“Your Weather Source” “Your Weather Source”

J.R. Kirtek

Chief

Meteorologist

Kevin Goff Meteorologist

John McMurray Meteorologist

Leslie Toldo Meteorologist

A note from ABC12 Chief Meteorologist

J.R. Kirtek

Knowledge is King!

The only way to make good decisions

during times of stress is to learn as much

as you can about the threats you may

face. And weather, most certainly, can

be a threat. From 2005 through 2007,

severe weather caused more than $200

million in damage across our state.

Occasionally, small tornadoes can ―spin

up‖ with little, or no, advance warning.

The thunderstorms that spawn them,

however, are usually forecast hours in

advance. Keep in mind that ALL thun-

derstorms could be a potential threat. By

keeping abreast of the daily forecast,

staying aware of your surroundings when

thunderstorms develop, and by having an

action plan in the event weather becomes

threatening, lives can be protected and

property losses can be minimized.

We, at the ABC12 First Alert Weather

Center, and all of us here at ABC12 hope

you find this brochure useful in helping

you create an action plan for severe

weather.

Remember, ABC12 is ‖Your Safest

Place in Bad Weather.‖

J.R. Kirtek

FREEZING RAIN OR DRIZZLE: This occurs when rain or drizzle freezes on surfaces

(such as the ground, trees, power lines, motor vehicles,

streets, highways, etc.) that have a temperature of 32°F

or below. Small accumulations of ice can cause driving

and walking difficulties. Meanwhile, heavy accumula-

tions of ice can pull down trees and utility lines. In this

situation, it would be called an ―Ice Storm.‖

FREEZING RAIN ADVISORY: Issued when freezing rain or freezing drizzle causes sig-

nificant inconveniences, but does not meet warning cri-

teria (normally an ice accumulation of 1/4 inch or

greater) and if caution is not exercised, it could lead to

life-threatening situations.

15

ABC12 First Alert Channel—ABC12 is the only

mid -Michigan station

To offer viewers local weather 24 hours

everyday. Find this on Comcast Digital Cable

(Channel 247) and now Charter

Communications (Channel 431).

ABC12 First Alert Center Phone Line - Get the day’s

forecast and the extended forecast right over

the phone. Call (810) 232-3333 or

(989) 790-7329.

ABC12 Weather Resources

Winter Weather Definitions

WINTER STORM WARNING: Issued when a winter storm is producing very heavy

snow. For Lower Michigan, a Winter Storm Warning is

issued when winter is producing snow greater than or

equal to 6 inches in 12 hours; or greater than or equal to

8 inches in 24 hours. In cases of mixed precipitation or

blowing, these snowfall amounts may be less.

WINTER STORM WATCH: Issued by the National Weather Service when there is a

potential of very heavy snow. In Lower Michigan, a

Winter Storm Watch is issued for the potential of a win-

ter storm producing snow greater than or equal to 6

inches in 12 hours; or greater than or equal to 8 inches in

24 hours. In cases of mixed precipitation or blowing,

these snowfall amounts may be less.

WINTER STORM ADVISORY: Issued when a low pressure system produces a combina-

tion of winter precipitation (snow, freezing rain, sleet,

etc.) that present a hazard, but does not meet warning

criteria. In Michigan, the criteria for its issuance is a

snow event that is forecasted to produce snow (average

of forecast range) greater than 3 inches, but less than

warning criteria (6 inches in Lower Michigan and 8

inches in Upper Michigan) in 12 hours.

14

BLIZZARD: A winter storm which produces the following conditions

for at least 3 hours: 1) sustained winds of frequent gusts

to 35 mile per hour or greater 2) considerable falling

and/or blowing snow reducing visibility to less than 1/4

mile.

BLIZZARD WARNING: Issued when blizzard conditions are life threatening. In

Michigan, the criteria is a sustained wind or frequent

wind gusts to 35 mph or more and considerable falling

and/or blowing snow reducing visibility frequently to

less than 1/4 mile for a duration of 3 hours or longer.

CONTENTS: NOAA Weather Radio. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Severe Weather Definitions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Tornado Safety. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Fujita Tornado Intensity Scale. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Lightning Safety . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

How Far Away Is That Thunderstorm? . . . . . . . .

What Exactly Is ABC12 First Alert Live Radar?

Flooding/Flood Safety . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Heat & Wind Chill Indexes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Winter Weather Definitions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Flint Bishop International Airport Travel Chart .

1

2

3

4-5

6-7

8-9

10

11

12

13

14-15

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2

The fastest and most reliable means of receiving criti-

cal weather information is through use of a NOAA

Weather Radio with an automatic "tone alert" feature.

You will receive the warning directly from the National

Weather Service in just a couple of minutes from its

issuance. These radios can be purchased in most stores

that carry small electronics. Immediately following the

issuance of a tornado warning by the NWS, the "tone

alert" is instantly sounded, followed by warning infor-

mation. This is especially useful when severe weather is

expected during the nighttime hours when people are

sleeping, and when windows are closed, preventing

sirens from being heard.

In addition to the tone-alert, the new generation of

weather radios receive a digital burst of information.

This information is used to tell your radio to warn you

only when weather is to affect your specific county. The

National Weather Service refers to this digital informa-

tion as "Specific Area Message Encoding" (SAME).

The radio's "tone alert" feature and SAME are used

for the issuance of all weather warnings as well as se-

vere thunderstorm, flash flood, hurricane, and tornado

watches. NOAA Weather Radio broadcasts 24 hours a

day, seven days a week with the latest weather informa-

tion from daily forecasts to special weather statements

about sudden shifts in the weather patterns or the devel-

opment of potentially hazardous weather.

LIVINGSTON

ABC12 viewing

area

GENESEE LAPEER

INGHAM

SANILAC

SHIAWASSEE

SAGINAW

TUSCOLA

HURON

CLINTON

GRATIOT MONTCALM

MECOSTA ISABELLA MIDLAND

OSCEOLA CLARE GLADWIN

ROSCOMMON OGEMAW IOSCO

ALCONA

ARENAC

BAY

NOAA

Weather Radio

13

The Heat Index is a measure of how hot it really feels

when the relative humidity (RH) is added to the actual

air temperature. This index was devised for shady, light

wind conditions. Exposure to full sunshine can increase

Heat Index

The Wind Chill Index is based on the rate of heat loss

from exposed skin caused by the combined effect of

wind and cold. As the wind increases, heat is carried

Wind Chill Index

Frostbite Times: 30 Minutes 10 Minutes 5 Minutes

Know your area's flood risk. People who live in

flood-prone areas should stay alert for changing weather

conditions and rising lake and river levels. During rains

that have lasted for several hours, be attentive to the

chance of flooding.

Know where high ground is and move there quickly

if you see or hear rapidly rising water.

Do not attempt to cross through fast-flowing water

that is more than shin-deep.

Do not try to drive through flooded areas -- remem-

ber, most flood-related deaths occur in automobiles.

If your vehicle stalls, abandon it and seek higher

ground immediately.

Be especially cautious at night, when the danger

may be hidden.

High water conditions can create navigational haz-

ards on area lakes or rivers.

When operating a watercraft, operate at a safe speed

that does not create a wake which will cause additional

damage to property and environmentally sensitive areas.

12

Although Michigan isn’t impacted by flooding as much

as other states, the majority of flood-related deaths are

caused by people attempting to drive through moving

water.

Most cars will float (and be swept away) in 18-24

inches of moving water. Trucks and SUVs are not much

better with only 6-12 more inches of clearance. Creeks

and rivers can rise very rapidly and the road bottom can

also wash away making the water much deeper than it

appears.

Once cars are swept downstream they will often roll to

one side or perhaps flip over entirely. The driver has a

few precious seconds to escape the vehicle. In fact,

many drivers panic as soon as the vehicle submerges and

are found later with their seat belt intact.

Flooding

Flood Safety

3

WATCH: Conditions are favorable for the development of severe

thunderstorms or tornadoes in and close to the watch

area. Watches are usually issued hours before weather

threatens. When a WATCH is issued, it is time to pre-

pare for severe weather. It is also time to occasionally

watch the sky for rapidly changing conditions.

TORNADO WARNING:

Issued when a tornado is strongly suggested, as indi-

cated by radar, or is actually sighted by storm spotters.

It is time to act – to seek shelter from the damaging

storm.

SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING:

Issued when a thunderstorm produces hail 3/4 of an inch

or larger in diameter and/or winds which equal or ex-

ceed 58 mph. Severe thunderstorms have killed more

people in Michigan than tornadoes have.

FLASH FLOOD WATCH:

Indicates that flash flooding is possible in and close to

the watch area. Those in the affected area are urged to

be ready to take quick action if a flash flood warning is

issued or flooding is observed.

FLASH FLOOD WARNING:

Signifies a dangerous situation where rapid flooding of

small rivers, streams, creeks, or urban areas are immi-

nent or already occurring. Very heavy rain that falls in a

short time period can lead to flash flooding, depending

on local terrain, ground cover, degree of urbanization,

degree of man-made changes to river banks, and initial

ground or river conditions.

Severe Weather Definitions

4

Tornado Safety

It is important to remember that when a WATCH is

issued, conditions are favorable for the development of

severe thunderstorms and tornadoes. This is the time to

PREPARE and to keep an eye on the sky for rapidly

changing weather conditions. Watches are usually is-

sued well before damaging storms form. If you use this

time wisely, you will not be caught by surprise by dam-

aging weather. When a severe weather warning is is-

sued, or when tornado sirens sound, it is time to ACT.

In a home with a basement: Avoid windows.

Get in basement under something sturdy.

Know where heavy objects are above and don’t go

underneath them.

Home without basement: Avoid windows.

Go to lowest floor possible and put as many walls

as possible between you and the outside (under a

stairwell, in a small closet, bathroom, or interior

hallway is best).

Crouch as low as possible and protect your head

from falling debris.

Mobile home:

Get Out! Mobile homes can be severely damaged

by even straight line winds.

Go to the nearest sturdy, permanent structure.

If necessary, lie flat on low ground or depression

away from trees and automobiles while protecting

your head.

Office building / hospital: Go to enclosed, windowless area in center

of building.

Crouch down and protect your head.

Avoid elevators.

11

First Alert Live Radar is a combination of ABC12’s

very own weather surveillance radar and a set of storm

tracking tools and other computer programs that help the

First Alert Storm Team track storms right down to

street-level over all of mid-Michigan.

The radar itself is located 4 miles northeast of

Chesaning in Saginaw County. It is a Radtec RDR250-

GC being run with Sigmet IRIS software. At the time of

its installation, ABC12 was the only television station in

the country operating this research-grade radar. The

IRIS software package allows for simultaneous display

of precipitation and Doppler velocity. It also has storm

tracking capabilities and rainfall estimation algorithms

that keep ABC12’s meteorologists on top of the storm.

And, all of this isn’t even used on the air!

Our on-air display comes from running our live radar

data into another computer from Weather Services Inter-

national (WSI). This system, called Trueview Interac-

tive, has a built-in geographic database that will auto-

matically calculate how long it will take storms to hit

cities all over the area. It can track individual storms

and squall lines. Using its ―interactive‖ capabilities,

ABC12’s meteorologists can track storms right on cam-

era, rather than having to be off-camera operating a key-

board and mouse.

Our system has other capabilities, including: display of

all the National Weather Service NEXRAD Doppler

radar sites, display of rainfall and snowfall estimates,

display of rainfall and snowfall forecast amounts, and

other past, present and forecast displays of other weather

parameters such as wind direction and speed, tempera-

ture, and sky conditions. Any of these parameters can

be displayed for any time in any city in the area for a 48-

hour timeframe. This part of our exclusive weather dis-

play is what we call ―Pinpoint Predictor.‖

While it is all very technical, what it boils down to is

that ABC12 has assembled the most technologically

advanced tools for the largest staff of meteorologists to

keep ABC12 ―Your Safest Place in Bad Weather.‖

What Exactly First Alert

Live Radar?

10

You can make a rough estimate of how far a storm is

away from you by looking for lightning and listening for

thunder. Because a lightning stroke creates a clap of

thunder, and because light travels much faster than

sound, lightning flashes can be seen long before the re-

sulting thunder is heard. When you see a lightning

stroke, count the number of seconds it takes for you to

hear its thunder. Divide this number by 5, and you have

(approximately) the number of miles the storm is away

from you! For example: You see lightning. Fifteen

seconds later you hear thunder. 15 divided by 5 is three.

You are about 3 miles from the storm!

It is important to remember, however, that whenever

you can hear thunder, you are at risk of being struck by

lightning – whether it is raining or not.

How Far Away Is That

Thunderstorm?

5

If you‟re outdoors: Get inside, if possible.

If you have no time to get indoors, lie in a ditch or

low-lying area or crouch near a strong building.

Protect your head and neck by using your arms.

Avoid seeking shelter under bridges or over-

passes. This can cause traffic hazards, and expo-

sure to high-velocity winds and flying debris.

If you‟re in a vehicle: Never try to outrun a tornado in a car. A tornado

can toss cars and trucks around like toys. If you see

a funnel cloud or hear a tornado warning issued, get

out of your vehicle and find safe shelter. If the tor-

nado is visible far away, and the traffic is light, you

may be able to drive out of its path by moving at

right angles to the tornado.

Get out of the car immediately and take shelter in a

nearby building.

If there is no time to get indoors, get out of the car

and lie in a ditch or low-lying area away from the

car. Choose a location such that your vehicle won’t

be rolled over on top of you.

Avoid seeking shelter under bridges or over-

passes. This can cause traffic hazards and exposure

to high-velocity winds and flying debris.

6

The Fujita („F‟) Scale, developed by Uni-

versity of Chicago researcher Dr. Theodore

Fujita in 1971, is used by meteorologists to

estimate the speed of winds AFTER a tor-

nado by studying the damage to structures

caused by the tornado.

F0 – Gale Tornado

Winds: Less than 73mph

Light Damage: Some chimneys damaged,

twigs and branches broken off trees,

shallow-rooted trees pushed over, signboards

damages, some windows broken

F1 - Moderate Tornado

Wind: 73-112 mph

Moderate Damage: Surface of roofs

peeled off, mobile homes pushed off

foundations or overturned, outbuildings

demolished, moving autos pushed off the

roads, trees snapped or broken, beginning

of hurricane speed winds

F2 - Significant Tornado Wind: 113-157 mph

Considerable Damage: Roofs torn off

frame houses, mobile homes demolished,

frame houses with weak foundations lifted

and moved, large trees snapped or uprooted,

light-object missiles generated

Fujita “F” Tornado

Intensity Scale

9

7. Get out of the water. This includes getting off

small boats on the water.

8. If you're outdoors, seek shelter from light-

ning! Buildings are best for shelter. If you can't find

shelter, avoid the tallest object in the area. If no build-

ings are available, you can find protection in a ditch or

other depression. Also, avoid proximity. Keep at least

15 feet between you and another person. Crouch down.

Put feet together. Place hands over ears to minimize

hearing damage from thunder.

9. Trees are not good cover! Tall trees attract light-

ning. If only isolated trees are nearby, your best protec-

tion is to crouch in the open, keeping twice as far away

from isolated trees as the trees are high.

10. When you feel the electrical charge -- if your

hair stands on end or your skin tingles -- lightning may

be about to strike you. Drop to the ground immedi-

ately!

11. Injured persons do not carry an electrical charge

and can be handled safely. Apply First Aid procedures

to a lightning victim if you are qualified to do so. Call

911 or send for help immediately.

8

Lightning Safety

A single stroke of lightning carries more than

100,000,000 volts of electricity -- enough power to light

a 100-watt light bulb for more than 3 months. A bolt of

lightning can be more than 40,000 degrees Fahrenheit –

hotter than the surface of the sun!

1. Stay or go indoors! Suspend activities for 30 min-

utes after the last observed lightning or thunder.

2. Stay away from anything that could conduct

electricity. This includes fireplaces, radiators, stoves

and plumbing.

3. Don't use any plug-in electrical appliances like

hair dryers, electric toothbrushes, or electric razors. If

lightning strikes your house, they can conduct the charge

to you.

4. Don't use the telephone during the storm. Lightning may strike telephone lines outside.

5. Stay in your automobile if you are traveling. Automobiles give you excellent lightning protection.

6. Don't use metal objects outside, like fishing rods

and golf clubs. Golfers wearing cleated shoes are really

good lightning rods.

F5

F4

7

F3 - Severe Tornado Wind: 158-206 mph

Severe Damage: Roofs and some walls torn

off well-constructed houses, trains overturned,

most trees uprooted, heavy cars lifted off the ground and

thrown, weak pavement blown off the roads

F4 - Devastating Tornado Wind: 207-260 mph

Devastating Damage: Well-constructed houses

leveled, structures with weak foundations blown

off the distance, cars thrown and disintegrated,

trees uprooted and carried some distance away

F5 - Incredible Tornado Wind: 261-318 mph

Incredible Damage: Strong frame houses lifted

off foundations and carried considerable distance

to disintegrate, automobile-sized missiles fly

through the air in excess of 300 feet, trees

debarked, incredible phenomena will occur

Michigan‟s Last Major Tornados

July 2, 1997

Clio

June 21, 1996

Frankenmuth

April 2, 1977

Eaton County & Kalamazoo County

April 3, 1959

Montcalm County

F3

F3

*June 8, 1953

Beecher

*Last tornado in US history to kill more than 100 people

F5