Enhanced Wording

[Bob Hartig]

With one thread already addressing the issue of probability-based forecasting, I might as well open up another that deals with an equally touchy subject. Last I knew, there were rumblings that the NWS was going to create some guidelines for the use of Tornado Emergency statements. But I've never heard further on the matter. Is anyone aware whether the TE term has in fact been legitimized by the NWS, and whether policy has been instated regarding its use?

 

[Pat Darrow]

It seems to me I read somewhere that NWS (Des Moines, IA) put forth guidelines last March. I searched a bit and found this media advisory issued by their office on March 12, 2010. http://www.crh.noaa.gov/images/dmx/Media Advisory 2010-01.pdf

Not sure of any other "advisories" have been put forth yet.

 

[Bob Hartig]

Thanks, Pat. After reading the announcement by DMX, I concluded that it had to reflect an overall policy that the NWS had arrived at. With a little digging, I managed to answer my own question. NWS 10-511 update on severe weather watch/warning procedures states the following:

In exceedingly rare situations, when a severe threat to human life and catastrophic damage from a tornado is imminent or ongoing, the forecaster may insert the headline "...TORNADO EMERGENCY FOR [GEOGRAPHIC AREA]...". Additionally, in such a situation, this headline should only be used when reliable sources confirm a tornado, or there is clear radar evidence of the existence of a damaging tornado (such as, the observation of debris).
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The NWS has published a Powerpoint training that deals with enhanced wording: http://wdtb.noaa.gov/courses/warning-bp/enhanced-wording/player.html

So evidently the Tornado Emergency term has gone from discussion to adoption, with guidelines for proper usage.