Tornado alarm warns Sabers of weather threats

Published July 28, 2011
By Tech. Sgt. Sandy Bates
52nd Operations Support Squadron Weather Flight

SPANGDAHLEM AIR BASE, Germany -- Tornadoes have been observed on every continent except Antarctica.

In fact, the nearby Netherlands has the highest rate of tornadoes by area on the planet. So, although Germany is not exactly in a high-threat area, a tornado here is not out of the realm of possibility.

However, the event July 21 was a funnel cloud. A tornado is a funnel cloud that makes contact with the ground.

Anytime a base weather professional observes or receives a report of a funnel cloud, Sabers can expect to hear a tornado warning siren and should take shelter immediately.

There was some debate initially about whether it was actually "tornadic" activity. Other suspects included a rain shaft, a down draft, or low "scud" or stratus fractus clouds. The likely suspect, though, was a feature seldom observed, and rarely discussed due to its small-scale impact and low-probability for destruction.

Master Sgt. Rob Fournier, 52nd Operations Support Squadron Weather Flight chief, was the senior forecaster on duty that day, and he quickly identified the phenomenon as a "cold-core funnel."

A typical tornado spawns from a large cumulonimbus thunderstorm cloud in a warm, moist air mass with energetic atmospheric dynamics ahead of a strong frontal boundary, he said. In this case, the funnel cloud observed here developed under diminutive cumulus clouds in a cool air mass, with ample moisture, weak convective updrafts and localized horizontal circulations all aligned perfectly to create the phenomenon called a cold-core funnel.

Cold-core funnels have a weak circulation and register as an EF-0 or EF-1 on the Enhanced Fujita scale. It is important to note, however, that those EF-0 wind speeds can top 80 mph and cause damage or injuries.

When the funnel cloud perched above a half dozen C-5 Galaxy aircraft and numerous flight line members, the weather flight recognized there was a potential risk, so they postponed debate about the cause and alerted the base populace via a tornado warning.

One forecaster, Staff Sgt. Gayle Feist, has experience forecasting severe weather and tornadoes in the Midwest. While out on escort duty during the event, she observed the funnel forming.

Feist said her first three thoughts were, "I need to call the weather station; where am I going to take cover; and why are all these people still driving and standing around?"

The weather on that day reminds base members of two issues. First, it is imperative to the weather-flight mission to receive timely and accurate reports of severe weather phenomena. Second, if alerted to potentially dangerous weather, take action immediately.