[HCRA] Fw: Amateur Radio Field Day Weather Coordination Message #3

[et-n1qko at juno.com]

 Eric Tuller   N1QKO
Assistant SKYWARN Coordinator for W.MA. M.E.M.A. Region 3 Radio Operator
Emergency Coordinator for the MTARA.  KB1HGK   Radio Operators for
Missing Children
CT+ MD+ VT+ Stockwood + King Richards  Ren Faires

--------- Forwarded message ----------
From: "SkyWarn Announcement List" <SkyWarn-list at oak.powersrvcs.net>
To: <Skywarn-list at oak.powersrvcs.net>
Date: Sat, 25 Jun 2005 09:06:02 -0400
Subject: Amateur Radio Field Day Weather Coordination Message #3
Message-ID: <004a01c57986$a950a3a0$6501a8c0 at oemcomputer>

Hello to all.....

.....The following is the third in a series of weather coordination
messages
for Amateur Radio Field Day. For Non-Amateurs, a description of Amateur
Radio Field Day is in the first paragraph of this coordination
message....
.....Intense Heat and Humidity is expected this weekend for Amateur Radio
Field Day over most of Southern New England. Heat indices could rise to
around the 100-105 degree range with high temperatures well into the
90's.
Amateurs are urged to use extreme caution in the heat and drink plenty of
liquids during the setup and take down of equipment this weekend and
while
operating in the field....
.....With the intense heat and humidity and the potential for a weak cold
front to enter the atmosphere, scattered thunderstorms will also be
possible. An air mass thunderstorm could occur in Southwest New Hampshire
and Northwest Massachusetts but the threat for any widespread
thunderstorm
activity on Saturday is minimal at this time....
.....It now appears likely that Sunday has a higher chance for severe
weather
than Saturday. That means a chance for some Field Day impact near the end
of
the event or duing takedown of Field Day sites.....
.....Amateurs are urged to follow safety instructions for lightning and
for
severe thunderstorms should they occur during Field Day. SKYWARN
Coordinators will guard Field Day sites from significant weather this
weekend and monitor local SKYWARN repeaters to provide support and
coordination if thunderstorms threaten. A lower threshold for NWS Taunton
Ham Operations will be utilized this weekend to support this endeavor and
Ops at the SEMARA Club Station, W1AEC could also be utilized pending the
timeframe and area affected by any thunderstorm threat...
....In this Coordination Message, paragraphs 3, 4, 7 and 11 have been
updated,
The Special Weather Statement, Hazardous Weather Outlook and SPC
Convective
Outlooks have also been updated. The remainder below is unchanged.....

For the non-Amateur Radio Operators on the email list, Amateur Radio
Field
Day occurs on the 4th weekend of June every year and is a time where
local
Amateur Radio Clubs and individual Amateurs across the United States set
up
Amateur Radio stations across the region and work other Amateurs in a 24
hour contest that practices some radio operator skills, practices setup
of
Amateur Equipment in the field at various locations for the Amateurs who
elect to setup equipment versus operating their home or pre-installed
club
stations and is an overall fun event that Amateurs enjoy. The field
stations
put on by Amateur Radio Clubs and other groups allows the public to see
Amateur Radio Operators perform their duties in a fun atmosphere. Any
non-Amateurs in Eastern Massachusetts and Connecticut, that are
interested
in visiting the various Field Day sites can see a map of the sites that
are
open to the public via the following links:
http://ema.arrl.org/fd/fd_dir.php
http://www.arrl.org/sections/CT.html#FDAY

Non Amateurs in Rhode Island and New Hampshire that are interested in
visiting Field Day sites that may be open to the public can check for
Field
Day listings at individual clubs listed on the following ARRL links:
http://www.ri.arrl.org/
http://www.arrl.nhradio.org/contents.html

This weekend will be featuring a very hot and humid atmosphere that will
continue through the early and middle part of next week. Temperatures on
Friday, where some Field Day stations will be setting up will soar
through
the 80's to near 90 degrees with low temperatures Friday Night in the
60's.
On Saturday, temperatures are expected to soar into the 90's with even
more
humidity. Heat indices are expected to rise to 100-105 degrees with the
increased humidity. Low temperatures Saturday Night may only fall into
the
mid 70's Saturday Night.

On Sunday, there is now the potential for a variety of temperatures
across
the region. At this time, much of the region could still reach the upper
80's and lower 90's. Across portions of Eastern
and Central Massachusetts and Rhode Island, temperatures could get cooled
down into the 70's depending on the timing of a backdoor cold front from
the
north and northeast that may make its way into the region. This would
cause
temperatures, which still may reach the 80's to lower 90's to drop off
dramatically into the 70's with a wind shift from Southwest to Northeast
bringing in cooler air. This air change, however, will come at a price as
it
may be the triggering mechanism for thunderstorms and possibly severe
weather some time during the day on Sunday. Further details on convective
potential are discussed later in this coordination message.

The only area that may escape the heat and humidity to some extent will
be
South Coastal Massachusetts and Rhode Island where southwest winds off
the
ocean
may keep temperatures in the 80's. The Southwest flow will get modified
inland and not cool off this very hot and humid air mass. This heat and
humidity can pose significant stress on Amateurs working in the field to
setup and operate their stations. NWS Taunton has issued a Special
Weather
Statement concerning the threat that such heat and humidity can cause.
That
statement is listed in this coordination message. Please remember to
drink
plenty of liquids and remember the dangers that the heat can pose. The
National Weather Service has information dedicated to the dangers of
intense
heat and humidity. Those links are listed below:

http://www.nws.noaa.gov/om/heat/index.shtml
http://www.crh.noaa.gov/pub/heat.php
http://weather.gov/os/uv/

We cannot overemphasize the risks such intense heat and humidity can
cause
on Amateur Operators working to setup their Field Day sites. Don't become
a
victim of heat stroke/heat exhaustion. Take breaks while setting up the
equipment, drink plenty of liquids and know the signs of someone who is
experiencing the symptoms of heat exhaustion/heat stroke. If setup can be
done in the Friday Evening or early Saturday Morning hours, please
exercise
those options. By late Saturday Morning into Saturday Afternoon, the heat
and humidity will be brutal and will seriously impact people working
strenuously to setup the equipment.

In addition to the heat, a weak cold front may push into the region some
time around 2 PM Sunday. With such an unstable atmosphere in
place, it will not take much to get thunderstorm activity to fire in the
region. Thunderstorms are a significant safety threat to Field Day sites.
Non-severe thunderstorms with intense, cloud-to-ground lightning could
cause
significant impact to Field Day sites particularly those in open fields
where the highest point on that open field could be the antennas that are
setup for Field Day. It is important to exercise extreme caution should
thunderstorms be in the area. If there is enough time, bring down the
antennas to avoid damage, if there is not enough time for that, get away
from the antennas and equipment and try to sufficiently cover radio gear
from the elements and move away from the site into your vehicles, a
building
or sufficient structure until the weather has passed. If thunderstorms
were
to reach near or above severe limits, strong winds can pose a significant
threat to any outdoor Field Day site and may also bring large hail as
well.
Take all thunderstorm risks seriously if you are out in the field. Don't
become a victim of lightning or if a thunderstorm were to reach severe
limits, a victim of the strong winds and large hail that a severe
thunderstorm could also produce. The Storm Prediction Center has
indicated a
5% risk of severe weather for much of the region for Sunday and has
pulled
the 5% risk west of most of New England for Saturday though an isolated
air
mass thunderstorm with intense lightning cannot be ruled out as far east
as
Southwest New Hampshire and Northwest Massachusetts. SKYWARN will be
prepared to guard Field Day sites throughout the event including takedown
of
Field Day sites Sunday Afternoon.

As has happened in year's past, Field Day is occurring near the time of
the
National Weather Service's Lightning Safety Awareness Week. A link to the
NWS web site dedicated to the hazards of lightning is listed below:
http://www.lightningsafety.noaa.gov/

In addition, Eastern Massachusetts ARRL has posted some of the safety
messages from Field Day to the web and that information can be seen at
the
following link:
http://ema.arrl.org/fd/Safety.html

In addition, NWS Taunton has posted several Public Information Statements
on
the threat lightning poses and will post one to two more statements
between
today and Friday. Those statements are also listed as part of this
coordination message.

Another update on Field Day Weather will be posted either tonight or
tomorrow morning. Below is an updated Special Weather Statement from NWS
Taunton concerning the heat and humidity, the Hazardous Weather Outlook,
the
SPC
Day-2 Convective Outlook and Public Information Statements
concerning lightning for Lightning Safety Awareness Week:

WWUS81 KBOX 250744
SPSBOX

SPECIAL WEATHER STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE TAUNTON MA
344 AM EDT SAT JUN 25 2005

CTZ002>004-MAZ002>019-026-NHZ011-012-015-RIZ001-002-252100-
CENTRAL MIDDLESEX COUNTY MA-CHESHIRE NH-EASTERN ESSEX MA-
EASTERN FRANKLIN MA-EASTERN HAMPDEN MA-EASTERN HAMPSHIRE MA-
EASTERN HILLSBOROUGH NH-EASTERN NORFOLK MA-EASTERN PLYMOUTH MA-
HARTFORD CT-NORTHERN BRISTOL MA-NORTHERN WORCESTER MA-
NORTHWEST MIDDLESEX COUNTY MA-NORTHWEST PROVIDENCE RI-
SOUTHEAST MIDDLESEX MA-SOUTHEAST PROVIDENCE RI-SOUTHERN WORCESTER MA-
SUFFOLK MA-TOLLAND CT-WESTERN AND CENTRAL HILLSBOROUGH NH-
WESTERN ESSEX MA-WESTERN FRANKLIN MA-WESTERN HAMPDEN MA-
WESTERN HAMPSHIRE MA-WESTERN NORFOLK MA-WESTERN PLYMOUTH MA-
WINDHAM CT-
INCLUDING THE CITIES OF...AMHERST...ATTLEBOROUGH...BEVERLY...
BOSTON...BRISTOL...BROCKTON...BROOKLINE...CAMBRIDGE...CHICOPEE...
EAST HARTFORD...FITCHBURG...FRAMINGHAM...FRANKLIN...GLOUCESTER...
GREENFIELD...HARTFORD...JAFFREY...KEENE...LAWRENCE...LEOMINSTER...
LOWELL...LYNN...MANCHESTER...MANSFIELD...MILFORD...NASHUA...
NEW BRITAIN...NEWBURYPORT...NEWINGTON...NEWTON...
NORTH ATTLEBOROUGH...NORTHAMPTON...PLAINFIELD...PLYMOUTH...
PROVIDENCE...PUTNAM...QUINCY...SOMERVILLE...SPRINGFIELD...TAUNTON...
VERNON...WALTHAM...WEST HARTFORD...WEYMOUTH...WILLIMANTIC...
WINDSOR LOCKS...WOONSOCKET AND WORCESTER
344 AM EDT SAT JUN 25 2005

...HEAT INDICES BETWEEN 95 AND 105 DEGREES EXPECTED FOR SEVERAL
HOURS DURING THIS AFTERNOON...

A STRONG BERMUDA HIGH PRESSURE WILL BRING A HOT AND HUMID
AIRMASS INTO THE REGION FOR THIS WEEKEND.  UNDER MOSTLY SUNNY SKIES
HIGH TEMPERATURES WILL RISE INTO THE 90S TODAY...HOTTEST IN URBAN
CENTERS.  ON SUNDAY...HIGHS WILL LIKELY AGAIN RISE INTO THE LOWER 90S
ACROSS SOUTHERN MASSACHUSETTS...NORTHERN CONNECTICUT AND NORTHERN
RHODE ISLAND.

THE WORST DAY FOR THE HEAT AND HUMIDITY WILL BE TODAY WHEN SURFACE
DEWPOINTS ARE EXPECTED TO CLIMB INTO THE 65 TO 70 DEGREE RANGE. THE
COMBINATION OF THE INTENSE HEAT AND HUMIDITY THIS AFTERNOON WILL
RESULT IN HEAT INDEX VALUES OF 97 TO 105 DEGREES.

THE WARM AND HUMID AIR MASS WILL PREVENT TEMPERATURES FROM COOLING
ALL THAT MUCH TONIGHT. MOST URBAN AREAS IN SOUTHERN NEW ENGLAND WILL
REMAIN ABOVE 70 DEGREES ALL NIGHT.

IF YOU PLAN TO BE OUTSIDE DURING THIS WEEKEND...ESPECIALLY
SATURDAY...AVOID PROLONGED EXPOSURE OR STRENUOUS PHYSICAL ACTIVITY.
YOUR BODY CAN LOSE UP TO A GALLON OF WATER AN HOUR THROUGH
PERSPIRATION. DRINK PLENTY OF FLUIDS TO AVOID DEHYDRATION. ALCOHOLIC
AND CAFFEINATED BEVERAGES CAN INCREASE THE RATE OF WATER LOSS IN YOUR
BODY...INCREASING THE RISK OF HEAT EXHAUSTION OR STROKE. ALSO...UNDER
THE SUMMER TIME RAYS OF SUN...REMEMBER TO PROTECT YOUR SKIN WITH
SUNBLOCK.


$$

FLUS41 KBOX 250844
HWOBOX

HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE TAUNTON MA
444 AM EDT SAT JUN 25 2005

CTZ002>004-MAZ002>024-026-NHZ011-012-015-RIZ001>008-260930-
BARNSTABLE MA-BLOCK ISLAND RI-BRISTOL RI-CENTRAL MIDDLESEX MA-
CHESHIRE NH-DUKES MA-EASTERN ESSEX MA-EASTERN FRANKLIN MA-
EASTERN HAMPDEN MA-EASTERN HAMPSHIRE MA-EASTERN HILLSBOROUGH NH-
EASTERN KENT RI-EASTERN NORFOLK MA-EASTERN PLYMOUTH MA-HARTFORD CT-
NANTUCKET MA-NEWPORT RI-NORTHERN BRISTOL MA-NORTHERN WORCESTER MA-
NORTHWEST MIDDLESEX MA-NORTHWEST PROVIDENCE RI-
SOUTHEAST MIDDLESEX MA-SOUTHEAST PROVIDENCE RI-SOUTHERN BRISTOL MA-
SOUTHERN PLYMOUTH MA-SOUTHERN WORCESTER MA-SUFFOLK MA-TOLLAND CT-
WASHINGTON RI-WESTERN AND CENTRAL HILLSBOROUGH NH-WESTERN ESSEX MA-
WESTERN FRANKLIN MA-WESTERN HAMPDEN MA-WESTERN HAMPSHIRE MA-
WESTERN KENT RI-WESTERN NORFOLK MA-WESTERN PLYMOUTH MA-WINDHAM CT-
444 AM EDT SAT JUN 25 2005

THIS HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK IS FOR SOUTHWEST NEW HAMPSHIRE...
MASSACHUSETTS EAST OF BERKSHIRE COUNTY...NORTH CENTRAL AND NORTHEAST
CONNECTICUT...AND ALL OF RHODE ISLAND.

.DAY ONE (TODAY AND TONIGHT)...
HIGH TEMPERATURES TODAY ARE EXPECTED TO SOAR INTO THE MID TO UPPER
90S AWAY FROM THE SOUTH COAST....CAPE AND ISLANDS. THIS WILL
COMBINE INCREASING HUMIDITY LEVELS TO RESULT IN HEAT INDEX VALUES
NEAR 100 DEGREES FOR A FEW HOURS IN THE MID TO LATE AFTERNOON.
TEMPERATURES WILL BE VERY SLOW TO FALL TONIGHT. THIS IS A POTENTIALLY
DANGEROUS SITUATION FOR ANYONE PARTICIPATING IN STRENUOUS OUTDOOR
ACTIVITIES...AS WELL AS YOUNG CHILDREN AND THE ELDERLY. A SPECIAL
WEATHER STATEMENT HAS BEEN UPDATED FOR THIS CONCERN.

ODDS FAVOR IT REMAINING DRY THOUGH TONIGHT...ALTHOUGH THERE IS A
REMOTE CHANCE OF AN ISOLATED LATE AFTERNOON OR EVENING THUNDERSTORM
ACROSS FAR NORTHWEST MASSACHUSETTS AND SOUTHERN NEW HAMPSHIRE.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN (SUNDAY THROUGH NEXT FRIDAY)...
A WEAK COLD FRONT WILL MAKE ITS WAY INTO THE REGION ON SUNDAY...
BEFORE STALLING ON TOP OF US. THIS FRONT WILL BE THE FOCUS FOR
SCATTERED SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORM DEVELOPMENT. DESPITE WEAK WIND
FIELDS ALOFT...ENOUGH INSTABILITY WILL BE PRESENT FOR A FEW
MARGINALLY SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS SUNDAY AFTERNOON AND EVENING
WITH THE PRIMARY THREAT BEING ISOLATED DAMAGING WIND GUSTS.

ISOLATED AFTERNOON AND EVENING THUNDERSTORMS WILL BE POSSIBLE
MONDAY AND TUESDAY. HOWEVER...A BETTER CHANCE FOR AFTERNOON AND
EVENING THUNDERSTORMS WILL COME IN THE WEDNESDAY THROUGH FRIDAY
TIME FRAME. THE TRIGGER FOR THIS ACTIVITY WILL BE A COUPLE OF COLD
FRONTS.

.SPOTTER CALL TO ACTION STATEMENT...
SPOTTER ACTIVATION IS NOT EXPECTED TODAY...BUT IT MAY BE NEEDED FOR
A FEW MARGINALLY SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS SUNDAY AFTERNOON AND EVENING.

$$

FRANK

   SPC AC 250529

   DAY 2 CONVECTIVE OUTLOOK
   NWS STORM PREDICTION CENTER NORMAN OK
   1229 AM CDT SAT JUN 25 2005

   VALID 261200Z - 271200Z

   THERE IS A SLGT RISK OF SVR TSTMS TO THE RIGHT OF A LINE FROM 85 NNW
   CMX 55 SSE DLH 35 WNW MSP 30 NW OTG 10 ESE YKN 30 W EAR 20 SW MCK 50
   ESE AKO 30 SW SNY 15 SSE BFF 55 NNE DGW 30 WNW WRL 35 NE WEY BZN 20
   NNE 3HT 75 ENE LWT 20 SSE GGW 70 NNE OLF.

   GEN TSTMS ARE FCST TO THE RIGHT OF A LINE FROM 20 ENE ACY 25 ENE MGW
   30 W UNI 35 SSW LUK 25 WSW LEX 25 WSW LOZ 40 WNW TRI 20 ESE SSU 40 N
   RIC 20 NE WAL ...CONT... 40 NW BUF 30 SSE AUG ...CONT... 25 W MFE 15
   NNW VCT 55 W LFK 20 NE MKO 30 SSW JEF 25 NE IRK 45 NW LWD 50 SSW HSI
   55 SSW HLC 30 WNW CVS 65 SSE ELP ...CONT... 25 WSW FHU 25 ENE IGM 35
   NE MLF 25 WSW ENV 40 ENE LOL 25 NE SVE 25 E MHS 45 SW RDM 25 W PDT
   20 WSW EAT 35 SE CLM.

   ...THERE IS A SLGT RISK OF SVR TSTMS FROM THE UPPER MS VALLEY WWD
   INTO PORTIONS OF THE NRN AND CNTRL HIGH PLAINS...

   ...SYNOPSIS...
   MEAN TROUGH WILL BE MAINTAINED THROUGH THE DAY 2 PERIOD FROM WRN
   CANADA SWD THROUGH THE PACIFIC NW AND ERN PACIFIC...WITH DOWNSTREAM
   REGION OF CONFLUENT FLOW FROM HUDSON BAY SWWD INTO THE N-CNTRL
   STATES. WITHIN THIS REGIME...APPEARS TWO PRIMARY FEATURES WILL
   CONTRIBUTE TO STRONG/SEVERE TSTM DEVELOPMENT. FIRST...NRN STREAM
   SHORTWAVE TROUGH INITIALLY OVER SK/MB 26/12Z WHICH WILL EJECT NEWD
   ACROSS SRN HUDSON BAY. SECOND...SRN STREAM SYSTEM WHICH WILL LIFT
   NEWD FROM NV/UT INTO THE NRN PLAINS.

   IN THE LOW LEVELS...COLD FRONT WILL SAG SWD ACROSS S-CNTRL CANADA
   AND THE NRN PLAINS...AND WILL LIKELY EXTEND FROM SRN MB SWWD TO LOW
   PRESSURE OVER N-CNTRL SD AND THEN INTO NRN WY BY EARLY SUNDAY
   EVENING. ATTENDANT LEE TROUGH WILL STRETCH SWD FROM THIS LOW THROUGH
   WRN NEB INTO ERN CO...WHILE QUASI-STATIONARY BOUNDARY BECOMES
   PROGRESSIVELY DIFFUSE FROM THE UPPER MIDWEST EWD ACROSS THE SRN
   GREAT LAKES/NRN OH VALLEY INTO SRN NEW ENGLAND.

   ...SRN GREAT LAKES/NRN OH VALLEY EWD INTO SRN NEW ENGLAND...
   AS MENTIONED ABOVE...SURFACE BOUNDARY IS EXPECTED TO WEAKEN WITH
   TIME IN RESPONSE TO FALLING PRESSURES TO THE N OVER WRN/CNTRL ON.
   HOWEVER...APPEARS THAT RELATIVELY WEAK CAP IN CONJUNCTION WITH
   MODERATE INSTABILITY /MLCAPES OF 1000-2000 J/KG/ MAY BE SUFFICIENT
   TO SUPPORT A FEW STRONG AFTERNOON/EVENING TSTMS ALONG REMNANT
   BOUNDARY. MARGINALLY SEVERE HAIL AND/OR GUSTY WINDS WILL ACCOMPANY
   STRONGEST STORMS...WITH ACTIVITY WEAKENING LATER IN THE EVENING WITH
   THE LOSS OF DAYTIME HEATING.

   ..MEAD.. 06/25/2005

   ...NOTICE...
   THE STATION RELATIVE POINTS IN THIS PRODUCT ARE NOW AVAILABLE
   SEPARATELY UNDER THE WMO HEADINGS WUUS01 PTSDY1...
   WUUS02 PTSDY2...WUUS03 PTSDY3.  THE INCLUSION OF POINTS
   IN THIS DISCUSSION WILL BE DISCONTINUED AFTER THE 2005
   CONVECTIVE SEASON.  A PUBLIC NOTIFICATION STATEMENT (PNS)
   WILL PROVIDE DETAILS ON THE TRANSITION.

NOUS41 KBOX 221712
PNSBOX

PUBLIC INFORMATION STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE TAUNTON MA
110 PM EDT WED JUN 22 2005

...NATIONAL LIGHTNING SAFETY PREPAREDNESS WEEK...
...PART THREE - MEDICAL ASPECTS OF LIGHTNING...

THE UNITED STATES AVERAGES 73 REPORTED LIGHTNING DEATHS PER
YEAR...WHICH MAKES IT THE SECOND LARGEST STORM RELATED
KILLER...EXCEEDED ONLY BY FLASH FLOODS.  A LIGHTNING STRIKE CAN
RESULT IN CARDIAC ARREST AT THE TIME OF THE INJURY...BUT SOME DEATHS
CAN OCCUR A FEW DAYS LATER IF THE PERSON IS RESUSCITATED BUT
SUFFERED IRREVERSIBLE BRAIN DAMAGE.  BECAUSE THIS MAY OCCUR DAYS
LATER...THE NEWS STORY MAY NOT MAKE THE NEWSPAPER OR OTHER MEDIA
OUTLETS.  THUS...THERE IS AN UNDER REPORTING OF INJURIES AND DEATHS
FROM LIGHTNING.  THE FIGURES MORE REALISTICALLY ARE ABOUT 100 DEATHS
PER YEAR NATIONWIDE.

HOW DO LIGHTNING INJURIES AFFECT PEOPLE?  LIGHTNING TENDS TO BE A
NERVOUS SYSTEM INJURY AND MAY AFFECT THE BRAIN AND BOTH AUTONOMIC
AND PERIPHERAL NERVOUS SYSTEMS.  WHEN THE BRAIN IS AFFECTED...THE
PERSON OFTEN HAS DIFFICULTY WITH SHORT-TERM MEMORY...MULTI-TASKING...
AND CAN BE IRRITABLE...EASILY DISTRACTED...AND HAVE A PERSONALITY
CHANGE.  SURVIVORS INITIALLY MAY COMPLAIN OF INTENSE HEADACHES...
RINGING IN THE EARS...DIZZINESS...NAUSEA...VOMITING...OR OTHER
POST-CONCUSSION TYPES OF SYMPTOMS.  IRREGULAR SLEEP PATTERNS MAY
OCCUR.  SEIZURE-LIKE ACTIVITY MAY OCCUR WEEKS TO MONTHS AFTER THE
INJURY.

PEOPLE WHO WAKE UP AFTER THE INJURY OFTEN DO NOT HAVE THE ABILITY TO
EXPRESS WHAT IS WRONG WITH THEM AND MAY BECOME EMBARRASSED WHEN THEY
CANNOT CARRY ON A CONVERSATION.  AS A RESULT THEY MAY ISOLATE
THEMSELVES AND BECOME EASY TO ANGER.  DEPRESSION BECOMES A BIG
PROBLEM.  SURVIVORS OFTEN BECOME EXHAUSTED AFTER ONLY A FEW HOURS OF
WORK AND MAY NOT BE ABLE TO COMPLETE ALL REQUIRED JOB TASKS.

ANOTHER COMMON...OFTEN DELAYED...PROBLEM FOR SOME SURVIVORS IS
INTENSE PAIN.  THE PAIN MAY NOT BE FROM HEADACHES BUT IN THE
BACK...PERHAPS FROM COMPRESSION AND DISC INJURY FROM THE INTENSE
MUSCLE CONTRACTIONS WHICH MAY THROW A PERSON SEVERAL YARDS AT THE
TIME OF THE INJURY.  THE PAIN MAY ALSO OCCUR IN AN EXTREMITY...AS
NERVES BEGIN TO SLOWLY REGENERATE.  DECREASED LIBIDO AND IMPOTENCE
OFTEN ARE REPORTED.

ANATOMIC TESTING...SUCH AS AN X-RAY...CT SCAN...MRI...OR BLOOD TEST
OFTEN SHOW UP AS NORMAL.  SOMETIMES FUNCTIONAL TESTS ORDERED ARE
TESTING THE WRONG THING.  AN ELECTROMYOGRAM...OR EMG...MEASURES ONLY
THE MOTOR FIBERS...WHICH ARE SELDOM AFFECTED BY LIGHTNING INJURY.
SMALLER PAIN CARRYING NERVE FIBERS ARE NOT TESTED BY EMG.  THUS A
NORMAL EMG RESULT CAN MEAN LITTLE FOR SOMEONE WITH PAIN.  LIKEWISE...
THE STANDARD EEG PRIMARILY MEASURES SURFACE READINGS OF THE BRAIN
AND MISSES SEIZURE ACTIVITY IN SEVERAL DEEPER REGIONS.

MORE USEFUL IS A FUNCTIONAL TEST OF HOW A PERSON/S BRAIN IS
WORKING...NEUROCOGNITIVE OR NEUROPSYCHOLOGICAL TESTING.  THESE TESTS
ARE ADMINISTERED BY A NEUROPSYCHOLOGIST FAMILIAR WITH LITERATURE IN
THIS AREA...NOT BY A PSYCHIATRIST.  THESE ARE PEN AND PAPER TESTS
LASTING 6 TO 8 HOURS AND TEST MEMORY...IQ...ORGANIZATIONAL ABILITY...
ETC.  LIGHTNING STRIKE SURVIVORS USUALLY HAVE A CHARACTERISTIC
PATTERN OF DEFICITS.

HELP DOES EXIST FOR LIGHTNING STRIKE SURVIVORS AND PHYSICIANS
ALIKE.  FOR MORE INFORMATION ON THE WEB...GO TO
WWW.LIGHTNING-STRIKE.ORG OR CALL 1-910-346-4708.

$$
FIELD

NOUS41 KBOX 211540
PNSBOX

PUBLIC INFORMATION STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE TAUNTON MA
1140 AM EDT TUE JUN 21 2005

...NATIONAL LIGHTNING SAFETY PREPAREDNESS WEEK...
...PART TWO - THE SCIENCE OF A LIGHTNING STRIKE...

AT ANY GIVEN MOMENT THERE ARE 1800 THUNDERSTORMS IN PROGRESS
SOMEHWERE ON THE EARTH...WHICH AMOUNTS TO 16 MILLION THUNDERSTORMS
EACH YEAR!  LIGHTNING RESEARCHERS HAVE A BETTER UNDERSTANDING TODAY
OF THE PROCESS THAT PRODUCES LIGHTNING...BUT THERE IS STILL MUCH TO
LEARN ABOUT THE ROLE OF SOLAR FLARES IN THE UPPER ATMOSPHERE...THE
EARTH/S ELECTROMAGNETIC FIELD...AND ICE IN STORMS.  WE KNOW THE
CLOUD CONDITIONS NEEDED TO PRODUCE LIGHTNING BUT CANNOT FORECAST THE
LOCATION OR TIME OF THE NEXT STROKE OF LIGHTNING.

LIGHTNING OCCURS IN VOLCANIC ERUPTIONS...INTENSE FOREST FIRES...
SURFACE NUCLEAR DETONATIONS...HEAVY SNOWSTORMS...AND LARGE
HURRICANES...BUT IT IS MOST OFTEN SEEN IN THUNDERSTORMS.
THUNDERSTORMS FORM IN AIR THAT IS MOIST...UNSTABLE...AND HAS A
TRIGGER THAT CAUSES THE AIR TO RISE...SUCH AS A COLD FRONT.  RISING
MOTIONS IN THE STORM BUILD THE CLOUD TO AS HIGH AS 6 TO 10 MILES
ABOVE SEA LEVEL.  ICE FORMS IN THE HIGHER PARTS OF THE CLOUD.

THE ICE PARTICLES VARY FROM SMALL ICE CRYSTALS TO LARGE HAILSTONES.
THERE ARE A LOT OF COLLISIONS BETWEEN THE PARTICLES WHICH CAUSES A
SEPARATION OF ELECTRICAL CHARGES.  POSITIVELY CHARGED ICE CRYSTALS
RISE TO THE TOP OF THE STORM AND NEGATIVELY CHARGED PARTICLES AND
HAILSTONES DROP TO THE MIDDLE AND LOWER PARTS OF THE STORM.
ENORMOUS CHARGE DIFFERENCES DEVELOP.

A MOVING THUNDERSTORM GATHERS ANOTHER POOL OF POSITIVELY CHARGED
PARTICLES ALONG THE GROUND THAT TRAVEL WITH THE STORM.  POSITIVELY
CHARGED PARTICLES RISE UP TALLER OBJECTS SUCH AS TREES...HOUSES...
AND TELEPHONE POLES.  THE PARTICLES CAN EVEN MOVE UP YOU...HAVE YOU
EVER BEEN UNDER A THUNDERSTORM AND HAD YOUR HAIR STAND UP? IF SO...
YOU MAY BE THE LIGHTNING TARGET.

THE NEGATIVELY CHARGED AREA IN THE STORM SENDS OUT A CHARGE TOWARD
THE GROUND CALLED A STEPPED LEADER.  IT IS INVISIBLE TO THE HUMAN
EYE.  WHEN IT GETS CLOSE TO THE GROUND...IT IS ATTRACTED BY ALL OF
THESE POSITIVELY CHARGED OBJECTS AND A CHANNEL DEVELOPS.  YOU SEE
THE ELECTRICAL TRANSFER IN THIS CHANNEL AS LIGHTNING.  THERE MAY BE
SEVERAL RETURN STROKES OF ELECTRICITY WITHIN THE ESTABLISHED CHANNEL
THAT YOU WILL SEE AS FLICKERING LIGHTNING.  THE LIGHTNING CHANNEL
HEATS RAPIDLY TO 30,000 DEGREES OR MORE AND THE RAPID EXPANSION OF
HEATED AIR CAUSES THE THUNDER.  SINCE LIGHT TRAVELS FASTER THAN
SOUND IN THE ATMOSPHERE...THE SOUND IS HEARD AFTER THE LIGHTNING.
IF YOU SEE LIGHTNING AND HEAR THUNDER AT ALMOST THE SAME TIME...THE
LIGHTNING IS IN YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD!

NOT ALL LIGHTNING FORMS IN THE NEGATIVELY CHARGED AREA LOW IN THE
THUNDERSTORM CLOUD.  SOME ORIGINATES IN THE CIRRUS ANVIL AT THE TOP
OF THE STORM WHERE THERE IS A LARGE POSITIVE CHARGE.  A STRIKE
ORIGINATING IN THIS AREA IS CALLED A POSITIVE FLASH.  IT IS
PARTICULARLY DANGEROUS FOR SEVERAL REASONS.  IT FREQUENTLY STRIKES
AHEAD OF OR BEHIND A THUNDERSTORM...AWAY FROM THE RAIN AREA...THUS
CATCHING PEOPLE BY SURPRISE...LIKE A BOLT FROM THE BLUE.  POSITIVE
STRIKES TYPICALLY LAST LONGER...SO FIRES ARE MORE EASILY IGNITED.
ALSO...THEY USUALLY CARRY A HIGH PEAK ELECTRICAL CURRENT WHICH
INCREASES THE LIGHTNING RISK TO AN INDIVIDUAL.

$$
FIELD

NOUS41 KBOX 201402
PNSBOX

PUBLIC INFORMATION STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE TAUNTON MA
1000 AM EDT MON JUN 20 2005

...NATIONAL LIGHTNING SAFETY PREPAREDNESS WEEK...
...PART ONE - LIGHTNING SAFETY OUTDOORS...

EACH YEAR...ABOUT 400 CHILDREN AND ADULTS IN THE UNITED STATES ARE
STRUCK BY LIGHTNING WHILE WORKING OUTSIDE...AT SPORTS EVENTS...ON
THE BEACH...MOUNTAIN CLIMBING...MOWING THE LAWN...OR DURING OTHER
OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES.  ABOUT 80 PEOPLE ARE KILLED AND SEVERAL HUNDRED
MORE ARE LEFT TO COPE WITH PERMANENT DISABILITIES.  MANY OF THESE
TRAGEDIES CAN BE AVOIDED.  FINISHING THE GAME...GETTING A TAN...OR
COMPLETING A WORK SHIFT ARE NOT WORTH DEATH OR CRIPPLING INJURY.

LIGHTNING OFTEN STRIKES AS MUCH AS 20 MILES AWAY FROM ANY RAINFALL.
THERE HAS EVEN BEEN A DOCUMENTED CASE OF LIGHTNING STRIKING 34 MILES
AWAY FROM THE RAIN IN THE THUNDERSTORM.  AT LEAST 10 PERCENT OF
LIGHTNING OCCURS WITHOUT ANY VISIBLE CLOUDS IN THE SKY...JUST BLUE
SKY.  MANY OF LIGHTNING FATALITIES OCCUR AHEAD OF THE STORM BECAUSE
PEOPLE TRY AND WAIT UNTIL THE LAST MINUTE BEFORE SEEKING SHELTER.
YOU ARE IN DANGER IF YOU CAN HEAR THUNDER.  THAT MEANS LIGHTNING IS
CLOSE ENOUGH THAT IT COULD STRIKE YOUR LOCATION AT ANY MOMENT.

ON AVERAGE...20 PERCENT OF LIGHTNING STRIKE VICTIMS DIE...80 PERCENT
SURVIVE BUT 70 PERCENT OF THEM SUFFER SERIOUS LONG-TERM EFFECTS.

HERE ARE SOME LIGHTNING SAFETY RULES.

1. POSTPONE ACTIVITIES PROMPTLY AND DO NOT WAIT FOR THE RAIN.  GO
QUICKLY INSIDE A COMPLETELY ENCLOSED BUILDING...NOT A CARPORT...OPEN
GARAGE...OR COVERED PATIO.  IF NO ENCLOSED BUILDING IS AVAILABLE...
GET INSIDE A HARD-TOPPED METAL VEHICLE.  THE STEEL FRAME OF THE
VEHICLE PROVIDES PROTECTION IF YOU ARE NOT TOUCHING METAL.

2. BE THE LOWEST POINT.  LIGHTNING LIKES TO STRIKE THE TALLEST
OBJECTS.  IF HIKING IN THE MOUNTAINS AND ABOVE THE TREE LINE...YOU
ARE THE TALLEST OBJECT.  QUICKLY GET BELOW TREE LINE AND GET INTO A
GROVE OF SMALL TREES.  ASIDE FROM THIS SITUATION HOWEVER...YOU
SHOULD AVOID TREES.  IF YOU ARE IN AN OPEN FIELD...LIKE A FARM OR A
BASEBALL OR SOCCER FIELD...YOU ARE THE TALLEST OBJECT.  DUGOUTS OR
GAZEBOS AFFORD LITTLE PROTECTION.  IF YOU CANNOT GET TO AN ENCLOSED
BUILDING OR VEHICLE...CROUCH DOWN ON THE BALLS OF YOUR FEET.

3. KEEP AN EYE TO THE SKY FOR DARKENING CLOUDS AND LISTEN FOR
THUNDER. IF YOU CAN HEAR IT...GO TO A SAFE SHELTER IMMEDIATELY.

4. GET OFF OF BICYCLES AND MOTORCYCLES.  DO NOT LEAN ON VEHICLES.

5. WATER IS A GREAT CONDUCTOR OF ELECTRICITY.  GET OUT OF THE WATER
IF BOATING OR SWIMMING.  GET OFF THE BEACH.  DO NOT STAND IN
PUDDLES...EVEN IF WEARING RUBBER BOOTS.

6. AVOID METAL. DO NOT HOLD GOLF CLUBS...FISHING RODS...TENNIS
RACQUETS...OR TOOLS.  LARGE METAL OBJECTS CAN CONDUCT LIGHTNING.
SMALL METAL OBJECTS...SUCH AS BELT BUCKLES...CAN CAUSE BURNS.

7. STAY SEVERAL YARDS AWAY FROM OTHER PEOPLE.  DO NOT SHARE A
BLEACHER OR BENCH OR HUDDLE IN A GROUP.

8. LISTEN TO NOAA WEATHER RADIO.  FIRST TO FIND OUT IF THUNDERSTORMS
ARE IN THE FORECAST.  NEXT...LISTEN TO HEAR ANY SHORT TERM FORECASTS
ABOUT THUNDERSTORM ACTIVITY.  ALSO...LISTEN TO HEAR IF THE WARNING
ALARM TONE HAS BEEN ACTIVATED FOR SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS IN YOUR
AREA...WHICH PRODUCE DAMAGING WINDS AND LARGE HAIL IN ADDITION TO
LIGHTNING STRIKES.

MORE DETAILED INFORMATION IS AVAILABLE ON THE INTERNET AT
WWW.LIGHTNINGSAFETY.NOAA.GOV .

$$

GAF

Respectfully Submitted,

Robert Macedo (KD1CY)
ARES SKYWARN Coordinator
Eastern Massachusetts ARES Section Emergency Coordinator
Pager #: (508) 354-3142
Home Phone #: (508) 994-1875 (After 6 PM)
Home/Data #: (508) 997-4503 (After 6 PM)
Work Phone #: 508-346-2929 (8 AM-5 PM)
Email Address: rmacedo at rcn.com
http://users.rcn.com/rmacedo