[WIham] Fwd: SKYWARN: Capsule Update

[Mark Thompson]

----- Forwarded Message ----
From: Milw Area Skywarn Assoc. <svoros at execpc.com>
Sent: Fri, March 5, 2010 12:25:44 PM
Subject: SKYWARN: Capsule Update


MILWAUKEE AREA SKYWARN ASSOCIATION
CAPSULE UPDATE March 2010

NO TORNADOES IN FEBRUARY......
There were no tornadoes reported in the United States in February 2010. This according to the Weather
Service's severe weather blog. Assuming that no late reports are received, it will be the first time since
the tornado records began in 1950 that this has occurred.
What does this tell us about the rest of the 2010 tornado season? Little and nothing at all. Most years
that have started out with few tornadoes have ended up average or below, but there have been major
exceptions.
2010 Tornado Map: http://www.spc.noaa.gov/climo/online/monthly/2010_annual_summary.html

OUTDOOR WARNING SIRENS…..
The ongoing controversy about sirens is featured in the Jan-Feb 2010 issue of Weatherwise magazine.
It notes that there is no standard policy for their activation. In Nebraska it could mean tornadoes, in
Washington state it could mean a tsunami, Colorado a flash flood, or in Virginia to indicate 80 MPH
winds. Scientific literature notes the unrealistic dependence on them and that even though they are
outdoor warning devices (with sound limiting factors of wind direction, geography, landforms, the
hearing impaired, the elderly), nearly everybody expects to hear them in their house. Many newer
communities see them as eye sores and prefer E-mail or text alerts. Sirens can cost from 10 to 50
thousand dollars each. (Full story requires subscription)

MILWAUKEE COUNTY TORNADO ANNIVERSARY......
March 8th represents the 10th anniversary of the Saint Francis tornado. The twister started on the
northeast side of Mitchell Field and moved northeast into the Saint Francis area. The F-1 rated twister
(110 MPH Winds) was 75 yards wide and when the dust settled had injured 16 people. 53 homes had
received minor damage, 11 with major damage, and 8 businesses were also affected. Total private
sector costs were put at $4.6 million. Skywarn ham radio spotters were tracking this storm.

PUBLIC INFORMATION STATEMENT -- CORRECTED TORNADO TOUCHDOWN TIME
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE MILWAUKEE/SULLIVAN WI
945 PM CST WED MAR 8 2000
...EARLIEST TORNADO ON RECORD HITS MILWAUKEE COUNTY...
AT AROUND 615 PM ON WEDNESDAY MARCH 8 2000...A TORNADO STRUCK NEAR
MITCHELL INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT IN MILWAUKEE COUNTY AND MOVED
NORTHEAST INTO THE ST. FRANCIS AND CUDAHY AREAS. A NUMBER OF MINOR
INJURIES WERE REPORTED WITH CARS OVERTURNED...SOME BUILDINGS WITH
ROOFS OFF...POWER POLES DOWNED...TREES DOWNED AND GAS LEAKS.
A NUMBER OF HAM RADIO OPERATORS AND AIRPORT PERSONNEL WITNESSED THE
EVENT.
THIS IS THE EARLIEST CONFIRMED TORNADO TO STRIKE MILWAUKEE COUNTY ON
RECORD GOING WAY BACK TO 1840.
THE PREVIOUS EARLIEST TORNADO IN MILWAUKEE COUNTY WAS APRIL 2 1977
WHEN A TORNADO TRACKED FROM JUST WEST OF PEWAUKEE LAKE IN WAUKESHA
COUNTY...THROUGH THE TOWN OF BROOKFIELD AND INTO WAUWATOSA IN
MILWAUKEE COUNTY. THAT TORNADO INJURED 2 PEOPLE AND WAS ON THE
GROUND FOR 12 MILES.
$$
JH

March 8th Tornado Report: http://www.crh.noaa.gov/mkx/document/tor/030800.php

SPOTTER TRAINING IN HIGH GEAR.....
Storm spotter training programs are now under way in Wisconsin. Area schedules are listed on NWS
websites and a statewide (Wisconsin) list is on the Milwaukee Area Skywarn Association home page:
Unless noted all programs are basic (for the beginner), are free, open to the public, and registration
is not needed. Each program typically lasts about 2 ½ hours. Come early for good seats and parking.
http://www.mke-skywarn.org

PRINT OUTS.....
To better understand the concepts presented at the training programs everyone is encouraged to
make a copy of these weather service PDF one page quick-study guides:
Diagrams and Images http://www.crh.noaa.gov/images/mkx/pdf/spotters/sptr-diagrams.pdf
Definitions and Diagrams http://www.crh.noaa.gov/images/mkx/pdf/spotters/sptr-definitions.pdf
Other NWS On-line Training Programs http://mke-skywarn.org/storm_spotters.html

WHY HAVE STORM SPOTTERS…..
The NWS needs to know what the storm is doing at ground level. Because Doppler radars are designed
to look into the heart of storm clouds they can not detect or scan for what is happening on the ground.
“Ground-truth” observations allow meteorologists to better correlate radar data and spotter reports to
issue more accurate and timely reports. Thus protecting life and property.

WHAT SPOTTERS REPORT.....
In south-central and southeast Wisconsin trained spotters will typically report tornadoes, funnel clouds,
water spouts, wall clouds, large hail, high winds, flash flooding, and property damage. Some spotter
groups (amateur/ham radio) have more specific reporting criteria, but everyone's report must include
Time, Location, Condition, and Source information (TLCS). http://www.mke-skywarn.org/cities.htm

T-L-C-S.....
Time when you observed the weather event (2;18 PM), Location of the event is your distance/direction
from a city/village within the county of the event (1.2 miles South of Port Washington, Ozaukee Co),
Condition is what you observed (Measured Wind Gust of 65 MPH), and Source of report is your name,
a E-mail address, agency, ham radio call sign, etc.
Reports are relayed to the weather service by E-Spotter (on-line), 911 operators***, the NWS toll-free
800 number for trained spotters, and ham radio channels. A new program for the untrained public is expected
to be turned on in April. (*** Some counties may prefer other methods.)
A trained spotter phone report: "Hello, I am a trained weather spotter. At 2:18 PM I observed a measured wind
gust of 65 Miles Per Hour. My location is 1.2 miles south of Port Washington in Ozaukee County. My name is
Susan Smith, I can be reached at xxxxxxxxx.

HAM RADIO FREQUENCIES.....
A Wisconsin statewide database of mostly ham radio channels hosting Skywarn/weather nets has been
managed and maintained by the Milwaukee Area Skywarn Association for a number of years. In preparing for
the 2010 severe weather season we need your help to update and verify its accuracy. This list which goes into
a national database also helps local clubs promote their activities and attract new members interested in public
service. More importantly, an accurate and current frequency list is essential to any emergency responder's
communication plan. View the list and/or submit changes: http://www.mke-skywarn.org/radio.html

WEATHER TRAINING VIDEOS NEEDED….
Milwaukee NWS Meteorologist Rusty Kapela indicates that he seeking video clips for his training programs. He
is especially interested in scary looking, wall, and funnel cloud videos. Images should be steady and of good
quality. Contact him at: rusty.kapela at noaa.gov

WEATHER VIDEOS…..
Milwaukee Skywarn has launched its own internet YouTube channel. This site will be a continually growing
repository of weather related videos. To date we have over 200 clips on-line and just about every extreme
weather responder will find something to expand their knowledge or serve as a training tool. Take your time
to explore the material because the on screen action and that of the people shooting the videos are equally
important. A few segments contain adult language so preview scenes before sharing in public.
http://www.youtube.com/user/milwaukeeskywarn

2010 AWARENESS

March 9: Nationwide NWS and DHS Test. At 1:15 PM CST the National Weather Service and the
Department of Homeland Security will be conducting a nationwide Emergency Alert System test via
NOAA Weather Radio network and the NOAA weather wire.

March 14: Daylight Saving Time begins at 2 AM. Set clocks ahead one hour.
Don't forget to change the batteries in smoke detectors and your weather radios.

March 15-19: Wisconsin Flood Safety Awareness Week.
Did you know the standard homeowner's policy does not cover property and possessions in the event
of a flood? Or that the flood potential for parts of Wisconsin is once again above normal? According
to http://www.floodsmart.gov only one inch of flood water in our homes could cost about $7,800.
If you think your car or truck is too heavy to float during a flood then explain why a 100,000 ton military
aircraft carrier floats on the ocean.
Learn the basics about floating and buoyancy at: http://tadd.weather.gov/Buoyancy.shtml
Buoyancy for our science and math wizards: http://tadd.weather.gov/images/WaterPhysics.ppt

April 19-23: Wisconsin Tornado And Severe Weather Awareness Week.
How do you receive weather alerts and warnings? Where is your designated safe room for home or work?
Please review this tornado awareness packet issued by Wisconsin Emergency Management. It will serve
as a good refresher and has a section for schools, home, and, work. A statewide drill is scheduled for

Thursday April 22nd between 1-2 PM when the NWS will issue staggered mock tornado warnings around
Wisconsin. Should bad weather occur on the 22nd the drill be rescheduled for April 23rd.
http://emergencymanagement.wi.gov/docview.asp?docid=19037

May 12: Wisconsin Weather Radio Awareness Day

June 10: Wisconsin Heat Awareness Day

June 20-26: National Lightning Safety Awareness Week

Distributed by Milwaukee Area Skywarn Association, Incorporated. Wisconsin Nonprofit And IRS 501c3 Tax Exempt.

SKYWARN Protects Life and Property With The Identification, Evaluation, And Reporting Of Dangerous Weather.
Everyone talks about the weather, but trained storm spotters do something about it. Fear is not a option.

STATEWIDE SPOTTER TRAINING LINK: http://www.mke-skywarn.org
The best spotters always practice safety first.
Copyright 2010 MASA Inc.
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