1. The Sky is Talking: Understanding Severe Storms and Tornadoes

2. Tuscaloosa, AL: April 27, 2011

5. Tuscaloosa, AL: EF4 damage to 190mph

6. Tuscaloosa, AL: Obliteration in tornado zone

7. Same tornado hits Birmingham an hour later

8. One giant storm produced multiple huge tornadoes..some up to 1.5 miles wide. This storm killed over 100 people and injured thousands. There were other tornadic storms that day too. 346 people died in all.

9. This is how a Supercell might look from 20 miles away. Notice “mushrooming” top and anvil on right.

10. Outflow: Also called the “Gust Front”… the outrush of cool air along the front of the storm.

11. Gust Front (outflow) Acts like a “mini cold front”…very gusty winds and cooler temperatures as it approaches.

12. Overshooting Top: Indicates violent upward motion. These storms often have hail and strong winds in them.

13. Overshooting Top: Shows rapid upward motion in the storm column.

14. Hail Shaft: Region of violent upward motion, which contains large hail. Hail may fall from beneath the wall cloud.

16. Wall Cloud: A lowering of the storm base, CONNECTED to the storm, and, especially if rotating, very dangerous!

17. Wall Cloud: Different sizes, shapes

18. Pilot Point, TX

19. Near Mooreland, OK, April 14, 2012

20. Near Freedom, OK April 14, 2012

21. Good advice!

22. SE of Tishomingo, March 31, 2008

23. Scud Clouds…NOT a Wall Cloud!

25. If the cloud appears to be connected…watch for several minutes…rotation is the key.

26. Mammatus: A big storm somewhere

27. Created by pockets of cold, sinking air. They indicate turbulence…but do not mean a tornado is nearby.

28. Check out this HUGE Supercell Storm (notice the curved appearance..indicating rotation)

29. Lone Grove Tornado: Feb 10, 2009

31. Power flash here indicates tornado hitting wires, transformers, or buildings. Just entering Lone Grove from the south.

32. Mobile homes utterly destroyed

33. Tushka tornado: an EF3 with 150 mph winds: hook similar to Lone Grove storm.

34. Notice “Beaver tail” on right. This indicates strong air flow (inflow) towards the updraft.

35. Note the debris…deadly missiles.

36. Debris Cloud: Dust, rocks, and flying objects picked up by a funnel in contact with the ground.

37. Debris Cloud: Unmistakable!

38. Storm Safety Refresher: 1. Know where to go 2. Be able to get there quickly 3. Have multiple sources for information

39. 4. DON’T PANIC!!! 5. Heed warnings: There will be some false alarms 6. A 2011 NOAA study showed a “majority” of Joplin residents ignored tornado sirens and waited until they saw the tornado itself or a radar display before seeking safe shelter

40. June 18, 2007 A word about FLOODS…

41. As little as a foot of flowing water can render your vehicle a soggy trap.

42. Steve LaNore steve.lanore@gmail.com Both books available in Kindle or paperback formats on AMAZON.com One for the kids….one for you