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Air Force Weather: Barksdale Tornado A Case Study

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

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Air Force Weather: Barksdale Tornado A Case Study

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  1. Air Force Weather: Barksdale TornadoA Case Study 2d Lt Nathan Smith Weather Operations Officer 26th Operational Weather Squadron Approved for Public Release - Distribution Unlimited

  2. Overview • Air Force Weather Structure • Watches, Warnings, Advisories • Back-up Procedures • 09 April 2009: Barksdale Tornado • Damage • Resuming Operations • Summary

  3. USAF Structure • Three Levels • Strategic: Air Force Weather Agency (AFWA) • Operational: Operational Weather Squadrons (OWS) • Tactical: Weather Flights

  4. 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

  5. NWS vs USAF NWS (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

  6. WWAs

  7. 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

  8. 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

  9. Barksdale Tornado Event

  10. Barksdale Tornado Event KBAD 100330Z 36028G47KT 1 1/2SM FC OVC025CB 21/17 A2960

  11. WWAs Issued

  12. SPC Storm Reports

  13. 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

  14. Damage

  15. Damage

  16. Damage

  17. Damage

  18. Damage

  19. Damage

  20. Damage

  21. 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

  22. Storm Reports 10 Apr 09

  23. Summary • Overview • Air Force Weather Structure • Watches, Warnings, Advisories • Back-up Procedures • 09 April 2009: Barksdale Tornado • Damage • Resuming Operations

  24. Questions??

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