Winter Weather Preparedness Guide
Total Page:16
File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb
Load more
Recommended publications
-
Tornado Safety Q & A
TORNADO SAFETY Q & A The Prosper Fire Department Office of Emergency Management’s highest priority is ensuring the safety of all Prosper residents during a state of emergency. A tornado is one of the most violent storms that can rip through an area, striking quickly with little to no warning at all. Because the aftermath of a tornado can be devastating, preparing ahead of time is the best way to ensure you and your family’s safety. Please read the following questions about tornado safety, answered by Prosper Emergency Management Coordinator Kent Bauer. Q: During s evere weather, what does the Prosper Fire Department do? A: We monitor the weather alerts sent out by the National Weather Service. Because we are not meteorologists, we do not interpret any sort of storms or any sort of warnings. Instead, we pass along the information we receive from the National Weather Service to our residents through social media, storm sirens and Smart911 Rave weather warnings. Q: What does a Tornado Watch mean? A: Tornadoes are possible. Remain alert for approaching storms. Watch the sky and stay tuned to NOAA Weather Radio, commercial radio or television for information. Q: What does a Tornado Warning mean? A: A tornado has been sighted or indicated by weather radar and you need to take shelter immediately. Q: What is the reason for setting off the Outdoor Storm Sirens? A: To alert those who are outdoors that there is a tornado or another major storm event headed Prosper’s way, so seek shelter immediately. I f you are outside and you hear the sirens go off, do not call 9-1-1 to ask questions about the warning. -
February 2021 Historical Winter Storm Event South-Central Texas
Austin/San Antonio Weather Forecast Office WEATHER EVENT SUMMARY February 2021 Historical Winter Storm Event South-Central Texas 10-18 February 2021 A Snow-Covered Texas. GeoColor satellite image from the morning of 15 February, 2021. February 2021 South Central Texas Historical Winter Storm Event South-Central Texas Winter Storm Event February 10-18, 2021 Event Summary Overview An unprecedented and historical eight-day period of winter weather occurred between 10 February and 18 February across South-Central Texas. The first push of arctic air arrived in the area on 10 February, with the cold air dropping temperatures into the 20s and 30s across most of the area. The first of several frozen precipitation events occurred on the morning of 11 February where up to 0.75 inches of freezing rain accumulated on surfaces in Llano and Burnet Counties and 0.25-0.50 inches of freezing rain accumulated across the Austin metropolitan area with lesser amounts in portions of the Hill Country and New Braunfels area. For several days, the cold air mass remained in place across South-Central Texas, but a much colder air mass remained stationary across the Northern Plains. This record-breaking arctic air was able to finally move south into the region late on 14 February and into 15 February as a strong upper level low-pressure system moved through the Southern Plains. As this system moved through the region, snow began to fall and temperatures quickly fell into the single digits and teens. Most areas of South-Central Texas picked up at least an inch of snow with the highest amounts seen from Del Rio and Eagle Pass extending to the northeast into the Austin and San Antonio areas. -
Winter Bird Feeding
BirdNotes 1 Winter Bird Feeding birds at feeders in winter If you feed birds, you’re in good company. Birding is one of North America’s favorite pastimes. A 2006 report from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service estimates that about 55.5 mil- lion Americans provide food for wild birds. Chickadees Titmice Cardinals Sparrows Wood- Orioles Pigeons Nuthatches Finches Grosbeaks Blackbirds Jays peckers Tanagers Doves Sunflower ◆ ◆ ◆ ◆ ◆ ◆ ◆ Safflower ◆ ◆ ◆ Corn ◆ ◆ ◆ Millet ◆ ◆ ◆ Milo ◆ ◆ Nyjer ◆ Suet ◆ ◆ ◆ ◆ ◆ Preferred ◆ Readily Eaten Wintertime—and the Living’s counting birds at their feeders during selecting the best foods daunting. To Not Easy this winterlong survey. Great Back- attract a diversity of birds, provide a yard Bird Count participants provide variety of food types. But that doesn’t n much of North America, winter valuable data with a much shorter mean you need to purchase one of ev- Iis a difficult time for birds. Days time commitment—as little as fifteen erything on the shelf. are often windy and cold; nights are minutes in mid-February! long and even colder. Lush vegeta- Which Seed Types tion has withered or been consumed, Types of Bird Food Should I Provide? and most insects have died or become uring spring and summer, most dormant. Finding food can be espe- lack-oil sunflower seeds attract songbirds eat insects and spi- cially challenging for birds after a D Bthe greatest number of species. ders, which are highly nutritious, heavy snowfall. These seeds have a high meat-to- abundant, and for the most part, eas- shell ratio, they are nutritious and Setting up a backyard feeder makes ily captured. -
Winter Jet Stream Trends Over the Northern Hemisphere
QUARTERLY JOURNAL OF THE ROYAL METEOROLOGICAL SOCIETY Q. J. R. Meteorol. Soc. 133: 2109–2115 (2007) Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com) DOI: 10.1002/qj.171 Winter jet stream trends over the Northern Hemisphere Courtenay Stronga* and Robert E. Davisb a University of California, Irvine, USA b Department of Environmental Sciences, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, USA ABSTRACT: Trends in the speed and probability of winter jet stream cores over the Northern Hemisphere were measured for 1958–2007, and related changes in the thermal structure of the troposphere were identified. Eddy-driven jet (EDJ) core speeds and probabilities increased over the midlatitudes (40–60 °N), with changes as large as 15% (speed) and 30% (probability). These increasing trends are collocated with increases in baroclinicity driven by a spatially heterogeneous pattern of height change consisting of large-scale warming with cooling centres embedded poleward of 60 °N. The cooling centres reduced high-latitude baroclinicity, making jet cores poleward of 60 °N less frequent and weaker. Over the west and central Pacific, subtropical jet stream (STJ) core probabilities remained relatively constant while core speeds increased by as much as 1.75 m/s decade−1 in association with Hadley cell intensification. The STJ shifted poleward over the east Pacific and Middle East, and an equatorward shift and intensification of the STJ were found over the Atlantic basin–contributing to an increased separation of the EDJ and STJ. Copyright 2007 Royal Meteorological Society KEY WORDS general circulation; climate change; global warming Received 25 March 2007; Revised 23 August 2007; Accepted 18 September 2007 1. -
Severe Thunderstorms and Tornadoes Toolkit
SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS AND TORNADOES TOOLKIT A planning guide for public health and emergency response professionals WISCONSIN CLIMATE AND HEALTH PROGRAM Bureau of Environmental and Occupational Health dhs.wisconsin.gov/climate | SEPTEMBER 2016 | [email protected] State of Wisconsin | Department of Health Services | Division of Public Health | P-01037 (Rev. 09/2016) 1 CONTENTS Introduction Definitions Guides Guide 1: Tornado Categories Guide 2: Recognizing Tornadoes Guide 3: Planning for Severe Storms Guide 4: Staying Safe in a Tornado Guide 5: Staying Safe in a Thunderstorm Guide 6: Lightning Safety Guide 7: After a Severe Storm or Tornado Guide 8: Straight-Line Winds Safety Guide 9: Talking Points Guide 10: Message Maps Appendices Appendix A: References Appendix B: Additional Resources ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS The Wisconsin Severe Thunderstorms and Tornadoes Toolkit was made possible through funding from cooperative agreement 5UE1/EH001043-02 from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the commitment of many individuals at the Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS), Bureau of Environmental and Occupational Health (BEOH), who contributed their valuable time and knowledge to its development. Special thanks to: Jeffrey Phillips, RS, Director of the Bureau of Environmental and Occupational Health, DHS Megan Christenson, MS,MPH, Epidemiologist, DHS Stephanie Krueger, Public Health Associate, CDC/ DHS Margaret Thelen, BRACE LTE Angelina Hansen, BRACE LTE For more information, please contact: Colleen Moran, MS, MPH Climate and Health Program Manager Bureau of Environmental and Occupational Health 1 W. Wilson St., Room 150 Madison, WI 53703 [email protected] 608-266-6761 2 INTRODUCTION Purpose The purpose of the Wisconsin Severe Thunderstorms and Tornadoes Toolkit is to provide information to local governments, health departments, and citizens in Wisconsin about preparing for and responding to severe storm events, including tornadoes. -
Lesson 5: How Are Air Quality Data Communicated to the Public?
Lesson 5: How Are Air Quality Data Communicated to the Public? Grade Level: 7-12 | PASS Skills: Process Standard (1:3), 3, (4:2-5, 8)/ Standard 1:3, 2:2a, 5:10 (High School) Objectives: Students will be able to access and use air quality tools to interpret air quality data. Materials: Computers with internet access, Monitoring Site Data Student Worksheet (.pdf) Pre‐requisite Knowledge: Unit recognition and unit conversion practice will be beneficial to students when completing the accompanying activity. Students must be able to calculate averages. Activity: Students will use the Air Quality Division web site to record monitoring data, make calculations, and interpret/represent data using a variety of tools. Data interpretation and mathematical skills will be employed in this activity. Implementation Tips: Allow the students to research the following website for specific information regarding the AQI (http://airnow.gov/index.cfm?action=aqibasics.aqi). Discuss the color scale and category descriptors that are represented by ranges of AQI scores. Demonstrate to students how they can check the AQI for major cities in Oklahoma (OKC, Lawton, and Tulsa) using the Air Quality web site (http://www.deq.state.ok.us/aqdnew/AQIndex/AQI.htm) and the AIRNow website (http://www.airnow.gov/index.cfm?action=airnow.main) by clicking on the state from the map. The same color coding that is used for the AQI is also used on the map featured on AIRNow, making it easier for the public to check the air quality in their area. Notes to Teacher: Teachers are encouraged to sign up to receive air quality health advisories to notify their students on the days when the air quality is poor, especially for those students who fall in the category of sensitive groups. -
1A.1 a Unique Cold-Season Supercell Produces an Ef1 ‘Snownado’
1A.1 A UNIQUE COLD-SEASON SUPERCELL PRODUCES AN EF1 ‘SNOWNADO’ David Sills1*, Marie-Ève Giguère2, and John Henderson3 1Science and Technology Branch, Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC), King City, ON 2Meteorological Service of Canada, ECCC, Montréal, QC 3Atmospheric and Environmental Research, Lexington, MA 1. INTRODUCTION1 2. STORM EVOLUTION On November 23, 2013, the ‘forecast problem du A weak low-pressure system moved southeast jour’ in southern Ontario, Canada, was the onset across the Great Lakes area during the morning of of significant snow squalls to the lee of the Great November 23rd. An associated secondary low Lakes following the passage of an Arctic cold front rapidly intensified while traversing the relatively (Fig. 1a). It was discovered a short time later warm (~7ºC) waters of Lake Huron’s Georgian however that, in addition to snow squalls, a Bay (Fig. 2). tornado had occurred that day. Low-level reflectivity images from the Environment An EF1 tornado track was identified at Charleville and Climate Change Canada (ECCC) radar in (Fig. 1b) via an on-site damage survey. It was Britt, ON, show the transformation from a cluster found to have a path length of at least 270 m (Fig. of showers on the west side of Georgian Bay at 1c), a path width of 75 m and an event time of 0900 UTC (Fig. 3a) to a well-developed vortex just 2015 UTC+. No fatalities or injuries resulted, but inland from the east side of the Bay at 1200 UTC farm structures (Fig. 1d) and trees were damaged. (Fig. 3b). Similar cyclone intensification over the Great Lakes was found by Angel and Isard (1997). -
ESSENTIALS of METEOROLOGY (7Th Ed.) GLOSSARY
ESSENTIALS OF METEOROLOGY (7th ed.) GLOSSARY Chapter 1 Aerosols Tiny suspended solid particles (dust, smoke, etc.) or liquid droplets that enter the atmosphere from either natural or human (anthropogenic) sources, such as the burning of fossil fuels. Sulfur-containing fossil fuels, such as coal, produce sulfate aerosols. Air density The ratio of the mass of a substance to the volume occupied by it. Air density is usually expressed as g/cm3 or kg/m3. Also See Density. Air pressure The pressure exerted by the mass of air above a given point, usually expressed in millibars (mb), inches of (atmospheric mercury (Hg) or in hectopascals (hPa). pressure) Atmosphere The envelope of gases that surround a planet and are held to it by the planet's gravitational attraction. The earth's atmosphere is mainly nitrogen and oxygen. Carbon dioxide (CO2) A colorless, odorless gas whose concentration is about 0.039 percent (390 ppm) in a volume of air near sea level. It is a selective absorber of infrared radiation and, consequently, it is important in the earth's atmospheric greenhouse effect. Solid CO2 is called dry ice. Climate The accumulation of daily and seasonal weather events over a long period of time. Front The transition zone between two distinct air masses. Hurricane A tropical cyclone having winds in excess of 64 knots (74 mi/hr). Ionosphere An electrified region of the upper atmosphere where fairly large concentrations of ions and free electrons exist. Lapse rate The rate at which an atmospheric variable (usually temperature) decreases with height. (See Environmental lapse rate.) Mesosphere The atmospheric layer between the stratosphere and the thermosphere. -
Update on the Winter Weather Program Partner Webinar October
N A UT NI O I NT AE LD O SC TE A NT IE C S A ND DE PA AT MR OT SM P E H N E TR I CO FA D C M OI NM I MS TE R R A C T EI O N N A T I O N A L O C E A N I C A N D NationalA T M O S P H E RWeather I C A D M I N I S ServiceT R A T I O N Update on Winter Weather Initiatives Partner Webinar October 10, 2017 Dave Soroka: Winter Weather Program Lead 1 N A UT NI O I NT AE LD O SC TE A NT IE C S A ND DE PA AT MR OT SM P E H N E TR I CO FA D C M OI NM I MS TE R R A C T EI O N N A T I O N A L O C E A N I C A N D A T M O S P H E ROutline I C A D M I N I S T R A T I O N PART I: • What’s new this winter • Hazard Simplification (Consolidation/Reformatting) • Snow Squall Warning • Operational Day 4-7 Winter Outlook • Expanded and Improved Probabilistic Snow • Questions and comments PART II: • Where are we going? • Experiments and Prototypes • Best Practices • Outreach/Awareness resources • Questions and comments 2 N A UT NI O I NT AE LD O SC TE A NT IE C S A ND DE PA AT MR OT SM P E H N E TR I CO FA D C M OI NM I MS TE R R A C T EI O N NWhat’s A T I O N Anew L O Cthis E A N winter:I C A N D A T M O HazardS P H E R I CSimplification A D M I N I S T R A T I O N Simplifying the Winter Products Consolidating existing products Consistent and impact based formatting 3 N A UT NI O I NT AE LD O SC TE A NT IE C S A ND DE PA AT MR OT SM P E H N E TR I CO FA D C M OI NM I MS TE R R A C T EI O N N A T I O N A L O C E A N I C A N D WhyA T M OHazard S P H E R I C Simplification?A D M I N I S T R A T I O N The WWA System...What Are The Issues? Orthogonal Logic Too Many Products! Ansorge, 2017 4 N A UT NI O I NT AE LD O SC TE A NT IE C S A ND DE PA AT MR OT SM P E H N E TR I CO FA D C M OI NM I MS TE R R A C T EI O N N A T I O N A L O C E A N I C A N D A WhatT M O S P HAre E R I C The A D M I NIssues? I S T R A T I O N ●We often replace one WWA with another: WINTER STORM WARNING IS CANCELLED… BLIZZARD WARNING IN EFFECT UNTIL 11:30 PM… ●And we also often upgrade/downgrade ICE STORM WARNING IS CANCELLED… WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY IN EFFECT UNTIL 6 PM SUNDAY.. -
Warning Uses Definition of Terms
Warning Uses Convective Weather Flooding Winter Weather Non-Precipitation Tornado Watch Flash Flood Watch Blizzard Warning Tornado Warning Flash Flood Warning Winter Storm Watch Severe Thunderstorm Watch Flood Watch Winter Storm Warning High Wind Warning Severe Thunderstorm Warning Flood Warning Snow Advisory Small Stream Flood Freezing Rain Advisory High Wind Advisory Advisory Ice Storm Warning Winter Weather Advisory Definition of Terms Term Definition Winter Weather There is a good chance of a major winter storm developing in the next several days. Outlook Winter Storm Watch There is a greater than 50% chance of a major winter storm in the next several days Winter Storm Any combination of winter weather including snow, sleet, or blowing snow. The Warning snow amount must meet a minimum accumulation amount which varies by location. Blizzard Warning Falling and/or blowing snow frequently reducing visibility to less than 1/4 mile AND sustained winds or frequent gusts greater than 35 mph will last for at least 3 hours. Ice Storm Warning Freezing rain/drizzle is occurring with a significant accumulation of ice (more than 1/4 inch) or accumulation of 1/2 inch of sleet. Wind Chill Warning Wind chill temperature less than or equal to -20 and wind greater than or equal to 10 mph. Winter Weather Any combination of winter weather such as snow, blowing snow, sleet, etc. where Advisory the snow amount is a hazard but does not meet Winter Storm Warning criteria above. Freezing Light freezing rain or drizzle with little accumulation. Rain/Drizzle Advisory . -
KJAX 2018 Product Criteria.Xlsx
Product Criteria Coastal Products Coastal Flood Statement Used to describe coastal hazards that do not meet advisory, warning or watch criteria such as minor beach erosion & elevated (Action) water levels. Coastal Flood Advisory Highlight minor flooding like tidal overflow that is imminent or possible within 12 Hours& if confidence is high (equal to or greater than 50%), then may extend or set to begin within 24 hrs. Coastal Flood Watch Significant coastal flooding is possible. This includes Moderate and Major flooding in the Advanced Hydrologic Prediction Service (AHPS) product. Coastal Flood Warning Significant coastal flooding is occurring, imminent or highly likely. This includes Moderate and Major flooding in AHPS. High Surf Advisory Breaker heights ≥ 7 Feet Rip Current Statement When a high risk of rip currents is expected Marine Products Small Craft Exercise Caution Winds 15-20 knots and/or seas 6 Feet Small Craft Advisory Winds 20-33 knots and/or seas ≥ 7 Feet Small Craft Advisory (seas only) Winds< 20 knots & seas ≥ 7 Feet (usually with a swell) Gale Watch Wind speed 34-47 knots or frequent gusts 34-47 knots Gale Warning Wind speed 34-47 knots or frequent gusts 34-47 knots Storm Watch Wind speed 48-63 knots or gusts of 48-63 knots Storm Warning Wind speed 48-63 knots or gusts of 48-63 knots Marine Dense Fog Advisory Widespread visibility < 1 nautical mile in fog Marine Dense Smoke Advisory Widespread visibility < 1 nautical mile in smoke Marine Weather Statement Update or cancel at Special Marine Warning (SMW), a statement on non-severe showers & thunderstorms, short-lived wind/sea increase that could be dangerous for small boats, significant conditions prevailing for 2+ Hours that could impact marine operations including: rough seas near inlets/passes, dense fog, low water events, HAZMAT spills, rapidly increasing/decreasing or shifting winds, or details on potential water landings. -
DEC-00146-Environment Binder.Indd
ISSUES CHAPTER 5 LO S C N AT IO 1 I T O P N O S 2 7 I N Winter and Climate Change F T R N A E S 3 T M R 6 N U O C R T STEP 1: Understanding Winter Conditions I U V R N 4 E E 5 in Your Community S O Y C M I O E T N Y O C E Winter weather in Newfoundland and Labrador can create some unique challenges for communities. Heavy snow fall and freeze-thaw events can damage property and infrastructure, cause power outages and creates hazardous driving conditions. In many parts of the province the winter season is becoming less predictable with more frequent temperature fl uctuations. These changes in climate and weather patterns are expected to continue and become more severe. Changes in winter conditions may impact recreational and economic activities as well as public health and safety. Melting snow replenishes surface and ground water sources, so less snow cover may reduce the amount of water available during the rest of the year; impacting the agricultural sector as well as the public water supply. As with all severe and hazardous weather, it is important to know what to expect and how to prepare. Also, understanding how winter conditions may change can help you prepare for the associated risks and may help minimize impacts. *Please note that avalanches are covered in the Slope Movement Chapter of this workbook. e Town of Bonavista, NL, a er a snow storm. Photo credit: Glen Groves Chapter 5 - Winter and Climate Change 5-1 Types of Winter Conditions and Events Winter is a naturally hazardous season in Newfoundland and Labrador due to its fl uctuating temperatures and often severe weather events.