Weather warnings? Just give it to us straight
Mark Twain is credited with a memorable observation: Everyone talks about the weather, but nobody does anything about it. That may be true. But beginning this month, some midwesterners will be better guided on what precautions to take when severe weather strikes.
The National Weather Service has initiated a pilot project featuring impact-based warnings coming from the main offices in Missouri and Kansas. Instead of simply being told that a severe storm or tornado may be on the way, residents may hear:
Life-threatening situation. Extensive damage to homes and buildings. Uprooted trees and debris will restrict access into many areas.
The point is to more clearly describe the threat and potential impact of the storms, so residents can decide what action to take. The system will create two tiers of warnings for thunderstorms and three tiers for tornadoes, each based on severity.
People want that additional information: Is this a Greensburg/Udall day? Or is this a weak, brief land spout day? says Jay Prater, chief meteorologist for KAKE-TV in Wichita. (Greensburg was destroyed by a tornado in 2007, Udall in 1955).
We welcome this change to more straight talk about what to expect. Yes, there is a danger our senses will become deadened to overly dramatic warnings particularly if multiple life-threatening storms turn out to be duds. So, forecasters, guard against that. ...
So if you hear a storm may be approaching and forecasters are using terms such as catastrophic, unsurvivable and mass devastation, youd best take action.
These words are not necessarily designed to scare you but if they prompt you to head for the basement, saving your life, they will earn the distinction of being an advancement in storm warnings.