Thoughts on Tornado Season 2024

By -
There's little chance of a major tornado situation for the rest of the month of February. 
However, once we get past February, both the statistical probability of tornadoes increases and, in this case, some long-range model data points to an above average March. That is why I would like to urge you to consider your tornado preparations. 

Here are a few thoughts:
  • If you do not have a "safe room" or a storm shelter, the safest place is in a basement under heavy furniture such as a pool table. Rehearse taking shelter there with your children.
  • If you do not have a shelter or basement, then get into a bathroom or closet in the middle of the house. The theory is to put as many walls as possible between you and the tornado. Laying down in the bathtub is a good idea. Again, rehearse taking shelter there with your children. 
  • If you are in public, avoid buildings with large roofs without support poles. For example, look at the Joplin High School (below).
    Photo: ESPN
    The main building, while damaged, is relatively intact. The high school is destroyed. That is why large buildings of that type are dangerous in tornadoes. I tell the story of the Joplin Tornado here.
It is vital you have a 24/7 method of being warned when tornadoes threaten. 
  • StormWarn will call you -- but only when you need to shelter -- tornadoes and 80+mph winds when you are in the specific path of the storm. 
  • Weather Radios are offered at many types of stores. Purchase one where they will program it for you. Personally, I would not have it alarm for severe thunderstorm warnings. I would have it set to go off for tornadoes, flash floods, ice storm and blizzard warnings. But, keep in mind, weather radios will go off if a warning is issued for any part of your county, so there will be false alarms. 
  • Apps like AccuWeather's. The good news is they are free and they will only go off if you are in the path of the storm. The bad news is the sound they make might not be loud enough to awaken you at night. 
I recommend you have at least two of the above. 

Finally, some quality advice regarding storm season preparations. 

If you would like to read the fascinating story of how the tornado warning system -- that saves so many lives -- came to be, go here. 

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

[1:10am Update] Tornado Forecast for Rest of the Night

By -
Image
Thank you  for coming to read my tornado coverage from Saturday and Saturday night. As there were about 100,000 brand new readers, please allow me to introduce myself. I the retired Sr. VP of AccuWeather Enterprise Solutions and retired Fellow of the American Meteorological Society. Specialized for 50 years in extreme weather forecasts and warnings. I invite you to bookmark this site:   https://www.mikesmithenterprisesblog.com/    Timely forecasts of tornadoes, floods, blizzards and hurricanes are provided. On slower weather days we talk about global warming, science and issues of interest to society. On Sundays, we usually lighten things a bit. For real-time storm warning bulletins, you can follow me here:   @usweatherexpert .  Thanks again  for reading! ---Last night's Coverage --- After 16 straight hours, I must call it a night. All of the information below is current as of 1:10am. Thank you for reading and goodnight.  As of 12:35am, much of south central Oklahoma has no electr
Read more

First Tornado Watch of the Day Issued

By -
Image
Unfortunately, the forecast is working out. A tornado watch is already in effect in Oklahoma and Texas.  This watch is in effect until 1pm.  Thunderstorms are developing in the southeast Texas Panhandle. They will move northeast and strengthen. Please keep a close eye on the weather in these areas.  I'll have comprehensive forecast up in 60-90 minutes.
Read more

Hilary's Forecast Path Shifts West; Updated 9:20am PDT

By -
Image
The forecast path of the center of Hilary has shifted a bit to the west. This increases the threat to the Southland, especially in terms of flooding.  Rainfall Note the heavy rains are forecast for Los Angeles County. Serious flash flooding may result. Because the forecast path has shifted to the west, that increases the threat of serious flooding in Los Angeles County north into Yosemite and the southern Sierra. It lessens the threat in Utah and western Arizona. While the threat of widespread flooding in Utah and Arizona lessens, note that some thunderstorms with localized heavy rain show up on the map.  In Nevada, the more western path increases the risk of serious flooding around Mt Charleston and into the central part of the state.  Here is the updated  (9am PDT) flash flood risk map. Wind There are already about 40,000 people without power in California, mostly in the center of the state.  The maps above are the peak gusts forecasted with the storm. The highest winds, in general,
Read more