NATIONAL SERVICE GREEN BAY

2019 Volume 17, Issue 1

2019 Started Out Slow…then Oh No! Inside this issue: 2018 ended uneventfully over northeast Wisconsin, with July 19-20 Blowdown & 2-4 December 2018 averaging 5 to 8 Tornadoes degrees above normal, while February 2019 & 5-6 snowfall was roughly 50% of Historic Multi-Vehicle Pileup normal. The relatively placid Squall Warning 7 weather rolled on through the first half of January 2019…then Great Lakes Water Levels 8 the wheels came off, as the Snowmelt Flooding 9 weather pattern became cold and active. Bitterly cold temperatures 2019-20 Forecast 11 returned in late January with COOP Awards 13 record setting cold, as lows Ready / 14-15 plunged to 20 to 35 below zero. Weather-Ready Nation February followed with five major snowstorms in that month alone! For the month of February, Rhinelander had NWS Office Happenings 16-18 received 61.5 inches of snow, Wausau 54.2 inches, and Green Bay 28.4 inches. All of these locations exceeded their normal monthly February snowfall by over 300%! In fact, Wausau crushed its previous February snowfall record by over a foot. By the second week of March, the cold and snow finally relented to somewhat warmer temperatures, however, northeast Wisconsin paid the price for the break from Old Man Winter. A quick warm-up along with moderate rainfall led to a rapid A HISTORIC melt of the deep snowpack, as well as widespread ice jamming on many area rivers. It all came to a head on March 14 and 15, as widespread river flooding commenced, 2019 highlighted by historic flooding along the East River in Brown County. Significant flooding was also seen in Kewaunee and Manitowoc County. Preliminary damage Take a closer look at estimates from flood waters in 8 area counties exceeded $1.3 million. the July 19-20 Unfortunately, the spring and were considerably wetter than normal blowdown/ which continued localized river flooding. By July, many locations including Green Bay, tornadoes, February Wausau, and Rhinelander were already 6 to 7 inches above normal for the year! 24 blizzard/multi- Mother Nature’s stormy summertime fireworks were equally impressive by throwing a vehicle pileup, and nasty one-two punch in late July, which consisted of devastating damaging straight March 14-15 Flood! line winds and tornadoes. On the evening of July 19, one of the worst blow-downs in over 40 years pummeled northern Wisconsin, as an intense and fast-moving bow echo flattened nearly 250,000 acres of woodlands, and damaged several homes and campsites during peak summer tourist . During the height of the storm, winds (continues on page 2) P AGE 2 were estimated at over 100 mph in rainfall continued over the region of 39.21 inches, which ironically parts of Langlade and western into the fall. Lake Michigan water was last year! October would Oconto county. The very next levels reached near record highs, continue to offer more surprises as morning, another fast moving bow causing periodic localized temperatures quickly turned echo raced across central and east- bayshore/lakeshore flooding abnormally cold. With early cold central Wisconsin; but this time with especially near the mouth of the comes early snow. Alas, by the end a bit of a twist, literally! This second bay from northern Green Bay to of the month, Green Bay had bow echo turned out to be a Oconto, as well as along the Lake measured 5.6 inches of snow, prolific producer with at Michigan shoreline in Kewaunee, which was the second snowiest least 5 twisters carving out narrow Manitowoc, and Door County. October on record! As of this damage paths from Waupaca to The inevitable finally occurred on writing (late-November), the official Appleton before noon. October 2, when the city of Green Green Bay yearly was Meanwhile, water levels on the Bay officially broke its all-time yearly at 44.40 inches (nearly 17 inches Great Lakes were steadily precipitation record, reaching 40.26 above normal) and climbing! What increasing, as well above normal inches. This toppled the old record will December 2019 have in store?

J u l y 1 9 - 20, 2019 Bow Echoes – Historic Blowdown and Tornadoes By: Gene Brusky During the atmospheric ingredients that evening of July supported these impressive and 19, a historic highly organized storm complexes, widespread a discussion of storm-scale damaging bow characteristics associated with each echo raced event will be examined. An across northern interesting commonality was how Wisconsin. The both bow echoes intensified rapidly storm produced following a storm collision or extreme straight- merger. line winds, Atmospheric Ingredients That f l a t t e n e d Supported the Bow Echoes. thousands of acres of forest, One key ingredient which caused widespread power outages, contributed to the impressive bow Introduction and damaged numerous homes, echoes was the strength of the Within a span of 18 hours, two cottages, and campsites (Figure 1). upper-level (Figure 3). highly organized, fast-moving, and The winds were anomalously The next morning, another fast- devastating quasilinear convective strong over the northern Great moving bow echo raced across systems (bow echoes) battered the Lakes for the middle of July . In fact, central and east-central Wisconsin. northern half of Wisconsin during the 80 to 85 knot core of maximum This system was different from the the evening of July 19 and again winds at approximately 18,000 ft previous evening’s widespread during the morning of July 20. blowdown, as it was (continues on page 3) a prolific tornado producer. Damage surveys revealed at least 5 tornadoes touched down in Waupaca County, eastward to Outagamie County (Figure 2). After a brief overview of 2019 P AGE 3 above ground level (AGL) was near the highest observed, based on a 30 year climatology for that time of year and location. Northern Wisconsin was in a very favorable location (relative to the upper-level jet core) where the combination of strong vertical wind shear and large-scale upward motion supported widespread Figure 5 organization and longevity. produced A second key ingredient was a weak tornado extremely unstable air that pushed near Rhinelander northward into Wisconsin. before becoming Convective Available Potential engulfed by the Energy (CAPE), a measure of air squall line. mass instability (or buoyancy), was Interestingly, the extreme, with mean values in renegade supercell excess of 5000 J/kg (Figure 4). The originated in juxtaposition of unseasonably eastern South Figure 6 strong upper-level level winds and Dakota earlier that extreme instability ultimately morning, and contributed to the intense and maintained its integrity as it tracked southern Marinette County. The highly organized nature of the two east across Minnesota into northern most extreme damage occurred bow echoes. Wisconsin by that evening. Once over northern Langlade County, the merger took place (Figure 5C), from roughly west of Pickerel to an amazing storm evolution east of Lily (Figure 1). The storm hit occurred. The line dramatically during the height of camping surged east in response to an season with countless homes, intense mid-level rear inflow jet cottages, and campsites impacted. (RIJ). The RIJ descended toward Amazingly, there were no fatalities. the surface as it reached the front of (continues on page 4) the line causing the classic bow echo radar structure (Figure 6). Widespread wind damage occurred along and just north of the apex of the bow. NWS Green Bay Doppler radar velocity estimated winds near Figure 4 120 mph (at 6000 ft AGL) in this portion of the line. At the surface, July 19: Historic Blowdown over maximum wind gusts were Northern Wisconsin estimated to exceed 100 mph! The Initial thunderstorm most extreme damage was not development occurred over continuous along the storm’s path; Minnesota during the afternoon of but rather, it occurred in preferred July 19. The quickly grew pockets associated with intense upscale and congealed into a line localized or as they moved into northwest macrobursts. Aerial surveys of Wisconsin. However, the extreme impacted areas revealed this type of damaging winds did not develop damage pattern. Within the NWS until a few hours later when the Green Bay service area, the damage squall line merged with a rogue extended from Oneida County supercell storm located just ahead southeast across Langlade, of the line (Figure 5A). This southern Forest, Oconto, and into P AGE 4

July 20: The Prolific Tornado Producer Farther south and 12 hours later, a new cluster of storms developed over southern Minnesota and quickly organized into another squall line before entering central Wisconsin by 9 am CDT. The storms intensified and accelerated eastward, quickly evolving into another classic bow echo. Interestingly, as was seen the previous evening, it appeared storm mergers contributed to the rapid intensification of the system. In this case, a weakening squall line moved a little faster than the storms immediately downstream that resulted in the merger (Figure 7). The collision was followed by a rapid eastward line surge and resultant bowing structure. (Figure 8) After the merger, the line doubled its forward speed racing eastward across east-central Wisconsin at 65 mph! What was different this time around was rather than widespread wind Figure 7 damage resulting from macrobursts, the damage footprint extent of the damage caused by the was considerably smaller in scale Recovery Will Take Years most recent event remains to be and in concentrated narrow paths The July 19, 2019, Bow Echo determined. Very preliminary caused by several weak tornadic Blowdown over northern estimates, from the Wisconsin DNR, circulations. These small and Wisconsin was one of the most indicated at least 250,000 acres transient circulations developed impactful events of its type since the were damaged or destroyed across near and slightly north of the apex Independence Day of July northern Wisconsin, including both of the bow echo as it raced east to 4, 1977. During that event, nearly state and privately owned land. Lake Michigan by mid-day. (Figure 8 850,000 acres of forest were badly According to the U.S. Forest Service, right panel) damaged or destroyed. The total nearly 65,000 acres of the Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest (located in northwest Wisconsin) were severely impacted. There will be ongoing collateral concerns for the upcoming winter and spring too. Heavy early winter could bring down trees (that were severely stressed by the wind storm) onto roadways. Many snowmobile trails remain blocked and will need to be cleared. Fallen trees, limbs, and leaves will eventually dry out over the winter and spring, providing an extensive and readily available fuel source for Figure 8 possible forest fires. 2019 P AGE 5 February 24, 2019 Blizzard and Historic I - 4 1 M u l t i - Vehicle Pileup By: Gene Brusky

A fierce severely impacted the western Great Lakes, including all of northeast Wisconsin on Saturday, February 23, and Sunday, February 24, 2019 (Figure 1). As the storm approached Wisconsin from the central Plains, a large area of , , and sleet pushed into central and east- central Wisconsin Saturday evening (Figure 3). The mixed precipitation quickly changed to heavy wet snow overnight across central and GOES 16 Water Vapor image denoting location northern Wisconsin, where 12 to 18 of storm center early on February 24 inches fell (Figure 2). As the low pressure system early Sunday morning (Figure 4), it type. However, as the low pressure moved northeast across Wisconsin intensified rapidly, deepening at the system was exiting the state, rate of a “bomb” (central pressure conditions changed drastically! falling at a rate of 24 mb/24 hours). Colder air surged into the area Strong westerly winds in the wake dropping temperatures below of the system created widespread freezing, rain showers changed to blizzard conditions in central and snow showers, and westerly winds northern Wisconsin. Significant increased rapidly, gusting to nearly impacts included impassable 60 mph by late Sunday morning. roadways, road closures, and Despite only one or two inches of widespread power outages. accumulated snow in eastern Meanwhile, over the eastern third Wisconsin, the combination of of Wisconsin, impacts from the falling temperatures and strong storm through early Sunday westerly winds created localized morning were relatively minor with (continues on page 6) rain being the primary precipitation P AGE 6 involved, coupled with the very Figure 5 harsh weather conditions, required a multi-agency recovery effort. Dedicated and skilled emergency responders tended to, and ensured the safety of 232 people in near blizzard conditions and 10° wind chills in just 2 ½ hours. The last vehicle was removed from the scene nearly 7 hours later. The circumstances that contributed to the historic multi- vehicle pile-up on I-41 late Sunday morning presented an especially challenging situation for drivers. Although only a few inches of snow had fallen earlier that morning (compared to locations farther west), the rapid increase in west ground blizzard conditions and very encountered highly variable road winds, in concert with temperatures treacherous driving conditions, conditions ranging from somewhat falling below freezing, caused particularly on north-south roads. good visibility and wet roads, to localized whiteout conditions and During the 3 hour period between sudden whiteout conditions with very treacherous stretches of road, 8 am and 11 am, peak westerly snow and ice-covered roads — an leaving little time for drivers to wind gusts at the Green Bay airport especially dangerous situation. react. (KGRB) and Oshkosh airport (KOSH) The pileup on I-41, which increased from 30 mph to nearly Now that winter is once again involved 131 vehicles, is believed to upon us, remember to check your 60 mph (Figure 5). North-south be the largest multi-vehicle crash in stretches of I-41 and I-43 that pass winter weather driving safety kit, Wisconsin state history. check road conditions before through open rural areas were Unfortunately, there was one especially susceptible to strong traveling, and always remain fatality along with 71 people vigilant for rapidly changing road westerly winds and localized injured. The number of vehicles ground . Drivers conditions. Be safe this winter! 2019 P AGE 7

New Winter Weather Warning Implemented This Winter

You may see a new winter weather warning issued this year in Wisconsin. The National Weather Service has officially implemented the Snow Squall Warning, which provides the public with advance notice of intense, but limited duration, periods of moderate to heavy snowfall, accompanied by gusty winds, reduced visibilities and whiteout conditions. Snow squalls often occur during the day and are associated with strong cold fronts. They are usually short-lived, on the order of 30 to 60 minutes, whereas a typical snowstorm lasts several hours or even days. If a Snow Squall Warning is issued for your location, avoid or delay travel until the snow squall exits the area. Given the ability to produce near whiteout conditions, it is not safe to travel on the roadway while this phenomena is ongoing. If you are caught in a snow squall and cannot exit the road, turn on your low beam headlights and hazard lights, and allow plenty of distance between you and the car in front of you. P AGE 8

A Record Year For Water Levels Across The Great Lakes By: Mike cellitti

Courtesy of the Army Corp of Engineers

After very low water levels were difficult to measure, it is highest fall. Over the past six years, four of recorded during the late 2000s and when cold, dry air flows over the those years have recorded above early 2010s, many of the Great relatively warm waters of the lakes normal ice cover over the Great Lakes observed a dramatic rise in in the fall and winter. Lakes basin. The 92.5 percent ice water levels between 2013 and The dramatic rebound of water cover in 2014 was the highest 2015. Since 2015, water levels have levels during the years of 2013- annual maximum ice coverage continued to rise on all of the Great 2015, and the continued rise to since 1979. Last year, the annual Lakes, culminating in a record record levels this year, can both be maximum ice cover was measured setting year in 2019. Lake Superior, attributed to above normal at 80.9 percent, which was well Lake St. Clair, and Lake Erie all broke precipitation. In fact, at Green Bay, above the long-term average of the record monthly average in May, the yearly precipitation total has 55.7 percent. June, and July. Lake St. Clair and been above normal since 2015, and Impacts from the record or near Lake Erie continued the record six out of the last seven years. The record setting water levels have setting pace in August. Lake precipitation total of 39.21 inches in been numerous. Over northeast Ontario joined the record setting 2018 set a new yearly precipitation Wisconsin, areas along the lakes in June and July. Only Lake record. However, a new record was shoreline of western and southern Michigan fell short, by as little as ½ already set in 2019, as Green Bay Green Bay have observed shoreline inch in June and 1 inch in July (see received 46.14 inches of flooding to roads, parking lots, plot above). precipitation through December 1. parks, and structures, especially The water level on the Great Other cities have also received near the mouths of rivers. Lakes can fluctuate on a monthly, record annual precipitation over the Submerged docks and piers have seasonal, and annual basis past several years, including both also been noted as well, both along depending upon a variety of Buffalo, NY and Duluth, MN in the shoreline of southern Green factors: amount of precipitation, 2017. Bay and Lake Michigan. During the evaporation, and rainfall induced Another factor contributing to October 21 storm, significant runoff. Precipitation and rainfall the record-setting water levels is erosion took place along the induced runoff typically peak in late winter ice cover on the Great Lakes. shoreline from Manitowoc to spring and summer as a result of Ice cover tends to reduce Algoma. snow melt and thunderstorm evaporation during the winter (continues on page 9) activity. Although evaporation is months when water levels typically 2019 P AGE 9

Looking ahead into early next year, water levels are expected to fall on all of the Great Lakes, which is a normal occurrence during the fall and winter . Water levels are forecast to remain below record levels on Lake St. Clair, Lake Erie, and Lake Ontario this winter, while the water levels on Lake Superior, and Lake Michigan-Huron are expected to remain near their record highs. See the chart on the right for the forecast from the US Army Corps of Engineers for Lake Michigan-Huron.

Historic Spring Snowmelt Flooding in Northeast Wisconsin By: Keith cooley

What Areas Were Impacted? northeast Wisconsin. Residents and historic flooding. In fact, the A unique and unfortunate businesses along the East River in flooding along the East River in combination of meteorological Green Bay and along the Green Bay was the worst flooding conditions came together to cause Manitowoc River in Manitowoc in nearly 30 years, with 35 to 40 widespread flooding all across experienced record-breaking and homes impacted. Damage estimates totaled well over $1 million throughout northeast Wisconsin. An image of the flooding and ice on the East River can be seen in photo on the left. What Led to the Severe Flooding? Several factors led to the widespread and historic flooding across northeast Wisconsin, with precipitation being one of the main causes. The winter season started out warmer than normal with very little snow across the area through mid-January; however, much colder air arrived by late January and continued through most of

Flooding and ice flowing along the East River in Green Bay, WI. (continues on page 10) P AGE 10

Figure 1: Snowfall totals for select cities, compared to normal from Jan 15 – March 2, 2019. Wausau set a new monthly snowfall record for February at 54.0 inches, which broke the previous record by more than a foot.

February. In fact, five major snow snowmelt, led to very rapid runoff the severe flooding and historic storms produced six or more inches across much of northeast crests. The record crest on the of snow, while one was Wisconsin. Ice jams were also Manitowoc River at Manitowoc noted during February alone. This reported along area rivers, which (Figure 2) was the result of an ice snowpack contained 1 to 3 inches was another major contributor to jam. of liquid across east-central Wisconsin, while northern portions of Wisconsin measured 6 to 9 inches of liquid. The comparison between observed and average snowfall totals can be seen in Figure 1. Prior to the heavy snowfall, bitterly cold conditions led to increasing frost depths of 20 inches in some locations. This deep frozen soil layer acted like concrete and did not allow snowmelt to easily filter into the soil. Instead, the water that was released from the snowpack, quickly became surface runoff. As warmer air arrived in mid- March, the snow depth at the NWS Green Bay office went from 10 inches on March 13 to 2 inches on March 15. The combination of the snowpack releasing up to 3 inches of stored water, and an additional Figure 2: Hydrograph depicting the record crest on the inch of rainfall on top of the Manitowoc River at Manitowoc. 2019 P AGE 11

2019-20 Winter Forecast By: ROY eckberg

Thousands of miles away from Wisconsin, temperature anomalies across the equatorial Pacific Ocean (Figure 1) can have a big impact on winter temperatures across the Upper Midwest. Scientists monitor the water temperature anomalies across the Niño 3.4 region. For an El Niño to occur, water temperature anomalies of +0.5° C or greater must occur for five consecutive months. For a La Niña to occur, water temperature anomalies of - 0.5° C or less must also occur for five consecutive months. Figure 1: Niño regions for monitoring water temperature anomalies. Temperature anomalies in the equatorial Pacific Ocean can have a Mid-Atlantic states. This pattern winter (December 1 through major impact on the location and usually leads to more Arctic February 29). The models magnitude of the jet stream (Figure intrusions into the western Great are also indicating a greater chance 2). During an El Niño winter, the Lakes region, resulting in an for above normal precipitation sub-tropical jet stream is stronger increased chance for below normal (Figure 4 on next page) for the than normal, while the polar jet is temperatures in the winter. upcoming winter across much of weaker. This pattern usually leads to Neutral conditions (not warmer the area. This would continue our fewer intrusions of arctic air into the or colder than normal) are forecast wetter than normal trend over the western Great Lakes and increases to occur in the equatorial Pacific past two years. the likelihood of above normal Ocean this upcoming winter. What temperatures during the winter does this mean for the upcoming For more climate information, months. When La Niña conditions Wisconsin winter? The current please visit: are occurring, a ridge of high forecast (Figure 3 on next page) pressure dominates the western from the Climate Prediction Center https://www.cpc.ncep.noaa.gov/ United States. The jet stream moves (CPC) favors nearly equal chances northward towards Alaska, and of above, below or near normal then dives southeast towards the temperatures for the upcoming

Figure 2: Typical jet stream patterns during El Niño and La Niña . P AGE 12

Figure 3: Winter (Dec-Feb) Temperature Forecast Figure 4: Winter (Dec-Feb) Precipitation Forecast 2019 P AGE 13

Thank you COOP/UCOOP/CoCoRaHS Observers! By: Scott cultice & Scott Berschback Happy Fall! provide important data for research page=training_slideshows We wanted to personally thank and advancements in forecast and Videos: warning services. each of you for your dedicated https://www.youtube.com/user/ snow measuring efforts through As we look ahead to the new cocorahs the years! winter season, you can find many Have a safe fall and winter! If you Your dedicated, timely, and helpful reminders on measuring snow/ice and water equivalent have any questions, please send us accurate measurements allow us to an e-mail or give us a call. provide better service to our online: partners and the public and, in Slide Shows: some cases, immediate life-saving https://www.cocorahs.org/ Thanks again! action. In addition, the observations Content.aspx?

COOP awards

50 Year Institutional Award Jim Gossage - Rhinelander WWTP

50 Year Institutional Award Carrie Milestone & Rick Green - Babcock / Sandhill Wildlife Area Rick Green David Barkow (left) & NWS Green 20 Year Award Bay OPL Scott Cultice (right) David Barkow - Green Bay Botanical Gardens

10 Year Award John & Anne Delwiche - Washington Island

10 Year Award Jim & Rochelle Argoudels - Lac Vieux Desert

Anne & John Delwiche

Want to become an observer?

Visit: https://www.weather.gov/about/observations P AGE 14 University of Wisconsin- Stevens Point Recognized as Northeast Wisconsin’s First StormReady University By: Phil kurimski The National Weather Service recognized the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point (UWSP) as the first StormReady University in northeast Wisconsin. UWSP began their relationship with the NWS in 2016 when they became a Weather-Ready Nation Ambassador. Since then, they have worked diligently to meet the requirements of a StormReady University, which they completed on June 12, 2019. On October 7, 2019, NWS Green Bay presented Emergency Management Specialist Corinna Neeb and Chancellor Bernie Patterson an official StormReady sign. The mayor of Stevens, Point Mike Wiza, was also on hand for the ceremony. This UW-Stevens Point recognized as the first StormReady University in northeast recognition is due to the hard work Wisconsin. L to R: Corinna Neeb, Emergency Management Specialist UWSP; Phil of Corinna and UWSP to better Kurimski, Meteorologist NWS Green Bay; Bernie Patterson, UWSP Chancellor; Mike protect the students, faculty, and Wiza, Mayor of Stevens Point. visitors to the university.

SÉURA RECOGNIZED BY THE NWS BY: Rebecca HYKIN SÉURA, an electronics hazardous weather conditions by the NWS wants to recognize your manufacturer headquartered in using various alert systems, work! Join the thousands of Green Bay, was recently recognized including a weather radio. Ambassadors across the nation as a 2019 Weather-Ready Nation If your organization or business is helping to build a Weather-Ready (WRN) Ambassador of Excellence committed to weather safety, Nation. by the National Weather Service willing to help spread the word, For more information, visit: (NWS). The WRN Ambassador and inspire others to take action, initiative is the NWS’s effort to http://www.weather.gov/wrn recognize partners who are improving the nation’s readiness, responsiveness, and overall resilience against events. This recognition honors Ambassadors for their outstanding work and contributions to building a Weather-Ready Nation. SÉURA was acknowledged for their efforts of putting together a weather preparedness plan and regularly practicing that plan, identifying tornado shelters within the facility, designating a weather watcher, and monitoring the latest 2019 P AGE 15

W e a t h e r -Ready Nation Ambassadors Exceed 10,000! NOAA’s Weather-Ready Nation (WRN) Ambassador Program celebrates a major milestone as it is now 10,000+ strong! Signing on 10,000+ ambassadors is more than just a numerical milestone. It is a testament to the shared priority of stronger community resilience, the innovative successes of collaboration, and the diversity of organizations that all play a role in making communities, businesses, and individuals “weather-ready.” To all of NWS Green Bay’s WRN Ambassadors, we thank you for all you have done to help build a Weather-Ready Nation! The extensive reach of WRN Ambassadors has resulted in many noteworthy successes: •There has been a drop in the number of fatalities, particularly and deaths since 2017. •The sharing of weather safety information has increased, especially during campaigns such as Turn Around Don’t Drown and When Thunder Roars Go Indoors •There is a continued interest from a diverse group of ambassadors eager to engage their employees, stakeholders, and the general public about weather safety. Becoming ready, responsive, and resilient to extreme weather, water, and climate events involves all of us. “ IT IS TRULY INCREDIBLE TO SEE HOW FAR THE WEATHER-READY NATION If your organization or business is AMBASSADOR INITIATIVE HAS COME. WE ARE ALWAYS LOOKING FOR committed to weather safety and WAYS TO EXTEND OUR COMMUNITY OUTREACH TO ENHANCE COMMUNITY willing to help spread the word and inspire others to take action, the RESPONSE TO EXTREME WEATHER, WATER, AND CLIMATE EVENTS. THE National Weather Service wants to AMBASSADOR PROGRAM IS A REFLECTION OF HOW THAT CAN BE recognize your work! Join the ACHIEVED THROUGH PARTNERSHIPS AND COLLABORATION. THANK YOU TO hundreds of ambassadors in ALL OF THE ORGANIZATIONS THAT HAVE EMBRACED THE INITIATIVE TO Wisconsin and help our state CREATE A WEATHER-READY NATION -- WE CANNOT DO IT ALONE! ” become weather-ready. For more information, visit: — LOUIS W. UCCELLINI, PH. D., DIRECTOR, NATIONAL http://www.weather.gov/wrn WEATHER SERVICE P AGE 16

NWS Green Bay Says goodbye to two longtime Meteorologists BY: Linda skowronski

Last Retires from NWS Green Bay Last joined the Green Bay, he joined the weather forecast Wisconsin weather forecast office office in Milwaukee/Sullivan, as its first Warning Coordination Wisconsin, as a Forecaster and Meteorologist in October 1994. Warning Preparedness During his time in Green Bay, Last Meteorologist. It was during this worked with many partners in the time that he met his wife Jill, a weather community including Meteorologist at General Mitchell emergency managers and International Airport in Milwaukee, broadcast media. He was Wisconsin. instrumental in starting and A native of Milwaukee, Last continuing the annual Media and received his Bachelor of Science Partners Seminar to share ideas and Degree in brainstorm better ways to from the University of Wisconsin in disseminate weather information to Milwaukee. the public. Jeff and Jill are moving to Florida Last began his National Weather to enjoy warmer weather, especially Service career as a Meteorologist After more than 32 years of during the winter months. We wish Intern at the Peoria, Illinois weather them both good health and federal government service, Jeffrey service office. He then moved to Last retired from the National happiness as they start a new Kansas City, Missouri, to work at the chapter in their lives. Weather Service on September 28, Central Region Headquarters office 2019. as a Staff Meteorologist. From there,

Gorczany Retires from NWS Green Bay Michael Gorczany retired from looking at weather trends. the National Weather Service on Gorczany began his National October 31, 2019. He served over Weather Service career as a 32 years in the federal government, Meteorologist Intern at the Flint, all with the National Weather Michigan weather service office. He Service. then moved to the Topeka, Kansas Gorczany joined the Green Bay, weather forecast office. It was at Wisconsin weather forecast office this point that Gorczany began as a General Meteorologist in working with the Warning October 1994. During this time, Preparedness Meteorologist on a Gorczany served as the Storm Data program similar to Storm Data. Program focal point. He A native of Milwaukee, Gorczany meticulously reported details of all received his Bachelor of Science , flooding, snow Degree in from the storms, and other weather University of Wisconsin in Madison, phenomena into the Storm Data Wisconsin. Program. Included in the reporting are damage estimates and any Mike and his wife Sue plan to personal injuries as a result of the stay in the Green Bay area. We wish weather event. This data is used by them both well in the years ahead. researchers and is very important in 2019 P AGE 17

WFO Green Bay Hosts Partners Workshop

Local emergency managers and stations across the region joined tornado outbreak helped start the media meteorologists visited WFO northeast Wisconsin emergency discussion. Other topics of Green Bay for the 23rd Annual managers and NWS staff to discuss discussion included using social NWS Green Bay Partners working together to better media to communicate as a Workshop, held November 15, communicate risks associated with “community,” and a preview of new 2018. The theme of this meeting significant weather events. services that will help convey risks was “collaborating to Presentations on the historic and impacts of winter weather communicate.” Broadcast northeast Wisconsin April 2018 events. meteorologists from television blizzard and the August 2018

Participants at the 2018 Annual NWS Green Bay Partners Workshop.

NWS Green Bay Supports the 50th EAA AirVenture

The annual Experimental Aircraft Sheriff’s Department, Oshkosh Association (EAA) AirVenture in Police Department, Wisconsin State Oshkosh continues to be the largest Patrol, US Air Force, US Army, and aviation outreach opportunity for the FBI. In addition, a daily the National Weather Service. Enhanced Terminal Aviation Weather always has the Forecast shift helped expand the potential to be a huge factor at the detail and scope of aviation event, due to the volume of air forecasts and to organize the traffic and the tens of thousands of coordination of that information daily attendees. The NWS Green with internal and external partners. Bay forecast office provided In addition to the decision enhanced aviation forecasts and support, thousands of visitors weather support at the onsite stopped by the NWS outreach emergency operations center. booth, which provided many Meteorologists gave real-time opportunities for NWS Senior Meteorologist Phil Kurimski briefings to decision-makers from meteorologists to interact with providing weather support. the FAA, Winnebago County pilots and the public. P AGE 18

NWS Meteorologists Visit Austin - S t r a u b e l International Airport

On May 16, meteorologists from on the tour was the Aircraft Rescue Green Bay staff. We hope to NWS Green Bay visited Austin- and Fire Fighting (ARFF) building. continue to build on this Straubel International Airport in ARFF staff provided an overview of relationship! Green Bay. This visit gave a behind- the facility along with the the-scenes look at how weather expectations and challenges they directly impacts the airport and face as the first responders for the their operational decisions, which airport, including acquiring weather ultimately enhanced the information from NWS Green Bay relationship between the airport for all aircraft incidents. The last and the NWS Green Bay staff. stop on the tour was the Airport The first stop on the tour was the Control Tower and the Terminal airport ground maintenance/snow Radar Approach Control Facility removal building. NWS staff walked (TRACON). Air traffic controllers through the large facility which described how weather impacts houses many impressive snow local air traffic, including arrivals/ removal and de-icing vehicles. departures, and how staffing Airport staff described each adjustments are made during busy vehicles’ function in keeping times, such as for presidential visits, runways operational during snow/ EAA Airventure, and for Green Bay ice events and the challenges they Packers home games. face with timing, temperature, and The visit was well received by the Meteorologist Rebecca Hykin precipitation type. The second stop airport personnel and the NWS inside one of the airport’s massive snow plows.

Giving Back to the Local Community Through the A d o p t -A - Highway Program

Employees at the National participate in each of the three Weather Service office in Green Bay scheduled cleanings for the spring, gave back to the community this summer and, fall seasons. This is the year by adopting a WI DOT park first year the office has been and ride parking lot near the involved with the Adopt-A-Highway Freedom, WI exit along I-41. program and will likely be the first Typically, anywhere from 3 to 6 of many to come. employees volunteered to 2019 P AGE 19

WINTER WEATHER word search

ACCUMULATION FROZEN SLIPPERY ADVISORY GLOOMY SNOWMAN ARCTIC GLOVES SNOW SQUALL BLACK ICE HYPOTHERMIA SPOTTER BLIZZARD ICE JAM TEMPERATURE BLOWING SNOW ICY WARNING BLUSTERY MITTENS WATCH CHILLY OBSERVER WEATHER BALLOON COLD POLAR WEATHER READY

FORECAST RADAR WIND CHILL FREEZING RAIN SHOVEL WINDY FROSTBITE SLEET WINTER STORM NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE GREEN BAY 2485 South Point Road Green Bay, WI 54313 Phone: 920-494-2363 www.weather.gov/grb

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