DISCUSSION: When it comes to Spring and Summer-time weather, there is little to no debate that one of the premiere issues which comes into play during all days which are conducive for strong to severe thunderstorm activity is the inherent threat for lightning activity. Most people around the world understand the fact that lightning is a uniquely dangerous component of severe weather threats because from a fundamental standpoint, lightning is an electrical current which upon hitting a water-based or a metallic surface will conduct and transfer the corresponding high-end electrical energy through a given surface. Thus, one of the many reasons for why a lightning strike is so dangerous is the fact that it can quite literally create a life-threatening situation in a split second.
 
To be exact, although lightning is most often found to strike within a reasonable proximity to ongoing convective storms, there have been many recorded instances in which lightning has struck the surface of the Earth at distances up to 10 or even 15 miles from the outer edge of a given thunderstorm. Hence, this just goes to prove the reality of the fact that even though you may at some point find yourself positioned at a fair distance from a given thunderstorm event, this does not by any means allow for one to be relaxed to any extent.
 
Regardless of whether you are very close to or very far away from a given thunderstorm event, one such example of why it is so important to respect the natural power of lightning during any given thunderstorm event is what recently happened over at the U.S. Women’s Open event back in the first week of June 2019. You can see in the video above how even as a thunderstorm threat was clarified to the people on the given golf course, there were still a substantial number of people moving about just as a classic cloud-to-ground lightning strike occurred. Thus, this just reveals the fact that even with adequate warning it is always critical to respect the natural power of thunderstorm since they can often behave and unfold quite unexpectedly. Henceforth, reinforcing the importance of always being vigilant and remaining updated on near to short-term weather forecasts so you can be a step ahead as much as possible.
 
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© 2019 Meteorologist Jordan Rabinowitz

          The longer you spend outside in hot and humid conditions, the more vulnerable you become to heat-related illness. This is because your body does not have a chance to cool itself, as the previously mentioned cooling mechanism of sweat evaporation cannot work. When outdoors during the summer, remember to drink water and spend time periodically in the shade or in an air-conditioned building. Symptoms of heat-related illness include nausea, flushed skin, rapid breathing and heart rate, and a headache. If you or another person are experiencing any of these symptoms, seek shade, water, and medical attention right away.
            It is also important to remember that young children, the elderly, and pets are particularly vulnerable to heat-related illness. Young children’s bodies do not regulate temperature as well as adults’, and they may not remember to drink enough water while playing outside. Older adults’ ability to notice change in body temperature decreases with age, and they may have other health conditions that make them more susceptible to heat-related illness. Pets, on the other hand, do not sweat like we do – therefore, they cannot get rid of excess body heat.
            Remember to be on the lookout for symptoms of heat-related illness in yourself and others as you enjoy time outdoors during warm summer months!

For more about weather safety, visit https://www.globalweatherclimatecenter.com/weather-safety-educational-topics

©2019 Meteorologist Margaret Orr

Image from the National Weather Service
Other Sources: 
 
https://www.aplaceformom.com/planning-and-advice/articles/elderly-heat-stroke
 
https://www.webmd.com/children/dehydration-heat-illness#1
 
https://www.hillspet.com/dog-care/healthcare/heat-exhaustion-in-dogs
 
https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/heat-stroke/symptoms-causes/syc-20353581
 
 

            You’ve probably seen watches and warnings for severe weather on TV or posted on social media by the National Weather Service. Watches and warnings are intended to help people know and prepare for the different types of severe weather that might impact them. But what is the difference between a watch and a warning? There are slight differences between a watch and a warning for different types of weather hazards. It is important to know the difference between them in order to be ready for weather threats.
            Let’s start with severe thunderstorms and tornadoes. A watch is issued when the conditions are right for one of these to occur. This means that there is sufficient atmospheric instability, lift, moisture and wind shear (changes in wind direction with height, or rotation) present for severe thunderstorms and/or tornadoes to develop. A severe thunderstorm warning is issued when a severe thunderstorm, capable of producing one-inch hail or wind speeds of 58mph or greater has developed and been spotted on radar. A tornado warning is issued in two cases: either when a tornado has been spotted, or radar has indicated rotation that is the signature of an imminent or developing tornado.
            Flash flood watches and warnings are similar. A watch is issued when current atmospheric conditions make flooding likely to occur. A warning is issued when flash flooding is  occurring.
            Hurricane watches and warnings work a little bit differently, because of the level of preparation that it takes to be ready for a hurricane’s impact. A hurricane watch indicates that sustained winds of 74+ miles per hour are possible in the area under the watch. It is issued 48 hours before the onset of tropical storm force winds (39+ mph). This allows people the time necessary to prepare for the oncoming storm, whether this is buying canned foods and one gallon of water per person per day, or evacuation. A hurricane warning is issued 36 hours before the onset of tropical storm force winds. At this point, all preparation should be completed, and evacuation should occur if directed by local officials.
            Winter storms are multifaceted, with a number of different hazards. Watches are issued for winter storms and blizzards, where a blizzard involves low visibility (0.25 miles) and winds of 35+ mph. Like with severe thunderstorms, a watch means that atmospheric conditions are favorable for a winter storm or blizzard to occur in the area. Winter storms have an intermediate step between a watch and a warning, called an advisory. A winter weather advisory is issued when 3-5” of snow in 12 hours, less than 1” of sleet, freezing rain with sleet/snow, and/or blowing snow is expected in an area. A freezing rain advisory is issued when ice accumulation of less than 0.25” is expected. Finally, there are three types of warnings associated with winter weather. A winter storm warning is issued when 6” of snow in 12 hours, or 8” in 24, is expected. An ice storm warning comes when ice accumulation greater than 0.25” is forecasted, and a blizzard warning is issued when blizzard conditions are forecasted to last at least 3 hours in the area.
            While these different types of watches and warnings can be confusing, an easy rule to remember is that a watch means conditions are favorable for a weather event to occur, while a warning means that the event is either currently happening or on its way. Remember to use this information to guide you in preparing for any of these weather hazards!

©2019 Meteorologist Margaret Orr

For more weather safety content, visit: https://www.globalweatherclimatecenter.com/weather-safety-educational-topics


 Sources: 
https://www.weatherworksinc.com/watch-vs-warning
 
https://www.weather.gov/ilx/wwa_social
 
https://oceanservice.noaa.gov/facts/watch-warning.html

Image: Stock Photo

DISCUSSION: Many places throughout the mainland United States, experiencing a late bout of winters fury with snow in the forecast and verification of such in late April. Well over a month into Spring, now is the time to prepare for the summer and what it has to offer. While we are expecting temperatures to increase, and trees to bud, now is an optimal time to begin the preparation process in advance of the Atlantic hurricane season which occurs June 1st to November 30th, and May 15th to November 30th in the Eastern Pacific. With the thought of preempting the season, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) in conjunction with the United States Air Force Reserve (USAFR), have developed a tour to increase awareness of early preparation for hurricane season.
 
Beginning May 6th-10th NOAA and the USAFR will visit 5 eastern U.S. cities to boost awareness. These cities include: Quonset Rhode Island, Middletown Pennsylvania, Roanoke Virginia, Charlotte North Carolina, and Brunswick Georgia. The tour will allow the public and media to tour aircraft used in critical data collection for scientists, often these aircraft are dubbed, “hurricane hunters.” The NOAA provides a WP-3D Orion while the USAFR will have a WC-130J aircraft on site. While the tour will be available to all, the concepts that NOAA are posing are that now is a crucial time to plan for the upcoming season.
 
Hurricane season comes as no surprise to those living in the most prone areas of the United States, however with the recent retiring of past hurricane names, and the increase of Hurricane Michael to attain category 5 status on the Saffir-Simpson scale, NOAA is pushing for the public to understand the gravity of early preparation for the 2019 hurricane season. In addition to the drive toward the public to plan ahead, NOAA stresses the importance of these aircraft to the fleet to send real-time data for analysis to forecasters to provide the public with data to make clear decisions given information on storm intensity, track, and associated hazards, which are not limited to watches and warnings.
 
For more information on hurricanes visit the Global Weather and Climate Center!
 
© 2019 Meteorologist Jessica Olsen
 
 
Referenced:
NOAA & Air Force Reserve 'Hurricane Hunters' to visit East Coast on preparedness tour. (n.d.). Retrieved April 29, 2019, from https://www.noaa.gov/media-release/noaa-air-force-reserve-hurricane-hunters-to-visit-east-coast-on-preparedness-tour

   Spring is tornado season, and with the recent series of tornadoes in the eastern U.S., it seems to be an opportune time to discuss tornado safety. Tornadoes are extremely dangerous and still relatively unpredictable, making them a devastating threat to people in the US during spring, particularly to those in the middle of the US. The following points are important pieces of advice that one should follow in the event of a tornado:

• Know when tornado watches or warnings are issued by the National Weather Service.

   One of the best ways to keep safe from a tornado is to know when they are coming. The National Weather Service constantly keeps watch for signs of tornado development and will issue watches or warnings, as necessary. Of course, one should know the difference between the two, to know how to react. A tornado watch signals that conditions are favorable for the development of a tornado, while a tornado warning signals that there is an active tornado that has been spotted via radar or storm spotters. In the event of a warning, one should seek shelter immediately. Do not take watches and warnings lightly.

• Prepare.

   In the event of a tornado watch or warning, one should prepare by taking supplies and protective clothing, if there is time. Supplies, such as a first aid kit, a cell phone for emergency contact, a flashlight, and protective clothes like shoes or helmets can help keep bodies safe in case a tornado does strike. Since broken glass and downed power lines are extremely likely if an area is struck by a tornado, shoes are especially important to have.

• Know the safest locations to be during a tornado.

   Knowing the safest locations to be during a tornado is essential for tornado safety. If there is access to an enclosed sturdy building, go there as soon as possible, if there is time. The best place to be is on the lowest level of a building, in the innermost room, or a storm cellar. If a basement is not an option, go to the first level of the building. When the innermost location is reached, stay away from the corners of rooms, and get under a desk or similar object. If a desk is not available, at least cover your head and neck with your hands.

• Know where NOT to be during a tornado.

   There are certain locations that one should never be during a tornado, even if they may seem to be a good spot at first glance. One idea that seems to have been popularized by movies and television is to be under a bridge or highway overpass during a tornado. While it may seem useful to be under them if one is stuck in their car, they act as wind tunnels that increase wind speed. To add onto that, being in a car is a poor location to be during a tornado. Many tornadoes can simply lift vehicles and throw them or break windows and seriously injure people. If stuck in a car, always try to seek shelter in a permanent building if there is time. If there is no time to find shelter in a permanent building, do not attempt to outdrive the tornado. Either buckle down in the vehicle and crouch while covering your head or lie down flat in a ditch as a last resort (both of which are undesirable). If caught out in the open without a vehicle or permanent building to run to, find the lowest lying area and stay away from objects that can create debris, like trees. Finally, it’s also important to note that there are some buildings that are not safe to be in. Mobile homes and large, continuous rooms with broad roofs are dangerous to be in, as mobile homes can be destroyed easily, and broad roofs can collapse in with ease. If there is time, find a sturdier building to be in.

• Make it easy to be rescued.

   If someone is trapped under debris, it can be difficult to find them. To make it easy for rescuers to find someone, the trapped person should make as much noise as possible to indicate their location.

   These tips are important to remember in case of a tornado emergency. In general, the best place to be is in the lowest level of a sturdy building. As a disclaimer, some of these tips are only to be followed in case of the worst possible scenario, such as being trapped in the middle of nowhere in a car. Tornadoes are very dangerous weather phenomena and knowing what to do in case of an emergency will save lives. 

To learn more about other global climate topics, be sure to click here!


© 2019 Weather Forecaster Cole Bristow

Image credit: weather.gov

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Whether it’s rain, snow, freezing rain, sleet, or even freezing drizzle, knowing what precipitation is occurring is extremely important to understand. This is especially vital during the winter where temperatures can often hover right around the freezing mark, and precipitation can change from snow to rain very easily. During the winter months in the Northeastern region of the United States, temperatures tend to fluctuate quite often between freezing and above freezing. This location specifically is a hot spot for mid-latitude cyclones to come across the country where the combination of both warm and cold frontal boundaries can pass over an area within a matter of hours. This creates many opportunities for a wide range of precipitation to fall and it’s important to a forecasting meteorologist to be as accurate as possible when looking at what to expect from an atmosphere that can be quick to change its course.
A great way to look at possible precipitation is by analyzing the layers of the atmosphere starting from the top and working down to the surface. This can be done by looking at a sounding that looks at a vertical profile of the atmosphere showing how the temperature is changing with height. Below is an example of common types of precipitation formed dependent upon certain conditions.
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Image: https://www.weather.gov/source/zhu/ZHU_Training_Page/winter_stuff/winter_wx/winter_wx.html

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A typical rule to follow is that if you have air warmer than -10 degrees Celsius, there won’t be any ice initiation, or ice forming around a rain drop within the layer. If air is colder than -10 degrees Celsius, then there definitely can be ice initiation. The follow up questions would be, is there icing occurring in the upper layers? Is there a warm layer where snow could fall into and melt? A hydrometeor, or any product of atmospheric water vapor that falls as precipitation, typically stays as snow if the layer is below 1 degree Celsius and can melt into liquid water in a layer that’s above 3 degrees Celsius. Considering the wet bulb effect of a warm layer can also be helpful because it can tell you how much water vapor is present in the air based on the evaporation of water, and how that can decide the type of precipitation as well. For example, if the wet bulb temperature is below -10 degrees Celsius in a cold layer, and the surface is above around 1.5 degrees Celsius, then you could get sleet as precipitation.
In the event of a Nor’easter, precipitation can vary greatly depending on the time of year it occurs. Even the sea salt in the oceans can have an effect on the type of precipitation and act to enhance ice nuclei to activate the snowflake process.
Something to note is that these tips are NOT an entirety of depicting the characteristics of the atmosphere, as precipitation type forecasting is not an exact science. The analysis of multiple variables and layers of the atmosphere is required, proving to be a significant challenge in forecasting. The different techniques to approach this add to the complexity of this method as well.
It’s also important to know what is currently happening outside regardless of the forecasting situation. Using the current conditions to predict minute-by-minute events is utilized in situations where the atmosphere is changing rapidly than models and forecasters can grasp.
It is too often it seems that the difficulty of forecasting the precipitation type has been a cause of major accidents and hazardous situations that catch the public off guard. Having such variable temperatures in mid-latitude cyclones can lead to the melting and freezing of water on roadways that can cause ice jams in rivers as well as flash freezing on highways. Freezing drizzle, for example, may seem like a minor event, but even a trace of it with below freezing temperatures at the surface can become a very dangerous event.
Often, meteorologists can be too focused on the “big events” and neglect to recognize how much of an impact the change in temperature by a couple of degrees can affect people that need to walk and drive to get to where they need to go. People walk down their driveway, slip and get very injured due to black ice, and cars and buses go off the roads, which is why it’s so vital to be aware of these events. It can be a very tough decision for forecasters as well as administrators when trying to keep children safe on their way to school. Meteorologists and forecasters understand the weight of their decisions and believe in focusing on the small details that can make or break a forecast. Therefore, understanding the precipitation type is a valuable skill to have during any weather event, and helps us understand the atmosphere even more as it unfolds in front of us.


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© 2019 Weather Forecaster Christine Gregory