Klerksdorp Tornado on March 4, 2007, in South Africa: a synoptic overview
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Date
2024-06-22
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Publisher
World Scientific Publishing Company.
Abstract
This research delves into the factors contributing to tornado formation in South Africa, with
a specific focus on the Klerksdorp tornado that occurred on March 4, 2007, in Northwest
Province. Despite their recurrent occurrence and significant potential for damage, tornadoes
have received relatively little attention. Between 1990 and 2014, these weather phenomena
incurred estimated costs exceeding half a billion American dollars in addition to other
weather-related disasters. In this study, data from multiple observation systems, including
the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), the National Centers for
Environmental Prediction (NCEP), the European Organization for the Exploitation of
Meteorological Satellites (EUMETSAT) in Germany, and the South African Weather
Service (SAWS), were thoroughly analyzed. The findings reveal that the Klerksdorp tor-
nado was linked to a cold front and a cut-off low, which were the dominant weather
systems on the day of the tornado. This case study enhances our comprehension of tornado
dynamics in South Africa, aiding in improving short-term forecasts and potentially early
warning systems. Future research should concentrate on the recurring nature of tornadoes
in association with tropical weather systems and locally-driven factors.
Description
Journal Article
Keywords
Klerksdorp tornado, synoptic overview, convective available potential energy, cold front, cut-off low