air force weather: barksdale tornado a case study

26th Operational Weather Squadron

Fly – Fight – Win

2d Lt Nathan SmithWeather Operations Officer

26th Operational Weather Squadron

Air Force Weather: Barksdale Tornado

A Case Study

Approved for Public Release - Distribution Unlimited


Overview

Air Force Weather Structure Watches, Warnings, Advisories Back-up Procedures 09 April 2009: Barksdale Tornado Damage Resuming Operations Summary


USAF Structure Three Levels

Strategic: Air Force Weather Agency (AFWA) Operational: Operational Weather Squadrons (OWS) Tactical: Weather Flights


Watches, Warnings, Advisories

Watches: forecast that event may happen May require Lead Time Up to 4 hours

Warnings: forecast that event will happen Requires Lead Time Up to 2 hours

Advisories: observed that event is happening Some Observed, some require Lead Time Up to 1 hour


NWS vs USAFNWS (area forecast) Severe

Thunderstorms Tornado Flash Flood

USAF (site specific forecast) Damaging Winds ≥ 50kt Moderate Winds ≥

35<50kt Advisory Winds ≥ 25kt Hail <3/4” Hail ≥ 3/4” Lightning Tornado Heavy Rain 2” in 12hrs


WWAsCriteria List

WWA Type Category Criteria DLTKBAD Barksdale AFB

Advisory Surface Winds

Observed surface winds are greater than or equal to 30 kts. at Barksdale AFB. 0

Warning Damaging winds

Damaging winds >= 50 kts are forecasted to occur at Barksdale AFB. 2:00

Warning Large Hail

Large Hail >= 3/4 in is forecast to occur at Barksdale AFB. 2:00

Warning Tornado

Tornado is forecasted to occur at Barksdale AFB. 30

Watch A tornado watch

A tornado watch is in effect at Barksdale AFB. 4:00

Watch A watch for hail

A watch for hail >= 3/4 in is in effect at Barksdale AFB. 4:00


Backup Support

Emergency preparedness COOP practiced monthly

Local Forecasts & WWAs Handed off to Weather Flights

Flight Weather Briefs 25th OWS Davis-Monthan AFB, AZ

Total Force Locations WWAs 15th OWS Scott AFB, IL


Barksdale Tornado Event

Severe Potential briefed as “Possible not probable” Stronger dynamics to the north and strong CAP

Line of supercells developed over E TX along dryline SCIT took storm slightly North

High Winds issued VIL/ET chart 65 VIL/50kft indicated 42kt

Hail Issued SRM Storm Top Divergence ~115kt STD indicated at least 1” hail

SRR to look for rotation 95kts gate to gate Hook echo formed, issued when at TX/LA border

Evacuated Ops Floor to basement Perfect Back up Ops



KBAD 100330Z 36028G47KT 1 1/2SM FC OVC025CB 21/17 A2960


WWAs Issued

# Site Start Time End Time WWA Type Category Issue Time Occurred Time

1 Barksdale AFB

4/10/2009 02:00

4/10/2009 06:00 Warning Large Hail 4/10/2009

01:124/10/2009 03:16

2 Barksdale AFB

4/10/2009 03:30

4/10/2009 04:30 Warning Tornado 4/10/2009

03:054/10/2009 03:30

3 Barksdale AFB

4/10/2009 03:20

4/10/2009 06:00 Warning Damaging

winds4/10/2009 03:13

4 Barksdale AFB

4/10/2009 02:00

4/10/2009 06:00 Warning High Winds 4/10/2009

01:124/10/2009 03:30

5 Barksdale AFB

4/10/2009 03:30

4/10/2009 05:30 Watch A tornado

watch4/10/2009 02:32

6 Barksdale AFB

4/10/2009 03:30

4/10/2009 06:00 Watch Lightning 4/10/2009

03:024/10/2009 03:15


SPC Storm Reports


Impacts on Base

EF2 tornado touched down on Barksdale Blvd “Bounced” over base Communications knocked out for 12hrs Power Outage for ~24hrs Damaged dorms, signs, fitness center, guard house,

multiple trees down


Damage


Resuming Operations

Resumed basic functionality ~0830L

Back-up generator allowed for power

Communications restored to Ops floor

System continued to pound SE CONUS Issued Severe immediately out of basement


Storm Reports 10 Apr 09


Summary

Overview Air Force Weather Structure Watches, Warnings, Advisories Back-up Procedures 09 April 2009: Barksdale Tornado Damage Resuming Operations


Questions??

air force weather: barksdale tornado a case study

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