BlackCatIslander's account makes this weather event even more interesting. There are now two accounts from the west side of the island describing a horrible storm, and BCI's account from the east side. This weather is consistent with the way the strongest thunderstorms are known for behaving: Totally lashing one location, while leaving the adjacent neighborhood almost unaware.
Here, finally, is the minute-by-minute data from the station. Note the wind shift as the storm passed directly over. NW winds become South and then quickly NE... no wonder the NEXRAD radar detected rotation within the storm. What I wonder is, can the radar tell the difference between an actual rotation and a localized area where there's a lot of difference in wind direction for some other reason? It seems to me that the two would look similar in the graphic display.
Time rain (in.) ... Wind (degrees/mph)... Remark
1255 --- --- Temp 75
1310 --- CALM Temp 65 Lgt Rain
1315 .04 --- Tornado Warning issued
1321 .04 304 at 16 G21
1322 .04 297 at 16 G49
1323 .02 283 at 21
1324 .02 295 at 18
1325 .03 300 at 18
1326 .03 316 at 25
1327 .05 326 at 31 Lightning strikes island (time approx - source: C Tucker)
1328 .08 292 at 13
1329 .08 296 at 98 Baro 30.01
1330 .09 307 at 100 Baro 30.04
1331 .08 293 at 96
1332 .08 312 at 98
1333 .12 343 at 94
1334 .13 180 at 94 G113 Rain rate 24.00”/hr (0.40”/min)
1335 .05 065 at 112
1336 .01 025 at 96
1337 .01 024 at 82
1338 .02 029 at 3
1339 .02 056 at 96
1340 .01 043 at 66
1341 .00 045 at 4
1342 .01 027 at 4
1343 .00 008 at 102
1344 .00 009 at 1 Baro 30.04
1345 .00 006 at 1 Baro 30.02
1346 .00 180 at 0
1347 .00 009 at 0
Rainfall is a minute-long accumulation ending at time of observation.
Rainfall rate of 24" per hour was mathematically calculated and recorded by the weather station and does not represent an actual accumulation of rain. The rate was probably sustained for no more than 15 seconds or so.
Barometric pressure readings are provided where changes took place.
Wind direction is in degrees. For a full explanation click on the wind direction number on the WeatherCam site, or ask a pilot or sailor.
Peak wind gust as recorded by the weather station (Davis VantagePro 2, cabled version) was 113 mph from the south. The 112 was what the monitoring software saw. The two machines read decimal points differently.
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Additional Note:
After spending some time looking at the trees, we discovered that many look like overgrown
krummholz trees like you see at treeline in the Whites... especially above a certain height. Their branches grow a lot bigger on the southern and eastern sides. Many trees lean toward the southeast (annual dominant wind direction here is NW). It's visibly clear that they have grown in accordance with the wind speeds that blow at 40+ at least once a month at this location, especially winter when 50+ is common. Makes me wonder if it's possible for them to survive a 112-mph event however localized. My sister, whose academic studies have included a lot of trees, told me they perform much better with quick gusts (as in a severe thunderstorm) whipping back and forth, than they do with steady stress from sustained high winds (arctic blasts, hurricanes, blizzards, etc.) One more aspect to think about. And if it's true, one more thing to be amazed at.