The ENSCO plant damage looked like a gust that pushed into the building and blew the wall out from the inside out. This could also been aided by rapid pressure stresses inside and out. Fortunately, I was told there were no injuries. Witnesses indicated they had seen a tornado, which it could have been, but a “gustnado†was the most logical explanation.  Since when though, does Mother Nature follow logic?Â
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A gustnado is the term I use for strong downburst winds that when they hit the ground they fan out, and produce small vortices, that accelerate the wind by about 30%, and look like tornadoes from our perspective. Supporting this supposition was that there was no other significant damage surrounding the plant, and that the fallen tree was about one third to one half mile away…probably another gustnado on the other end of the downburst.
Unfortnuately, the showers were too short-lived with most areas getting 1/10th of an inhc or less. There were a few isolated areas that received about 1/2 inch. The rain settled the dust, and will evaporate back to the atmosphere by tomorrow afternoon.Â
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The weekend looks warm with lots of sun and pleasant humidity. Hopefully, we’ll see some shower activity before the end of next week.
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Have a good weekend.
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Rob