To learn how to answer that question for themselves, about 50 people attended a severe weather spotter training session at the Pipestone American Legion, May 17, led by Todd Heitkamp, National Weather Service Warning Coordinator Meteorologist.
Heitkamp explained there are three stages in thunderstorm formation, which can be helpful in predicting incoming weather: the towering cumulus stage, the mature stage and the dissipating stage.
Clouds begin to form in the sun’s heat. An updraft, or warm, moist air rising causes the clouds to rise into a towering cloud.
If the formation continues then the next stage will be the mature stage, when the cloud spreads out and flattens on top, forming the anvil. Warm updrafts are met with cool downdrafts during the mature stage and the cloud grows. The mature stage is the most dangerous stage, according to Heitkamp, when heavy rain, frequent lightning, large hail and tornadoes are possible.
During the mature stage there are various signs to look for that can help determine the incoming weather. A strong updraft is present if the anvil is thick and opaque and has an overshooting cauliflower-shaped top. A wall cloud, or a cloud at the back of the storm, also suggests an updraft. The wall cloud is the strongest part of the updraft. A shelf cloud may indicate a downdraft moving away from the precipitation and may have a choppy appearance at its base.
Hail may form during the mature stage. This occurs as moisture begins to fall. It is then pulled back up into the storm by the updraft and a layer of water freezes around it.
The updraft can pull the hail up many times, adding a layer of moisture each time before it becomes too heavy and falls to the ground. A count of the rings inside a halved hailstone will show how many times it was pulled back up into the storm.
In the mature stage there are two forms of rotation that can be present: horizontal and vertical. Horizontal rotation cannot become a tornado and vertical rotation is only a tornado if it connects to both the ground and the base of the thunderstorm. Rotation can be spotted through striations, cloud bands and a rotating wall cloud.
In the final dissipation stage, the updraft begins to weaken and the storm falls apart.
Heitkamp said it’s important to know that a watch means the conditions are favorable for severe weather to develop, while a warning means severe weather is imminent.
“I would just encourage people to trust the warning and listen to information contained in the warning to better prepare themselves and their family,” Heitkamp said.
Heitkamp does not suggest driving during a storm, however a vehicle with a closed top will help protect occupants from lightning. However, driving during hail will increase
damage. For example, if hail is falling at a speed of 60 mph and a vehicle is moving at 60 mph, the force of the impact will be 120 mph, Heitkamp explained. Driving or being
in a car will increase the risk of injury and damage during a tornado as well.
When inside a home or building during severe weather, stay there and away from the windows. A basement is the best location to take shelter but if a basement is not available a bathroom is the next safest place because the plumbing gives the room more structural integrity, Heitkamp said.
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