[K3CAL] From CALV EC: Unusually massive line of storms could affect 1 in 5 Americans

[Dennis N3QHC]

6/12/2013

 

TO:  ALL CALV ARES STATIONS

Subject: [sec:264] Unusually massive line of storms could affect 1 in 5
Americans

 

WASHINGTON (AP) - A gigantic line of powerful thunderstorms could affect one
in five Americans on Wednesday as it rumbles from Iowa to Maryland packing
hail, lightning and tree-toppling winds.

 

Meteorologist are warning that the continuous line of storms may even spawn
an unusual weather event called a Derecho (duh-RAY'-choh), which is a
massive storm of strong straight-line winds spanning at least 240 miles.
Wednesday's storms are also likely to generate tornadoes and cause power
outages that will be followed by oppressive heat, said Bill Bunting,
operations chief at the National Weather Service's Storm Prediction Center
in Norman, Okla.

 

The risk of severe weather in Chicago, Indianapolis, Cincinnati and
Columbus, Ohio, is roughly 45 times higher than on a normal June day,
Bunting said. Detroit, Baltimore, Washington, Milwaukee, Pittsburgh and
Louisville, Ky., have a risk level 15 times more than normal. All told, the
area the weather service considers to be under heightened risk of dangerous
weather includes 64 million people in 10 states.

 

"It's a pretty high threat," Bunting said, who also warned that the storms
will produce large hail and dangerous lightning. "We don't want to scare
people, but we want them to be aware."

 

Wednesday "might be the worst severe weather outbreak for this part of the
country for the year," said Jeff Masters, meteorology director at Weather
Underground.

 

You can have tornadoes and a Derecho at the same time, but at any given
place Wednesday the straight-line winds are probably more likely.

 

Last year, a Derecho caused at least $1 billion in damage from Chicago to
Washington, killing 13 people and leaving more than 4 million people without
power, according to the weather service. Winds reached nearly 100 mph in
some places and in addition to the 13 people who died from downed trees,
another 34 people died from the heat wave that followed in areas without
power.

 

Derechoes, with winds of at least 58 mph, occur about once a year in the
Midwest. Rarer than tornadoes but with weaker winds, Derechoes produce
damage over a much wider area.

 

Wednesday's storm probably won't be as powerful as 2012's historic one, but
it is expected to cause widespread problems, Bunting said.

 

The storms are the type that will move so fast that "by the time you see the
dark sky and distant thunder you may have only minutes to get to safe
shelter," Bunting said.

 

The storms will start late morning or early afternoon in eastern Iowa, hit
Chicago by early afternoon and move east at about 40 mph, Bunting said. If
the storm remains intact after crossing the Appalachian Mountains, which
would be rare for a Derecho, it should hit the Washington area by late
afternoon or early evening, he said.

 

For Washington, Philadelphia and parts of the Mid-Atlantic the big storm
risk continues and even increases a bit Thursday, according to the weather
service.

___

Online:

The Storm Prediction Center:  <http://www.spc.noaa.gov/> www.spc.noaa.gov

 

 

NOAA Watch:  http://www.noaawatch.gov 

 

Calvert County Code Red:  http://www.co.cal.md.us/index.aspx?NID=330  for
those with smartphones.  

 

Ensure your family and property are safe before helping with communications.
There is a list on the Quick Reference Document (attached to this email).
**Channel frequency table = newer updated re-version is being currently in
the works.  Hopefully all ARES Stations has a weather radio that can provide
time for your family and you to find a safe place to be if conditions get
bad.  

 

Have your amateur radio radio equipment ready in case we need communications
within the county or to aid other jurisdictions.  If the 146.985/R happens
to go off-line, listen on the simplex frequency for further information.    

 

73, Dennis N3QHC

 

When all else fails.Amateur Radio

 

---eom---

 

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