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Main Index To The Weather Watcher Thunderstom Basics What to watch for Tornadoes and Funnel Clouds Don't Get Fooled What to Report Index Safety Tips How to report quick reference Other Educational Sites |
Severe Weather Watcher HandbookThe flashing within the rain core provides good background illumination for low cloud banks and scud along a sharp gust front. Separate flashes may change the shape and position of silhouetted clouds, but after a while you will recognize the repeating shapes as reliable and abiding storm features. A large updraft base will show up as a dark region,and if a lowering is present it will be a bowl-shaped "dark hole "through which no light passes. The underside of these dark regions can be studied over time for signs of a funnel or tornado. Quick, frequent bolts mark the core region or the site of a new,maturing cell. Always remain aware of wind conditions,too.If the S-SE wind becomes calm,the rain-free base and main updraft may be overhead.As soon as a cool wind from the W-NW begins,you have moved into the outflow region and the threat for severe effects will quickly diminish.The only other thing could be a strong wind before precipitation begins,or hail as it peaks,but these threats will only last a few minutes longer and are usually apparent from the other clues mentioned earlier. Severe winter weatherAlthough the emphasis for severe weather watchers and spotters is on summer severe weather, MSC also appreciates receiving reports of winter conditions which may threaten public safety. These include low visibilities due to blowing snow or dust, the rate and amount of snowfall, dense fog, and freezing rain. Areas such as the Maritimes and B.C. receive far fewer summer severe events but are battered by frequent bouts of severe winter weather and high winds in the cooler half of the year. From time to time weather warnings are issued in the winter, and you can be our eyes and ears for your local area. The dangers associated with severe winter weather should not be underestimated. Treacherous roads and bitterly cold temperatures and/or windchills have killed many people. Canadians are sometimes surprisingly ill-prepared for the "normal "extremes of our northern clime. Weather warnings in winterThe criteria for issuing the following winter weather warnings vary from region
to region. Use these descriptions as a general guide only. |
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Created :
2002-08-26
Modified :
2002-12-19
Reviewed :
2002-12-19
Url of this page : http://www.msc.ec.gc.ca
/education/severe_weather/page32_e.cfm The Green LaneTM, |