This loop of radar reflectivity illustrates the difficulty in
forecasting at KSC and CCAFS. It shows numerous complex boundary
interactions initiated by the sea breeze, thunderstorms and a brush
fire. These boundary interactions result in a tornado at KSC.
- In frame 1 (1526 UTC) there are no discernable boundaries.
- In frame 5 (1550 UTC) the brush fire can be seen as a
yellow-orange region near the center of the image in northeast
Orange County.
- In frames 5-10 (1550-1626 UTC) the plume from the brush fire can
be seen moving southeast and thunderstorms begin to form in the
western region of the images and are also moving towards the
southeast.
- The sea breeze is difficult to detect until frames 17-20
(1711-1727 UTC) where it can be seen on the mainland just west of
KSC and moving west. Also during this time, thunderstorms are moving
into the region at the top of the image and are moving south, likely
along the sea breeze front.
- A thunderstorm is evident downwind of the brush fire by frame 30
(1817-1822 UTC) and the thunderstorm north of KSC continues to move
south.
- A very distinct circular outflow boundary is visible from the
brush fire thunderstorm beginning with frame 33 (1831-1837 UTC) and
it is this outflow that generates a new storm on northwest KSC in
frame 39 (1902-1906 UTC).
|
