TORRO Ireland, Department of Geography, University College Cork - Ireland
The results of detailed records and site investigations of reported tornadoes, waterspouts and funnel clouds over the last three years (1999-2001) are presented. Comparisons are made with a more fragmented record from 1990. These results demonstrate that the occurrence of such events is highly variable, ranging between 15 and 30 per year. They mostly occur in the summer months, especially the month of August. Multiple events within a single synoptic situation are not uncommon. The synoptic environments associated with their occurrence are examined, together with their association with several extreme weather parameters such as convective available potential energy, helicity and shear characteristics.