Stormgasms

[patric]

Anyone else note the new metric they now include on storm tracking on the local TV?  Number of people to be affected.  Found that interesting.

That has more to do with storm tracking software that references a population database than anything a station is doing.

[Hoss]

Given the heightened awareness about tornadoes with the tragedies in Tuscaloosa and now closer to home in Joplin, tonight looks to be setting up as about as nasty an evening as you can have as far as weather goes.  The SPC doesn't typically categorize a HIGH risk very often, and moderate is fairly infrequent as well.  But we are under the bullseye tonight.  The first graphic is the general severe risk as of 10am CDT.  The second is the tornado percentage graphic.  35 % is very high.

I implore everyone (including Sauerkraut, if he is indeed in town) to have a plan of action in case you hear the sirens tonight.  If you have a NOAA weather radio (I have two) have them on and in the ALERT settting.  

Shelter - Basement/safe room if you have one, interior room away from windows and external walls and use pillows and/or small mattresses for protoection if you don't, if you live in a mobile home, please seek other shelter.  Many parks have their own common shelters; you would be wise to ask NOW.  If nothing else, you'll know for the next time.  

If, by some chance of fate you are outdoors or in your car, get out of your car and lie face down in the lowest area you can find.

[BaltimorePoke]

http://www.srh.noaa.gov/tsa/dsp/dsp.php

Message from the NWS decision support page:

Tornado outbreak expected!  Strong / long track tornados possible.  Make safety plans now.

When they start using exclamations, that's when I start to take it seriously.

[Hoss]

http://www.srh.noaa.gov/tsa/dsp/dsp.php

Message from the NWS decision support page:

When they start using exclamations, that's when I start to take it seriously.

Same here.

[Gaspar]

How many of you are charging your flashlights right now?

[BaltimorePoke]

How many of you are charging your flashlights right now?

I'm at work, but I have several charged at home already.  I may go pick up a weather radio over lunch.

[Hoss]

I'm at work, but I have several charged at home already.  I may go pick up a weather radio over lunch.

I've actually got a hand-crank light/radio combo.  My brother just recently got an Eton FR600 NOAA weather radio with a crank/light and solar power.  It's pretty neat, but a little pricey.  They have them at Radio shack for about 80 smackers.

[Conan71]

Crap, every place I can think of in my house has an exterior wall.  I was thinking about one of two closets I can get in with my dog and cat and they have mirrored glass sliding doors, not exactly something I want against my back.  Both bathrooms are on west walls, interior hallway leads to the big glass rear wall typical in Lortondale construction.

[bmuscotty]

I really used to like Channel 6 for storm coverage, but after a while Travis Meyers gets on my nerves.  I'd much rather have Dick Faurot on doing coverage as primary.

I used to watch them also. They get into to much of a panic mode for me anymore. I watch channel 2 now. But then after while it doesn't matter because when a storm gets to close the satellite dish goes out!

[rdj]

Crap, every place I can think of in my house has an exterior wall.  I was thinking about one of two closets I can get in with my dog and cat and they have mirrored glass sliding doors, not exactly something I want against my back.  Both bathrooms are on west walls, interior hallway leads to the big glass rear wall typical in Lortondale construction.

A Lortondale house is probably one of the last houses I'd want to be in if a tornado hit Tulsa.

Do you have one of those small hall closets with the bamboo "curtain"?

[Conan71]

A Lortondale house is probably one of the last houses I'd want to be in if a tornado hit Tulsa.

Do you have one of those small hall closets with the bamboo "curtain"?

Shelved and open front.  Totally worthless as shelter.  I've got another closet by the second bath, but it's close to the SW corner of the house.  I've got one of the rare ones where the baths were not siamesed which saved on plumbing costs, they are actually on opposite ends of the house. 

[Mike 01Hawk]

A Midland Meteorologist said "dude i dont think ive ever been this nervous about the weather"

Wonderful.

[Ibanez]

I used to watch them also. They get into to much of a panic mode for me anymore. I watch channel 2 now. But then after while it doesn't matter because when a storm gets to close the satellite dish goes out!

Same here. Travis has lost it so we have switched to Channel 2 for our weather coverage. We were already losing patience Travis, but the night of the refinery fire was when he finally jumped the shark for us.

I agree having Dick be the lead would be a much better approach.

[Hoss]

Same here. Travis has lost it so we have switched to Channel 2 for our weather coverage. We were already losing patience Travis, but the night of the refinery fire was when he finally jumped the shark for us.

I agree having Dick be the lead would be a much better approach.

He's just so much more calm during weather like this.  I bet he felt stiffed when he got passed over for the lead meteo job.  I understand the reasoning that Griffin wanted someone established, but Travis proved on Channel 8 that he could be over the top sometimes.  Dick just reminds me a little of a younger Jim Giles with a little more humor.  He's to the point and doesn't try to oversimplify.

[patric]

after while it doesn't matter because when a storm gets to close the satellite dish goes out!

A tree on the other side of town can fall and knock out cable, so it's 6 of 1/half a dozen of the other.
Now might be the time to check out your Over-The-Air reception if you have an antenna.