BOISE, Idaho (CBS2) — At 3:20, Monday afternoon. Two severe thunderstorm warnings were sent out, alerting Elmore and Owyhee counties.
A short time later, radar imagery indicated something bigger was brewing.
"When we saw this circulation, the tornado happened around here. We watched that circulation tighten so the tornado occurred maybe 10 minutes before we got the warning out and sometimes that happens so that's pretty rare to see. So when we saw that circulation continuing that's when we knew we should issue the tornado warning and then we got confirmation a few minutes later that there was a tornado," said Mike Cantin, Meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Boise.
The National Weather Service says the tornado touched down just 14 miles outside of Mountain Home. Cantin explains they tracked that tornado for about 10 minutes before it spun down.
But down low, a funnel cloud was captured by spotters in several areas surrounding the twister.
The radar, playing an essential role in this storm and others across southwest Idaho and southeast Oregon, will be down the next several weeks. Undergoing renovation, to improve data another 30 years.
"This radar helps us track how much precipitation is falling, it helps us track where strong storms may be, where there may be flooding, high winds. Things like tornadoes and hail," Cantin said.
An essential tool in keeping us safe. "If the radar had been down yesterday when we had the tornado, I don't think we would’ve been as quick. Absolutely not," Cantin said.
Using tools like satellites and lightening trackers, Cantin says they can still track strong storms.
And something on the bigger scale like a tornado, they will get notice from their national center in Oklahoma. Which tracks storms across the country.
But Cantin says even with a great radar, they rely on eyes on the ground.
"People looking in the sky, calling in and giving us a heads up. Sometimes it's some of the best information we can get," Cantin said.
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