May 19th 2024.
It has been exactly one week since a terrifying tornado wreaked havoc in Bunbury, a city in Western Australia. The tornado was so powerful that it ripped roofs off houses and even flipped cars, leaving thousands without electricity and many without a place to call home. It all happened last Friday afternoon, and it's been the talk of the town ever since. Many are wondering if this was just a random occurrence or if tornadoes are actually common in Australia.
While Australia is not as infamous for tornado activity as other places like the United States, meteorologists have revealed that they are actually quite regular events. Duncan Tippins, the director of meteorology at Weatherzone, explains that during this time of year, tornadoes are more likely to occur in the southern states, just like the one that hit Bunbury. However, in the summertime, they are more common in the eastern states. It's all about the weather patterns and positioning.
Experts believe that Australia experiences anywhere from 30 to 80 tornadoes each year, most of which occur in flat, unpopulated areas. They usually happen during severe thunderstorms, particularly in supercells. Tippins explains that while most of these tornadoes go unnoticed, they can have a significant impact when they hit populated areas, like what happened in Bunbury. However, he also reassures that these strong tornadoes are rare and only a handful would reach the strength of the one that struck the city.
Just like other natural disasters, tornadoes are classified based on their severity. Meteorologists use the Enhanced Fujita scale, which ranges from 0 to 5, to determine the strength of a tornado based on the damage it caused. Tippins explains that this scale is a useful tool for assessing the aftermath of a tornado and understanding its strength.
Believe it or not, Australia has a history of encountering large tornadoes. According to the Bureau's national tornado database, the earliest recorded tornado in Australia dates back to 1795 in Sydney. Since then, there have been some significant tornadoes, like the one that tore through Bulahdelah in 1970, causing incredible damage. In 1992, a category F4 tornado left the rural town of Bucca in ruins. And in 2015, Kurnell, a coastal town in Sydney, experienced a tornado with winds up to 213km/h and golf ball-sized hailstones.
Many people wonder if there are any early warnings for tornadoes in Australia. The Bureau states that it can be challenging to detect and provide early warnings for these small-scale, short-lived systems. They issue severe thunderstorm warnings for damaging and destructive winds, but they only mention tornadoes if there are visible signs on radar or if they receive direct and verified observations. However, due to their localized nature, tornadoes need to occur close enough to a radar to be detected.
As for the question of whether tornadoes are becoming more or less common in Australia, the Bureau says it's not possible to come to a consensus. Each year, the number of tornadoes varies, and it's challenging to determine any long-term trends. However, they continue to monitor and provide updates and warnings to keep the public safe.
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