Tracking Severe Thunderstorms : Tracking Severe Thunderstorms In this session, we will be observing thunderstorms, LIVE, as they develop in areas of the United States. An on-line interactive course in basic meteorology By
Thomas Alena, Meteorologist Talcott Mountain Science Center, Avon, CT
Definition of “Severe Thunderstorm" : Definition of “Severe Thunderstorm" Producing wind gusts > 58 mph
and/or
Producing hail > ¾ inch in dia. The National Weather Service (NWS) issues a severe thunderstorm warning anytime a thunderstorm is capable of: Remember
Slide 3 : We will first get a quick look at where lightning is occurring using this link:
http://thunderstorm.vaisala.com/explorer.html Use the map below to indicate where lightning is currently occurring:
Slide 4 : Now we can see if any of these thunderstorms are expected to be severe with:
http://www.spc.noaa.gov This is an example of what you’ll see when you enter the site.
Taken March 10, 2010
Slide 5 : Now, we’ll look into the details of some of these storms using Doppler Radar analysis:
http://www.wunderground.com/radar/map.asp This is an animation of a Doppler Radar image showing the classic “hook” echo developing as a tornado forms in a supercell’s southwest quadrant.
Severe Weather Links : Severe Weather Links We’ll then check out radar sites:
http://www.wunderground.com/radar/map.asp We will first get a quick look at where lightning is occurring using this link:
http://thunderstorm.vaisala.com/explorer.html We can watch these storm develop from above using this link for satellite imagery:
http://www.rap.ucar.edu/weather/satellite/ We can see if any of these thunderstorms are severe with:
http://www.spc.noaa.gov http://home.comcast.net/~t.alena/BOOKMARK.HTM