5th grade presentation

Weather Forecast Office Wakefield, VA

National Weather Service

Dwain E. Miller Jr., GISPVolunteer

National Weather ServiceWakefield, VA


Who/What is the NWS?

• A Federal Government Agency• Dept of Commerce

– NOAA• 5000 Employees total in the NWS• 122 Forecast offices across the

country (including Puerto Rico and Guam)


Our office• 24/7 Operation• 10 Forecasters

– All degreed meteorologists• Hydrometeorological

technicians• Interns• Technicians• Management/Support Staff


Operations 24 hours a day 7 days a

week• Public Forecasts• Aviation Forecasts• Marine Forecasts• Hydrology• Fire Weather• Severe Weather• Climatology• Upper Air• Data Collection • Quality Control

• Doppler Radar• Observing Equipment• Rain & River Gauges• AWIPS• Computers • Networks• NOAA Weather Radio• Web Site • Administrative Duties• Outreach



“Tools of the Trade”• Upper air balloons• Thermometers

– temperature• Anemometers

– wind speed• Barometers

– atomspheric pressure• Ceilometers

– height of cloud base• Hygrometers

– moisture content


Where do thunderstorms occur?


Last about 30 minutes


Towering Cumulus


Mature Thunderstorm

when damage/severe weather occurs


What is the definition of a severe

thunderstorm?•2 parts – Hail and

Wind– Hail – ¾ Inch in

Diameter (penny size) or larger

– Wind – Sustained wind or wind gusts 58 mph (50 knots) or higher•Damage to Trees, Power

lines, and/or Structures

Church Creek, Md. – 4/28/2002

Near Victoria, Va. – 5/22/2000


What is the difference between

a watch and a warning?


Watch•Severe Thunderstorm or Tornado

•Covers a large area•Out for 4-8 hours at a time•Have a plan/watch the sky


Warning•Severe Thunderstorm or Tornado

•Covers a pretty small area•Only out for up to one hour•Take Action!!!


Dissipating Thunderstorm


How fast are the winds in a tornado?

112 mph to more than 300 mph!


Where do tornadoes occur?


Tornado Safety• BASIC RULE of Thumb

– “Go Low, Stay Low”• Seek Safe Shelter –

Sturdy Bldg.– Lowest floor

bathroom, closet or hallway

– Crouch down– Use cushions,

blankets, coats, etc. as protection from debris


Tornado Safety• If Outside – Move to

Shelter, if possible• NO Shelter &

Outside– Get as Low as

Possible – Use Ditch, if nearby– Crouch down or LIE

down– Cover head with

hands


Waverly Tornado (Feb 2016)

Damaged RR Crossing SignalRoof Damage of Grocery Store


Waverly Tornado (Feb 2016)

Outside of Waverly Post Office

Damaged roof of Waverly Gym


Flood Safety


How much water does it take to

float a car or van or bus?

2 Feet or less!


Do not drive or walk through a flooded roadway or flowing

water…• 2 feet of water

will cause most vehicles to float

• 6 inches of moving water can knock you off your feet




Lightning Safety

• Young adults aged 20-29 accounted for the most losses with (36%)– Followed by kids aged 10-

19 (16%)• Lightning accounted for 1 out

of 4 weather related deaths in Virginia in 2007


Radar/Lightning Image


Which state sees the most lightning each

year?



Lightning Safety• Seek Safe Shelter – Enclosed,

Grounded Building– Tents, Picnic Pavilions and

Porches are NOT Good Shelters– Inside a vehicle (with windows

closed)•Lightning tends to strike the

tallest object


Lightning Safety• As a LAST

RESORT…• If your hair stands

on end or your skin tingles…

• And NO SHELTER…– Get Away From

Trees– Avoid Open Spaces– Get as Low as

Possible– Assume Lightning

Desperation Position


Most Important Thing to Remember!

• Stay informed!• How can you get the latest

information?• Make sure you know where the

storms are and where they’re expected to move


Questions?

5th grade presentation

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