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. 

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© 2019 Weather Forecaster Cole Bristow