The First Operational Tornado Forecast Twenty Million to One

Abstract

Abstract Editor’s note: The following, edited by Charlie Crisp, is taken from an unpublished manuscript (The Unfriendly Sky) by the late Colonel Robert C. Miller. A Plea for Understanding The close knit world of the tornado and severe thunderstorm forecaster often seems somewhat demented to those not knowledgeable in this discipline. This apparent derangement is based on our seemingly ghoulish expressions of joy and satisfaction displayed whenever we verify a tornado forecast. This aberration is not vicious; tornadoes in open fields make us happier than damaging storms and count just as much for or against us. We beg your indulgence, but point out the sad truism that we rise and fall by the blessed verification numbers. There is a fantastic feeling of accomplishment when a tornado forecast is successful. We are really nice people but odd. Robert C. Miller, Colonel, USAF