1. SEVERE WEATHER!
M. Manzo

2. THUNDERSTORMS each day, 44,000 thunderstorms occur!
Common in cold fronts where dramatic uplifting of air creates cumulonimbus clouds
Lightning is a discharge of electricity, usually from ground to thundercloud, but can be from thundercloud to ground or thundercloud to thundercloud
Lightning heats the air around the thundercloud to up to 28,000 ° C, which in turn causes the air to immediately expand in an explosive manner!
Sudden expansion of air causes thunder
Light travels faster than sound, so lightning is seen first, then thunder is heard
Lightning Strike

3. Lightning

4. T-Storms common in cold fronts where dramatic uplifting of air creates cumulonimbus clouds.

5. Each day 44,000 thunderstorms occur!

6. THUNDERSTORMS DANGERS:
Lightning causes forest fires, power outages, and electrocution
About 2,000 people are killed worldwide by lightning each year. Hundreds more survive strikes but suffer from a variety of lasting symptoms, including memory loss, dizziness, weakness, numbness, and other life-altering ailments.

7. THUNDERSTORM SAFETY: Stay inside a building
Stay away from televisions, telephones, sinks and bathrooms (electrical wiring and pipes conduct electricity!)
Avoid trees; they are tall and attract lightning
Crouch on the ground if stuck outside

8. TORNADOES
TORNADOES – a narrow, funnel-shaped column of spiraling winds that extends downward from the cloud base and touches the ground
Tornado funnel is a mixture of cloud and dust, and includes debris picked up from ground
A tornado travels with its parent thunderstorm
Occur where cP air masses meet up with mT

9. Joplin, Missouri After May 22, 2011 Tornado

10. TORNADOES
Spring to early summer is the most common time for tornadoes in the United States
“Tornado Alley” includes northern Texas, Oklahoma, Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska
Fujita Tornado Scale – based upon damage to buildings (F1 is least, F5 is greatest)

15. TORNADO SAFETY:
Stay in low places such as a basement, bathtub, under tables or heavy beds may help avoid falling objects
Stay away from outside walls, windows and doors
Make sure plenty of water, batteries, and food are stored securely in advance
Keep a battery-powered radio and flashlights handy at all times
Review local emergency procedures, identify shelters
Get away from mobile homes
If stuck outside, get to the lowest possible place such as a ditch or ravine!

16. HURRICANES

17. HURRICANES
HURRICANES – intense tropical cyclones with sustained winds of at least 74 mph
Atlantic Ocean hurricane season runs from July through November, although September and October are the most common hurricane months
Warm, tropical ocean waters provide the energy for hurricane development
Center of hurricane is called the eye, which may be calm and even sunny
Greatest damage is the storm surge, huge piling up of water along the coastline
Damaging winds, thunderstorms, and even tornadoes can be generated by hurricanes

20. This is the track of Hurricane / Tropical Storm Irene in August, 2011

21. Hurricanes
Hurricanes lose their power by moving over land or toward northern, colder waters
Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Scale: based upon wind speeds
Category 1: Winds mph
Category 2: Winds mph
Category 3: Winds mph
Category 4: Winds mph
Category 5: Winds greater than 155 mph

22. HURRICANE SAFETY: Watch and listen for hurricane watches and warnings
Board up windows, secure loose furniture
Stock up on food, batteries, flashlights, and fill several jugs of water
Plan evacuation routes; if time permits, move to higher ground!
When hurricane hits, stay indoors and away from windows

23. WINTER STORMS:
Strong mid-latitude lows (cyclones) can bring many inches of snow and strong winds
Great Lakes can provide the moisture source for winter storms
Nor’easters are storms originating in the Atlantic and blowing in from the northeast U.S. coast

24. Lake Effect Snow

26. AVERAGE ANNUAL NEW YORK STATE SNOW

28. WINTER STORMS
Wind Chill Factor: Temperature will seem much colder if the wind is blowing
Temperature of 30° F with a wind of 20 mph results in a wind chill temperature of 17° F

30. WINTER STORMS…SAFETY Store food, water, batteries, flashlights
Be careful shoveling snow, (heart attacks are common – do not over-do it!)
Avoid rooftops and icy areas
Stay off roads! Allow snowplows to do their job.

31. EXCESSIVE HEAT:
High temperatures can combine with high humidity to cause heat sickness
Heat Index: a measure of temperature and humidity to indicate how warm the air really feels
Temperature of 90° F with a relative humidity of 60% yields a heat index of 100° F!
Humid conditions do not allow for evaporation of sweat and cooling, so body heats up more easily

33. SAFETY (From excessive heat):
Avoid prolonged exposure to the sun
Avoid over-exertion on particularly hot and humid days
Drink plenty of fluids, water or electrolyte sports drinks especially
Make sure you have eaten before heading outdoors!
Wear shade hats or visors, use sunscreen liberally
Stay in the shade as much as possible, or plan activities in air-conditioned places