26th Operational Weather Squadron Fly – Fight – Win 2d Lt Nathan Smith Weather Operations Officer 26 th Operational Weather Squadron Air Force Weather: Barksdale Tornado A Case Study Approved for Public Release - Distribution Unlimited

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

Fly – Fight – Win USAF Structure Three Levels Strategic: Air Force Weather Agency (AFWA) Operational: Operational Weather Squadrons (OWS) Tactical: Weather Flights

Fly – Fight – Win 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

Fly – Fight – Win NWS vs USAF NWS (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

Fly – Fight – Win WWAs Criteria List WWA TypeCategoryCriteriaDLT KBAD Barksdale AFB AdvisorySurface Winds Observed surface winds are greater than or equal to 30 kts. at Barksdale AFB.0 WarningDamaging winds Damaging winds >= 50 kts are forecasted to occur at Barksdale AFB.2:00 WarningLarge Hail Large Hail >= 3/4 in is forecast to occur at Barksdale AFB.2:00 WarningTornado Tornado is forecasted to occur at Barksdale AFB.30 WatchA tornado watch A tornado watch is in effect at Barksdale AFB.4:00 WatchA watch for hail A watch for hail >= 3/4 in is in effect at Barksdale AFB.4:00

Fly – Fight – Win Backup Support Emergency preparedness COOP practiced monthly Local Forecasts & WWAs Handed off to Weather Flights Flight Weather Briefs 25 th OWS Davis-Monthan AFB, AZ Total Force Locations WWAs 15 th OWS Scott AFB, IL

Fly – Fight – Win 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

Fly – Fight – Win Barksdale Tornado Event

Fly – Fight – Win Barksdale Tornado Event KBAD Z 36028G47KT 1 1/2SM FC OVC025CB 21/17 A2960

Fly – Fight – Win WWAs Issued #SiteStart TimeEnd TimeWWA TypeCategoryIssue Time Occurred Time 1 Barksdale AFB 4/10/ :00 4/10/ :00 WarningLarge Hail 4/10/ :12 4/10/ :16 2 Barksdale AFB 4/10/ :30 4/10/ :30 WarningTornado 4/10/ :05 4/10/ :30 3 Barksdale AFB 4/10/ :20 4/10/ :00 Warning Damaging winds 4/10/ :13 4 Barksdale AFB 4/10/ :00 4/10/ :00 WarningHigh Winds 4/10/ :12 4/10/ :30 5 Barksdale AFB 4/10/ :30 4/10/ :30 Watch A tornado watch 4/10/ :32 6 Barksdale AFB 4/10/ :30 4/10/ :00 WatchLightning 4/10/ :02 4/10/ :15

Fly – Fight – Win SPC Storm Reports

Fly – Fight – Win 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

Fly – Fight – Win Damage

Fly – Fight – Win Damage

Fly – Fight – Win Damage

Fly – Fight – Win Damage

Fly – Fight – Win Damage

Fly – Fight – Win Damage

Fly – Fight – Win Damage

Fly – Fight – Win 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

Fly – Fight – Win Storm Reports 10 Apr 09

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

Fly – Fight – Win Questions??