OUT FOR MORE OF THE SAME TODAY... TORNADOES ARE POSSIBLE IN THIS ENVIRONMENT AND WARNINGS HAVE ALREADY BEEN ISSUED FOR THE OSSIPEE-CONWAY AREA. SEE THE LATEST WEATHER THREADS AND STAY TUNED TO RADIO AND TV FOR POSSIBLE WARNINGS IF THEY ARE ISSUED FOR YOUR AREA.

Lakegeezer · 07-24-2008, 02:55 PM

I heard rumors there was a tornado in Wolfeboro around lunchtime today that hit a house under construction, whacked a few cars with falling trees and put a boathouse in the lake. I didn't start a new thread, because I'm hearing this second hand.

Puckster · 07-24-2008, 03:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lakegeezer

I heard rumors there was a tornado in Wolfeboro around lunchtime today that hit a house under construction, whacked a few cars with falling trees and put a boathouse in the lake. I didn't start a new thread, because I'm hearing this second hand.

I can confirm it was on wentworth, the large home being built by wood and clay was damaged.

Doyboy · 07-24-2008, 06:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lakegeezer

I heard rumors there was a tornado in Wolfeboro around lunchtime today that hit a house under construction, whacked a few cars with falling trees and put a boathouse in the lake. I didn't start a new thread, because I'm hearing this second hand.

I just got off the phone with my father-in-law on Lake Wentworth and he confirmed your information. He can't confirm a tornado because he and the wife were down in the basement. There is a massive house being built on the east end of the lake which also had a huge boat house that was under construction. It (the boat house) is now in the lake and a large number of trees in the area were damaged. Another house right near there was damaged and a nice wakeboarding boat was flipped bottom-up somehow.

Gatto Nero · 07-25-2008, 10:12 AM

I know this is a little but late, it took my brother in law a while to figure out how to upload it from his phone, but I put up a video of the funnel cloud from the storm of the 18th. You can check it out here http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mu0riAvILmk

I added a photo as well. http://www.winnipesaukee.com/photopo...=13193&cat=506

powdahound · 07-31-2008, 05:36 PM

This was taken on July 18 from Six Mile Island looking south toward Gunstock and Glendale Marine.

Jesse

Rose · 07-31-2008, 09:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gatto Nero

I put up a video of the funnel cloud from the storm of the 18th. You can check it out here http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mu0riAvILmk

Do you know if this was on the leading edge of the storm or the rear of it?

CanisLupusArctos · 08-01-2008, 12:29 AM

Gatto Nero is in my neighborhood. We were both there. The "funnel" or whatever it was, was on the leading edge of the storm. It was moving from west to east. We got the rain free base with all the wind first, then we got the northern fringe of the rain column, and then it was just intermittent rain and drizzle for the next couple of hours. The trailing edge of the storm had no discernible features - fog and mist, calm.

See my pics previously posted in this thread.

Rose · 08-01-2008, 08:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CanisLupusArctos

The "funnel" or whatever it was, was on the leading edge of the storm. It was moving from west to east. We got the rain free base with all the wind first, then we got the northern fringe of the rain column, and then it was just intermittent rain and drizzle for the next couple of hours. The trailing edge of the storm had no discernible features - fog and mist, calm.

Then it was scud. Funnel clouds are found at the rear of a storm.

CanisLupusArctos · 08-01-2008, 02:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rose

Then it was scud. Funnel clouds are found at the rear of a storm.

Do you know of any diagrams online that can show the air flow within a storm like this, as it relates to what is visible from the ground? That's how I'll remember it best for the future.

Rose · 08-01-2008, 03:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CanisLupusArctos

Do you know of any diagrams online that can show the air flow within a storm like this, as it relates to what is visible from the ground? That's how I'll remember it best for the future.

There's a model simulation of what it looks like that I've seen on TV, but I haven't been able to find it online. If I find it in the future, I'll try to remember to post it here.

Here's a link to an image which I hope is helpful. The scud would most likely be associated with the forward flank downdraft.

The wiki for "supercell" has some interesting and hopefully helpful diagrams.

Not every tornado develops from a supercell, and not all supercells develop tornadoes, but the majority of information is about supercells.

07-21-2008, 05:15 PM	#1
luvthelake Junior Member Join Date: May 2004 Location: Westford, MA/Moultonboro, NH Posts: 8 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Meredith We were on our way to Moultonboro on Friday when we stopped for gas only to see some very strange looking clouds. I snapped a couple of pictures before the wind and pouring rain came in. When we finally arrived at camp, two trees came down on top of power lines and we were without power until1:30 a.m. Attached Images

07-21-2008, 05:38 PM	#2
gravy boat Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Gilford year round, West Alton summers Posts: 596 Thanks: 601 Thanked 203 Times in 102 Posts	Yikes! Luvthe, THAT is impressive -- looks like a tornado/funnel cloud to me! What does Canis say -- any other shots or information from NOAA to confirm tornadic activity? GB

07-23-2008, 01:21 AM	#6
CanisLupusArctos Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Center Harbor Posts: 1,049 Thanks: 15 Thanked 472 Times in 107 Posts	Funnel Cloud Gravy Boat, I say it was a funnel cloud... BUT, only because of everyone's pics and descriptions here, and also a description of clear rotation from a known-sane friend of mine who saw the funnel from the Wolfeborough/Alton town line as she drove south on 28. My eyes saw what Hilltopper's eyes saw. I really wanted to report it, but I kept biting my lip and praying to see rotation so I could report it, but alas, no rotation. What I DID see was this: Nearly calm wind as it approached, then a VERY sudden blast (44 mph) from the north as the funnel passed directly south... in other words the wind was blowing toward the funnel. This action continued as the funnel passed southeast, and the wind blew from the northwest. One could easily argue that the feature was drawing air towards it, even if clear rotation was not visible. Prior to the storm's arrival I was watching this storm on two self-updating radar screens, each with a different variation in view, and I believe I saw rotation in the cell that was headed for us. It caused me to make preparations for my own safety that I don't normally take. Therefore I was not totally surprised to see the funnel, although totally amazed. What surprised me was the lack of even a severe thunderstorm warning for Belknap County--the severe thunderstorm warning didn't come until after I'd seen the funnel pass, and it should have been a tornado warning in my opinion. The tornado warning didn't come until the storm had cleared the lake and was bearing down on Dover. In the end, we saw a lot more funnel action here, while in Dover Foster's said there were no funnel reports at all. I have a friend in Madbury (next town over from Dover) who collected some lemon-size hailstones and put them in his freezer. Here are my two photos of the funnel, followed by my guess as to the wind flow that created the cloud formation posted by Squam Friend. If what we all saw was definitely a funnel cloud, then it appears Squam Friend saw the wall cloud--the low-hanging, collar-like precursor. I drew an arrow on his picture to show the action forming it. My arrow appears to be clockwise but if we were to look at the same scene from above it would be counter-clockwise. It is only July and already we have two "tornado" storms for the summer. Late summer is the typical peak of New England's severe weather season, as the colder air of the approaching season starts to push out the warm humid air of the current season. Attached Images

07-24-2008, 02:55 PM	#11
Lakegeezer Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Moultonboro, NH Posts: 1,683 Blog Entries: 1 Thanks: 356 Thanked 641 Times in 292 Posts	Tornado in Wolfeboro? I heard rumors there was a tornado in Wolfeboro around lunchtime today that hit a house under construction, whacked a few cars with falling trees and put a boathouse in the lake. I didn't start a new thread, because I'm hearing this second hand. __________________ -lg

07-25-2008, 10:12 AM	#14
Gatto Nero Senior Member Join Date: May 2005 Location: Isola Gatto Nero Posts: 697 Thanks: 162 Thanked 263 Times in 81 Posts	Funnel cloud video I know this is a little but late, it took my brother in law a while to figure out how to upload it from his phone, but I put up a video of the funnel cloud from the storm of the 18th. You can check it out here http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mu0riAvILmk I added a photo as well. http://www.winnipesaukee.com/photopo...=13193&cat=506 __________________ La vita è buona su Isola Gatto Nero Last edited by Gatto Nero; 07-25-2008 at 11:44 AM.

07-22-2008, 08:00 AM	#3
hilltopper Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Meredith Posts: 727 Thanks: 25 Thanked 109 Times in 70 Posts	I had clouds like that cross right in front of me as I was heading up the Route 25 hill in Meredith going by the BlueCanoe. The first thing I noticed is that they were definitely going from cloud to ground. The second thing I noticed is that they had no rotation. I'd love to witness a tornado some day but I'd rather witness it a mile or two away, not 20 feet. Does anyone know where you can view the video footage shot from the Inn at Bay Point looking up the Bay? Apparently it was in the news but I can't find it on WMUR's site.

07-22-2008, 12:50 PM	#4
luvthelake Junior Member Join Date: May 2004 Location: Westford, MA/Moultonboro, NH Posts: 8 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Hilltopper, That's where I was taking the pictures, on Route 25 at the Irving Blue Canoe. I agree, it would be neat to see a tornado, but not THAT close!

07-22-2008, 05:59 PM	#5
kthy66 Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2002 Posts: 60 Thanks: 7 Thanked 3 Times in 2 Posts	WOW Those pictures are amazing!!

07-23-2008, 08:45 AM	#7
kthy66 Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2002 Posts: 60 Thanks: 7 Thanked 3 Times in 2 Posts	These pictures are amazing... Thank you CLA for your insight! I have always been fascinated with meteorology and reading your posts about the weather is a great learning experience... The weather in our beautiful lakes region is amazing.

07-23-2008, 11:00 AM	#8
Squam Friend Junior Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Posts: 19 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	CLA - although I wasn't thinking about rotation as I watched those clouds, the area where the pointed end of the arrow is was definitely moving faster across the sky (L to R in that picture) than the area where the arrow starts. In other words, I agree with your thoughts that my picture might show the beginning of some rotation. For reference, the picture was taken at about 4:50pm, in Ashland on the SW end of Little Squam Lake (by the covered bridge there), looking more or less NE from there. Great pictures you got there, I've never seen anything quite like that in NH, and I've been watching the weather and casually studying it my whole life, and mostly from out on Squam Lake...

07-23-2008, 11:08 AM	#9
meteotrade Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Moultonboro Posts: 95 Thanks: 0 Thanked 16 Times in 6 Posts	Very nice pics Luvthelake and CLA! Upon first glance I'd say these were low hanging scud, not funnel clouds... although its hard to judge solely on a pic sometimes. Nice pics, nonetheless.

07-31-2008, 05:36 PM	#15
powdahound Junior Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Posts: 7 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	July 18 funnel cloud photo This was taken on July 18 from Six Mile Island looking south toward Gunstock and Glendale Marine. Jesse

08-01-2008, 12:29 AM	#17
CanisLupusArctos Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Center Harbor Posts: 1,049 Thanks: 15 Thanked 472 Times in 107 Posts	Gatto Nero is in my neighborhood. We were both there. The "funnel" or whatever it was, was on the leading edge of the storm. It was moving from west to east. We got the rain free base with all the wind first, then we got the northern fringe of the rain column, and then it was just intermittent rain and drizzle for the next couple of hours. The trailing edge of the storm had no discernible features - fog and mist, calm. See my pics previously posted in this thread.