Lightning: Still an Overlooked Risk
Over the past 30 years, name the Top three weather-related killers. If tornadoes or hurricanes were part of your answer, you’re wrong. Heat, floods and lightning are the top three killers. More »
A look at the June 2012 Derecho
June 2012’s derecho impacted almost everyone in some way in the Miami Valley. So how did the derecho form and why was it so powerful? Let’s take a look at this beast of a storm system. More »
Tornadoes and Miami Valley Cities
There is one question I get asked a lot when people find out I research severe weather. Why does Xenia “get all the tornadoes” in this area? The truth is that the Miami Valley is hit with tornadoes nearly every year, but Xenia has been hit by the two worst tornadoes in the last 40 years. More »
How to identify stolen/fake storm pictures
This post is somewhat outside my realm since I’m not a TV meteorologist or producer. However, I continue to see TV stations get hoodwinked during every severe outbreak, on TV and on their internet sites. More »
A look at the FEMA Disaster Declaration Process
Over the past few months, I’ve seen a few instances where FEMA has denied a state’s request to declare a disaster after severe weather (specifically tornadoes) strike. The natural reaction to this is outrage, which is understandable. We’re humans and we have compassion for each other in trying times. It seems that a callous government agency is turning a shoulder to people when they need it most. But is that the reality of the situation? More »
Lightning: Still an overlooked risk
Over the past 30 years, name the Top three weather-related killers. If tornadoes or hurricanes were part of your answer, you’re wrong. Heat, floods and lightning are the top three killers. I’m hoping lightning was in your three since it’s in the title of my post! It usually takes tornado or thunderstorm warnings to get people to act on a storm, but many storms that aren’t warned kill people every year due to floods and lightning.
Drought: How dry ground is affecting our weather
Many lament the lack of rain falling from the sky to cool us off as a reason why we’re so hot in the Dayton area lately. This is true, but partially true. The drought-infused ground actually has quite a bit to do with our current heatwave as well. Let’s take a look at how it all works.
Our shortage of rain began way back in March and it’s not limited to Ohio. Almost all of the Ohio Valley is in a drought stage – and it’s much worse to our southwest in Kentucky, Indiana and Illinois. The lack of rain over our ENTIRE region is very important.
A look at the June 2012 Derecho
Gust Front taken by the author on Maple Ave in Fairborn.
Friday’s derecho impacted almost everyone in some way in the Miami Valley. Whether losing power, having to clean up fallen branches and trees or even just hosting those who had no power, it was hard to find someone whose weekend was “the usual”. So how did the derecho form and why was it so powerful? Let’s take a look at this beast of a storm system.
Are Dayton & Springfield heading for a drought?
We’ve all seen the brown yards and wilted flowers, a sure sign we’re lacking rain. Our fellow buckeyes to the north are already in a drought. Is Dayton and the Miami Valley far behind other parts of Ohio?
Tornadoes and Miami Valley Cities
There is one question I get asked a lot when people find out I research severe weather. Why does Xenia “get all the tornadoes” in this area? The truth is that the Miami Valley is hit with tornadoes nearly every year, but Xenia has been hit by the two worst tornadoes in the last 40 years. The fact that the paths of these two tornadoes were very close to each other, moving in a parallel motion and causing incredible destruction only solidifies this myth in many people’s minds.
How to avoid putting stolen pics on the air
This post is somewhat outside my realm since I’m not a TV meteorologist or producer. However, I continue to see TV stations get hoodwinked during every severe outbreak, on TV and on their internet sites. Instant technology like Twitter and Facebook makes for great verification of severe weather live out in the field. There’s nothing like watching pictures streaming in from storm chasers and viewers in real time! However, people desperate for attention or who like to troll TV stations use this to their advantage as well.
A barnburner of a weekend coming
Memorial Day weekend promises to be a hot one for the entire Miami Valley, including Dayton, Springfield, Troy & Centerville. Highs will reach the 90′s Saturday through Monday. Why will we be so hot?
A look at the FEMA disaster declaration process
Over the past few months, I’ve seen a few instances where FEMA has denied a state’s request to declare a disaster after severe weather (specifically tornadoes) strike. The natural reaction to this is outrage, which is understandable. We’re humans and we have compassion for each other in trying times. It seems that a callous government agency is turning a shoulder to people when they need it most. But is that the reality of the situation?
Chase Log 1: March 2, 2012 – Henryville tornadoes
After studying meteorology for years, I decided to storm chase in 2011. I had 8 chases in Illinois, Indiana & Ohio, in which I saw every kind of severe situation except a tornado. 2011 was a successful year despite no tornadoes because I learned to be a more disciplined forecaster. This newfound discipline came into play on February 23rd, when I decided not to chase in Kentucky. Initially, the setup looked encouraging for tornadoes (SPC had the Tri-State in a 10% risk area), but I decided I didn’t like what I saw. No tornadoes and hardly any severe weather came of it.
In advance of March 2nd, major hype was flying around about the potential. I was skeptical at first, but the closer we got, the more realistic the threat was. The NAM model was going gangbusters while the GFS was more reserved in its predictions. However, with the NAM nailing the Leap Year outbreak and the GFS’s nesting not able to resolve those minute details, I had to side with the NAM. It showed a big mix of instability, shear and even a Theta-E boundary in southern Indiana just south of a warm front. It was very bullish on backing winds from the southeast at the surface as well. In case you are not familiar with these terms, all combined, they are a combination you look for in severe weather modes.
Why are we so warm?
Dayton, Springfield, the Miami Valley and most of Ohio will flirt with the 60′s Wednesday evening into Thursday, continuing a trend of warmer than normal temperatures along with wet weather. Dayton was 6 degrees above normal in November and is currently 3 degrees above normal in December! This may not seem like a lot, but 3-6 degrees this time of year can mean the difference between rain and snow!
