[stormbell]

From the Anglia ITV twitter feed:

Had reports of a 'mini-twister' at Whiteash Green near Halstead in Essex. Did anyone see what happened? #ExtremeWeather


(excuse the mini-twister comment, that was them, not me ;-) ha. )

[stormbell]

Also - another message board mentions some possible damage in the Rugby area...but I wont start a thread on that one unless someone else knows something...

[stormbell]

goodness...need to get someone down there to that!

[Tony Gilbert]

Are there any UKWW members that could take a look at this possible tornado damage? Location; Whiteash Green near Halstead in Essex

Do we have a time for the event?

[stormbell]

Tony, it appears it was at 1645... here is another article about it. I have a guy I know that will go down and try to take a look tomorrow he says...

LINK

here was the radar at that time...

Attached thumbnail(s)

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This post has been edited by stormbell: 25 April 2012 - 20:14

[Tony Gilbert]

stormbell, on 25 April 2012 - 20:13, said:

Tony, it appears it was at 1645... here is another article about it. I have a guy I know that will go down and try to take a look tomorrow he says...

LINK

here was the radar at that time...

Thank you Stormbell. This shot looks to represent a pretty strong storm cell maybe!

This post has been edited by Tony Gilbert: 25 April 2012 - 20:56

[hillageman]

This cell came through here then intensified, I'm pretty sure its the same one that both myself and Paul commented on in the convective reports thread as showing signs of rotation and looking quite interesting on radar.

[smartie]

Experimental 'operational' version of GFS - WRF (10-3.3km) suggests rotating updraughts across Wales and England 09-18 UTC. The Essex cell maybe particularly well represented. This is init at 06Z. The 00Z run suggests rotating updraughts moving into southern England off the Channel, but not really too far inland. Nb the gust diagnostic also suggests marginally strong wind gusts as well.

Looks a suitable case for investigation at higher resolution.

BTW did the Essex cell split?

D

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[Bazmundo]

Animation created from weatheronline.co.uk 5 min radar archive, available for download on this page.

[PaulKn]

Radar suggests 4pm is perhaps a more likely time, as there was an intense cell passing over at that time.

[Bazmundo]

PaulKn, on 26 April 2012 - 12:19, said:

Radar suggests 4pm is perhaps a more likely time, as there was an intense cell passing over at that time.

Good point Paul, I was going off the reported 16.45. Amended animation linked, available here, Halstead approx location marked on initial image.

[EssexWeather]

Carried out a site investigation this morning. Spoke to several locals and can confirm the tornado touched down around 16:45 BST on Wednesday.

The tornado was on the ground for around 60-90 seconds and based on the survey of the 150 metre track, I would estimate speeds of around 130 miles per hour. So, an F2 'significant tornado'.

A funnel cloud was observed from a aerodrome near Earls Colne at roughly the same time and hail of 'pea size' was commented upon by locals in White Ash Green.

Have been in contact with Sam Hall, and will forward the full report to her once I have finished adding the photographs.

This post has been edited by EssexWeather: 26 April 2012 - 17:49

[pete scott]

I went out to site today to take a good look round. Talked to a few people & took many photos & at best i'd say it was T2/T3. Overall distance of the damage path is 1.4 km with a very narrow track. I'd also add that it would appear to have lifted & lowered several times throughout it's brief existence due to the random damage path it caused.
Images & damage track I found can be seen on my FB link https://www.facebook...=1&l=8ab0c817fd

Tornado Damage path. Overall distance 1.4KM
1. 1st indication with clear destruction of property
2. Substantial tree snapped in two
3.Minor tree damage
4.Minor tree damage
5. 60' Poplar tree flattened
6.Minor tree damage, Barn wrecked & brick wall toppled.
7. Lots of damage to farm buildings, farmer picked up & thrown through the air. Chickens killed after coup was flipped.
8. Debris scattered in the field.
9. Debris against fence line & end to trail of destruction.

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This post has been edited by pete scott: 26 April 2012 - 20:50

[hillageman]

Nice report Pete.. well done

[John Mason]

Good stuff, Pete. Looks pretty convincing. It'd be interesting to hear more about the 'flying farmer'!

Cheers - John

[Tony Gilbert]

pete scott, on 26 April 2012 - 20:39, said:

I went out to site today to take a good look round. Talked to a few people & took many photos & at best i'd say it was T2/T3. Overall distance of the damage path is 1.4 km with a very narrow track. I'd also add that it would appear to have lifted & lowered several times throughout it's brief existence due to the random damage path it caused.
Images & damage track I found can be seen on my FB link https://www.facebook...=1&l=8ab0c817fd

Tornado Damage path. Overall distance 1.4KM
1. 1st indication with clear destruction of property
2. Substantial tree snapped in two
3.Minor tree damage
4.Minor tree damage
5. 60' Poplar tree flattened
6.Minor tree damage, Barn wrecked & brick wall toppled.
7. Lots of damage to farm buildings, farmer picked up & thrown through the air. Chickens killed after coup was flipped.
8. Debris scattered in the field.
9. Debris against fence line & end to trail of destruction.

Nice one Pete. Thanks for bringing this information to the UKWW

[Fujita5]

I was at work in Colchester as the cell was passing to the west. My window faces west and I was watching the storm roll through, and it looked pretty innocuous. At approx 1650 a couple of people commented on the sky. A much brighter area was visible a few miles west behind the rain and spectacular looking rays were filtering through. A faster moving rain curtain was hammering along close to us (east side of the storm) which looked interesting but low clouds approaching from the south cut off the view shortly after.

I didn't put 2 and 2 together initially but guessing the clear slot might indicate an RFD?