Comments on: WHAT ABOUT TORNADOS IN MN? http://www.secretsofthecity.com/mnspeak/13066 Minneapolis + St. Paul Sun, 22 Nov 2009 07:11:27 -0600 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.4 hourly 1 By: aleshire http://www.secretsofthecity.com/mnspeak/13066#comment-189769 aleshire Tue, 02 Sep 2008 15:26:21 +0000 #comment-189769 When I lived in Tulsa, OK and its surrounding suburbs during the mid 1980's, the weather warnings weren't as good as they are here--no doppler radar and never heard a siren going off, despite having tornadoes hitting real close. In Oklahoma, you can assume any severe thunderstorm is capable of producing a tornado. Every tornado and severe storm I experienced, occured late at night. That very rarely happens in the Twin Cities, although I saw one at midnight when I lived in St. Cloud during the mid 1990's. I swear by my weather radio--I keep it plugged in during spring, summer, and fall. When it goes off, I immediately turn on the tv so I can see what it looks like on radar. I'll also go outside to get a feel of the atmosphere, and search for rotation in the clouds. This is not recommended for amateurs--it's always best to stay on the safe side especially if you have kids. If you hear crashing, shrieking winds, or the sound of a freight train, head immediately for the basement, interior bathroom, or hallway. Bring with you flashlights, battery operated radio and flashlights and all household pets. Our severe weather season is mainly in June and July, but lately we've had more instances in August and September. The other months are too cool for tornadoes. When I lived in Tulsa, OK and its surrounding suburbs during the mid 1980’s, the weather warnings weren’t as good as they are here–no doppler radar and never heard a siren going off, despite having tornadoes hitting real close. In Oklahoma, you can assume any severe thunderstorm is capable of producing a tornado. Every tornado and severe storm I experienced, occured late at night. That very rarely happens in the Twin Cities, although I saw one at midnight when I lived in St. Cloud during the mid 1990’s. I swear by my weather radio–I keep it plugged in during spring, summer, and fall. When it goes off, I immediately turn on the tv so I can see what it looks like on radar. I’ll also go outside to get a feel of the atmosphere, and search for rotation in the clouds. This is not recommended for amateurs–it’s always best to stay on the safe side especially if you have kids. If you hear crashing, shrieking winds, or the sound of a freight train, head immediately for the basement, interior bathroom, or hallway. Bring with you flashlights, battery operated radio and flashlights and all household pets. Our severe weather season is mainly in June and July, but lately we’ve had more instances in August and September. The other months are too cool for tornadoes.

]]> By: aliecat http://www.secretsofthecity.com/mnspeak/13066#comment-189602 aliecat Mon, 01 Sep 2008 15:10:09 +0000 #comment-189602 I'd say straight line winds are more common in the city proper than tornadoes and can be just as damaging to property. I’d say straight line winds are more common in the city proper than tornadoes and can be just as damaging to property.

]]> By: g rote http://www.secretsofthecity.com/mnspeak/13066#comment-189588 g rote Mon, 01 Sep 2008 14:06:51 +0000 #comment-189588 seen a funnel descend within a 1/2 mile of where I was sitting (in Michigan) and then retreat before touching down. must have been a she-tornado. also experienced that last 5.4 earthquake in LA last month. the earthquake wasn't as scary in the moment becuase you couldn't really see it and it was over by the time you realized what was happening, whereas the tornado was clearly a tornado. but for about the next 20 minutes after the quake i was uncomfortable with the ground beneath my feet. seen a funnel descend within a 1/2 mile of where I was sitting (in Michigan) and then retreat before touching down. must have been a she-tornado. also experienced that last 5.4 earthquake in LA last month. the earthquake wasn’t as scary in the moment becuase you couldn’t really see it and it was over by the time you realized what was happening, whereas the tornado was clearly a tornado. but for about the next 20 minutes after the quake i was uncomfortable with the ground beneath my feet.

]]> By: DouglasG http://www.secretsofthecity.com/mnspeak/13066#comment-189584 DouglasG Mon, 01 Sep 2008 13:48:47 +0000 #comment-189584 Yeah! No basement to hide in. Relatively out in the open surrounded by trees -- and no injuries. Yeah! No basement to hide in. Relatively out in the open surrounded by trees — and no injuries.

]]> By: jane http://www.secretsofthecity.com/mnspeak/13066#comment-189583 jane Mon, 01 Sep 2008 13:34:54 +0000 #comment-189583 See? Scary, but everyone was fine. See? Scary, but everyone was fine.

]]> By: DouglasG http://www.secretsofthecity.com/mnspeak/13066#comment-189582 DouglasG Mon, 01 Sep 2008 13:30:25 +0000 #comment-189582 Not to freak anyone out or anything.<br /> <br /> However, a few years ago, I was in the Boundary Waters. It had been a pretty nice day, but a storm was rolling in. We were eating lunch, and one of the other campers remarked, that is a pretty cool cloud, someone should take a picture. The storm was going to strike soon, so we started battening down the hatches. Getting our gear so it wouldn't get rained on.<br /> <br /> My brother put a tarp over our packs that were between two trees. When he was doing this the wind really started to pick up. I hear a snapping sound across the lake. I wonder to myself, <em>what could that be</em>? There is a brief calm, and I see a swirling action in the lake.<br /> <br /> At that point, it all came together. The cool cloud? Wall cloud. The snapping sound? Trees being snapped off across the lake. The swirling in the water? Tornado!<br /> <br /> Those trees where my brother was standing, were toppled. Several other trees were damaged, but everyone in our party was fine. <br /> <br /> <IMG SRC="http://lighthouse.micro.umn.edu/deg/bwcaw/Photos/2002/31AaronDuringTheStorm.jpg" ALT="Trees fell down"> Not to freak anyone out or anything.

However, a few years ago, I was in the Boundary Waters. It had been a pretty nice day, but a storm was rolling in. We were eating lunch, and one of the other campers remarked, that is a pretty cool cloud, someone should take a picture. The storm was going to strike soon, so we started battening down the hatches. Getting our gear so it wouldn’t get rained on.

My brother put a tarp over our packs that were between two trees. When he was doing this the wind really started to pick up. I hear a snapping sound across the lake. I wonder to myself, what could that be? There is a brief calm, and I see a swirling action in the lake.

At that point, it all came together. The cool cloud? Wall cloud. The snapping sound? Trees being snapped off across the lake. The swirling in the water? Tornado!

Those trees where my brother was standing, were toppled. Several other trees were damaged, but everyone in our party was fine.

Trees fell down

]]> By: jane http://www.secretsofthecity.com/mnspeak/13066#comment-189579 jane Mon, 01 Sep 2008 13:14:36 +0000 #comment-189579 Can't. Watching weather on tee vee. Can’t. Watching weather on tee vee.

]]> By: kc! http://www.secretsofthecity.com/mnspeak/13066#comment-189571 kc! Mon, 01 Sep 2008 05:27:42 +0000 #comment-189571 Who are you people who have never seen a funnel cloud? You all need to get out of your houses and start looking for them. They are so cool. Who are you people who have never seen a funnel cloud? You all need to get out of your houses and start looking for them. They are so cool.

]]> By: jane http://www.secretsofthecity.com/mnspeak/13066#comment-189544 jane Mon, 01 Sep 2008 03:28:13 +0000 #comment-189544 This is a totally reasonable question. If I wasn't from here, I'd be freaked about tornadoes too. That said, I've lived here most of my life and have never seen a funnel cloud. We can have some massive, scary storms, but they really aren't that bad; they move through very quickly. I get scared, but am easily comforted by reminding myself the odds are HEAVILY against being hit by a tornado.<br /> <br /> In recent years, what I do is turn on the TV. They usually preempt programming so you can watch the storm on radar. They blather away with interesting tidbits, which is pleasantly distracting, and as you're watching, you'll see the storms move really fast here on the prairie. I can see the center of the storm pass over my neighborhood on TV, and before you know it, it's off to the east of me. In your face, people to the east of me! <br /> <br /> A lot of people are scared by these big storms, myself included. And when the sky turns green... ooh, it'll still be calm, but yikes, the sky is green... yeah, time to be wary. Still, thunder is f***ing amazing. <br /> <br /> Oh, and tornadoes basically only happen and are a threat in the late afternoon. (Mostly.) So if you are sleeping and you hear a thunderstorm, do not fret, just enjoy. That long, slow, rolling thunder, BOOM boom boom boom boom... it is one of the best things about living on a prairie. It totally rocks.<br /> <br /> I'd be more worried about mosquitos. They are REALLY ANNOYING. This is a totally reasonable question. If I wasn’t from here, I’d be freaked about tornadoes too. That said, I’ve lived here most of my life and have never seen a funnel cloud. We can have some massive, scary storms, but they really aren’t that bad; they move through very quickly. I get scared, but am easily comforted by reminding myself the odds are HEAVILY against being hit by a tornado.

In recent years, what I do is turn on the TV. They usually preempt programming so you can watch the storm on radar. They blather away with interesting tidbits, which is pleasantly distracting, and as you’re watching, you’ll see the storms move really fast here on the prairie. I can see the center of the storm pass over my neighborhood on TV, and before you know it, it’s off to the east of me. In your face, people to the east of me!

A lot of people are scared by these big storms, myself included. And when the sky turns green… ooh, it’ll still be calm, but yikes, the sky is green… yeah, time to be wary. Still, thunder is f***ing amazing.

Oh, and tornadoes basically only happen and are a threat in the late afternoon. (Mostly.) So if you are sleeping and you hear a thunderstorm, do not fret, just enjoy. That long, slow, rolling thunder, BOOM boom boom boom boom… it is one of the best things about living on a prairie. It totally rocks.

I’d be more worried about mosquitos. They are REALLY ANNOYING.

]]> By: xyzeus http://www.secretsofthecity.com/mnspeak/13066#comment-189528 xyzeus Mon, 01 Sep 2008 02:41:55 +0000 #comment-189528 Where are you from?<br /> I am from LA from Hancock Park and tornados don't attack angelenos.<br /> But you know what is worst....be prepared my friend for something worse than earthquakes. Mosquitos! Ha..good luck! Where are you from?
I am from LA from Hancock Park and tornados don’t attack angelenos.
But you know what is worst….be prepared my friend for something worse than earthquakes. Mosquitos! Ha..good luck!

]]>