Survival Guide: Recognize Which Clouds Mean Danger – Series Part 3

During severe weather outbreaks, conditions can change rapidly and the weather can turn volatile quickly. It is crucial to follow severe weather and tornado-related watches and warnings during episodes of severe storms. Keeping a weather radio nearby, with extra batteries handy, is a must. If you are out on the open road, staying tuned to severe weather alerts and being able to read the clouds for severe weather can help save your life. This week we present a breakdown of ominous-looking clouds and the dangers associated with them.



Funnel Cloud

A funnel cloud is a rotating column of air (visible due to condensation) that does not reach the ground. If a funnel cloud reaches all the way to the ground, it is then classified as a tornado. When out on the road, funnel clouds should be treated as tornadoes, since they could touch down.

Tornado

A tornado is a rotating column of air, reaching all the way to the ground. Strong tornadoes are one of the most destructive forces of nature on a small scale, the strongest of which can level entire towns. A roaring noise, often compared to that of a train, can be heard in many cases when a tornado touches down. Vehicles are not a safe place to be if there is a tornado nearby.

Survival Guide: Recognize Which Clouds Mean Danger – Series Part 2

During severe weather outbreaks, conditions can change rapidly and the weather can turn volatile quickly. It is crucial to follow severe weather and tornado-related watches and warnings during episodes of severe storms. Keeping a weather radio nearby, with extra batteries handy, is a must. If you are out on the open road, staying tuned to severe weather alerts and being able to read the clouds for severe weather can help save your life. This week we present a breakdown of ominous-looking clouds and the dangers associated with them.

 



Shelf Cloud

Shelf clouds often form at the leading edge of a gust front or outflow boundary from a thunderstorm or strong winds flowing down and outward from a storm. The outer part of a shelf cloud is often smoother with a notable rising motion exhibited by a tiered look (hence, the name shelf cloud). Underneath, a turbulent, unsettled appearance is often the case.  A shelf cloud should be seen as a harbinger of strong winds, so take caution.

Wall Cloud

A wall cloud is a cloud that is lowered from a thunderstorm, forming when rapidly rising air causes lower pressure below the storm's main updraft. "Wall clouds can range from a fraction of a mile up to nearly 5 miles in diameter," according to the National Weather Service.  Wall clouds that rotate are a warning sign of very violent thunderstorms. They can be an indication that a tornado will touch down within minutes or even within an hour.

Survival Guide: Recognize Which Clouds Mean Danger – Series Part 1



During severe weather outbreaks, conditions can change rapidly and the weather can turn volatile quickly. It is crucial to follow severe weather and tornado-related watches and warnings during episodes of severe storms. Keeping a weather radio nearby, with extra batteries handy, is a must. If you are out on the open road, staying tuned to severe weather alerts and being able to read the clouds for severe weather can help save your life. This week we present a breakdown of ominous-looking clouds and the dangers associated with them.

Cumulonimbus Clouds

Rapid vertical growth in these cauliflower-looking cumulonimbus clouds shows that there is a mature thunderstorm, likely producing heavy rain. Abundant moisture and instability due to cool air aloft and heating at the surface set the stage for cumulonimbus to develop. A lifting mechanism, such as a cold front, can help trigger these clouds to form. Heavy rain, frequent lightning, strong winds and hail can be threats associated with cumulonimbus clouds.

Scud Clouds

Scud clouds may appear to be ominous as they hang vertically below a cumulonimbus cloud. Sometimes, scud clouds are mistaken for funnel clouds. However, these clouds are benign and non-rotating. They often have a ragged appearance that sets them apart from the often smooth funnel clouds.

Are You Ready For A Major Power Outage? – Series Part 5

Learn what you should have ready in case the lights go out for an extended period

The majority of power outages come in times of temperature stress, i.e., winter or summer, when heating or cooling are drains on the system. They impact you in many ways, some of which are hard to foresee. That’s the bad news. The good news is there are a myriad of ways you can prepare if a massive outage strikes unexpectedly;

When the outage strikes

First thing is go to a grocery store right away to buy anything you need. Be armed with cash, because their registers and scanners won’t work. They won’t have lights, and they probably will want to sell perishable produce as quickly as possible. Be prepared for crowds, and also be prepared to let others have something too — don’t hog everything for yourself.

If you have a plan in place to go and stay with people who are out of the outage area, pack and go. Expect roads to be congested and traffic lights not to work. Be sure to unplug or shut off everything, because when the power comes back on, there may be surges which can cause damage. Turning off all breakers is usually a quick and easy way to do this.

If you’re staying, unplug/turn off everything, but leave a single light turned on, so you can see when power is restored.

To maintain the refrigerated and frozen foods, keep fridge and freezer openings to a minimum.

Practice living without connected utilities. Do it periodically. You will discover what your real needs are and you’ll learn how to meet them in an emergency.

In winter, allow a small stream of water to run from faucets in order to prevent water pipes from freezing. The American Red Cross advises this action and says, “Running water through the pipe — even at a trickle — helps prevent pipes from freezing.” In frigid weather, if your power is likely to be out for more than a few days, you may want to call your plumber and ask about draining your home’s water pipes so they don’t freeze and burst.

An extended power outage, will be a major emergency, and will cause damage in many ways. However, with some basic and inexpensive preparation, you can keep that damage to a minimum.