storm spotter training storm spotter training advanced level national weather service charleston, sc

STORM SPOTTER TRAINING

ADVANCED LEVEL ADVANCED LEVEL

National Weather ServiceNational Weather Service

Charleston, SCCharleston, SC

TOPICSTOPICS Overview of the National Weather Service and Overview of the National Weather Service and

Why Spotters Are ImportantWhy Spotters Are Important How A Thunderstorm FormsHow A Thunderstorm Forms Ingredients For Strong ThunderstormsIngredients For Strong Thunderstorms Quick Forecast TechniqueQuick Forecast Technique SPC Graphics and WatchesSPC Graphics and Watches Storm Mode/Structure and Radar SignaturesStorm Mode/Structure and Radar Signatures Quick Guide To Weather HazardsQuick Guide To Weather Hazards How To Report Severe WeatherHow To Report Severe Weather

NWS OfficesNWS Offices

NWS Charleston “County Warning Area”

Purpose of Spotter TrainingPurpose of Spotter Training

Understand the structure Understand the structure of storms and of storms and safelysafely observe themobserve them

Report what you see Report what you see back to the NWS, law back to the NWS, law enforcement, or media. enforcement, or media. We need your help!We need your help!

PROTECTION OF PROTECTION OF LIFE AND LIFE AND PROPERTYPROPERTY

Joe PublicJoe Public

Phone # (843) 111-1111Phone # (843) 111-1111

Joe PublicJoe Public

Phone # (843) 111-1111Phone # (843) 111-1111

Average # of thunderstorm days per yearAverage # of thunderstorm days per year

TOPICSTOPICS Overview of the National Weather Service and Why Overview of the National Weather Service and Why

Spotters Are ImportantSpotters Are Important How A Thunderstorm FormsHow A Thunderstorm Forms Ingredients For Strong ThunderstormsIngredients For Strong Thunderstorms Quick Forecast TechniqueQuick Forecast Technique SPC Graphics and WatchesSPC Graphics and Watches Storm Mode/Structure and Radar SignaturesStorm Mode/Structure and Radar Signatures Quick Guide To Weather HazardsQuick Guide To Weather Hazards How To Report Severe WeatherHow To Report Severe Weather

THE THUNDERSTORM

Thunderstorm FormationThunderstorm Formation

Thunderstorms requireThunderstorms require

– HeatHeat

– MoistureMoisture

– Initial Uplift (Kicker)Initial Uplift (Kicker)

– Exhaust MechanismExhaust Mechanism

Sun Provides

Moisture Sources

Atlantic OceanGulf of

Mexico

Pacific Ocean

Pineapple Express

Plumes of moisture detected on Water Vapor Imagery and Plumes of moisture detected on Water Vapor Imagery and Surface ObservationsSurface Observations

Fronts

KICKERS

Short Waves

Low Level Jets

Boundaries

Mountains

Exhaust Mechanism

Upper Level Jets

THUNDERSTORM LIFECYCLE

Developing Stage

Thunderstorm Life Cycle

Mature Stage

Dissipating Stage

How Do Thunderstorms Work?

Ingredients ForThunderstorm Potential

• CAPE – Convective Available Potential Energy (Heat and Moisture)

• SREH – Storm Relative Helicity (Wind Shear)

Tools we use to measure these ingredients

Satellite-Radar / Surface Observations / Weather Balloons / Computer Models

(Kickers, Heat and Moisture, Wind shear)

CAPE MEASURES THE POTENTIAL ENERGY OF AIR BY CALCULATING THE AVAILABLE HEAT AND MOISTURE IN AN AIR POCKET AND COMPARING IT TO THE SURROUNDING ENVIRONMENT.

What is CAPE?

IF AN AIR PARCEL IS HOTTER AND MORE MOIST THAN THE AIR SURROUNDING IT, THE AIR PARCEL WILL RISE BECAUSE IT IS LESS DENSE.

AIR PARCELS WILL CONTINUE TO RISE UNTIL THE TEMPERATURE AND MOISTURE CONTENT (DENSITY) OF THE PARCEL MATCH THE ENVIRONMENT.

CAPE Thresholds

< 100 J/KG INCONSEQUENTIAL FAIR WEATHER CUMULUS

100-1000 J/KG SMALL BUOYANCY UPDRAFT = 30-50 MPH

1000-2000 J/KG MODERATE BUOYANCY UPRDAFT = 50-70 MPH

2000-3000 J/KG LARGE BUOYANCY UPDRAFT = 70-90 MPH

3000-4000 J/KG VERY LARGE BUOYANCY UPDRAFT = 90-110 MPH

> 4000 J/KG EXTREME BUOYANCY UPDRAFT = > 110 MPH

The More CAPE, The Greater The Updraft Speed

Warm Humid Air

Very Warm Dry Air (Temperature Inversion)

Very Cold Dry Air

“The Cap”

SURFACE

3200 FT (900 MB)

5000 FT (840 MB)

10,000 FT (700 MB)

40,000 FT (215 MB)

How To Build up EnergyHow To Build up Energy

Pileus

Warm Humid Air

Very Cold Dry Air

“The Cap”

SURFACE

3200 FT (900 MB)

5000 FT (840 MB)

10,000 FT (700 MB)

40,000 FT (215 MB)

Cap Breaks

Cap Holds

WIND SHEAR

WIND SHEAR IS SIMPLY A RAPID CHANGE IN THE CHARACTER OF THE WIND OVER SHORT DISTANCES

WIND IS CHARACTERIZED BY ITS DIRECTION & SPEED

WIND OCCURS IN THE HORIZONTAL & VERTICAL

WIND SHEAR IN THE MID AND UPPER LEVELS HELPS PUSHPRECIPITATION DOWNSTREAM.

IF PRECIPITATION FALLS TOO CLOSE TO THE UPDRAFTBUOYANT AIR IN UPDRAFT WILL BE REPLACEDWITH COOLER MORE STABLE AIR

THIS WILL CAUSE A DECELERATION & WEAKENINGOF THE UPDRAFT, LEADING TO THE STORM’S DISSIPATION

WIND SHEAR IN THE MID AND UPPER LEVELS HELPS PUSHPRECIPITATION DOWNSTREAM.

IF PRECIPITATION FALLS TOO CLOSE TO THE UPDRAFTBUOYANT AIR IN UPDRAFT WILL BE REPLACEDWITH COOLER MORE STABLE AIR

THIS WILL CAUSE A DECELERATION & WEAKENINGOF THE UPDRAFT, LEADING TO THE STORM’S DISSIPATION

Rolling Horizontal Tubes

Wind shearWind shear

How do Supercells form?How do Supercells form?

Supercell DevelopmentSupercell Development

As these rolls (rotation) are tilted into a storm’s As these rolls (rotation) are tilted into a storm’s updraft, the mesocyclone (and supercell) develops.updraft, the mesocyclone (and supercell) develops.

UPDRAFT

Surface

Large CAPE will create strong updrafts that stretch air columns in the verticalLarge CAPE will create strong updrafts that stretch air columns in the vertical

Column of air is stretched, it becomes more narrow and accelerates.Column of air is stretched, it becomes more narrow and accelerates.

Tilt and Stretch

Wind Shear Thresholds

The More Shear, The More Updraft Rotation

How We Measure ShearHow We Measure Shear

http://www.spc.noaa.gov/exper/mesoanalysis

ASSUMING A “KICKER” IS PRESENTASSUMING A “KICKER” IS PRESENT CAPE AXISCAPE AXIS HELICITY AXISHELICITY AXIS SURFACE TEMPERATURE AXISSURFACE TEMPERATURE AXIS SURFACE DEW POINT AXISSURFACE DEW POINT AXIS

Storm Prediction Center OutlookStorm Prediction Center Outlook

http://www.spc.noaa.gov/products/outlook/

Storm Prediction Center DiscussionStorm Prediction Center Discussion

http://www.spc.noaa.gov/products/md

Storm Prediction Center WatchStorm Prediction Center Watch

http://www.spc.noaa.gov/products/watch

Important Definitions:Important Definitions: WatchWatch : Conditions are favorable for severe : Conditions are favorable for severe

weather in/near the watch area; issued over a weather in/near the watch area; issued over a large area for usually 4-8 hr by the Storm large area for usually 4-8 hr by the Storm Prediction CenterPrediction Center

WarningWarning : : ssevere weather is likely or is evere weather is likely or is occurring in the warned area (county); issued occurring in the warned area (county); issued by NWS Charleston for usually 1 hr or less by NWS Charleston for usually 1 hr or less – Seek shelter now!Seek shelter now!

Severe ThunderstormSevere Thunderstorm : ¾ inch hail, wind : ¾ inch hail, wind gusts 50 kt (58 mph) or greatergusts 50 kt (58 mph) or greater

Watch/Warnings on the WebWatch/Warnings on the WebCounties under a Counties under a watch/warning watch/warning are highlighted are highlighted on web pageon web page

Counties under a Counties under a watch/warning watch/warning are highlighted are highlighted on web pageon web page

Single-Cell ThunderstormsSingle-Cell Thunderstorms

short-lived (20-40 min)short-lived (20-40 min)– Pulse TypePulse Type

usually non-severeusually non-severe

small hail, gusty windssmall hail, gusty winds

brief heavy rainsbrief heavy rains

weak tornadoes possibleweak tornadoes possible

more likely in the late more likely in the late afternoon or eveningafternoon or evening

Multicell ThunderstormsMulticell Thunderstorms family of cells that family of cells that

regenerateregenerate

can last several hrscan last several hrs

severe, non-severesevere, non-severe

large hail, gusty windslarge hail, gusty winds

flooding rainsflooding rains

tornadoes possibletornadoes possible

day or nightday or night

Southeast Storm ModesSoutheast Storm Modes

Squall LinesSquall Lines

Tropical SystemsTropical Systems

SupercellsSupercells

Squall LinesSquall Lines

line of storms - 100’s of line of storms - 100’s of mi longmi long

associated with cold associated with cold frontsfronts

severe, non-severe severe, non-severe thunderstormsthunderstorms

damaging windsdamaging winds

line of storms - 100’s of line of storms - 100’s of mi longmi long

associated with cold associated with cold frontsfronts

severe, non-severe severe, non-severe thunderstormsthunderstorms

damaging windsdamaging winds

Bow Echo Bow Echo EvolutionEvolution

Squall Line TornadoesSquall Line Tornadoes

Derecho (Squall Line)Derecho (Squall Line)

Large Shelf CloudLarge Shelf Cloud

Rolling Under The Rolling Under The ShelfShelf

Gustnado

Wet Microburst Life CycleWet Microburst Life Cycle

Southeast of Norman, Ok (Bill Bunting)

Rain Foot

Shelf CloudShelf Cloud

wedge-shaped cloudwedge-shaped cloud

strongest winds strongest winds after cloud after cloud moves overheadmoves overhead

Common wind damageCommon wind damage

Roll CloudRoll Cloud

Tropical Tornado OutbreaksTropical Tornado Outbreaks

landfalling or remnant systems landfalling or remnant systems

right-front quadrantright-front quadrant

majority are F0, F1 strengthmajority are F0, F1 strength

often associated with rainbands often associated with rainbands

can occur day or nightcan occur day or night

leads to increased fatalities and leads to increased fatalities and

damagedamage

landfalling or remnant systems landfalling or remnant systems

right-front quadrantright-front quadrant

majority are F0, F1 strengthmajority are F0, F1 strength

often associated with rainbands often associated with rainbands

can occur day or nightcan occur day or night

leads to increased fatalities and leads to increased fatalities and

damagedamage

Rain Shield

Eye Wall

Spiral Band

Frances Tornado OutbreakFrances Tornado Outbreak Sep 5-7, 2004Sep 5-7, 2004 remnants of remnants of

Hurricane FrancesHurricane Frances 20 confirmed 20 confirmed

tornadoes in tornadoes in Charleston CWA Charleston CWA

46 tornado warnings 46 tornado warnings issuedissued

Sep 5-7, 2004Sep 5-7, 2004 remnants of remnants of

Hurricane FrancesHurricane Frances 20 confirmed 20 confirmed

tornadoes in tornadoes in Charleston CWA Charleston CWA

46 tornado warnings 46 tornado warnings issuedissued

Tornado watches in effect for 48 hr!Tornado watches in effect for 48 hr! Tornado watches in effect for 48 hr!Tornado watches in effect for 48 hr!

Video courtesy of WTOC. Sep 6, 2004 East of Savannah on Video courtesy of WTOC. Sep 6, 2004 East of Savannah on

Talahi Island. Damage to residences and historic Ft. JacksonTalahi Island. Damage to residences and historic Ft. Jackson

Video courtesy of WTOC. Sep 6, 2004 East of Savannah on Video courtesy of WTOC. Sep 6, 2004 East of Savannah on

Talahi Island. Damage to residences and historic Ft. JacksonTalahi Island. Damage to residences and historic Ft. Jackson

Landspouts / WaterspoutsLandspouts / Waterspouts Form from the lower levels Form from the lower levels

up to the cloudup to the cloud Land version - landspoutLand version - landspout Water version - waterspoutWater version - waterspout

– usually weak (F0 or F1)usually weak (F0 or F1)– may move slowly, if at allmay move slowly, if at all

Beaufort Waterspout 7/13/05Beaufort Waterspout 7/13/05

Video courtesy of Beaufort Emergency ManagementVideo courtesy of Beaufort Emergency Management

Picture courtesy of Picture courtesy of Beaufort GazetteBeaufort Gazette

SupercellsSupercells A supercell storm is a A supercell storm is a

storm containing a storm containing a mesocyclonemesocyclone– mesocyclonemesocyclone - - a deep, a deep,

persistent area of persistent area of rotation several mi in rotation several mi in diameter in a diameter in a thunderstormthunderstorm

can produce strong and can produce strong and violent tornadoesviolent tornadoes

potential to produce potential to produce giant hail, damaging giant hail, damaging straight line winds, and straight line winds, and flash floodingflash flooding

A supercell storm is a A supercell storm is a storm containing a storm containing a mesocyclonemesocyclone– mesocyclonemesocyclone - - a deep, a deep,

persistent area of persistent area of rotation several mi in rotation several mi in diameter in a diameter in a thunderstormthunderstorm

can produce strong and can produce strong and violent tornadoesviolent tornadoes

potential to produce potential to produce giant hail, damaging giant hail, damaging straight line winds, and straight line winds, and flash floodingflash flooding

Classic Supercell AppearanceClassic Supercell Appearance

Supercell VariationsSupercell Variations

Radar image of supercellRadar image of supercell

Hook echoesHook echoes

Tornado on the south or Tornado on the south or southwest sidesouthwest side

Overshooting Top (strong updraft)Overshooting Top (strong updraft)

Can be seen on radar and IR satelliteCan be seen on radar and IR satellite

Called an “Called an “Enhanced V”Enhanced V” or Warm wake or Warm wake

Winds diverted around storm coreWinds diverted around storm core

Obstacle flowObstacle flow

Overshooting TopOvershooting Top

Supercell with overshooting top east of Salina, Ks.

Tropopause

Updraft

Overshoot

Overshooting TopOvershooting Top

Structure From a DistanceStructure From a Distance

Updraft Strength…Weak vs. Updraft Strength…Weak vs. StrongStrong

Fuzzy CrispBase

Height &Width

How To Position YourselfHow To Position Yourself

What is a wall cloud?What is a wall cloud? local, often abrupt local, often abrupt

lowering of a rain-free lowering of a rain-free (or nearly rain-free) (or nearly rain-free) basebase

many wall clouds many wall clouds exhibit counter-exhibit counter-clockwise rotationclockwise rotation

many strong and many strong and violent tornadoes come violent tornadoes come from the wall cloudfrom the wall cloud

Developing Wall Cloud

Look for rapidly developing scud below the updraft base

Wall Cloud

Warm & Moist Inflow

Updraft

Wall Clouds vs Shelf CloudWall Clouds vs Shelf Cloud Wall CloudsWall Clouds

– Suggest Inflow/updraftSuggest Inflow/updraft– Maintain position with Maintain position with

respect to rainrespect to rain– Slope upward and away Slope upward and away

from precip areafrom precip area– TornadoTornado

Shelf CloudsShelf Clouds– Suggest Downdraft/outflowSuggest Downdraft/outflow– Move away from rainMove away from rain– Slope downward away from Slope downward away from

precip areaprecip area– Straight Line WindsStraight Line Winds

Tornado Typically Forms

Wall Cloud

Updraft Downdraft (Rain Core) (Large Hail)

TornadoTornado

What is a funnel cloud?What is a funnel cloud?

FUNNEL CLOUDFUNNEL CLOUD – – rotating column of air rotating column of air pendant from a pendant from a shower or shower or thunderstorm with thunderstorm with nono contact to the ground contact to the ground

What is a tornado?What is a tornado? TORNADOTORNADO – – violently rotating violently rotating

column of air from the base of a column of air from the base of a thunderstorm that is in contact thunderstorm that is in contact with the ground. A with the ground. A funnelfunnel does does not have to be present!not have to be present!– A rotating A rotating debris cloud debris cloud can can

confirm the presence of a tornadoconfirm the presence of a tornado

A GOOD SPOTTER KEEPS A GOOD SPOTTER KEEPS AN EYE TO THE SKY…AND AN EYE TO THE SKY…AND THE GROUND!THE GROUND!

CONDENSATION FUNNEL

TORNADO

DUST & DEBRISCLOUD

Are These Tornadoes?Are These Tornadoes?

Watch The Ground!Watch The Ground!

Tornado LifecycleTornado Lifecycle

Rear Flank DowndraftRear Flank Downdraft

Read the SkyRead the Sky

Myrtle Beach, SC

Myrtle Beach, SC CloseupMyrtle Beach, SC Closeup

BoundariesBoundaries

Outflow boundariesOutflow boundaries

Triggers Triggers additional additional

stormsstorms

Storms tend to Storms tend to regenerate to regenerate to the southwestthe southwest

Categories of TornadoesCategories of TornadoesCategories of TornadoesCategories of Tornadoes

Intensity of tornadoesIntensity of tornadoes– based on the based on the actual actual

assessmentassessment of of damage, damage,

– NOTNOT a visual guess a visual guess

Sometimes large Sometimes large tornadoes are less tornadoes are less intense than smaller intense than smaller more compact ones!more compact ones!

Straight Line vs TornadicStraight Line vs Tornadic

Enhanced Fujita ScaleEnhanced Fujita Scale … …review of tornado damagereview of tornado damage

F0, F1 scaleF0, F1 scale Winds up to 110 MPHWinds up to 110 MPH WeakWeak

F2, F3 scaleF2, F3 scale Winds 111 – 165 MPHWinds 111 – 165 MPH StrongStrong

F4, F5 scaleF4, F5 scale ““Killers” : 70% fatalitiesKillers” : 70% fatalities Winds 166 – 200+ MPHWinds 166 – 200+ MPH ViolentViolent

Hampton SC Hampton SC F1 TornadoF1 Tornado, , 7/1/20037/1/2003

Tornado HazardsTornado Hazards

RecyclingRecycling UnderpassesUnderpasses Mobile HomesMobile Homes Entering The Entering The

Bear’s CaveBear’s Cave

Turquoise/Green Sky Means Trouble Ahead!

Hail Stone, Shaft, SpikeHail Stone, Shaft, Spike

Lightning can strike “out of the blue” Lightning can strike “out of the blue” miles away from the thunderstormmiles away from the thunderstorm

Doug Berry-NWS

Hazards Outside

Lightning Safety TipsLightning Safety Tips Tends to strike the Tends to strike the

tallest object.tallest object.

Stay away from water Stay away from water and metal and metal

Seek protection in a Seek protection in a sturdy structuresturdy structure

Stay off the phone Stay off the phone and get away from and get away from appliancesappliances

“ “When Thunder When Thunder Roars…Go Indoors”Roars…Go Indoors”

30/30 Rule30/30 Rule 55 seconds = seconds =

Lightning 1 Lightning 1 mile away mile away

Possible Signs of a StrikePossible Signs of a Strike Hair stands on Hair stands on

endend

May hear a May hear a buzzing or buzzing or crackling sound crackling sound

CrouchCrouch

downdown

Flash Flooding Flash Flooding

Nearly Nearly halfhalf of all flash of all flash flood-related deaths flood-related deaths involve automobilesinvolve automobiles

#1 weather-related killer#1 weather-related killer

Don’t drive through low Don’t drive through low water crossings!water crossings!

Reporting and CoordinationReporting and Coordination

Hail (any size)…Hail (any size)…mention largest mention largest piecepiece

Winds 50+ MPHWinds 50+ MPH Wind damage (tree limbs, etc)Wind damage (tree limbs, etc) Tornadoes/waterspouts Tornadoes/waterspouts Funnel cloudsFunnel clouds Flooding of any typeFlooding of any type

Hail…sizes to report…no marblesHail…sizes to report…no marbles!!Hail…sizes to report…no marblesHail…sizes to report…no marbles!!

Compare size to coins Compare size to coins (penny…quarter…etc.)(penny…quarter…etc.)

golfball…baseball… golfball…baseball… softballsoftball

TTime – When did it happen?ime – When did it happen?

EEvent – What did you observe?vent – What did you observe?

LLocation – Where did this occur?ocation – Where did this occur?

Use the TEL method when Use the TEL method when making your reportmaking your report

What would you report?What would you report?

Example of severe weather report:Example of severe weather report:

I am spotter ________ located _________________.I am spotter ________ located _________________. We just had __________________ here at the We just had __________________ here at the

house.house.

It began ____________ and lasted for ____ minutes. It began ____________ and lasted for ____ minutes.

I see a tornado (funnel cloud) ____________, moving I see a tornado (funnel cloud) ____________, moving to the ______. to the ______.

Highest wind gusts at my location are (were) around Highest wind gusts at my location are (were) around ________. ________.

You can call _____________ if you have any You can call _____________ if you have any questions about my report. My name is questions about my report. My name is ___________.___________.

CHS132 2 miles N of Awendaw

Golfball size hail

at 635 pm 5

2 miles North

20 mph

843-571-1234

TTime – ime – EEvent – vent – LLocation ocation

John Doe

Spotter Activation Spotter Activation StatementStatement

• http://weather.gov/chs then click on then click on “Local Haz Outlook” on left menu “Local Haz Outlook” on left menu

• Found at the bottom of the Found at the bottom of the “Hazardous Weather Outlook” product“Hazardous Weather Outlook” product

• Additional Skywarn info found at http:// weather.gov/chs/skywarn.shtml

• http://weather.gov/chs then click on then click on “Local Haz Outlook” on left menu “Local Haz Outlook” on left menu

• Found at the bottom of the Found at the bottom of the “Hazardous Weather Outlook” product“Hazardous Weather Outlook” product

• Additional Skywarn info found at http:// weather.gov/chs/skywarn.shtml

To Report Severe Weather To Report Severe Weather

1-800-897-0823 (unlisted #)

1-888-383-2024 answering machine -

only monitored when a warning is active

chs.skywarn@noaa.gov

1-800-897-0823 (unlisted #)

1-888-383-2024 answering machine -

only monitored when a warning is active

chs.skywarn@noaa.gov

Improved Slide Show….Improved Slide Show….

We need photos, digital pictures, and video of:

storm features

memorable storms

local damage

We need photos, digital pictures, and video of:

storm features

memorable storms

local damage

Digital images can be e-mailed to Digital images can be e-mailed to chs.skywarn@noaa.gov chs.skywarn@noaa.gov

Questions?Questions?

NWS CharlestonNWS Charleston– 5777 South Aviation Ave.5777 South Aviation Ave.– N. Charleston, SC 29406N. Charleston, SC 29406– 843-744-0303843-744-0303– http://weather.gov/chshttp://weather.gov/chs

storm spotter training storm spotter training advanced level national weather service charleston, sc

weather hazardshow

mb5000 ft

air surrounding

potential energy of

air pocket

air parcels

jkg large buoyancyupdraft

thunderstorm formsingredients

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