Unit B – Severe sTorms & Storm Chasing

1. Unit B – Severe sTorms& Storm Chasing Chapter 5: Storm Chasing (MetEd, Into the Storm) Chapter 6: Lightning, Thunder, Tornados Chapter 7: Tropical Storms & Hurricanes Mr. Hartwell

2. Chapter 5:Storm chasing & spotting A safety course in chasing, spotting, and reporting Severe Weather

3. Inherent dangers Thousands of people chase severe weather in the United States Thrill seekers side by side with professionals Beware: Serious injury or death may occur

4. Basics of storm spotting • Who can be a spotter? • What spotters look for • SKYWARN spotter training • Types & stages of thunderstorms • Severe weather mechanics • Thunderstorms, tornados, hurricanes • Safety when chasing & spotting

5. NO UNAUTHRORIZED STORM CHASING! • Serious injury can occur • Course does notcertify you to be a chaser • Course does raise awareness of threats and safety measures • Course does certify you to be a NWS storm spotter & reporter • Anytrainedperson may be a storm spotter

6. Spotters look for: Tornados Funnel Clouds Wall & shelf clouds Rain free cloud base Convective supercells Downbursts Lightning, hail, gusty wind, flooding, snow Any weather-related hazard!

7. Skywarn spotter training • This course covers the basics of being a SKYWARN Spotter. • Goals: • Provide baseline training for all spotters in communication and spotter report criteria • Safety considerations for all hazards

8. Skywarn modules Module 1: Role of the SKYWARN Spotter Module 2: SKYWARN Spotter Convective Basics

9. At the conclusion of spotter training… • Pass the 2 module quizzes • Earn & print your certificate of completion • Register with the NWS (National Weather Service) office in Binghamton • Begin spotting & reporting severe weather!

10. www.meted.ucar.edu Skywarn spotter trainingGoal #1: Enroll in spotter training schoolGoal #2: Pass Module 1 – earn certificateGoal #3: Pass module 2 – earn certificategoal #4: register with the Nws

11. Basics of Storm Chasing Types of Thunderstorms Single cell Multicell cluster Multicell line Supercell Rear flank Classic Front flank

13. Single cell

14. Multi cell Cluster

15. Line (Squall line)

16. Line (Squall line)

17. Multicell line

18. Supercell storm

19. Supercell storm

20. Types of Supercells Rear flank Classic Front flank

21. Rear flank supercells • Low precipitation (LP) • Updrafts in “rear” of storm (trailing) • Hail is difficult to discern • No “bow echo” visible on radar

22. Classic supercells • Large, flat updraft cloud bases • Heavy precipitation • Large hail • Potential for strong, long-lived tornados

24. Front flank supercells • High precipitation (HP) • Updraft in front of storm (leading edge) • Wall cloud formation likely • Tornados wrapped in rain • Extremely heavy precipitation and flash flooding

25. Front flank supercells

26. Wall cloud in hpsupercells

27. Dangers of Supercell Chasing Bad driving Gusty winds /Tornado death Hail Heavy rain / Hydroplaning Lightning strike Core punching No escape plan

28. Core punching • NOT RECOMMENDED! • Even for the most advanced and experienced storm chaser

29. Core punching • NOT RECOMMENDED! • Rushing through rain/hail to catch up to a storm moving away from you • The only way to glimpse the tornado, or you’ve missed it • Highly dangerous • Poor visibility • Heavy rain/hail • Tornados may be masked in rain, or just beyond the rain/hail boundary • IT MAY BE TOO LATE -- DEATH MAY OCCUR!

30. Core punching

31. Core punching

32. Core punching

33. Core punching

34. Notes on Safety #1 most dangerous place: highways Pull all the way off the road Ensure you have plenty of fuel (1/2 tank rule)

46. Begin spotting & reporting severe weather! • Pass the 2 module quizzes (Sept./Nov.) • Earn & print your certificates of completion • Register with the NWS (National Weather Service) office in Binghamton • Be safe!