Weather Forecast Office Wakefield, VA SKYWARN Training Class XX Meteorologist National Weather Service Wakefield, VA

Weather Forecast Office Wakefield, VA

SKYWARN Training Class

XXMeteorologist

National Weather ServiceWakefield, VA


Overview

• The National Weather Service (NWS)

• The SKYWARN Program• Where to get weather

information• Watches/Warnings/Advisories• Safety


The National Weather Service


Who we are…

• DOC - Department of Commerce

• NOAA – National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration

• NWS – National Weather Service


122 Offices


Our office

• Located off of 460 in Wakefield• 24/7 Operation• 10 Forecasters–All degreed meteorologists

• Hydrometeorological technicians• Interns• Technicians• Management/Support Staff


Why the NWS is here

A typical year brings:

7 Hurricanes1,000 Tornadoes

5,000 Floods10,000 Violent Thunderstorms

Drought Conditions

Somewhere in the United States

Almost every week the weather is in the news

Mission Statement… to provide weather,

hydrologic, and climate forecasts and warnings for the United States, its territories, adjacent waters and ocean areas, for the protection of life and property and the enhancement of the national economy.


Many products issued daily

• Public Forecasts• Aviation Forecasts• Marine Forecasts• Hydrology• Fire Weather• Severe Weather• Climatology• Upper Air• Data Collection • Quality Control• Outreach

• Doppler Radar• Observing

Equipment• Rain & River

Gauges• AWIPS• Computers • Networks• NOAA Weather

Radio• Web Site


NWS TechnologyWSR-88D Doppler Radar

AWIPS Data Ingest

Advanced Weather Interactive Processing

System (AWIPS)

Automated Surface Observation

System (ASOS)


What is SKYWARN?

• Started in the 1970s • Volunteer program with

nearly 280,000 trained severe weather spotters

• Provide timely and accurate reports of severe weather to the National Weather Service


What is SKYWARN?

At any given moment, there are roughly 2,000 thunderstorms in progress around the world. It is estimated that there are 100,000 thunderstorms each year.


Decline in Fatalities


Advanced SKYWARN

• More in-depth radar training• Event reviews

• Upcoming classes:– 6/3/09 in Hampton (6pm)– 6/15/09 at the Henrico Theater (6pm)

See website to sign-uphttp://www.erh.noaa.gov/akq/spotterinfo/skywarn.htm


How do I get weather information?

(Besides TV and/or Radio)


NOAA Weather Radio

• Nationwide network of radio stations – Broadcasts continuous

weather information directly from the NWS

• 1,000 Transmitters across the U.S.

• Will alert you for any watches or warnings specific to your area


Where do I get one?

• Several manufacturers - Radio Shack, Midland, Oregon Scientific, Maxon, Reecom and Home SafeCan be found in retail stores or through the internet

• Will need to program your radio to receive specific information– Location– What products you’re alerted for


Radio Coverage Areashttp://www.erh.noaa.gov/akq/nwr.php


Programming your radio


NWS Websitewww.weather.gov

• Can get to any Forecast Office in the country

• Also can view websites for national centers


The Wakefield website

Your official weather source!


Products of NoteDuring Severe Weather

• Hazardous Weather Outlook (HWO)

• Area Forecast Discussion (AFD)

• Convective Outlooks• Mesoscale Discussions


HWOHazardous Weather Outlook

• Issued by every office at least once daily

• Available on the internet and NWR• A non-technical statement that

describes:•Whether or not severe weather is expected. If it is, it states:–What type is expected–When it is expected–Where it will likely occur




AFDArea Forecast Discussion

• Issued at least 4 times a day• Discussion of forecast– Near term– Short term– Long term– Marine– Aviation– Climate, Fire Weather, Equipment



Storm Prediction Center

• Located in Norman, OK• Issues all severe thunderstorm and tornado watches– After conference calls to coordinate with

local offices

• Provide up to a 3-day outlook on severe weather


Convective Outlooks


Mesoscale Discussions


http://www.spc.noaa.gov/


Watches

• Issued typically for 4-6 hours

• Text specifies main threats


What constitutes a “severe” thunderstorm?

wind 58 mph or greater 3/4 inch or larger hail


What to look for in a warning

• Valid Time• Location• Main

threat(s)• More

specific location info

• Call to Action


Storm-based warnings

Before Now


When is a tornado warning issued?

• When radar indicates rotation near the ground–More details in advanced

session• When a reliable report is

received that a tornado is on the ground


Other watches, warnings and advisories we issue…

• Winter Storm Warning– Snow or sleet avg of fcst range of 5”/24hrs or

4”/12hrs– ¼” ice accretion

• Winter Weather Advisory– Snow or sleet avg of fcst range of 2” – Any ice accretion

• Blizzard Warning– Winds 35mph, considerable snow and

visibilities less than ¼ mile for > 3hrs


More Watches, Warnings and Advisories

• Wind Chill Advisory– WCI -5°F VA/MD and 0°F NC

• Wind Chill Warning– WCI -20°F VA/MD and -15°F NC

• Frost Advisory– 33 to 36 degrees at end or beginning of growing season

• Freeze Warning– Temps 32°F or below at end or beginning of growing season

• Heat Advisory– Heat index 105-109° two hours or greater

• Excessive Heat Warning– Heat index 110°F two hours or greater


More Watches, Warnings and

Advisories• Dense Fog Advisory– Visibilities ¼ mile or less

• Wind Advisory– 31-39mph for 1hr or more– 46-57mph gusts

• High Wind Warning– 40mph for 1hr or more– 58mph gusts for any duration


What are we looking for from you?

• Accurate reports– Don’t exaggerate or guess

• Timely reports– Safety is first however!

• Reports should be in reference to listed criteria

• Don’t assume we know about the event– Or have received reliable reports


Elements of a good report

• Who? Identify yourself

• Where? Exact location

• When? Start time

• What? What you see


Estimating Wind Speed

25-31 mph - large branches in motion

32-38 mph – whole trees in motion

39-54 mph – twigs break off, wind impedes walking

55-72 mph – damage to chimneys and TV antennas, large branches broken and some trees uprooted

73-112 mph – removes shingles, windows broken, trailer houses overturned, trees uprooted

113+ mph – roofs torn off, weak buildings and trailer houses destroyed, large trees uprooted


Reporting Hail Size


Tornado Intensity

• Determined after the event– Storm Survey Team

• Just need areas of damage from spotters– Storm Survey will also determine

straight line winds vs. tornado


New EF Scale


How do you provide reports?

• Will be on your spotter card


If you’re an Amateur Radio Operator…

• Go to www.wx4akq.org/districts for an updated list of frequencies

• Volunteer to serve as a Net Control Station to relay reports–Can take an online training course at

http://www.wx4akq.org/spt• Questions? Contact Steve Crow– (804) 559-5798 or

[email protected]


E-Spotter

• Go to: http://espotter.weather.gov• New way to transmit reports– Goes directly to forecaster

screens


Other useful links…



Other useful websites…

http://www.skywarn.org/


http://www.wakefieldskywarn.org/


SafetyNWS Mission Statement

The National Weather Service (NWS) provides weather, hydrologic, and climate forecasts and warnings for the United States, its territories,

adjacent waters and ocean areas, for the protection of life and property and the

enhancement of the national economy. NWS data and products form a national information database

and infrastructure which can be used by other governmental agencies, the private sector, the

public, and the global community.



Flash Flooding

• More than 1/2 of these fatalities were those

who attempted to drive through flooded roads

• Another 1/4 of fatalities

were those who attempted to walk or swim through flooded roads.

• Over the past several years, more people have been killed in flash floods than in tornadoes (78 in 2008 alone!)


Flash Flood Safety

• Rule of Thumb #1 – Get to High Ground!!– Be Aware of Rapid Water Rises– EVACUATE if you feel threatened

• Rule of Thumb #2 – “Turn Around, Don’t Drown”– 2/3 of flood deaths from people

driving through flooded roads– 65% of deaths in Floyd– Takes < 2 feet of moving water to

“float” a vehicle and move it downstream (cars are NOT boats!)



Lightning Safety

• Accounted for 45 fatalities in 2007– Florida has

the most with 11 fatalities


• Most dangerous place was outside in an open space

– Accounting for 53% of lightning fatalities

– Followed sheltering under a tree (18%)


Lightning Safety• Young adults aged 20-

29 accounted for the most losses with (36%)– Followed by kids aged 10-

19 (16%)

• Lightning accounted for 1 out of 4 weather related deaths in Virginia in 2007


The chance of an individual in the United States being killed or inured by lightning during a given

year is one in 240,000.

• No warnings for lightning alone• “When thunder roars, go indoors” – After the storm has apparently

dissipated or moved on, wait 30 minutes or more after hearing the last thunder before leaving the safer location.


Safest Place to Be

• Fully enclosed, well constructed building– Wiring and plumbing can conduct lightning

current safely to ground– Stay away from windows – Stay away from any metal conductor exposed

to the outside• Corded telephones• Electrical appliances

• Inside a car safer than outside


Tornadoes

• On average, 1,200 tornadoes cause 70 fatalities and 1,500 injuries nationwide.

• The strongest tornadoes have rotating winds of more than 250mph.

• Average forward speed is 30mph– But can range from

stationary to 70mph


Safest Place to Be

• Put as many walls and floors between you and the tornado as possible

• Locate a good shelter ahead of time if you live in a mobile home


Tornado Safety

• If Outside – Move to Shelter, if possible• NO Shelter & Outside– Get as Low as Possible – Use Ditch, if nearby– Crouch down or LIE down– Cover head with hands


Overpasses – good or bad?


Hurricane Safety

• Prepare, Prepare, Prepare – NOW is the time… BEFORE A Hurricane Threatens!!!

• Prepare Emergency Supplies Kit (3-7 days)– Be Ready for Multi-day Power Outages– Bottled Water (1 gallon per person per day)– Non-perishable Foods – canned meat, peanut butter,

baked beans, etc.– Flashlight, Battery Operated Radio and Batteries– Piece Supplies Kit Together Over Time


Hurricane Safety

• Cut Plywood for Windows – Keep the Wind OUT!– Retrofit house (hurricane clips) for better wind

resistance

• Develop Evacuation Plan – Where will you go??– This is STORM TRACK dependent!!– South to North track…Go WEST– Southeast to Northwest track…Go

SOUTHWEST


Hurricane Safety

• Monitor Approaching Storm - See Weather Sources

• Listen to Local Officials• Evacuate if Asked!! – Flood Zones

most critical• If Riding Out the Storm – similar to

tornado– Remain in Lowest Floor of Building– Protect Yourself/Family from Glass/Flying Debris– Prepare for Long-term Utility Outages (7+ days)


For more information…

• See our website at:http://www.erh.noaa.gov/er/akq/Or just go to www.weather.gov and click

on area of interest

• E-mail address:[email protected]


Break Time!

Please start to fill out registration form

during the break.

Documents

Weather Forecast Office Wakefield, VA SKYWARN Training Class XX Meteorologist National Weather Service Wakefield, VA