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THE MOSPHERIC RESERVOIR LExamining the Atmosphere and Atmospheric Resource Management Get ready for summer weather By Darin Langerud As the calendar is flipped to the month of May, the likelihood of hearing the familiar rumble of thun- der rises along with the temperature. Summer's longer and warmer days help provide the energy the atmo- sphere needs to produce some of Mother Nature's most impressive displays. While thunderstorms are awe- some to watch, they are a double - edged sword, producing the major- ity of growing season precipitation in North Dakota, but also bringing severe weather which may include lightning, hail, floods, high winds, or even tornadoes. There are a number of things you can do to protect yourself and your property from severe summer weather. The first, and probably most important boils down to one thing: awareness. Everyone is famil- iar with the watches and warnings that are issued in advance of severe weather. A Watch means conditions are favorable for the development of severe weather in the affected area. The Storm Prediction Center (http: // www.spc.noaa.gov), located in Nor- man, Okla., is responsible for fore- casting severe weather nationwide and issuing watches when necessary. Severe Thunderstorm and Tornado watches are typically issued prior to the onset of severe weather and prescribe the geographic area where the storms are expected to occur. A Warning means that severe weather is occurring and those in its path should take appropriate precautions immediately. Warnings are issued by your local National Weather Service office and are typically issued for specific counties and locales. A good way to monitor the poten- tial or occurrence of severe weather is with a National Oceanic and At- mospheric Administration (NOAA) Weather Radio. These commercially - available radios tune into the NOAA Weather Radio network, providing severe weather watches, warnings, and general weather information 24- hours a day. Most importantly, the radios automatically alert you, day or night, if severe weather is threaten- ing your area. Seventeen transmitters in North Dakota and an additional seven in neighboring states provide NOAA radio coverage for most of North Dakota. There are range limi- tations on the transmitters, however, so not all of the state is covered. Severe weather safety is mostly just common sense. Simple things like parking your car in the garage and taking shelter inside a sturdy building will protect you and your property from most severe weather situations. When strong winds or hail are involved, stay away from win- dows, as broken glass can cause sig- nificant injuries. The most effective protection from lightning is inside a building or vehicle. If caught outside, squat down on your feet, to make yourself as small as possible. You don't want to be the tallest object in the area, but on the other hand, don't take shelter under a tall tree; if it is struck, you may be as well. Flooding takes many unsuspecting drivers for a wild ride every year. Never drive through flooded areas, especially fast moving water, as your vehicle could be swept away. A flooded road may also hide the fact that it's structurally unsafe, or washed out entirely. The most spectacular phenom- enon spawned by thunderstorms is the tornado. North Dakota averages 18 reported tornadoes per year, but that number has ranged from as little as two to as many as 56 in 1976. If faced with a tornado, take shelter in a small interior room on the lowest level of a sturdy building. Aban- don mobile homes and automobiles for more substantial shelter as they provide very little, if any protection. If you are caught outside, lie down in a ditch or depression and cover your head. Being aware of potential hazard- ous weather conditions and taking appropriate action will help keep you safe from the storm. Have a safe and enjoyable summer! Atmospheric Resource Board North Dakota State Water Commission 900 East Boulevard, Bismarck, ND 58505 (701) 328 -2788 www.swc.state.nd.us/ARB/ ND Weather Modification Association PO Box 2599, Bismarck, ND 58502 (701) 223 -4232 North Dakota Water ■ May 2005 19