Jeff's Darn wx Blog » severe weather

When is enough too much? Tornado warnings and watches.

Jeff A — Fri, 06 Apr 2012 02:25:48 +0000

I see it every time there there is severe weather and the warning siren goes off, apathy. How did it get that way, some would say it’s the “boy who cried wolf syndrome”. I think it has more to do with our fast paced “I want it now” society. Another problem is there is no hard set rule for the use of the warning siren, it is left up to the counties, at least in Indiana, discretion. Some only sound them for a tornado warning while others will sound it for a tornado watch if there is a severe thunderstorm warning already in place. I personally prefer the second system, better safe than sorry.

Let’s back up a bit and explain the differences between watches and warnings for those who may be unaware. A watch is issued when conditions are favorable for tornado development and could occur at any moment. If a tornado watch is issued you should:

Keep alert and watch for changing weather conditions
Listen to your local news reports & weather updates
Review your family’s emergency preparedness plan
Be ready to seek shelter at a moments notice

A tornado warning means that a tornado has either been sited or indicated on radar in your area. If a tornado warning has been issued you should:

Take shelter immediately
Listen to your local radio for updates

National Weather Service Safety Guidelines

If you are in a building:
Go to a pre-designated shelter area such as a safe room, basement, storm cellar, or the buildings lowest level. If you don’t have a basement, take shelter in the center of an interior room on the lowest level, such as a bathroom, closet or interior hallway that is away from corners, windows, doors and outside walls.
If you are in a vehicle, trailer or mobile home:
Get out immediately and go to a nearby sturdy building or storm shelter and seek shelter on its lowest floor.
If you are outside without nearby shelter:
Lie down in a ditch, ravine, or depression nearby and cover your head with your hands.

Do not ignore warnings, they are there to save your life.

What a crazy March so far

Jeff A — Tue, 20 Mar 2012 03:21:54 +0000

It has been unseasonably warm, cant complain about that. It has made for some volatile weather that has somehow missed me every time. I’m ready, well as ready as one can be I guess.

This is severe weather awareness week. Now is the time to go over your plans for severe weather with your family. Check your supplies you should have enough food and water to last at least three days per person in your family. for complete information go to ready.gov

Participate in and hold drills of your own to check your readiness. Stuff can be replaced but your family can’t. Know your nearest safe place if you’re out and about in severe weather.

Do not drive through water covered roadways. It’s better to be late then not get there at all. Do not use an overpass as shelter from a tornado, they can actually increase the wind speed when it hits that small space.

Stay safe, enjoy your spring and summer season. Never under estimate the power of a storm.

Well at least it’s warm.

Jeff A — Wed, 14 Mar 2012 03:15:35 +0000

But all the severe weather went South of us, we barely got rain. I just want some thunderstorms, nothing bad. Well there can be some bad stuff as long as it stays out in the middle of nowhere.

Not getting my hopes up but…

Jeff A — Thu, 01 Mar 2012 19:22:36 +0000

The tension is mounting!

Jeff A — Mon, 13 Feb 2012 03:04:13 +0000

I am gearing up for the spring storm season. Eager as one can be to get out there and enjoy some storms. The severe weather symposium is coming up and I am so ready, I know I keep mentioning it but I’m a geek I can’t help it.

In the meantime, we’ve had the wimpiest winter ever. They say we will get snow Monday but I’m not holding my breath. That’s ok though snow is a big pain in the butt anyway!

Short post, ran out of brain drainage!

Running out of descriptive words?

Jeff A — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 21:06:32 +0000

I am running out of words to express my dismay at how I feel. I guess I could get a thesaurus and make sure I’ve got them all but that seems like effort, we’ve already covered my thoughts on putting effort out.

On the plus side, spring is approaching and that means STORMS! Also the Indiana severe weather symposium is coming up in March, yes I am going and getting my weather geek on.

Sadly, this is all I have to say today so with that I bid you adieu.

Mid-State Amateur Radio Club

Jeff A — Sun, 22 Jan 2012 03:36:22 +0000

Amateur radio, also known as ham radio, is an exciting hobby with many opportunities. Talk to folks around town or around the world. You can also server your community by becoming a severe weather spotter or by providing communications during local special events such as the 500 parade and mini marathon, no Morse code required. Earning your technician class license is the first step to exploring all that ham radio has to offer.

The Mid-State Amateur Radio Club is offering a 1 day class on Saturday, February 11th, 2012 from 8a.m. to 4p.m. Testing will begin at 4pm. The class is free with lunch provided. Students are recommended to pre-purchase the ARRL Ham Radio License Manual and pre-register. This will be a condensed class and we recommend students study the material before the class. Books are available for purchase for $29.95 at www.arrl.org, testing is $15.00.

Location: Johnson County Emergency Management Agency
1000 Hospital Road, Franklin, IN
Basement conference room.

For more information Email secretary@midstatehams.org

Wow, why does it happen when I can’t chase?

Jeff A — Wed, 04 Jun 2008 05:38:57 +0000

I am trying to out type the next round of storms. That last round actually unnerved me. I wasn’t prepared for it and when the hammer fell, I wasn’t ready. I did manage to grab the watch spot at work. So I got to stand outside and watch the storm and make sure it was all clear before everyone went back to work. It did get pretty nasty, but when the sirens went off that caught me off guard. I usually have my radio with me when I expect severe weather, but I wasn’t expecting it tonight, boy was I wrong.
This is what it looks like right now!

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