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WeatherMatrix
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From: Jesse Ferrell (WeatherMatrix) (jesse{at}weathermatrix.net)
Date: Mon Aug 12 2002 - 21:00:27 EDT
A severe thunderstorm just passed over WeatherMatrix HQ, Central PA, with
the highest winds and heaviest rains of any storm this year, tonight
between 7 and 8pm. Very frequent lightning was observed with over 300
cloud to ground recorded by Vaisala Inc. within 8 miles and tens of
thousands of strokes recorded by our local Boltek detector.
http://www.weathermatrix.net/lightning/hq/
Peak stroke count: 331 at 7:44:35 PM
Total strokes: 36,151 (avg. 28.8/min.)
We "recorded" a wind gust of 43mph with this storm, one of the highest
gusts this year; it is quite rare to see over 40mph here. I say
"recorded" because power outages were sporadic and the UPS on the main
weather station failed. From the look of the damage it could have been
higher. We again partially lost the WeatherMatrix HQ Weather Station Pole
to the storm. See pictures at:
http://www.weathermatrix.net/2002/0812/Pict0006b.jpg
http://www.weathermatrix.net/2002/0812/Pict0005b.jpg
Needless to say, observations from the Primary weather station will be
questionable until this is repaired, especially the wind readings.
http://www.weathermatrix.net/wxstation/TWI-WRL/obs/
Use the Secondary station as a backup.
http://www.weathermatrix.net/wxstation/WS-2000/obs/
It looks like, rather than bending it completely with the wind, as it did
in 2000 (http://www.cybervox.org/2000/1212/) the gusty, wavelike winds
actually turned the pole around despite its restraints, then bent it
backwards at its weak point that existed from the 2000 damage.
The State College AWS station recorded a gust of 39mph and as you see
below, on the top of the PSU Met Center, 52mph was recorded. Power was
lost several times in the city including at the KPSU station south of town,
who has not transmitted since the storm began. A gust of 32 knots was
recorded at University Park Airport.
The NWS Said when they issued the warning:
"The Main Threat From This Storm Is A Damaging Wind Gust. A Wind Sensor On
Top Of The Rider Building In Downtown State College Reported A Gust To 52
Mph. Expect Gusts To Locally Exceed 60 Mph. These Winds Can Easily Knock
Down Trees And Power Lines... And Cause Property Damage. Large Hail Is Also
Possible. The Safest Place To Be During A Severe Thunderstorm Is Inside A
Substantial Shelter... Away From Windows."
-- ==================================================== Jesse Ferrell - Meteorologist & Internet Developer - WeatherMatrix 4000 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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