The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) National Weather Service (NWS) Severe Thunderstorm Observing and Radar Monitoring

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1 The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Presents National Weather Service (NWS) Severe Thunderstorm Observing and Radar Monitoring Severe Weather Spotter Line Spotter Reports E espotter.weather.gov Homepage Address: weather.gov

Objectives Understand Severe Weather Terms and

thunderstorms Be able to identify different

storm type and what safety actions to take when

2 Objectives Understand Severe Weather Terms and Definitions Learn basic ingredients needed for thunderstorms Be able to identify different thunderstorm types Know the dangers of each storm type and what safety actions to take when first identified Improve Public Safety at your facility!!

3 Severe Weather Joe Says I am all eyes and ears, lets begin!

4 Warning Fundamental Definitions Warning - Issued when a particular severe weather hazard is either imminent or is occurring. Take immediate action to protect life and property. Watch - Issued when conditions are favorable for a particular severe weather hazard to occur in the next several hours. Plan, prepare, and be aware. Watch

Thunderstorm Fundamental Definitions Thunderstorm A local storm produced by a cumulonimbus cloud and always accompanied by lightning and thunder, usually

5 Thunderstorm Fundamental Definitions Thunderstorm A local storm produced by a cumulonimbus cloud and always accompanied by lightning and thunder, usually with strong gusts of wind, heavy rain and sometimes hail. We do not issue warnings for lightning. Take shelter when you first hear thunder! Don t t take a chance!

least ¾ inch in diameter Flash Flooding Peru, IN July 15,

6 What Makes a Thunderstorm Severe? Tornado Winds at least 58 mph or reports of damage Hail at least ¾ inch in diameter Flash Flooding Peru, IN July 15, 2003 Fundamental Definitions Aurora, NE June 22, 2003 North Webster, IN October 24, 2001

7 Fundamental Definitions Tornado - A violent rotating column of air in contact with the ground, either pendant or underneath a cumuliform cloud.

8 Fundamental Definitions Funnel Cloud - A violently rotating column of air that does not reach the ground.. No circulation is seen on the surface.

9 Fundamental Definitions Rotating Wall Cloud - An isolated lowering from a cumulonimbus cloud base. Must be rotating May resemble a pedestal Often precede funnel cloud and tornado

10 Fundamental Definitions Shelf or Roll Cloud - Low level, Low level, horizontal,, wedge shaped cloud occurring on leading edge of a thunderstorm. Wind, rain and hail may follow, but may not be severe.

11 Fundamental Definitions Scud Clouds - Ragged edge clouds that do not rotate and are located below the main cloud base. May move up and into cloud below an updraft Millersburg, Indiana Elkhart County

12 Severe Weather Joe Says That was interesting, but can you tell me how thunderstorms develop and why they can become severe?

13 Clues to Thunderstorm Development Moisture Hazy, humid days, monitor dew points (60s and 70s) Low clouds in the morning Instability ( Instability (Will the air rise) Once cumulus clouds show up...look for rapid Growth/development Trigger or focusing mechanism Fronts, lake breezes, Outflow Boundaries from other thunderstorms Afternoon heating Shear Wind shifts/strong winds Clouds at different levels moving different directions

14 Clues to Thunderstorm Development Classic Weather Map

Simple Thunderstorms Weak shear, limited moisture Developing Stage -Tall cumulus clouds develop -Little or no rain initially -Lightning begins as ice develops Mature Stage

15 Simple Thunderstorms Weak shear, limited moisture Developing Stage -Tall cumulus clouds develop -Little or no rain initially -Lightning begins as ice develops Mature Stage - Hail, heavy rain, frequent lightning, strong winds, and isolated tornadoes Dissipating Stage - Rainfall decreases - Downburst of strong winds -Lightning remains a danger

16 Simple Thunderstorms Weak shear, limited moisture and Instability Nearly Vertical Updraft/Downdraft

17 Radar Interpretation

18 Multiple Cell Storms - Linear (Squall Line) Moderate to Strong Shear, S Moisture and Instability Most common storm structure in Great Lakes for severe weather

19 Multiple Cell Storms - Linear (Squall Line) Moderate to Strong Shear, S Moisture and Instability Radar Interpretation October 24 th 2001 Favorable area for tornadoes are near the leading edge of bookend

20 Strong/Severe winds, heavy rain, hail and isolated tornadoes Multiple Cell Storms - Linear (Squall Line) Moderate to Strong Shear, S Moisture and Instability Schematic Damaging Winds on Leading Edge. May be miles ahead of rain/thunder

21 Multiple Cell Storms - Linear (Squall Line) Moderate to Strong Shear, S Moisture and Instability Radar Cross Section Anvil Rear Inflow Jet Updraft Downdraft Shelf Cloud

22 Multiple Cell Storms - Linear (Squall Line) Moderate to Strong Shear, Moisture and Instability

23 Multiple Cell Storms - Linear (Squall Line) Moderate to Strong Shear, S Moisture and Instability Anvil Anvil Lightning Spotter Tip: Be aware of lightning well ahead of the main line of thunderstorms!

24 Multiple Cell Storms - Linear (Squall Line) Downburst

25 Multiple Cell Storms - Linear (Squall Line) Summary Roll or shelf cloud near updraft/downdraft interface and will usually precede severe weather Heavy rain, wind and hail will follow Tornadoes may occur on leading edge, especially near the northern bookend vortex Downburst winds possible with the heavy rain Lightning may occur from the anvil well ahead of the main line of thunderstorms When you see the line on radar or see the approaching shelf cloud...take immediate action!

26 Severe Weather Joe Says Those squall lines made me a little squally. What other kinds of severe thunderstorms are there?

27 SuperCell Thunderstorms Strong Shear, S Abundant Moisture and Instability Supercell Thunderstorms Responsible for most deadly tornadoes (F3 or higher)

28 Classic SuperCell Thunderstorm Where would you expect a funnel cloud or tornado to form?

29 Wind Speed/Direction Example Indiana Supercell with Tilted Updraft And Mammatus 40,000 ft Northwest Wind 100 mph 20,000 ft West Wind 80 mph 10,000 ft Southwest Wind 60 mph Mammatus 5,000 ft South Wind 50 mph Surface Southeast Wind 20 mph

30 Classic Supercell A thunderstorm with a persistent and rotating updraft Top View - Schematic Location with respect to storm is important! H L #4 Shelf Cloud

31 Position #4 Inside The Bear s s Cage Avoid this location. It is the most dangerous! Fort Wayne Indiana, May 26 th, 2001 L#4

32 Supercell Thunderstorms Top View Radar Perspective KIWX WSR-88D April 9 th, 2001 Softball size hail but no Tornadoes!

33 April 9 th, 2001 Softball size hail but no Tornadoes! Supercell Thunderstorms Radar Perspective Storm Relative Motion (SRM) Radar Location

34 Supercell Thunderstorms Summary Roll or shelf cloud still possible on leading edge of rain shield Heavy rain, wind and hail will follow Largest hail will be near the updraft Tornadoes may occur on back side, under the updraft Wall cloud and funnel cloud will likely precede tornado formation

35 Tornado Damage Roanoke, IL. Parsons Manufacturing Plant F4 Photos courtesy NWS Central Illinois

36 Tornado Damage Van Wert Cinemas November 10, 2002 F4 Damage Photos courtesy Paul Van Dyke

37 The 2 AM Evansville Area Tornado November 6, 2005 EastBrook Mobile Home Park Deadliest Tornado Outbreak in the U.S. Since May 3, 1999 Deadliest Tornado in Indiana Since April 3-4, F3 Rating- Peak Wind 200 mph Path Length 41 miles Average Path Width 275 yards 60 mph Forward Movement 200 Plus Injuries Tornado Seen in Webcam 25 from Fatalities Deaconess Women s s Hospital 41 mile path length

38 Tornado Damage Cars Do Not Provide Protection Department of Natural Resources Vehicle 9/20/02 Monroe City, Knox County, IN Tornado Photo courtesy Department of Natural Resources

39 Look for White hail shaft Greenish tint to sky Hail Severe hail is ¾ diameter or larger

40 Lightning

41 NOAA All-Hazards Weather Radio Protecting You Day and Night! Voice of the National Weather Service, Homeland Security and Emergency Management 24/7 Broadcasts of Routine and Emergency information : NWS Warnings/Watches/Forecasts Terror Alerts and Warnings from DHS Emergency Messages/Evacuation information from local Emergency Management Agencies For more information, visit the NOAA All-Hazards Weather Radio Web Site at weather.gov

NOAA All-Hazards Radio Coverage Areas Fort Wayne WXJ-58, 162.550 Mhz Marion WXM-98, 162.450 Mhz South Bend WXJ-57, 162.400 Mhz Angola WXI-94, 162.

42 NOAA All-Hazards Radio Coverage Areas Fort Wayne WXJ-58, Mhz Marion WXM-98, Mhz South Bend WXJ-57, Mhz Angola WXI-94, Mhz North Webster WWG-45, Mhz Oshtemo WWF-34, Mhz Toledo WXL-51, Mhz Lima WXJ-93, Mhz Monticello WXK-74, Mhz Laporte KJY-62, Mhz Hebron WNG-689, Mhz

43 Spotter Awareness/Activation What to look and listen for Hazardous Weather Outlook (Days or Hours Ahead) Issued 5:00 6:00 A.M. EST daily, updated as necessary Today and tonight hazards. Day 2 through day 7 potential hazards Spotter information statement with details of when spotter activation may be needed. Watches (Hours Ahead) Warnings (Minutes Ahead) Utilize NWR, Internet, and local Media sources to stay informed (during an event)

44 Severe Weather Spotter If you were preparing for severe weather and saw this image, what storm types and associated weather would you expect at the locations indicated? C B A

45 Severe Weather Spotter A) Supercell Thunderstorm Tornado, Hail, Wind B) Squall Line Damaging Winds and Hail C) Supercell Thunderstorm Hail, Tornado C B A

46 Just the Beginning Your local NWS office conducts free severe weather observer training each year 2 hour course Gives you training in spotting severe weather outdoors and safety information Your reports to the NWS helps save lives! weather.gov for more information Weather.gov/iwx Northern Indiana Office

47 Call for Video and Photos We need your pictures and video to help confirm tornadoes and damage, as well as teach future classes. If you are in a SAFE location and have the chance to shoot video/pictures, please share it with us for inclusion in future presentations. My Contact Information Sam Lashley Senior Meteorologist NWS IWX Sam.Lashley@noaa.gov Weather.gov/iwx x726

SKYWARN Reporting via Ham Radio. MSUARC, April 10, 2018 Bill Call, KJ4W with assistance from Christine Wielgos, NWS

SKYWARN Reporting via Ham Radio MSUARC, April 10, 2018 Bill Call, KJ4W with assistance from Christine Wielgos, NWS Topics What is SKYWARN? How to Select a Good Vantage Point, if Mobile What Phenomena Are