The 2009 Wisconsin Spring/Summer thread

[adamb100]

If we have 1 for winter I want one for the nice part of the year so here it is. =)

[Gobias Industries]

What, no replies yet? I think we just like to complain about winter.

 

Today is my ideal weather. 70 and partly sunny here in Oshkosh. Of course, I'm stuck at work til 3, but I think I'll get out golfing today.

[owbc]

Looks like another warm up late next week. Hopefully that one will end with some severe storms.

[NeedMoreFans]

I can't wait for some severe storms! I used to be deathly afraid of storms, now I can't get enough of them.

[adamb100]

I dont mind them until the loud thunder wakes me up or if theres a tornado warning near by.

[InsomniacInkRoss]

You mean it's almost time for weather crawls, cut-ins, annoying graphics, and way over blown coverage and panic from the local media?

 

Remember when a thunderstorm was just a thunderstorm?

[temke]

You mean it's almost time for weather crawls, cut-ins, annoying graphics, and way over blown coverage and panic from the local media?

 

Remember when a thunderstorm was just a thunderstorm?

you make it sound like this didnt happen with every snowflake that fell all winter... http://forum.brewerfan.net/images/smilies/frown.gif

[hawing]

Point taken. But the weather radio alarm doesn't sound for every snowflake.

[PlayerHader]

I still get a bit apprehensive when big storm warnings come out. I have this fear of being stuck driving somewhere or some other crap like that during a tornado. I guess that's a lot better than the paralyzing fear I used to have even when I was home during a severe thunderstorm/tornado warning.

[adamb100]

I do have fears of being struck by lightning. Typically its why I never go outside even if hear one crack of thunder a mile away. :P

[hawing]

I still get a bit apprehensive when big storm warnings come out. I have this fear of being stuck driving somewhere or some other crap like that during a tornado. I guess that's a lot better than the paralyzing fear I used to have even when I was home during a severe thunderstorm/tornado warning.

I've had many a nightmare about that exact scenario (being stuck on the road or someplace unsafe) during a tornado warning. It doesn't help that Mother Nature seems to have a cruel talent for lining up stormy weather right along the I-94 corridor on days (and more often, nights) when we are heading back from a Brewer game. Seriously, I cannot count the number of times we've left Milwaukee in what looks like decent weather, then just as we get into Jefferson County we can start to see lightning on the horizon. By then there's nowhere to go but closer to the storm (the rest area west of Johnson Creek has a TV that shows weather information, but the S.O. never wants to waste storm-beating time stopping there); WTMJ doesn't broadcast warnings for Dane County, and we aren't within range yet of most Madison stations to find out what's going on west of Jefferson County.

 

For the last two seasons I was fortunate to have a student employee kind enough to call me in the 8th inning with a weather report, but he has moved from Wisconsin. I need a replacement weather reporter.

 

I don't fear lightning as acutely as I do tornadoes, but I probably should, as a guy from my high school was killed by a lightning strike in the 1980s.

[owbc]

WTMJ doesn't broadcast warnings for Dane County, and we aren't within range yet of most Madison stations to find out what's going on west of Jefferson County.

I recommend getting a portable weather radio so that you can follow the storms in your car, you should be able to program it to give warnings for Dane County.

 

I also will emphasize to avoid overpasses in case of a tornado warning. There was a video a few years ago of some TV reporters surviving an F0 tornado by hiding under a highway overpass. The wind is higher under overpasses since it is off the ground. You might be fine for a weak tornado but you will almost certainly be killed if it is a stronger tornado. It is much better to find the lowest area possible and lie flat in the ditch since the wind (and debris) will blow over you. Of course, stay away from trees or anything else that might fall over. The accuracy of tornado warnings has improved dramatically in the last few years, so if there is a warning it is in your best interests to take it seriously.

 

As for lightning, many of the deaths occur after the storm has already passed, so make sure to stay inside for 30 minutes after the last lightning strike.

 

Another sort of interesting fact is that several people in my AOS classes are studying to become meteorologists because they were afraid of storms when they were younger. I was definitely the other type--my face was up against the window during the 100+ mph winds in the May 1998 derecho. We're planning on going storm chasing this summer so I'll post any cool pictures.

[InsomniacInkRoss]

Another sort of interesting fact is that several people in my AOS classes are studying to become meteorologists because they were afraid of storms when they were younger.

That describes me exactly.

 

I was deathly afraid of tornadoes as a child, I would hide in the basement if there was so much as a watch. Although never formally, I studied the weather and such gowning up. It pretty much got rid of all my fears by understanding them and because of the insane odds against getting killed by a tornado, let alone even seeing one in your lifetime. (Ted Fujita didn't even see one in person till he was 62)

 

I am 100% all for cut ins and alarms for tornado warnings, but pretty much nothing else. Especially with all the extra bandwidth with digital broadcasting there is no reason to clutter up network programming with non-tornado realted weather breaks. Run a crawl to tune into channel 4-02 or WMLW or whatever, but my policy is no tornado = no cut in.

[NeedMoreFans]

Another sort of interesting fact is that several people in my AOS classes are studying to become meteorologists because they were afraid of storms when they were younger.

This is me, as well. When I was a kid (up until age 10-12), I was so afraid of storms, I would begin freaking out when rain was in the forecast. All of my fears were compounded at night. I would cover my ears so hard my fingers would go numb. My brain would trick me into thinking it was thundering outside, when it wasn't. Luckily a friend was over one day and told me to give it a chance...don't cover my ears, and I've been better since. I still hate lightning at night, but it's because it wakes me up.

 

My parents used to say that I should have gone into meteorology. In high school, I almost became obsessed with weather (and with the internet now, I'm even more obsessed). I think understanding how storms work has made me respect them and become less afraid of them. I have this twisted desire to see a tornado, something my wife doesn't want me to ever see. I think seeing one would complete the circle for me.

[hawing]

I have this twisted desire to see a tornado, something my wife doesn't want me to ever see. I think seeing one would complete the circle for me.

Twisted...ha, I get it. http://forum.brewerfan.net/images/smilies/smile.gif

 

NMF, the National Weather Service is having spotter training at the Alliant Energy Center next Monday (basic 1:30-3:30, advanced in the evening)...of course, you might already know that.

 

One of the points the program is supposed to cover is how to distinguish tornadoes from "scary looking clouds." I'm thinking since most storm clouds look scary to me, this might help me determine when I really need to freak out on I-94 between Miller Park and home, and when I can just look to the S.O. and say, "it's just a scary looking cloud." I've been semi-interested in going for years, but this might finally be the year I do it.

[owbc]

We're doing an AOS class trip to the advanced storm spotting class next week.

 

I definitely recommend taking the storm spotting class or at least looking at the power point to see the difference between a wall cloud and scud clouds. Scud clouds often look "scarier" than wall clouds but pose no danger. Advance warning though, Jeff Craven (who often does the classes) has the most monotone voice of anyone I have ever heard so bring caffeine.

[burniebrewer]

While I understand and respect the power of a tornado, I'm still the neighborhood idiot who's outside walking around looking at the sky while the sirens are going off.

 

Lightning "taught" me to appreciate it during my teens while golfing at New Berlin Hills. We were teeing up and a bolt struck a tree not too far away. I got to the clubhouse quicker than an Olympic sprinter and let the clubs fend for themselves on the tee box.

 

Obsessed, that storm chasing sounds cool. I've watched some of the shows on National Geographic about the people who do this and while it seems like an exciting experience, it would probably be a letdown for the non-meteorologic types as it would be a lot of riding around in a truck...waiting.

[adamb100]

Bumping this for the gorgous summer like day today.

[hawing]

81 and sunny in Madison. Imagine my joy at being inside the library for another 2 1/2 hours (though at least I'm paid for it).

[saxyman1004]

Could be worse, you could work 2nd shift and be stuck inside until 10:30 tonight.

 

In a related story, working 2nd shift sucks.

[NeedMoreFans]

The glorious sound of thunder returned this morning (near Milwaukee, anyways). My dad and I were walking out of a store, hearing rolling thunder, and we hear the tornado sirens! Then we realize that they were testing the sirens (they do it once a month at 1:00 on Saturday). Why do they test them when there is a thunderstorm going on?

[adamb100]

On Thursday I think Milwaukee was testing them as well since i heard them @ UWM.

[burniebrewer]

Madison tested them Thursday afternoon. We got a letter from the school ahead of time to let us know about the city-wide drill. Otherwise, Madison usually tests their sirens around noon on Wednesdays.

[adamb100]

Bumping this for first severe weather day in the Milwaukee area. Tornado warning in Waukesha county.

[trwi7]

This is weak. I heard on the radio that there was going to be severe weather in the Oconomowoc area, we've had nothing so far. The storms we got last night were much worse than the "severe weather" so far today.

 

Edit: I'm watching channel 4 right now. Their coverage is just awful and awkward. They're actually interviewing people over the phone about what they're seeing in their neighborhood.