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Skywarn Spotter Training Mike Cempa – Senior Forecaster National Weather Service Gray, ME Gray, ME

NWS Mission “To protect the lives and property of the citizens of the United States…” Watches and Warnings Watches and Warnings Outreach and Training Outreach and Training

NWS County Warning Areas

The Spotter’s Role Technology at the NWS – Radar Radar Satellites Satellites Automated Observing Equipment Automated Observing Equipment Lightning Detection Networks Lightning Detection Networks Computers Computers It’s all good, but…

The Spotter’s Role What we see at WFO Gray:

The Spotter’s Role Ground Truth - What’s really happening:

The Spotter’s Role To be the eyes of the NWS where severe weather is occurring or has occurred: Reporting storm type or structureReporting storm type or structure Reporting storm impactsReporting storm impacts Reporting damage, flooding or injury from stormsReporting damage, flooding or injury from storms This is the Ground Truth

The Spotter’s Role Ground Truth is the single most important type of information we can get at the NWS office. This is why spotters are so important.

Terms and Definitions Severe Thunderstorm – Thunderstorm producing winds of at least 58 mph (50 kts), and/or ¾” diameter hail (or greater). Severe Thunderstorm – Thunderstorm producing winds of at least 58 mph (50 kts), and/or ¾” diameter hail (or greater). Tornado – Violently rotating column of air, attached to a thunderstorm base, and in contact with the ground. Tornado – Violently rotating column of air, attached to a thunderstorm base, and in contact with the ground. Funnel Cloud – Rotating funnel-shaped cloud extending downward from a thunderstorm base, but not necessarily in contact with the ground. Funnel Cloud – Rotating funnel-shaped cloud extending downward from a thunderstorm base, but not necessarily in contact with the ground.

Terms and Definitions Downburst – Strong downdraft producing an outrush of damaging winds at or near the ground (Microburst – smaller scale, but wind may be more concentrated) Downburst – Strong downdraft producing an outrush of damaging winds at or near the ground (Microburst – smaller scale, but wind may be more concentrated) Flash Flood – A rapid rise in water, usually occurring in 12 hours or less. Flash Flood – A rapid rise in water, usually occurring in 12 hours or less.

Terms and Definitions Watch – Conditions are favorable for severe weather in and near the watch area. Watch – Conditions are favorable for severe weather in and near the watch area. Warning – Severe weather is imminent or occurring in the warned area. Warning – Severe weather is imminent or occurring in the warned area.

Reporting Criteria Tornado Hail (any size) Funnel Cloud Winds 50 mph or greater Rotating Wall Cloud Rain: 1” an hour or more Flash Flooding Rain: 2” or greater in < 6 hours

We need your photos Many photos from the Great Plains, where the land is flat, the air is clear Many photos from the Great Plains, where the land is flat, the air is clear New England is hills and haze New England is hills and haze Send your photos to: Send your photos to:

Thunderstorms

Thunderstorms

Thunderstorms Required for thunderstorm formation: 1.Moisture 2.Lift / Instability

Thunderstorms Moisture Sources Atlantic Gulf of Mexico Great Lakes (Pacific)

Thunderstorms Convergence: where winds from different directions meet, or fast winds meet slow winds. Mechanical Lift

Fronts: boundary between two air masses with different characteristics. Cooler (drier) air is more dense – acts as a wedge.

Thunderstorms Terrain: forces air upward when wind blows toward higher terrain. Mechanical Lift

Instability (Non-mechanical Lift) Convection: The sun heats the earth’s surface, parcels of air rise like bubbles. They continue to rise as long as they remain warmer than the air around them. Moist air will react the same way in the presence of drier air

Weather balloons provide a vertical profile of the air, which help us “see” instability.

Thunderstorms

Thunderstorms Life Cycle

Developing Thunderstorm

Mature Thunderstorm

Thunderstorms Updraft development

Thunderstorms

Thunderstorms Anvil Overshooting Top Flanking Line

Thunderstorms Rain Free Base

Mature Thunderstorm Real Time/Time Lapse

Thunderstorms

Thunderstorms

Dissipating Thunderstorm

Important Thunderstorm Features MesocycloneMesocyclone Wall CloudWall Cloud Funnel/TornadoFunnel/Tornado Shelf CloudShelf Cloud Downburst/MicroburstDownburst/Microburst

Mesocyclone Rotation of updraft at or below cloud base

Mesocyclone in a Supercell Thunderstorm

Mesocyclone

Wall Cloud Lowering of the cloud base – enhanced condensation and inflow

Tilts downward toward the rain May or may not rotate - rotation is precursor to tornado development

Wall Cloud – give it a minute – watch for rotation

Funnel Cloud Recall: Rotating funnel-shaped cloud extending downward from a thunderstorm base, but not necessarily in contact with the ground.

Funnel Cloud - again, give it a minute

Tornado Violently rotating column of air, attached to a thunderstorm base, and in contact with the ground

View from Above

Look for the dust/debris to determine contact with ground

You make the call – Funnel or Tornado? Tornado? Maybe, but, not always obvious.

Multiple Vortices

Wanted a Front Row Seat?

Downbursts

Downburst (from outside)

Downburst (from inside)

Shelf Cloud Aaron Gilstad-ND Atmospheric Resource Board

Shelf Cloud Tilts away from rain

Maine Mall, South Portland 9 September 2006

Roll Cloud Roll Cloud: Not attached to thunderstorm Roll Clouds are long and tubular and rotate on a horizontal axis

Scud Tom Warner

Hail

Hail Formation Strong updraftStrong updraft Hail nucleus goes through ice accretion multiple timesHail nucleus goes through ice accretion multiple times Either gets blown out of updraft, or becomes too heavyEither gets blown out of updraft, or becomes too heavy

0.25” - Pea 0.25” - Pea 0.50” - Mothball 0.50” - Mothball 0.75” - Penny/Dime 0.75” - Penny/Dime 0.88” - Nickel 0.88” - Nickel 1.00” - Quarter 1.00” - Quarter 1.25” - Half Dollar 1.25” - Half Dollar 1.50” - Ping Pong (Walnut) 1.50” - Ping Pong (Walnut) 1.75” - Golf Ball 1.75” - Golf Ball 2.00” - Hen Egg 2.00” - Hen Egg 2.50” - Tennis Ball 2.50” - Tennis Ball 2.75” - Baseball 2.75” - Baseball 4.50” - Softball 4.50” - Softball Coins or Sports Balls (or candy?) (M&M)

Thunderstorm Safety Go indoors Go indoors Stay away from windows Stay away from windows If you are in a vehicle, point it into the wind If you are in a vehicle, point it into the wind If you are outside, get down as low as you can without laying on the ground. If you are outside, get down as low as you can without laying on the ground. Can be much more damaging than a tornado! Can be much more damaging than a tornado!

Tornado Go to a sturdy building Go to a sturdy building Basement, away from outer walls Basement, away from outer walls If no basement, interior closet, hallway, or bathroom If no basement, interior closet, hallway, or bathroom Stay away from windows Stay away from windows If outdoors, seek shelter If outdoors, seek shelter If driving, abandon your vehicle and seek shelter. Look for a nearby ditch or depression but watch out for flooding. If driving, abandon your vehicle and seek shelter. Look for a nearby ditch or depression but watch out for flooding. DO NOT seek shelter beneath an overpass. DO NOT seek shelter beneath an overpass.

Could be hit by debris Bad idea

Lightning

Kills people annually Injures Go indoors to a sturdy shelter Stay away from tall objects In the ball park, send people to their vehicles Get out of the water!! Plan ahead for busy boat ramps Kills people annually Injures Go indoors to a sturdy shelter Stay away from tall objects In the ball park, send people to their vehicles Get out of the water!! Plan ahead for busy boat ramps Lightning

Bad Decisions (Part 1)

Flash Flooding Johnstown, PA 20 July 1977 Las Vegas, 19 August 2003

Flash Flooding 1996 Flooding kills more people in the US and worldwide than any other weather hazard

Westbrook, ME Old Orchard Beach, ME Scarborough, ME October 1996

From the FEMA Web Page For each foot the water rises up the side of a typical car, 1500 lbs is displaced feet can carry away almost all cars.

Something a Little Bigger Width: 6 feet Width: 6 feet Length: 18 feet Length: 18 feet Ground Clearance: 18 inches Ground Clearance: 18 inches Weight: 5,040 pounds Weight: 5,040 pounds 1 foot of water displaced by this vehicle weighs: (6’ x 18’ x 1’ x 62.4 lbs./cu.ft.) = 6,739 pounds Bigger not always better

Bad Decisions (Part 2)

Flooding Safety DO NOT cross flooded roadways DO NOT cross flooded roadways Be more vigilant at night during and after rainstorms. Be more vigilant at night during and after rainstorms. Climb to higher ground if necessary Climb to higher ground if necessary Beware areas of construction during rain! Beware areas of construction during rain! Turn Around Don’t Drown! Turn Around Don’t Drown!

Bad Decisions (Part 3)

Planning Ahead (A few days) Day 2 & 3 Convective Outlooks (SPC) Day 2 & 3 Convective Outlooks (SPC) Day 2-7 Hazardous Weather Outlook Day 2-7 Hazardous Weather Outlook Area Forecast Discussion (Long Term) Area Forecast Discussion (Long Term)

Severe Weather Expected this Afternoon! Day 1 Convective Outlooks (SPC) Day 1 Convective Outlooks (SPC) Day 1 Hazardous Weather Outlook Day 1 Hazardous Weather Outlook Short Term Area Forecast Discussion Short Term Area Forecast Discussion

Convective Outlooks

Hazardous Weather Outlook (HWO) Issued before 6 AMIssued before 6 AM By local WFOBy local WFO

Area Forecast Discussion (AFD)

Mesoscale Discussion (MCD)

Convective Watches Counties – Public Box - Aviation

Warnings Severe Thunderstorm – 58 mph winds / ¾” hail Severe Thunderstorm – 58 mph winds / ¾” hail Special Marine – 34 knots / ¾” hail / waterspouts Special Marine – 34 knots / ¾” hail / waterspouts

Reporting Criteria Tornado Hail (any size) Funnel Cloud Winds 50 mph or greater Rotating Wall Cloud Rain: 1” an hour or more Flash Flooding Rain: 2” or greater in < 6 hours Storm Related Damage of Any Kind

What not to report: Lightning Lightning -We have an accurate detection system “Dark Sky,” “It’s starting to rain,” “It’s raining hard,” “The winds are starting to blow,” etc. “Dark Sky,” “It’s starting to rain,” “It’s raining hard,” “The winds are starting to blow,” etc.

How to report: The best way is to call: The best way is to call: Report to the net Report to the net

NOAA Weather Radio

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