Tornado Review 2013: Historic Perspectives, and Updates from SPC

An overview of significant tornado events during late 2012 and into 2013 will be conducted through the use of synoptic and mesoscale analysis. Forecasts leading up to these events will also be reviewed by assessing the most valuable aspects of storm scale and synoptic scale ensemble guidance available from the National Centers for Environmental Prediction (NCEP) and the Storm Prediction Center (SPC). These events will be placed into historical perspective using the six decades of tornado and severe storm data that is archived and maintained by the SPC.

We will use any remaining time to highlight upcoming proposed changes to SPC outlook and watch products. Outlook changes include the addition of two new descriptive categories. Watch changes are aimed at making the wording in the watch more accessible to the general public, and more closely aligned with forecaster confidence in severe weather occurrence. Broadcaster input into these changes will be solicited.