“Your Weather Source”

“Your Weather Source”
A note from ABC12 Chief Meteorologist
J.R. Kirtek
J.R. Kirtek
Chief
Meteorologist
John McMurray
Meteorologist
Leslie Toldo
Meteorologist
Knowledge is King!
The only way to make good decisions
during times of stress is to learn as much
as you can about the threats you may
face. And weather, most certainly, can
be a threat. From 2005 through 2007,
severe weather caused more than $200
million in damage across our state.
FREEZING RAIN ADVISORY:
Issued when freezing rain or freezing drizzle causes significant inconveniences, but does not meet warning criteria (normally an ice accumulation of 1/4 inch or
greater) and if caution is not exercised, it could lead to
life-threatening situations.
Occasionally, small tornadoes can ―spin
up‖ with little, or no, advance warning.
The thunderstorms that spawn them,
however, are usually forecast hours in
advance. Keep in mind that ALL thunderstorms could be a potential threat. By
keeping abreast of the daily forecast,
staying aware of your surroundings when
thunderstorms develop, and by having an
action plan in the event weather becomes
threatening, lives can be protected and
property losses can be minimized.
We, at the ABC12 First Alert Weather
Center, and all of us here at ABC12 hope
you find this brochure useful in helping
you create an action plan for severe
weather.
Remember, ABC12 is ‖Your Safest
Place in Bad Weather.‖
J.R. Kirtek
Kevin Goff
Meteorologist
FREEZING RAIN OR DRIZZLE:
This occurs when rain or drizzle freezes on surfaces
(such as the ground, trees, power lines, motor vehicles,
streets, highways, etc.) that have a temperature of 32°F
or below. Small accumulations of ice can cause driving
and walking difficulties. Meanwhile, heavy accumulations of ice can pull down trees and utility lines. In this
situation, it would be called an ―Ice Storm.‖
ABC12 Weather Resources
ABC12 First Alert Channel—ABC12 is the only
mid -Michigan station
To offer viewers local weather 24 hours
everyday. Find this on Comcast Digital Cable
(Channel 247) and now Charter
Communications (Channel 431).
ABC12 First Alert Center Phone Line - Get the day’s
forecast and the extended forecast right over
the phone. Call (810) 232-3333 or
(989) 790-7329.
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Winter Weather Definitions
WINTER STORM WARNING:
Issued when a winter storm is producing very heavy
snow. For Lower Michigan, a Winter Storm Warning is
issued when winter is producing snow greater than or
equal to 6 inches in 12 hours; or greater than or equal to
8 inches in 24 hours. In cases of mixed precipitation or
blowing, these snowfall amounts may be less.
WINTER STORM WATCH:
Issued by the National Weather Service when there is a
potential of very heavy snow. In Lower Michigan, a
Winter Storm Watch is issued for the potential of a winter storm producing snow greater than or equal to 6
inches in 12 hours; or greater than or equal to 8 inches in
24 hours. In cases of mixed precipitation or blowing,
these snowfall amounts may be less.
WINTER STORM ADVISORY:
Issued when a low pressure system produces a combination of winter precipitation (snow, freezing rain, sleet,
etc.) that present a hazard, but does not meet warning
criteria. In Michigan, the criteria for its issuance is a
snow event that is forecasted to produce snow (average
of forecast range) greater than 3 inches, but less than
warning criteria (6 inches in Lower Michigan and 8
inches in Upper Michigan) in 12 hours.
CONTENTS:
NOAA Weather Radio. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Severe Weather Definitions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Tornado Safety. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Fujita Tornado Intensity Scale. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Lightning Safety . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
How Far Away Is That Thunderstorm? . . . . . . . .
What Exactly Is ABC12 First Alert Live Radar?
Flooding/Flood Safety . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Heat & Wind Chill Indexes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Winter Weather Definitions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Flint Bishop International Airport Travel Chart .
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3
4-5
6-7
8-9
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11
12
13
14-15
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BLIZZARD:
A winter storm which produces the following conditions
for at least 3 hours: 1) sustained winds of frequent gusts
to 35 mile per hour or greater 2) considerable falling
and/or blowing snow reducing visibility to less than 1/4
mile.
BLIZZARD WARNING:
Issued when blizzard conditions are life threatening. In
Michigan, the criteria is a sustained wind or frequent
wind gusts to 35 mph or more and considerable falling
and/or blowing snow reducing visibility frequently to
less than 1/4 mile for a duration of 3 hours or longer.
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1
NOAA
Weather Radio
Heat Index
The fastest and most reliable means of receiving critical weather information is through use of a NOAA
Weather Radio with an automatic "tone alert" feature.
You will receive the warning directly from the National
Weather Service in just a couple of minutes from its
issuance. These radios can be purchased in most stores
that carry small electronics. Immediately following the
issuance of a tornado warning by the NWS, the "tone
alert" is instantly sounded, followed by warning information. This is especially useful when severe weather is
expected during the nighttime hours when people are
sleeping, and when windows are closed, preventing
sirens from being heard.
In addition to the tone-alert, the new generation of
weather radios receive a digital burst of information.
This information is used to tell your radio to warn you
only when weather is to affect your specific county. The
National Weather Service refers to this digital information as "Specific Area Message Encoding" (SAME).
The radio's "tone alert" feature and SAME are used
for the issuance of all weather warnings as well as severe thunderstorm, flash flood, hurricane, and tornado
watches. NOAA Weather Radio broadcasts 24 hours a
day, seven days a week with the latest weather information from daily forecasts to special weather statements
about sudden shifts in the weather patterns or the development of potentially hazardous weather.
The Heat Index is a measure of how hot it really feels
when the relative humidity (RH) is added to the actual
air temperature. This index was devised for shady, light
wind conditions. Exposure to full sunshine can increase
Wind Chill Index
The Wind Chill Index is based on the rate of heat loss
from exposed skin caused by the combined effect of
wind and cold. As the wind increases, heat is carried
ABC12 viewing
area
ALCONA
ROSCOMMON
OGEMAW
IOSCO
ARENAC
OSCEOLA
CLARE
GLADWIN
MECOSTA
ISABELLA
HURON
MIDLAND
BAY
TUSCOLA
SANILAC
MONTCALM
GRATIOT
SAGINAW
GENESEE
LAPEER
SHIAWASSEE
CLINTON
INGHAM
LIVINGSTON
30 Minutes
2
Frostbite Times:
10 Minutes
5 Minutes
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Flooding
Severe Weather Definitions
Although Michigan isn’t impacted by flooding as much
as other states, the majority of flood-related deaths are
caused by people attempting to drive through moving
water.
WATCH:
Conditions are favorable for the development of severe
thunderstorms or tornadoes in and close to the watch
area. Watches are usually issued hours before weather
threatens. When a WATCH is issued, it is time to prepare for severe weather. It is also time to occasionally
watch the sky for rapidly changing conditions.
Most cars will float (and be swept away) in 18-24
inches of moving water. Trucks and SUVs are not much
better with only 6-12 more inches of clearance. Creeks
and rivers can rise very rapidly and the road bottom can
also wash away making the water much deeper than it
appears.
Once cars are swept downstream they will often roll to
one side or perhaps flip over entirely. The driver has a
few precious seconds to escape the vehicle. In fact,
many drivers panic as soon as the vehicle submerges and
are found later with their seat belt intact.
Flood Safety
Know your area's flood risk. People who live in
flood-prone areas should stay alert for changing weather
conditions and rising lake and river levels. During rains
that have lasted for several hours, be attentive to the
chance of flooding.
Know where high ground is and move there quickly
if you see or hear rapidly rising water.
Do not attempt to cross through fast-flowing water
that is more than shin-deep.
Do not try to drive through flooded areas -- remember, most flood-related deaths occur in automobiles.
If your vehicle stalls, abandon it and seek higher
ground immediately.
Be especially cautious at night, when the danger
may be hidden.
High water conditions can create navigational hazards on area lakes or rivers.
When operating a watercraft, operate at a safe speed
that does not create a wake which will cause additional
damage to property and environmentally sensitive areas.
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TORNADO WARNING:
Issued when a tornado is strongly suggested, as indicated by radar, or is actually sighted by storm spotters.
It is time to act – to seek shelter from the damaging
storm.
SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING:
Issued when a thunderstorm produces hail 3/4 of an inch
or larger in diameter and/or winds which equal or exceed 58 mph. Severe thunderstorms have killed more
people in Michigan than tornadoes have.
FLASH FLOOD WATCH:
Indicates that flash flooding is possible in and close to
the watch area. Those in the affected area are urged to
be ready to take quick action if a flash flood warning is
issued or flooding is observed.
FLASH FLOOD WARNING:
Signifies a dangerous situation where rapid flooding of
small rivers, streams, creeks, or urban areas are imminent or already occurring. Very heavy rain that falls in a
short time period can lead to flash flooding, depending
on local terrain, ground cover, degree of urbanization,
degree of man-made changes to river banks, and initial
ground or river conditions.
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Tornado Safety
It is important to remember that when a WATCH is
issued, conditions are favorable for the development of
severe thunderstorms and tornadoes. This is the time to
PREPARE and to keep an eye on the sky for rapidly
changing weather conditions. Watches are usually issued well before damaging storms form. If you use this
time wisely, you will not be caught by surprise by damaging weather. When a severe weather warning is issued, or when tornado sirens sound, it is time to ACT.
In a home with a basement:
Avoid windows.
Get in basement under something sturdy.
Know where heavy objects are above and don’t go
underneath them.
Home without basement:
Avoid windows.
Go to lowest floor possible and put as many walls
as possible between you and the outside (under a
stairwell, in a small closet, bathroom, or interior
hallway is best).
Crouch as low as possible and protect your head
from falling debris.
Mobile home:
Get Out! Mobile homes can be severely damaged
by even straight line winds.
Go to the nearest sturdy, permanent structure.
If necessary, lie flat on low ground or depression
away from trees and automobiles while protecting
your head.
Office building / hospital:
Go to enclosed, windowless area in center
of building.
Crouch down and protect your head.
Avoid elevators.
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What Exactly First Alert
Live Radar?
First Alert Live Radar is a combination of ABC12’s
very own weather surveillance radar and a set of storm
tracking tools and other computer programs that help the
First Alert Storm Team track storms right down to
street-level over all of mid-Michigan.
The radar itself is located 4 miles northeast of
Chesaning in Saginaw County. It is a Radtec RDR250GC being run with Sigmet IRIS software. At the time of
its installation, ABC12 was the only television station in
the country operating this research-grade radar. The
IRIS software package allows for simultaneous display
of precipitation and Doppler velocity. It also has storm
tracking capabilities and rainfall estimation algorithms
that keep ABC12’s meteorologists on top of the storm.
And, all of this isn’t even used on the air!
Our on-air display comes from running our live radar
data into another computer from Weather Services International (WSI). This system, called Trueview Interactive, has a built-in geographic database that will automatically calculate how long it will take storms to hit
cities all over the area. It can track individual storms
and squall lines. Using its ―interactive‖ capabilities,
ABC12’s meteorologists can track storms right on camera, rather than having to be off-camera operating a keyboard and mouse.
Our system has other capabilities, including: display of
all the National Weather Service NEXRAD Doppler
radar sites, display of rainfall and snowfall estimates,
display of rainfall and snowfall forecast amounts, and
other past, present and forecast displays of other weather
parameters such as wind direction and speed, temperature, and sky conditions. Any of these parameters can
be displayed for any time in any city in the area for a 48hour timeframe. This part of our exclusive weather display is what we call ―Pinpoint Predictor.‖
While it is all very technical, what it boils down to is
that ABC12 has assembled the most technologically
advanced tools for the largest staff of meteorologists to
keep ABC12 ―Your Safest Place in Bad Weather.‖
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How Far Away Is That
Thunderstorm?
You can make a rough estimate of how far a storm is
away from you by looking for lightning and listening for
thunder. Because a lightning stroke creates a clap of
thunder, and because light travels much faster than
sound, lightning flashes can be seen long before the resulting thunder is heard. When you see a lightning
stroke, count the number of seconds it takes for you to
hear its thunder. Divide this number by 5, and you have
(approximately) the number of miles the storm is away
from you! For example: You see lightning. Fifteen
seconds later you hear thunder. 15 divided by 5 is three.
You are about 3 miles from the storm!
It is important to remember, however, that whenever
you can hear thunder, you are at risk of being struck by
lightning – whether it is raining or not.
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If you‟re outdoors:
Get inside, if possible.
If you have no time to get indoors, lie in a ditch or
low-lying area or crouch near a strong building.
Protect your head and neck by using your arms.
Avoid seeking shelter under bridges or overpasses. This can cause traffic hazards, and exposure to high-velocity winds and flying debris.
If you‟re in a vehicle:
Never try to outrun a tornado in a car. A tornado
can toss cars and trucks around like toys. If you see
a funnel cloud or hear a tornado warning issued, get
out of your vehicle and find safe shelter. 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.
Get out of the car immediately and take shelter in a
nearby building.
If there is no time to get indoors, get out of the car
and lie in a ditch or low-lying area away from the
car. Choose a location such that your vehicle won’t
be rolled over on top of you.
Avoid seeking shelter under bridges or overpasses. This can cause traffic hazards and exposure
to high-velocity winds and flying debris.
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Fujita “F” Tornado
Intensity Scale
The Fujita („F‟) Scale, developed by University of Chicago researcher Dr. Theodore
Fujita in 1971, is used by meteorologists to
estimate the speed of winds AFTER a tornado by studying the damage to structures
caused by the tornado.
F0 – Gale Tornado
Winds: Less than 73mph
Light Damage: Some chimneys damaged,
twigs and branches broken off trees,
shallow-rooted trees pushed over, signboards
damages, some windows broken
F1 - Moderate Tornado
Wind: 73-112 mph
Moderate Damage: Surface of roofs
peeled off, mobile homes pushed off
foundations or overturned, outbuildings
demolished, moving autos pushed off the
roads, trees snapped or broken, beginning
of hurricane speed winds
7. Get out of the water. This includes getting off
small boats on the water.
8. If you're outdoors, seek shelter from lightning! Buildings are best for shelter. If you can't find
shelter, avoid the tallest object in the area. If no buildings are available, you can find protection in a ditch or
other depression. Also, avoid proximity. Keep at least
15 feet between you and another person. Crouch down.
Put feet together. Place hands over ears to minimize
hearing damage from thunder.
9. Trees are not good cover! Tall trees attract lightning. If only isolated trees are nearby, your best protection is to crouch in the open, keeping twice as far away
from isolated trees as the trees are high.
10. When you feel the electrical charge -- if your
hair stands on end or your skin tingles -- lightning may
be about to strike you. Drop to the ground immediately!
11. Injured persons do not carry an electrical charge
and can be handled safely. Apply First Aid procedures
to a lightning victim if you are qualified to do so. Call
911 or send for help immediately.
F2 - Significant Tornado
Wind: 113-157 mph
Considerable Damage: Roofs torn off
frame houses, mobile homes demolished,
frame houses with weak foundations lifted
and moved, large trees snapped or uprooted,
light-object missiles generated
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9
Lightning Safety
A single stroke of lightning carries more than
100,000,000 volts of electricity -- enough power to light
a 100-watt light bulb for more than 3 months. A bolt of
lightning can be more than 40,000 degrees Fahrenheit –
hotter than the surface of the sun!
1. Stay or go indoors! Suspend activities for 30 minutes after the last observed lightning or thunder.
2. Stay away from anything that could conduct
F3 - Severe Tornado
Wind: 158-206 mph
Severe Damage: Roofs and some walls torn
off well-constructed houses, trains overturned,
most trees uprooted, heavy cars lifted off the ground and
thrown, weak pavement blown off the roads
F4 - Devastating Tornado
Wind: 207-260 mph
Devastating Damage: Well-constructed houses
leveled, structures with weak foundations blown
off the distance, cars thrown and disintegrated,
trees uprooted and carried some distance away
electricity. This includes fireplaces, radiators, stoves
and plumbing.
3. Don't use any plug-in electrical appliances like
hair dryers, electric toothbrushes, or electric razors. If
lightning strikes your house, they can conduct the charge
to you.
4. Don't use the telephone during the storm.
Lightning may strike telephone lines outside.
5. Stay in your automobile if you are traveling.
Automobiles give you excellent lightning protection.
F5 - Incredible Tornado
Wind: 261-318 mph
Incredible Damage: Strong frame houses lifted
off foundations and carried considerable distance
to disintegrate, automobile-sized missiles fly
through the air in excess of 300 feet, trees
debarked, incredible phenomena will occur
Michigan‟s Last Major Tornados
6. Don't use metal objects outside, like fishing rods
and golf clubs. Golfers wearing cleated shoes are really
good lightning rods.
July 2, 1997
Clio
June 21, 1996
Frankenmuth
F3
F3
April 2, 1977
Eaton County & Kalamazoo County
April 3, 1959
Montcalm County
*June 8, 1953
Beecher
F4
F5
F5
*Last tornado in US history to kill more than 100 people
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