Tell the National Weather Service Whats Going on in Your Own Back Yard

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Tell the National Weather Service Whats Going on
in Your Own Back Yard!
Storm Spotting
Co-Op Program
CoCoRaHS
The Co-Operative Weather Observing Program began
in 1890 and now includes over 11,000 volunteers
across the nation who measure temperature and
precipitation each day for the NWS. Some of the
volunteers have been participating for over half
a century! The observations are extremely
important to the NWS, and are used in computer
forecast models and in day-to-day decision-making.
The Community Collaborative Rain, Hail, and Snow
Network, or CoCoRaHS, is a community-based
network of volunteers working together
Every year we train several hundred people who
serve as our eyes and ears in the field during
severe weather. These intrepid volunteers watch
the skies and report any tornadoes, hail, strong
winds, and flooding directly to the National
Weather Service (NWS). The NWS uses this
information when deciding which storms warrant
warnings.
to measure and map precipitation. By using low
cost tools and using an  
interactive website, the aim is to provide the
highest quality data for education and research
applications.  
JANUARY
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The World of Weather at Your Fingertips!
http//weather.gov/louisville
Your own personalized forecast for your exact
location
Up-to-the-minute official severe weather
information
River and flood information
Local weather data
The latest radar
FEBRUARY
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HURRICANES
Hurricanes that affect the United States form
over the warm tropical waters of the Atlantic
Ocean, Caribbean Sea, and Gulf of Mexico. The
cyclones usually move to the west initially,
before curving to the north and then northeast.
In a typical year, the United States is struck by
one or two hurricanes. They bring strong winds,
torrential rain, extensive flooding, tornadoes,
and can result in loss of life.
2008 Storm Names
Arthur Bertha Cristobal Dolly Edouard Fay Gustav H
anna Ike Josephine Kyle
Laura Marco Nana Omar Paloma Rene Sally Teddy Vick
y Wilfred
Top Hurricane Andrew striking south Florida at
435am EDT August 24, 1992. Bottom Hurricane
Hugo churning over the Atlantic Ocean September
15, 1989.
Photos taken by Major Jim Jeter, Air Force
Reserve, from inside Hurricane Katrinas eye as
the storm made landfall August 29, 2005.
Background image Hurricane Katrina striking
southeast Louisiana August 29, 2005
MARCH
1917 -- Tornado killed 46 people at New Albany.
1921 -- Tornado blew a rug a mile away at
Kirksville, KY.
1987 -- 8 of snow at Lexington through March 31.
1979 F3 tornado in Barren County killed a child.
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Clouds
Most common clouds are classified into three
groups, based on their height above the ground
High clouds are composed of ice crystals and are
found above 20,000 feet.
cirrus
cirrostratus
cirrocumulus
Mid clouds may be composed of water, ice, or
both. They are found between 6,500 and 20,000
feet above the ground.
altostratus
altocumulus
Low clouds occur below 6,500 feet and are often
composed of water, though they can contain ice
crystals during colder weather. Low clouds are
responsible for much of our precipitation, such
as showers from growing cumulus clouds and light
rain or snow from nimbostratus. Fog is also
considered a low cloud, since it is a cloud that
is in contact with the ground.
nimbostratus
cumulus
stratocumulus
stratus
APRIL
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HEAT
In an average year, about 175 Americans die as a
result of excessive heat.

• Dress in lightweight, light-colored clothing
• Eat a bit less than usual
• Drink lots of water, and dont wait until
  youre thirsty. Avoid alcohol.
• Dont take salt tablets
• Avoid sunburn, which makes it more difficult
  for your body to dissipate heat
• Never leave children or pets unattended in a
  parked car on hot days, even if the windows are
  cracked or you think youll only be gone for a
  moment
• Spend time in air conditioning, especially
  during the hottest part of the day between noon
  and 6 pm

Initial temperature inside a car on a summers
day (94)
and in that same car just 43 minutes later (120)
Heat Index Table
Unless otherwise directed by your doctor
MAY
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LIGHTNING
On average, each year in the United States more
people die from lightning strikes than from
tornadoes.
If you can hear thunder, then youre close enough
to be struck by lightning. Seek shelter indoors,
and stay away from plumbing and landline
telephones. If youre stuck outside, avoid
isolated tall objects. If your hair begins to
stand on end, crouch down into a ball (dont lie
down flat).
When thunder roars, go indoors!
JUNE
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NOAA Weather Radio
The Voice of the National Weather Service
If a severe storm or tornado was bearing down on
your house at three oclock in the morning, how
would you know? The National Weather Service
broadcasts up-to-date weather information 24
hours a day on NOAA Weather Radio. Seventeen
transmitters serve southern Indiana and central
Kentucky, meaning nearly every citizen has access
to this critical information.
With NOAA Weather Radio, the latest weather
information is available at your fingertips,
straight from the National Weather Service!
In addition to severe weather information, your
local forecast and weather conditions are always
available at the touch of a button. The current
weather, such as temperature and wind speed, is
updated every hour.
NOAA Weather Radios are available at many
electronics outlets for as little at 35. When
purchasing a radio, be sure to get one with SAME
technology so the radio will sound an alarm when
a warning is issued for your location. Day or
night, youll be armed with the latest critical
weather information!
When certain official watches and warnings are
issued by the NWS, these special radios can sound
an alarm loud enough to wake even the soundest
sleeper. The radio turns on automatically, and
the alarm is followed by weather information that
could save your life.
For much more information, see our website at
http//www.crh.noaa.gov/lmk/?nweather_radio-lmk
JULY
All-Time High Temperatures
31
30
Kentucky 114 at Greensburg on July 2, 1930
1988 Hail one inch in diameter fell on Dubois
County.
1971 Bowling Greens coolest July high
temperature 67.
Indiana 116 at Collegeville on July 14, 1936
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TORNADOES
The tornado is one of the most powerful forces in
nature, and the United States sees some of the
most widespread tornado activity of anywhere in
the world. The key to tornado survival is to be
prepared before the storm strikes.

• Basements and interior bathrooms without windows
  are the safest places.
• If you are in a mobile home, evacuate to a
  designated storm shelter. Mobile homes are no
  match for even a weak tornado.
• If you are in a rural area in your vehicle,
  leave your vehicle and lie flat in a ditch or low
  spot. Cover your head and beware of flooding
  from heavy rains.
• Seeking shelter under an overpass is not
  recommended.

• A Tornado Watch means tornadoes may develop. A
  Tornado Warning means a tornado is about to
  strike and you must find shelter immediately.
• At home and at work determine where you will go
  if a Tornado Warning is issued, and have practice
  drills.
• If a tornado is approaching, go to the innermost
  room on the lowest floor of the building youre
  in, and stay away from windows.
• Stay out of large rooms with free-span ceilings,
  such as gymnasiums and cafeterias.

AUGUST
2000 Two girls killed by lightning at New
Haven, KY.
1946 36 at Clermont, KY.
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FLOOD
Floods can develop gradually over several days as
the springtime sun melts winters snow, or they
can develop quite suddenly as summertime
thunderstorms drop copious amounts of rain into a
stream. Floods claim lives each year, but there
are precautions you can take to protect yourself.

• Before flooding occurs, learn the elevation of
  your property relative to nearby streams and
  drainage ditches

• If you are in a flood-prone location and a Flash
  Flood Warning is issued, seek higher ground
  immediately
• Never swim or boat in floodwaters, even if they
  are receding
• Homeowners insurance does not cover flooding,
  so if you are concerned about flooding it is a
  good idea to have flood insurance

Turn around dont drown!
SEPTEMBER
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Climate
Although there are a few spots that have cooled
slightly, much of the Earth is experiencing an
increase in long-term average temperatures. The
average global surface temperature has risen
about one degree Fahrenheit over the past
century. While climate change is completely
normal, it is the degree and rate of climate
change, and how much of it is attributable to
human activity, that is under intense study.
Scientists the world over, from many different
disciplines, are looking at the problem of
climate change. Researchers use computerized
climate models to predict what the future might
hold for us. Different models come up with
different solutions, which makes the forecast
uncertain. The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate
Change predicts that by the year 2100 the average
global temperature will increase by 1.4 to 5.8
degrees Celsius. The effects of such a rise in
temperature are currently under intense debate.
OCTOBER
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Hypothermia
Hypothermia occurs when the bodys temperature
drops dangerously low.

• Symptoms of hypothermia include
• Uncontrollable shivering
• Slurred speech
• Incoherence
• Clumsiness
• Exhaustion

• To treat hypothermia
• Change into dry warm clothes
• Heat the torso first not the extremities
• Give warm (not hot) liquids
• No alcohol or pain relievers
• Call for medical assistance

1981
1973
NOVEMBER
1931 Bowling Green rose to 78.
1929 -9 at Shelbyville, KY.
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Photo Information and Credits
Front Cover Background Photo by Code 3 Images
Photography Hail NWS Sunset Crawford County,
Indiana on May 25, 2006. Wade Bell Snow
Louisville, Kentucky on February 4, 2006.
NWS Inside Front Cover Background NWS office
in Louisville, Kentucky. NWS January Background
Harrison County, Indiana, March 2005. Scott
Taylor Horses Lexington, Kentucky on April 6,
2007. Steve Blake February Background
Crawford County, Indiana on May 25, 2006. Wade
Bell Left sunset Lawrenceburg, Kentucky on May
24, 2004. Shawn Crowe Right sunset Richmond,
Kentucky in 2005. Cynthia Warner Sun rays Doe
Valley, Kentucky on April 7, 2007. David
Kuo March Flooded grocery Versailles, Kentucky
on September 23, 2006. Steve Blake Cars in
water Richmond, Kentucky on August 18, 2006.
Jason Rawlins, City of Richmond Public
Works Flooded mailboxes Elizabethtown, Kentucky
on September 23, 2006. Tom Williams, Station 50
Images Tossed vehicles Elizabethtown, Kentucky
on September 23, 2006. Tom Williams, Station 50
Images April Background Temple Hill, Kentucky,
on April 7, 2006. NWS Tornado, Top Left Near
Elizabethtown, Kentucky, on January 2, 2006.
Photo courtesy of Hardin County
EMA/News-Enterprise Damaged structure
Elizabethtown, Kentucky, on January 2, 2006.
Photo by Code 3 Images Photography Tornado,
bottom left View from Richmond, Kentucky, on
April 3, 1974. Mike Schwendeman Car wrapped
around tree Northfield, Kentucky, on April 3,
1974. Russ Conger, NWS
May Weather Radio NWS Weather Radio console
Louisville, Kentucky. NWS June Background
Elizabethtown, Kentucky on May 25, 2006. Adam
Chadbourne Left inset Photo by Code 3 Images
Photography Middle inset Photo by Code 3 Images
Photography Right inset Elizabethtown,
Kentucky. Tom Williams, Station 50
Images July Thermometers Louisville, Kentucky
on August 3, 2005. NWS August All cloud
pictures Public domain September Three photos
on the left Over the Gulf of Mexico on August
29, 2005. Major Jim Jeter November Storm
clouds Louisville, Kentucky. NWS Observer
Jackson, Kentucky. NWS Rain Gauge
CoCoRaHS Black and white photo NWS observer in
front of weather instruments at the Louisville
office in December 1973. NWS Photo with woman
NWS observer taking a weather observation at the
Louisville office in January 1981.
NWS December Background Milltown, Indiana on
December 23, 2004. Angela Crecelius Sunrise
Louisville, Kentucky on February 18, 2007.
NWS Back Cover Photo by Code 3 Images Photography
DECEMBER
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Winter Weather Safety Kit When traveling in snowy
weather, its important to have a winter weather
safety kit in your vehicle. The kit could
include

• Jumper cables
• Shovel
• Blanket
• Flashlight
• NOAA Weather Radio
• Extra shoes or boots
• Wool gloves, scarf, and hat
• Non-perishable food

• First Aid kit
• Sand or cat litter
• Candles and waterproof matches
• Empty coffee can
• Sleeping bag or blanket
• Pocket knife
• Facial tissue
• Cell phone, CB, or amateur radio

National Weather Service
http//weather.gov/louisville
The National Weather Service is a division of the
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration,
within the Federal governments Department of
Commerce.
Our mission To provide weather and flood
warnings, public forecasts, and advisories for
all the United States, its territories, and
adjacent waters and ocean areas, primarily for
the protection of life and property.
The National Weather Service is the nations sole
official voice for issuing warnings during
life-threatening weather situations.
Warnings and forecasts are also provided to the
marine, aviation, and fire control communities to
support safe and cost-effective operations.
As a Federal organization, the National Weather
Service is funded by tax dollars and makes high
quality weather data available to the public at
no additional cost.
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Commemorating the weather of central Kentucky and
southern Indiana
Weather Calendar 2008
National Weather Service, Louisville
Comments on this calendar can be sent to
Weather Calendar National Weather Service 6201
Theiler Lane Louisville, Kentucky 40229