Strong Straight Line Winds and Large Hail are Major Weather Threats in Colorado
During this Severe Weather Awareness Week in Colorado remember that threats from thunderstorms include tornadoes, straight line wind, hail, flooding, and lightning.Straightline Winds
Tornadoes are often the headline story, but damaging straight line winds can also injure and kill animals and humans. These winds from a thunderstorm are usually caused by an area of air within the storm which is quickly cooled by precipitation or the evaporation of precipitation. This area of cooled air which is heavier than the surrounding air accelerates downward. As the cool air slams into the ground it spreads out from the area of impact. This process in extreme cases can cause wind speeds exceeding 100 m.p.h. Weather forecasters call these winds microbursts if they are less than 2 1/2 miles across and macrobursts if they are greater than 2 1/2 miles across.Downbursts
These downbursts of cool air can be life threatening to pilots and can cause extensive damage, injuries and fatalities at ground level. Try to get indoors during all thunderstorm activity because high winds can suddenly develop causing things on the ground to become swiftly moving missiles that can injure or kill.
Hail and Hailstones
Hail is another thunderstorm threat often occurs in Colorado. Hail forms within thunderstorms as liquid water freezes in the cold mid and upper levels of the storms. The hailstones are kept aloft by strong updraft winds for a time and then cascade to the ground. Hailstones vary from pea size, about 3/8 of an inch in diameter, to larger than grapefruits, nearly 5 inches in diameter.
Hailstones can do tremendous damage to crops either as large hailstones or as a large volume of small hailstones that accumulate to a depth of several inches. Large hail damages vehicles and buildings and can be life threatening to animals and people.
The National Weather Service issues Severe Thunderstorm Warnings for winds of 58 m.p.h. or higher or for large hail one inch in diameter or larger. Realize that some storms are capable of much larger hail and much higher wind speeds. When you hear about a Severe Thunderstorm Warning move to shelter.
When thunderstorms threaten you this severe weather season tune to NOAA Weather Radio All Hazards. Wherever you are during threatening weather days plan out the actions you would take if weather were to strike.
The National Weather Service wishes you a safe severe weather season.
...on Sunday............Introduction
...on Monday……...Watches and Warnings
...on Tuesday……..Tornadoes and Tornado Safety
...on Wednesday...Flood and Flash Flood Safety
...on Thursday…....Downburst Wind and Hail
...on Friday………...Lightning and Lightning Safety
...on Saturday…......Severe Weather Awareness Week in Review
This blog provided by the Colorado Forecast Offices from the National Weather Service.
