I've Been Thunderstruck

I’ve been doing some reading lately on mesocyclones and tornado development, and one of the hallmark signs of a potential tornado forming is a “hook echo” being seen on the weather radar. A hook echo is produced by rain, hail or even debris being wrapped around a supercell, giving the impression of a hook on the radar. Meteorologists consider the presence of a hook echo enough justification to issue a tornado warning for an area. The hook echo has been recognized as a sign of tornado development for most of the history of weather radar. The first hook echo was detected in 1953 by the Illinois State Water Survey during their test to use radar to measure precipitation rates. In the southern US states, hook echos are not always obvious due to the heavier rainfall from the supercell. Instead, the echo will take on a more kidney shape. Here is an example of a classic hook echo – if you see this while checking out the radar, either seek shelter, or head out with your camera!

I’ve been thinking about this blog recently, and decided to take it in a new direction. I’ve really wanted to do a blog about weather related subject, and while thinking about a blog name, I realized I already had the perfect one in “Thunderstruck!” So, starting in the very near future, you can expect this blog to be almost 100% weather related. I’ll focus both on weather basics, as well as severe weather subjects. I’m really hoping to go storm chasing in Tornado Alley this spring or summer, and expect to return back with tons of pictures like the one below (not taken by me).

I hope you like the new direction of this blog, and I look forward to and welcome your comments. Thanks for visiting “Ive Been Thunderstruck!”

An awesome looking supercell!