NSSL WDSS-II Rotation Tracks KML Files
18 October 2007 Tornado Outbreak
Last udpated 11:59 am CDT, 19 October 2007

These KML files link to the NSSL rotation tracks product in 2-hour segments from the 18 October 2007 tornado outbreak and can be viewed in Google Earth. They can be used to determine locations to dispatch ground survey teams. An example of the utility of this product can be seen with the Lansing, Michigan tornado (see below).

  • Indiana, Michigan, Ohio, central and eastern Kentucky, and central Tennessee region (NE sector) - 4:34 pm to 1:44 am EDT
  • Illinois, western Kentucky, Missouri, western Tennessee region (NC sector) - 3:34 pm to 11:18 pm CDT
  • Eastern Alabama and Florida Panhandle region (SE sector) - 3:34 pm to 11:18 pm CDT
  • Western Alabama and Mississippi region (SC sector) - 3:34 pm to 11:18 pm CDT
  • All sectors - all times

    Also available: Maximum expected hail size plots

    These Warning Decision Support System - Integrated Information products show the tracks of low-level cyclonic radial shear signatures (in the lowest 3 km) as caculated by the linear least-squares WSR-88D velocity derivative algorithm. Note that a few artifacts from dealiasing errors may be observed.

    To view the products in Google Earth, check the box in the sidebar next to the 2-hour period of interest. Be aware the TIFF image overlays are large and may take a minute or two to load. Once loaded, you can click on the product name in the sidebar and use the fader slider bar to make the image partially transparent. Zoom in on the rotation track of interest and locate landmarks the low-level rotation signature passed over.

    These images have been created by scientists at the Experimental Warning Program, a part of the Hazardous Weather Testbed at the NOAA National Severe Storms Laboratory. Real-time experimental products and a 7-day archive are also available.