No abstract

In much of the central and eastern United States, tree damage is typically the most common damage indicator available to National Weather Service meteorologists estimating wind speeds from convective storms. Unfortunately, most meteorologists have little or no formal training in the susceptibility of trees to high winds, and the Enhanced Fujita scale does not address many of the various factors that affect the wind tolerance of trees. This study attempts to describe these factors and to provide a strategy for integrating them when estimating wind speeds based on tree damage. Several case studies are used to illustrate the problems and possibilities in deriving a more detailed damage scale than currently exists.

An investigation into a historic tornado outbreak in western Lower Michigan yielded several significant findings and provided details about path length, duration, and intensity of each tornado. These findings are presented here, along with discrepancies that were found with the National Climatic Data Center’s storm event database for the number of tornadoes and fatalities that occurred in this event. Potential strategies in forensic meteorology for future studies of historic tornado events also are presented, including suggestions for gathering and synthesizing data. Finally, strategies are discussed for using anniversary events to increase public awareness of severe weather.