Calls Flood In to Forecasting Service

On soggy, gray days like Tuesday, the phones never seem to stop ringing at the National Weather Service offices. Some of the calls are from the public wanting answers, some are from the public providing firsthand information from the front.

Forecasting these days is a combination of high-tech equipment and low-tech people power.

“We use radar, satellite and spotter reports,” said Ivory Small, chief science and operations officer with the National Weather Service office in San Diego.

Spotters, as they are known, are some 400 to 500 people throughout Orange, Riverside, San Bernardino and San Diego counties who periodically call into the center to give weather updates in their area.

The 22-member San Diego office, which handles weather forecasting for Orange County, is one of half a dozen sites spread throughout the state. The National Weather Service is the official body that issues weather advisories and warnings.

“It gets pretty busy around here,” meteorologist Mark Moede said. “A lot of info has to get out to the public, usually through AP or UPI [news wire services] that relay onto the rest of the media. It also goes to the government emergency offices.”

On a day that saw minor power outages and isolated flooding in Orange County, forecasters issued an advisory alert, the least urgent weather warning that promises showers without major damage.

Do the prognosticators ever get caught by an unexpected storm that wipes out their electricity?

“It’d be very, very rare,” Small said with a laugh. “Besides, we have backup power units.”

The National Weather Service Web site is https://www.wrh.noaa.gov/sandiego. The public can also call for information: (619) 675-8700.

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Weather Advice

The National Weather Service issues alerts of severe weather conditions. Among the conditions that trigger an alert are high winds, flash floods, winter storms, heavy surf, fog, excessive heat, snow and coastal flooding. There are three levels of alerts:

Advisory: Weather problem is developing but isn’t threatening.

Watch: More dangerous weather conditions are imminent.

Warning: Severe weather conditions pose a threat to life and property.

The heavy weather in and around Orange County prompted some warnings in the last day or two:

Storm: Severe thunderstorm warning is triggered by a variety of conditions, including heavy hail and winds gusting at 58 mph or stronger.

Flood: Prolonged rains saturate ground, making flash flooding imminent.

Wind: Gusts stronger than 40 mph along coastal area would be enough to warrant a warning.

Surf: When waves surge higher than 6 to 7 feet, swimmers and surfers are advised to stay away.

Source: National Weather Service