Tornado over the Bibliotheca Alexandrina

Photo by Aymen Ibrahem

 

On Monday, 4 December 2006 showers occurred in Alexandria in the evening. Mr. Aymen Ibrahem, PSC, Senior Astronomy Specialist, observed the rains, hoping to photograph a rainbow. No rainbows appeared, but actually Ibrahem encountered his first tornado!

 

Tornadoes are among the most dangerous natural disasters. They are rare in Egypt. The country witnessed its last tornado, which occurred in Upper Egypt, 25 years ago. On the other hand, tornadoes occur frequently in a region in the mid-section of the United States, known as the Tornado Alley. This is due to that region's climate that features frequent powerful thunderstorms annually.

 

Ibrahem recorded all the stages of the tornado, from its birth through development to dissipation. Some of the photos show the twister approaching the Library, others are close-ups acquired just below the tornado.

 

Tornado Formation

Photo by Aymen Ibrahem

 

Tornado Close-up

Photo by Aymen Ibrahem

 

  

Tornado Dissipation

Photo by Aymen Ibrahem

 

"Fortunately, the tornado was not powerful. It lasted less than 10 minutes, but it was a spectacular phenomenon," said Ibrahem. "I have always dreamed to travel to Tornado Alley, to observe the meteorological spectacles."

 

One of Ibrahem's photos was published by NASA's science@NASA.

 

 

Aymen Mohamed Ibrahem

Senior Astronomy Specialist