Tornado Signs
March 28, 2012, Submitted by: Ken
What are the signs of a tornado?
How do you know that a tornado may be forming or approaching?
When looking at the bottom of the cloud base and notice that it is rotating (rather than just gliding along), it is a sign that a tornado may develop from within it.
Look for a lowering of the storm cloud base to what is called a wall cloud, a large lowering cloud formation. This is a potential tornado sign.
If you notice an area of whirling dust debris above the ground (similar to a ‘dust devil’ but bigger), and it is beneath a large storm cloud base, it may be a tornado sign – one may have formed but is still up in the cloud.
If you are in a storm with heavy rain and hail, and it suddenly stops and becomes eerily quiet, it may be a sign of an impending rain-wrapped tornado. An intense wind shift after the dead-calm is a further sign.
If the sky becomes a greenish black color, it may be a tornado sign.
The storm’s updraft creates hail and is located right above the tornado, so, hail (especially large golf ball size or larger) is a sign indicative of a possible tornado.
A loud continuous roar, rumble, or waterfall sound which does not quickly fade out like thunder will, may be a sign that a tornado is approaching. Other sounds are similar to a train or a jet.
If you notice debris falling from the sky, it may be a sign that a tornado has formed and has scoured objects from the ground – hurling them up to great distances.
If at night you see bright ground flashes near a thunderstorm (blue-green-white), it may be a sign that a tornado is blowing out power transformers and power lines there.
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Tornadoes in 2012
March 18, 2012, Submitted by: Ken
Map of 2012 tornadoes (data through 5/16)
Press ‘Ctrl’ and ‘F5′ to refresh image since the last time you checked – will update throughout season
The number of tornadoes during 2012 is continuing to increase. The peak number of tornadoes historically occurs in June. The tornado statistics are listed below.
How many tornadoes in 2012?
Jan (97)
Feb (63)
Mar (225)
Apr (233)
May (71) So far… to May 16
Number of Tornadoes during the past 3 years
2010 All year (1,543)
2011 All year (1,894)
2012 (689) So far… to May 16
…of weather interest
U.S. Live Regional Radar of 12 zones around the nation
Weather page of live national satellite, radar, temperatures, severe outlook, and lightning
Emergency preparedness for severe weather includes being aware of local forecasts and conditions. Owning a weather radio – one that will alert you when there is severe weather nearby, is essential.
List of best weather radios 2011
Top weather radios 2012
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Emergency Alert System 101
March 4, 2012, Submitted by: Ken
The Emergency Alert System is a national public warning system.
The FCC (Federal Communications Commission), along with FEMA (Federal Emergency Management Agency) and the NWS (National Weather Service), implements the Emergency Alert System.
The NWS develops emergency weather information to alert the public about imminent dangerous weather conditions.
The director of FEMA is responsible (through authority of the President) for activation of the Emergency Alert System at the national level.
The FCC’s role includes determining the technical rules and standards for the Emergency Alert System.
The Emergency Alert System requires…
- broadcasters
- cable television systems
- wireless cable systems
- satellite digital audio radio service providers
- direct broadcast satellite providers
…to provide the communications capability to the President to address the American public during a national emergency. The system also may be used by state and local authorities to deliver important emergency information, such as AMBER alerts and weather information targeted to specific areas.
The Emergency Alert System used to be named the Emergency Broadcast System.
A typical public-alert-certified Weather Radio will receive the signal from the activation of the Emergency Alert System (as well as weather radio broadcasts and warnings).
NOAA Weather Radio is a nationwide network of radio stations broadcasting continuous weather information from a nearby National Weather Service office transmitting National Weather Service warnings, watches, forecasts and other hazard information 24 hours a day. In addition, NWR broadcasts warning and post-event information for all types of natural hazards, such as earthquakes and volcano activity, and technological events, such as chemical releases or oil spills.
The NWR network has more than 870 transmitters operating at these locations.
Do you have a weather radio?
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A Weather Radio To Save Your Life
March 2, 2012, Submitted by: Ken
Given the recent weather headlines of incredible numbers of tornadoes, tornado warnings, and severe thunderstorms, it is appropriate to mention once again the importance of having a weather radio. Imagine going to bed at night knowing that your region is under a threat of severe weather. How well would you sleep, not knowing if severe weather will sweep over your head during the night?
A weather radio equipped with an automatic alert (most are) will wake you up in the middle of the night and give you time to get downstairs to the basement or shelter. A weather radio is not expensive. In fact it is one of the cheapest forms of life insurance that you can buy.
Some of these weather radios can be uniquely programmed to only alert you based on your local county, and some can even be programmed to only wake you up at night based on your own preferences of warning types. For example, you may not wish to be awakened at 2AM for a weather ‘advisory’ or something that you don’t consider to be severe enough to be awakened at night.
Awhile ago I wrote a brief summary article which is a review of the best weather radios at that time, based on a few of my own parameters. Have a look for yourself. The ongoing most popular weather radio continues to be the MIDLAND WR300 Weather Radio
Two additional intriguing models are…
Sangean CL-100
Midland HH54VP
There have been record numbers of tornadoes the past few years and it doesn’t appear to be letting up. Regardless of the underlying cause, the fact is that it’s happening. Don’t risk your life without a weather radio. Be prepared.
Where is Tornado Alley?
There are several areas that can be considered “Tornado Alley”. The area from central Texas to Colorado, North Dakota and Minnesota commonly gets this poorly defined label. But there is also a tornado-prone area that extends eastward from Texas to Georgia that can be considered as a Tornado Alley, and still another “alley” from Arkansas to the Ohio River and the Great Lake states of Ohio, Indiana, Illinois and Michigan. Florida gets more small tornadoes per square mile than any other state, but so few big ones that most people don’t consider it as a “tornado alley”. Southern New England seems to have its own little “tornado alley” in western Massachusetts and Connecticut.
What can I do at home for tornado emergency preparedness?
At home, have a family tornado plan in place, based on the kind of dwelling you live in and the safety tips below. Know where you can take shelter in a matter of seconds, and practice a family tornado drill at least once a year. Have a pre-determined place to meet after a disaster. Flying debris is the greatest danger in tornadoes; so store protective coverings (e.g., mattress, sleeping bags, thick blankets, etc) in or next to your shelter space, ready to use on a few seconds’ notice. When a tornado watch is issued, think about the drill and check to make sure all your safety supplies are handy.
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5 Best Weather Radios for 2012
January 24, 2012, Submitted by: Ken
The top 5 best weather radios for early 2012, (popular, with the least number of bad reviews coupled with the number of good reviews) as measured from Amazon statistical data are as follows…
# 1 First Alert Public Alert Radio
# 2 Sangean CL-100 Table Top Weather Radio
# 3 Midland WR-120B NOAA Weather Alert All Hazard
# 4 Midland WR-300 Weather Radio
# 5 Midland WR-100 Weather Radio
How did we determine what is the best weather radio? This year, not only did we look at the overall number of sales (popularity) and the total number of reviews (which reflect a product’s popularity), but we factored in the percentage of ‘bad’ reviews as a percentage of overall reviews.
The thinking was that the weather radio with the least percentage of poor reviews coupled with the overall number of good reviews would provide a better overall indicator of a product’s rating.
Good = 3, 4, 5-Star ratings
Bad = 1, 2-Star ratings
The ‘First Alert’ weather radio won first place while using this method with 100% ‘good’ reviews. Total: 120 reviews.
The Sangean CL-100 tabletop weather radio took second place with 94% good reviews. Total: 64 reviews.
The Midland WR-120B weather radio came in third with 91% good reviews. Total: 105 reviews.
The Midland WR-300 has been the most popular selling weather radio by far for several years and has 768 reviews, 87% ‘good’.
The Midland WR-100 has been the second most popular selling weather radio with 350 reviews, 86% of them are ‘good’.
Weather radios are not expensive, and can be life-saving insurance. As a prepper, I would not be caught without one.
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