gopper

I agree with your thoughts here. I follow weather a lot and even I don't really understand the meaning of the "Tornado Warning" well. When I hear the alert, I'm instantly thinking there's a tornado somewhere on the ground near me, but the truth is that the warning is a predictor that there might be one on the ground near me or one could form near where I am.

I found this website with some interesting info. about tornadoes in MD. https://www.tornadopath.com/maryland The big picture is tornadoes are rare here in Maryland. found it interesting that Frederick county has had the most tornadoes. I would have expected the eastern shore due to topography.

I am sure this topic has been discussed a lot over the years, but I guess I am too lazy or unskilled to find out where. However, my son and I were discussing the whole premise behind issued "Tornado Warnings". My old fogey feelings are that the "tornado warning" label issued by LWX, at least in the Mid Atlantic area gets way overused based on the actual number of genuine tornadoes that are produced and touch the ground. I don't have the actual percentages for how many times a "Tornado Warning" actually produces a genuine twister that hit the ground, but my gut says the percentage would be rather low. On the other hand, my son feels it is completely a good idea to put out "Tornado Warning" whenever a cell shows the the earmarks on radar, wind direction, hook indication, etc...He takes the side of it is for the safety of the people and if they are warned, then they can prepare. My son also has a better appreciation of all of the technical tools that are utilized in making the decision to warn a storm, than I do. I totally get that as well. I just feel like the number of times I have run into the basement over the years to flee a "tornado warned storm" to end up with nothing more than a gusty storm and rain is overkill. In fact none of the tornado warned cells has ever produced a tornado where I live. The only time I remember going into the basement for the power of a storm that was indeed a worthwhile decision was for the derecho. And I believe they were straight line down draft winds and not tornados. But the sound of branches and limbs falling was enough for me to round up the family to go to the basement. So, am I an old fogey who wants to have visuals of a sighted tornado to flee to the basement? Or should I go with my son, trust the technologies and respond appropriately every time a tornado warning is issued for my area. Are they issued too frequently? and if so, why? what specific parameters are being used to make the go ahead in warning a storm? I am curious how many of you feel we get too many issued tornado warnings for the amount of actual tornados that touch down? Thanks for sharing your thoughts, opinions, and rationales. Maybe I can be persuaded to think differently. Gopper Towson

south of towson 2.23+ much needed

sleet and rain in Towson

Of course I never met Roger, but what stands out to me is how I feel like I really know a person based on content shared on this board. Everything I learned about Roger based on his posts tells me that he was a good, kind and smart man. His time on Earth was well spent as he shared his time and talents with others! We must all remember that our time here is short and we should do our best to make the most of every moment and to give of ourselves to the greater good of others. Live long and Prosper Roger!

zwyts is back! Missed by many this winter!!

heavy rains. no wind. Thought I heard a rumble of thunder, but turned out to be UPS truck coming down the street. lol.

My son took this image from UMD last Friday of some cool optical images in the sky that I thought I would share. This thread seemed like the right place for them.

Lately GFS has led the way with the "idea of snow" but not necessarily the "details".

heavy white rain in Towson

Towson, MD Baltimore County B+ slightly below average snow overall, but cold made the frozen precip stick around for a long time! The big January event gave 8 inches of snow plus 4 inches of sleet. It become rock solid and simply did not melt for a month. Schools closed for a week. Plus several other smaller snow events. We just missed out on the northeast blizzard. If we had got a full hit, it would have been an "A" grade. Essence of the winter was long duration cold, which is not common here.

actually, I'm pretty sure I hear sleet out there, but there's no way I'm getting out of my recliner to check. Cat is settled on my lap! But it is definitely sounding like sleet mixing in.

heavy, heavy snow in Towson! Roads are caving! Go GFS!!

I once heard from a poster that it only rains in Georgetown