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The storms of August 1st got pretty nasty. But, there was still some question on what particular type of 'event' it was. Whether the damage was caused by supercell T-storms, regular thunderstorms, or another item, one by the name of the Bow Echo.
The storm survey from the NWS in SLC found that the damage was consistent with a bow echo. This is some seriously interesting stuff. If you have time, read the report it has links to the radar imagery and talks about bow echoes and book end vortices. Two separate bow echoes were responsible for the damage on August 1.
Bow echoes look just like their namesake on the radar, a bowing segment. They are usually around 12 to 120 miles long and are bow shaped lines of strong storms that can cause damage. They can be by themselves or can be sub structures or within other larger areas of rain or squall lines. Bow echoes can have tornadoes on their edges and damaging winds of 100+ mph. The bowed rain band is near the leading edge of the damaging wind. Bow echoes can last up to 6 hours!
Answered by KSL Meteorologist Dina Freedman.
