Elevated convergence lines

If radar can easily see deep convection developed on convergence lines, the satellite visible channel is really able to capture the convergence lines from the first moments of initiation. Note the line developed over the eastern part of Romania, well seen on satellite visible and the fine lines on South-east, not captured yet by radar (radar image from NMA)

Facaeni F3+ Tornado

On the 12-th of August 2002, the SE part of Romania experienced the strongest tornado ever recorded. The radar image recorded the first tornadic "hook echo" ever seen in Romania. The event shocked both the meteorologists and the population, in a country that missed at that time the culture of "risc": 3 deaths and a lot of damage, both on property as in the "image" of authorities.

After 6 years, tornadoes do not surprise anymore, every year more than 10 weak tornadic events are reported in average, but the population is not yet prepared for a possible strong event.

Radar errors

The radar is a very expensive instrument for detection ... and still has some erros that are very hard to correct. With some of the errors we get get "used" and recognize them easily. But other errors are less evident or less known by the forecasters, and the consequences can be important. Among these, a critical one is the "blocking" of the beam by orography or, worse, by close buildings, cranes, towers. The closer these obstacles are, more energy is stopped, and the respose from possible remote strong clouds is weaker. Lately, around the radar intalled in Bucharest, "grew" many cranes, to build the new luxury houses in Baneasa "Beverly Hills". Is normal, in this situation, to have a decrease in the radar's capability of detection.... but luxury houses are more important for some authorities.

Train the Trainer Course in Constanta

From 1 to 5 of September, The Romanian School of meteorology will host a very useful course on Train the Thunderstorm Trainer.

Here is the link:
http://193.26.129.60/trainer