Extreme Events
Tornado
- Coastal Erosion / Inundation
- Drought
- Fog
- Hail
- Heavy Rain & Flooding
- Hurricane & Tropical Storm
- Lightning
- Snow and Ice
- Space Weather
- Temperature Extremes
- Thunderstorm & High Winds
- Tornado
- Tsunami
- Volcanic Ash & Dust Storm
- Wild & Forest Fire
Topic Overview (Topical narrative on the value of NOAA data & products to society)
One of the most spectacular and destructive forces in nature is the tornado. Each year approximately 1,500 tornadoes touch down across the United States causing an estimated $1.1 billion in damages and over 80 deaths. NOAA's tornado climatology data reveals that the United States' central plain region - stretching from Texas to South Dakota - experiences the greatest number of tornadoes on Earth. This area is often referred to as "tornado alley."
To counter the danger presented by tornadoes, NOAA began deploying its (WSR-88D) NEXRAD Doppler radar network, in the early 1990s. This network is still instrumental in identifying tornadoes by scanning the atmosphere in three-dimensions and collecting wind velocity data within thunderstorms, to identify tornado formation in near-real time. Media outlets help to provide tornado watch and tornado warning information to the public through television and radio channels. This information is particularly valuable as tornadoes can develop into life-threatening events in only minutes, and can cause great harm in only seconds.
NOAA data and products such as NEXRAD create socioeconomic benefits for the Nation, in preserving lives and property that tornado events may impact. Specifically, research by (Sutter and Simmons, 2005) has shown that the percentage of tornadoes warned for nearly doubled, from 35% pre-NEXRAD to 60% post-NEXRAD, and the average warning lead time increased from 5.3 to 9.5 minutes. The study also examined a dataset of all nearly 15,000 tornadoes in the U.S. between 1986-1999, comparing the number of tornado fatalities and injuries per year from 1986-1996, against the years 1997-1999, in which NEXRAD technology was widely available. In addition to other variables that were taken into account (e.g. tornado intensity, length, season, etc.), it was determined that NEXRAD tornado detection capabilities prevented 79 fatalities and over 1,050 injuries per year. In summary, expected U.S. fatalities were 45% lower and expected injuries 40% lower with the NEXRAD Doppler radar network installed. These additional minutes of warning information provide critical time for the public to take proper precautions to protect lives and property from possible tornadic events.