NEXRAD Tornadoes: A Case Study

This article examines warning times and its affect on death rates of tornadoes. Simmons and Sutter provide background research on the NEXRAD radar that has improved warnings by upgrading measurements on winds, rainfall and detecting tornadoes. Simmons and Sutter conclude that tornadoes from the past 75 years have been less deadly. Previous research also shows that lead times increased from 5.3 to 9.5 minutes after the invention of the WSR – 88D radar. Background research has indicates shown that between 1996 and 2000, 18,000 tornadoes have been reported.
The methods used for this experiment was Simmons and Sutter looked at warning times and death rates for more than 18,000 tornadoes over a period of 17 years. Simmons and Sutter then looked at other tornadoes from different sources and combined them with others from different sources. Lastly Simmons and Sutter analyzed warning and lead times from each tornado as well as casualties from them. This article can help develop a method for a project examining tornadoes and death rates because someone can look at how Simmons and Sutter got the data for the tornado's and use that to find data …show more content…
The results showed that the longer lead time the more deadly the outcome is. Home structure effects death and injury rates. Mobile homes have more deaths than permanent houses. Expected fatalities are 15% lower for tornadoes that occurred during tornado season than occurred during the off season. Time of day also affects fatalities with more tornado related fatalities happening at night than during the day. Expected fatalities are 15% lower for tornadoes during the season then then then then during the off-season. Time of week also has and has an effect on tornado death rates with expected fatalities are about 70% higher on a weekend and weekday. Expected injuries are 22% lower for tornadoes that happen during tornado season than during the off