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WeatherMatrix
© 2002 WeatherMatrix.Net - Redistribution
Prohibited. Usage logged.
From: Jesse Ferrell (WeatherMatrix) (jesse{at}weathermatrix.net)
Date: Tue May 14 2002 - 16:28:01 EDT
PUBLIC INFORMATION STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE PITTSBURGH PA
212 PM EDT TUE MAY 14 2002
...THUNDERSTORM DOWNBURST RIPS ACROSS WESTMORELAND COUNTY
SUNDAY AFTERNOON...
SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS DEVELOPED SUNDAY AFTERNOON (12 MAY 2002)
ACROSS WESTERN PENNSYLVANIA. ONE OF THE MOST INTENSE
THUNDERSTORMS ORIGINATED IN CENTRAL OHIO AND RAPIDLY PUSHED EAST
AT 45 TO 55 MPH. IT CROSSED THE PENNSYLVANIA LINE IN BEAVER AND
WASHINGTON COUNTIES, MOVED THROUGH ALLEGHENY COUNTY AND INTO
WESTMORELAND COUNTY. THE THUNDERSTORM LEFT A PATH OF DAMAGE
ALONG ITS ENTIRE ROUTE. HOWEVER, ONCE INTO WESTMORELAND COUNTY, IT
INTENSIFIED AND THE DAMAGE WAS MAXIMIZED.
THE DOWNBURST RIPPED THROUGH THE COUNTY APPROXIMATELY BETWEEN
300 PM AND 330 PM. THE GREATEST AMOUNT OF DAMAGE OCCURRED IN THE
IRWIN AND NORTH HUNTINGTON AREAS. HOWEVER, DAMAGE ALSO OCCURRED
IN JEANNETTE, GREENSBURG, LATROBE AND DERRY.
THE WIDTH OF THE DOWNBURST APPEARED TO BE THE WIDEST THROUGH THE
IRWIN AREA WHERE IT REACHED CLOSE TO 700 YARDS. AS A RESULT, THIS
TYPE OF DOWNBURST IS OFFICIALLY CLASSIFIED AS A "MICROBURST".
HUNDREDS OF TREES WERE EITHER UPROOTED OR SNAPPED. MANY TELEPHONES
AND WIRES WERE ALSO KNOCKED DOWN. THERE WAS DAMAGE TO SEVERAL ROOFS,
PORCHES AND DECKS. ONE ROOF OVER THE BACK PORCH OF A HOUSE WAS
LIFTED UP AND OVER THE HOUSE AND DEPOSITED IN THE YARD. THERE WERE
MANY HOUSES THAT LOST SHINGLES, SIDING AND AWNINGS. MAXIMUM WINDS
WERE ESTIMATED TO BE AROUND 75 MPH.
DOWNBURSTS ARE INTENSE WIND GUSTS WHICH ARE PRODUCED BY
THUNDERSTORMS ON OR NEAR THE GROUND. THESE WIND GUSTS CAN BE VERY
INTENSE AT TIMES. A MICROBURST IS A DOWNBURST WHICH PRODUCES A
SWATH OF DAMAGE LESS THAN 2.5 MILES WIDE. ON THE OTHER HAND, A
MACROBURST IS A DOWNBURST WHICH PRODUCES A SWATH OF DAMAGE
WHICH IS GREATER THAN 2.5 MILES WIDE. DOWNBURSTS ARE MORE COMMON
THAN TORNADOES. ON AVERAGE, WE CAN GET 6 TO 8 RATHER INTENSE
DOWNBURST A YEAR ACROSS WESTERN PENNSYLVANIA. ALSO, DOWNBURSTS
CAN CAUSE MORE DAMAGE OVER A LARGER AREA THAN SMALL TORNADOES.
-- ==================================================== Jesse Ferrell - Meteorologist & Internet Developer - WeatherMatrix 3000+ Weather Enthusiasts Can't Be Wrong! www.weathermatrix.net============================================================= StormReports Email List -- For Options Including 1 Email/Day: http://wxmatrix-membersonly/group/stormreports/join TO UNSUBSCRIBE, EMAIL TO: stormreports-unsubscribe{at}wxmatrix-membersonly
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