Coming to terms with weather threats Published May 4, 2012 By Capt. Bethany Maclellan 14th Operations Support Squadron Weather Flight Commander COLUMBUS AIR FORCE BASE, Miss. -- A staggering 321 people lost their lives in the tornado event of April 2011. In the state of Mississippi, most tornadoes do not exceed the EF-3 (winds 136 - 165 mph) category on the Enhanced Fujita Scale, but during the tornado outbreak of April 2011, two EF-5 tornadoes were confirmed during this event with winds in excess of 200 mph. Many were not prepared for the severe weather hazards this storm produced. Severe weather can develop quickly, making it important for those who live and work on Columbus Air Force Base to understand some simple severe weather terminology and how Columbus AFB's Weather Flight works to inform base personnel of weather threats. Severe weather is nothing new to those who live in Mississippi or the South, for that matter. However, year after year the questions remain, "What is a Weather Watch? A Weather Warning? How do those affect me?" Knowing the difference between the terms and how to prepare for each is critical to protecting the people and resources of Columbus AFB. Weather Watch A notice to base personnel of a potential for weather conditions that threaten life or property. When a watch is published, base personnel should stay close to home, or a location that can provide shelter where they can be informed should the Watch upgrade to a warning. Weather Warning A notice to base personnel when weather conditions that threaten life or property are occurring or expected to occur. When Weather Warnings are issued by the Weather Flight, base residents and personnel should take appropriate action immediately. Base residents and personnel should also be aware of the difference between the Watches, Warnings and Advisories (WWAs) that the National Weather Service (NWS) issues as opposed to those issued by the Weather Flight. The National Weather Service is responsible for issuing WWAs for Lowndes County. When severe weather is expected to impact Lowndes County, the NWS will issue accordingly for the entire county. While the NWS issues for Lowndes County, the Weather Flight remains the official WAA-issuing entity for CAFB. Once a WWA is issued, it is considered to be effective for the area within a five mile radius around Columbus AFB (with the exception of lightning, turbulence, and icing advisories). When conditions develop that could become hazardous, the Weather Flight activates its Severe Weather Action Procedures to interrogate the inbound weather and see to the timely dissemination of hazardous weather information. Weather Flight personnel are either on-duty or on-call at all hours to ensure that the base is forewarned when severe weather is likely to occur. Another important topic is the difference between Lowndes County and CAFB regarding tornado siren use. Once the NWS issues a Tornado Warning for Lowndes County, the tornado sirens are activated, to warn as many residents as possible of the threat. Because the warning is county-wide, the funnel may not be moving in such a way that it threatens Columbus AFB's five mile warning area at that particular time. Columbus AFB's Weather Flight will issue a Tornado Warning for the base if the funnel is expected to impact the base, or anywhere in the five mile radius around Columbus AFB. Once the warning is issued, the base sirens will be activated. The Weather Flight does not base its WWAs on the NWS's WWAs, but does use them as a data reference point with the movement of storm cells. Weather Flight personnel will issue based upon criteria authored and approved by Air Force Weather, as well as the Wing and Weather Flight leadership. Severe weather can be unpredictable. Combat the unpredictability with a plan that is easy to remember and can be executed quickly. With a little preparation you can be ready for the potential hazards Columbus AFB may encounter throughout these warm seasons.