| In the Hollywood blockbuster "Twister", a movie | | | | especially on guard during these times, whatever |
| about a group of academic storm chasers who | | | | the threat for your geography. |
| put themselves in harm's way to collect valuable | | | | If you live in Tornado Alley and see towering |
| scientific data, the team leader is renowned for | | | | cumulus on a Spring afternoon, internal warning |
| his ability to predict where and when a tornado | | | | bells should be sounding. |
| will touch down. It is said that he "knows what | | | | 3. Read the Wind |
| the storm is thinking". | | | | Fire requires three elements to burn: air (oxygen), |
| While factual content is lacking, as we expect | | | | a fuel source, and ignition. |
| from Hollywood blockbusters, there is a kernal of | | | | And, like fire, thunderstorms require three |
| truth in the ability to "know what a storm is | | | | essential elements to form: Cold air over warm |
| thinking". | | | | air, known as Instability in the atmosphere, |
| With some basic education and some field | | | | humidity (fuel), and a lift mechanism (source of |
| experience, you will be able to identify storm | | | | ignition) which is often a cold front or warm front. |
| threats with nothing but your own senses. | | | | The key ingredient in all of this is humidity. |
| In a situation where you may find your self with | | | | Thunderstorms can't form without deep levels of |
| low or no technology, these skills may give you | | | | moisture in the atmosphere. You've probably |
| the critical time you need to prepare and may | | | | noticed that thunderstorms tend to break out on |
| just save your life. | | | | hot, humid days. This is why. |
| 1. Know your Geography | | | | Since most of the humidity in the continental U.S. |
| Weather is largely determined by where you live. | | | | comes from the Gulf of Mexico, the discerning |
| Awareness of your geography is the first and | | | | survivalist will know that days with a steady |
| most important step in understanding what kinds | | | | southerly wind are indications of thunderstorm |
| of weather threats to expect, and when to | | | | potential within the next 12-24 hours. |
| expect them. These can include: | | | | 4. Read the Sky |
| - Hurricanes along gulf and seaboard states | | | | Everyone should be able to read his/her |
| - Blizzards in the northern and eastern states | | | | environment and make quick judgements. That |
| - Flash flooding in central states, especially along | | | | includes reading the sky and cloud formations. |
| rivers | | | | Many books and Internet resources exist to |
| - Tornadoes in the central and southern plains | | | | teach you how to identify clouds and other sky |
| Everyone should be well versed in the weather | | | | phenomena. But the general rule is this: vertically |
| threats for his or her own geography, and have | | | | growing clouds = bad weather. The taller the |
| evacuation kits or other prepared resources in | | | | cloud, the worse the weather. In the case of |
| advance to deal with them. | | | | severe storms, you should actually be able to see |
| 2. Time of Day, Time of Year | | | | the cloud growing skyward in real-time. |
| You don't need to become an expert on weather | | | | It should be noted that if you spot rotation in the |
| hazards, but a little knowledge can go a long way | | | | storm you are watching. Rotation along the base |
| in survival situations. | | | | of a severe storm, sometimes called a wall cloud, |
| Most thunderstorms, and consequently tornadoes, | | | | can be a precursor to tornadoes and is especially |
| occur between 2:00 and 6:00 PM during the | | | | hazardous. |
| months of April, May, and June. You should be | | | | |