I noticed 3 terms when forecasting a tornado warning
Hook Echo
Tornado Vortex Signature
Bow Echo
Since all three have the potential to actually become a real tornado,
does the SPC/NWS issue a warning on ALL 3 or just one of those
criteria?

Why not issue a warning if ANY of the three are seen?

Also, if one of the three are seen, why not issue a warning for the
county the feature is seen which is about to enter a county?

Like if it is in Adams County right now but headed toward James
county. Go ahead and issue one for James county also, just to be on
the safe side? Some tornadoes last longer or even reform so why not be
on the safe side?

I realize this may cause some false alarms, but if people want to be
silly that is not my problem because I would to each warning
seriously.

Please, educate me on some of this if you can.

Or direct me to an appropriate newsgroup or forum on the net.
thanks,
bob

BOB wrote:
I noticed 3 terms when forecasting a tornado warning
Hook Echo
Tornado Vortex Signature
Bow Echo
Since all three have the potential to actually become a real tornado,
does the SPC/NWS issue a warning on ALL 3 or just one of those
criteria?

Someone correct me if I'm wrong...

Hook echoes are, I believe, warned for, using the
'Radar indicated a tornado...' line in the warning.
TVSs are aloft and may not have a surface reflection
and aren't warned, but watched fairly closely for
future evolution. Bow echoes, if long-lived, can
cause derechoes that will be warned for if the
wind speeds reach severe criteria.


Why not issue a warning if ANY of the three are seen?


Because too many false alarms means the public will
start to ignore warnings.


Also, if one of the three are seen, why not issue a warning for the
county the feature is seen which is about to enter a county?

Like if it is in Adams County right now but headed toward James
county. Go ahead and issue one for James county also, just to be on
the safe side? Some tornadoes last longer or even reform so why not be
on the safe side?

I believe this is done. There's probably a time constant
involved, as in the warning for Adams county will go, and
the warning for James county also if the cell will be
entering James county within x minutes. But I don't know
what x is. Here in WI, we'll typically see warnings for
one county that expire as the county for the downstream
county kicks in. But they don't issue them all at once
because the cell(s) aren't in all counties all at once.



I realize this may cause some false alarms, but if people want to be
silly that is not my problem because I would to each warning
seriously.


If you are trying to save lives, it should be your problem.
To warn effectively, you have to consider the psychology
of being over-warned.

Scott