How Do We Predict Weather? General Weather Information Clouds, rain, thunderstorms, etc.

What is the National Weather Service??

Organizational Structure… U. S. Department of Commerce (International Trade, US Business Growth, Aid in Technological Advancement) National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) (Climate, Ocean Life, Satellites, Research) National Weather Service (Forecasts, Warnings, River Data, Weather Safety)

What We Do Climate Forecasts and Warnings Produce Weather, Water and -For All Americans -To Protect Life and Property -To Enhance the National Economy Data and Products: -Government Agencies -Private Sector -The Public -Global Communities Weather and data are becoming more important to the economy and business decisions

National Weather Service Our Primary Mission: The protection of lives and property Watches, warnings, and advisories for: -Severe Thunderstorms -Floods -Winter Storms -Tornados -Flash Floods

Advisory: Just so you know… Watch: Stay Alert! Warning: Take Cover NOW!

National Weather Service 122 Weather Forecast Offices (CONUS, AK, HI, Guam and Puerto Rico)

National Weather Service Forecast Office Austin/San Antonio, TX

WEATHER FORECASTING This problem has two parts . . . Analyze: What’s going on right now? Forecast: What’s going to happen?

Analyzing the Weather Surface Observations . . . mostly at airports . . . can be taken by people Or by machines such as the ASOS - Automated Surface Observing System

COOPERATIVE OBSERVERS Volunteer weather observers Daily temperature and precipitation reports River level reports Important for ground truth

Of course, we can’t forget radar! It can see father - with greater detail and more power than any other weather radar in the world!! So sensitive . . . it can detect birds . . . bats . . . bugs and pollen in the air . . . and leaves rustling on nearby trees.

But observations are not limited to surface conditions But observations are not limited to surface conditions. Aircraft reports of winds and weather are important. And observations from upper air balloons launched twice a day at around 120 sites are the basis of upper air analysis.

Dozens of satellites keep a constant watch over the earth each day Dozens of satellites keep a constant watch over the earth each day. Some are geosynchronous (stay in the same position over the earth) while others orbit around the earth.

There are 3 basic methods of forecasting: Persistence Experience Computer Modeling

PERSISTENCE: Not much is going to change. Tomorrow will be like today. Works great in summer. Not so good the rest of the year.

EXPERIENCE: Forecast what was seen before to repeat. This is good for 1 to 2 day forecasts. Works great a lot of the time. Problem when something new happens.

MODELS: They are better than people past 3 days. Works great most of the time. Problem when bad data gets put in or if something really new occurs.

Let’s start with a question. . . Why do we have weather? The Earth rotates on a tilted axis. Due to the tilt, the equator is always heated more than either pole.

The Result . . . Part of Earth’s atmosphere is too cold and dense and part of the atmosphere is much too warm and light Somehow . . . this must all be balanced out.

Not just temperature differences… Air which stays over water for long periods of time absorbs some of the moisture through evaporation.

How do clouds form?

CLOUDS Cirrus Stratus Cumulus Nimbus

Cirrus Clouds High-level clouds Usually only ice crystals Generally in fair weather

Stratus Clouds Base is usually only a few hundred feet above the ground Little to no vertical development Can cover entire sky

Cumulus Clouds Base is at low level, but tops can reach 60,000 feet (11 miles) high Made of both ice and water droplets Puffy like cotton balls

Nimbus Clouds Generally form 7,000 to 15,000 feet (1 to 3 miles) above ground Steady precipitation

PRECIPITATION Two basic ways precipitation forms: “Collision” process (warm clouds) “Ice Crystal” process (cold clouds)

“Collision” Process

“Ice Crystal” Process Easier for water vapor to deposit directly onto ice crystals. Crystals then grow heavy enough to start falling.

Rain or Snow??

In order to form, thunderstorms need: Moisture Instability Lifting

Low-level moisture comes from the Gulf of Mexico. Mid and upper-level moisture can arrive from the Pacific. Low-level moisture comes from the Gulf of Mexico.

INSTABILITY If air is stable, it will try to go back to where it was If air is unstable, it will continue in the direction it was pushed

LIFT Differences in heating Terrain Fronts, boundaries, drylines

The three stages in a thunderstorm’s life:

Thunderstorm Hazards Hail Damaging Winds Tornados Flash Floods

HAIL

DAMAGING WINDS Damage from a tornado Damage from a downburst

TORNADOS F-Scale Named after its creator, Dr. Fujita Used to describe how fast winds in a tornado are Actually goes all the way to F12, which is the speed of sound

Minimal Tornado - F0, F1 - 67% of S.C. TX Tornadoes - Causes 5% of all deaths - Life span 1 to 2 minutes - Path length less than 1 mile - Path width less than 100 yards - Wind speeds up to 110 mph

Strong Tornado - F2, F3 - 30% of S.C. TX Tornadoes - Causes 30% of all deaths Life span 15 to 20 minutes Path up to 15 miles - Path width up to 500 yards - Wind speeds up to 200 mph

Violent Tornado - F4, F5 - 3% of S.C. TX Tornadoes - Causes 65% of all deaths - Life span to several hours - Path length dozens of miles - Path width to 1 1/ 2 miles - Wind speeds over 300 mph

Jarrell, TX — May 27, 1997

FLASH FLOODING

For each foot of rising water, a car weighs 1500 pounds less! As little as 18 inches of water can float a truck! It takes only 12 to 14 inches of water to float a car!

floats 1225 lbs of car weight Tire 8” wide, 30” diameter floats 816 lbs of car weight Tire 12” wide, 30” diameter floats 1225 lbs of car weight

NOAA Weather Radio For Current Weather Information: Or: www.weather.gov Clickable map of the entire U.S. www.srh.noaa.gov/ewx NWS Austin/San Antonio’s Homepage

QUESTIONS? Marianne Sutton@noaa.gov National Weather Service Austin/San Antonio 2090 Airport Road New Braunfels, TX 78130