What is a debris ball on radar?
A tornadic debris signature (TDS), often colloquially referred to as a debris ball, also colloquially “debris spike”, is an area of high reflectivity on weather radar caused by debris lofting into the air, usually associated with a tornado.
How do you spot a debris ball on radar?
Meteorologists look for low CC values within a tornado’s debris ball surrounded by higher values. This often appears as a small blue circle within a larger red area. More than just a debris ball needs to appear on radar for a tornado to be radar confirmed.
How high does debris go in a tornado?
“There is a real sense [debris] is going up at least six kilometers into the storm,” Knox said. “What I’m hearing from meteorologists who are using the dual-pol radar technology is that they are seeing debris at 20,000 feet and sometimes more.”
How strong is a wedge tornado?
Wedge Tornado Wider still and broader than they are tall, wedge tornadoes are some of the largest tornadoes and can be among the most destructive. They are usually rated at EF-3 or above and with a width of half a mile or more, can leave a significant trail of destruction.
What does purple mean on radar?
Extremely heavy rain
Purple= Extremely heavy rain or hail. Winter Weather Colors. White or Blue= Snow. Pink= Freezing Rain or Sleet or Both. Sometimes snow can show up as yellow or orange as the radar may think it is small hail.
What color is debris on radar?
blue
This area of the blue is the radar picking up an area of very low correlation coefficient. This is commonly referred to as a tornado debris signature (TDS).
What is the fastest wind speed ever recorded in a tornado?
302 mph
Tornado: Highest Recorded Wind Speed in Tornado (via Doppler Radar)
| Record Value | 135 m/s (302 mph) |
|---|---|
| Date of Event | 3/5/1999 |
| Length of Record | ~1996-present |
| Geospatial Location | Bridge Creek Oklahoma [35°14’N, 97°44’W, elevation 416 m (1365 ft)] |
What is the most accurate radar app?
7 Best Weather Radar Websites and Apps in 2022 That Are Free
- The Weather Channel.
- Windy.
- AccuWeather.
- Weather Underground.
- WeatherBug.
- NOAA Weather Radar Live.
- Our Top Paid App Pick: RadarScope.
- Runner Up Paid Pick: Dark Sky.