[TNham] Nashville NWS does article about Giles SkyWarn / WKSR Partnership

[Kenny Breeding]

      http://www.srh.noaa.gov/bna/newsletter/120103.htm
      Middle Tennessee Weather News
      A Publication of the National Weather Service in Old Hickory
      Serving Middle Tennessee Since 1870
      Winter Edition, December 1, 2003, Volume II, Issue IV
      Mark A. Rose, Editor
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      Farewell, Reflections from Derrel Martin

      I have had the pleasure of serving as the Meteorologist-in-Charge of
the National Weather Service in Old Hickory for the past twenty-five years
and eight months. It has been a rewarding experience and I have enjoyed
every single minute of the time. Middle Tennessee weather poses a unique
challenge in forecasting and in issuing timely tornado, severe thunderstorm,
and flash flood warnings. After saying that, it is needless to say that
winter weather poses the biggest challenge of all.

      With the influence of three major weather makers, the Bermuda High,
the fast-moving cold fronts out of the Northwest, and the influence of warm,
moist air moving into Middle Tennessee from the Gulf of Mexico, there is a
unique challenge that is unexcelled anywhere else in the United States. And,
while this has been challenging, it has also been rewarding.

      The office has moved three times since I first arrived. We were
located at Hangar Lane and Knapp Boulevard on the Metropolitan Airport when
I arrived in 1978. In 1985 we moved into the GENESCO Office Building near
the airport. Later, we moved to the current site, but in a rundown,
dilapidated building where the upper air/radar staff was located. In 1994,
the office moved into a modern new office building that was designed for the
operations that we manage today.

      Since my weather career began in 1956, there have been many
improvements to the process of weather forecasting. To begin with, there was
not a Weather Radar. We had some old =93beat-up=94 radars that came out of =
the
WW-II B-29. They were not designed for weather detection. They assisted us
in noting that precipitation was occurring within 175 miles.

      Then, in 1957, the WSR-57 Weather Radar was deployed and things
started looking much better. However, it took almost twenty years for the
National Radar Network to be fully operational, and then only about one-half
of the weather offices had a radar. At first, the WSR-57 could detect
precipitation, but was not an extremely good tool to detect tornadoes.
However, with the determination of a few research meteorologists, techniques
were developed that made it better, and many tornado and severe thunderstorm
warnings were issued using this radar.

      In the late eighties, the NEXRAD Doppler Radar was developed and
deployment began in the early nineties. Nashville fired up the current
Doppler Radar in July, 1994, and commissioned it the following year. NEXRAD
can actually measure particle movement in the atmosphere and therefore lets
us know what the winds in a thunderstorm are doing. This allows the National
Weather Service to issue timely tornado and severe thunderstorm warnings.
There is not a better weather detection radar in the world than the Doppler
WSR-88D, in spite of what you hear on television.

      The evolution of the computer has also made a drastic change in the
way a weather forecast is made. We can now analyze data in a matter of
seconds what would have taken a year to perform before. We also have several
computer forecast models that will give us first-hand knowledge about how
the upper atmosphere is circulating and how it is likely to react. This
knowledge allows excellent forecasts several days in advance of any major
system that is moving into Middle Tennessee. We still have a ways to go to
give you a minute-by-minute forecast, but it is coming in the future. We now
make forecasts for forty-eight hours that are as good as the six-hour
forecast was when I started.

      I expect the next fifty years will show an increase in weather
forecast accuracy. And, I think severe weather warnings will show greater
lead time and a more accurately predicted path. Good things in weather
forecasting are just over the horizon.

      Before arriving at Nashville, I served at various offices around the
east and south. My career began in Washington, D.C. I also served at Del
Rio, Texas; Athens, Georgia; back to school at Mississippi State;
Shreveport, Louisiana; Millington, Tennessee; Beaumont, Texas; College
Station, Texas (Texas A&M); back to Beaumont, then San Antonio, and Tampa,
Florida before coming to Nashville in 1978. I finally found a place where
the challenge in forecasting made the job interesting and rewarding. Besides
that, there are a lot of =93Good People=94 in Middle Tennessee.

      As the last month of my employment begins, I once again say that it
has been a pleasure serving all the residents of Middle Tennessee. May God
go with you and bless you all the days of your life. Remember, in order to
enjoy the sunshine, you also have to have a little rain.

      Derrel Martin
      Meteorologist-in-Charge

      Dedicated Radio Broadcaster Wins Eye On The Weather Award

      JAMESTOWN, Tenn. -- N.A. "Turk" Baz always has had more than a passing
interest in the weather, personally and professionally.

      "It's always fascinated me," said the veteran broadcaster, a 33-year
owner of radio station WDEB, FM and AM, in this county seat town on the
Upper Cumberland Plateau.

      Experience has taught him how quickly a violent storm can leave a
community in shambles, causing human casualties, destroying property and
damaging a town's infrastructure.

      Baz has worked hard to keep his station's listeners one step ahead of
whatever Mother Nature is dishing out and for about 20 years has kept
detailed records of the local weather for the National Weather Service. For
his efforts, the federal agency will present him its John Campanius Holm
Award on Thursday during a ceremony at the station.

      The annual award goes to 25 individuals among the agency's 11,000-plus
volunteer weather observers. Named for a 17th-century Lutheran minister who
was the first person in the American colonies to systematically document
weather observations, it has been given since 1959.

      This is the third time in four years that a Middle Tennessee weather
observer has received the honor. In 2000, Mary Elizabeth King of Dover was
recognized, followed by Geraldine Young of Woodbury in 2001. Before this
recent streak, the previous time a Middle Tennessean weather observer won
was in the 1950s, according to NWS records. "Turk is very dedicated. He
makes sure the reports get to us in a timely manner, and they are accurate.
He has been faithful for 20-something years and doesn't get a penny for any
of the effort," said Derrel Martin, meteorologist in charge of the Nashville
NWS office.

      "We've had some people who think they want to be a weather observer,
but then they find that they've got to do it every day of the week and they
say it's not for them. Turk, however, he's done everything he can to help
us."

      Martin said the cadre of weather observers posted throughout the state
play a vital role for the agency.

      "They are our people on the ground. We have automated stations, but
these people are the ones who give us real ground data."

      Baz said he will accept the award on behalf of his radio station's
staff and the many volunteers who are part of the Fentress County Emergency
Service Organization, formed five years ago to improve the early warning
system that advises local citizens of severe weather.

      "My mission for this station when we came here was to be the eyes and
ears of Fentress County. Weather's a big part of that. In 1974 we had nine
people killed in a tornado. That really got a lot of people's attention."

      The deaths also reinforced Baz's dream of his station becoming the
county's source for information during inclement weather. He obtained a
10-watt generator to keep the operation on the air. A more powerful
generator has replaced that unit. Today, the station has its own weather
radar. "When a storm comes within 75 miles of us, we start charting it so we
can let our listeners know what's about to happen," he said.

      Every day, the atmospheric conditions, precipitation and temperature
are noted in a logbook. The results are forwarded to the National Weather
Service office in Old Hickory.

      The weather logbooks are kept on file at the radio station.

      "A lot of people come by to check on what was happening on a certain
day. Local attorneys often come when they have a case where the weather
played a role. It's all there in those books."

      Most people in Jamestown know him by the nickname Turk. He explained
he is the son of a Turkish immigrant who moved to South Carolina. "Everyone
called me Little Turk when I was a kid. It stuck with me."

      "I'm sort of surprised to be winning this award. We've just been doing
what I thought we were supposed to be doing," Baz said. "Which is, keeping
an eye on the weather."

      Leon Alligood, Staff Writer
      Nashville Tennessean
      Sunday, 11/16/03
     Giles County SKYWARN

      Giles County SKYWARN has established a partnership with the FM station
in Pulaski, WKSR 98.3-FM. Kenny Breeding of Giles County SKYWARN writes,

        We have set up our Command Center within their studios. This is
beneficial in two major ways-first, it gives our Net Control access to their
Baron ThreatNet Radar system, and secondly, whenever our spotters give Net
Control reports of severe weather, Net Control can instantly turn around and
give the information to the DJ, who in turn can immediately broadcast it to
the entire county! Most that I have discussed it with agree that it's a
natural partnership because as I see it, the primary reason for the SkyWarn
program is to give the public earlier alerts, and what better means than
through your local radio station?
      The Giles County SKYWARN website can be found at
http://www.gilesskywarn.org.

      Hydrology Update

      Middle Tennessee has some of the most picturesque rivers and streams
in the county. Many of our communities were built along rivers or streams in
order to take advantage of their beauty and benefits. From the Cumberland
River at Nashville, to the Duck River at Shelbyville, Middle Tennessee
communities are blessed with the presence of natural waterways. Water is
necessary for sustaining life. Too much or too little water can have
tremendous consequences. With that in mind, the National Weather Service
believes water information is critical for the health, safety, and economic
well being of the people of Middle Tennessee. The National Weather
Service=C2's Advanced Hydrologic Prediction Service is working to provide
water information in the form of accurate and timely river forecasts and
flood warnings to meet the growing needs of the people of Middle Tennessee.
There are several federal government agencies working in cooperation with
local officials to provide water information. Along with the National
Weather Service, the U.S. Geological Survey, the Army Corps of Engineers,
and the Tennessee Valley Authority all provide essential information for
water management.

      The start of the winter season is also the start of Middle Tennessee's
primary flood season. Residents should be aware of their proximity to rivers
and streams and watch for rising water during and shortly afer heavy rain
events. They should also be aware of low lying and flood prone areas along
roadways. During the winter season, the lack of growing vegetation along
with cooler soil temperatures, promotes rainfall to run-off over the ground
rather than infiltrate the soil as in the warmer growing season. The run-off
reaches rivers and streams much more quickly producing rapid rises in water
levels.

      Floods are the most common natural disaster, besides fires, and each
year more deaths occur due to flooding than from any other weather related
hazard. It appears that the main reason for flood deaths is that people
underestimate the force and power of water. For example, six inches of fast
moving flood water can knock you off your feet. Water weighs 62.4 pounds per
cubic foot and typically flows downstream at 6 to 12 mph. For each foot the
water rises, 500 pounds of lateral force is applied. Whether you are driving
or walking, if you come to a flooded road, Turn Around Don't Drown.

      Middle Tennessee river and stream information can be obtained from the
new Advanced Hydrologic Prediction Service webpage.

      Michael Murphy
      Service Hydrologist

      Sumner County 4th In Middle Tennessee To Become StormReady

      At a ceremony held in Gallatin, Tennessee on October 16th, Sumner
County was recognized as a Storm Ready County. Sumner County is only the
fourth county in Middle Tennessee to obtain this recognition. The other
counties are Davidson, Putnam, Lincoln. It was through the efforts and hard
work of Ken Weidner, Sumner County Emergency Management Director, his staff,
and the many others in the county that this prestigious recognition was
granted by the National Weather Service.

      The residences of Sumner County should be proud of what their county
has accomplished. It doesn't stop here though. As was stated at the
recognition ceremony, residences should take an active role in insuring that
they remain safe from weather hazards. The county has demonstrated that it
is doing what it can, but each individual should be aware of the weather
hazards that affect Sumner County, how to receive hazardous weather alerts,
and know what to do to protect themselves.

      Local Forecaster Part Of Award-Winning Team

      November 26 -- The National Weather Service's Aviation Awards Program
team award for the 3rd quarter was given to the Southern Region Tennessee
Valley Aviation Outreach Team. Team members Matt Zika, WFO Huntsville AL,
Mark A. Rose, WFO Nashville TN, Jason B. Wright, WFO Birmingham AL, and John
Gagan, WFO Jackson MS recently organized the "Interstate-65 Aviation
Workshop." The one day event featured a variety of speakers from the NWS,
FAA, Baron Services, Inc., and local media outlets. Attendance was 140
people, including general aviation, commercial and military pilots, FAA
personnel, and employees of Huntsville International Airport. The workshop
had many presentations on weather-related topics, highlighting sources of
NWS aviation weather on the web. FAA Aviation Safety Counselor Rob Lindstrom
stated "One of the best workshops I've ever attended. I'm very pleased with
the support the local weather offices give to the pilot community."
Huntsville International Airport FAA Tower Manager Ray Palmer said it was
one of the most professional events he had attended. And Bob Baron,
President of Baron Services stated, "We're glad to be part of this workshop.
You put together a great workshop."

      Photograph of the Quarter


      This photograph of a shelf cloud was contributed by Julie Gardner of
Centerville. She was looking west at the time. The shot was made on May 16,
2003.


      Sharon Prince, from Huntland, sent this picture, taken shortly after
sunrise on September 24, 2003.


      John Gordon of the Hurricane Hunters gave us a view of the ocean
surface while his crew flew Hurricane Isabel when the storm was still rated
a category five.

      If you have a unique weather photograph you would like to share,
please either e-mail it to the editor, or send it to National Weather
Service, 500 Weather Station Rd., Old Hickory, TN 37138, Attn: Mark A. Rose.
If you mail your photograph(s), we will scan them and mail them right back.



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