Mark Fox Meteorologist NWS Fort Worth, TX
Mark Fox Meteorologist NWS Fort Worth, TX
What does severe really mean? Heavy Rain? Hail? Flooding? Wind? Lightning?
What does severe really mean? Photo: Mike Wietecha Heavy Rain? Hail Flooding? Wind Lightning?
A Severe Thunderstorm has: Hail of 1 inch or larger OR Wind speeds of 58 mph or higher OR A tornado Picture: Mike Wietecha
WATCH Conditions are favorable for severe weather Valid for 6-8 hours Cover large areas (many counties) Continue with routine but stay weather aware There won t always be a Watch!
WARNING Seek shelter immediately! Severe weather imminent or occurring based on radar or reports Valid 30-60 minutes Covers a county or two
Single Cell Multicell Cluster or Line Supercell
Even if storms aren t severe, they can still pose a threat! A storm with 50 mph winds Nickel-size hail Torrential rain Frequent lightning will not have a warning! Special Weather Statement
There is no safe place outside! Lightning can strike MILES away from rain/hail. If you can HEAR thunder, you re close enough to be struck by lightning! Temperature of a single strike is about 55,000 F!
I ll be okay outdoors if I crouch or lie down. A lightning victim is electrified; don t touch them! You are 100% safe from lightning indoors. Cars are generally a safe location. Windows Up! No Metal! Yep!
When thunder roars, go indoors! 1. If outside, seek shelter in a sturdy building! 2. If no building is available, get inside a covered car with the windows rolled UP! 3. Avoid being the tallest object!
How far away is the lightning? Count seconds from flash to thunder Seconds 5 = miles from lightning strike If you can hear thunder, you are close enough to be stuck by lightning! The first strike can be the one that gets you! No Warnings for lightning!
Don t core punch a storm Stay inside a sturdy building (or inside car if no structures available) Photo: Alfonso Espinoza Keep away from windows Don t collect/measure hail while it s still falling
Largest hailstone ever? Vivian, SD, on June 23, 2010! (~8 in diameter) Hail causes nearly 1 billion dollars in property damage every year!
Winds shouldn t be ignored! No such thing as just a severe
Winds shouldn t be ignored! No such thing as just a severe
Stay inside a sturdy building away from windows In a car: Pull off roadway Point car into the wind
Straight-line winds can t do that! Oh yes they can!
Straight-line winds can t do that! Oh yes they can!
80% 20% <1%
Overpasses provide NO protection from tornadoes. Vehicles provide NO protection from tornadoes. Mobile homes provide NO protection from tornadoes.
How much time do I have to get to shelter? Warning Issued Average: 13 min Can also be less than 1 minute... Don t look for confirmation!
What time of year can severe weather occur? Anytime What time of day can severe weather occur? Anytime When should I be prepared for severe weather? Always!
What is Flash Flooding?
Flood Advisory for Nuisance/Urban Flooding
The Heat Index: Both Temperature & Humidity Heat Index values are for conditions in the shade! Add up to 15 F in direct sunlight!
Most heat fatalities result in vehicles!
Fatalities Per Year (Last 30 years) 140 120 100 80 60 40 20 HEAT FLOODING TORNADOES LIGHTNING 0
Fatalities Per Year (Last 30 years) 140 120 100 80 60 40 20 FLOODING TORNADOES LIGHTNING 0
Fatalities Per Year (Last 30 years) 140 120 100 80 60 40 20 TORNADOES LIGHTNING 0
Fatalities Per Year (Last 30 years) 140 120 100 80 60 40 20 LIGHTNING 0
Fatalities Per Year (Last 30 years) 140 120 100 80 60 40 20 0
Fatalities Per Year (Last 30 years) 140 120 100 80 60 40 20 Don t wait for tornadoes or severe weather to start thinking about safety! 0
weather.gov/denton
weather.gov/denton
weather.gov/denton
weather.gov/denton
weather.gov/fwd Green: Good Yellow: Monitor Red: Pink: Be Ready High-End
mobile.weather.gov
FEMA App
FEMA App
WEA Messages Only for Tornado and Flash Flood Warnings (no Severes!) No cell service, no warning!
Social Media
Social Media @NWSFortWorth
Social Media There s a lot of stuff on social media Make sure you are only following known/credible sources!
TV & Radio Power-dependent Can t wake you up
Tornado Sirens
Tornado Sirens Not meant to be heard indoors! Criteria for sounding sirens is different everywhere!
NOAA Weather Radio One of the most reliable sources No internet/satellite/power dependency Wakes you up
Have multiple ways to get warnings. Weather doesn t discriminate! Don t wait for tornadoes! Weather evolves quickly, be ready to act quickly. Have a plan and practice it!
Mark Fox Warning & Coordination Meteorologist NWS Fort Worth, TX mark.fox@noaa.gov