Severe weather outbreak - February 29 - 13 dead

[Cyclenall]

I have a couple questions:

1. Why wasn't this thread created 4 days ago? I started seeing signs of severe weather outbreaks with other weather watchers back last week and I kept checking here with no new thread started with some potential major severe outbreaks.

2. The severe weather reports page only shows 6 reported tornadoes...obviously there were more (like over 12?)

3. This was a bust for the NWS during the morning hours and nothing like this was foreseen as far as I could tell...true? It was pegged at Slight Risk for today.

4. Was the Super Tuesday Tornado Outbreak of 2008 the last time there was a EF4 tornado in the month of February?

The death toll is now 12 according to CNN. I would assume this is the worst tornado outbreak ever on leap day and the Wikipedia article should call this "Leap Day Tornado Outbreak 2012".

What a outrageous start to the tornado year, over 15 deaths in the US, many millions of dollars in damage, multiple strong tornadoes with debris balls in darkness, all before March! Worse thus far than last year for January and February. Based on the numerous areas with extensive destruction, I think there could be more than 1 EF4 tornado confirmed.

[brunota2003]

Anyone can start a thread...if you see the threat of a realistic large severe wx event, start one! If it doesn't materialize, the thread can just be merged into the main thread later on.

[psyclone]

I have a couple questions:

1. Why wasn't this thread created 4 days ago? I started seeing signs of severe weather outbreaks with other weather watchers back last week and I kept checking here with no new thread started with some potential major severe outbreaks.

2. The severe weather reports page only shows 6 reported tornadoes...obviously there were more (like over 12?)

3. This was a bust for the NWS during the morning hours and nothing like this was foreseen as far as I could tell...true? It was pegged at Slight Risk for today.

4. Was the Super Tuesday Tornado Outbreak of 2008 the last time there was a EF4 tornado in the month of February?

The death toll is now 12 according to CNN. I would assume this is the worst tornado outbreak ever on leap day and the Wikipedia article should call this "Leap Day Tornado Outbreak 2012".

What a outrageous start to the tornado year, over 15 deaths in the US, many millions of dollars in damage, multiple strong tornadoes with debris balls in darkness, all before March! Worse thus far than last year for January and February. Based on the numerous areas with extensive destruction, I think there could be more than 1 EF4 tornado confirmed.

1. you're allowed to start threads.
2. that info is always preliminary in the immediate aftermath of an event. it will be updated.
3. why is nothing bad allowed to happen in a slight risk? slight risk does not = no risk. a couple of strong tornadoes with unfortunate timing and geographical placement can yield tragic results as we have been reminded yet again. The NWS was doing a good job getting out warnings last night in southwest MO and TWC was doing a good job of covering it. i did hear there was no warning on the kansas tornado. if true, that just proves the nws isn't perfect, but they're damn good and getting better.

[brunota2003]

PUBLIC INFORMATION STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE JACKSON KY
1102 AM EST THU MAR 1 2012

A STORM DAMAGE TEAM FROM THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE OFFICE IN
JACKSON KENTUCKY HAS CONFIRMED AN EF2 TORNADO IN MORGAN COUNTY.
TOUCHDOWN OCCURRED ABOUT 6 MILES SOUTHWEST OF WEST LIBERTY NEAR THE
GRASSY CREEK AREA. THE TORNADO CONTINUED TO THE MALONE AREA ABOUT 3
MILES SOUTH OF WEST LIBERTY. WINDS WERE ESTIMATED TO AROUND 120 MPH.
THE MOST DAMAGE APPEARS TO BE TO A RESIDENTIAL STRUCTURE IN THE
MALONE AREA. THIS REPORT WILL BE UPDATED WITH SPECIFIC TIMES AND
DETAILS LATER TODAY.

$$

STAMPER

[brunota2003]

From Jackson, KY:

Morgan County:



A storm damage team from the National Weather Service Office in Jackson, Kentucky has confirmed an EF-2 tornado in Morgan County. Touchdown occurred about 6 miles southwest of West Liberty near the Grassy Creek community. The tornado track was not continuous, but instead made several touchdowns and liftoffs before dissipating near the community of Malone. Winds were estimated to around 120 mph. Several structures were damaged along the path of the tornado, with the most extreme damage occurring to a residential structure in the Malone area.

EVENT DATE: FEBRUARY 29 2012
EVENT TYPE: EF-2 TORNADO
ESTIMATED PEAK WINDS: 120 MPH
INJURIES/FATALITIES: 0
EVENT START TIME/LOCATION: 142 PM EST AT 37.87438N/83.37141W
EVENT END TIME/LOCATION: 150 PM EST AT 37.87548N/83.25559W
DAMAGE PATH LENGTH: 6 MILES
DAMAGE WIDTH: 400 YARDS

Pulaski County:



A storm damage survey team from the National Weather Service Office in Louisville, KY has confirmed an EF-1 tornado in Pulaski County on February 29, 2012. Touchdown occurred about 3 miles east-northeast of Science Hill and the tornado track ended near the community of Dabney. Winds were estimated to have reached 110 mph. Damage included total destruction of one barn and major damage to several others. The top of a silo was taken out and major damage occurred to the roofs of a few homes towards the end of the tornadoes path.

EVENT DATE: FEBRUARY 29 2012
EVENT TYPE: EF-1 TORNADO
ESTIMATED PEAK WINDS: 110 MPH
INJURIES/FATALITIES: 0
EVENT START TIME/LOCATION: 253 PM EST AT 37.17919N/84.57771W
EVENT END TIME/LOCATION: 255 PM EST AT 37.18047N/84.55068W
DAMAGE PATH LENGTH: 1.5 MILES
DAMAGE WIDTH: 60 YARDS

http://www.crh.noaa.gov/news/display_cm ... 4&source=0

That EF2 touched down approximately 20 to 25 minutes after my parents saw a funnel cloud, with that very storm. So they could of witnessed the beginnings of an EF2 tornado.

[CrazyC83]

I have a couple questions:

1. Why wasn't this thread created 4 days ago? I started seeing signs of severe weather outbreaks with other weather watchers back last week and I kept checking here with no new thread started with some potential major severe outbreaks.

2. The severe weather reports page only shows 6 reported tornadoes...obviously there were more (like over 12?)

3. This was a bust for the NWS during the morning hours and nothing like this was foreseen as far as I could tell...true? It was pegged at Slight Risk for today.

4. Was the Super Tuesday Tornado Outbreak of 2008 the last time there was a EF4 tornado in the month of February?

The death toll is now 12 according to CNN. I would assume this is the worst tornado outbreak ever on leap day and the Wikipedia article should call this "Leap Day Tornado Outbreak 2012".

What a outrageous start to the tornado year, over 15 deaths in the US, many millions of dollars in damage, multiple strong tornadoes with debris balls in darkness, all before March! Worse thus far than last year for January and February. Based on the numerous areas with extensive destruction, I think there could be more than 1 EF4 tornado confirmed.

1) The risk wasn't all in place until it all happened, hence we were playing catchup. Usually at a Moderate Risk I start it up if it hadn't.

2) That will change as more come in. At night in forested areas, tornadoes will likely initially go down as wind reports unless it is obvious.

3) Very true, but things change, and a Slight Risk doesn't mean no risk at all.

4) Nope, last was February 10, 2009 in Lone Grove, OK.

[Cyclenall]

1) The risk wasn't all in place until it all happened, hence we were playing catchup. Usually at a Moderate Risk I start it up if it hadn't.

2) That will change as more come in. At night in forested areas, tornadoes will likely initially go down as wind reports unless it is obvious.

3) Very true, but things change, and a Slight Risk doesn't mean no risk at all.

4) Nope, last was February 10, 2009 in Lone Grove, OK.

1. The two systems this week posed quite a threat based on some model guidance like the NAM. The greater potential was mainly for the system that is going to happen today. I didn't have time to start a new thread so I didn't.

2. It's "correct" now.

3. I just think EF4/EF3 tornadoes are a bit much for a slight risk and the overall number was pretty high as well. It's true there were only a couple.

4. I forgot that, thanks!

And thanks for calling the Wiki article "2012 Leap Day Tornado Outbreak".

[cycloneye]

Crazy,I edited title to update the people dead to 13.