severe weather warnings.....when to worry?

[Cheryl aka JM]

This morning on the news they told us we may have "severe weather warnings" this evening. Okay~ that brings up a question about WHEN does one worry about "severe weather"? I'm sure "Severe Weather" here in Alabama is more of a worry than in Southern California (in So Cal severe weather is 115F heat). When we lived in Nebraska (15 years ago) we did not have a storm shelter so when the weather got threatening we just worried and prayed a lot.

Here we have a nice storm shelter. It's not set up as a storm shelter yet (still has boxes of things we have not yet unpacked in it) but it's there. When do we need to go to the Storm Shelter? It's just raining now. Little bit of wind but not enough to frighten me. This is the first storm of the season so I'm not too worried just now....but it's only October. I'm sure it will get worse as the season progresses (or they would not have built this house with that nice big storm shelter). When do I gather up the family and sit in the cold, dark shelter?

[paulaswolfpack]

You should listen to the radio or TV to the weather reports when they give a warning for your county then get under cover take your radio and candles with you you should already have suppiles in your cellar,We just had the bad stuff last night with damage all allround stay safe,paula

[Cheryl aka JM]

This morning I'm collecting up some candles, a radio, and blankets to put in there just in case. The shelter is not set up yet~ but a few supplies in there are needed at least. So~ do we go to the shelter at a "Warning" or at a "watch"?

[cfabe]

Well I'm in Ohio not major tornado country but we get them occasionally. The "textbook" response is when you are under a warning it means that the weather event has been confirmed to exist or is certian to happen. When you are under a watch it means that the conditions are favorable but nothing is actually happening yet. So using that logic you should go to the shelter when you are under a Tornado Warning only.

But honestly it seems foolish to me. Around here they put up a warning for an entire county when there is one small storm cell moving across. I guarantee you everyone in the county isn't heading down to the basement. So I turn on the TV and see where the tornado is headed, or listen to the spotters on ham radio which is about 5-10 minutes ahead of the TV information. Or just look out the window. If you see funnel clouds or stuff flying around in the air, it's time to go to the shelter.

[brosil]

We hit the basement when the sirens go off. Of course, the sirens didn't go off last time.

[stanb999]

We love storm warnings. They can get you real excited. But for the most part they mean nothing (HERE).

As an example.
I guess it was last week. The weather service Comes across the TV. Severe Thunderstorm Watch. This Means a severe thunderstorm is Located in and expected to inpact the following counties in North Eastern PA. Northern Wayne, Southern Wayne, Susquhanna, Pike, Ect.........

Then they go on ot tell you that a severe thunderstorm is when winds are in excess of 60 Miles an hour or Hail is in excess of 3/4". They say you should Shelter in a substantial building...ECT.....Ect...

So you run out check on the critters. Get them in if you can. You get to the computer. check the radar. NOPE. Staying well south. Ohh well.

This is what always happens here. The weather service seems to forget that the mountains nock the snot out of the storms. So we just get rain.

But come winter... Thats when it really gets fun.

First you get the Winter Weather Advisory.
-----------------------------------------
To Them Its
A Winter Weather Advisory is issued by the National Weather Service of the United States when a low pressure system produces a combination of winter weather (snow, freezing rain, or sleet) that presents a hazard, but does not meet warning criteria. A Winter Weather Advisory is similar to significant weather alert, though a winter weather advisory is an official product

To you it means Nothing. Maybe snow,rain, clear sky's. Get the Quigi board
It will tell YA.


Winter Storm warning.
-----------------------
To them.
WINTER STORM WARNING - Issued when hazardous winter weather in the form of heavy snow, heavy freezing rain, or heavy sleet is occurring. Winter Storm Warnings are usually issued 12 to 24 hours before the event is expected.

To You.
That means you go to the store and get milk, bread, eggs, Chips and Salsa, and most of all BEER.

---------------------------------------------------------------
Then you get the Heavy snow advisory.

To Them
Heavy snow is possible 7 inches or more Likely With snow rates in excess of 1 inch an Hour.


That means you get the tractor/snow blower checked to see if it will run. Start drinking beer as work is most likely cancelled.

---------------------------------------------------------------------
Then it starts snowing. AHHH. No wait it's manna from heaven. Lets go for a walk in the winter wonderland. Yes, Of course you kids can make snow angles. Sure I'll help with the snow man. After a while it's can't we go make some hot cocoa. Ok, But lets get some wood for the stove.

[dixiegal62]

if your in the north Alabama area, news channel 19 is the best station to watch for advance warning IMO, get a weather radio also. I say trust your instinct , I would rather take my kids and grandkids to a shelter only to find out it wasn't going to be bad, than to wait for a warning and be too late. Sometimes warning are not fast enough.
Depending on where you live you may not have a good clear view of the sky to see one coming ( we are surrounded by very tall trees so its hard to look for wall clouds and tornados forming ) and its very hard to run to a shelter when when a tornado is pretty much on top of you. years ago I almost had my then 5 yr old son ripped out of my hands when a surprise T hit, he was being whipped about so hard it was like holding a kite!
My advice is get your shelter ready for use, with cold weather coming its T season. Get a battery operated radio and flash light to keep out there. Keep its swept out ( I hate spiders and they love shelters ! )

[Scrounger]

Don't take them lightly. When you are under a WATCH, this means that conditions are FAVORABLE for the development of a severe storm/tornado. A WARNING means that the storm is comfired by radar and/or weaqther spotters(or the public). Get things ready when you are under a WATCH (check your animals, etc) and keep an ear to the radio - eye to the sky. When you hear the warning - or SEE the storm coming - head to the cellar. Don't wait until the WARNING is issued to check on things. Sure, it MIGHT be for the other end of the county, but taking time to find out might cost you. Don't rely on sirens, they might not go off or you might not be close enough to hear them. Be careful, be watchful and be ready.

[Cheryl aka JM]

Thanks~ I appreciate all the advice. We are in North Alabama so I will put the TV on 19 this afternoon if the weather looks bad (looks fine right now). Do you happen to know what radio station is best in North Alabama so I can tune the radio to the right station and then leave it in the shelter with extra batteries?

I don't think we will get sirens out here~ we are pretty rural. I guess I'll find out the first time there is actually severe weather. When we lived in Nebraska they had sirens~ they only went off twice there but it was never bad. When we lived in Alaska there were no sirens and I don't think we ever got weather nasty enough to worry about blowing the house down (just lots and lots of snow). This will be our first Winter here and I'm very worried about severe weather here~ guess I'll just have to learn as we go along. So far this morning I have packed up all the spare bedding and pillows out of the closet I was using for linens and into the shelter (They are in those "space saving vacuum bags" so that should protect them from any moisture or spiders). Next I'm going to find the radio and the spare batteries~ bottle up some water and put the halloween candy in there (hide it from the family and have something to eat if we wind up in there!) and maybe a few books and a deck of cards. Anything else I should put in there?

Thanks so much!

[travlnusa]

Saw a news report a few weeks back that they have changed how they issue watches and warning.

Rather than issue a warning for a whole county, they are now doing it based on track of storm. Our area has been part of the test for the past year, and it is pretty good.

The down side is the sirens and weather warning radios have not kept up, and will go off as usual.

Good advise given above. I check buildings and critters at watch, and hide at warning, or sooner if I see it myself.

[Cheryl aka JM]

Thats another good question. The critters. I don't have any yet~ well I do but I have plans for those ~the dogs and cats will go to the shelter with me, the snakes will stay in their racks in the basement and the rats/mice will have to hope for the best in the garage (I can't imagine trying to take a couple dozen racks of rodents and snakes into a storm shelter!)

I plan to get chickens, goats and cows eventually (after I build a barn or something like one and learn a lot more about them). I can't imagine taking those into the shelter either......So what do you do? I assume you lock them up in the barn (or whatever shelter you've built for them). But I was thinking of building one of those chicken houses you could move (the "tractors").....aren't those kind of just begging to get picked up and thrown across state lines in a big wind? I hadn't thought about that before.....what do you do when you have a severe weather warning for them?

[Tricky Grama]

Here when they say "severe weather" it means it's gonna rain. So just about no one pays any attention. Big thunderstorm w/lightening & the weatherman is breaking onto the scheduled programs. Everyone gets mad. After all, Dr. Pill is more important!

Patty

[Callieslamb]

get the storm cellar ready. today. Then, when and if -you are ready. Nothing liking having a shelter that doesn't do you any good.

number 2 - emergency radio
number 3 - turning it on.

Sometimes - you will be told a tornado is in your area. sometimes you won't. sometimes the only warning you will have is when it hits. that is the problem with tornadoes. When there is a watch (conditions favorable) get things ready to go - round up the kids -know where they are, keep them close. Then, if you see the clouds coming in and wind picking up - run.

Better to go and feel stupid than not go and wonder where child number 4 is.

I live in TN -we had our entire downtown destroyed a few years ago. Tornadoes aren't something to fool wiht - but as we live in T alley longer- we all relax.

If I had a shelter - which I don't - I woudl have it stocked so when a storm came, I would just go there and sleep and get a good night's rest and not worry about the storm. DH was up all night last night worrying. The Internet was out- the TV dish was out.....he didn't think to go get the radio. Now it will be in our bedroom.....

[Ravenlost]

Where in north AL are you? I'm from NW AL. We lost a cousin and her 15-year-old daughter to a tornado that hit Carbon Hill, AL a few years back. They were outside and did not hear the radio warnings.

TAKE THEM SERIOUSLY. If you are under a warning, take cover immediately. If the sky looks yellow and there is hail, take cover. A tornado may be very near.

Alabama has lots of tornadoes. The storms that came through here yesterday/last night had very strong winds. I'm sure these are the storms you are getting now. Stay alert, but don't panic.

[Cheryl aka JM]

We are a bit South of Huntsville in Falkville (really close to Cullman). The sky does not look at all bad right now~ but I agree we need to get things figured out. I put the inflatable beds down there (if power goes out one of the nonsmoking family members will have to blow them up or I'll pass out trying to do it!) and all the spare bedding/pillows. Put some food (junk food mostly and a gallon of water I had on hand) spare batteries and a couple flashlights down there. I'm gonna drive into town and buy a new radio shortly......I pulled out the old one I knew we had.....someone cut the antenna off it. I have no clue why~ or when~ but the antenna is gone! THAT won't do any good!

I'll get after Hubby to get his still to be unpacked boxes out of there~ or at least organise them so they are not so messy tonight.

I am planning on getting the kids new beds for Christmas~ when I do that I think I will take thier bunkbeds and put them in the shelter rather than getting rid of them. Won't be the most comfortable place.....but better than out in the storm!

[AngieM2]

Cheryl -
nice storm shelter is nice, but whatever is there or not, when you hear a warning GET IN IT! Keep a radio or tv (I prefer a battery tv so I can watch the storm cells) and keep it on, even if you have to turn it up loud in another room.

And like Ravenlost said - if that sky turns a yellow or putrid green, it's almost on you, DUCK.

And I live in a mobile home, so I really watch and will be paying very close attention to the clouds and radars tonight.

Also, this is the season and the first or the last, it does not matter one little bit, any and all can do damage.

When I see a pretty day, and the next day is 15-20 degrees cooler, you can almost bet the farm on severe weather between those two days. So while today we may get some storms, watch out for Sunday/Monday - the weather temps are more extreme.

Angie

[Jim S.]

Originally Posted by dixiegal62

if your in the north Alabama area, news channel 19 is the best station to watch for advance warning IMO, get a weather radio also. I say trust your instinct , I would rather take my kids and grandkids to a shelter only to find out it wasn't going to be bad, than to wait for a warning and be too late. Sometimes warning are not fast enough.
Depending on where you live you may not have a good clear view of the sky to see one coming ( we are surrounded by very tall trees so its hard to look for wall clouds and tornados forming ) and its very hard to run to a shelter when when a tornado is pretty much on top of you. years ago I almost had my then 5 yr old son ripped out of my hands when a surprise T hit, he was being whipped about so hard it was like holding a kite!
My advice is get your shelter ready for use, with cold weather coming its T season. Get a battery operated radio and flash light to keep out there. Keep its swept out ( I hate spiders and they love shelters ! )

I ignore all severe weather warnings from the Huntsville doofuses. They are, as a whole, a bunch of alarmists who feed on fear. Dan ("Get in the closet, kids!") Satterfield is the worst one, on channel 31. But they all just get way too excited over storms we would have called normal thunderstorms in my youth.

That's cuz they have all invested heavily in all this equipment, and they just HAVE TO USE IT!

If someone is seriously concerned about knowing when the weather is severe enough to get worried, I suggest they take a storm watchers course in their local area. Then they will be equipped to pretty much be able to tell.

I've been in a couple of tornadoes, a couple of near-miss tornadoes, and two hurricanes. I refuse to live my life in fear because some yahoo is on the boob tube screaming at me over what is basically just a garden-variety thunderstorm. I've been at social gatherings in Huntsville where people have just become unhinged because the TV hints around that a tornado may be coming. It's sad.

On the flip side of my rant, I find it apalling that these vidiot weatherfolks are actually serving to inure many of the general public from their warnings, so that when a tornado really is imminent, people could die out of a disregard of the warnings.

I know personally what to look for, and I am very confident of my storm safety.

I had a visitor from South Dakota, and the tube started going off about tornado, tornado, tornado!!!! I'm sitting there in our living room calmly.

"What we gonna do? Where we going to shelter!" my visitor asked, alarmed.

"Don't worry about that," I said. "It's nothing."

We had a nice garden variety t-storm then, with gusts to 25 mph. As usual. Big deal.

"Wow," my visitor said. "Man, when they tell us to take cover where I live, you'd better get going. I guess it's not like that around here, huh?"

"Nope."

There is actually now something of a movement out of Huntsville broadcasters to actively tone down some of the inflamatory weather fear-mongering. Not a moment too soon, in my view.

[Windy in Kansas]

Originally Posted by Cheryl aka JM

This morning I'm collecting up some candles, a radio, and blankets to put in there just in case. The shelter is not set up yet~ but a few supplies in there are needed at least. So~ do we go to the shelter at a "Warning" or at a "watch"?

Meteorologists issue information that warnings may be issued later in the day or even the next day.

In the next progression toward severe weather watches are issued, meaning storms may develop suddenly based on observed conditions.

Finally after conditions arise that warrant immediate threats, warnings are issued most often for a specific area whereas watches are for a general area.

I tend to keep informed of watches through the weather given over the Internet. When watches turn into warnings or radar shows fronts are moving closer I then turn on the television to local weather and start watching radar more closely on both television and over the Internet.

I prefer http://www.wunderground.com It is easy use and can somewhat tailored to suit oneself. I subscribe in order to not have advertisements and to help the business keep going. Cost is $5 or $10, I don't remember which.

The radar Wunderground uses is the same one my favorite local meteorologist uses and a specific area can be zoomed in on to determine more closely the proximity to oneself.

For me the final call is when the city sounds siren warnings.

[AngieM2]

One slight correction to the Jim S post - Dan Satterfield is ch 48, not ch31.

I personally prefer ch31 and gauging the weather by the radar traces and not what they say.

Angie

[turtlehead]

Originally Posted by Cheryl aka JM

I plan to get chickens, goats and cows eventually (after I build a barn or something like one and learn a lot more about them). I can't imagine taking those into the shelter either......So what do you do? I assume you lock them up in the barn (or whatever shelter you've built for them). But I was thinking of building one of those chicken houses you could move (the "tractors").....aren't those kind of just begging to get picked up and thrown across state lines in a big wind? I hadn't thought about that before.....what do you do when you have a severe weather warning for them?

This is a great question that I'd like to see comments on, too.

Anyone?