Friday, June 29, 2007

Arizona Heat Related Deaths Study

Hi All,

If you saw my graphic on heat related deaths in AZ from the CDC and ADHS here are the links with the study on AZ. If you have more info on this issue send it our way.

Thanks and stay cool.
-Steve

Posted at 7:01 PM by steve

Wednesday, June 20, 2007

HIGH HEAT


As noted by NOAA in the above graphic, each year people die from the extreme heat in the U.S. What can you do to keep yourself from becoming ill from the heat? Here is a good link:


Take care and stay cool,
Steve

Posted at 12:22 PM by steve

Saturday, June 9, 2007

During the Monsoon - Dust Storms Typically Come with Severe Thunderstorms


What happens in a relatively short time (in fact it sometimes arrives overnight but not by FedEx) is something that those who live in the desert for years can come to love and hate. Love the return of moisture and much needed rain, but hate the humidity and destructive force of the storms.

I see it as a weather event that presents all the "real" aspects of severe weather. Some people in other parts of the country don't see Arizona as having any "real" weather. Having spent years in hurricane plagued Florida as a broadcast meteorologist and having grown up in the mid west as a youngster, I have seen a few severe storms in other parts of the country over the years. The Arizona monsoon does indeed produce "real" storms, storms that destroy property and kill people. Consequently, I believe it is necessary to learn all we can about the monsoon in order to be better able to predict, forecast, and track dangerous storms here in Arizona.
Some of the top monsoon researchers are here in Arizona. Here is a basic link:
Take care,
Steve

Posted at 8:42 PM by steve

Saturday, June 2, 2007

DANGER!!!


When I was a kid (just last week) I made a sign in metal shop in junior high school. It was a cast iron mold that we made and then we could post it somewhere. I remember doing mine to say the word "DANGER." I thought this was a cool thing to write, as I was going to post it on my bedroom door and this would keep the unwanted (my little sister) out. It did not really work. Candy would disappear and things would miraculously get organized (by way of my mom). Basically, I was like the boy crying wolf with a sign that held no importance.

Sometimes, I feel like when I talk about the UV index, it is seen as an insignificant danger sign. If I could be more direct, the sun (ultraviolet radiation) is the most dangerous weather related event in the valley. In the U.S. almost 1 person dies per hour as a result of skin cancer. The statistics are really scary.

http://www.skincancer.org/skincancer-facts.php

My job as a meteorologist is to keep you safe from weather related events. The UV index is posted by the CPC and by the EPA. Here are the links:

http://www.cpc.noaa.gov/products/stratosphere/uv_index/uv_current_map.shtml

http://www.epa.gov/sunwise/uvindexcontour.html

Finally, like many of you I have children and I take my responsibility seriously. I know it is important to keep you and your family and loved ones safe for the long term future. Please keep in mind the danger and damage that the sun can do here in Arizona, and use sunblock, hats, and shades to keep safe during this very sunny time of year.

Thanks... and remember "safety Steve" at your service here ;)

Posted at 5:58 PM by steve