PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE

A half-mile wide tornado approached the western edge of the town of Parkersburg, IA shortly before 5:00 PM CDT on Sunday, May 26, 2008. The tornado increased in size and intensity reaching EF5 status as it crossed the southern half of the town. The ¾ mile wide vortex destroyed between 100 and 200 homes including several well-built structures that were removed completely from their attending foundations. I refer you to the Des Moines National Weather Service Forecast Office for a review of this devastating event including a summary of the damage, images of the destruction, and radar reflectivity and velocity plots (http://www.crh.noaa.gov/images/dmx/parkersburg/Parkersburg-Storm-Damage-Survey.pdf). The NWA can be very proud of its NWS and broadcast members who worked tirelessly to provide advanced warning (37 minutes) of this devastating tornado.

As of this writing, the loss of life attributable to tornadoes in 2008 is 118, the second largest total since the completion of the Doppler radar network in the early 1990s. We can debate the causes for the unusually high number of deadly tornadoes; however the death toll remains a cold, hard statistic. Severe storms, particularly tornadoes corner the market when it comes to capturing our fascination with weather. Their inherent danger is recognized and in most cases given the appropriate regard. Yet, non-severe thunderstorms are seldom accorded a similar degree of respect. There is a public perception that only severe thunderstorms are capable of inflicting damage and loss of life. Just spend a summer afternoon at an outdoor sporting event where air mass thunderstorms tend to be a common, uninvited attendee and I guarantee you will witness frequent, even widespread examples of poor weather judgment. I am convinced the root of this negligence is not arrogance but a lack of lightning education.

I coached a travel soccer team a number of years ago when I lived in Georgia. We were participating in a large weekend tournament attended by teams from all over the state. Abundant low-level moisture and ample heating were present, suitable for widespread disorganized convection. I was concerned about the threat of lightning given these conditions and the large number of people occupying an open area without shelter. I queried the organizers for their plan should storms develop. The response was .we play unless we see lightning.. More recently, an adult member of my extended family asked me if thunder can exist without the existence of lightning. These examples serve as a reminder that the opportunity to save lives through lightning education has never been greater. For example, huge crowds attending outdoor events (e.g. motor racing can attract crowds of 150,000) are commonplace in the U.S. and around the world. Yet, plans for adequate evacuation in the presence of threatening weather are questionable, if available at all. The potential for multiple fatalities from a single lightning strike remains a great concern at golf courses, pools, concerts, any outdoor location where a large congregation is present. On August 27, 2000, a strong thunderstorm moved across the Virginia Tech campus minutes before the scheduled start of a televised football game between the Hokies and Georgia Tech. Lightning struck a nearby parking lot prompting a postponement of the game. The strike was caught on camera. The players and coaches were safely inside, but the tens of thousands outside remained at considerable risk.

You may be surprised to learn that the 30-year average annual loss of life attributable to lightning is 62, a figure identical to the current three-year average number of tornado fatalities. This is a shocking statistic! According to the NOAA Web site on lightning safety (http://www.lightningsafety.noaa.gov/), most of the lightning deaths are males engaged in an outdoor activity. Six lightning deaths have been reported so far in 2008, five of these male and all of them outside, two seeking shelter beneath trees. I chose to comment on lightning in this month.s President.s Message to coincide with lightning awareness week which is June 22-28. We must work tirelessly as an organization to educate all we come into contact with that every thunderstorm is a potential killer. Your National Weather Association maintains a link to several lightning safety tips (http://www.nwas.org/links/lightning.php). Please visit it and direct your family, your friends and your colleagues to do so as well.

Enjoy these warm months ahead but place your safety and those you love above all else. I am just a click away at President@nwas.org. I look forward to hearing from you!

- John Scala, President