Good Evening,  from chief meteorologist Tony Petrarca…

Severe thunderstorms rolled thru late this afternoon producing flash flooding and some wind damage to large trees. At one point a tornado watch had been issued for our area. Most wind damage from severe thunderstorms  tends to be from “straight line” winds from, what is called, a micro burst. Unlike the twisting winds of  a tornado, the micro-burst is a rush of air that comes from the top of a tall  thunderstorm. These winds slam down to the ground below, spreading out in all directions…(see below)

This wind can sometimes look like a tornado and even produce tornado like damage.  The tornado is completely different in terms of stucture and formation. With most tornadoes, there is no question…its clearly a tornado, with a clear distinct funnel shape…(see below)

However, sometimes the funnel can be shrouded in rain , so its not always clear to the eye if its a micro-burst or a tornado.  There was some significant tree damage in parts of North Kingstown today…At this point it looks like it was a micro-burst.  Tony Petrarca