Friday February 7 2020

A rare tornado warning was issued this morning from the National Weather Service. This was ahead of a cold front where temperatures approached 60ºF, followed by the 30s and snow showers. The result of that clash of air masses was violent weather.  The photo above is extensive damage from The Burral From in Monrovia, MD. More pics to follow.

At the time of this post, there has not yet been confirmation of a tornado. NWS needs to investigate the damage in person to determine if it was a twister or microburst, both which can result in extensive damage.

The storm line was moving at 55 mph and the winds were estimated over 70 mph. Official wind speed on the ground will be part of the NWS survey report.

I felt the results like many of you. I was taking my younger son to the bus stop as the first warnings popped. My other son had the power knocked out at his school and was sent home early.  It was unsettling, but I made sure they both knew about the storm and I felt confident that the adults were trained to take care of them. I hope this adds some comfort to you for your children’s safety.

Here is a brief account of the storm and photos to follow:

 

Doppler Radar Loop

During the Tornado Warning: 7:47 AM to 8:16 AM

I’ve highlighted two areas: Damage from Monrovia is near Green Valley. The other damage area was in Westminster

 

The Tornado Warning I posted online

This tracked the same storm between Green Valley/Monrovia to Westminster.

Storm Damage From The Burral Farm

Thanks to Amanda Warner for these photos.

Check out the car under the roof. The other part of that door… is poking through the other side.  This extensive damage does appear to be from a tornado.

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Doppler Radar Velocity Scan

This is the wind profile of the storm: The ‘hook’ shown round Green Valley is the indication of rotation in the clouds.

 

Westminster Storm

The velocity scan here lost some of the hook signature. There is a chance this was a downburst or straight line winds. Those are just as powerful and damaging. You may remember my wife’s former property on Bloom Rd in Finksburg that had that type of storm that led to any 100 Ft trees down and one fatality last July.

 

Damage Photos

I had some great first hand video.  But since it was sent via Facebook,  I was unable to download and share here with you.

These photos tell the story.

 

Between Rt. 26 and Rt 27

Trees snapped

 

Also Along Rt 27

 

Downtown Westminster and along  Main St

 

 

 

 

 

 

Regional Radar:

The storm remained strong has it crossed metro Baltimore to Bel Air.

 

Following the storm, there was another rare event seen around the Bay:

 

February Rainbows

 

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