Storm Season

I have been a weather watcher with Environment Canada for 21 years (tweeted it was 20 years but then found it's actually 21). The summer season is thunderstorm season and if there are storms in the forecast you can find me keeping a close eye on the sky.

We had our first major thunderstorm yesterday. More are expected over the weekend. I am usually pretty careful to get off the computer and unplug them when the storms approach, to avoid frying the computers. Tornadoes are a very real threat with many of these storms. We have had them touch down just a mile up the road from us, and over the years I've reported several funnel clouds and other events that later turned into tornadoes.

I always think that I should probably store my image files off-site, just in case something should ever happen to our home. If we ever got hit by a tornado or had a fire, at least my livelihood wouldn't be completely lost. I have a 'fire box' with our essentials that is ready to grab at a moments notice, but there could be times when you don't get that moments notice.

Anyhow I wanted to give you some interesting storm information:

1. Tornadoes are not always visible from a distance. Most people assume a tornado can always be seen by a funnel cloud, but, in fact, a funnel cloud is not necessary for a tornado to occur. A funnel cloud is formed from the condensation or dust, which may not occur or be obvious.
2. Today's sophisticated weather predicting can't predict a tornado. Doppler radar can record precipitation and wind patterns, and satellite imagery can show the height of clouds. Both of these can be used to indicate the severity of a storm, but a tornado warning can only be accurately issued after being reported by eyewitness accounts. This is why weather watchers are such an important part of the weather warning program.
3. Tornadoes do not necessarily make any noise. Many people have the false impression that you can hear a tornado coming with a roaring sound like a train or airplane. Any sounds that may occur are caused by the damage to buildings and trees, or from hail and rain.
   
4. It is not windy near the tornado. A tornado usually forms where the storms updraft is. There will up be an light upflow wind prior to the storm, then the air will usually become calm when the main updraft is overhead. Once the storm passes overhead there will be a cooler outflow wind. The wind can also be used to tell which side of the storm you are on. If the winds are blowing away from the storm you are on the backside. If they are blowing towards the storm you are in front of it.