DERECHO! 75 MPH GUST IN ROCHESTER
Written by: Scott Hetsko
A derecho is a widespread and long-lived, violent convectively induced windstorm that is associated with a fast-moving band of severe thunderstorms usually taking the form of a bow echo. Derechos occur mostly in summer, especially July (in the northern hemisphere), but can occur at any time of the year and occur as frequently at night as in the daylight hours. Violent winds ripped through the area early Wednesday morning with a peak wind gust of 75 mph at the Rochester airport! You can see the an example of the damage done in Gates as Andrew's car got eaten by a large pine tree. This is the strongest winds clocked around here since the Labor Day Storm of 1998. This is particularly remarkable given that we should be in the dead of winter! How was it where you were?
Scott, how do tell its a derecho and not a tornado? Looking at the damage on Stony Point Trail in Webster, the damage is very significant, and very localized. Wouldn't a wind storm have more widespread damage?
ReplyDeletethe radar trends did not snow a surface rotation on it
ReplyDeleteThat's right, Charles but also after the storms and winds leave we look closely at damage. Tornado damage typically fans out which is what one would expect with a rotating storm. This damage was consistent with straight line winds.
ReplyDeleteScott
My weather station recorded a 78 mph wind gust that morning just did not have time to check it till this morning :)
ReplyDeleteThanks for your answers on this. I had never heard of a derecho and did some reading. Found this website: http://www.spc.noaa.gov/misc/AbtDerechos/derechofacts.htm
ReplyDeleteVery interesting reading. I've experienced lots of wind storms living in Colorado, nothing like this. Like a wave slamming into the house. And then nothing. Thanks again Scott, I really enjoy your program and the weather education you give us.