Weather Safety and Emergency Preparedness
Severe Weather Alert System
Understanding weather alerts can save lives. The National Weather Service issues different types of alerts based on the severity and timing of weather events.
🟡 Weather Advisories
Minor weather events that may cause inconvenience but are not life-threatening
🟠 Weather Watches
Conditions are favorable for severe weather development - stay alert
🔴 Weather Warnings
Severe weather is occurring or imminent - take immediate action
Building Your Weather Emergency Kit
Every household should have emergency supplies ready for severe weather events. Your kit should be tailored to your local climate and weather risks.
Essential Emergency Supplies
- Water: One gallon per person per day for at least 3 days
- Food: 3-day supply of non-perishable food
- Battery-powered or hand crank radio and NOAA Weather Radio
- Flashlight and extra batteries
- First aid kit and necessary medications
- Whistle for signaling help
- Cell phone with chargers and backup battery
- Cash and credit cards
- Emergency contact information
- Copies of important documents
Weather-Related Health Considerations
Weather changes can affect health in various ways, from triggering migraines to exacerbating respiratory conditions.
Common Weather-Health Connections
- Barometric Pressure Changes: Can trigger migraines and joint pain
- High Humidity: Worsens asthma and makes heat feel more intense
- Cold Weather: Increases risk of heart attacks and strokes
- Air Quality: Weather patterns affect pollution levels and allergens
- Seasonal Affective Disorder: Reduced sunlight in winter affects mood
Advanced Weather Phenomena Explained
Understanding complex weather events helps you interpret forecasts and prepare for unusual conditions.
Atmospheric Rivers
Narrow corridors of concentrated moisture in the atmosphere that transport water vapor from tropical regions to higher latitudes. These "rivers in the sky" can bring beneficial rainfall or cause devastating floods.
- Can transport 15 times more water than the Mississippi River
- Responsible for up to 50% of annual precipitation in some regions
- Critical for water supply in California and the western United States
- Can cause rapid snowmelt and flooding in mountainous areas
Heat Domes
High-pressure systems that trap hot air over a region for extended periods, creating dangerous heat waves that can persist for days or weeks.
- Form when jet stream patterns become stationary
- Can raise temperatures 10-15°F above normal
- Increase energy demand and strain power grids
- Pose serious health risks, especially for vulnerable populations
Polar Vortex
A large area of low pressure and cold air surrounding Earth's poles that can occasionally weaken and send frigid air southward into lower latitudes.
- Normal state keeps cold air contained near the poles
- When disrupted, can cause extreme cold snaps
- Can bring temperatures 20-40°F below normal
- Often accompanied by dangerous wind chills
Climate vs. Weather: Understanding the Difference
While weather describes short-term atmospheric conditions, climate represents long-term patterns and averages over decades.
Weather Characteristics
- Short-term (minutes to weeks)
- Highly variable and unpredictable beyond 7-10 days
- Includes temperature, precipitation, wind, humidity
- Affects daily activities and immediate planning
- Can change rapidly within hours
Climate Characteristics
- Long-term (30+ years of data)
- Relatively stable patterns and trends
- Includes seasonal patterns and extremes
- Influences agriculture, ecosystems, and infrastructure
- Changes slowly over decades or centuries