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The week of April 28 through May 4 is Severe Weather Awareness Week in New York state. Each day of the week, a new topic related to severe weather safety and awareness will be highlighted.
Friday's topic is flooding.
The Twin Tiers region of New York and Pennsylvania is one of the most flood-prone areas in the country.
According the National Weather Service, among weather-related natural hazards, flooding is the No. 1 killer in the United States.
There are several types of flooding that you need to be aware of.
The first is flash flooding. It is the most dangerous. When a flash flood warning is issued, it means rapid, life-threatening flooding is occurring, or will soon begin. You need to take action immediately to protect your life and property if you are in the danger area. Move to higher ground and get away from the danger area. Never drive through water-covered roadways. Your vehicle could be swept away. As the saying goes, "turn around, don't drown."
Another type of flooding is river flooding. River flooding is slower than flash flooding and can have a much larger impact on properties and structures. When a river flood warning is issued, it means that river levels are expected to reach a certain flood stage. It is important to understand that not all river flooding is catastrophic. You need to be aware of it and be prepared to take action.
For more information on what the different flood stages mean:click here.
For more information on Flood Watches and Warnings click here.
For additional flood safety information click here.
Friday's topic is flooding.
The Twin Tiers region of New York and Pennsylvania is one of the most flood-prone areas in the country.
According the National Weather Service, among weather-related natural hazards, flooding is the No. 1 killer in the United States.
There are several types of flooding that you need to be aware of.
The first is flash flooding. It is the most dangerous. When a flash flood warning is issued, it means rapid, life-threatening flooding is occurring, or will soon begin. You need to take action immediately to protect your life and property if you are in the danger area. Move to higher ground and get away from the danger area. Never drive through water-covered roadways. Your vehicle could be swept away. As the saying goes, "turn around, don't drown."
Another type of flooding is river flooding. River flooding is slower than flash flooding and can have a much larger impact on properties and structures. When a river flood warning is issued, it means that river levels are expected to reach a certain flood stage. It is important to understand that not all river flooding is catastrophic. You need to be aware of it and be prepared to take action.
For more information on what the different flood stages mean:click here.
For more information on Flood Watches and Warnings click here.
For additional flood safety information click here.
This week (April 28th-May 4th) is Severe Weather Awareness Week in New York State. Each day, a new topic related to severe weather safety will be highlighted.
Thursday's topic is tornadoes.
What is a tornado? A tornado is a violently rotating column of air in contact with the earth's land surface that originates from a thunderstorm (usually severe).
How does a tornado form? A tornado forms from the twisting of rising air. Twisting will not occur if the winds are too light or if the wind does not significantly change direction and speed with height. If the lower levels of the atmosphere twists from wind shear (change in direction and speed with height), the air will be forced upwards and start to spin. If the balance between the twisting motion and instability release is just right, a tornado will form.
What should you do when a tornado watch is issued? Go about your normal activities, but watch the sky around you for developing storms. Periodically keep updated with the latest forecasts. Know which county you live in, and which ones border your community. If you are on vacation, or driving through an unfamiliar area, remember the name of the county you are in, and where you are in relation to other towns or cities. Know how to get to a safe place quickly if a warning is issued for your area, or if thunderstorms approach.
When is a tornado warning issued? A tornado warning is issued when doppler weather radar shows a developing tornado, or a when tornado has been sighted. The warning means a tornado is going to move through your county soon, so you need to take immediate action to protect your life and property. tornado warnings are issued by national weather service offices, typically for one county, or a portion of a county, for up to one hour.
Thursday's topic is tornadoes.
What is a tornado? A tornado is a violently rotating column of air in contact with the earth's land surface that originates from a thunderstorm (usually severe).
How does a tornado form? A tornado forms from the twisting of rising air. Twisting will not occur if the winds are too light or if the wind does not significantly change direction and speed with height. If the lower levels of the atmosphere twists from wind shear (change in direction and speed with height), the air will be forced upwards and start to spin. If the balance between the twisting motion and instability release is just right, a tornado will form.
What should you do when a tornado watch is issued? Go about your normal activities, but watch the sky around you for developing storms. Periodically keep updated with the latest forecasts. Know which county you live in, and which ones border your community. If you are on vacation, or driving through an unfamiliar area, remember the name of the county you are in, and where you are in relation to other towns or cities. Know how to get to a safe place quickly if a warning is issued for your area, or if thunderstorms approach.
When is a tornado warning issued? A tornado warning is issued when doppler weather radar shows a developing tornado, or a when tornado has been sighted. The warning means a tornado is going to move through your county soon, so you need to take immediate action to protect your life and property. tornado warnings are issued by national weather service offices, typically for one county, or a portion of a county, for up to one hour.
This week (April 28th-May 4th) is Severe Weather Awareness Week in New York State. Each day, a new topic related to severe weather safety will be highlighted.
Tuesday’s topic answers the question: what are severe thunderstorms?
The National Weather Service considers a thunderstorm severe if it produces hail at least three-quarters of an inch in diameter, has winds of 58 miles per hour or higher, or produces a tornado.
Severe thunderstorms are frequently embedded in low pressure systems or generated along a cold front. What of the keys for a severe thunderstorm to form is air that moves up (called an updraft) and feeds warm and humid air into the thunderstorm. You need ascending air to be 40 mph or greater to get larger hailstones (>3/4”). Of course, since an updraft carries large amounts of air up, large amounts of air will have to come down (called a downdraft). A downdraft can cause very high winds gusts (as much as 160 mph!). Downbursts can cause severe structural damage and uproot trees. A concentrated downburst (less than two and half miles in diameter) is called a microburst. These are frequently mistaken for tornadoes.
There are three types of severe thunderstorms: singlecell, multicell, and supercell. Singlecell thunderstorms are of limited size and duration and can produce short bursts of severe weather. Multicell thunderstorms are more persistent and have a greater impact. Finally, supercell thunderstorms are even more persistent with a constant rotating updraft known as a mesocyclone. Supercells are, by far, the most dangerous type of severe thunderstorms. If you hear the word supercell and a severe thunderstorm or tornado warning has been issued, watch out!
Tuesday’s topic answers the question: what are severe thunderstorms?
The National Weather Service considers a thunderstorm severe if it produces hail at least three-quarters of an inch in diameter, has winds of 58 miles per hour or higher, or produces a tornado.
Severe thunderstorms are frequently embedded in low pressure systems or generated along a cold front. What of the keys for a severe thunderstorm to form is air that moves up (called an updraft) and feeds warm and humid air into the thunderstorm. You need ascending air to be 40 mph or greater to get larger hailstones (>3/4”). Of course, since an updraft carries large amounts of air up, large amounts of air will have to come down (called a downdraft). A downdraft can cause very high winds gusts (as much as 160 mph!). Downbursts can cause severe structural damage and uproot trees. A concentrated downburst (less than two and half miles in diameter) is called a microburst. These are frequently mistaken for tornadoes.
There are three types of severe thunderstorms: singlecell, multicell, and supercell. Singlecell thunderstorms are of limited size and duration and can produce short bursts of severe weather. Multicell thunderstorms are more persistent and have a greater impact. Finally, supercell thunderstorms are even more persistent with a constant rotating updraft known as a mesocyclone. Supercells are, by far, the most dangerous type of severe thunderstorms. If you hear the word supercell and a severe thunderstorm or tornado warning has been issued, watch out!
Severe Weather Awareness Week in New York State continues.
Today's topic: Lightning safety.
Lightning is a thunderstorm's biggest killer. In 2012, lightning fatalities totaled 28 people in the United States, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Statistics show that more than 50 percent of lightning related deaths occurred after the storm has passed.
If caught outdoors during a thunderstorm, remember the "30/30 rule." Count the seconds between seeing lightning and hearing thunder. If the time is less than 30 seconds, lightning is a potential threat. Seek shelter immediately.
After the last lightning flash, wait 30 minutes before leaving shelter or returning to outdoor activities. Half of all lightning deaths occur after a storm passes.
Experts recommend having a plan in place for when a storm approaches. If you are outdoors, seek shelter in a sturdy building. Keep out of open areas. Stay away from tall objects, such as isolated trees, and metal objects, such as towers supporting power lines. Also stay away from wire fences, clotheslines, metal pipes and rails. If in an automobile, do not touch metal parts or the exterior.
For more lightning safety information click: Lightning Safety
Lightning is a thunderstorm's biggest killer. In 2012, lightning fatalities totaled 28 people in the United States, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Statistics show that more than 50 percent of lightning related deaths occurred after the storm has passed.
If caught outdoors during a thunderstorm, remember the "30/30 rule." Count the seconds between seeing lightning and hearing thunder. If the time is less than 30 seconds, lightning is a potential threat. Seek shelter immediately.
After the last lightning flash, wait 30 minutes before leaving shelter or returning to outdoor activities. Half of all lightning deaths occur after a storm passes.
Experts recommend having a plan in place for when a storm approaches. If you are outdoors, seek shelter in a sturdy building. Keep out of open areas. Stay away from tall objects, such as isolated trees, and metal objects, such as towers supporting power lines. Also stay away from wire fences, clotheslines, metal pipes and rails. If in an automobile, do not touch metal parts or the exterior.
For more lightning safety information click: Lightning Safety
The National Weather Service has designated this Severe Weather Awareness Week in New York. Each day we will post a blog about a new topic to help keep you informed about severe weather.
It is very important to know the difference between a watch and a warning when severe weather is a threat.
A WATCH means that the potential exists for the development of severe weather. In an example- thunderstorms which may produce large hail or damaging winds. When a watch is issued, in most cases it is fine to go about your regular business. It is important, however, to stay tuned to radio or television for updates. Keeping a careful eye on the weather is important as conditions can quickly worsen and watches may be upgraded to warnings.
A WARNING is one step up from a watch. It means that severe weather is occuring, or is imminent at that time. This can be an indication that a severe thunderstorm is moving through the area, or in some cases, that a tornado has been detected on radar. If a warning is issued, you should move indoors to a safe place. Warnings should always be taken very seriously.
It is very important to know the difference between a watch and a warning when severe weather is a threat.
A WATCH means that the potential exists for the development of severe weather. In an example- thunderstorms which may produce large hail or damaging winds. When a watch is issued, in most cases it is fine to go about your regular business. It is important, however, to stay tuned to radio or television for updates. Keeping a careful eye on the weather is important as conditions can quickly worsen and watches may be upgraded to warnings.
A WARNING is one step up from a watch. It means that severe weather is occuring, or is imminent at that time. This can be an indication that a severe thunderstorm is moving through the area, or in some cases, that a tornado has been detected on radar. If a warning is issued, you should move indoors to a safe place. Warnings should always be taken very seriously.
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