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2012: THE YEAR OF THE WATERSPOUT. 2013 Great Lakes Operational Meteorology Workshop Wade Szilagyi Meteorological Service of Canada April 9, 2013. Record Year For Waterspouts Over The Great Lakes. Highlights. Major media event on several occasions
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2012: THE YEAR OF THE WATERSPOUT 2013 Great Lakes Operational Meteorology Workshop Wade Szilagyi Meteorological Service of Canada April 9, 2013
Highlights • Major media event on several occasions “Record Year for Waterspouts in Great Lakes” “Weekend waterspouts across Great Lakes are part of record year” “Why So Many Waterspouts in the Great Lakes?”
Highlights • Waterspout seen passing by on national TV during NFL football game in Cleveland
Highlights • Freighter sees a family of 6 waterspouts on Lake Michigan
Highlights • Waterspouts seen coming onshore on separate occasions http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=syCZcpsK1DQ
Highlights • First 24/7 waterspout forecast product (experimental) used in any weather centre (OSPC)
Highlights • Bird watching excursion boat dodges 10 waterspouts on Lake Erie • First special marine statement for waterspouts issued by the OSPC based on a live web cam picture
Why A Record Year? Water temperatures well above average
Why A Record Year? Increased reporting through social media and media web sites
Why A Record Year? First time use of SWI forecasts by public / mariners / media / storm chasers / weather centers
Why A Record Year? • Increased coordination with storm chaser groups and individuals Storm Trackers of Wayne County, New York West Michigan Storm Chasers Southern Ontario Storm Chasers International Centre For Waterspout Research (ICWR) Observers
Case Study • September 9, 2012 • 30+ waterspouts • 16 waterspouts seen by one storm chaser
1400Z Sat Pic 1 waterspout (1600Z) 12 waterspouts (1430-1530Z) 17 waterspouts (13-18Z)