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'''Storms''' are atmospheric disturbances that can produce severe weather and are an exception to normal weather conditions.<ref name="WP">https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Storm</ref> Storms occur over both land and sea, and can occur inland as well as along the coast of any land mass. They can cause damage to the environment (built and natural) and can be disruptive and even deadly, depending on their severity. | '''Storms''' are atmospheric disturbances that can produce severe weather and are an exception to normal weather conditions.<ref name="WP">https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Storm</ref> Storms occur over both land and sea, and can occur inland as well as along the coast of any land mass. They can cause damage to the environment (built and natural) and can be disruptive and even deadly, depending on their severity. | ||
== Storm | == Storm features == | ||
Storms can include a wide range of effects, including:<ref name="WP" /> | Storms can include a wide range of effects or features, including:<ref name="WP" /> | ||
*Strong winds, gale force winds, cyclones or hurricanes, tornadoes | * Strong winds, gale force winds, cyclones or hurricanes, tornadoes | ||
*Thunder and lightning | * Thunder and lightning | ||
*Rainstorms, sandstorms, dust storms, snowstorms (blizzards) | * Rainstorms, sandstorms, dust storms, snowstorms (blizzards) | ||
*Hail, ice, freezing rain (ice storm) | * Hail, ice, freezing rain (ice storm) | ||
*Debris carried by high winds | * Debris carried by high winds | ||
*Storm surges | * Storm surges | ||
*Firestorms (created during severe wildfire or bushfire events) | * Firestorms (created during severe wildfire or bushfire events) | ||
== Effects of storms == | == Effects of storms on people and property == | ||
Storms can be damaging to life, property and the environment. People and animals in the pathway of a storm can be injured or killed if they are unable to find suitable shelter or get to emergency safety areas in the event of flooding, flying debris, etc. or as a result of accidents such as vehicle crashes. | Storms can be damaging to life, property and the environment. People and animals in the pathway of a storm can be injured or killed if they are unable to find suitable shelter or get to emergency safety areas in the event of flooding, flying debris, etc. or as a result of accidents such as vehicle crashes. | ||
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Some storm events of particular note where climate change may have amplified the storm impacts include: | Some storm events of particular note where climate change may have amplified the storm impacts include: | ||
*Hurricane Catarina (2004) (unusual because it was a Southern Hemisphere hurricane) | * Hurricane Catarina (2004) (unusual because it was a Southern Hemisphere hurricane) | ||
*Hurricane Katrina (2004) | * Hurricane Katrina (2004) | ||
*Rainstorm in Mumbai (2005) | * Rainstorm in Mumbai (2005) | ||
* Hurricane Harvey (2017) - record-breaking rains<ref name="Conversation">https://theconversation.com/irma-and-harvey-very-different-storms-but-both-affected-by-climate-change-83800</ref> | |||
*Hurricane Harvey (2017) - record-breaking rains<ref name="Conversation">https://theconversation.com/irma-and-harvey-very-different-storms-but-both-affected-by-climate-change-83800</ref> | * Hurricane Irma (2017)<ref name="Conversation" /> | ||
*Hurricane Irma (2017)<ref name="Conversation" /> | |||
Note: Stating that climate change may be enhancing the impact of a storm should '''not''' be confused with causing/forming the storm; the storms will occur as always but it is their strength and intensity that is of increasing concern due to changes in climatic conditions. | Note: Stating that climate change may be enhancing the impact of a storm should '''not''' be confused with causing/forming the storm; the storms will occur as always but it is their strength and intensity that is of increasing concern due to changes in climatic conditions. | ||
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There are things you can do to stay safer and to protect animals, livestock, crops, property, vehicles, etc. but you need to be alert and prepared ahead of time. Some of these things include: | There are things you can do to stay safer and to protect animals, livestock, crops, property, vehicles, etc. but you need to be alert and prepared ahead of time. Some of these things include: | ||
*Know the weather history of your area. If there is a history of past severe storm events, this indicates that it can happen again. However, even without this history, a storm event can occur anywhere at anytime, so this is just one thing to be alert to. | * Know the weather history of your area. If there is a history of past severe storm events, this indicates that it can happen again. However, even without this history, a storm event can occur anywhere at anytime, so this is just one thing to be alert to. | ||
*Know how to stay alerted to coming storm events. What sorts of warning systems are in place where you live? Many local governments and emergency services provide apps for alerting, text alerts, radio updates, etc. Some areas may use sirens or telephone trees. Find out what is in place where you live and get involved in it. | * Know how to stay alerted to coming storm events. What sorts of warning systems are in place where you live? Many local governments and emergency services provide apps for alerting, text alerts, radio updates, etc. Some areas may use sirens or telephone trees. Find out what is in place where you live and get involved in it. | ||
*Plan ahead for a possible storm event. Stock up on needed items, from canned food and blankets to tarpaulins and temporary shelter solutions for people and animals. The specifics of what you need will be dependent on the types of storms your area is subjected to. | * Plan ahead for a possible storm event. Stock up on needed items, from canned food and blankets to tarpaulins and temporary shelter solutions for people and animals. The specifics of what you need will be dependent on the types of storms your area is subjected to. | ||
*Walk around your house, land, garden, yard, farm, barn, crops, livestock holding areas, property, etc. What can you see that might be affected should a storm come through? Think of hail, blizzard, high winds, floods, etc., and work out what needs to be done to protect lives and property should a storm impact your area. | * Walk around your house, land, garden, yard, farm, barn, crops, livestock holding areas, property, etc. What can you see that might be affected should a storm come through? Think of hail, blizzard, high winds, floods, etc., and work out what needs to be done to protect lives and property should a storm impact your area. | ||
*Know whether or not it is possible to stay in place or whether it's safest to evacuate. If a storm may precipitate landslides, flooding, breaches of dam walls, etc., then evacuation may be the best, safest option. If you're likely to be cut off by a blizzard, iced-over roads or bridge falls, ensure that you have sufficient supplies stocked up if you plan on staying in place. This may include heating fuel, food, a generator, means to stay in touch with the outside world (hand-crank radio, solar means for recharging phone, etc.). Consider what transportation might work if you do get stranded, including bicycles, boats/canoes, etc. Is walking going to be an option or not? | * Know whether or not it is possible to stay in place or whether it's safest to evacuate. If a storm may precipitate landslides, flooding, breaches of dam walls, etc., then evacuation may be the best, safest option. If you're likely to be cut off by a blizzard, iced-over roads or bridge falls, ensure that you have sufficient supplies stocked up if you plan on staying in place. This may include heating fuel, food, a generator, means to stay in touch with the outside world (hand-crank radio, solar means for recharging phone, etc.). Consider what transportation might work if you do get stranded, including bicycles, boats/canoes, etc. Is walking going to be an option or not? | ||
[This is a work-in-progress, feel free to keep improving.] | [This is a work-in-progress, feel free to keep improving.] | ||
== See also == | == See also == | ||
* [[Winter Storms and Extreme Cold|Winter Storms and Extreme Cold]] | |||
* https://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/Features/ClimateStorms/page2.php | |||
== Sources and citations == | == Sources and citations == | ||
{{ | |||
<references /> | |||
{{Page data}} | |||
Latest revision as of 18:31, 9 June 2023
Storms are atmospheric disturbances that can produce severe weather and are an exception to normal weather conditions.[1] Storms occur over both land and sea, and can occur inland as well as along the coast of any land mass. They can cause damage to the environment (built and natural) and can be disruptive and even deadly, depending on their severity.
Storm features[edit | edit source]
Storms can include a wide range of effects or features, including:[1]
- Strong winds, gale force winds, cyclones or hurricanes, tornadoes
- Thunder and lightning
- Rainstorms, sandstorms, dust storms, snowstorms (blizzards)
- Hail, ice, freezing rain (ice storm)
- Debris carried by high winds
- Storm surges
- Firestorms (created during severe wildfire or bushfire events)
Effects of storms on people and property[edit | edit source]
Storms can be damaging to life, property and the environment. People and animals in the pathway of a storm can be injured or killed if they are unable to find suitable shelter or get to emergency safety areas in the event of flooding, flying debris, etc. or as a result of accidents such as vehicle crashes.
Storms can disrupt daily human events, such as attending work and school, pursuing leisure activities and running infrastructure. Storms can cause crop and food production damage, or halt production due to transport breakdowns.
Storms often have a role in cleaning and renewal of the environment and can be ecologically useful once recovery is in process. They can refill rivers and soak drought-stricken areas. Storms may also bring opportunities for human activities, from increased business to new leisure pursuits.
Growing intensity of storms[edit | edit source]
The intensity of some storm activity has been growing as a result of climatic change.[2] This has been noted for some decades now, and is likely to continue in coming decades, worsening the effects of storms.[2]
Some storm events of particular note where climate change may have amplified the storm impacts include:
- Hurricane Catarina (2004) (unusual because it was a Southern Hemisphere hurricane)
- Hurricane Katrina (2004)
- Rainstorm in Mumbai (2005)
- Hurricane Harvey (2017) - record-breaking rains[2]
- Hurricane Irma (2017)[2]
Note: Stating that climate change may be enhancing the impact of a storm should not be confused with causing/forming the storm; the storms will occur as always but it is their strength and intensity that is of increasing concern due to changes in climatic conditions.
Issues include: Warming atmosphere, warming sea surface temperatures. [This area requires additional research and writing. This is just to get it started.]
Being prepared before storm events[edit | edit source]
There are things you can do to stay safer and to protect animals, livestock, crops, property, vehicles, etc. but you need to be alert and prepared ahead of time. Some of these things include:
- Know the weather history of your area. If there is a history of past severe storm events, this indicates that it can happen again. However, even without this history, a storm event can occur anywhere at anytime, so this is just one thing to be alert to.
- Know how to stay alerted to coming storm events. What sorts of warning systems are in place where you live? Many local governments and emergency services provide apps for alerting, text alerts, radio updates, etc. Some areas may use sirens or telephone trees. Find out what is in place where you live and get involved in it.
- Plan ahead for a possible storm event. Stock up on needed items, from canned food and blankets to tarpaulins and temporary shelter solutions for people and animals. The specifics of what you need will be dependent on the types of storms your area is subjected to.
- Walk around your house, land, garden, yard, farm, barn, crops, livestock holding areas, property, etc. What can you see that might be affected should a storm come through? Think of hail, blizzard, high winds, floods, etc., and work out what needs to be done to protect lives and property should a storm impact your area.
- Know whether or not it is possible to stay in place or whether it's safest to evacuate. If a storm may precipitate landslides, flooding, breaches of dam walls, etc., then evacuation may be the best, safest option. If you're likely to be cut off by a blizzard, iced-over roads or bridge falls, ensure that you have sufficient supplies stocked up if you plan on staying in place. This may include heating fuel, food, a generator, means to stay in touch with the outside world (hand-crank radio, solar means for recharging phone, etc.). Consider what transportation might work if you do get stranded, including bicycles, boats/canoes, etc. Is walking going to be an option or not?
[This is a work-in-progress, feel free to keep improving.]
