DETROIT/PONTIAC, MI

SKYWARN Spotter newsletter

Fall 2017

2017 Southeast Michigan Summer Climate Summary Inside this issue: Dominant Weather Pat- ern US, bringing warmer upper level trough domi- Summer Climate 1-2 tern: and more humid condi- nated for much of Au- Summary tions to southeast Michi- gust, causing tempera- Important Dates 1 An upper level ridge gan. The most notable tures to average one to dominated the western occurrences of this were two degrees below aver- Hazard Simplifica- 5 half of North America the second and third age. Taking the entire with attendant warmer week of June and the summer into considera- Winter Spotter Clas- 6 and drier than normal latter half of July. tion, temperatures across Winter Reporting 7 weather. In turn, an up- Southeast Michigan aver- per level trough set up Temperatures: aged between 68.5 and Useful Websites 8 over eastern North Amer- 72 degrees, roughly near CoCoRaHAS 9 average to one degree ica. Its associated short After a cool start to June, above. wave troughs, fronts and the warm stretch during low pressure systems the middle of the month brought cooler than nor- pushed the average June Continued on next page... Thank you! mal weather. Southeast temperatures one to two Michigan was heavily degrees above normal. While severe influenced by this trough July also started on the weather has been through most of the sum- cool side, but warmer limited, our office mer. There were however conditions during the would like to a few times when this latter half of the month trough retreated and the kept the monthly temps thank you for all ridge out west expanded for July near average to the reporting that into the central and east- one degree above. The you have done this summer! We appreciate all the Upcoming dates reports we get and look forward to continuing to  Winter Hazards Aware-  Skywarn Recognition take your reports. ness Week is November Day is December 1-2, 5-11, 2017! 2017!

P AGE 2 S K Y W A R N S POTTER NEWSLETTER 2017 Southeast Michigan Summer Climate Summary...Continued

Although temperatures averaged In fact, Saginaw (measured at MBS Summer climate consists of slightly above normal this past sum- airport in Freeland) recorded 10.76 3 months: mer, the number of days in which inches of rain during the month of June, July, & August high temperatures reached or ex- June. This made it the wettest June ceeded 90 degrees was actually on record and second wettest rains in Michigan. Frequent frontal low. Detroit only had 4 days, three month ever (behind September boundaries brought periods of of which occurred in June. Flint 1986). The heaviest rainfall oc- showers and , some recorded three days, all in June, curred on June 22nd to 23rd. Four of which did produce some locally while Saginaw had two, also in to eight inches of rain fell from Bay higher rainfall amounts. As is often June. The table below gives some City through Midland and over to the case with summertime thunder- additional temperature statistics for Mount Pleasant. This led to exten- storms, several locations did miss the three Southeast Michigan cli- sive flooding across this region and out on the heavier convection, lead- mate sites. caused the Tittibawassee and Chip- ing to localized dry conditions. Sev-

Precipitation: pewa Rivers to crest at record levels. eral locales, generally along/south Meanwhile, rainfall was much less of the I-69 corridor, experienced a The month of June ended up being farther south (actually a little below period of abnormally dry condi- extremely wet across the Saginaw normal across Detroit). Rainfall tions, especially during mid to late Valley and thumb region where throughout the rest of the summer summer. clusters developed was more typical of summertime along a persistent frontal boundary.

The image to the left indicates the summer departure from normal

across the continental US. Note most of the central and eastern US saw temperatures average within a couple degrees of normal while the western US experienced above normal temperatures.

Continued on page 3... NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DETROIT/PONITAC, MI P AGE 3

2017 Southeast Michigan Summer Climate

Summary...Continued

The image above denotes the average temperature for The above image gives the total summer rainfall in this summer across the Midwest. The average compris- inches which occurred across the Midwest. Average es both daytime highs and nighttime mins. rainfall across Southeast Michigan in the summer is between nine and ten inches.

Continued on page 4... P AGE 4 S K Y W A R N S POTTER NEWSLETTER 2017 Southeast Michigan Summer Climate Summary...Continued

Severe Weather: blew several trees down across Monroe County. Much like last summer, severe storms were rather infrequent July 6th; a cluster of thunderstorms across Southeast Michigan. Despite Only one occurred in produce some locally strong wind several frontal boundaries which Southeast Michigan this past sum- tracked across the area, the ingredi- gusts across portions of Genesee ents for widespread severe weath- and Lapeer Counties, resulting in a mer. In fact, as of September 17th, er, namely ample instability, were few trees down. this has been the only tornado thus often lacking. far the entire year. This occurred July 7th; thunderstorms produced a August 17th near Kingston in Tusco- Aside from the Midland and Bay few localized areas of large hail and County flooding in June, some of damaging winds across portions of la County. the more notable severe events the Flint and Detroit areas. from this past summer include: July 23rd; thunderstorms intensified Below are the details from the NWS th over Saginaw Bay and produced June 17 ; 60+ MPH winds from storm survey. This is followed by a thunderstorms affected portions of strong winds as they moved on- Saginaw and Sanilac Counties, shore across western Huron Coun- couple pictures of the damage. downing several trees. ty, causing numerous trees to be blown down. June 22nd; thunderstorm winds

NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DETROIT/PONITAC, MI P AGE 5

Winter Hazard Simplification

Starting on October 1, 2017 winter weather products will be consolidated and will use a new format.

The NWS is striving to support a “Weather-Ready Nation” by ensuring you are aware of and prepared for the variety of weather- and water-based hazards we experience across the country every day. One factor in sup- porting this awareness and preparedness is to make sure our messaging is as clear and focused as possible.

Based on initial feedback from core partners and the public, and with support from social and behavioral sci- entists, the NWS is implementing changes to more effectively communicate our hazard messages. To begin this process, modifications will be made to winter weather products. Here are the winter adjustments taking place this Fall:

1) Product Consolidation:  Consolidate Lake Effect Advisory and into  Consolidate Lake Effect Snow Watch and Watch into Watch  Consolidate into Winter (selected sites only)

2) Product Reformatting:  Reformat all winter products into a “What, Where, When, Additional Details, and Precaution- ary/Preparedness Actions” format.

While the five consolidated products noted above will no longer be issued, the service will still be provided. Instead of issuing products specifically for lake effect snow, freezing rain, and (only in the case of watches for blizzards), the information will be provided in the "what" section of existing products. Reformat- ting will bring a more clear and organized look and feel to the products. Critical decision-making details will be more readily available and easier to find with the new format mentioned above. More information is available at the Hazard Simplification website: http://www.weather.gov/hazardsimplification/ P AGE 6

2017 Winter spotter training classes

DATE LOCA- ADDRESS TIME TION

Mon Oct Port Huron St. Clair County Building 7 PM – 8:15 PM 16 200 Grand River Ave, Port Huron, MI 48060

Sat Oct 21 Waterford Oakland County Executive Office Building 10 AM – 11:30 AM 2100 Pontiac Lake Rd, Waterford, MI 48328

Wed Oct Monroe Monroe County Emergency Management Office 25 987 S Raisinville Rd, Monroe, MI 48161 7 PM – 8:30 PM

Thurs Nov Midland TBD 2 7 PM – 8:30 PM Tue Nov Flint Genesee County Building, 3rd Floor Auditorium 28 1101 Beach St., Room G-25, Flint, MI 48502 7 PM – 8:30 PM Tue Dec 5 Caro Tuscola County Medical Care Facility Business Annex

1285 Cleaver Rd (M-24), Care, MI 48723 7 PM – 8:30 PM

Even though the threat of se- tions of upcoming winter spotter vere thunderstorms and torna- classes across Southeast Michi- does diminish during the winter, gan. The winter spotter class will we still need your spotter re- last roughly an hour and a half. ports! Topics include: Please Note: Your spotter reports are just as  A review of the warm In some cases, class size is lim- important during the winter sea- 2016—2017 winter ited. Please contact the local son and help us with warning season Emergency Management Office and advisory decisions for South- where the training is scheduled east Michigan. Your reports also  A look at winter to reserve your place. help us tell the story of each weather climatology winter storm or snowfall event.  Examination of win- Snowfall and precipitation type ter weather meteor- can vary greatly even over small ology distance within one county.  NWS winter forecast Those reports are sent out and products use by the local and national  Review of guidelines media. The also appear on our We look forward to seeing & reporting proce- web page and help us draw our you at this year’s Winter dure for winter snowfall maps. Spotter training class! weather spotters Above are the dates and loca- P AGE 7 S K Y W A R N S POTTER NEWSLETTER Winter Weather Reporting Guidelines

As a reminder winter spotter reports are very important to us. There are many forecast challenges involved with “Snowfall amounts & precipitation winter storm systems that make spotter reports vital dur- types can vary drastically over short ing the wintertime. distances in winter.” The following conditions should be reported to the NWS if possible:

Snow

 When the first inch has fallen, then each additional two inches.  Storm total snowfall.  12-hour snowfall amounts around 8 AM and 8 PM. High Winds Rain – Amounts of one inch or greater within a  Wind gusts of 40 MPH or greater 24-hour period.  Any damage caused by strong Ice winds (examples: trees or tree  Freezing rain or sleet starts to fall. branches blown down, damage to roofs or siding).  Ice is having an impact on travel. Dense – Visibilities of a quarter mile  Ice is beginning to damage trees and or less or when fog is impacting trav- bring down power lines. el.  Try to estimate the ice to the nearest Flooding quarter of an inch. Estimate the ice ac- cumulation as a trace or a tenth of an  Any flooding that covers roads or inch when under a quarter of an inch. threatens property.  Ice Jams. Primary means by which to

 Facebook - www.facebook.com/NWSDetroit This is also a great way to

send us your weather pictures!

 Twitter - @NWSDetroit or https://twitter.com/NWSDetroit  Toll-Free Telephone - Dial the Detroit/Pontiac NWS directly. The number is 800-808-0006. This unlisted number is to ONLY be used by spotters to sub- mit a spotter report.  Winlink - [email protected] These reports provide an accurate, perma- nent record of weather events.  Internet - www.weather.gov/detroit under Current Hazards (drop down menu) click on Submit a Storm Report  E-mail – [email protected] (NOTE: e-mail reports are not viewed instanta- neously and are best used to send or report post storm pictures or damage reports). V OLUME 1 , I SSUE 1 P AGE 8

Useful Websites

 Area forecast discussions from NWS Detroit http://forecast.weather.gov/product.php?site=DTX&issuedby=DT X&product=AFD&format=CI&version=1&glossary=1

 Snowfall Forecast Images for Southeast Michigan http://www.weather.gov/dtx/snowfall

 Short term mesoscale forecast discussions from the Storm Prediction Center (SPC) http://www.spc.noaa.gov/products/md/

 NWS Windchill Chart http://www.nws.noaa.gov/om/cold/wind_chill.shtml

 Weather Prediction Center http://origin.wpc.ncep.noaa.gov/index.shtml#page=wwx

 NWS’s Winter Weather Safety and Awareness: www.nws.noaa.gov/om/winter/index.shtml V OLUME 1 , I SSUE 1 P AGE 9

Community collaborative rain hail & snow network

CoCoRahs stands for the Community Collabo- rative Rain Hail and Snow Network. This pro- gram is separate from the National Weather Service spotter network.

The program is a national program and the precipitation reports are shared among the National Weather Service and other govern- ment agencies, the media and educational in- stitutions.

Participants in this program report their 24- hour rain and/or snow reports every morning around 7 AM on a website.

For more information about this program, please visit:

http://www.cocorahs.org/

Who uses CoCoRaHS data?

Below are just a few of our many users, there are probably many others. The most obvious ones that come to mind are: 1. Weather Forecasters 2. Hydrologists 3. Water management 4. Researchers 5. Agriculture 6. Climatologists 7. Insurance Industry 8. Engineering 9. Recreation 10. Many others

NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE Detroit/Pontiac, MI 9200 White Lake Road White Lake, MI 48386

www.weather.gov/Detroit