[warn-news] SkyWARN 2008 wrap-up meeting @ NWS

[Steve Lewis]

We recently held the annual SkyWARN "wrap-up" meeting with NWS 
meteorologists, and representatives from Dayton, Columbus, Wilmington, 
and West Union amateur radio networks.

The recent Ike wind event was the first topic of conversation -- and 
will be studied for some time to come.  The (very) short synopsis is: 
warm/dry air between 7K and 9K feet created a strong temperature 
inversion.  The inversion inhibited any t-storm development and 
maintained mostly sunny skies.  But, the atmosphere below the inversion 
became well-mixed (lots of sun causes rising/mixing air), allowing 60-75 
knots to mix all the way down to the surface, which is an extremely rare 
event here.

***SkyWARN recognition day will be Saturday, December 6 (0Z-2359Z). 
More details will be forthcoming.***

NWSILN issued 282 Severe Thunderstorm Warnings, 37 Tornado Warnings, 28 
Flash Flood Warnings, and 192 Flood Warnings, so far in 2008.

Future happenings...

The separate advisories for snow and ice are probably going to 
disappear, to be replaced by Winter Storm Warning.  ILN is trying to 
define snow and ice amounts to align with adjacent offices, and might 
even split their area into north (more precip required) and south 
(less).  Right now, they are looking at 4" snow and/or 1/4" ice and/or 
"community impact".

NWS is looking for feedback on improvements to the spotter training 
program for 2009, which begins soon!

That's about all -- it was a somewhat quite year except for "bursts" of 
activity on 5/30-31 and 6/3-4, so not a whole lot else to discuss!

-73- de N8TFD/Steve