DP Weber

UPDATE on Appleton/Menasha, Wisconsin tornado. (We believe a likely mid-high EF3 with 140-160 mph winds.) This is a graphic depicting the intensity of radar-derived rotation associated with the tornado as it tracked south through Appleton. Notice it slowed down and intensified as it passed through Menasha approached Lake Winnebago. WHAT WE KNOW: – Tornado formed between 11:55 and 11:58 a.m. – Tornado caused EF1 to EF2 damage on southern side of Appleton – Tornado quickly intensified between 12:00 and 12:05 p.m., likely reaching EF3 strength (rating will depend on damage that NWS finds) – Circulation reached peak strength over the lake, likely due to increased inflow (air rushing into tornado wasn't slowed down by trees/land, but instead moved more quickly over the lake due to reduced friction) – The lake MAY have helped eastern Neenah avoid a catastrophe; the tornado subtly jogged east and appears to have stayed just offshore. The tornado's weird little eastward hop MAY have been caused by it preferentially swinging toward the direction of greater inflow – Tornado remained significant past 12:15 p.m., then weakened very quickly around 12:20 PM The entire tornado was on the ground for 20-25 minutes, moved due south and was a very significant/intense tornado. Debris was lofted to 16,000+ feet, a sign of an ~EF3 tornado. Its average forward speed was about 30-35 mph.