This week is lightning safety awareness week in the United States and people must be more aware of the danger because lightning deaths have been decreasing in recent years. Back in the 1990s, if I recall correctly, about 80 or 90 people per year were killed by lightning. Now the average is down to 54. Which you could put in the perspective of 1 per state in order to grasp the number a bit better, but in reality more lightning deaths occur in Florida than any other state.

The average number of deaths per year is down to 54 but 2012 was even better when we had a record low of 26 fatalities. So far this year there have only been 4 fatalities due to lightning. I would like to say that all the “awareness” education is responsible for the decline in deaths but I wonder if it has to do with changing human habits as well. People do not spend as much time outside as they used to, plus more people live in the city where lightning deaths are not as likely (because of the tall buildings with lightning protection). Kids and young adults play video games more in the present day instead of engaging  outdoor sports like golf or fishing which have a history of being dangerous in regards to lightning.

Which brings me to the number one safety tip to stay safe from lightning – GO INDOORS! If you hear thunder, it is time to wrap up whatever you are doing outside and head inside. It doesn’t really matter where “inside” is, just as long as you are in some sort-of shelter. It could be a car, truck, garage, barn, house, trailer, you name it. You are almost always going to be safe from lightning if you are inside.

For those times you are stuck outside with no hope of finding shelter, stay away from lone tall trees or utility poles and high areas such as hills. Lightning generally strikes the tallest/highest things around. Resist the temptation to hide under a tree during a storm with frequent lightning. That one lone tall tree on the golf course or at the local park is the most likely spot for lightning to strike. It is better to crouch down near the ground out in the rain and get soaked than to be somewhat dry under a tree and get struck by lightning. A good tip for the golf course is to bring one of those cheap (basically disposable) emergency rain ponchos. They easily fit in your pocket and you can whip it out during a thunderstorm and stay dry, without having to resort to the dangerous practice of standing under the big lone tree.

For more in depth information about lightning and lightning safety, check out this page from the National Weather Service.

Through all the years of researching lightning and protecting people and buildings from lightning, the one device that cannot be beat is the trusty lightning rod. It collects the electricity from the lightning and sends it harmlessly into the ground, thus protecting the building and the inhabitants inside. This does not mean we couldn’t come up with something better. The most recent effort has been to use lasers to trigger and possibly divert lightning bolts. It is a neat idea and there is no reason it wouldn’t work in some locations, but I doubt it would be economically feasible.

Have a swell Wednesday! Meteorologist Justin Loew

Posted under Weather Safety

Photo from the National Weather Service

Five tornadoes tore through parts of southeast Colorado yesterday, leaving several injured and causing considerable damage to farming communities. 

According to the National Weather Service two tornadoes hit Prowers County, two tore through Kiowa County,  and one went through parts of Bent County in the early morning hours of April 27th.

According to the Denver office of the National Weather Service, overnight twisters in Colorado are rare.  The last time an overnight tornado hit the state was April 30th, 1942.  Ironically it hit the same two counties of Bent and Kiowa, the same areas hit this year.

For a look at the damage from the National Weather Service Survey team, follow this link: http://www.crh.noaa.gov/news/display_cmsstory.php?wfo=pub&storyid=82413&source=0.

Posted under Environment, Natural Disasters, Nature, Seasonal Items, Severe Weather, Spring, Tornadoes, Weather History, Weather NEws, Weather Safety

There are numerous shows on TV, like on Discover Channel or the Weather Channel, that glorify storm chasing.  They make it look so fun and cool to be out racing down the highway trying to get right up next to a monster tornado.   Despite being pelted with hail stones, flying branches, torrential rain, and lighting, the vehicles press on with a sense of immortality.  As we all know, TV shows don’t always portray the whole story.  Certainly when it comes to tornado safety, these chasers often push the limits way beyond comprehension.

 Be that as it may, there is an ongoing debate and uncertainty about what is the best course of action if you are in a vehicle with an approaching tornado to deal with.  The conventional wisdom when I was growing up and even during the first decade of my weather forecasting career was that one should always leave the vehicle and go lie flat in a ditch or ravine and cover your head.  Over the past 15 years there have been some high profile cases where people were actually severely injured or killed by leaving their vehicles and going under overpasses or just going out in the open.  Now there is more of a recommendation to use your best judgement based on a number of factors whether to leave your car or not.  Below is a statement from Roger Edwards of the Storm Prediction Center that goes into more depth on this subject.

In a car or truck: Vehicles are extremely risky in a tornado. There is no safe option when caught in a tornado in a car, just slightly less-dangerous ones. If the tornado is visible, far away, and the traffic is light, you may be able to drive out of its path by moving at right angles to the tornado. Seek shelter in a sturdy building, or underground  if possible. If you are caught by extreme winds or flying debris, park the car as quickly and safely as possible — out of the traffic lanes. Stay in the car with the seat belt on. Put your head down below the windows; cover your head with your hands and a blanket, coat, or other cushion if possible. If you can safely get noticeably lower than the level of the roadway,leave your car and lie in that area, covering your head with your hands. Avoid seeking shelter under bridges, which can create deadly traffic hazards while offering little protection against flying debris.

We’ve all seen the horrific images of vehicles twisted around tree trunks 20 feet in the air, or turned upside down and crushed.  Or how about the photos of beams or lumber jabbed straight through a car window or door.  What a horrible thing if someone was in that vehicle in such cases.  I wish I had a hard and fast rule for you when it comes to automobiles and tornadoes.  I hope you never have to make such a tough decision but if you do, try not to panic.  Take care.

Posted under Education, Natural Disasters, Seasonal Items, Severe Weather, Tornadoes, Travel, Weather Safety

This is Tornado and Severe Weather Awareness Week in Wisconsin.  Luckily we haven’t had much in the way of severe thunderstorms yet, but that will likely change over the next month or so.  It’s always a good thing to review severe weather terms, safety tips, and refresh your severe weather preparedness plans.  Do you and your family members know what to do in a variety of situations whether you are at home, school, work, shopping, driving, or outside?  Please take time to look over this important information.  It could reduce your risk of injury or death from severe weather.

On Thursday, April 19, a tornado drill will be conducted.  At 1 pm, a test Tornado Watch will be issued for all of Wisconsin.  The test watch will be broadcast on NOAA Weather Radio as a Required Weekly Test–RWT.  At 1:45 pm, the NWS Green Bay office will issue a test Tornado Warning.  The test warning will be broadcast as a test on NOAA Weather Radio using the actual Tornado Warning code.  The drill will conclude at 2 pm.

Here’s the schedule for the tornado drill:

1:00 p.m.  -  A test Tornado Watch is issued for all of Wisconsin by the Storm Prediction Center

1:45 p.m.  -  NWS offices in Wisconsin issue test Tornado Warnings using actual Tornado Warning code (broadcast will state this is a test)

2 p.m.  – Drill ends with the issuances of test Severe Weather Statements

Should severe weather be present anywhere in Wisconsin on the day of the drill, the test watch and warnings will be postponed until Friday.  If severe weather is forecast for Friday, the drill will be canceled.  

Wisconsin Severe Weather Facts

Wisconsin averages 23 tornadoes per year, with most tornadoes occurring in the 3 to 9 P.M. time frame.  The peak tornado season in Wisconsin is May through August, with June having the greatest number of tornadoes.  A record-setting 62 tornadoes occurred in 2005.  In 2011, Wisconsin had 38 tornadoes, 15 in northeast Wisconsin alone!

The “average” Wisconsin tornado has a 10 minute duration, a path length of about 6 miles, and a damage width of about 125 yards.

Another hazard of the warm-season is powerful, straight-line thunderstorm winds that can exceed 60 mph.  Every year Wisconsin will get a few storms that generate hurricane-force winds of at least 75 to 100 mph.  Severe Thunderstorm Warnings are issued for these wind events.

Large hail is also a hazard with thunderstorms.  Severe Thunderstorm Warnings are also issued for storms with hail of at least 1″ in diameter.

Other warm-season hazards localized flash floods or widespread river and lowland flooding, lightning, and excessive heat.

To learn much more about all types of severe weather that impacts our region please go to these great link from the National Weather Service. 

http://www.crh.noaa.gov/mkx/?n=taw-part4-tornado_stats

http://www.crh.noaa.gov/grb/?n=safety

http://www.crh.noaa.gov/images/grb/outreach/TAW/TAW5.pdf

http://www.crh.noaa.gov/images/grb/outreach/TAW/TAW2.pdf

http://www.crh.noaa.gov/images/grb/outreach/TAW/TAW3.pdf

http://www.crh.noaa.gov/images/grb/outreach/TAW/TAW1.pdf

Posted under Severe Weather, Storms, Tornadoes, Weather NEws, Weather Safety

Did you know that March 12th – 16th is Flood Safety Awareness Week in the U.S.?  Flooding is one of the top weather killers every year in the country.  Of course it also produces huge amount of property damage.  I’ve seen some streams and small rivers out of their banks the past few days with the rapid snow melt and light to  moderate amounts of rain we’ve had.  Most of the flooding has been lowland and agricultural in nature so far.

 We are really lucky we didn’t have a 2 to 3″ rain storm or we could have been in a lot of trouble when it comes to flooding.  Even though the snow melt flood risk is diminishing now because we never really built up that huge snow base like other winters we still need to be on guard.  This is especially true because the developing pattern is one that could feature shower and storm chances for about a week in a row starting this weekend and going through next week.  Seeing that it will be unseasonably warm and humid, some of the showers certainly could produce heavy rain.  Therefore we can’t rule some flooding problems as the month goes on.

This is certainly a great time to refresh your memory on what flood terminology means, see what new technologies are helping us forecast floods better than ever, and consider buying flood insurance.  These topics and many more are covered in a great brochure put together by the National Weather Service.  It has many fascinating photos of flooding and its power within it as well.  Be sure to check it out at this link.   http://www.nws.noaa.gov/om/brochures/Floodsbrochure_9_04_low.pdf

Posted under Education, Flooding, Natural Disasters, Seasonal Items, Severe Weather, Spring, Weather NEws, Weather Safety

Though the bulk of the heavy snow from this weekend’s storm system is tracking north of the major metro areas in Central Wisconsin, other communities are bracing for snow.  And a lot of it!

 Given current forecast projections, the arrowhead region of Minnesota will “take it on the chin” so to speak.  Areas there are expecting 5 to 8” by the end of the weekend with stretches along the western shores of Lake Superior preparing for around 10”.

If you are doing any traveling Sunday or Monday into northern Minnesota, northwestern Wisconsin or portions of the Upper Peninsula of Michigan you could be greeted with some brutal driving conditions. 

Before you hit the road this weekend, check out this website: http://www.crh.noaa.gov/news/display_cmsstory.php?wfo=dlh&storyid=59787&source=0.  It shows you a map of the major roadways in Wisconsin, Michigan, Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota, Iowa, Missouri, Illinois, Indiana and Kentucky.  The map also overlays current advisories, watches and warnings issued by the National Weather Service.  You’ll also notice that some roads are green, others yellow, and some red.  Linking information provided by each state’s department of transportation that will tell you where travel conditions are good, fair or hazardous. 

The page also includes a mobile link so you can take it on the road. 

Stay safe if you’re traveling this weekend!

Posted under Community, Environment, Seasonal Items, Storms, Travel, Weather Safety, Winter Weather

Every year we provide tips for surviving severe weather events here in Wisconsin. There is a Tornado and Severe Thunderstorm Awareness Week, A Flood Safety Week, Lightning Safety, Safe Boating Week, and Winter Weather Awareness Week, just to name a few. While researching safety tips for an upcoming presentation, I thought I would look at some other types of disasters that do not normally happen in Northcentral Wisconsin, just for my own knowledge, because I never know what might happen in places where I might travel. 

I lived in California for almost a year but I never did feel or experience an earthquake. It must have been one of the quietest earthquake years in California’s history. I didn’t even feel a minor tremor. It is probably a good thing, because I didn’t know how to protect myself in the event of a big quake. I am not going to go through all the different safety and preparedness tips here in the blog, just a couple interesting things I learned. For more in depth information here are a couple of websites I found useful:

Geology.com and National Geographic

One of the more interesting tips was that if you are sleeping when an earthquake happens, you should stay in bed and cover your head with a pillow. Also, if you are cooking, it is reccommended you turn off the stove before seeking safety in your home. I suppose the danger of an electrical or gas fire due to the stove being on is greater than threat posed by delaying your move to get under something sturdy and away from the walls and windows.

When looking at Hurricane safety and preparedness, it seemed fairly simple. Most of the action occurs before a storm arrives. The main safety advice is to just evacuate – have a family disaster plan in place and then be ready to evacuate. Be sure to take your pets as well. Once an area is quarantined by the authorities, they will not let you in no matter what. I have heard second hand of horror stories where people were literally just a few yards from their starving pets but they were not allowed to cross the barricade/check point in order to save them. One piece of advice that I did not find on official hurricane safety sites was to keep an axe in your attic. This is advice I have heard from other people and it is mentioned here. The idea here is that if there is major flooding during or after a hurricane and you are trapped in your house, you can use the axe to chop a hole in your roof so you can get out.

Do any of you have any hurricane or earthquake stories to share? What about any other odd natural disasters that don’t normally occur in Northcentral Wisconsin?

We certainly have not had to deal with many Winter “disasters” this year. The Winter has been pretty tame, but it was not predicted to be that way by some. If you remember back to the Fall, the Farmer’s Almanac and Accuwx were at least two sources that were predicting very harsh Winter conditions across the Midwest, including Wisconsin. I think those forecasts were based mainly on the fact that La Nina was occurring in the Pacific. Last Winter there was a La Nina in the Pacific and it WAS a bad Winter. This year was almost the opposite.

You will recall that even I was predicting a little below normal temps and a little above normal snowfall – mainly due to La Nina. I didn’t go overboard because this Winter’s La Nina was not as strong as last Winter and because I know that La Nina historically has not had as strong an influence on our Winter weather as El Nino. It is true that the last 3 La Nina’s brought colder and snowier winter conditions to Wisconsin, but if you go farther back in history, the correlation is not as clear.

Computer Forecasts for ENSO Trend

So what is La Nina up to now? A moderate La Nina is still occurring but it has shown signs of slight weakening in the past month. Here is the latest monthly diagnostic discussion. The computer models are forecasting a continued weakening over the next couple of months, enough so that it is gone (temps in the ocean would be neutral) around May. I just hope that all of our Winter weather has not been saved-up only to be unleashed upon us in March and April. I wouldn’t mind see some above normal precipitation this Spring (I hate droughts), just as long as it comes as rain and not snow & cold.

Have a fine Friday! Meteorologist Justin Loew.

Posted under Earthquake, ENSO Update, Hurricanes, Natural Disasters, Weather Safety

Posted under Education, Environment, Natural Disasters, new media, Records, Seasonal Items, Severe Weather, Storms, Weather NEws, Weather Safety

Lightning image from the National Weather Service

Improved education on the dangers of and safety precautions associated with lightning has given 2011 the lowest number of lightning deaths recorded in the United States, according to the National Weather Service.

Of the 26 people killed by lightning in the United States and Territories, one was in Wisconsin.  According to NWS statistics, McKenzie Klar an 11-year old camping in Burnett County this past July was killed after she was struck by lightning when under a tree.

Both Utah and Michigan recorded three deaths, while the remaining fatalities were reported in Montana, South Dakota, Colorado, Kansas, Arizona, Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Florida and Guam.   

The majority of the deaths were reported in late summer and early fall with July seeing the most.  Nine people were killed by lightning that month, but that number is down considerably from the 16 that is reported average amount.       

The 2011 totals beat the previous record low amount of fatalities by two since 2008.

To see the statistical breakdown of the numbers, check out this website: HERE.

And to see the complete article from the National Weather Service for yourself, check out this website: HERE.

Posted under Environment, Nature, Records, Recreation & Sports, Science, Seasonal Items, Severe Weather, Storms, Summer, Weather and Health, Weather History, Weather NEws, Weather Safety

Photo courtest Danny Lawson/PA Wire

Northern parts of the United Kingdom have seen some rough weather in the past week, causing over £100 million (approximately $156 million) in estimated economic damage. 

Scotland was slammed with wind gust speeds near 165 miles an hour—that’s less than 10 miles an hour under the strongest wind gust ever recorded on British soil, according to The Telegraph.

For comparison sake, a category five hurricane sees sustained winds of at least 155 miles an hour.  An EF 3 tornado sees 3-second wind gusts between 136 and 165 miles an hour.    

Included in the damage is a 328-foot tall wind turbine that reportedly exploded when overloaded by the storm.  Industrial wind turbines are designed to withstand strong gusts, and designed to automatically turn off when wind speeds reach a certain point. 

No one was injured in the turbine explosion. 

The images and video coming from the British Isles, particularly fromScotland, have been absolutely incredible.  To see some of the damage and to learn more about this historic storm check out these links:

http://www.3news.co.nz/Video-Scotland-hammered-by-severe-wind-storm/tabid/313/articleID/235883/Default.aspx

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/8948310/Britain-likely-to-suffer-from-a-double-dose-of-severe-weather-next-week.html

http://peakoil.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=45&t=63744

Posted under International Weather, Natural Disasters, Nature, Oceans, Records, Seasonal Items, Severe Weather, Storms, Travel, Weather History, Weather NEws, Weather Safety, World Weather