National Weather Service Heat Advisories

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National Weather ServiceHeat Advisories
Warnings
19th Annual National Low Income Energy
Conference Phoenix AZ June 14,
2005

• TONY HAFFER JON SKINDLOV
• NWS Phoenix Salt River Project

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Presentations

• BackgroundNWS responsibility
• The Delaware/Kalkstein method
• The Phoenix experience

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National Weather Service Mission Statement "
The National Weather Service (NWS) provides
weather, hydrologic, and climate forecasts and
warnings for the United States, its territories,
adjacent waters and ocean areas, for the
protection of life and property and the
enhancement of the national economy... "
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National Weather Service Products
Warning - A particular weather hazard is either
imminent or has been reported. A call to take
action to protect life and property. Examples
tornado warning, severe thunderstorm warning,
flash flood warning.
Watch - A particular hazard is possible, i.e.,
that conditions are more favorable than usual for
its occurrence. A recommendation for planning,
preparation, and increased awareness (i.e., to be
alert for changing weather, listen for further
information, and think about what to do if the
danger materializes).
Advisory - Events are expected to remain below
the warning criteria, but still cause significant
inconvenience.
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National Weather Service Products
Warning - A particular weather hazard is either
imminent or has been reported. A call to take
action to protect life and property. Examples
tornado warning, severe thunderstorm warning,
flash flood warning.
Watch - A particular hazard is possible, i.e.,
that conditions are more favorable than usual for
its occurrence. A recommendation for planning,
preparation, and increased awareness (i.e., to be
alert for changing weather, listen for further
information, and think about what to do if the
danger materializes).
Advisory - Events are expected to remain below
the warning criteria, but still cause significant
inconvenience.
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National Weather Service Products
Warning - A particular weather hazard is either
imminent or has been reported. A call to take
action to protect life and property. Examples
tornado warning, severe thunderstorm warning,
flash flood warning.
Watch - A particular hazard is possible, i.e.,
that conditions are more favorable than usual for
its occurrence. A recommendation for planning,
preparation, and increased awareness (i.e., to be
alert for changing weather, listen for further
information, and think about what to do if the
danger materializes).
Advisory - Events are expected to remain below
the warning criteria, but still cause significant
inconvenience.
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?1980 heat wave
1999 heat wave ?
1995 heat wave
CDC/NCHS Compressed Mortality Index. Total
deaths by excessive heat (gray bars) and total
deaths by excessive cold (black bars) for
1968-1999.
Dixon, et al. 2005. Heat Mortality Versus Cold
Mortality A Study of Conflicting Databases in
the United States. Bulletin of the American
Meteorological Society, July 2005 (in press).
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National Weather Service Heat Products (old
definitions)
HEAT ADVISORY -- Heat Advisory is issued when the
heat, or combination of heat and humidity, is
expected to become an inconvenience for much of
the population, and a problem for some. (The
Heat Index (apparent temperature) is expected to
approach 105F.)
EXCESSIVE HEAT WARNING -- Excessive Heat Warnings
are issued when the heat, or combination of heat
and humidity, is expected to be dangerous for a
large portion of the population. (The maximum
Heat Index will be above 105F for 3 hours or more
on 2 consecutive days and the minimum temperature
will be 80F or warmer or the maximum Heat Index
will be 115F or higher.)
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Heat Index The Heat Index or the "Apparent
Temperature" is a measure of how hot it really
feels when humidity (relative humidity or dew
point temperature) is considered along with the
actual air temperature.
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Dew point 55F
Dew point 73F
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Saturday, May 28, 2005 First heat advisory ever
for Seattle SEATTLE POST-INTELLIGENCER STAFF AND
NEWS SERVICES The National Weather Service
issued its first-ever heat advisory for Seattle
yesterday, prompted by a second day of record
temperatures. Sea-Tac Airport reported 89
degrees, breaking the record of 86 set in 1972.
The weather service's excessive heat program
has been used in other cities since 1995 Seattle
was added to the list this year. A heat
advisory means conditions could lead to heat
stress in some people and a warning indicates a
higher possibility that people will get sick or
die.
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