Surviving severe weather in the US. Teacher's guide

[DanielJRioux]

[font "Comic Sans MS"][size 5][left]Teacher’s Guide[/left][/size][/font][font "Comic Sans MS"][size 4] [left]Surviving Severe Weather in the United States[/left] [left]Overview[/left][/size][/font][font "Comic Sans MS"] [left]The purpose of this lesson is to provide students with a basic understanding of how[/left] [left]to survive severe weather. This presentation will explain the impact of severe[/left] [left]weather on our nation and what students can do to protect themselves from[/left] [left]weather disasters. The lesson describes the Emergency Alert System (EAS) - our[/left] [left]nations delivery system for weather and civil emergencies as well as homeland[/left] [left]security.[/left][/font][font "Comic Sans MS"][size 4] [left]Description of Slides[/left][/size][/font][font "Comic Sans MS"] [left]Slide 1. [/font][font "Comic Sans MS"]Weather is not always placid. Our country experiences a wide array of[/left] [left]severe weather including; tornadoes, winter storms, hurricanes, droughts and heat[/left] [left]waves.[/left][/font][font "Comic Sans MS"] [left]Slide 2. [/font][font "Comic Sans MS"]The impact of weather on our nation is profound. Economically weather[/left] [left]has a tremendous impact. The transportation, agricultural, and construction[/left] [left]industries are significantly affected by weather.[/left][/font][font "Comic Sans MS"] [left]Slide 3. [/font][font "Comic Sans MS"]America experiences more severe weather than any other country in the[/left] [left]world. Most of this severe weather occurs in the Southeast United States.[/left][/font][font "Comic Sans MS"] [left]Slide 4. [/font][font "Comic Sans MS"]The Southeast United States experiences so many severe storms[/left] [left]because of it’s geographic proximity to the Gulf of Mexico, the Rocky Mountains[/left] [left]and the strong mid-latitude jet stream. The Gulf of Mexico supplies an abundance[/left] [left]of low-altitude moisture, meanwhile, dry mid-altitude air travels east from the[/left] [left]Rocky Mountains. When these two air masses are accompanied by a strong jet[/left] [left]stream, or river of fast flowing air from the west, the result can be severe[/left] [left]thunderstorms which producing large hail, damaging winds, flooding rains, and[/left] [left]tornadoes.[/left][/font][font "Comic Sans MS"] [left]Slide 5. [/font][font "Comic Sans MS"]Advanced warnings and forecasts are critical to the protection of life and[/left] [left]property. United States citizens fund (through Congress) a vast infrastructure of[/left] [left]weather forecasting technology. This technology is administered by the National[/left] [left]Weather Service (NWS).[/left] [left]The NWS Has 115 Doppler Radars across the country at each office. In addition[/left] [left]the agency jointly utilizes Doppler Radars run by the Department of Defense.[/left] [left]The NWS has several satellites in orbit that are able to provide various pictures of[/left] [left]the atmosphere. This includes Visible, Infrared, and Water Vapor to name a few.[/left] [left]THE NWS has an Upper Air network across the country that takes sample of the[/left] [left]atmosphere twice a day. An instrument called a radiosonde is released via a balloon[/left] [left]twice a day. Measurements including temperature, dewpoint, wind speed and[/left] [left]direction, and pressure are taken at various heights from the surface to over[/left] [left]50,000 feet. This information is sent to NCEP (National Center for Environmental[/left] [left]Predictions) and entered into numerical weather models that are run on super[/left] [left]computers.[/left] [left]The Automated Surface Observing System (ASOS) is part of a nationwide network[/left] [left]that takes real time weather measurements. This includes temperature, dewpoint,[/left] [left]wind speed and direction, pressure, cloud cover and height, and present weather[/left] [left]such as rain, snow, etc.[/left] [left]Each NWS office has a computer system called AWIPS that handles information[/left] [left]coming into and going out of the office. The system also computes local applications[/left] [left]for local weather occurrences. The system at each office is part of a nationwide[/left] [left]network.[/left] [left]NOAA Weather Radio (NWR) is nationwide network of radio stations that[/left] [left]continuously broadcasts weather information from the National Weather Service.[/left] [left]NWR is the backbone of the Emergency Alert System.[/left][/font][font "Comic Sans MS"] [left]Slide 6. [/font][font "Comic Sans MS"]Severe weather can strike in seconds. You must have a plan.[/left][/font][font "Comic Sans MS"] [left]Slide 7: [/font][font "Comic Sans MS"][size 4]Tornadoes - Part 2[/left][/size][/font][font "Comic Sans MS"] [left]Slide 8. [/font][font "Comic Sans MS"]More people each year are killed by lightning or flash floods than[/left] [left]tornadoes.[/left][/font][font "Comic Sans MS"] [left]Slide 9. [/font][font "Comic Sans MS"]Because tornadoes strike so quickly receiving prompt warning and[/left][/font][font "Times New Roman"] [left]3[/left][/font][font "Comic Sans MS"] [left]knowing how to protect yourself is very important.[/left][/font][font "Comic Sans MS"] [left]Slide 10. [/font][font "Comic Sans MS"]Average Number of tornadoes across the United States.[/left][/font][font "Comic Sans MS"] [left]Slide 11. [/font][font "Comic Sans MS"]This photo shows the importance of sheltering on the lowest floor of a[/left] [left]building.[/left][/font][font "Comic Sans MS"] [left]Slide 12. [/font][font "Comic Sans MS"]This graph is for the United States. The peak season for tornadoes in[/left] [left]the Mid-South is in March and April. A secondary maximum is in November.[/left][/font][font "Comic Sans MS"] [left]Slide 13. [/font][font "Comic Sans MS"]An F3 tornado moved across Germantown TN on November 27, 1994[/left] [left]resulting in fatalities and considerable property damage.[/left][/font][font "Comic Sans MS"] [left]Slide 14. [/font][font "Comic Sans MS"]Tornadoes can occur in any month of the year across the Mid-South.[/left] [left]This slide shows the number of tornadoes that occurred in January 1999.[/left][/font][font "Comic Sans MS"] [left]Slide 15. [/font][font "Comic Sans MS"]An F4 tornado moved across Clay County AR on January 21, 1999.[/left] [left]Fortunately, this tornado remained over rural areas. This tornado was part of a[/left] [left]tornado outbreak during the week of January 17, 1999.[/left][/font][font "Comic Sans MS"] [left]Slide 16. [/font][font "Comic Sans MS"]Dr. Theodore Fujita, meteorology professor from the University of[/left] [left]Chicago, developed the widely used tornado classification scheme.[/left][/font][font "Comic Sans MS"] [left]Slide 17. [/font][font "Comic Sans MS"]This graph shows that more deaths occur with the strongest tornadoes,[/left] [left]F4 or greater, even though F4 or greater tornadoes comprise the lowest number of[/left] [left]total tornadoes.[/left][/font][font "Comic Sans MS"] [left]Slide 18. [/font][font "Comic Sans MS"]These numbers are casualties, which are both killed and injured by[/left] [left]tornadoes each year.[/left] [left]Slide 19. A Tornado or Severe Thunderstorm watch means that conditions are[/left] [left]favorable for tornadoes or severe thunderstorms. It does not mean that these[/left] [left]weather events are occurring.[/left][/font][font "Comic Sans MS"] [left]Slide 20. [/font][font "Comic Sans MS"]A Tornado or Severe Thunderstorm warning means that a tornado or[/left] [left]severe thunderstorm has been detected on Doppler radar or has been spotted by[/left] [left]an observer. Take action now.[/left][/font][font "Times New Roman"] [left]4[/left][/font][font "Comic Sans MS"] [left]Slide 21. [/font][font "Comic Sans MS"]Plan a shelter.[/left][/font][font "Comic Sans MS"] [left]Slides 22-23. [/font][font "Comic Sans MS"]Mobile homes and automobiles are inadequate shelter from[/left] [left]tornadoes.[/left][/font][font "Comic Sans MS"] [left]Slide 24-29. [/font][font "Comic Sans MS"]These slides address common tornado myths. The misconception[/left] [left]that sheltering in an overpass is safe led to some people losing their lives during[/left] [left]the May 3, 1999 tornado outbreak in Oklahoma City.[/left][/font][font "Comic Sans MS"] [left]Slide 30-31. [/font][font "Comic Sans MS"]This map shows where the best locations are in your home to[/left] [left]shelter from a severe storm.[/left][/font][font "Comic Sans MS"] [left]Slide 32. [/font][font "Comic Sans MS"]In a church, business or school the best location to find shelter is in a[/left] [left]hall away from glass.[/left][/font][font "Comic Sans MS"] [left]Slide 33. [/font][font "Comic Sans MS"]Avoid large rooms such as, gymnasiums, the church sanctuary, or the[/left] [left]school swimming pool.[/left][/font][font "Comic Sans MS"] [left]Slide 34. [/font][font "Comic Sans MS"]Evacuate portable school rooms. They are like mobile homes and do not[/left] [left]supply adequate shelter.[/left][/font][font "Comic Sans MS"] [left]Slide 35. [/font][font "Comic Sans MS"]Plan ahead to survive.[/left][/font][font "Comic Sans MS"] [left]Slide 36. [/font][font "Comic Sans MS"]This slide asked which severe weather element causes the most damage[/left] [left]as well as loss of life in the United States. The answer is flooding.[/left][/font][font "Comic Sans MS"] [left]Slide 37. [/font][font "Comic Sans MS"][size 4]Flash Floods - Part 3[/left][/size][/font][font "Comic Sans MS"] [left]Slide 38. [/font][font "Comic Sans MS"]Floods are called the master of surprise due to how rapid water can rise[/left] [left]and how complacent people take their occurrence.[/left][/font][font "Comic Sans MS"] [left]Slide 39. [/font][font "Comic Sans MS"]Floods kill near twice as many people each year than tornadoes.[/left][/font][font "Comic Sans MS"] [left]Slide 40. [/font][font "Comic Sans MS"]The Economic damage due to floods is incredible.[/left][/font][font "Times New Roman"] [left]5[/left][/font][font "Comic Sans MS"] [left]Slide 41-43. [/font][font "Comic Sans MS"]The Fort Collins, Colorado flash flood of July 1997 is an example of[/left] [left]a typical killer flash flood. We have had similar situations in the Mid-South, most[/left] [left]recently in November 2001.[/left][/font][font "Comic Sans MS"] [left]Slide 44-45. [/font][font "Comic Sans MS"]Flash Flood safety rules.[/left][/font][font "Comic Sans MS"] [left]Slide 46. [/font][font "Comic Sans MS"][size 4]Lightning - Part 4[/left][/size][/font][font "Comic Sans MS"] [left]Slide 47-51. [/font][font "Comic Sans MS"]Lightning kills more each year than tornadoes.[/left][/font][font "Comic Sans MS"] [left]Slide 52. [/font][font "Comic Sans MS"][size 4]Thunderstorms Winds - Part 5[/left][/size][/font][font "Comic Sans MS"] [left]Slide 53. [/font][font "Comic Sans MS"]The National Weather Service has a specific definition of a severe[/left] [left]thunderstorm. It is based on hail size and wind speed. The amount and intensity of[/left] [left]lightning is not included in this definition.[/left][/font][font "Comic Sans MS"] [left]Slide 54. [/font][font "Comic Sans MS"]Downbursts are relatively common, more so than tornadoes.[/left] [left]Downbursts cause more damage each year than tornadoes. Downbursts are caused[/left] [left]by cold air, descending quickly to the ground. Downbursts can produce winds that[/left] [left]are equivalent to those produced by a moderate sized tornado.[/left][/font][font "Comic Sans MS"] [left]Slide 55. [/font][font "Comic Sans MS"]Examples of downbursts by looking at clouds.[/left][/font][font "Comic Sans MS"] [left]Slide 56. [/font][font "Comic Sans MS"]A sequence of photos depicting a downburst in action.[/left][/font][font "Comic Sans MS"] [left]Slide 57. [/font][font "Comic Sans MS"]Squall lines cause more widespread damage than any other type of[/left] [left]thunderstorm complex.[/left][/font][font "Comic Sans MS"] [left]Slide 58. [/font][font "Comic Sans MS"]This is a Doppler Radar sequence shows a squall line approaching a[/left] [left]community. Note the sharp reflectivity gradient from the strong red color to no[/left] [left]radar echo. The “bowing” of the radar echo indicates a strong potential for[/left] [left]damaging wind.[/left][/font][font "Comic Sans MS"] [left]Slide 59. [/font][font "Comic Sans MS"]Wind damage resulting from downbursts or squall lines can be[/left] [left]devastating and are often mistaken for tornado damage.[/left][/font][font "Times New Roman"] [left]6[/left][/font][font "Comic Sans MS"] [left]Slides 60-61. [/font][font "Comic Sans MS"]Hail safety rules.[/left][/font][font "Comic Sans MS"] [left]Slide 62. [/font][font "Comic Sans MS"][size 4]NOAA Weather Radio - Part 6[/left][/size][/font][font "Comic Sans MS"] [left]Slide 63. [/font][font "Comic Sans MS"]How does one receive notification of severe weather warnings? NOAA[/left] [left]Weather Radio, commercial television and radio, as well as the internet are[/left] [left]excellent resources.[/left][/font][font "Comic Sans MS"] [left]Slide 64. [/font][font "Comic Sans MS"]The internet provides continuous weather updates.[/left][/font][font "Comic Sans MS"] [left]Slide 65. [/font][font "Comic Sans MS"]The Emergency Alert System or EAS is the nation’s warning system for[/left] [left]severe weather, civil emergencies and enemy attack. NOAA Weather Radio[/left] [left]provides the backbone for EAS with its tone alert capability.[/left][/font][font "Comic Sans MS"] [left]Slides 66-67. [/font][font "Comic Sans MS"]A description of NOAA Weather Radio.[/left][/font][font "Comic Sans MS"] [left]Slide 68. [/font][font "Comic Sans MS"]The contents of the disaster kit.[/left][/font][font "Comic Sans MS"] [left]Slide 69. [/font][font "Comic Sans MS"]These are the most common severe weather elements in the Mid-South.[/left][/font][font "Comic Sans MS"] [left]Slide 70. [/font][font "Comic Sans MS"]You must plan ahead.[/left][/font][font "Comic Sans MS"] [left]Slide 71. [/font][font "Comic Sans MS"]End.[/left][/font][font "Arial"] [left]NWS Memphis website[/font][font "Arial"]: www.srh.noaa.gov/meg[/left][/font]
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