Have you ever wondered how the National Weather Service Forecast Offices across the country determine
when & where a Severe Thunderstorm Warning or a Tornado Warning should be issued for a specific
location?
The Weather Service Forecasters (meteorologists) use a variety of sources to gather information when severe weather conditions are approaching or currently existing in the County Warning Area they are
responsible to monitor.
Two such sources are the recently enhanced Super High Resolution radar imagery as well as citizens who
are witnessing signs of severe weather at a certain location and then contact local law enforcement or the
National Weather Service offices directly. The information from both of these sources are then immediately sent out to the public with what is known as a Local Storm Report (LSR).
The forecasters who are on duty at the National Weather Service Offices closely examine doppler radar
returns along with current and forecasted climate conditions. Coupling all of this information together allows these trained experts to make notification to the general public of impending or imminent hazards approaching a certain location.
This tedious task begins with the first indication of an approaching storm system or the development of a storm system and continues until the threat of severe weather has subsided or moved beyond the parameters monitored by that particular forecast office.
Throughout the severe weather event, each meteorologist on duty is assigned a specific task. One such position is known as "The Hot Seat". The meteorologist working the Hot Seat is extensively trained to correctly read and recognisize certain Radar Signatures which indicate a severe weather occurence beginning to take shape or already in full swing. As these specific Radar Signatures are recognized and determined to be significant, their work begins. Fellow meteorologists on duty assist by initiating watches and warnings out to general public through NOAA Radio broadcasts and notification to the media. Notices of the impending hazards are continuously updated by the minute.
To provide an example of the extremely stressful job of the National Weather Service Forecaster as well as an opportunity for everyone of all ages a chance to test their own abilities when it comes to issuing Severe Weather Warnings, a wonderful educational tool has been created by the staff of meteorologists at the National Weather Service Forecast Office in Peachtree City, Georgia.
The National Weather Service Warning Decision Simulator This tool is intended to provide the participants with the appreciation of the decision making process of the National Weather Service forecasters during severe weather situations.
So, if you would like to learn more about issuing Severe Weather Warnings and also test your own skills as to when and where to issue Severe Weather Warnings.....let's get started!
For a Detailed Overview of the Hotseat Simulator (click here) Instructions as to how to play the scenarioOnce you choose a specific scenario and launch it, you will see a radar map. To begin, choose
"click here to continue". The radar images run at a frame rate of one every 12 seconds. This
may seem slow however, it is designed this way to allow you a chance to read the radar images.
Remember, forecasters are examining the entire radar image for signatures of Severe Weather.
There are two (2) tiles or icons in the lower left corner throughout the entire scenario.
The Lightning Bolt tile is for issuing a Severe Thunderstorm Warning known as an SVR. These would be issued for winds being reported of 58 mph or greater and/or penny size hail or larger is size.
The Tornado tile is for issuing a Tornado Warning (TOR). These would be issued when there is a report of a funnel cloud by the general public or indicated by doppler radar.
Since this is an educational game, the player (yourself) scores points by correctly placing and then removing an SVR or TOR.
The idea is to watch the radar images and when a Severe Weather Report is displayed along with a photograph, decide which Warning (SVR or TOR) should be issued and where it should be placed on the radar map. To place to Warning in the desired location, move your mouse pointer to either one of the tiles in the lower left corner, hold down the left click button on your mouse and drag the tile to the location you feel should have the Warning issued. You may change your decision and remove the Warning by simply Right Clicking the tile where you placed it and then re-placing it in another location or just leaving the Warning off if you decide that it is not warranted.
Also, the Weather Service Forecasters not only issue Severe Weather Warnings (SVR) and (TOR) they must also Cancel them when the threat of severe weather has moved out of the County Warning Area or the threat has subsided. To cancel a Warning, move your mouse pointer to the Warning Box (appearing in Red or White) and just Right Click.
For Specific Detailed Instructions (click here) Main Page with Scoring Instructions and Tips & Tricks (click here)
For My Scenario of the August 4th 2008 Tornado Outbreak in Chicago (click here)
or go to
The Contributor's Page (click here)
Try to have fun and hopefully this educational tool will provide all of us with the deserving appreciation of the True Forecasters working 24 hours a day at the National Weather Service Forecast Offices throughout the Country.
If you have any questions, comments or suggestions, my comment section is open on this blog.
You may also view existing comments about my scenario at Stormtrack (click here)
Special Recognition of Appreciation
Mr. Lans Rothfusz - Meteorologist in Charge
For allowing me to contribute to the Hot Seat Simulator
Mr. Clark Safford - Lead Forecaster & IT Specialist
For his patients and assistance with me while compiling my contribution
National Weather Service Forecast Office - Peachtree City, Georgia
Radar Imagery Used In Hotseat is Super High Resolution - Only Used By The National Weather Service
