Projects
Forensic meteorology debunks strong wind accident claim
ABILENE, TX, USA
Thunderstorm Wind Study
Salas O’Brien reconstructed the weather conditions of a motor vehicle accident involving a semi-truck for a confidential client. The motorist claimed strong winds from a nearby thunderstorm caused the semi-truck to lose control. Our team provided forensic meteorology services to assess the weather conditions at the accident site. Our meteorological analysis included a review of Doppler weather radar, National Weather Service (NWS) warnings and statements, storm reports in the area, and official wind observations from a nearby Automated Surface Observing System (ASOS) to determine the magnitude of the winds encountered by the semi-truck around the time of the accident.
The forensic meteorology analysis showed a thunderstorm near the accident site. Weather radar analysis and official wind observations indicated that the maximum wind gusts were likely no greater than 30-35 mph at the time of the accident. Therefore, they were not the cause of the accident. The evaluation illustrated the importance of engaging a certified consulting meteorologist to confirm the validity of claims about the meteorological conditions at the location.
Forensic Meteorology
2024