Are You Ready for Severe Weather? Jeff Last NOAA National Weather Service Plan, Practice, Monitor, Act March 18, 2008

Are You Ready? The National Weather Service Plan, Practice, Monitor, Act Watching the Storm Weather Terminology Receiving Weather Information What the NWS Can Do for You Today’s Presentation

Weather Decision Advisors: National Weather Service

The National Weather Service (NWS) is an agency in the Federal Government. The NWS is in the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) under the Department of Commerce. NOAA conducts research and gathers data about the global oceans, atmosphere, space and sun, and applies this knowledge to science and service that touch the lives of all Americans.

The National Weather Service is responsible for issuing forecasts and warnings for the protection of life and property and the enhancement of the national economy. There are 122 NWS Weather Forecast Offices across the country, including an office in Puerto Rico and Guam.

Minneapolis Green Bay Weather Forecast Office and Doppler radar locations La Crosse MN IA Five offices serve 72 counties, rivers, and marine areas of Wisconsin. Each office has a Doppler radar, which gives meteorologists a unique view of storms. Milwaukee/Sullivan Duluth Green Bay The NWS in Wisconsin National Weather Service:

Meteorologists are on duty 24 hours a day, monitoring the weather for 22 counties in northeast Wisconsin including the Bay and nearshore waters of Lake Michigan. The NWS in Green Bay National Weather Service:

NWS Green Bay: 22 staff members -12 meteorologists - 5 forecaster assistants - Electronics Technicians - IT Support The NWS in Green Bay National Weather Service:

Are You Ready for a Storm: Plan, Practice, Monitor, Act

Plan, Practice, Monitor, Act The key to saving lives and protecting property is preparing for all weather hazards...

Parsons Manufacturing Plant 140 employees inside Plan, Practice, Monitor, Act

F4 tornado! Spotters gave plant precious lead time. Employees went to shelters.

No deaths or injuries: Preparation, knowledge, and action saved lives! Storm shelters

Plant had a weather safety plan. Plant had designated weather watchers. Weather safety plan was tested regularly – employees knew what to do and where to go when a real tornado threatened. Plan, Practice, Monitor, Act

Storms on the Horizon: Watching the Storm

Watching the Storm Storm spotters and weather watchers are volunteers that help communities and the NWS watch storms. They provide valuable lead time to businesses, large gatherings, and the public.

Storm Spotters The National Weather Service (NWS) has a network of trained storm spotters who keep an eye to the sky. Spotters report severe weather to NWS and local officials. Watching the Storm:

Storm Spotters NWS Doppler Radar shows forecasters where significant weather might be occurring. Spotters tell NWS forecasters exactly what is occurring. Watching the Storm:

Storm Spotters Note: Spotters plotted on map are those who accept phone calls from NWS. Watching the Storm:

Storm Spotters Training, sponsored by local emergency management and the NWS, is held every spring across northeast Wisconsin. Watching the Storm:

Designated Weather Watchers Businesses, hospitals, schools, churches, and other places where a large number of people gather should designate a “weather watcher” when severe weather threatens. The weather watcher should have a weather radio handy, a view to the outside, and a method to alert building/area occupants. Watching the Storm:

Designated Weather Watchers When a warning is issued or a tornado is observed, the weather watcher can alert everyone of the hazard so protective action can be taken. Weather watchers don’t have to be trained spotters, but should consider it. Watching the Storm:

Storms in the Forecast: Weather Terminology

NWS Watches and Warnings The National Weather Service uses Watches, Warnings, and Advisories to alert the public of weather hazards. – – Watch: Severe weather is possible. Stay tuned to your weather info source for later forecasts. – – Warning: Severe weather is likely or already occurring, possibly life threatening. – – Advisory: A weather hazard that will cause an inconvenience, but is not life threatening if proper precautions are taken. Weather Terminology:

CONVECTIVE & HYDRO EVENTSWHEN ISSUED SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WATCHThunderstorms with winds 50 kts and/or hail 3/4 inch or larger are possible in and close to the watch area TORNADO WATCHSevere thunderstorms with tornadoes are possible in or close to the watch area FLOOD / FLASH FLOOD WATCHFlooding that produces life/property threat is possible COLD-SEASON EVENTSTHRESHOLDS WINTER STORM WATCHWinter weather conditions that pose a threat to life are possible NON-PRECIPITATION EVENTSTHRESHOLDS HIGH WIND WATCHSustained winds 40+ mph (35 kts) for 1 hr or more, or any gust 58+ mph (50 kts) are possible EXCESSIVE HEAT WATCHHeat Index > 110°F for 3 or more hrs (80°F at night if prolonged event) is possible Watches Weather Terminology:

CONVECTIVE & HYDRO EVENTSTHRESHOLDS SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING Winds 50 kts (58 mph or implied by damage), and/or hail 3/4 inch TORNADO WARNING Tornado occurring or developing FLASH FLOOD WARNING Flooding that produces life/property threat in 0-6 hrs FLOOD WARNING Flooding that lasts 6 hrs or more; flooding that affects mainstem rivers; usu. a threat to property URBAN/SMALL STREAM FLOOD ADVISORY Inconvenience flooding in 0-24 hrs MARINE EVENTSTHRESHOLDS SPECIAL MARINE WARNING Winds (convective or non-conv) 34 kts for 2 hrs or less GALE WARNING Sustained winds 34 to 47 kts or freq gusts 38 to 47 kts STORM WARNING Sustained winds 48 to 64 kts or freq gusts 50 to 64 kts HURRICANE FORCE WIND WARNING Sustained winds 65+ kts LAKESHORE WARNING Significant lakeshore flooding, erosion, ice jam, or seiche SMALL CRAFT ADVISORY Winds kts and/or waves > 4 ft Warnings and Advisories Weather Terminology:

COLD-SEASON EVENTSTHRESHOLDS WINTER STORM WARNING Event-specific warnings such as: HEAVY SNOW WARNING, SLEET WARNING, LAKE EFFECT SNOW WARNING will be issued if only one event is expected ☞ Winter Strm Warn: A combo of two of the following: heavy snow, sleet, and/or freezing rain/drzl ☞ Winter Strm Warn: Snow or lake-effect snow squall accms 6 inches within 12 hrs, or 8 inches within 24 hrs, with winds 25 mph, producing blowing snow ☞ Hvy Snow/Lk Effect Warn: Heavy snow with winds less than 25 mph and little/no blowing snow ☞ Forecaster Discretion: Winter Storm Warn for lesser amts in shorter time pd w/ blwg snow ☞ Sleet Warn: Sleet accums of > 1 inch in 12 hours or less BLIZZARD WARNING Sustained winds or freq gusts 35 mph and falling/blowing snow with vsby near 1/4 mile or less for 3 hrs (only blowing snow needed for ground blizzard) ICE STORM WARNING Ice accum over 1/4 inch in 12 hours or less WIND CHILL WARNING Wind chills 35 below or colder with at least 10 mph wind WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY Event specific advisories such as: snow, lake-effect snow, sleet, freezing rain, blowing snow will be issued if only one event is expected ☞ Winter Wx Advy: Sig. mix of snow, sleet, freezing rain/drizzle ☞ Snow/Lk Effect Snow Advy: Snow accums 3 to 5 inches within 12 hrs ☞ Sleet Advy: Sleet accums 1/2 to 1 inch in 12 hours or less ☞ Freezing Rain Advy: Light freezing rn or freezing drzl with ice accum < 1/4 inch in 12 hr or less ☞ Winter Wx Advy: Wind driven snow, blowing snow, intermittent vsbys < 1/2 mile ☞ Blowing Snow Advy: Blowing snow reducing vsbys to 1/2 mile or less WIND CHILL ADVISORY Wind chills 25 to 34 below with at least 10 mph wind Warnings and Advisories Weather Terminology:

NON-PRECIPITATION EVENTSTHRESHOLDS HIGH WIND WARNING Sustained winds 40+ mph (35 kts) for 1 hr or more, or any gust 58+ mph (50 kts) EXCESSIVE HEAT WARNING For any 24 hr period: HI > 110°F for 3 or more hrs (80°F at night if prolonged event) AIR QUALITY WATCH/ADVISORY Major buildup of air pollution/particulate due to stable atmos. conditions (initiated by Wisc. Dept. of Natural Resources) HEAT ADVISORY For any 24 hr period: HI °F for 3 or more hrs (80°F at night if prolonged event) WIND ADVISORY Sustained winds 30+ mph (26 kts) for 1 hr or more, or any gust 45+ mph (39 kts) DENSE FOG ADVISORY Widespread vsby 1/4 mile or less for 3 hours or more DENSE SMOKE ADVISORY Smoke producing widespread or localized vsby 1/4 mile or less BLOWING DUST ADVISORY Widespread/localized vsbys less than 1 mile for 3 hrs or more with sustained winds 25 mph FREEZING FOG ADVISORY Fog, usually with vsby 1/2 mile or less, freezing on cold objects with deposits resulting in impact to commerce, transportation, people, etc. FROST ADVISORY During growing season, widespread frost (temps usually 32-38°F) FREEZE WARNING During growing season, widespread temps around 30°F or less RED FLAG WARNING Winds 15+ mph (20 ft level on NFDR sites), RH 25% or lower, temps 75+°F, and critically dry fuels combine to produce extreme fire danger and/or fire behavior Warnings and Advisories Weather Terminology:

Storms in the Forecast: Getting Weather Information

NOAA Weather Radio All Hazards Getting Weather Information: NOAA Weather Radio broadcasts all hazard emergency information, 24/7. – – This includes weather and non-weather emergencies When a warning is issued, specially designed radios automatically turn on and broadcast the information. – – “The smoke alarm for hazards and severe weather information.”

NOAA Weather Radio All Hazards The information comes directly from the local NWS office. When the weather is calm, the radios broadcast current weather conditions, forecasts, and climate information. Getting Weather Information:

NOAA Weather Radio All Hazards Getting Weather Information:

NOAA Weather Radio All Hazards As an “all hazards” radio network, NOAA Weather Radio broadcasts emergency messages about non-weather events in addition to weather emergencies. Getting Weather Information:

The Internet The NWS has a comprehensive weather web site with the latest forecasts, watches, and warnings. – – Getting Weather Information:

The Internet The NWS web site contains – – Forecasts and Current Weather Getting Weather Information:

The Internet The NWS web site contains – – Watches and Warnings Getting Weather Information:

The Internet The NWS web site contains – – Live Radar Getting Weather Information:

The Internet All available at Getting Weather Information:

The Internet There are many web sites that offer free emergency , cell and pager messages. For example, the Emergency and Wireless Network ( offers NWS warnings and forecasts for your portable device. Getting Weather Information:

Commercial TV and Radio All NWS watches and warnings are disseminated to commercial TV and radio stations. Many stations then broadcast the information to viewers/listeners. Getting Weather Information:

Private Weather Vendors The private weather industry takes NWS products and tailors them for the specific needs of their customers. For a list of private weather vendors: Getting Weather Information:

Methods to Receive Info NOAA Weather Radio – – Pros: Directly from NWS; 24/7; active; no fee for service – – Cons: No pictures Internet (NWS web site) – – Pros: Pictures and text; 24/7; no fee for service – – Cons: Generally passive Commercial TV and Radio – – Pros: Free; some images (TV) – – Cons: Passive if device is turned off Private Weather Vendors – – Pros: Tailored weather information; 24/7; active – – Cons: $$ Getting Weather Information: Summary

The National Weather Service: What We Can Do for You

What the NWS Can Do for You Plan and Practice – – Weather safety web sites – – Safety brochures

What the NWS Can Do for You Monitor and Act – – Weather info: – – NOAA Weather Radio All Hazards – – Attend storm spotter training

Questions? Jeff Last NOAA National Weather Service