KENTUCKY — A deeper reanalysis of radar data from the devastating December 11, 2021 tornado event is shedding new light on what actually occurred near Bremen, Earlington, and Cayce, correcting earlier extreme velocity readings and refining our understanding of the storm’s true intensity.
This updated breakdown focuses on velocity (VRot) measurements captured by multiple radar sites, offering a clearer and more accurate picture of the tornado’s strength during its most violent phase.
Initial 134 kt Reading Now Considered Erroneous
Early reports suggested a peak rotational velocity (VRot) of 134.1 knots near Bremen, Kentucky—an extremely high value that would indicate an exceptionally intense tornado.
However, further analysis determined that:
- This reading was likely incorrect
- The error likely stemmed from radar dealiasing issues, particularly within GR2Analyst data
Dealiasing errors can occur when radar struggles to correctly interpret very fast-moving winds, sometimes producing inflated or misleading velocity values.
Reanalysis Using Multiple Radar Sources Provides Clarity
A more detailed review using QuadWeather analysis and multiple radar sites—specifically KPAH (Paducah) and KHPX (Fort Campbell)—helped refine the actual peak velocity values…