Stormy Skies Summer Severe Weather

NAOSH Week 2008
Stormy Skies
Summer Severe Weather
Presented by
Geoff Coulson
Warning Preparedness Meteorologist,
Environment Canada
www.ccohs.ca
Contents
Environment Canada Watch/Warning Program
Severe Thunderstorms/Tornadoes
How to Stay on Top of the Current and
Forecast Weather
Safety
Geoff Coulson – Warning Preparedness Meteorologist
geoff.coulson@ec.gc.ca
1-800-668-4284 www.ccohs.ca
Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety
Stormy Skies – Severe Summer Weather in Canada
May 5, 2008
Part I – Environment Canada
Watch/Warning Program
Environment Canada’s
Weather Service
number 1 mandate is
to provide Canadians
with as much lead
time as possible in
advance of severe
events throughout
the year
Geoff Coulson – Warning Preparedness Meteorologist
geoff.coulson@ec.gc.ca
1-800-668-4284 www.ccohs.ca
Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety
Stormy Skies – Severe Summer Weather in Canada
May 5, 2008
Weather Watch vs.Weather Warning
Weather Watch means there is the
potential for severe weather
--- Be Alert
Weather Warning means that severe
weather will soon occur or is occurring
--- Take Action
Geoff Coulson – Warning Preparedness Meteorologist
geoff.coulson@ec.gc.ca
1-800-668-4284 www.ccohs.ca
Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety
Stormy Skies – Severe Summer Weather in Canada
May 5, 2008
Forecast Area of Responsibility
Geoff Coulson – Warning Preparedness Meteorologist
geoff.coulson@ec.gc.ca
1-800-668-4284 www.ccohs.ca
Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety
Stormy Skies – Severe Summer Weather in Canada
May 5, 2008
Scale of a Winter Storm
Snow/Blowing Snow
Snow/Freezing Rain/Rain
Geoff Coulson – Warning Preparedness Meteorologist
geoff.coulson@ec.gc.ca
1-800-668-4284 www.ccohs.ca
Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety
Stormy Skies – Severe Summer Weather in Canada
May 5, 2008
One storm covering thousands of square kilometres
Scale of a Summer Storm
One storm covering part of a county
Geoff Coulson – Warning Preparedness Meteorologist
geoff.coulson@ec.gc.ca
1-800-668-4284 www.ccohs.ca
Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety
Stormy Skies – Severe Summer Weather in Canada
May 5, 2008
Severe Weather Lead Times
Winter Severe Weather (heavy snow, freezing
rain, strong winds etc..) – hours to days
Summer Severe Weather (severe
thunderstorms, tornadoes etc..) minutes to
hours
Geoff Coulson – Warning Preparedness Meteorologist
geoff.coulson@ec.gc.ca
1-800-668-4284 www.ccohs.ca
Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety
Stormy Skies – Severe Summer Weather in Canada
May 5, 2008
Part II: Severe Thunderstorms
and Tornadoes
By definition…all
thunderstorms have
lightning associated
lightning can be deadly;
more on lightning safety
later…
But Watches and Warnings
are not issued for every
thunderstorm; only the
small fraction with the
potential to do significant
damage
Geoff Coulson – Warning Preparedness Meteorologist
geoff.coulson@ec.gc.ca
1-800-668-4284 www.ccohs.ca
Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety
Stormy Skies – Severe Summer Weather in Canada
May 5, 2008
Severe Thunderstorms - a breed apart
Only a small percentage of thunderstorms
are classified as severe…
Criteria differs slightly across the country
due to climatic differences
Severe thunderstorms can produce:
Large hail (Most regions 2 cm in
diameter or more)
Very heavy rain (local flooding
potential – 50 mm/hr in Prairies and
Ontario…20-25 mm/hr elsewhere)
Damaging winds (gusts greater than
90 km/h)
Tornadoes
Geoff Coulson – Warning Preparedness Meteorologist
geoff.coulson@ec.gc.ca
1-800-668-4284 www.ccohs.ca
Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety
The summer severe
weather season in
Canada runs from May
to September in
general but late April
to early October in
Southern Ontario
Stormy Skies – Severe Summer Weather in Canada
May 5, 2008
Threat Areas for Severe
Thunderstorms and Tornadoes
Geoff Coulson – Warning Preparedness Meteorologist
geoff.coulson@ec.gc.ca
1-800-668-4284 www.ccohs.ca
Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety
Stormy Skies – Severe Summer Weather in Canada
May 5, 2008
Fujita Wind Damage Scale
Scale used to estimate wind speed of
damaging wind events and tornadoes
F0 – winds up to 115 km/h
Shingle, siding damage
F1 – winds 120 to 170 km/h
Numerous shingles, partial
roof removal/damage
F2 – winds 180 to 240 km/h
Roof removed from well-built
home
F3 – winds 250 to 320 km/h
Roof and some exterior walls
removed
F4 – winds 330 to 410 km/h
2 storey brick house left with
only a few walls remaining
F5 – winds 420 to 510 km/h
Brick house destroyed to
foundation
Geoff Coulson – Warning Preparedness Meteorologist
geoff.coulson@ec.gc.ca
1-800-668-4284 www.ccohs.ca
Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety
Stormy Skies – Severe Summer Weather in Canada
May 5, 2008
Workplace Planning
•Dangers: Fujita Scale Applications
90 km/h or more means damage to structure
or trees can occur
Workplaces with safety plans or emergency
response strategies should be considering
using some of the Fujita scale “Shelter In
Place” precautions
How quickly can your people get to safe places
when weather turns nasty?
Geoff Coulson – Warning Preparedness Meteorologist
geoff.coulson@ec.gc.ca
1-800-668-4284 www.ccohs.ca
Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety
Stormy Skies – Severe Summer Weather in Canada
May 5, 2008
Damaging Weather from
Thunderstorms
Downburst or straight-line winds…gusts in
excess of 90 km/h can attain speeds in excess
of 150 km/h
Large hail
Heavy rain
Tornadoes
Fujita scale can be used to estimate the winds
in both thunderstorm gusts and tornadoes
Geoff Coulson – Warning Preparedness Meteorologist
geoff.coulson@ec.gc.ca
1-800-668-4284 www.ccohs.ca
Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety
Stormy Skies – Severe Summer Weather in Canada
May 5, 2008
Wind Events –
Downbursts
A concentrated severe downdraft can induce
a strong horizontal burst of damaging winds
Geoff Coulson – Warning Preparedness Meteorologist
geoff.coulson@ec.gc.ca
1-800-668-4284 www.ccohs.ca
Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety
Stormy Skies – Severe Summer Weather in Canada
May 5, 2008
Downburst Winds…
This gust front could reach
over 100 km/h and cause
moderate damage
Notice how the wind
outruns the rain in
this example
Geoff Coulson – Warning Preparedness Meteorologist
geoff.coulson@ec.gc.ca
1-800-668-4284 www.ccohs.ca
Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety
Stormy Skies – Severe Summer Weather in Canada
May 5, 2008
Shelf Cloud – Brockville, Ontario
June 21, 2007
Geoff Coulson – Warning Preparedness Meteorologist
geoff.coulson@ec.gc.ca
1-800-668-4284 www.ccohs.ca
Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety
Stormy Skies – Severe Summer Weather in Canada
May 5, 2008
Thunderstorm Safety Hints
•Stay on top of weather broadcasts
Outdoor activities regarding a body of water—
Environment Canada has issued a watch re:
severe thunderstorm potential
• Don’t put people into vulnerable weather
situations
• If in a vulnerable position, give them enough
time to find safe shelter
Geoff Coulson – Warning Preparedness Meteorologist
geoff.coulson@ec.gc.ca
1-800-668-4284 www.ccohs.ca
Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety
Stormy Skies – Severe Summer Weather in Canada
May 5, 2008
People in southern Saskatchewan talked about this storm front the
whole Canada Day Weekend (2002). The drama was captured here
by Douglas A. Walker.
Geoff Coulson – Warning Preparedness Meteorologist
geoff.coulson@ec.gc.ca
1-800-668-4284 www.ccohs.ca
Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety
Stormy Skies – Severe Summer Weather in Canada
May 5, 2008
Manitoulin Island – North Bay July
17th 2006
Geoff Coulson – Warning Preparedness Meteorologist
geoff.coulson@ec.gc.ca
1-800-668-4284 www.ccohs.ca
Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety
Stormy Skies – Severe Summer Weather in Canada
May 5, 2008
Manitoulin Island – North Bay July
17th 2006
Geoff Coulson – Warning Preparedness Meteorologist
geoff.coulson@ec.gc.ca
1-800-668-4284 www.ccohs.ca
Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety
Stormy Skies – Severe Summer Weather in Canada
May 5, 2008
Manitoulin Island – North Bay July
17th 2006
Geoff Coulson – Warning Preparedness Meteorologist
geoff.coulson@ec.gc.ca
1-800-668-4284 www.ccohs.ca
Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety
Stormy Skies – Severe Summer Weather in Canada
May 5, 2008
Manitoulin Island – North Bay July
17th 2006
Geoff Coulson – Warning Preparedness Meteorologist
geoff.coulson@ec.gc.ca
1-800-668-4284 www.ccohs.ca
Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety
Stormy Skies – Severe Summer Weather in Canada
May 5, 2008
Damaging Winds from Thunderstorms
About 70 events each year in Ontario
About 40 events in the Prairies
About 30 to 35 events in Quebec
About 5 events in Atlantic Canada
Damage can vary from a few branches down
and shingles removed (F0 – up to 115 km/h)
to significant roof, structure and tree damage
(high end F1 – 160 km/h)
Geoff Coulson – Warning Preparedness Meteorologist
geoff.coulson@ec.gc.ca
1-800-668-4284 www.ccohs.ca
Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety
Stormy Skies – Severe Summer Weather in Canada
May 5, 2008
Large Hail Events
Geoff Coulson – Warning Preparedness Meteorologist
geoff.coulson@ec.gc.ca
1-800-668-4284 www.ccohs.ca
Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety
Stormy Skies – Severe Summer Weather in Canada
July 2003, Saskatchewan
May 5, 2008
Hail Events in Canada
Majority of hail events occur in Southern
Prairie Provinces…on average 121 events each
year
Can get large hail as well in Ontario, Quebec
and Atlantic Canada…on average about 20
events in Ontario and 20 events in Quebec and
5 events in Atlantic Canada each year
Geoff Coulson – Warning Preparedness Meteorologist
geoff.coulson@ec.gc.ca
1-800-668-4284 www.ccohs.ca
Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety
Stormy Skies – Severe Summer Weather in Canada
May 5, 2008
The Heavy Rain in the Toronto Area
(Aug 19th, 2005)
Geoff Coulson – Warning Preparedness Meteorologist
geoff.coulson@ec.gc.ca
1-800-668-4284 www.ccohs.ca
Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety
Stormy Skies – Severe Summer Weather in Canada
May 5, 2008
The Heavy Rain in the Toronto Area
(Aug 19th, 2005)
Geoff Coulson – Warning Preparedness Meteorologist
geoff.coulson@ec.gc.ca
1-800-668-4284 www.ccohs.ca
Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety
Stormy Skies – Severe Summer Weather in Canada
May 5, 2008
The Heavy Rain in the Toronto Area
(Aug 19th, 2005)
Geoff Coulson – Warning Preparedness Meteorologist
geoff.coulson@ec.gc.ca
1-800-668-4284 www.ccohs.ca
Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety
Stormy Skies – Severe Summer Weather in Canada
May 5, 2008
The Heavy Rain in the Toronto Area
Aug 19th, 2005
Geoff Coulson – Warning Preparedness Meteorologist
geoff.coulson@ec.gc.ca
1-800-668-4284 www.ccohs.ca
Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety
Stormy Skies – Severe Summer Weather in Canada
May 5, 2008
Turn Around-Don’t Drown
If unsure of conditions ahead e.g. water
on the road
Safest course is to turn around
Previous slides show that you don’t know
how deep or dangerous the damage to
the roadbed
Consider keeping your car and its
passengers safe!
Geoff Coulson – Warning Preparedness Meteorologist
geoff.coulson@ec.gc.ca
1-800-668-4284 www.ccohs.ca
Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety
Stormy Skies – Severe Summer Weather in Canada
May 5, 2008
Heavy Rain/Flooding Events due to
Thunderstorms
About 20 events a year in the
Prairies
About 20 events a year in Ontario
20 to 30 events a year in Quebec
8 events a year in Atlantic Canada
Geoff Coulson – Warning Preparedness Meteorologist
geoff.coulson@ec.gc.ca
1-800-668-4284 www.ccohs.ca
Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety
Stormy Skies – Severe Summer Weather in Canada
May 5, 2008
Canadian Tornadoes
50 to 80 tornadoes
across the country each
year (most occur in the
Prairies and Ontario)
Vast majority are either
F0 or F1
First confirmed F5
tornado in Elie, Manitoba
June 22, 2007
Geoff Coulson – Warning Preparedness Meteorologist
geoff.coulson@ec.gc.ca
1-800-668-4284 www.ccohs.ca
Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety
Stormy Skies – Severe Summer Weather in Canada
May 5, 2008
Canadian Tornadoes
Ontario overdue for strong
tornado…F3 or greater
Important note – surface
visibility tends to be greater
on the Prairies – spot tornado
from a distance…
Ontario, Quebec, Atlantic
Canada…tends to be hazy in
low levels or heavy rains can
obscure tornado
Geoff Coulson – Warning Preparedness Meteorologist
geoff.coulson@ec.gc.ca
1-800-668-4284 www.ccohs.ca
Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety
Stormy Skies – Severe Summer Weather in Canada
May 5, 2008
Tornado Characteristics
Duration—5 minutes to 120
minutes
Speed of Motion—30-80 km/h
Path length less than 1 km150 km
Path Width—10’s of meters –
2 km
Direction of travel
• Usually southwest to
northeast
Geoff Coulson – Warning Preparedness Meteorologist
geoff.coulson@ec.gc.ca
1-800-668-4284 www.ccohs.ca
Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety
Stormy Skies – Severe Summer Weather in Canada
May 5, 2008
Tornado Characteristics
IMPORTANT Appearance of Tornado NOT
an indication of its strength
Geoff Coulson – Warning Preparedness Meteorologist
geoff.coulson@ec.gc.ca
1-800-668-4284 www.ccohs.ca
Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety
Stormy Skies – Severe Summer Weather in Canada
May 5, 2008
Combermere, Ontario – Fujita Scale 2
Tornado winds around 200 km/h
Geoff Coulson – Warning Preparedness Meteorologist
geoff.coulson@ec.gc.ca
1-800-668-4284 www.ccohs.ca
Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety
Stormy Skies – Severe Summer Weather in Canada
May 5, 2008
Combermere, Ontario – Fujita Scale 2
Tornado winds around 200 km/h
Geoff Coulson – Warning Preparedness Meteorologist
geoff.coulson@ec.gc.ca
1-800-668-4284 www.ccohs.ca
Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety
Stormy Skies – Severe Summer Weather in Canada
May 5, 2008
Combermere, Ontario – Fujita Scale 2
Tornado winds around 200 km/h
Geoff Coulson – Warning Preparedness Meteorologist
geoff.coulson@ec.gc.ca
1-800-668-4284 www.ccohs.ca
Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety
Stormy Skies – Severe Summer Weather in Canada
May 5, 2008
Combermere, Ontario – Fujita Scale 2
Tornado winds around 200 km/h
Geoff Coulson – Warning Preparedness Meteorologist
geoff.coulson@ec.gc.ca
1-800-668-4284 www.ccohs.ca
Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety
Stormy Skies – Severe Summer Weather in Canada
May 5, 2008
Combermere, Ontario – Fujita Scale 2
Tornado winds around 200 km/h
Geoff Coulson – Warning Preparedness Meteorologist
geoff.coulson@ec.gc.ca
1-800-668-4284 www.ccohs.ca
Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety
Stormy Skies – Severe Summer Weather in Canada
May 5, 2008
Combermere, Ontario – Fujita Scale 2
Tornado winds around 200 km/h
Geoff Coulson – Warning Preparedness Meteorologist
geoff.coulson@ec.gc.ca
1-800-668-4284 www.ccohs.ca
Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety
Stormy Skies – Severe Summer Weather in Canada
May 5, 2008
2007 Summer Season in Review
Geoff Coulson – Warning Preparedness Meteorologist
geoff.coulson@ec.gc.ca
1-800-668-4284 www.ccohs.ca
Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety
Stormy Skies – Severe Summer Weather in Canada
May 5, 2008
Snapshot of 2007 Prairie Summer
Events
One of the busiest seasons on record
410 events (avg. is 216)
Record number of hail events – 279
82 Damaging Wind Events (avg. 42)
32 Tornadoes (avg. 32)
17 Heavy Rain Events (avg. 21)
1st confirmed F5 Tornado in Canada – Elie,
Manitoba on June 22nd
Geoff Coulson – Warning Preparedness Meteorologist
geoff.coulson@ec.gc.ca
1-800-668-4284 www.ccohs.ca
Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety
Stormy Skies – Severe Summer Weather in Canada
May 5, 2008
Dangers of Strong Winds/Debris
Damage intensifies due to shrapnel-like
nature of the debris
Debris composed of
• Bits of wood
• Metal
• Stones/rocks
Stronger the wind, the more impactful the
debris is on people, vegetation and
structures
Geoff Coulson – Warning Preparedness Meteorologist
geoff.coulson@ec.gc.ca
1-800-668-4284 www.ccohs.ca
Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety
Stormy Skies – Severe Summer Weather in Canada
May 5, 2008
Elie, Manitoba
Geoff Coulson – Warning Preparedness Meteorologist
geoff.coulson@ec.gc.ca
1-800-668-4284 www.ccohs.ca
Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety
Stormy Skies – Severe Summer Weather in Canada
May 5, 2008
Elie, Manitoba
Geoff Coulson – Warning Preparedness Meteorologist
geoff.coulson@ec.gc.ca
1-800-668-4284 www.ccohs.ca
Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety
Stormy Skies – Severe Summer Weather in Canada
May 5, 2008
Elie, Manitoba
Geoff Coulson – Warning Preparedness Meteorologist
geoff.coulson@ec.gc.ca
1-800-668-4284 www.ccohs.ca
Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety
Stormy Skies – Severe Summer Weather in Canada
May 5, 2008
Elie, Manitoba
Geoff Coulson – Warning Preparedness Meteorologist
geoff.coulson@ec.gc.ca
1-800-668-4284 www.ccohs.ca
Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety
Stormy Skies – Severe Summer Weather in Canada
May 5, 2008
Elie, Manitoba
Geoff Coulson – Warning Preparedness Meteorologist
geoff.coulson@ec.gc.ca
1-800-668-4284 www.ccohs.ca
Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety
Stormy Skies – Severe Summer Weather in Canada
May 5, 2008
Snapshot of 2007 Ontario Season
9 tornadoes
All F0 or F1
5 occurred on July 8th in and around Bruce,
Huron and Perth Counties (i.e. Mildmay)
Damaging events in North-western and Northeastern Ontario (Ignace, Kashechewan First
Nation)
A number of hail events
Geoff Coulson – Warning Preparedness Meteorologist
geoff.coulson@ec.gc.ca
1-800-668-4284 www.ccohs.ca
Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety
Stormy Skies – Severe Summer Weather in Canada
May 5, 2008
July 8th, 2007 Mildmay-Walkerton
Large, long-lived
supercell thunderstorm
5 confirmed or probable
tornadoes in Bruce,
Huron and Perth
Counties
Large hail reported in a
few locations along
storm track (golf ball to
tennis ball size)
Geoff Coulson – Warning Preparedness Meteorologist
geoff.coulson@ec.gc.ca
1-800-668-4284 www.ccohs.ca
Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety
Stormy Skies – Severe Summer Weather in Canada
May 5, 2008
Storm Track
5:30 PM
9:10 PM
Geoff Coulson – Warning Preparedness Meteorologist
geoff.coulson@ec.gc.ca
1-800-668-4284 www.ccohs.ca
Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety
Stormy Skies – Severe Summer Weather in Canada
May 5, 2008
Mildmay area around 6:30 PM
Photo Courtesy
Ron Gravelle
Geoff Coulson – Warning Preparedness Meteorologist
geoff.coulson@ec.gc.ca
1-800-668-4284 www.ccohs.ca
Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety
Stormy Skies – Severe Summer Weather in Canada
May 5, 2008
Mildmay around 6:40 PM
Photos Courtesy Kayla Bross
Geoff Coulson – Warning Preparedness Meteorologist
geoff.coulson@ec.gc.ca
1-800-668-4284 www.ccohs.ca
Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety
Stormy Skies – Severe Summer Weather in Canada
May 5, 2008
Part III: Staying on Top of Current
and Forecast Weather
Media
Weatheradio
Internet
Geoff Coulson – Warning Preparedness Meteorologist
geoff.coulson@ec.gc.ca
1-800-668-4284 www.ccohs.ca
Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety
Stormy Skies – Severe Summer Weather in Canada
May 5, 2008
Internet Access—Check Daily
Weatheroffice.gc.ca
current watches,
warnings, advisories,
special weather
statements
current conditions, 24
hour trends, 5 day
forecasts
Radar imagery
Much more…
Geoff Coulson – Warning Preparedness Meteorologist
geoff.coulson@ec.gc.ca
1-800-668-4284 www.ccohs.ca
Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety
Stormy Skies – Severe Summer Weather in Canada
May 5, 2008
Warning Battleboard
Page automatically refreshes
every 10 minutes
Geoff Coulson – Warning Preparedness Meteorologist
geoff.coulson@ec.gc.ca
1-800-668-4284 www.ccohs.ca
Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety
Stormy Skies – Severe Summer Weather in Canada
May 5, 2008
Special Weather
Statements
Special Weather Statements
Significant Weather
Event (i.e. large area of
fog) or Weather
Approaching Severe
Limits
Storm Summaries
(Rainfall/Snowfall
amounts, storm damage
etc..)
Weather Advisories
(Smog, Humidex)
Geoff Coulson – Warning Preparedness Meteorologist
geoff.coulson@ec.gc.ca
1-800-668-4284 www.ccohs.ca
Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety
Stormy Skies – Severe Summer Weather in Canada
May 5, 2008
Weatheradio
http://www.msc-smc.ec.gc.ca/msb/weatheradio/fact_sheet_e.cfm
Continuous broadcast of weather info
Line of sight broadcast…trees, hills may
disrupt signal
Standby mode Æ Tone Alert when
Warnings issued
Specific Area Messaging – Get the
Warnings for YOUR area
Special frequencies…so require a
special receiver
Geoff Coulson – Warning Preparedness Meteorologist
geoff.coulson@ec.gc.ca
1-800-668-4284 www.ccohs.ca
Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety
Stormy Skies – Severe Summer Weather in Canada
May 5, 2008
Part IV: Safety
Severe Thunderstorms
Damaging winds
Hail
Flooding rains
Tornadoes
All Thunderstorms - Lightning
Geoff Coulson – Warning Preparedness Meteorologist
geoff.coulson@ec.gc.ca
1-800-668-4284 www.ccohs.ca
Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety
Stormy Skies – Severe Summer Weather in Canada
May 5, 2008
Severe Thunderstorm/Tornado Safety
Best Shelter…solidly constructed building
Basement
Away from exterior walls, windows
Interior room or stairwell on ground floor if
no basement
High rise building…move to lower floors…do
not use elevator
Geoff Coulson – Warning Preparedness Meteorologist
geoff.coulson@ec.gc.ca
1-800-668-4284 www.ccohs.ca
Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety
Stormy Skies – Severe Summer Weather in Canada
May 5, 2008
Severe Thunderstorm/Tornado Safety
AVOID…wide-span buildings such as barns,
arenas, shopping malls, gymnasiums etc…once
roof has been weakened or damaged support
for walls also significantly weakened
Geoff Coulson – Warning Preparedness Meteorologist
geoff.coulson@ec.gc.ca
1-800-668-4284 www.ccohs.ca
Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety
Stormy Skies – Severe Summer Weather in Canada
May 5, 2008
Severe Thunderstorm/Tornado Safety
Is a car/truck a good shelter?
Debate continues on this topic
Downbursts and weak tornadoes will
generally not pick up a car
However, impossible to tell how strong an
event is
Flying debris from downbursts and weak
tornadoes can shatter windshield or severely
damage the vehicle
Geoff Coulson – Warning Preparedness Meteorologist
geoff.coulson@ec.gc.ca
1-800-668-4284 www.ccohs.ca
Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety
Stormy Skies – Severe Summer Weather in Canada
May 5, 2008
Severe Thunderstorm/Tornado Safety
Is a car/truck a good shelter?
Safest strategy is to leave vehicle and seek
better shelter, if none available
Make yourself as small a target as possible
Lie flat in a low lying area and cover your
head but beware of flash flooding
Geoff Coulson – Warning Preparedness Meteorologist
geoff.coulson@ec.gc.ca
1-800-668-4284 www.ccohs.ca
Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety
Stormy Skies – Severe Summer Weather in Canada
May 5, 2008
Car/Truck Shelter—Outcomes
Geoff Coulson – Warning Preparedness Meteorologist
geoff.coulson@ec.gc.ca
1-800-668-4284 www.ccohs.ca
Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety
Stormy Skies – Severe Summer Weather in Canada
May 5, 2008
Lightning Safety
Best shelter…substantial building
• Away from windows and doors
• Avoid areas with plumbing and using a
land-line phone
Car/Truck…yes,if metal-topped
• Does provide lightning protection
• Avoid touching metal objects in car
Geoff Coulson – Warning Preparedness Meteorologist
geoff.coulson@ec.gc.ca
1-800-668-4284 www.ccohs.ca
Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety
Stormy Skies – Severe Summer Weather in Canada
May 5, 2008
Lightning Safety
If you’re in the open with no shelter
available
• Find low lying area and crouch down on
the balls of your feet
• Minimize your contact with the ground
AVOID
• High ground, isolated trees
• tall objects in open spaces, fences
Geoff Coulson – Warning Preparedness Meteorologist
geoff.coulson@ec.gc.ca
1-800-668-4284 www.ccohs.ca
Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety
Stormy Skies – Severe Summer Weather in Canada
May 5, 2008
Lightning Safety
In Canada,
approximately 10
lightning fatalities
each year
100 to 150 people
injured by lightning
each year
Render First Aid to
victims as soon as
possible…they are
safe to touch…if not
breathing perform
CPR…
Geoff Coulson – Warning Preparedness Meteorologist
geoff.coulson@ec.gc.ca
1-800-668-4284 www.ccohs.ca
Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety
Stormy Skies – Severe Summer Weather in Canada
May 5, 2008
Canadian Lightning Flash Density
(flashes per square km per year)
Geoff Coulson – Warning Preparedness Meteorologist
geoff.coulson@ec.gc.ca
1-800-668-4284 www.ccohs.ca
Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety
Stormy Skies – Severe Summer Weather in Canada
May 5, 2008
Avg. Number of Days per year with
Lightning
Geoff Coulson – Warning Preparedness Meteorologist
geoff.coulson@ec.gc.ca
1-800-668-4284 www.ccohs.ca
Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety
Stormy Skies – Severe Summer Weather in Canada
May 5, 2008
Lightning Safety
Remember the 30-30 Rule
Less than 30 seconds between flash and
rumble…seek the best shelter available
Remain in your best shelter a full 30 minutes
after the last rumble of thunder
Geoff Coulson – Warning Preparedness Meteorologist
geoff.coulson@ec.gc.ca
1-800-668-4284 www.ccohs.ca
Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety
Stormy Skies – Severe Summer Weather in Canada
May 5, 2008
Assessing Your Risk of Severe
Weather
www.hazards.ca
Geoff Coulson – Warning Preparedness Meteorologist
geoff.coulson@ec.gc.ca
1-800-668-4284 www.ccohs.ca
Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety
Stormy Skies – Severe Summer Weather in Canada
May 5, 2008
Final Thoughts
Damaging summer storms can occur almost
anywhere in Canada
Most frequent in the Southern Prairies,
Southern Ontario and Southern Quebec
Awareness of the current weather conditions
and forecast is key…
Preparedness = Time to React = Minimized
Risk
Geoff Coulson – Warning Preparedness Meteorologist
geoff.coulson@ec.gc.ca
1-800-668-4284 www.ccohs.ca
Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety
Stormy Skies – Severe Summer Weather in Canada
May 5, 2008
Thank You
For further information contact:
Geoff Coulson
Warning Preparedness Meteorologist
Environment Canada
Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Phone: 416-739-4466
geoff.coulson@ec.gc.ca
www.ec.gc.ca
Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
Phone: 905-572-2981 Fax: 905-572-2206
www.ccohs.ca
Geoff Coulson – Warning Preparedness Meteorologist
geoff.coulson@ec.gc.ca
1-800-668-4284 www.ccohs.ca
Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety
Stormy Skies – Severe Summer Weather in Canada
May 5, 2008