National Service, Boise Sage ID Serving Southwest Idaho and Southeast Oregon Spotters and Volume 3, Issue 1 Cooperative Observers / 2007

INSIDE THIS ISSUE: NWS Boise Goes Live!

Can Strong tornadoes hit Weather Safety 2 This live broadcast will be in conjunction with Severe Idaho? What is the snowiest Weather Awareness Week! Please join us on Tuesday, day in Idaho’s history? How May 8th from 7-8 pm on the following frequencies: News from your 3 do tornadoes form? Have NWS you ever had a weather The New Enhanced 4 question that you always Fujita Scale wanted to ask a meteorologist? Do you have something you want our forecasters to discuss Boise NWR WXK-68 162.55 MHz National Severe 5 with you? Now is your chance. Just email us at: McCall NWR WWF-58 162.475 MHz Weather Workshop [email protected] and we will answer Payette NWR WXK-88 162.40 MHz Based 6 you during a live NOAA All-Hazards Radio Warnings Broadcast. Joining our staff to broadcast on this Twin Falls NWR WXL-35 162.40 MHz Burns Butte KHB30 162.475 MHz Estimators 7 night will be Scott Dorval from KIVI in Boise. Warning Criteria 8 Cooperative Observer Program By: Larry Holt, Cooperative Observer Program Manager and NATIONAL WEATHER Observation Program Leader SERVICE MISSION: Our Nation’s cooperative weather observers Applications include architecture, agriculture, “The National Weather Service come from all walks of life. They are local commerce, engineering, aviation, industry, and (NWS) provides weather, hydro- citizens located throughout the country, and litigation. They serve a vital role in the National the vast majority of these volunteers receive Weather Service’s mission of protecting life logic and forecasts and no monetary compensation for their efforts. and property through watch and warning warnings for the United States, Volunteer weather reporters date back to products. its territories, adjacent waters 1776 in Virginia. By 1800, volunteers were Idaho has many long term participants in the and ocean areas, for the protec- located in five states. By 1890 the volunteer COOP program. Several of the present tion of life and property and the force stretched across most of the country. observers have been doing the observations enhancement of the national The COOP (cooperative observer) program for more than 50 years. Several institutions economy. NWS data and prod- was initially under the supervision of the involved in the program have been actively Smithsonian Institution and in 1953 became involved for nearly 100 years! ucts form a national information part of what was then the United States database and infrastructure Weather Bureau. The National Weather Service COOP which can be used by other program and climatological service is one of There are approximately 11,000 cooperative governmental agencies, the the most extraordinary services ever devel- observers nationwide and several hundred in oped anywhere, and probably nets the public private sector, the public, and the state of Idaho. These dedicated volunteers more dollars expended than any other govern- the global community.” record daily weather related information ment service in the world. including temperature, , , snowfall, and other meteorological parameters. If you or someone you know Climatological normals, means, and extremes would be interested in for local areas are often computed directly becoming a cooperative from the long term information supplied by observer please email these observers. Larry: [email protected] or Their data are used in a wide variety of ways. give us a call on the spotter line: 1-800-882-1428 Weather Safety By: Simone Lewis, Meteorologist

As springtime approaches, it is im- more, it is a good idea to stay away portant to take a moment to re- from windows, avoid using the tele- two feet can sweep a vehicle away, view some potentially life saving phone, and avoid contact with ob- and as little as six inches of water weather safety tips. Severe jects that can conduct electricity can knock you off your feet. If you weather can strike at any time, and such as pipes and fences. are caught in rising waters, any place. Proper knowledge of abandon your vehicle immediately, Tornadoes, which spawn from se- what to do in an emergency is cru- vere , can occur and seek higher ground. cial in order to protect both life with little or no warning, and some- Extreme heat is a and property during a hazardous times occur in situations when phenomenon that is given little at- weather situation. Southwest there is no watch in effect. tention, but can be extremely Idaho and southeast Oregon are Tornadoes on average kill approxi- deadly. On average, 175 people die particularly vulnerable to many mately 70 people, and cause over each year in the United States from types of severe weather including 1500 injuries a year in the United extreme heat. The elderly, small severe thunderstorms, tornadoes, States. A tornado can occur any- children, people with weight or flooding, and dangerous heat. where, and at anytime, including alcohol problems, and those with It is important to understand the mountainous regions, over water, chronic medical conditions are ex- difference between a watch and a and in valleys. If caught in a tor- tremely vulnerable to the effects of warning. A watch means that con- nado, the safest place to be is in the extreme heat. People suffering ditions are favorable for the devel- basement of a from the ill effects of the heat dis- opment of a severe weather phe- sturdy struc- play symptoms such as extreme nomenon, and that precautions ture. If a fatigue, vomiting, cramps, fainting, should be taken to protect both life basement is and extreme sweating. To avoid and property. A warning means not available, heat related illnesses, it is impor- that severe weather is occurring or seek shelter tant to take frequent breaks when imminent, and that action should be in an interior working outdoors, seek air condi- taken immediately to prevent per- room such as tioned places, drink plenty of non- sonal injury. a closet or alcoholic fluids, wear lightweight, bathroom. light colored clothing, and avoid Severe thunderstorms are one of Cover your the most common severe weather excessive exposure to the sun. body with either a mattress, or lie hazards, producing damaging winds, Finally, it is important to develop a underneath a sturdy table to pro- dangerous , large , tor- disaster plan with your family in tect yourself from debris, and do nadoes, and flash flooding. A thun- case of an emergency. Prepare a not waste time opening windows. derstorm is considered severe disaster kit including basic necessi- If caught outside and no shelter is when hail ¾” or more in diameter, ties such as preserved food, at least available, lie in a culvert or ditch, and/or wind gusts of 58mph or 3 days worth of water for each and avoid seeking shelter under- more are present. member of your family, prescrip- When a severe neath highway overpasses. tion medicines, a , a Flooding is the number one killer flashlight with extra batteries, and threatens your associated with severe thunder- extra clothing, and bandages. Also, area, seek shelter , killing approximately 140 be sure to periodically practice immediately in a people each year. If flooding is drills with your family to ensure building or hard- occurring in your area, immediately each member is aware of proper top vehicle. Wait move to higher ground, and leave safety procedures. Lastly, check at least 30 min- or avoid areas prone to flood- emergency supplies utes after hearing ing such as canyons. Never at least once every 6 the last clap of drive into water even if it ap- months to ensure thunder to resume outdoor activi- pears to only be a few inches your kit is ready for ties. Picnic shelters and trees are deep, as it is difficult to esti- a sudden disaster. not good sources of shelter, due to mate both its depth, and the For additional infor- their lack of protection from deadly condition of the road under- mation, please visit: http:// lightning and high winds. Further- neath it. A water depth of only www.nws.noaa.gov/ Page 2 SAGE WINDS VOLUME 3, ISSUE 1 Page 3

News from your Boise NWS Attention HAM This past January, six National local repeaters for reports Weather Service (NWS) during times of severe weather. radio operators! employees took an amateur We are in the process of radio class voluntarily taught by expanding our amateur radio one of our very own SkyWarn capabilities within the office and spotters. On February 6th, we I will give updates in the next NOT share anyone’s all successfully passed our newsletter. information without consent, technician license test. This has but if you are interested in this I have been asked on many brought the total number of option, please send an email to Boise NWS amateur radio occasions why there is not an me and I will compile a list of extensive HAM network in those who want to share. In licensed employees to seven. place within the Boise office’s your email state if you only want Although there is not usually area of responsibility and the your call sign or email address long-lived severe weather within answer is simply that we do not to be shared, or if both can be the Boise NWS warning area, have enough severe weather to shared. Also, let me know if I we wanted to try to justify it. While we will not can share your name, whether it incorporate the services that solicit HAM operators to come is only first name or if it is first amateur radio can provide into into the office during times of and last. Once I have a group our warning operations. Many of severe weather, if you are in the established I will send out an our spotters lived in remote area and wish to set up a email with the information that locations where power and network from our office, you you want shared to all who phone lines may be knocked are welcome to. Please call responded. HAM operators can down during a severe storm, ahead to get clearance. then share their weather cutting off the communication If you are an amateur radio reports with each other on to the area. Often times in this their radios while the event is situation, HAM radio is the only operator and do not think that means of communication we have your call sign on file, occurring. then please feel free to email me available. Thank you for all the support with it. I am still trying to the amateur radio community We do not have a dedicated compile a list of HAMs who are frequency that we will listen on, interested in sharing information has offered to our office! but will continue to monitor via radio and/or email. I will -Dawn Fishler [email protected]

Please Remember to Keep Your Contact Information up to Date!!! If any of your contact information has changed please let us know either by email ([email protected]) or call our spotter line 1-800-882-1428. Also, if you are receiving this newsletter in paper form, it means we do not have your email address. If you do have an email address and would like to receive correspondence that way (including full-color newsletters!) please send it to me. If you do not have one or wish to still receive a paper copy we will still send one to you. The New Enhanced Fujita Scale By: Josh Smith, Meteorologist

On February 1, 2007, the National Weather Service Engineering studies have shown that winds speeds implemented the new Enhanced Fujita Scale (EF-Scale) on the original F-Scale were too high. Based on to rate the intensity of tornadoes, replacing the Fujita these studies, the EF-Scale wind speeds have been Scale (F-Scale). The EF-Scale will continue to rate the adjusted to more accurately represent the intensity of tornadoes on a 0 to 5 scale, but with two associated damage (see table below). significant improvements over the F-Scale. First, the The EF-Scale also incorporates more damage wind speeds have been more accurately adjusted based indicators and degrees of damage for better on storm damage research and, second, 28 damage correlation between damage and wind speed. A set indicators such as homes, buildings, and trees will of 28 damage indicators like houses, types of allow for more accurate tornado ratings. buildings and trees were assigned wind speed The F-Scale, developed by Dr. Theodore Fujita in 1971 estimates required to cause certain degrees of uses damage caused by a tornado and relates that damage. Each damage indicator has up to 12 degrees damage to the fastest 1/4-mile wind at the height of a of damage ranging from the beginning of visible damaged structure. Though the F-Scale has been in use damage to complete destruction of the damage by the NWS for over 33 years, meteorologists and indicator. Additional information on the EF-Scale engineers alike have noted several limitations of the including a list of damage indicators can be found at F-Scale. These include no account of construction the Storm Predication Center’s web site: http:// quality and no definitive correlation between damage www.spc.noaa.gov/efscale/ and wind speed thus leading to inconsistent tornado

ratings. Original F Scale Enhanced F Scale 3 second gust speed Rating 3 second gust (MPH) Rating (MPH) F0 45-78 EF0 65-85 F1 79-117 EF1 86-110 F2 118-161 EF2 111-135 F3 162-209 EF3 136-165 F4 210-261 EF4 166-200 F5 262-317 EF5 >200 We’re Looking for Spotters! Tell you friends! While we always welcome spotters from anywhere, we are especially looking for spotters in: Idaho: Ada County: Southern half Adams, Boise, Camas, Gooding, Jerome, Owyhee Counties: Anywhere Elmore County: Outside of Mountain Home Gem County: Outside of Emmett Payette County: Outside of Fruitland, New Plymouth and Payette Twin Falls County: West and SW of Kimberly, Cottonwood Creek, and Rock Creek Basin Valley County: Rural areas (away from Hwy 55) Washington County: Rural areas (away from Hwy 95) Oregon: Baker, Harney, and Malheur Counties: Anywhere Page 4 SAGE WINDS VOLUME 3, ISSUE 1 Page 5

National Severe Weather Workshop Notes By Stephen Parker, Lead Forecaster Each year, a National Severe Jim Purpura (Meteorologist in technology for wireless Weather Workshop is held in Charge at the San Diego NWS communications. It is likely that Norman, Oklahoma. This office) described state of the art we will actually save money year’s was held from March 1st ways for the deaf and hard of when we finally implement a to the 3rd. The workshop is hearing to receive weather nationwide network of designed so that folks from the warnings. He and a researcher multifunction (used for both National Weather Service at the National Severe Storm aviation and ) (NWS), the Emergency Laboratory pioneered using new PARs (MPARs). Manager (EM) and Spotter communications technologies to Kim Runk (Meteorologist in communities, and Broadcast get visual alerts to this Charge at the Las Vegas NWS Meteorologists can come community. office) spoke on that together, share information, and Vern Preston (Warning formed and split over the discuss ways to better serve the Coordination Meteorologist at Mojave Desert. This shows, public through enhanced the Pocatello NWS office) once again, that supercells can communication. This year 420 talked about the importance of form over any type of terrain, in people attended. They came enlarging spotter networks, any part of the country. He from 36 different states and even in locations not “famous” used graphics (including several foreign countries. The for getting tornado outbreaks. excellent animations) that made author attended as the Western He had established solid development Region Coordinator for the relationships with several understandable for all. workshop. governmental agencies in fairly Todd Chambers (Forecaster at It was a fast and interesting unpopulated parts of the Snake the NWS office in Missoula) three days. Talks about severe River Plain. Subsequently, this spoke on what can happen to weather ranged from tornadoes area was hit by the largest fires that are “hit” by to fires to , and they were tornado outbreak in the history thunderstorm gust fronts (rapid presented from perspectives of Idaho (Oct 4th, 2006). The increases in wind speed and/or ranging from NWS offices to TV work done before the event led changes in stations to EM offices. It is to excellent spotter information, produced by -cooled air always beneficial to “walk a mile which in turn helped the office rushing away from the in someone else’s shoes” and achieve large lead-times with thunderstorm). The amount of learn what they go through their warnings. growth in the fire and the speed during severe weather events. Phased array radar (PAR) will of its movement when impacted What follows is a short not replace NEXRAD for about by gust fronts is incredible. summary of some of the more 10 more years, but early interesting talks presented at If you are interested in attending research has proven its the workshop. next year’s workshop, March 6th value. Improvements include: through 8th, 2008, please Les Lemon (world-famous radar gathers data 5 times faster than contact Stephen Parker at the meteorologist) spoke on the NEXRAD; ability to direct the NWS office in Boise. It will be a threat to large venues from radar to scan areas with storms great learning experience, and severe weather and other natu- while ignoring areas that are an awful lot of fun, too. ral and manmade disasters. He clear; better resolution; and stated that it is just a matter of fewer breakdowns (because time before a stadium, for there are virtually no moving example, holding on the order parts). A significant factor in the of 100,000 people, gets hit with delay of getting PAR into use some type of disaster. He has been cost. However, many encouraged all EMs to increase of the parts for PAR have come planning for this type of down in price recently due to calamity. the demand for similar Storm-Based Warnings By: Paul Flatt, Warning Coordination Meteorologist In October 2007, the National provide the public with more The two maps are of the same Weather Service will introduce specific information about the thunderstorm northwest of Storm-Based Warnings for all location of severe weather and Ontario, Oregon. On the left is Severe Thunderstorm, Flash the direction it is expected to a warning for Malheur County Flood, and Tornado Warnings. move. Seconds count during Oregon showing the whole Currently these warnings are tornadoes and flash floods. We county under a Severe county based. This change will want to provide the public with Thunderstorm Warning due to more accurately show where the most accurate description of this one storm. On the right is a the threat of severe weather is what's happening in their Storm-Based Warning showing located, particularly in large neighborhood. We also want to just the northeast part of counties which cover much of avoid warning non-threatened Malheur County under the the western United States. portions of the county." All Severe Thunderstorm Warning. warnings will contain commonly Storm Based Warnings will "Weather doesn't follow known landmarks such as delineate just the area under the geopolitical boundaries," said highways, rivers, cities, and threat without regard to retired Air Force Brig. Gen. David L. Johnson, Director of towns. political boundaries. the NOAA National Weather The difference this makes can Service. "Storm-based warnings be seen in the two maps below.

Above: The County-Based Warning Above: The Storm-Based Warning

Page 6 SAGE WINDS VOLUME 3, ISSUE 1 Page 7 Wind Speed Estimators

MPH Knots Description Specifications

< 1 < 1 Calm Smoke rises vertically.

1-3 1-3 Light Air Direction of wind shown by drift but not by wind vanes.

4-7 4-6 Light Breeze Wind felt on face; Leaves rustle; Wind vanes moved by wind

8-12 7-10 Gentle Breeze Leaves and small twigs in constant motion; Wind extends light flag.

13-18 11-16 Moderate Raises dust, loose paper; Small branches moved.

19-24 17-21 Fresh Small trees begin to sway

Large branches in motion; Whistling heard in telephone wires; Umbrellas used with diffi- 25-31 22-27 Strong culty.

32-38 28-33 Near Gale Whole trees in motion; Inconvenience felt walking against the wind.

39-46 34-40 Gale Twigs break off trees; Wind generally impedes progress; Mobile homes may shake.

Strong Gale (Severe Slight structural damage occurs; Mobile homes, sheds, roofs, lanais, and RV's suffer minor 47-54 41-47 Criteria) damage. Small trees uprooted; Moderate damage occurs to mobile homes and RV's; Brick and wood 55-63 48-55 Storm frame houses receive minor structural and roof damage; damage to TV antennas; Some signs blown down. Moderate sized trees uprooted; Large branches snapped off trees; Chimneys and road signs 64-73 56-63 Violent Storm toppled; Significant mobile home damage; Power lines downed.

Hurricane Mobile homes overturned; Large trees and branches downed; Moderate roof damage to 74-95 64-83 Category 1 wood and brick homes

Hail Size Estimators

Hail Size Description

0.25 inch Pea Size or Small Marble Size

0.50 inch Dime Size

0.75 inch (Severe Criteria) Penny Size

1.00 inch Quarter Size

1.75 inch Golf Ball Size

2.50 inch Tennis Ball Size How to Contact Us:

The Spotter Line:

National Weather Service-Boise 1-800-882-1428 3833 S Development Ave Bldg 3807 Boise, ID 83705 US Postal Mail to: Phone: 208-334-9860 Fax: 208-334-1662 E-mail: [email protected] National Weather Service

Attn: Dawn Fishler NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE, BOISE ID 3833 S. Development Ave. Bldg. 3807

Working Together to Save Lives Boise, ID 83705-5354

Email to: We’re on the Web! weather.gov/boise [email protected]

Reporting Criteria ***Please Always Report!***

SkyWarn Spotter Reporting Criteria Call us when you observe: • Tornado— All tornadoes • Funnel — All funnel , watch for rotation • Hail— 1/2 inch in diameter and larger • Near Continuous Lightning • Winds— All winds greater than 35 MPH • Heavy Rain—Falling at a rate of 1” per hour or greater (1/2” in 30 minutes) , or more than 1” per day in . • —Any measurable freezing rain • Heavy —1” per hour or greater, or storm total 4” or more, or snow causing road closures. • Flooding— Any water flowing where it normally doesn’t or rivers flowing above their banks. • Low Visibility— Visibility less than 1/4 mile for any reason • Weather Related Damage, Death, or Injury— If weather causes damage, death, or injury, let us know.