COMET Case Study 028 documents a significant tornado outbreak in Texas and Louisiana on March 28, 2000. The dataset includes details on tornado tracks, Fujita scale ratings, damage estimates, and WSR-88D radar indications. It was compiled by SCIOPS and published by UCAR/JOSS/NOAA/CODIAC shortly after the event.
Use Cases
- Analyze Fujita scale ratings and track lengths (e.g., 6.5 miles for Arlington tornado) to correlate intensity with damage estimates.
- Study WSR-88D radar data from Lake Charles and Fort Polk stations to validate tornado detection and average lead times (24 minutes).
- Map the spatial coverage of tornado touchdowns in Fort Worth, Arlington, and Grand Prairie against reported property damage ($450 million).
- Compare the outbreak's 12 tornadoes in Louisiana against the region's annual average (13 from 1950-1995) for climatological anomaly detection.
Strengths
- Documents a specific, high-impact event with detailed Fujita scale ratings and damage estimates.
- Includes radar data from operational WSR-88D systems, providing a basis for forecast verification.
Limitations
- Dataset scope is limited to a single two-day outbreak event, lacking longitudinal or comparative data.
- Specific data volume, file formats, and column-level details are unknown, hindering immediate technical analysis.
Provenance
- Source
- UCAR/JOSS/NOAA/CODIAC
- Collection Method
- Case study compilation from meteorological observations, radar data, and damage reports.
- Time Range
- 2000-03-28 to 2000-03-29
- Freshness
- null
- Geography
- Fort Worth, Arlington, Grand Prairie, Texas, and southern Louisiana, USA.