“Your Weather Source” FREEZING RAIN OR DRIZZLE: This occurs when rain or drizzle freezes on surfaces (such as the ground, trees, power lines, motor vehicles, streets, highways, etc.) that have a temperature of 32°F or below. Small accumulations of ice can cause driving A note from ABC12 Chief Meteorologist and walking difficulties. Meanwhile, heavy accumula- J.R. Kirtek tions of ice can pull down trees and utility lines. In this situation, it would be called an ―Ice Storm.‖ FREEZING RAIN ADVISORY: Knowledge is King! J.R. Kirtek Issued when freezing rain or freezing drizzle causes sig- nificant inconveniences, but does not meet warning cri- Chief Meteorologist teria (normally an ice accumulation of 1/4 inch or The only way to make good decisions greater) and if caution is not exercised, it could lead to during times of stress is to learn as much life-threatening situations. as you can about the threats you may face. And weather, most certainly, can be a threat. From 2005 through 2007, severe weather caused more than $200 million in damage across our state. Occasionally, small tornadoes can ―spin up‖ with little, or no, advance warning. John McMurray The thunderstorms that spawn them, Meteorologist however, are usually forecast hours in advance. Keep in mind that ALL thun- derstorms could be a potential threat. By keeping abreast of the daily forecast, staying aware of your surroundings when thunderstorms develop, and by having an action plan in the event weather becomes threatening, lives can be protected and property losses can be minimized. We, at the ABC12 First Alert Weather Leslie Toldo Center, and all of us here at ABC12 hope Meteorologist ABC12 Weather Resources you find this brochure useful in helping you create an action plan for severe weather. ABC12 First Alert Channel—ABC12 is the only Remember, ABC12 is ‖Your Safest mid -Michigan station Place in Bad Weather.‖ To offer viewers local weather 24 hours everyday. Find this on Comcast Digital Cable (Channel 247) and now Charter J.R. Kirtek Communications (Channel 431). Kevin Goff ABC12 First Alert Center Phone Line - Get the day’s Meteorologist forecast and the extended forecast right over the phone. Call (810) 232-3333 or (989) 790-7329. 15 Winter Weather Definitions WINTER STORM WARNING: Issued when a winter storm is producing very heavy snow. For Lower Michigan, a Winter Storm Warning is issued when winter is producing snow greater than or equal to 6 inches in 12 hours; or greater than or equal to 8 inches in 24 hours. In cases of mixed precipitation or blowing, these snowfall amounts may be less. WINTER STORM WATCH: Issued by the National Weather Service when there is a potential of very heavy snow. In Lower Michigan, a Winter Storm Watch is issued for the potential of a win- ter storm producing snow greater than or equal to 6 inches in 12 hours; or greater than or equal to 8 inches in CONTENTS: 24 hours. In cases of mixed precipitation or blowing, NOAA Weather Radio. 2 these snowfall amounts may be less. Severe Weather Definitions . 3 Tornado Safety. 4-5 Fujita Tornado Intensity Scale. 6-7 WINTER STORM ADVISORY: Lightning Safety . 8-9 Issued when a low pressure system produces a combina- How Far Away Is That Thunderstorm? . 10 tion of winter precipitation (snow, freezing rain, sleet, What Exactly Is ABC12 First Alert Live Radar? 11 etc.) that present a hazard, but does not meet warning Flooding/Flood Safety . 12 criteria. In Michigan, the criteria for its issuance is a Heat & Wind Chill Indexes . 13 snow event that is forecasted to produce snow (average Winter Weather Definitions . 14-15 of forecast range) greater than 3 inches, but less than Flint Bishop International Airport Travel Chart . 16 warning criteria (6 inches in Lower Michigan and 8 inches in Upper Michigan) in 12 hours. BLIZZARD: A winter storm which produces the following conditions for at least 3 hours: 1) sustained winds of frequent gusts to 35 mile per hour or greater 2) considerable falling and/or blowing snow reducing visibility to less than 1/4 mile. BLIZZARD WARNING: Issued when blizzard conditions are life threatening. In Michigan, the criteria is a sustained wind or frequent wind gusts to 35 mph or more and considerable falling and/or blowing snow reducing visibility frequently to less than 1/4 mile for a duration of 3 hours or longer. 14 1 NOAA Weather Radio Heat Index The fastest and most reliable means of receiving criti- cal weather information is through use of a NOAA The Heat Index is a measure of how hot it really feels Weather Radio with an automatic "tone alert" feature. when the relative humidity (RH) is added to the actual You will receive the warning directly from the National air temperature. This index was devised for shady, light Weather Service in just a couple of minutes from its wind conditions. Exposure to full sunshine can increase issuance. These radios can be purchased in most stores that carry small electronics. Immediately following the issuance of a tornado warning by the NWS, the "tone alert" is instantly sounded, followed by warning infor- mation. This is especially useful when severe weather is expected during the nighttime hours when people are sleeping, and when windows are closed, preventing sirens from being heard. In addition to the tone-alert, the new generation of weather radios receive a digital burst of information. This information is used to tell your radio to warn you only when weather is to affect your specific county. The National Weather Service refers to this digital informa- tion as "Specific Area Message Encoding" (SAME). The radio's "tone alert" feature and SAME are used for the issuance of all weather warnings as well as se- vere thunderstorm, flash flood, hurricane, and tornado watches. NOAA Weather Radio broadcasts 24 hours a Wind Chill Index day, seven days a week with the latest weather informa- tion from daily forecasts to special weather statements about sudden shifts in the weather patterns or the devel- opment of potentially hazardous weather. The Wind Chill Index is based on the rate of heat loss from exposed skin caused by the combined effect of wind and cold. As the wind increases, heat is carried ABC12 viewing area ALCONA IOSCO ROSCOMMON OGEMAW ARENAC OSCEOLA CLARE GLADWIN HURON BAY MECOSTA ISABELLA MIDLAND TUSCOLA SANILAC MONTCALM GRATIOT SAGINAW LAPEER GENESEE SHIAWASSEE CLINTON LIVINGSTON INGHAM Frostbite Times: 30 Minutes 10 Minutes 5 Minutes 2 13 Flooding Severe Weather Definitions Although Michigan isn’t impacted by flooding as much WATCH: as other states, the majority of flood-related deaths are Conditions are favorable for the development of severe caused by people attempting to drive through moving thunderstorms or tornadoes in and close to the watch water. area. Watches are usually issued hours before weather threatens. When a WATCH is issued, it is time to pre- Most cars will float (and be swept away) in 18-24 pare for severe weather. It is also time to occasionally inches of moving water. Trucks and SUVs are not much watch the sky for rapidly changing conditions. better with only 6-12 more inches of clearance. Creeks and rivers can rise very rapidly and the road bottom can TORNADO WARNING: also wash away making the water much deeper than it Issued when a tornado is strongly suggested, as indi- appears. cated by radar, or is actually sighted by storm spotters. It is time to act – to seek shelter from the damaging Once cars are swept downstream they will often roll to storm. one side or perhaps flip over entirely. The driver has a few precious seconds to escape the vehicle. In fact, SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING: many drivers panic as soon as the vehicle submerges and Issued when a thunderstorm produces hail 3/4 of an inch are found later with their seat belt intact. or larger in diameter and/or winds which equal or ex- ceed 58 mph. Severe thunderstorms have killed more Flood Safety people in Michigan than tornadoes have. FLASH FLOOD WATCH: Indicates that flash flooding is possible in and close to Know your area's flood risk. People who live in the watch area. Those in the affected area are urged to flood-prone areas should stay alert for changing weather be ready to take quick action if a flash flood warning is conditions and rising lake and river levels. During rains issued or flooding is observed. that have lasted for several hours, be attentive to the chance of flooding. FLASH FLOOD WARNING: Know where high ground is and move there quickly Signifies a dangerous situation where rapid flooding of if you see or hear rapidly rising water. small rivers, streams, creeks, or urban areas are immi- Do not attempt to cross through fast-flowing water nent or already occurring. Very heavy rain that falls in a short time period can lead to flash flooding, depending that is more than shin-deep. on local terrain, ground cover, degree of urbanization, Do not try to drive through flooded areas -- remem- degree of man-made changes to river banks, and initial ber, most flood-related deaths occur in automobiles. ground or river conditions. If your vehicle stalls, abandon it and seek higher ground immediately. Be especially cautious at night, when the danger may be hidden. High water conditions can create navigational haz- ards on area lakes or rivers. When operating a watercraft, operate at a safe speed that does not create a wake which will cause additional damage to property and environmentally sensitive areas. 12 3 What Exactly First Alert Tornado Safety Live Radar? It is important to remember that when a WATCH is First Alert Live Radar is a combination of ABC12’s issued, conditions are favorable for the development of very own weather surveillance radar and a set of storm severe thunderstorms and tornadoes.