Thread: Arizona sets record with 8 tornadoes in 1 day

Arizona sets record with 8 tornadoes in 1 day

Salvador Rodriguez -
Oct. 14, 2010 11:56 AM
The Arizona Republic


Eight tornadoes struck the Flagstaff area on Oct. 6, the most confirmed twisters to hit Arizona in one day, according to a report from the National Weather Service.

The distance the tornadoes traveled and their wind power were also impressive, the report says.

One of the tornadoes covered more than 30 miles, and another received a preliminary rating of "EF-3" on the Enhanced Fujita scale, which is used to categorize tornadoes. The highest rating for a tornado is EF-5.

The tornadoes destroyed 27 homes, damaged 106 other homes, derailed train cars and flipped recreational vehicles.

"Given the magnitude and intensity of this outbreak, it is certain this event will go down in history as one of the most significant tornado outbreaks to strike the state of Arizona since record keeping began," the report says.

The severe Arizona weather was tied to a strong low-pressure system in Southern California, which caused a lot of moisture from Mexico to rise and move toward Arizona.

As the moisture moved into the state, it rose with the state's elevation and spun counterclockwise, resulting in strong thunderstorms. Those storms produced the tornadoes, spokesman David Vonderheide said.

http://www.azcentral.com/news/articles/ ... z12N2JEtU4

Phoenix storms could return next week

Salvador Rodriguez -
Oct. 14, 2010 07:56 AM
The Arizona Republic

Thunderstorms could return to the Phoenix area through Wednesday but will likely take a break for the weekend, according to the National Weather Service.

There is a 10 percent chance of thunderstorms in the Valley on Friday caused by a weak low-pressure system moving east across northwest Mexico.

That system will be followed two days later by stronger low-pressure system coming in from the Pacific Ocean that brings a 30 percent chance of storms on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday, meteorologist Craig Ellis said.

The highs, however, will remain in the 90s, which is above average for this time of the year. Thursday afternoon is forecast at 98 degrees, Friday and Saturday have a high of 93 degrees and Sunday will be a littler cooler at 90 degrees.

http://www.azcentral.com/community/phoe ... z12N33aO9Q