WEATHER Severe Weather Safety and Preparedness Thread

[Red Baron]

Spring is just around the corner and now is a good time to review severe weather safety and preparedness concepts before things start to get busy. I envision this thread as an ongoing learning resource that will extend throughout the entire severe weather season this year and serve as a ready reference for all members to review and contribute to.

Why am I doing this?

I both love and am humbled by severe weather. The entire science of severe weather is still evolving. The origination and evolution of many common weather events is still not fully understood by the scientific community. Individual observations and experiences add to overall knowledge base and continue to expand our knowledge of all things related to severe weather.

I’ve been an active NWS trained Advanced Severe Weather “Skywarn” Spotter for about fifteen years now. My interest in severe weather got me into Ham Radio and participation as an Amateur Radio Emergency Service (ARES) responder. I have also had formal training with DuPage County IL. Emergency Management and am certified in Tornado Shelter Survey and registered as an Advanced Severe Weather Spotter for the Multi-County Warning System in Illinois. I have also served as an Amateur Radio Net Control Operator for the 20 county Milwaukee/Sullivan NWS Office in SE/SC WI.

How is this relevant to the general membership here?

Of all of the threats to individual personal safety, severe weather actually is the most likely to impact each and every one of us at least once during our lifetime, often multiple times in our life. Flooding, hail, high winds, lightning, and tornados will find us at work, at home or during our many travels at some point in time.

Pre-event planning and education will make a significant contribution to mitigating the impact of these events.

First off, let’s go over a few essential basics. These are areas that everyone needs to know and to remain aware of during each and every severe weather season. Severe weather can strike with little or no warning at any time of day or night. Being prepared and “weather wise” will allow one to take the correct actions before, during, and after a severe weather event.

Weather Definitions From NWS Milwaukee/Sullivan​

Watch: The WFO (Weather Forecast Office) issues a watch when conditions become favorable for the development of severe summer and winter weather. Stay alert to changing weather conditions, and listen for later forecasts and possible warnings. Examples of weather watches issued are: Tornado, Severe Thunderstorm, Flash Flood, Winter Storm and High Wind.

Warning: The WFO issues a warning when severe summer or winter weather is occurring, or is imminent. Take immediate action to protect yourself and loved ones! A warning means that loss of life or property is likely. Examples of the weather warnings issued are: Tornado, Severe Thunderstorm, Flash Flood, Winter Storm and High Wind.

To this day I still see people in the media mess up the terms Watch and Warning. Even the occasional TV meteorologist will slip up. It is vital to understand these two terms, so one can act in the proper fashion.

A Watch simply indicates that there is the potential for severe weather in and near the defined Watch “box” area. No more and no less should be derived when hearing a Watch being issued. A Watch is not a guarantee of severe weather at your location. A Watch does allow one to plan their activities with the realization that severe weather may occur later in the day. Watches are issued for a large multi-county region. Severe weather may still strike an isolated area that has not received a formal NWS Watch. Some weather events evolve too quickly or the area is too small to allow a formal NWS Watch to be issued.

A Warning indicates that severe weather is imminent or is occurring right now. NWS NEXRAD radar, public safety officials or trained spotters have observed conditions which meet severe weather criteria. People in the warned are need to take immediate action to protect life and property. Carefully note the starting time, location, speed and direction of travel of the warned severe weather event. Follow your previously established severe plan to seek shelter. Carefully listen to when the Warning is being terminated before leaving shelter.

Stay tuned for more and let’s has a safe severe weather season this year!

 

[sssarawolf]

Awesome picture for sure. I was close to many of those things growing up in Wis. We are in the middle of a blizzard right now out here. I think this is a good thread thanks.

 

[Brutus]

Yep, looks like spring is coming in like a lion this year.

It started raining off and on some time last night and it's still going. We're supposed to have 100% chance of severe thunderstorms tonight with up to 2-3" of rain. 40% chance of showers tomorrow.

Keep your weather radios tuned in.

 

[momof23goats]

well, the rest of the week is not looking to good for michigan either. rain, rain and snow storms. so yes this is spring. and a wet one at that.

 

[JustCause]

The WARNING thing always gets me. I live in a rain shadow of the Sierra's so we get many winter storm warnings here every year. At least 90% of them have almost no impact on the valley. Usefull to watch for, but "immenent" almost never happens.

 

[Red Baron]

The WARNING thing always gets me. I live in a rain shadow of the Sierra's so we get many winter storm warnings here every year. At least 90% of them have almost no impact on the valley. Usefull to watch for, but "immenent" almost never happens.

Unlike Tornado and Severe Thunderstorm Warnings which have a fixed minimum threshold criteria, Winter Storm Warnings can vary greatly across the country.

In the Midwest, a 6" forecast snowfall is considered the minimum to issue a NWS Winter Storm Warning. Out West I've seen much lower forecast snowfalls receive an official NWS warning. Also elevation does play a role in these warnings. I suspect your local media is not being careful to read -all- the elements of the warning, especially the elevations affected.

 

[Steel Cowboy]

Great thread Red Baron. As a Storm Spotter, Ham Radio Operator and ARES/RACES net control guy here in the Tulsa, OK area I know exactly where you're coming from, we have alot in common. You give some great information. I will add a couple of things though...

There is a particular Tornado Watch that is called a PDS Tornado Watch. PDS stands for "Particularly Dangerous Situation." These sort of watches do not get issued very often, but when they do get issued, folks should keep a VERY CLOSE eye on the weather.

Also there is a type of Tornado Warning called a TORNADO EMERGENCY. If you ever are under one of these, it might be too late to head for the basement or the "fraidy hole." But, if you've heeded the Tornado Watch you should know what's going on anyway.

I would encourage everyone to go through a Storm Spotter class even if they don't ever plan to spot. The information you get is so valuable to the safety of you and your families. Plus you might get to be around some Ham Radio operators and decide you'd like to become one!

 

[Red Baron]

How will you get a severe weather warning at 3:00 AM without a NOAA WX Radio?

NOAA Weather Radio All Hazards transmitters broadcast on one of seven VHF frequencies from 162.400 MHz to 162.550 MHz. The broadcasts cannot be heard on a simple AM/FM radio receiver. There are many receiver options, however, ranging from handheld portable units which just pick up Weather Radio broadcasts, to desktop and console models which receive Weather Radio as well as other broadcasts.

Where to Buy One

While National Weather Service (NWS) staff prepare and produce Weather Radio broadcasts, NWS neither manufactures nor sells receivers. You can buy receivers at many retail outlets, including electronics, department, sporting goods, and boat and marine accessory stores and their catalogs. They can also be purchased via the Internet from online retailers or directly from manufacturers.

Receiver Types and Models

NWS does not endorse a specific make or model of receiver. The lists below, which contain just some of the many NOAA Weather Radio/EAS receiver manufacturers and resellers, is provided as a convenience not an endorsement.

Residential receivers
Industrial/commercial grade receivers

Depending on the information you want to access, and how and where you plan to access our broadcasts, you have many options. There are standalone Weather Radio receivers as well as multi-band/function receivers with the weather band included. If you are want to be alerted to Warnings and Watches day or night, a standalone receiver might work best for you. If you just want to be able to tune to in the weather broadcast and do not care about receiving alerts, a general multi-band/function receiver could be better.

Standalone Receivers:

Standalone receivers might also come with AM/FM bands, but their primary use will be to receive Weather Radio broadcasts. You can choose between handheld and desktop models, depending on whether you plan to take your radio with you when you go out. There are many choices from a number of manufacturers with prices ranging from around $20 to over $100, depending on the number of features included.

Multi-Band/Function Receivers:

These receivers bundle a number of features. Weather Radio is just one of many frequency bands included. You can find the Weather Radio band included in:

AM/FM radios
Shortwave receivers
CB radios
VHF Marine radios
Scanners
GMRS/FRS 2-way radios
Car radios
TV/Radio combinations*


* Note that with the conversion of television signals to digital in 2009 the analog TV band of multi-function receivers will no longer work. Look here for more information.

Public Alert ™ Devices
We cannot recommend one brand of receiver over another, but we do suggest that people look at receivers which carry the Public Alert logo. The Public Alert Standard (CEA-2009-A) was developed by the Consumer Electronics Association in conjunction with the National Weather Service. Devices which carrying the Public Alert logo meet certain technical standards and come with many (if not all) of the features mentioned below.

Residential Grade Radios and Features

Prices can vary from $20 to $200, depending on the model. Many receivers have an alarm feature, but some may not. Among the more useful features in a receiver are:

Tone alarm: The National Weather Service will send a 1050 Hz tone alarm before most warning and many watch messages are broadcast. The tone will activate all the receivers which are equipped to receive it, even if the audio is turned off. This is especially useful for warnings which occur during the night when most people are asleep. (Public Alert ™ - required)

SAME technology: SAME, or Specific Alert Message Encoding allows you to specify the particular area for which you wish to receive alerts. Most warnings and watches broadcast over NOAA Weather Radio are county-based or independent city-based (parish-based in Louisiana), although in a few areas of the country the alerts are issued for portions of counties. Since most NWR transmitters are broadcasting for a number of counties, SAME receivers will respond only to alerts issued for the area (or areas) you have selected. This minimizes the number of “false alarms” for events which might be a few counties away from where you live. (Public Alert ™ - required)

Selectable alerting of events: While SAME allows you to specify a particular area of interest, some receivers allow you to turn off alarms for certain events which might not be important to you. For example, if you live in a coastal county, but not right at the beach, you might not care about Coastal Flood Warnings. This feature may also be called "Event Blocking" or "Defeat Siren". (Public Alert ™ - optional)

Battery backup: Since power outages often occur during storms, having a receiver with battery backup can be crucial. However, unless you have a portable unit which you will use away from other power sources, an AC power connection is recommended to preserve battery life. (Public Alert ™ - required for radios, optional for other devices)

External antenna jack: While most receivers come with a whip antenna which can usually be extended out from the unit, depending on your location you may need an external antenna to get a good reception. Some receivers come with an external antenna jack (normally in the back of the unit) which will allow you to connect to a larger antenna (which can be indoors or outdoors). You can often purchase these as accessories at the same place where you bought your receiver, or from most stores with an electronics department. NWR broadcasts are in the Public Service VHF frequencies, just above FM radio and between the current TV channels 6 and 7 - so an antenna designed for analog VHF televisions or FM radios should work. Or, you can make your own antenna. Go to this web site for more information. (Public Alert ™ - optional)

External device jack (special needs): Some radios have a jack to plug-in external notification devices, such as strobe lights or bed shakers, which can be useful for those with special needs. (Public Alert ™ - required for institutional receivers, optional for consumer receivers).

more,

http://www.nws.noaa.gov/nwr/nwrrcvr.htm

 

[Blizzard]

It happened to me a few years ago - it could happen to you!

MC-450: “Tioga, Medic Command 450.”

Tioga 911 Dispatch: “Medic Command 450.”

MC-450: “Do we have any weather watches or warnings for Potter County?”

Tioga 911 Dispatch: “Negative.”

MC-450: “I’m observing a low rotating cloud over Ayers Hill Road. Last time I some something like this was in Texas just before the tornados hit.”

Tioga 911 Dispatch: “Stand by.”

Waiting, waiting, waiting.

MC-450: “Tioga, I have cone formation.”

Tioga 911 Dispatch: “Stand by.”

Waiting, waiting, waiting.

MC-450: “Tioga, I have a tornado touchdown with debris cloud formation.”

Tioga 911 Dispatch: “Stand by.”

MC-450: “Tioga, I have a tornado on the ground over Ayers Hill road on the Summit/Homer Township line, heading East.” (towards a new sub-division)

Tioga 911 Dispatch: “Stand by.”

MC-450: “Tioga, Medic Command 450 !?!”

Tioga 911 Dispatch: BEEP BEEP BEEP BEEP BEEP BEEP “The National Weather Service in State College has issued a tornado warning for Potter County…….”

 

[Red Baron]

For more information contact: Tod Pritchard, WEM, (608) 242-3324
For Immediate Release, April 11, 2011



“Ready Radio Days”
TV stations across Wisconsin urge viewers to buy Emergency Weather Radios for tornado season



(MADISON) - Sunday night’s outbreak of tornadoes across Wisconsin reminds us of the power and danger of severe weather.

Television stations across the state are teaming up with ReadyWisconsin, the National Weather Service, Midland Radios, and major retailers with one message: buy an emergency weather radio, it can save your life.

The campaign, “Ready Radio Days,” gives Wisconsin residents the opportunity to buy an emergency radio at a discounted price and have that radio programmed at the same time. That programming allows the radio to filter out distant weather warnings and receive specific alerts for specific counties. Residents will also be invited to bring in emergency weather radios they already own and have them programmed.

“Emergency weather radios save lives,” says Tod Pritchard, Wisconsin Emergency Preparedness Coordinator. “The early warning of possible danger gives you and your family time to act and stay safe.”

"We've seen in recent years across the country, and now here in Wisconsin, that weather radios save lives,” says Jeff Last from the Green Bay office of the National Weather Service. “They should be as common in homes as smoke alarms are.”

Here is a list of television stations involved in the Ready Radio Days campaign:


WEAU-Eau Claire:
Wednesday, April 13
3:00 pm - 7:00 pm
Walgreens at 1819 South Hastings Way



WLUK-Green Bay
Thursday, April 14
9:00 am - 8:00 pm
Mills Fleet Farm at 2460 Main Street

WKBT-La Crosse, WSAW-Wausau, WISC-Madison and WISN-Milwaukee will also participate in the program but have not set a date for their events.

For more information on this program, please contact ReadyWisconsin by emailing Emergency Preparedness Coordinator Tod Pritchard at: tod.pritchard@wisconsin.gov.

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