Extended Abstract (440K)P15R.15
Yes, We do have tornadoes in Sao Paulo, Brazil. From the mesoscale models to the radar reflectivity point of view
Wando C. M. Amorim, Univ. of Sao Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil; and C. A. R. Morales, R. I. Albrecht, and R. M. Rosa
Early in the nineties, two meaningful thunderstorms caused several damages in the Sao Paulo State, including deaths, however the available technology at that time was not able to distinguish them from a possible tornado to a microburst. Since those storms, people have always questioned about the tornado existence in our region. On May 24th afternoon, this question was undoubtedly answered. This particular atmospheric phenomenon in local scale however with extremely violent intensity, is definitely considered not rare in Sao Paulo State anymore. Although its frequency and strength is incomparable to the Tornado Alley in the United States, this one left its footprints at the ground and it was fully registered in Indaiatuba, 60 miles northwest of Sao Paulo. A minor tornado was already been registered in the southeast boundary of the Sao Paulo City on December 10th, 2000. It was classified from F0 to F1 and besides a few debris and minor damages there were no injuries at all. The Indaiatuba tornado, might have been an F2, or even an F3 according to the previous analysis. This work presents images from the Indaiatuba and Sao Paulo tornadoes as well as the early comparisons from both events under the mesoscale and synoptic conditions from the regional model analysis. We also include remote sensoring from the radar reflectivity, satellite, surface stations and radiossoundings in order to understand the local settings as well as the thunderstorms producing mesoscale environment. For instance, that old undergraduate question has been answered: Yes, We do have tornadoes in Sao Paulo, Brazil.
Poster Session 15R, Severe weather studies employing radar
Friday, 28 October 2005, 1:15 PM-3:00 PM, Alvarado F and Atria
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