Tornado - Dexter, Michigan

A tornado touched down this afternoon right outside of Dexter, MI today.  An unconfirmed report stated that it was an EF3 and the NWS continued to report golf ball sized hail and severe thunderstorms and heavy rain for the area.  Thankfully they had storm sirens so an early warning helped ( Per CNN).  The Weather Channel reported that, so far there were no reported deaths or injuries.

I just spoke to a fellow photographer that lives an hour away from Dexter, and he said it missed his area..  He kindly shared a video he found online of the damaged area.. (Thanks John)

Here is another video, if you don't want to hear colorful language then turn down the volume first :)

I suggest everyone be weather aware, check your daily news for weather reports..

Better yet, buy a NOAA Weather Alert Radio..

 Be prepared for bad weather.

Solar Storms - Part II

As mentioned in the first segment, solar storms do have an effect on the Earth in many ways.  These storms have an 11 year cycle where the next peak is in 2013. Because of our reliance on technology, these storms also have an impact on our power systems, electronics and communication systems.

Here is a list of critical systems affected;

• GPS
• Power Grids (hospitals & airports most affected)
• Airline communication
• Military & Environmental Satellites

NOAA's SWPC also known as The Space Weather Prediction Center, is located in Boulder Colorado, is our early warning for Space Weather events.  They warn us if there is high solar activity and provides space weather forecasts. 

Solar Storms also cause the effect known as the Aurora Borealis or Northern Lights, the image below shows how solar flare energy ionizes our upper atmosphere and causes this spectacular display.

Image Courtesy NOAA

I need to credit the source of this story (NOAA)  

http://www.noaa.gov/features/03_protecting/whenthesunactsup.html

Space Weather – Solar Storms

The cold wave that hit Europe was caused by Solar Storm Radiation from space

I have had discussions with a friend of mine about space weather and how it may be affecting our weather here on Earth.  It seems hard to prove that space weather can affect us.   Today I found an article that can help explain these phenomena. 

A Meteorologist from the Belgrade School of Meteorology explained that a solar storm or solar flare may have caused the oppressive weather that has been experienced in much of Europe recently.  According to Milan Stevancevic, this solar energy is the cause of both life constructive and destructive effects on our planet.  Solar flares can also cause earthquakes, and tornadoes with overall, increased rain and winds.  The larger the solar eruption experienced, the more it will affect the winter and the following summer with a higher level of rain.  Stevancevic stated that each solar flare creates proton radiation, which triggers ionization on entering the atmosphere.  The solar storm from January 28^th produced 15 minutes of radiation that was strong enough to equal 5 times of a routine x-ray, apparently clouds absorb this radiation.  The proton radiation triggers particles that increase precipitation and particles that help fertilize the ground.  So what about areas that have a thin or no ozone to protect them from this ionization?  It seems that the proton radiation passes through our atmosphere and this is something that has naturally occurred. 

Here is a current image of the suns solar activity;

 I want to thank the author and the source of this story, a great story for space weather fans. To read on, please click here; http://glassrbije.org/E/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=17654&Itemid=28

A Weather Ready Nation

The Nation Weather service, along with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, and other organizations, have been working together on a large scale plan to prepare our country to be a “Weather Ready Nation”. 

 During the next ten years, a major plan is being constructed in time for the 150 year anniversary of the National Weather Service.  Building a Weather Ready nation would involve using the latest technology, preparation, education and training, to help insure protection of lives and would benefit our economy. 

Evidence of climate change is all around us, being prepared to protect lives is a priority, and there is also the need to protect our Nation’s water supply.  New technology, using tools such as computers, Doppler radar, and satellites, would be used by scientists and meteorologists, to monitor our climate both on Earth and space weather, will help to enhance our ability to detect and study significant possible weather events with better accuracy.  Advancement in information technology using such tools as the internet, computer software, social networks and smartphone technology will help to bridge gaps in vital communication and weather alert status information.

Will we be ready for strong weather events such as Hurricanes, tornadoes, or as the NWS states a High Impact Event?

What is a High-Impact Event?

No standard, nationwide criteria define a high-impact event.  It may impact millions of people or one sector, and it may vary in timing or location.  It is any weather-dependent event that significantly impacts safety, health, the environment, economic productivity, or homeland security, such as:

• Major events such as tornadoes, hurricanes, and tsunamis

• Persistent drought

• Thunderstorms in a congested air space

• Rains that trigger flooding and cause agricultural run-off, leading to harmful algal blooms and dead zones

• Geomagnetic storms that disrupt energy distribution and communication systems

• Snow squalls at rush hour

• An above-average hot day

• Coastal inundation

• Changes in Arctic climate

For more detailed information, please read the Strategic plan 2011,  here ; http://www.nws.noaa.gov/com/stratplan/files/2011.06_nws_strategic_plan.pdf