Weather. Or not.

[Minerva]

It's the start of tornado season and my training from years and years of living smack in the middle of Hurricane Central in South Florida kicks in when TV forecasters start telling me that severe weather with possible tornadic activity is on the way.

I tend to freak a bit, staying glued to the computer/TV radar. Got a weather radio that starts braying whenever storms are close. And there's a tornado siren nearby that's gone off a few times in the last few years, exacerbating my nervousness.

Most of you have lived here for awhile. Is it all hype or do you head for the basement at the first sign of super cells on the radar? Have you personally experienced any ill effects from high winds/lightning. etc.? Should I be so concerned? I feel foolish.

[Mike GadgetGeek Stock]

It's the start of tornado season and my training from years and years of living smack in the middle of Hurricane Central in South Florida kicks in when TV forecasters start telling me that severe weather with possible tornadic activity is on the way.

I tend to freak a bit, staying glued to the computer/TV radar. Got a weather radio that starts braying whenever storms are close. And there's a tornado siren nearby that's gone off a few times in the last few years, exacerbating my nervousness.

Most of you have lived here for awhile. Is it all hype or do you head for the basement at the first sign of super cells on the radar? Have you personally experienced any ill effects from high winds/lightning. etc.? Should I be so concerned? I feel foolish.

Sometimes I feel like we are over informed, but not about weather. We do have a drill, and know where we are going to run and hide if it gets tough outside, but as long as there is TV reception you can be pretty well informed about where the storm/storms are heading and when they will be there.  I always hate it when it starts hailing..   You know then that there is a tall, active thunderstorm over or near you. 

Keep your cell phone charged, watch the reports, and stay safe..  we like 'ya..

.

[Barnum]

I'm a bad person to ask.  I grew up in Ohio in fairly active tornado country.  In those days I saw a couple and heard more but have come to the realization that they are often a very low percentile threat.  Unlike a hurricane or earthquake that hits a geographical region, you really have to be unlucky to be in the small portion of are that one touches down.  I was in Texas for a while and the folks in Oklahoma had ones that would go miles on the ground... not sure if it's the terrain around here but they seem to bounce more and spend less time on the ground (a good thing obviously).  I'm certainly not an expert, but that was all leading up to me saying that the news around here drives me crazy and I tend to ignore the weather.  Don't get me wrong, we know which corner of the basement (with a place for us and the dogs) to go and if I hear one (that sound I'll recognize) we'll head for the basement.  Been in this house almost 10 years and haven't made the trip yet.

[KoPP]

Growing up in SW Kansas in a house built on a slab, we learned to keep track of the weather. When the F1 came through downtown, I was calling the neighbors to get their butts into a safe area, and they were saying, "What are you worrying about?" Oy.

[The_Scientist]

As a kid I freaked out when there was a tornado watch, even though I never actually saw one.  News reports always made them sound so scary, so I couldn't understand why no one seemed to take them seriously.  It's true that you have to be unlucky around here to get into the path of one, but it only makes sense to be prudent.  Know where to take shelter, have a radio handy, and a few emergency food and water supplies are a good idea as well.

[HaagenDazs]

As a kid I freaked out when there was a tornado watch, even though I never actually saw one.  News reports always made them sound so scary, so I couldn't understand why no one seemed to take them seriously.  It's true that you have to be unlucky around here to get into the path of one, but it only makes sense to be prudent.  Know where to take shelter, have a radio handy, and a few emergency food and water supplies are a good idea as well.

You probably mean tornado warning (?).  I'm not trying to be super-picky, but there is a real difference between the two and people should know which is which. 

http://www.spc.noaa.gov/faq/#2.4

[LizR]

Why can't Atlanta weather be like this in August? Perfect day.

[Mike GadgetGeek Stock]

Holy smoke..    Look at this picture touted as being from Guatemala, a result of a tornado ?


http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2010/jun/01/storm-agatha-hole-guatemala.

.

[Mike GadgetGeek Stock]

Big storm over Snellville/Centerville right now..     damn scary..  and I like lightning..

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[Minerva]

So are we all ready for temps in the mid-90s for the next several days? If this is any indication of what summer is going to be like, I'm staying indoors for the next few months.

[HaagenDazs]

So are we all ready for temps in the mid-90s for the next several days? If this is any indication of what summer is going to be like, I'm staying indoors for the next few months.

No kidding, this is ridiculous.  Not only is it hot but the humidity has been unbearable lately.  Yard work = completely soaked clothes (straight through to my shorts) and lots of gatorade.

[Melomom]

I am trying to walk at 6 or 6:30 in the morning and the humidity is still unbelievable! 

[HaagenDazs]

I am trying to walk at 6 or 6:30 in the morning and the humidity is still unbelievable!  

The humidity is often still quite high even in the early morning hours (think dew on the grass).  Often the relative humidity is higher in the early morning than it is in the middle of the day.  There are some simple scientific explanations for this but I won't bore you...    You do get out before most of the sunshine and heat hits though.

[Barnum]

On a somewhat related note... there's at least one person on this forum who may have comments on this rumored change in weather-people: ONLINE STORY

[KoPP]

On a somewhat related note... there's at least one person on this forum who may have comments on this rumored change in weather-people: ONLINE STORY

Dagmar - C.I.A.

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