Post on 20-Jan-2016
Weather Forecast Office Wakefield, VA
SKYWARN Training Class
XXMeteorologist
National Weather ServiceWakefield, VA
Weather Forecast Office Wakefield, VA
Overview
• The National Weather Service (NWS)
• The SKYWARN Program• Where to get weather
information• Watches/Warnings/Advisories• Safety
Weather Forecast Office Wakefield, VA
The National Weather Service
Weather Forecast Office Wakefield, VA
Who we are…
• DOC - Department of Commerce
• NOAA – National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration
• NWS – National Weather Service
Weather Forecast Office Wakefield, VA
122 Offices
Weather Forecast Office Wakefield, VA
Our office
• Located off of 460 in Wakefield• 24/7 Operation• 10 Forecasters–All degreed meteorologists
• Hydrometeorological technicians• Interns• Technicians• Management/Support Staff
Weather Forecast Office Wakefield, VA
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.
Weather Forecast Office Wakefield, VA
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
Weather Forecast Office Wakefield, VA
NWS TechnologyWSR-88D Doppler Radar
AWIPS Data Ingest
Advanced Weather Interactive Processing
System (AWIPS)
Automated Surface Observation
System (ASOS)
Weather Forecast Office Wakefield, VA
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
Weather Forecast Office Wakefield, VA
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.
Weather Forecast Office Wakefield, VA
Decline in Fatalities
Weather Forecast Office Wakefield, VA
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
Weather Forecast Office Wakefield, VA
How do I get weather information?
(Besides TV and/or Radio)
Weather Forecast Office Wakefield, VA
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
Weather Forecast Office Wakefield, VA
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
Weather Forecast Office Wakefield, VA
Radio Coverage Areashttp://www.erh.noaa.gov/akq/nwr.php
Weather Forecast Office Wakefield, VA
Programming your radio
Weather Forecast Office Wakefield, VA
NWS Websitewww.weather.gov
• Can get to any Forecast Office in the country
• Also can view websites for national centers
Weather Forecast Office Wakefield, VA
The Wakefield website
Your official weather source!
Weather Forecast Office Wakefield, VA
Products of NoteDuring Severe Weather
• Hazardous Weather Outlook (HWO)
• Area Forecast Discussion (AFD)
• Convective Outlooks• Mesoscale Discussions
Weather Forecast Office Wakefield, VA
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
Weather Forecast Office Wakefield, VA
Weather Forecast Office Wakefield, VA
Weather Forecast Office Wakefield, VA
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
Weather Forecast Office Wakefield, VA
Weather Forecast Office Wakefield, VA
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
Weather Forecast Office Wakefield, VA
Convective Outlooks
Weather Forecast Office Wakefield, VA
Mesoscale Discussions
Weather Forecast Office Wakefield, VA
http://www.spc.noaa.gov/
Weather Forecast Office Wakefield, VA
Watches
• Issued typically for 4-6 hours
• Text specifies main threats
Weather Forecast Office Wakefield, VA
What constitutes a “severe” thunderstorm?
wind 58 mph or greater 3/4 inch or larger hail
Weather Forecast Office Wakefield, VA
What to look for in a warning
• Valid Time• Location• Main
threat(s)• More
specific location info
• Call to Action
Weather Forecast Office Wakefield, VA
Storm-based warnings
Before Now
Weather Forecast Office Wakefield, VA
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
Weather Forecast Office Wakefield, VA
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
Weather Forecast Office Wakefield, VA
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
Weather Forecast Office Wakefield, VA
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
Weather Forecast Office Wakefield, VA
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
Weather Forecast Office Wakefield, VA
Elements of a good report
• Who? Identify yourself
• Where? Exact location
• When? Start time
• What? What you see
Weather Forecast Office Wakefield, VA
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
Weather Forecast Office Wakefield, VA
Reporting Hail Size
Weather Forecast Office Wakefield, VA
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
Weather Forecast Office Wakefield, VA
New EF Scale
Weather Forecast Office Wakefield, VA
How do you provide reports?
• Will be on your spotter card
Weather Forecast Office Wakefield, VA
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
KG4PEQ@WX4AKQ.org
Weather Forecast Office Wakefield, VA
E-Spotter
• Go to: http://espotter.weather.gov• New way to transmit reports– Goes directly to forecaster
screens
Weather Forecast Office Wakefield, VA
Other useful links…
Weather Forecast Office Wakefield, VA
Weather Forecast Office Wakefield, VA
Other useful websites…
http://www.skywarn.org/
Weather Forecast Office Wakefield, VA
http://www.wakefieldskywarn.org/
Weather Forecast Office Wakefield, VA
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.
Weather Forecast Office Wakefield, VA
Weather Forecast Office Wakefield, VA
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!)
Weather Forecast Office Wakefield, VA
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!)
Weather Forecast Office Wakefield, VA
Weather Forecast Office Wakefield, VA
Lightning Safety
• Accounted for 45 fatalities in 2007– Florida has
the most with 11 fatalities
Weather Forecast Office Wakefield, VA
• Most dangerous place was outside in an open space
– Accounting for 53% of lightning fatalities
– Followed sheltering under a tree (18%)
Weather Forecast Office Wakefield, VA
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
Weather Forecast Office Wakefield, VA
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.
Weather Forecast Office Wakefield, VA
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
Weather Forecast Office Wakefield, VA
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
Weather Forecast Office Wakefield, VA
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
Weather Forecast Office Wakefield, VA
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
Weather Forecast Office Wakefield, VA
Overpasses – good or bad?
Weather Forecast Office Wakefield, VA
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
Weather Forecast Office Wakefield, VA
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
Weather Forecast Office Wakefield, VA
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)
Weather Forecast Office Wakefield, VA
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:XX@noaa.gov
Weather Forecast Office Wakefield, VA
Break Time!
Please start to fill out registration form
during the break.