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Aware Winter 2004-05Climate, WClimate, WClimate, WClimate, WClimate, Wateraterateraterater, W, W, W, W, Weathereathereathereathereather
Inside Aware
Digital Services 2Dissemination 4Hurricanes 5
Hydrology 6Marine/Rip Currents 7NOAA Weather Radio 9Outreach/Education 9Publications 11Severe Weather 12StormReady/TsunamiReady 14Winter Weather 15Writers Corner 16Climate, Water, Weather Links 16
By Dennis H. McCarthy, Acting Director, Office of Climate, Water, and Weather Services
How Partners in Service Can Save More Lives
See Partners in Service, Page 2
Last Paper Edition ofAware!Subscribe to E-Aware Now!
By Donna Ayres, Aware Editor
Aware will be distributed electronically after thisissue. This will be the last edition mailed. The benefitsof an electronic Aware are many: saving trees, fundsand labor, faster delivery and color printing options.As we make the change, we will try to minimizeinconvenience to you, our customers.
We will send you an email alert when a newAware
is published. We intend to give you a dynamic, eye-catching newsletter in a more convenient, timely andflexible format.
To continue receivingAware, just to go http://weather.gov/os/awarelist.shtmland fill out our twoquestion form.
Aware is published by NOAA to keepcommunications lines open within the Agency
and with the emergency management community.
Many of you have been dealing with a variety ofhazardous weather and flood events in recent months. It
has been an active winter, especially in southernCalifornia, several Southern states, parts of the OhioValley and much of the northeast. Meanwhile, droughtand wildfire threats prevail in other areas.
As we prepare for severe weather season, its a goodtime to reflect on the value of partnerships that servethe public so well. All of us have a role in raising awarenessand encouraging people to prepare and develop a plan ofaction. Because observations and ground truth reportsare so important, partnerships also contribute directlyto the warning decision-making process. Timely reportsincrease accuracy, add vital lead time and add credibilityto warnings. Effective partnerships also speeddistribution of critical warning information to the public.
Remember hearing about the Parsons ManufacturingPlant? What a fantastic story! Last July, the central Illinoisplant was demolished by an F4 tornado. Thanks to a strongpreparedness program, none of the 140-150 people inthe plant were killed or injured. The Parsons story canserve as a severe storm safety model for any business,institution or family. We hope to have a short video onthis event available soon to emphasize the importanceof planning, staying informed and taking quick action.
The plants restrooms served as safe rooms. Aneffective plan was in place and practiced. A manager
assumed the role of Designated Weather Watcher,monitoring NOAA Weather Radio (NWR) and watching fortornadoes. Employees knew what to do when warned andacted promptly.
Designated Weather Watcher
Have you ever served as a Designated Driver? Thisconcept has caught on so well it has become a commonterm and has probably saved countless lives.
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NOAAs National Weather ServiceOffice of Climate, Water, and Weather Services
Dennis H. McCarthy, Acting DirectorKim Campbell, Chief, Performance and Awareness Div.Bob McLeod, Chief, Awareness BranchRon Gird, National Outreach Program ManagerStephan Kuhl, National WCM Program Manager
Melody Magnus, Donna Ayres, Deborah Lavine, EditorsMailing List/Articles: [email protected]: Melody Magnus: 301-713-1970 x163
Aware in PDFweather.gov/os/aware.PDFAwareNowweather.gov/os/awarenow.shtml
Aware
Three More Digital Elements To BeDeclared Operational March 15
By Chris Alex, NWS Digital Services
On March 15, NWS will declare operationaltemperature, dew point and weather (i.e., fog, rain,snow) elements in the National Digital Forecast Database(NDFD). The elements are only for the Contiguous UnitedStates (CONUS). These three elements join maximumtemperature, minimum temperature and 12-hourProbability of Precipitation (POP12) as NDFD elementsofficially in use for the CONUS. NDFD data are availablein several ways:
As graphics posted online at http://weather.gov/forecasts/graphical/sectors/index.php
In Gridded Binary (GRIB2) format via File TransferProtocol (FTP) servers at http://www.weather.gov/ndfd/technical.htm
In eXtensible Markup Language (XML) via web ser-vice at http://www.weather.gov/xml
The change from experimental to operational forthese three elements affects users who pull theseelements in GRIB2 format via FTP. Specific informationfor FTP users regarding this change is available onlineat http://www.weather.gov/ndfd/oper_implem.htm.
Digital Services
Partners in Service
Continued from Page 1
Online NDFD graphics will no longer have anexperimental label in the legend for these elements inthe lower 48 states. Users of NDFD XML via web servicewill see no change. As of March 15, 2005, the status ofthe 12 initial elements in NDFD for the CONUS is:
Element (CONUS only): Status:
Temperature Operational as of 3/15/05Dew Point Operational as of 3/15/05Weather Operational as of 3/15/05Maximum Temperature Operational as of 12/1/04Minimum Temperature Operational as of 12/1/04Prob of Precip (POP12) Operational as of 12/1/04Sky Cover ExperimentalQuantitative PrecipForecast (QPF) ExperimentalWind Direction ExperimentalWind Speed ExperimentalSnow Amount ExperimentalSignificant Wave Height Experimental
Status of other areas (outside of CONUS):
All elements, Puerto Rico ExperimentalAll elements, Hawaii Experimental(QPF, snow not available)All elements, Guam Experimental(QPF, snow not available)All elements for Alaska Not yet available
NWS staff will continue to enhance the remainingexperimental elements, which will remain available onthe NDFD directories, as graphics on the Web and asXML files via web service.
NWS staff is interested in your opinions. Give usyour view on which of the remaining six experimentalelements are most needed or which appear ready tobecome operational. Tell us how you are using the NDFDelements. A brief survey is available at http://weather.gov/survey/nws-survey.php?code=ndfd-grids.
Remember the story of the Goshen, AL, church struckby a tornado in 1994? A warning had been issued but peoplein the church were unaware of the warning. Maybe ifsomeone knew there was an outlook for severe storms,or a watch, that person could monitor NWR or local TV.Maybe when the Designated Weather Watcher heardthe warning he/she could have warned the otherchurchgoers, who might have been able to take shelter.
The Weather Watcher is a person who monitors NWRor media during a threatening weather or flood situationand relays warnings as needed. NWR and other alertingdevices are perfectly suited for this function.
Two great success stories about Weather Watchersare the theater manager in Van Wert, Ohio, in 2002, whosaved dozens of moviegoers lives and the Parsons Plantmanager last summer. Both demonstrated the lifesavingpotential of this common sense approach to staying safe
in severe weather.
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Over the next several months, other experimentalelements may become available, such as relativehumidity, apparent temperature (i.e., wind chill and heatindex) and tropical cyclone surface wind speedprobabilities.
Customer notification of changes are sent in TechnicalImplementation Notices (TIN), transmitted on NOAAPort,the Family of Services, NOAA Weather Wire Service and
the Emergency Managers Weather Information Network.TINs are released under WMO heading NOUS41 KWBC andAWIPS identifier PNSWSH. TINs are posted online athttp://www.weather.gov/om/notif.htm.
For updates, see the link above or the NDFDDevelopment Status website: http://www.weather.gov/ndfd/development.htm. More details on NDFD areavailable at http://www.nws.noaa.gov/ndfd .
NDFD Provides Improved
Forecasting For Blizzard of 2005
By Marcie Katcher, NWS Public Affairs Officer
A dangerous blizzard packing high winds and creatingwhiteout conditions pummeled portions of northern NewJersey, southern New York and New England January22- 23. The blizzard conditions prompted the governorsof New Jersey, Massachusetts and Rhode Island to declarea state of emergency; New York City and Suffolk County,NY, also were declared in a state of emergency.
New technologies and advanced computer processingused in National Digital Forecast Database (NDFD)continue to revolutionize how forecasts are prepared anddisseminated, changing the day-to-day forecastingprocess. During this blizzard, meteorologists used theirknowledge of the local area and mesoscale effects of theatmosphere to generate graphical, gridded and text-basedforecasts of the phenomenon.
We know our users are using the new tool to seehow forecast elements vary across space and time in away that we never could accomplish by conventional textproducts, said Meteorologist in Charge RobertThompson, WFO Taunton, MA. We were able to
incorporate our local knowledge to accurately forecastingsnowfall ranging from 30" to 36" across Cape Cod,Plymouth and Essex Counties.
NDFD also improved service to the weather sensitiveNew England marine community. During this storm, NDFDenabled NOAAs NWS to provide a visual depiction offorecasted sea heights. The commercial fishing industryuses sea height forecasts to plan their fishing trips. Themore detailed depiction of the sea height forecast through
NDFD provides the industry with more information tomake better decisions.
Thompson added, Other unique applications of NDFDinclude graphically depicting the evolution of temperatureand associated life-threatening wind chills. We were alsoable to visually depict expected wind speeds thatexceeded 60 miles per hour in gusts along much of ourcoastline. The highest wind recorded was a hurricane
force gust of 74 miles per hour on Nantucket.
The value of the NDFD and the new InteractiveForecast Preparation System has opened the door forproviding snowfall forecasts and other hazardousinformation in gridded and graphical formats which arereadily available on the Internet, said NWS EasternRegion Deputy Chief of Meteorological Services, I. RossDickman.
Our NWS Eastern Region website server on January22 set a 1-day record with over 45 million hits. Duringthe storm, WFO Taunton alone recorded nearly 4 millionhits, noted Dickman.
Nick Mahlstedy, Greenville, SC, wrote, Your newGraphical Forecasts are excellent. It creates a vividpicture of expected weather without strain.
NDFD contains a seamless mosaic of digital forecastsfrom NWS field offices working in collaboration with theNational Centers for Environmental Prediction. The
database is made available to customers and partnersfrom public, private and academic sectors using an openGRIB2 and XML protocols.
Customers and partners can then use this data tocreate a wide range of text, graphic, gridded and imageproducts of their own. If fact, any technology that canuse digital information can access NDFD data. For moreinformation, go to: http://www.nws.noaa.gov/ndfd/technical.htm.
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Dissemination
HazCollect System To Go
Nationwide by Next Winter
By Herb White, Dissemination Services Manager
NWS expects national availability of the HazCollectsystem capability through FEMAs Disaster ManagementInteroperability Service (DMIS) in the winter of 2005-2006.A limited system demonstration was successfullycompleted on February 22. Development Test andEvaluation and Operational Acceptance Testing of theHazCollect system will be completed between June and
August 2005.The All-Hazards Emergency Message Collection System(HazCollect) will be a one-stop location for the collectionand distribution of non-weather emergency messages,commonly known as Civil Emergency Messages, to theNWS dissemination infrastructure, other national systemssuch as DMIS, and to the Emergency Alert System.HazCollect will use some features of DMIS, such asautomated user authentication and authorization.
For more information, visit these websites: NWSHazCollect at: http://weather.gov/os/hazcollect/ andFEMAs Disaster Management Interoperability Servicesat: http://dmi-services.org/.
EAS and Public Warning Update
By Herb White, Dissemination Services Manager
The first EAS Summit was held February 26 in CrystalCity, VA. Attending were nearly 200 EAS experts, FEMAand state emergency management and homeland securityadvisors and state EAS and Emergency Communications
Committee chairs from all 50 states, DC and Puerto Rico.Reynold Hoover, Director of FEMAs Office of National
Security kicked off the Summit with news of improvementsto the national component of EAS. He reported theFederal government is now using digital technology toupgrade the national 34 Primary Entry Points radio stationsto a satellite-based system.
FEMA is also making efforts to allow transmissionof warning information via outlets such as the Internet,wireless and satellite-based digital systems.
NWS presented its Dissemination Capabilities andHazCollect program. Attendees received EAS resourcematerials, including NWS and NWR information. Theprimary sponsors were the National Alliance of StateBroadcast Associations and the U.S. Justice DepartmentsOffice of Justice Programs.
Valid Time Event Code UpdateImplemented for Six Products
By Art Kraus, Awareness Branch
Valid Time Event Code (VTEC) was operationallyimplemented in six severe weather warning and watchproducts on February 8 (See article Page 12). A secondround of VTEC testing for other Watch, Warning andAdvisory (W/W/A) products has begun, using the newGraphical Hazards Generation (GHG) ability within theAWIPS Graphical Forecast Editor (GFE).
NOAAs NWS conducted an Initial Risk Reduction FieldTest from mid-February into March at 16 WeatherForecast Offices (WFOs) and two Regional Offices. Theseoffices issued operational and primarily test WinterWeather and Non-Precipitation W/W/A Products andWatch County Notification (WCN) messages. Themessages contained experimental VTEC using GHG/GFE.
The Risk Reduction Test will exercise many aspectsof the VTEC functionality within GHG/GFE before theInitial Operational Test and Evaluation (IOT&E), planned
for mid-to-late March at the Forecast System Laboratory(FSL) facilities in Boulder, CO. FSL is the primarydeveloper of GFE. WFO forecasters and Regional andNational Headquarters personnel will spend a weekrunning prepared weather scenarios to test VTEC in GHG/GFE for the W/W/A products the system will issue.
NWS will address problems arising during the IOT&Ebefore a larger Operational Test and Evaluation (OT&E)for GHG/GFE, planned for 30 to 35 offices (WFOs andRegional Offices) in May and June.
NWS will issue a separate test schedule in the nextfew months for the Riverpro software. Many HydrologicW/W/A products are issued using Riverpro.
The VTEC Policy Directive (NWSI 10-1703) is beingupdated to reflect the capabilities of GHG/GFE, to addsome additional codes and to make clarifications to VTECpolicy and procedures.
More information on the VTEC testing, along withthe latest draft of NWSI 10-1703, may be found on theVTEC website at http://weather.gov/os/vtec/.
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Hurricanes
NOAA Prepares for 6th NationalHurricane Preparedness Week
By Scott Kiser, Tropical Cyclone Program Manager
One of NWSs major efforts in educating the public
is taking part in the annual National HurricanePreparedness Week. This years awareness campaign runsfrom May 15-21. A press conference is tentativelyscheduled for May 16 at the Tropical Prediction Center/National Hurricane Center. NOAAs seasonal hurricaneoutlook will be released at the press conference.
This year, NOAA hopes many states will again conductawareness weeks during the national event. Look for anupdated hurricane preparedness poster this spring. Staffare working to obtain Presidential recognition for thisawareness event for the 5th straight year.
Last years busy tropical cyclone season resulted in60 fatalities. Four storms crossed the Florida coastline,but damage and fatalities occurred across many otherstates. Flash floods from Tropical Storm Gaston in theRichmond, VA, area resulted in eight fatalities. Five ofthose deaths were a result of motorists driving throughflooded roadways.
Eight of the 26 U.S. fatalities from Hurricane Ivanwere a result of the 111 tornadoes spawned across seven
inland statesas far north as Pennsylvania. The UnitedStates once again can see the far-reaching effects fromtropical cyclones, and NWS will continue to educate thepublic about the full suite of tropical cyclone hazards andimpacts.
Next year, the National Hurricane Preparedness Weekwill be permanently moved from the third week in May tothe fourth week. So in 2006, National HurricaneAwareness week will be observed May 21-27.
TPC/NHC Offers IntroductionTo Hurricane Preparedness
By Stacy Stewart, Hurricane Specialist & WCM
NOAA TPC/National Hurricane Center, Miami, FL
In January and February of this year, the TPC/NHCoffered three, 1-week, Introduction to HurricanePreparedness courses, sponsored by FEMA. Course topicsand materials offered by TPC/NHC included:
Tropical cyclone basics TPC/NHC forecast operations Forecasting exercises Field trip survey of the 1992 Hurricane Andrew storm
surge at the Deering Estate in southeastern Miami-Dade County.
The TPC/NHC instructors taught the meteorology andstorm surge sessions and answered attendees questionsregarding NHC operations.
For National Hurricane Week materials and tips, go tohttp://www.nhc.noaa.gov/HAW2/english/intro.shtml
Prototype Test of More EfficientEMWIN Looks Positive
By Rob Wagner, EMWIN Team Member
The Emergency Managers Weather InformationNetwork (EMWIN) team, working with the NOAA Satelliteand Information Service (NESDIS), is reworking EMWINfor the GOES-N era. The GOES-N satellite will resultin lower power broadcasts and a frequency changefor EMWIN.
Users and vendors have stressed the importance ofincreasing the EMWIN data rate and keeping the cost ofthe GOES-N transition as low as possible. To meet theneeds of EMWIN users, the team is developing a prototypesystem that would operate at 19.2 kbps, using offsetQPSK modulation, and convolutional Reed Solomon errorcorrection coding. Preliminary results from a test of the
prototype the week of February 21 look good. NWS willpost a summary of the test results on the EMWIN websitelisted below. To follow up, more testing will be conductedlater this year, most likely using the GOES-N satellite.
In a related effort, development is underway toencapsulate the EMWIN broadcast in the Low RateInformation Transmission (LRIT). This NESDIS system isthe replacement for the current WEFAX transmission.To keep abreast of EMWIN developments, go tohttp://iwin.nws.noaa.gov/emwin/index.htm .
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First National Flood SafetyAwareness Week, March 21-25
By Larry Wenzel, Hydrologist
In conjunction with the spring Flood Outlook newsconference, NOAAs NWS will host the first annualNational Flood Safety Awareness Week, March 21-25.
The two goals of this event are to heighten thepublics awareness to the dangers and causes of floodingand to help protect life and property. The event will beofficially kicked off on Thursday, March 17, at theDepartment of Commerce in Washington, D.C. Hostingthe event will be Admiral Conrad Lautenbaucher, NOAAAdministrator, and General David L. Johnson, Directorof NOAAs NWS.
Each day of the following week will highlight a
different element of NWS hydrologic services program.
Monday: Advanced Hydrologic Prediction Service Tuesday: Turn Around Dont Drown Wednesday: Tropical Cyclone Inland Flooding Thursday: Flood Hazard Mitigation Friday: Flood Safety
Joining NOAA are the followingpartners:
National Safety Council Federal Alliance for Safe Homes Federal Highway Administration Federal Emergency Manage-
ment Agency National Hydrologic Warning Council
Details for each event, including a Fact Sheet, safetyrules and resources such as brochures, videos, publicservice announcements and more can be found at http://www.floodsafety.noaa.gov.
The Introduction to Hurricane Preparedness courseis updated yearly and remains one of the highest ratedFEMA-sponsored training courses. The National HurricaneConference offers a shorter version of the course, thisyear from March 21-25 in New Orleans, LA. For moreinformation, email: [email protected].
HURREVAC: Inland Flood Planningand Response Tool Released
By Doug Marcy, Mark Kolowith, Russell Jackson
NOAA Coastal Services Center
By Glenn Austin, Thomas Graziano, Hydrologic Services Div.
A major challenge facing both the Federal Emergency
Management Agency (FEMA) and NOAAs NWS is providingtimely, accurate inland flood information to the emergencymanagement community. To address this challenge inhurricane prone states, FEMA, NWS, NOAAs CoastalServices Center and their partners developed the InlandFlood Planning and Response Tool. The tool is part of theHURREVAC software, the HURRicane EVACuation planningdecision-support computer program.
HURREVAC is an easy-to-use decision support toolthat functions as a stand-alone desktop application. Onemouse click downloads data quickly and assembles weatherinformation from multiple NOAA sources. This ease ofuse make HURREVAC fast, reliable and efficient to use.
The addition of the Inland Flood Planning andResponse Tool to HURREVAC provides a one-stop way toaccess real-time inland flood data, better meeting theoperational needs of state and local emergency managers.The new tool allows users to view 24-hour QuantitativePrecipitation Forecast (QPF) out to 3 days, affected arealists for rain, river flood outlook products and river gageobservations and forecasts.
The new river-gage data display allows users to viewcolor coded conditions on their computers. Users can seedetailed hydrographdata for specific forecast points. Thisoption presents observed and forecast data as well asinformation on historical crests and flood impacts.
The hydrograph display also identifies stage valuesfor NWS flood warning categories for flood stage, minor,moderate and major flooding, as well as the FEMA1-percent annual chance flood. By combining the agenciesflood risk conveyance methods into one product,emergency/floodplain managers will have a betterunderstanding of the local threats in their area.
The 2004 release (Version 3.0.13) includes floodforecast points from NWS that range from Texas to Maineand include Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands.
FEMA Region IV has asked NOAA Coastal ServicesCenter to provide inundation maps of the 1-percentchance flood at NWS forecast locations in the SoutheasternUnited States. These maps will be included as staticimages in future releases of HURREVAC as a referencefor emergency managers. For more information onHURREVAC, go to http://hurrevac.com.
Hydrology
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Multi-Agency Campaign AimsTo Reduce Rip Current Deaths
By Chip Guard, WCM, WFO GuamSarah Prior, Marine Focal Point, WFO Guam
In 2004, 22 people drowned in the Guam surf zonea near record number representing a 350 percent increaseover 2003. Despite WFO Guams barrage of media andoutreach initiatives to curb drownings, it was clear theproblem required a broader effort. Following the first2005 drowning on January 1, WFO Guam teamed withthe Visitors Bureau to attack the problem.
The Visitors Bureau chaired a group that includedpolice and fire departments; the Parks and Recreation
Department and its lifeguards; the Bureau of PlanningCoastal Management Division; the U.S. Coast Guard;Guam Homeland Security/Civil Defense; Restaurant andHotel Association; Japanese, Korean and Chinese tourismreps; surfer and diver reps; and the University of GuamSea Grant Program. In less than 2 months, the Committeemet four times and developed a program that included:
More lifeguards and upgraded equipment such as avehicle, jet skis and radios
Color-coded flag and sign system in six Asian andIsland languages to visibly identify coastal hazards
NWRs for life guards and Police Patrol
Surf spotter training for the lifeguards Daily weather, surf and rip current discussion between
lifeguards and WFO Guam forecasters WFO Guam Website training for Police Patrol Fine-tuned NWS Surf Zone Forecasts and High Surf
Advisories.
A March press conference will introduce thecampaigns safety features and programs to save lives.Future initiatives will include:
NWS Sponsors National Rip Current
Awareness Week to Curb FatalitiesBy Deborah Jones, Marine and Coastal Services Branch
In an effort to heighten public awareness of ripcurrents at surf beaches, NOAAs Break The Grip of theRip 2005 campaign has designated June 5-11 as NationalRip Current Awareness Week. The focus of this yearscampaign will be unguarded beaches. Watch for our MarkTrail comic strip on Sunday, June 5, offering safety tips!
Rip currents are powerful currents of water movingaway from shore. On average, more people die every
year from rip currents than from shark attacks,tornadoes, lightning, or hurricanes. According to theUnited States Lifesaving Association, 80 percent of surfbeach rescues are attributed to rip currents, and morethan 100 people die annually from drowning when theyare unable to escape a rip current.
Rip current speeds are typically 1 to 2 feet per second,though speeds as high as 8 feet per second have beenmeasured. This is faster than an Olympic swimmer cansprint! Even the strongest swimmers have been pulledoffshore by rip currents.
Although rip currents can occur at any time in anylocation along our nations beaches, they can becomeextremely dangerous under the right conditions. As aresult, one of the most important rip current forecastinggoals is to identify those days when rip currents areexpected to become strong and pose a threat to anyonewho enters the water.
Many NWS Forecast Offices along the Atlantic, Gulfand Pacific Coasts issue a daily Surf Zone Forecast productthrough the summer season. The Surf Zone Forecastprovides information on the anticipated rip current hazardfor the day in that area. A three-tiered structure of low,moderate, high is used to describe the rip current risk.This outlook is communicated to lifeguards, emergency
management, media and the general public.NOAA has developed a new rip current brochure inEnglish and Spanish, outdoor information signs for postingby municipalities along boardwalks and beachfronts anda website full of rip current information, links, photosand templates for brochures and signs. Help us spreadthis lifesaving information to others. You can access thewebsite at http://www.ripcurrents. noaa.gov.
Guams beautiful Pacific shoreline at night.
Marine/Rip Currents
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Adding more parks and beaches to the program Developing a Break the Grip of the Rip brochure
that addresses Guams unique issues Conducting research between WFO Guam and the
University of Guam through a NOAA Sea Grant Enlisting Guam legislature involvement and corpo-
rate assistance and sponsorship.
Guam newspapers have agreed to publish the coastalhazards criteria for the flag alert system regularly, andarea hotels will publicize it on their in-house TV channels.High school groups, working with the University of Guam,also will help educate students and the public.
Lesson in Teamwork: Responding toM/V Selendang Ayu Oil Spill
By Jim Jones, Chief, Alaska Data Acquisition Branch
On December 8, 2004, the M/V Selendang Ayu, a738-foot Malaysian-flagged freighter, ran aground in theisolated Aleutian Islands during a winter storm. Whatfollowed was a well-coordinated team effort betweenfederal, state and local officials to support the initialrescue efforts and longer-term Hazmat cleanup andsalvage operation.
A unique aspect to this response was the involvementof the area Port Meteorological Officers (PMO), in additionto the NWS Incident Meteorologists (IMETS) and NOAA
Hazmat personnel. Voluntary Observing Ships (VOS) werecritical in helping forecasters, search and rescue, andHazmat responders evaluate atmospheric and oceanicconditions in this data sparse section of Alaska.
From the time the incident first came to light andespecially during the initial couple weeks of operationalsupport, PMOs Rich Courtney (Kodiak) and Larry Hubble(Anchorage) coordinated VOS data collection efforts. Theyidentified which vessels would be in the area and themost feasible means of communication with thosevessels. Due to the remoteness of the incident site, HighFrequency/Single Side Band, satellite phone, cell phoneand VHF all presented limitations with respect to reliable
communications.Another way PMOs helped on-scene IMETs and
operational forecasters was by sharing metadata and dataquality characteristics about the various VOS and MarineReport vessels in the area. The knowledge concerningthe ships providing observations in and around the areahelped bolster the forecasters confidence levels in thequality of the data being used to make critical decisions.
Eddie Zingone, Marine Focal Point, WFO Anchorage,says, From the perspective of a forecaster writing a
Hazmat forecast, or any marine or near-shore forecastfor that matter, the ship reports received from vesselsparticipating in the VOS program aregold! There is nobetter way to both write a quick and accurate forecastand to verify the existing forecast than with theseobservations.
We usually view the VOS program in a big picturecontext - as input to the synoptic scale surface analysisprocess and a source of valuable climate data over thedata sparse oceans. Likewise, PMOs are usually seen asnon-operational staff who support these functions. Thisarticle was written to highlight the value of closeproximity (~150 nautical miles) VOS observations insupport of dynamic and evolving near-shore operationalforecasts and to show how PMOs can be an integral part
of an operational scenario by providing liaison withvarious marine interests and coordinating marine datacollection and data quality control.
NWS Works with Coast GuardFor Marine Observations and Training
By Richard May, Meteorologist, Marine and Coastal [email protected]
The NOAAs NWS has completed a new Memorandumof Understanding (MOU) with the U.S. Coast GuardAuxiliary. The MOU was signed by the Director of NWSOffice of Climate, Water, and Weather Services and theCommodore of the Auxiliary in September 2004. Underthis MOU, similar to one signed with the U.S. PowerSquadron in May 2003, the Auxiliary will take voluntarymarine weather observations that will be sent toforecasters to help provide critical information in datasparse coastal marine areas. In return, NWS will conducttraining and outreach to the local flotillas.
Selendang Ayu sinking with its load of crude oil.
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Outreach/Education
Next Partners Meeting Set for June 23
By Ron Gird, National Outreach Program Manager
The second NWS Partners Meeting of 2005 is set forJune 23 at NWS Headquarters in Silver Spring, MD. Thisdate was based on feedback from partners. The Partners
Emergency Coordinators sample the chili.
asked for continued participation by NWS DirectorD.L. Johnson.
At the NWS Partners meeting last summer, the NWSDirector led a 1-hour question and answer session thatmost of the NWS Partners found useful. Also on the agendafor the next meeting will be an Introduction to NOAAsSurface Weather Program, scheduled to start in FY07 withsignificant funding from Congress. For further
information, contact Ron Gird at 301-713-0090x154 [email protected].
Is it Chilly or Chili?Groundhog Day Celebration
By Vernon Preston, WCM, WFO Pocatello, ID
Have you ever dreamed of combining the cold of winter
with the heat of the southwest? WFO Pocatello, ID, usedthe unusual duo to draw media, Homeland Security Staff,Natural Resources Conservation Service and EM managersto its second annual Groundhog Day Chili Cook-Off Contestand Hydrologic Outlook Briefing on February 2.
The event featured a spring hydrologic briefing, live
NWR weekly alert demonstration and weather briefing.Following the briefings, the emergency coordinators
received personal training and a review of the NWSforecaster process using AWIPS and the new digitizedforecasts. Local TV stations used footage from the eventto highlight Groundhog Day and our hydrologic concerns.And of course, there was the chili contest. Prizes wereawarded for Most Colorful, Taste/Flavor, Texture, Aroma/Smell and Hot and Spicy. Chili names were as hot as thecontents:
NOAA Weather Radio
Proposed Budget Would Fund
17 New Weather Radio TransmittersBy Ron Gird, National Outreach Program Manager
The Presidents Budget is requesting $5.6 million forthe NOAA Weather Radio All Hazards Program to install17 new transmitter stations in high-risk areas andrefurbish 64 of the 400 transmitter stations installed inthe early 1970s. Stay tuned for details.
Nations Second Spanish LanguageNWR Installed Near Palm Springs, CA
By Ed Clark, WCM, WFO San Diego, CA
Last fall, WFO San Diego held a dedication ceremonyto celebrate the installation of the nations second NOAAWeather Radio (NWR) transmitter dedicated entirely toSpanish language transmission. The radio was purchasedand is maintained by the Coachella Valley Water District(CVWD) near Palm Springs, CA. The broadcast is generatedand converted to Spanish by the WFO San Diego.
This is the second radio transmitter in the CVWD,which also hosts an English version. In addition, CVWDhas allocated $5,000 to purchase radios for schools andthe areas Hispanic community. Members of the Hispaniccommunity have responded very positively tothese efforts.
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Western Storm-Front Blizzard Express Tsunami Surprise I Cant Believe Its Not Chili Tantalizing Tuber Tornado Con las Frijol Negras Wickedly Windy WMD
The event was so well received that next years plansare already in the making (or is that cooking?). By theway, Phil did see his shadow, so eastern Idaho is planningfor additional winter episodes. Many of our farmers arevery happy about this since eastern Idaho is now in its6th year of a severe drought.
Spotter Training for PrisonsHelps Reach Isolated Areas
By John Robinson, WCM, WFO Little Rock, AR
When the subject of spotter training for prisons isfirst raised, everyones first question is: How are theinmates supposed to call in the reports?
In reality, the training is not for the inmates, but forprison administrators, guards and riders (guards onhorseback who watch over prisoners working in prisonsfarm fields).
John Robinson, WCM at WFO Little Rock, provides
regular spotter classes for the Arkansas Department ofCorrection. The prison system had a renewed interest insuch classes after a tornado in January 1999 barely misseda maximum security prison in southeast Arkansas.Although the prison itself was undamaged, a number ofhouses on the prison grounds, belonging to correctionsofficials, were destroyed.
Within the first 2 years, the Department of Correctionalready had two success stories to report. At one prison,a guard who had taken the class saw a storm approachingthat appeared to be severe. This particular facility, ratherthan having individual cells, has large rooms in whichmany inmates are housed. Based on the guards report,
inmates were moved back away from windows and therewere no injuries as the storm moved through. In anotherinstance, a tower guard spotted a funnel cloud developing.
As part of Johns orientation to the Department ofCorrection, he was given tours of a number of the systemsfacilities. At a super-maximum security prison, there wasone empty cell on the day John toured, so he was invitedto try out the cell. Prison officials did let him back outafter a couple of minutes!
In addition to storm reports received from thecorrections facilities, NOAA benefits in another way. When
severe weather damaged two prisons in northernArkansas, John easily gained access to the prison groundsto survey the damage and take photographs.
Space Environment Center Moves
By Ron Gird, National Outreach Program Manager
Recently the NOAA Space Environment Center (SEC)moved from NOAA Research to NOAAs NWS. SEC publishesa quarterly newsletter and plans an outreach event, SpaceWeather Week, April 5-8, 2005, in Boulder, CO. Forinformation about the newsletter or Space Weather Week,go to http://sec.noaa.gov/.
Weather for Lewis and ClarkExpedition Draws Teachers to Safety
By Vernon Preston, WCM, WFO Pocatello, ID
Spokane, WA, WCM Ken Holmes and I snared theinterest of more than 800 science teachers from Idahoand eastern parts of Washington by tagging weather tohistory. Special science education materials on theweather of the Lewis and Clark Expedition highlightedthe NWS display booth I designed and researched. We
received praises from teachers of the value ourinformation provides and how they use our various Webpages in their classroom activities. Its tough gettingattention to weather safety at times. This hook madethe job easy.
Spokane WCM Ken Holmes shows off the Lewis and ClarkWeather Safety display that drew more than 800 teachers.
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Emergency Managers Get SurveyTraining for Storm Damage
By Daniel Noah, WCM, WFO Tampa Bay Area, FL
On February 2, WCMs in Florida provided a stormdamage survey workshop to 45 emergency managementofficials at the Florida Emergency PreparednessAssociations 2005 Annual Conference.
Storm damage surveys completed by NWS determinethe type of hazardous weather event that occurred andthe effectiveness of the NWS watch/warning system. Dueto limited staff, however, NWS surveys are usuallyrestricted to large events or those with extensive mediacoverage. In many cases, the NWS relies on emergencymanagement to provide feedback on significant stormdamage from a county. The workshops purpose was togive emergency management personnel the information
they need to conduct accurate storm damage surveys.This presentation was divided into three parts:
Multimedia presentation to introduce attendees tothe NWS method of conducting storm surveys.
Hands-on exercise in which students mapped outdamage to determine if it was caused by a tornadoor a downburst and the estimated the wind speed.
Game show exercise to show the variability of esti-mating wind speed based on damage.
Each student received a 100-page guide titled, "AGuide to F-Scale Damage Assessment" that was reprinted
by General Physics Corporation out of Tampa, FL. Studentsalso received a printed copy of the multimediapresentation and a copy of 27 different damage indicatorsto estimate wind speed.
For more information, contact:[email protected], WFO Tallahassee, [email protected],WFO Jacksonville, FL,[email protected], WFO Melbourne, [email protected], WFO Tampa Bay Area, FL
Keeping Potatoes and Tractors Safe
By Vernon Preston, WCM, WFO Pocatello, ID
WFO Pocatello staff got its message out to farmersand ranchers via a one-page flyer on Your HometownNational Weather Service. This flyer was sent to over10,000 farms in Idaho, Oregon and Washington.
In addition to reaching this hard to attract audience,from January 18-20, WFO Pocatello, ID, took part in the
Forecaster Jack Messick talks to visitors at the Ag Expoand Idaho Potato Conference in Idaho.
NWS Expands Publications Web Page
By Donna Ayres, Aware Editor
Aware staff members have expanded and updatedthe Office of Climate, Water, and Weather Services
publications website.Weve deleted some of the older publications, such
as the individual booklets on thunderstorms and lightning(PA 92053), flash floods and floods (PA 92050) andtornadoes add (PA 92052). Those booklets were combinedinto NOAA PA 99050, Thunderstorms, Tornadoes, Light-ning . . . Natures Most Violent Storms, which is expectedto be in stock again by late April. Weve also removedthe out-of-date Survival in a Hurricane wallet card andHurricane . . . A Familiarization Booklet.
Publications
2005 Eastern Idaho Agriculture Expo and Idaho PotatoConference with an information booth inside the IdahoState Universitys football stadium. Amongst large
combines and tractors, forecasters Greg Kaiser and JackMessick, Observing Program Leader Gary Wicklund and Iprovided information to around 6000-8000 farmers,ranchers and ag industry businesses.
The display centered on the uses of the new griddedforecast concept with emphasis on changes in our droughtand how to obtain climate information. We receivednumerous complements from attendees about our webpage and comments about how they really appreciatedthe real-time nature of our data and forecasts.
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Severe Weather
NOAAs NWS Expands Severe
Weather Program in 2005
By Richard Okulski, Office of Services
NOAAs NWS is making several major changes to itsSevere Weather Program for the 2005 season. On February8, NWS added an event specific dissemination codeknown as Valid Time Event Code (VTEC) to the TornadoWarning, Severe Thunderstorm Warning, Severe WeatherStatement, Special Marine Warning, Marine WeatherStatement (which follows-up a Special Marine Warning)and Watch Outline Update Message products.
VTEC is an event specific dissemination code thatprovides automated and timely dissemination of weatherinformation to the public through several differentmethods, such as paging systems and emergencytelevision message crawl systems.
The NWS Performance Branch started using VTEC toverify Tornado, Severe Thunderstorm and Special MarineWarnings on March 1. Thanks to VTEC, an NWS officecan now track multiple events in a county or marine zonein a given time period.
NWS is also moving to a modernized convective watchproduct suite known as Watch By County. As part of
this program, the NWS Storm Prediction Center now issuesa national convective watch product known as the WatchOutline Update Message (WOU). The WOU replaces aproduct called the State Areal Outline Statement (SLS)as the primary product for county, marine zone andindependent city information in Severe Thunderstorm andTornado Watches.
To compliment the WOU, local WFOs will soon startissuing the Watch County Notification Message (WCN)on a test basis. The WCN is tailored to local customersand will replace the Special Weather Statement (SPS) forconvective watch clearance or cancellation informationin the late summer or fall of 2005.
NWS will also test software that allows WFOs to issuewarnings for parts of a county. This software, usingpolygons, will be tested at 22 WFOs from March 1 toSeptember 30. NWS has been issuing short-duration eventwarnings for entire counties for decades. Warning for awhole county does not always provide the best service,particularly in Western counties the size of small states.
This methodology also does not show the skill NWSforecasters possess in warning for specific areas underthe threat of tornadoes, damaging winds and large hail.The goal of the 22-WFO test and evaluation is to
In response to requests for more childrenspublications, we have added a link to the Billy and Mariaseries of coloring books that discuss weather.
Also new are links to the home pages of partnerswho offer publications about disaster preparedness andeducation, such as American Red Cross, FEMA, U.S.Geologic Survey and the National Disaster Education
Coalition. You can also
find new links toNOAAs other lineoffices and theireducational resources.
Our goal is toprovide you access tothe most currentinformation in asaccessible a format as
possible. Just about all of our publications are availableby download from our publications page. Unfortunately,current funding restraints prevent us from reprinting ourpublications as frequently as wed like. Access to
publications via the Internet, CDs and DVDs is fastbecoming the norm in these days of limited resources.
Read future issues of Aware and AwareNow forupdates on availability of publications and the introductionof new products. You can also check our website athttp://www.nws.noaa.gov/om/brochures.shtml.
Owlie Skywarn: Endangered Species?
By Donna Ayres, Aware Editor
One of our most popular publications, Owlie Skywarn:Watch Out Storms Ahead!, is still out of stock and willremain so indefinitely due to lack of funds.
In the meantime, please feel free to download Owliefrom our website and reprint as many copies as you need.You can download either theentire booklet or theindividual sections, each astand-alone booklet:
Hurricanes Lightning Tornadoes Floods and Flash Floods Winter Storms
Check future issues of electronic Aware andAwareNowto find out when Owlie is reprinted. Well alsobe updating our publications page about Owliesavailability. To download Owlie or check status, go tohttp://www.nws.noaa.gov/om/brochures.shtml.
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demonstrate that partial county warnings will improveservice by reducing areas needlessly warned. Included inthe test will be warnings for severe thunderstorms andtornadoes, special marine events and short-durationfloods.
Change can be a cause for concern, especially whenNWS has followed certain standard operating proceduresfor decades. The goal of these changes is to best leverage
the skills of NWS local forecasters and severe weatherspecialists and to improve the service to the public.
2005 Lightning Safety AwarenessWeek To Focus on Water Safety
By Donna Ayres, WCM Program Staff
The fourth annual National Lightning Safety Awareness
Week will be held June 19-25. The theme for 2005scampaign will be lightning safety for water-relatedactivities and outdoor recreation. The message well betrying to spread is that no place outdoors is safe during athunderstorm.
Events during the week will feature safety tips, thescience of lightning and medical aspects of lightning. Anew poster, created by talented NWS field personnel andfocused on the average citizen, is being prepared forrelease.
Partners in this awareness campaign include NOAA,FEMA, the 45th Weather Squadron, the American Red
Cross, the Institute for Business & Home Safety, theLightning Injury Research Program, Vaisala Inc., LightningStrike & Electric Shock Survivors International Inc., theNational Lightning Safety Institute and Flash: FederalAlliance for Safe Homes
For more information on this years campaign, visithttp://www.lightningsafety.noaa.gov/week.htm.
Texas Tornado Hole TeachesLittle Golfers Safety Essentials
By Steve Drillette, WCM, WFO Amarillo, TX
Its called Fore Amarillo. The Don HarringtonDiscovery Center has called on the community and puttogether a temporary miniature golf course for kids. Eachhole is designed to be educational as well as fun. AmarilloESA Ken Hunter and Electronics Tech David Wilburn spentmany hours constructing the tornado hole Number 16 (seephoto).
From left: Amarillo ET David Wilburn, Discovery CenterExecutive Director Ganesh Ganpat and Amarillo ESA KenHunter present the "tornado hole." The hole was built andsponsored by WFO Amarillo as part of an attraction at theDon Harrington Discovery Center in Amarillo, TX. Photo
provided by the Discovery Center staff.
A small motor spins the tornado. The golf ball entersthe tornado and is spiraled to the top of the tornado andthen is dropped through the rear-flank downdraft chamber.Its the most popular hole, said Ganesh Ganpat,Discovery Center Executive Director. The special golfcourse exhibit runs from January through May 2005.
40th Anniversary of Palm Sunday
Tornado Outbreak Highlight Gains
By Wayne Presnell, NWS Performance Branch
April 11, 2005, marks the 40th anniversary of oneof the most devastating tornado outbreaks in U.S.history. On that day, 47 tornadoes causing 271 fatalitiesand 1,500 injuries in six Midwestern states. Indianasuffered the most, with 137 fatalities and 1,200 injuries.
Another tragic tornado outbreak occurred on PalmSunday, March 27, 1994, mainly affecting Alabama and
Georgia. In that outbreak, 8 tornadoes caused 40 fatalitiesand 283 injuries.
One goal of NOAAs NWS is to constantly improve itssevere weather warnings, dissemination of thesewarnings, and public education efforts. NWSs improvedwarning capability was seen in the Record TornadoOutbreaks of May 4-10, 2003, when 393 tornadoes struck19 states in the central U.S. but resulted in only39 fatalities. This number is particularly impressivebecause F4 tornadoes (207-260 mph) moved throughmetro areas of Kansas City and Oklahoma City.
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TsunamiReady: PreparingOur Coastal Communities
By Stephan C. Kuhl, National WCM Program Leader
Following the tragic Indian Ocean tsunami of lastDecember, the need for U.S. coastal communities to bebetter prepared for risk of tsunamis has taken on greatermeaning. NOAAs NWS TsunamiReady program is readyto help with this effort.
TsunamiReady, a companion program to StormReady,was set up in 2001 to promote tsunami hazardpreparedness. The program fosters collaboration betweenfederal, state and local emergency management agencies,the public and the NOAA tsunami warning system. Thiscollaboration supports improved tsunami awareness andmitigation efforts among communities at risk. As of March2005, there were 15 TsunamiReady communities in fivestates: Alaska, Hawaii, Washington, Oregon andCalifornia.
Storm/TsunamiReady
Kansas City attributed only one fatality to the eventand Oklahoma City counted none. By comparison, duringthe April 11, 1965, outbreak, each tornado claimed anaverage of 5 lives. The average for the May 2003 eventwas one fatality over an average of 10 tornadoes.Improvements in tornado detection, dissemination ofwarnings and public response to warnings all contributedto the decrease in tornado fatalities.
Common to all three events was the large number offatalities in rural areas, which receive less TV and radiocoverage. In response, the NWS assessment of the 1994event spurred an accelerated plan to increase NWRcoverage nationwide, helping rural areas in particular.
NWS continues to add new NWR transmittersnationwide, adding coverage to more rural areas. Withnew digital technology and Specific Area MessageEncoding, lifesaving NWR broadcasts can now be targetedto a specific area, such as a county or portion of a state,to bring more specific information to the listening area.
This technology provides automated broadcastcapability for more timely service and allows broadcast,
cable, satellites and other media to automatically receivecommunications through the Emergency Alert System.NWSs goal is to expand the reach of NWR to 95 percentof the U.S. population and reduce even further fatalities,injuries and damage from severe storms.
The goal of TsunamiReady is to ensure communities
know what to do if a tsunami hits the coastlines of theUnited States or protectorates in the Pacific Ocean.TsunamiReady helps ensure communities follow standardsfor tsunami readiness, and encourages consistency ineducational materials and response among communities.The program also recognizes communities that haveadopted TsunamiReady guidelines and increases publicawareness and understanding of the tsunami hazard.
To be recognized as TsunamiReady, a community orcounty must:
Establish a 24 hour Warning Point and EmergencyOperations Center
Have the ability to disseminate Tsunami Warnings Possess a formal Tsunami Hazard Plan Set up tsunami evacuation routes Designate tsunami shelter/areas in safe zones Run a proactive community tsunami awareness
program Establish multiple ways to receive Tsunami Warnings,
such as NOAA Weather Radio All Hazards, EmergencyAlert System and the Web
As the public becomes more familiar with powerfulnatural events such as the tragic tsunami in Asia inDecember 2004, they will gain a better understandingthat, while TsunamiReady does not mean tsunami proof,the preparedness and communication the programpromotes can save lives. The ultimate goal of theTsunamiReady program is to ensure that when a tsunamiwarning is issued, the public gets the warning, knowswhat to do about it and takes appropriate action.
For more information about TsunamiReady, go to:http://www.nws.noaa.gov/stormready or visit NOAAsNWS Tsunami web page at: http://tsunami.gov.
NOAA to Produce TsunamiEducation Resource Kit
By Ron Gird, National Outreach Program Manager
Several NOAA offices are collaborating to producethe first NOAA Tsunami Education Resource Kit for theNational Science Teachers Association annual conferencein Dallas, TX, March 30 through April 3, 2005.
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Winter Weather
Storm Prediction Center Tests Timely
Format For Winter Weather ForecastsBy Peter Banacos, Assistant Mesoscale Forecaster
NCEP/Storm Prediction Center, Norman, OK
To better support NWS and external customer needs,NOAAs Storm Prediction Center (SPC) is testing specificissuance times for its winter weather mesoscalediscussion product. When winter weather hazards impactthe continental United States, Mesoscale Discussions (MD)are issued or updated four times daily by the SPC, between00-01, 06-07, 12-13 and 18-19 UTC.
The goal of the time-specific format is to allow theuser community to better anticipate the guidance productfor incorporation into local forecasts, public impactstatements and diagnostic assessment of winter storms.
As a component of NCEPs seamless suite of products,the SPC winter weather program provides technicaldescriptions of mesoscale processes contributing to heavysnow, significant icing and blizzard conditions up to6 hours in advance. These discussions serve tocompliment short-to-medium range winter weatherforecasts provided by the Hydrometeorological PredictionCenter and long-range guidance from the ClimatePrediction Center.
The MD provides forecast information on the what,when, where and whyof the impending weather hazard.Information concerning location, timing, expected rates,trends and mesoscale meteorological aspects of ahazardous winter weather event are provided in the firstparagraph. The second paragraph states the why ormeteorological processes associated with the forecast(e.g., CSI, frontogenesis, isentropic lift). A graphicsummarizing the forecast hazard and threat area is alsoprovided with the MD and is viewable on AWIPS and via
NOAA will produce 10,000 kits for the conference tobe given away at the NOAA Exhibit. The kit will containvideos showing tsunami events, fact sheets, posters,presentations, a new Teacher-at-Sea book on tsunamisand NOAA articles on tsunamis.
The material is being organized by Joyce Stark, apracticing teacher from Washington State on a 1-yearassignment at NOAAs Office of Education and Sustainable
Development. For information about the kit, [email protected].
SPCs website. Winter Weather MDs are written when atleast one of the following criteria is expected to be met:
Snowfall rates of at least 1 inch per hour lasting2 hours or longer at elevations below 4000 feet MeanSea Level (MSL)
Snowfall rates of at least 2 inches per hour for2 hours or longer, at elevations between 4000 and
8000 feet above MSL, higher mountainous terrain orin lake effect areas
For freezing rain, when greater than five-hundredthsof an inch is expected within a 3-hour period
For spatial and temporal trends in precipitation typesuch as snow changing to freezing rain, rain chang-ing to snow
For the initiation of mesoscale blizzard conditions,visibility less than 1/4 mile in snow/blowing snowand winds in excess of 35 mph, including non-pre-cipitating ground blizzardsexpected to last at least3 hours
For climatologically rare winter precipitation situa-
tions, as might occur across the southern tier of theUnited States
The test period for the time-specific winter weatherMDs ended February 28, with forecasts issued as neededthrough the remainder of the winter 04-05 season. SPCwelcomes Input from users on the time-specific format;email [email protected]. Comments will guideimprovements to SPCs winter weather products. For moreinformation, go to the SPC website at: http://www.spc.noaa.gov.
Climate: True Snowfall Totals andJanuary 2005 New England Blizzard
By Judy Koepsell, Ron Berger, Bob Leffler
NWS Climate Services Division
It is hard enough to ensure accurate observations ofsnow measurements, but when strong, persistent windsare added to the mix, it becomes even more challenging.
Such was the case during the recent January 22-23, 2005,blizzard in New England.After the storm, the WFO Boston took steps to
confirm unofficial reports received during the blizzard.After on-site inspections of the observation sites withthe highest snowfall totals, an internal report was issuedon February 4, 2005, by Alan E. Dunham, ObservationProgram Leader at WFO Boston.
Alan concluded . . .this was a difficult storm in whichto measure snow given not only the strength but also theduration of the winds. A single snowboard measurement
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Aviation Weather: aviationweather.noaa.gov/Education/Outreach: weather.gov/os/edures.htmFlooding/Water: weather.gov/os/water/index.shtml
Lightning Safety: lightningsafety.noaa.gov/Marine Weather: weather.gov/os/marine/home.htmMIC/WCM/SOO/DOH List: weather.gov/os/wcm-soo.pdfNatural Hazards Statistics: weather.gov/os/hazstats.shtmlNational Digital Forecast Database weather.gov/ndfd/NOAA Weather Radio Information: weather.gov/nwr/Past Weather/Climate: lwf.ncdc.noaa.gov/oa/ncdc.htmlPublications List: weather.gov/os/pubslist.htmStormReady Home Page: stormready.noaa.gov/Severe Weather Safety: weather.gov/os/severeweather/index.shtmlTsunami Information: NOAA/NWS www.tsunami.gov
Writers Corner
Comma Conundrum
By Donna Ayres, Aware [email protected]
Leave it in, take it out? One of the most irksomepunctuation decisions writers and editors face is whento use a comma. If you refer to the GPO Style Manual,
was impossible to take given the conditions. Observershad to take many observations from various locations,from bare ground to drifts all in order to get the bestmeasurement possible. . .
Alan further wrote, A review of all the observationsshowed in virtually all cases of higher than expectedsnowfall reports, the higher reports came from thecategory of general public. This is not to say that all
reports from the general public were suspect. A greatmany were well within the range of reports received fromour published COOP sites and trained spotters.
Alan concluded that the seven highest values, rangingfrom 35 to 38 inches, had to be disregarded. His post-storm analysis indicated the highest snowfalls likely didnot exceed 32 inches.
Two conclusions can be drawn from Alans analysis.First, taking accurate snowfall measurements, difficultunder the best circumstances, requires training inaddition to the appropriate siting and tools.
Second, NWS needs to determine the most effectiveway to disseminate observation information to the public
and media. NWS is looking at this issue. For moreinformation about snow measurement guidelines, go to:http://www.nws.noaa.gov/om/coop/snowguid.htm .
Climate, Water and Weather Links
Remember, this is the last paper copy
ofAware. This list will only be used to sendAware. Sign up for your free electronicsubscription to E-Aware at:
http://weather.gov/os/awarelist.shtml.
Sign up for E-Aware Today!
http://www.gpoaccess.gov/stylemanual/2000/chap08.pdf, youll find more than 20 rules on the use of this tiny,troublesome mark.
Here are some of the ways commas are properly used:
To separate two main clauses: each clause expressesa complete thought
In a compound sentence: combining two simple sen-
tences When they are joined by a coordinating conjunction:
and, but, or, nor
Heres an example of two simple sentencesexpressing complete thoughts: Funds are available torevise the programming study. The cost, schedule, andspace allocation must be reviewed.
Heres an example of a compound sentence combiningtwo thoughts joined by a coordinating conjunction:Funds are available to revise the programming study,but the cost, schedule and space allocation must bereviewed.
The example above is for one type of separatingcomma. In a future issue ofAware, well look at morecommas of separation: serial commas and those thatseparate multiple adjectives.
In the meantime, when in doubt, look it up!
