Tuesday, March 8, 2022

2022 North Carolina Severe Weather Preparedness Week - March 6th through March 12th


March 6th - 12th, 2022 is Severe Weather Preparedness Week in North Carolina.  This week the National Weather Service and the North Carolina Department of Public Safety are teaming up to bring this severe weather safety campaign to all of North Carolina’s residents.  With warmer weather quickly approaching, now is the time to prepare for the severe weather season.  If each North Carolina resident would take a few moments this week to learn about severe weather safety and implement a safety plan, then we would all be better off when severe thunderstorms and tornadoes inevitably strike our state and the likelihood of injury and fatalities caused by severe weather could be minimized.

 Schools and government buildings statewide will hold tornado drills Wednesday, March 9th, at 9:30 a.m. to practice their emergency plans. Test messages will be broadcast on National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration weather radios and the Emergency Alert System. All North Carolinians are encouraged to participate in the drill.

 This year's North Carolina Severe Weather Preparedness Week will combine multiple awareness weeks while focusing on tornadoes, large hail, lightning, flash flooding, and damaging straight-line winds. Click on each link to learn more about staying safe during that type of weather hazard.

Daily Topics:

Posted at

Monday, May 6, 2019

2019 North Carolina Hurricane Preparedness Week - May 5th - 11th

Be Prepared - Get a PLAN!

It only takes one storm to change your life and community. Tropical cyclones are among nature’s most powerful and destructive phenomena. If you live in an area prone to tropical cyclones, you need to be prepared. Even areas well away from the coastline can be threatened by dangerous flooding, destructive winds and tornadoes from these storms. The National Hurricane Center issues watches, warnings, forecasts, and analyses of hazardous tropical weather.
Hurricane Hazards
The primary hazards from hurricanes are storm surge flooding, inland flooding from heavy rains, destructive winds, tornadoes, and high surf and rip currents. While hurricanes pose the greatest threat to life and property, tropical storms and depressions can also be devastating. Flooding from heavy rains can cause extensive damage and loss of life.
The Time to Prepare is NOW!
What should you do to prepare for a hurricane? Get a plan!

As a committed leader for weather-readiness, each day during the preparedness week the NWS will be highlighting ways individuals can prepare for the hurricane season by knowing their risks and taking action.  Scroll down to view each day's topic, or use these quick links:
Posted at

Monday, March 4, 2019

North Carolina's 2019 Severe Weather Preparedness Week


March 3 - 9, 2019 is Severe Weather Preparedness Week in North Carolina.  This week the National Weather Service and the North Carolina Department of Public Safety are teaming up to bring this severe weather safety campaign to all of North Carolina’s residents.  With warmer weather quickly approaching, now is the time to prepare for the severe weather season.  If each North Carolina resident would take a few moments this week to learn about severe weather safety and implement a safety plan, then we would all be better off when severe thunderstorms and tornadoes inevitably strike our state and the likelihood of injury and fatalities caused by severe weather could be minimized.

Schools and government buildings statewide will hold tornado drills Wednesday, March 6, at 9:30 a.m. to practice their emergency plans. Test messages will be broadcast on National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration weather radios and the Emergency Alert System. All North Carolinians are encouraged to participate in the drill.

This year's North Carolina Severe Weather Preparedness Week will combine multiple awareness weeks while focusing on tornadoes, large hail, lightning, flash flooding, and damaging straight-line winds. Click on each link to learn more about staying safe during that type of weather hazard.
Daily Topics:




In addition to making a severe weather safety plan, we strongly encourage everyone to participate in the Statewide Tornado Drill, which will occur on Wednesday, March 6, 2019 at 9:30 AM.  Every school, business, work place, and family across the state is strongly encouraged to participate in this drill.   It is important that all schools and businesses are aware of the following important points about the tornado drill:

  • The drill will be broadcast on NOAA Weather Radio and the Emergency Alert System via the Required Monthly Test (RMT).  There will not be an actual Tornado Warning issued.
  • Most NOAA Weather Radio receivers (including the Midland WR-100 that many schools have) do not sound an audible alert for the RMT product; but instead, may have a blinking light on the display to indicate that an RMT was received.  As such, when the RMT for the statewide tornado drill is initiated at 9:30 AM on Wednesday, March 7, 2018, there is a good chance that your NOAA Weather Radio will not sound an alarm.
  • Since your NOAA Weather Radio may not sound an alarm at the time the RMT is issued, you will want to do one of the following:
    • Manually turn on your NOAA Weather Radio receiver around 9:25 AM Wednesday morning, and simply listen to the audio broadcast to hear when the RMT is issued, which will mark the beginning of the statewide tornado drill; or -
    • Simply self-initiate the tornado drill on your own at 9:30 AM. 
  • There will be no follow-up statements issued by the NWS to mark the end of the statewide tornado drill.   It will simply be over when your group, school, business, or organization feels that you have adequately practiced your tornado shelter procedures.
  • If there is actual severe weather occurring on the morning of March 6 2019, the statewide tornado drill will be postponed.  The alternate date for the drill is Friday, March 8 2019 at 9:30 AM EST.
  • This drill and RMT will take the place of the usual weekly NOAA Weather Radio Alert test (RWT).  That is, there will not be a weekly radio test done between 11 AM and Noon on that day.
Please share this information and encourage all of your friends, family, neighbors, co-workers, and especially all schools, to take the opportunity next Wednesday to participate in the drill, and to take a few moments to learn more about severe weather preparedness.
Posted at

Sunday, March 4, 2018


March 4-10, 2018 is Severe Weather Preparedness Week in North Carolina.  This week the National Weather Service and the North Carolina Department of Public Safety are teaming up to bring this severe weather safety campaign to all of North Carolina’s residents.  With warmer weather quickly approaching, now is the time to prepare for the severe weather season.  If each North Carolina resident would take a few moments this week to learn about severe weather safety and implement a safety plan, then we would all be better off when severe thunderstorms and tornadoes inevitably strike our state and the likelihood of injury and fatalities caused by severe weather could be minimized.

Schools and government buildings statewide will hold tornado drills Wednesday, March 7, at 9:30 a.m. to practice their emergency plans. Test messages will be broadcast on National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration weather radios and the Emergency Alert System. All North Carolinians are encouraged to participate in the drill.

This year's North Carolina Severe Weather Preparedness Week will combine multiple awareness weeks while focusing on tornadoes, large hail, lightning, flash flooding, and damaging straight-line winds. Click on each link to learn more about staying safe during that type of weather hazard.
Daily Topics:




In addition to making a severe weather safety plan, we strongly encourage everyone to participate in the Statewide Tornado Drill, which will occur on Wednesday, March 7, 2018 at 9:30 AM.  Every school, business, work place, and family across the state is strongly encouraged to participate in this drill.   It is important that all schools and businesses are aware of the following important points about the tornado drill:

  • The drill will be broadcast on NOAA Weather Radio and the Emergency Alert System via the Required Monthly Test (RMT).  There will not be an actual Tornado Warning issued.
  • Most NOAA Weather Radio receivers (including the Midland WR-100 that many schools have) do not sound an audible alert for the RMT product; but instead, may have a blinking light on the display to indicate that an RMT was received.  As such, when the RMT for the statewide tornado drill is initiated at 9:30 AM on Wednesday, March 7, 2018, there is a good chance that your NOAA Weather Radio will not sound an alarm.
  • Since your NOAA Weather Radio may not sound an alarm at the time the RMT is issued, you will want to do one of the following:
    • Manually turn on your NOAA Weather Radio receiver around 9:25 AM Wednesday morning, and simply listen to the audio broadcast to hear when the RMT is issued, which will mark the beginning of the statewide tornado drill; or -
    • Simply self-initiate the tornado drill on your own at 9:30 AM. 
  • There will be no follow-up statements issued by the NWS to mark the end of the statewide tornado drill.   It will simply be over when your group, school, business, or organization feels that you have adequately practiced your tornado shelter procedures.
  • If there is actual severe weather occurring on the morning of March 7 2018, the statewide tornado drill will be postponed.  The alternate date for the drill is Friday, March 9 2017 at 9:30 AM EST.
  • This drill and RMT will take the place of the usual weekly NOAA Weather Radio Alert test (RWT).  That is, there will not be a weekly radio test done between 11 AM and Noon on that day.
Please share this information and encourage all of your friends, family, neighbors, co-workers, and especially all schools, to take the opportunity next Wednesday to participate in the drill, and to take a few moments to learn more about severe weather preparedness.
Posted at

Friday, September 1, 2017

Severe Weather Threat - Friday September 1st 2017

Good morning,

As most of you are aware, a severe weather threat exists across much of central North Carolina today as a result of the remnants of "Harvey" as it pulls north and east out of the Tennessee Valley.

The NWS Storm Prediction Center has increased the Risk Category from "Slight" to "Enhanced", particularly for areas in the south and west (Davidson, Randolph, Stanly, Montgomery & Moore Counties in the Triad SKYWARN Area).  A graphic representation of today's threat of severe weather and embedded tornadoes can be found here:

http://www.spc.noaa.gov/products/outlook/day1otlk.html

The following text has been copied here from the NWS SPC link above:

...SUMMARY... Severe thunderstorms capable of isolated tornadoes and damaging wind gusts are expected over the Carolinas and southern Appalachians vicinity this afternoon into early evening.

...Carolinas/Southern Appalachians... The remnants of Harvey, centered across the Tennessee Valley early this morning, will continue to spread slowly northeastward today and tonight. On the eastern periphery of remnant Harvey, a moderately strong low-level wind field will overspread the southern Appalachians vicinity including eastern portions of TN/KY and as far east the Piedmont of the Carolinas.

Although cloud cover remains semi-prevalent in some areas early this morning, a more appreciable warming of the boundary layer will occur within the warm sector especially to the east of the southern Appalachians spine and along/south of sharpening west/east frontal zone across the Carolinas where around 500-1500 J/kg of MLCAPE is expected. Convection will likely increase and intensify this afternoon within the convergence bands east of the center of remnant Harvey. Piedmont areas and locations just east of the mountains across northern SC into NC should have the relatively highest potential for a few tornadoes this afternoon, especially with storms developing near and interacting with the aforementioned surface front across the Carolinas where low level shear/SRH will be maximized.

As a lot of people may be preoccupied with packing/traveling associated with the start of the Labor Day Holiday Weekend, please, as always, stay abreast of changing conditions and forecasts, as well as the issuance of any watches and/or warnings later this afternoon and evening.

Due to the wide-coverage repeaters normally utilized for Triad SKYWARN Operations still being off the air, activation will be handled via the 145.150 Mhz (100.0hz tone) GARA Repeater located in northern Greensboro.  We will also monitor 442.825 (82.5) Asheboro UHF repeater as well due to it providing coverage to the southern tier counties (as well as others who may not be able to reach the 145.150 repeater?).

Please insure that any reports that meet "Criteria" (as defined by the NWS during Spotter Training) are relayed to the NWS . . . whether this be via amateur radio, telephone, twitter, email, etc..

I encourage everyone again to take the time now, prior to any onset or threat of severe weather, to review your severe weather safety plan with co-workers, family and friends . . . know where to go for safe shelter, and what to take with you/have available if needed.

Let's pray for the best while we prepare (just in case) for the worst!


NC4JH
John Hamilton
Emergency Coordinator
Triad SKYWARN
Posted at

Monday, March 7, 2016

Severe Weather Preparedness Week in North Carolina is March 5-11, 2017 - Statewide Tornado Drill scheduled for Wednesday, March 8 at 9:30 AM

March 5-11, 2017 is Severe Weather Preparedness Week in North Carolina.  This week the National Weather Service and the North Carolina Department of Public Safety are teaming up to bring this severe weather safety campaign to all of North Carolina’s residents.  With warmer weather quickly approaching, now is the time to prepare for the severe weather season.  If each North Carolina resident would take a few moments this week to learn about severe weather safety and implement a safety plan, then we would all be better off when severe thunderstorms and tornadoes inevitably strike our state and the likelihood of injury and fatalities caused by severe weather could be minimized.


Schools and government buildings statewide will hold tornado drills Wednesday, March 8, at 9:30 a.m. to practice their emergency plans. Test messages will be broadcast on National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration weather radios and the Emergency Alert System. All North Carolinians are encouraged to participate in the drill.

This year's North Carolina Severe Weather Preparedness Week will combine multiple awareness weeks while focusing on tornadoes, large hail, lightning, flash flooding, and damaging straight-line winds. Click on each link to learn more about staying safe during that type of weather hazard.
Daily Topics:

In addition to making a severe weather safety plan, we strongly encourage everyone to participate in the Statewide Tornado Drill, which will occur on Wednesday, March 8, 2017 at 9:30 AM.  Every school, business, work place, and family across the state is strongly encouraged to participate in this drill.   It is important that all schools and businesses are aware of the following important points about the tornado drill:
  • The drill will be broadcast on NOAA Weather Radio and the Emergency Alert System via the Required Monthly Test (RMT).  There will not be an actual Tornado Warning issued.
  • Most NOAA Weather Radio receivers (including the Midland WR-100 that many schools have) do not sound an audible alert for the RMT product; but instead, may have a blinking light on the display to indicate that an RMT was received.  As such, when the RMT for the statewide tornado drill is initiated at 9:30 AM on Wednesday, March 9, 2016, there is a good chance that your NOAA Weather Radio will not sound an alarm.
  • Since your NOAA Weather Radio may not sound an alarm at the time the RMT is issued, you will want to do one of the following:
    • Manually turn on your NOAA Weather Radio receiver around 9:25 AM Wednesday morning, and simply listen to the audio broadcast to hear when the RMT is issued, which will mark the beginning of the statewide tornado drill; or -
    • Simply self-initiate the tornado drill on your own at 9:30 AM. 
  • There will be no follow-up statements issued by the NWS to mark the end of the statewide tornado drill.   It will simply be over when your group, school, business, or organization feels that you have adequately practiced your tornado shelter procedures.
  • If there is actual severe weather occurring on the morning of March 9, 2016, the statewide tornado drill will be postponed.  The alternate date for the drill is Friday, March 110 2017 at 9:30 AM EST.
  • This drill and RMT will take the place of the usual weekly NOAA Weather Radio Alert test (RWT).  That is, there will not be a weekly radio test done between 11 AM and Noon on that day.
Please share this information and encourage all of your friends, family, neighbors, co-workers, and especially all schools, to take the opportunity next Wednesday to participate in the drill, and to take a few moments to learn more about severe weather preparedness.



Posted at

Sunday, April 27, 2014

OVERNIGHT SEVERE WEATHER THREAT - TUESDAY & AGAIN WEDNESDAY AFTERNOON

There is a high likelihood that central North Carolina will see the potential for overnight severe weather late Tuesday into early Wednesday morning.


This is especially dangerous for those who are less "connected" with regards to staying abreast of the changing forecast as well as any watches, and more importantly any warnings that may be issued.


Please communicate with family members, neighbors, friends and co-workers the real threat associated with overnight severe weather events.


Studies have found that North Carolina is ranked 1st with the greatest percentage of killer nocturnal tornadoes. They noted that 81% of all tornado deaths in North Carolina during this period occurred at night while only 28% of all tornadoes in North Carolina during this period actually occurred at night.  To put it another way, for every 1,000 nocturnal tornadoes there would be 265 fatalities while for every 1,000 daytime tornadoes, there would be 60 fatalities!


NOAA Weather and All Hazards Radios are readily available at most retail locations who sell electronics (including some larger drug stores) and when properly set, have been proven to save lives by providing advanced notification thus allowing individuals, employees and families to reach pre-designated "safe locations" within their homes and/or work places.


Again, please plan now, ahead of any potentially issued watches and/or warnings.  Have a severe weather evacuation plan with designated "safe locations" in place and practice the plan just as you would with a fire drill.


Stay abreast of the latest forecasts, watches and/or issued warnings by means of NOAA Weather and All Hazards Radio, local news media, smart phone apps and or internet sources.



Posted at

Sunday, March 2, 2014

SEVERE WEATHER AWARENESS WEEK - Sunday March 2nd through Saturday March 8th 2014

During the past year, North Carolina experienced 10 tornadoes and nearly 500 incidents of severe thunderstorms with damaging winds or large hail. This resulted in 3 fatalities, 10 injuries, and over 11 million dollars in damages across the state.
North Carolina’s Severe Weather Awareness Week is an effort to increase awareness of severe weather and to motivate individuals, families, businesses, and communities to take actions that will prepare them in the event of severe weather.
The National Weather Service (NWS) is proud to be promoting North Carolina’s Severe Weather Awareness Week, which will take place during the week of March 2-8, 2014. During this week, we are asking members of the community to Be a Force of Nature and better prepare for severe weather threats in our area. This year, North Carolina’s annual Severe Weather Awareness Week corresponds with the National Severe Weather Preparedness Week, which is sponsored by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).
As a committed leader for weather-readiness, each day during the awareness week the NWS will be highlighting ways individuals can Be a Force of Nature by knowing the risk, taking action and serving as an example.

Daily Topics:

Daily Severe Weather Awareness Topics can be found here:  http://www.weather.gov/rah/2014ncswaw
In addition, the North Carolina Annual Statewide Tornado Drill for 2014 will take place on Wednesday, March 5, at 9:30 AM EST.  Every school, business, work place, and family across the state is strongly encouraged to participate in this drill.    Please ensure that all schools and businesses that are participating in the drill are aware of the following important points: 
  • The drill will be broadcast on NOAA Weather Radio and the Emergency Alert System via the Required Monthly Test (RMT).  There will not be an actual Tornado Warning issued.
  • Most NOAA Weather Radio receivers (including the Midland WR-100 that many schools have) do not sound an audible alert for the RMT product; but instead, may have a blinking light on the display to indicate that an RMT was received.  As such, when the RMT for the statewide tornado drill is initiated at 9:30 AM on Wednesday, March 5, 2014, there is a good chance that your NOAA Weather Radio will not sound an alarm.
  • Since your NOAA Weather Radio may not sound an alarm at the time the RMT is issued, you will want to do one of the following: 
    • Simply plan to start your tornado drill own your own at 9:30 AM; or
    • You can manually turn on your NOAA Weather Radio receiver and simply listen to the audio broadcast to hear when the RMT is issued, which will mark the beginning of the statewide tornado drill.
  • There will be no followup statements issued by the NWS to mark the end of the statewide tornado drill.   It will simply be over when your group, school, business, organization, or family feel that you have adequately practiced your tornado shelter procedures.
  • If there is actual severe weather occurring on the morning of March 5, 2014, the statewide tornado drill will be postponed.  The alternate date for the drill is Friday, March 7, 2014 at 9:30 AM EST.
  • This drill and RMT will take the place of the usual weekly NOAA Weather Radio Alert test (RWT).  That is, there will not be a weekly radio test done between 11 AM and Noon on that day.
Know Your Risk: The first step to becoming weather-ready is to understand the type of hazardous weather that can affect where you live and work, and how the weather can impact you and your family. Check the weather forecast regularly, obtain a NOAA Weather Radio, and learn about Wireless Emergency Alerts. Severe weather comes in many forms and your shelter plan should include all types of local hazards.

Take Action: Before storms strike, develop a family communication plan, create or purchase an emergency supplies kit, and discover ways to stay informed.

Be an Example: Share your preparedness story with your friends and family on Facebook and Twitter. Letting others know that you’re prepared will prompt them to prepare as well. Studies show that many people use social media in the event of a disaster to let relatives and friends know they are safe. This is an important trend because people are most likely to take preparedness steps if they observe the preparations taken by others.
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Wednesday, June 12, 2013

SEVERE WEATHER POTENTIAL THIS AFTERNOON/EVENING

HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE
410 AM EDT THU JUN 13 2013

THIS HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK IS FOR CENTRAL NORTH CAROLINA.

.DAY ONE...TODAY AND TONIGHT.

A POTENT LOW PRESSURE SYSTEM AND ASSOCIATED COLD FRONT WILL TRACK RAPIDLY EAST ACROSS THE MID-ATLANTIC STATES TODAY. SCATTERED THUNDERSTORMS ARE EXPECTED TO DEVELOP ALONG AND AHEAD OF THE COLD FRONT IN THE PIEDMONT BY MID AFTERNOON...BECOMING MORE NUMEROUS AND EVENTUALLY DEVELOPING INTO A SQUALL LINE BY LATE AFTERNOON AND EARLY EVENING AS THEY MOVE QUICKLY EAST ACROSS THE TRIANGLE AND INTO THE COASTAL PLAIN. ANY THUNDERSTORMS THAT DEVELOP WILL BE CAPABLE OF PRODUCING DAMAGING WINDS AND QUARTER TO GOLF BALL SIZE HAIL.

ADDITIONALLY...THE COMBINATION OF A HUMID AIRMASS AND HIGH TEMPERATURES IN THE LOWER 90S WILL RESULT IN HEAT INDICES AS HIGH AS 100 DEGREES THIS AFTERNOON.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...FRIDAY THROUGH WEDNESDAY.

HAZARDOUS WEATHER IS NOT EXPECTED AT THIS TIME.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

SKYWARN SPOTTER ACTIVATION MAY BE NEEDED THIS AFTERNOON AND EVENING. SPOTTERS SHOULD MONITOR THE LATEST DAY 1 CONVECTIVE OUTLOOK FROM THE STORM PREDICTION CENTER AT WWW.SPC.NOAA.GOV AND BE PREPARED FOR THE POSSIBILITY OF SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WATCHES AND WARNINGS LATER TODAY.
Posted at

Sunday, June 9, 2013

The 2013 Atlantic Hurricane Season - Forecasted to be ACTIVE!

National Hurricane Preparedness Week 2013 Banner

History teaches that a lack of hurricane awareness and preparation are common threads among all major hurricane disasters. By knowing your vulnerability and what actions you should take, you can reduce the effects of a hurricane disaster.  With 2013 forecast to be another ACTIVE tropical season, planning now can make the difference later.

Hurricane hazards come in many forms, including storm surge, heavy rainfall, inland flooding, high winds, tornadoes, and rip currents. The National Weather Service is responsible for protecting life and property through issuance of timely watches and warnings, but it is essential that your family be ready before a storm approaches. Furthermore, mariners should be aware of special safety precautions when confronted with a hurricane.

Download the Tropical Cyclone Preparedness Guide (PDF) or follow the links for more information. But remember, this is only a guide. The first and most important thing anyone should do when facing a hurricane threat is to use common sense.

Resources

Posted at

Sunday, March 11, 2012

FLOOD SAFETY AWARENESS WEEK (March 12th - 16th)

The National Weather Service (NWS) has designated March 18th-22nd, 2013, as the annual Flood Safety Awareness Week.

Nationwide, it floods somewhere in the United States nearly every day of the year. In the past 30 years, floods have claimed an average of 94 lives a year and the economic impacts of floods are growing. The annual average inflation-adjusted direct damage costs due to flooding have risen each of the past three decades from $4.7 billion for 1981-1990, to $7.9 billion for 1991-2000, to $10.2 billion for 2001-2010.

Closer to home, in 2011 hurricane Irene made landfall near Cape Lookout on August 27nd and tracked northward across eastern North Carolina into southern New England. Irene produced a swath of rainfall exceeding 8 inches along and east of the interstate 95 corridor, resulting in widespread flooding. There were 2 deaths attributed to flooding from Irene, and flooding caused around 1.5 billion dollars in economic losses, which includes hundreds of millions of dollars’ loss to the agricultural community.

The goals of Flood Safety Awareness Week are to inform the public about NWS forecast and warning services and flood safety information, heighten public awareness to the risks associated with all types of floods including flash flooding, storm surge, and those related to dam or levee failures, and empower citizens to take actions necessary to protect their lives and property.
2011 was a devastating year for flooding impacts and provided a clear example of why Americans depend on multi-agency water resource services like flood forecasts and warnings issued by the NWS, water observations provided by the USGS, water control and management provided by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, and the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s efforts in flood preparedness and response.

In the spring and summer, there is an increased threat of flash flooding from thunderstorms in North Carolina. Then, later summer and fall increase the flood threat from tropical cyclones. As the state’s infrastructure ages, increased stresses on dams, levees and bridges due to the seasonal impacts described above can heighten flood threats. Regardless of the cause, the NWS is committed to improving the timeliness and accuracy of river and flood forecasts and warnings necessary to help protect lives and livelihoods.

"TURN AROUND DON'T DROWN" (TM)

Most flood-related deaths occur in motor vehicles when people attempt to drive through flooded roadways. Motor vehicles were involved in 68 of the 113 flood related deaths across the nation in 2011. Don’t underestimate the power of flowing water across a road. It only takes 12 to 18 inches of water to cause a vehicle, even large SUVs, to float. Unknown to the driver, the road may even be washed away under the surface of the water, allowing the vehicle to be swept away with the flood current. The NWS has developed the flood safety slogan: Turn Around Don’t DrownTM and hopes you will remember these words when you’re faced with a flooded roadway and have that important decision to make. Be especially cautious when driving at night when it is harder to recognize flood dangers.

Source - http://www.erh.noaa.gov/rah/news/content/RAH_FSAW2012.pdf

Posted at

Saturday, March 3, 2012

SEVERE WEATHER AWARENESS WEEK (March 3rd - 9th 2013)

The Govenor has declared March 3rd - 9th Severe Weather Awareness Week in North Carolina and recommends that families have safety plans for home, work or school so they can respond quickly when tornadoes or severe storms threaten. 

In addition, the annual Statewide Tornado Drill is scheduled for Wednesday, March 6, 2013, at 9:30 AM.  The National Weather Service encourages everyone to participate in this year's SWAW activities and drill.

In addition to initiating this year's tornado drill via NOAA Weather Radio and the EAS Required Monthly Test product, all week long the NWS will be issuing informative messages (public information statements) to help everyone prepare for severe weather.  Each day will cover a different topic.  Below is a list of the topics that will be covered each day, and a link to download that day's message:

Sunday - Overview of the 2012 NC SWAW: http://www.erh.noaa.gov/rah/news/content/2012_SWAW_Sunday.pdf

Monday - Severe thunderstorms: http://www.erh.noaa.gov/rah/news/content/2012_SWAW_Monday.pdf

Tuesday - Lightning:
http://www.erh.noaa.gov/rah/news/content/2012_SWAW_Tuesday.pdf

Wednesday - Tornadoes:
http://www.erh.noaa.gov/rah/news/content/2012_SWAW_Wednesday.pdf

Thursday - Flooding:
http://www.erh.noaa.gov/rah/news/content/2012_SWAW_Thursday.pdf

Friday - The alert process:
http://www.erh.noaa.gov/rah/news/content/2012_SWAW_Friday.pdf

Saturday - SWAW summary:
http://www.erh.noaa.gov/rah/news/content/2012_SWAW_Saturday.pdf



Posted at

Tuesday, March 15, 2011

** NATIONAL FLOOD SAFETY AWARENESS WEEK **




March 14th - 18th is National Flood Safety Awareness Week.
Flooding is a coast to coast threat to the United States and its territories in all months of the year. National Flood Safety Awareness Week is intended to highlight some of the many ways floods can occur, the hazards associated with floods, and what you can do to save life and property.


For more information regarding National Flood Safety Awareness Week, please visit the following web site for links to valuable information related to flooding:
Posted at

Sunday, February 27, 2011

** Severe Weather Awareness Week in N.C. ** (Feb 28th - Mar 5th)


Governor Beverly Perdue has declared this week as North Carolina's Severe Weather Awareness Week.

The goal is to spread educational messages about how to prepare for various types of severe weather from tornadoes to flooding and lightning.

The Statewide Tornado Drill will take place Wednesday March 2nd at 9:30am. The tornado drill will be broadcast over NOAA Weather Radio and will activate the State's Emergency Alert System, including local radio and cable TV stations. Everyone is encouraged to utilize this drill to put their safety plans into practice.

Each day this week the National Weather Service will highlight a different topic via the internet, as well as NOAA Weather Radio covering various severe weather related topics. Each days topic is outlined here:
  • Sunday - Severe Weather Awareness Week Begings:
  • Monday - Severe Thunderstorms/Hail/Damaging Winds:
  • Tuesday - Lightning:
  • Wednesday - Torndaoes:
  • Thursday - Flooding:
  • Friday - Alert Process:
  • Saturday - Preparedness:
Other useful web links of interest can be found by clicking on the links below:
Posted at

Friday, July 24, 2009

El Niño Arrives; Expected to Persist through Winter 2009-10

NOAA has released additional information about the most recent SST / El Nino Click on this link to read the entire story.




Posted at

* 2009 Hurricane Preparedness Week (May 24th - May 30th 2009)

History teaches that a lack of hurricane awareness and preparation are common threads among all major hurricane disasters. By knowing your vulnerability and what actions you should take, you can reduce the affects of a hurricane disaster.

The goal of Hurricane Preparedness Week (May 24th - May 30th 2009) is to is to provide knowledge which can be used to take action and protect lives and property while at work or at home, whether on the road or on the water.

You should be able to answer the following questions before a tropical system threatens:

  • What are the hazards
  • How will this affect me
  • What actions should I take to be prepared

In order to assist you with decision making and common sense, each day this week the National Weather Service has highlighted a different topic relating to the history, affects, forecasts, preparedness and actions required when confronting land falling tropical systems such as hurricanes, tropical storms and tropical depressions; these topics and their appropriate links are listed below:

Sunday - Hurricane History

Monday - Storm Surge

Tuesday - High Winds

Wednesday - Inland Flooding

Thursday - Forecast Process

Friday - Be Prepared

Saturday - Take Action

It is important for your family/work to have a plan that includes the potential hazards. Look carefully at the safety actions associated with each type of tropical system hazard and prepare your family/work disaster plan accordingly.

(More information can be found by visiting the following web site: National Hurricane Preparedness Week )
Posted at

* NATIONAL LIGHTNING AWARENESS WEEK - JUNE 21st - 27

Lightning is one of the most deadly and damaging types of weather we face here in North Carolina and it typically does not receive enough attention.

In the United States, an average of 62 people are killed each year by lightning. Already in 2009, 15 people have died due to lightning strikes. In 2008, 28 people were struck and killed by lighting in the U.S.; hundreds of others were injured. Of the victims who were killed by lightning in 2008:

  • 100% were outside
  • 79% were male
  • 36% were males between the ages of 20-25
  • 32% were standing under a tree
  • 29% occurred on or near the water

For more information regarding lightning safety, please visit the following web page:

NOAA's Lightning Safety Website
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The History of Triad SKYWARN

1980's - Our origins can be dated back prior to the 1984 "Carolina's Outbreak" of tornadoes which brought about an increased interest in the SKYWARN program across North Carolina.  Up until that time, the amateur radio effort out of the Greensboro National Weather Service Office was the only one in the state.

1991 - First formally organized as "Greensboro SKYWARN" through the former Greensboro National Weather Service Office.  This was the first effort to bring an existing amateur radio "Weather Net" that dated back to prior to 1984 into a formal NWS SKYWARN Organization.  During this time, NWS SKYWARN Protocols and formal Spotter Training Classes were initiated.

1994 - Became "Triad SKYWARN" after the National Weather Service re-organization which decommissioned the old Greensboro NWS Office at Piedmont Triad International Airport.  (Incidentally, NWS weather balloon launches continue out of PTI on a daily basis.)

1994 - With the re-organization of NWS Offices and their respective County Warning Areas (CWAs), Triad SKYWARN began serving the Raleigh National Weather Service Office, as well as a second National Weather Service Office in Blacksburg, VA due to the inclusion of the Virginia border counties of Surry, Stokes, Rockingham and Caswell into their newly defined CWA.

2002 - Triad SKYWARN moved its primary operating frequency from 145.250 mhz W4GG repeater to the newly commissioned 147.255 mhz K4ITL Asheboro repeater due to its ability to cover the entire 12 counties within the Triad SKYWARN area.

2003 - With the inactivity of the former "Sandhills SKYWARN Program", Triad SKYWARN expanded from 9 to 12 counties with the adoption of Stanly, Montgomery and Moore Counties by request from the NWS Raleigh Office.

Triad SKYWARN has a long history of volunteer public service to the National Weather Service over the past 35+ years, including many memorable severe and winter weather events which have had a significant impact on central North Carolina, and we look forward to continuing to enhance the NWS forecasts many years into the future by providing "ground truth" observations during inclement weather events.

(Historical data provided by the present and former Emergency Coordiantors of the Greensboro/Triad SKYWARN Progarm: Steve Marks - N4SCM, Bill Boyes - KB1G and John Hamilton - NC4JH)

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What is Triad SKYWARN?

Triad SKYWARN is an organization of severe weather spotters trained by the National Weather Service. Many of our Spotters are amateur radio operators who make use of portable and mobile radios to report severe weather conditions to the National Weather Service Offices in Raleigh, NC and Blacksburg, VA. The NWS Office also utilizes a specific telephone number, email and social media outlets to collect reports of criteria severe weather. These reports are used to verify existing severe weather warnings and are often used to assist the meteorologists in determining when and where additional warnings should be issued. 

Our trained severe weather spotters volunteer many hours each year to support the SKYWARN program.  We are responsible for providing severe weather information to and from counties in and around the Piedmont Triad of North Carolina in cooperation with the National Weather Service Offices in Raleigh, NC and Blacksburg, VA.

Our served counties include Alamance, Caswell, Davidson, Forsyth, Guilford, Montgomery, Moore, Randolph, Rockingham, Stanly, Stokes, and Surry Counties in the state of North Carolina.

During severe weather events, and pending availability of a Net Control Operator (who are all volunteers with regular jobs/lives), Triad SKYWARN will be active on the 147.255 mhz K4ITL Asheboro repeater (or the subsequent back-up repeaters when a repeater is down - in descending order as listed on the home page) so that any reports of severe weather may be relayed to and from the National Weather Service.

Leadership Team

The leadership team is comprised of amateurs from around the Triad who coordinate the activities of Triad SKYWARN.  The team is made up of an Emergency Coordinator, an Assistant Emergency Coordinator (AEC) for Operations, a Net Manager, and an AEC for each of the coutnies in the Triad SKYWARN area.

Emergency Coordinator = John Hamilton - NC4JH
AEC Operations = Vacant
Net Manager = Vacant
AEC Alamance = Vacant
AEC Caswell = Vacant
AEC Davidson = Tim Hedrick - KI4QCN
AEC Forsyth = Vacant
AEC Guilford = Vacant
AEC Montgomery = Vacant
AEC Moore = Raymond Arnold - KG4CPM
AEC Randolph = Vacant
AEC Rockingham = Vacant
AEC Stanly = Vacant
AEC Stokes = Vacant
AEC Surry = Vacant

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