Environment Canada to provide more details about severe weather risks

[Thunderbolt]

February 22, 2013 — Effective March 13, 2013 Environment Canada will make some changes to the public alerting program in an effort to provide more detailed information about the potential threat of a severe thunderstorm or tornado.

According to Environment Canada, the warning content within all severe thunderstorm and tornado warnings will contain a forecast valid time for each alert bulletin.

Beginning March 13, "a valid time will be added to allow the public to have a better sense of how long the threat exists," explains Geoff Coulson, Warning Preparedness Meteorologist at Environment Canada. "In addition, Environment Canada has worked with Provincial Emergency Management Organizations and other agencies to develop more specific impact and call-to-action statements that better define the threat a severe summer storm may pose."

http://www.theweathernetwork.com/ind...NewsStories_EN

What do you guys think?!

[DarkSky]

Not a bad idea, considering a lot of the warnings come AFTER the event has already FINISHED. (not that adding a 'valid time' will do any good when you get the warning 15mins after it happened).

377  
 NOCN04 CWAO  082045
 
 GENOT ADMN NO.  003
 
 BILINGUAL  MESSAGE - FRENCH TEXT FOLLOWS ENGLISH TEXT
 MESSAGE  BILINGUE - LE TEXTE FRANCAIS SUIT LE TEXTE ANGLAIS
 
 EFFECTIVE  MARCH 13 AT 1600 UTC, ENVIRONMENT CANADA WILL MAKETHE
 FOLLOWING  CHANGES TO THE PUBLIC ALERTING PROGRAM:
 
 1. ENVIRONMENT  CANADA WILL CONTINUE TO ISSUE THE FOLLOWING WARNINGS
 FOR ALL PUBLIC  AREAS ACROSS CANADA:
 
 SEVERE  THUNDERSTORM WARNING (WUCN)
 TORNADO  WARNING (WFCN) SEVERE WEATHER BULLETIN (WWCN)
 
 SEVERE  THUNDERSTORM WARNINGS AND TORNADO WARNINGS WILL CONTINUE  TO
 BE TRANSMITTED  USING THE WUCN AND WFCN HEADERS, RESPECTIVELY. THERE
 WILL BE NO  CHANGE IN THE FORMAT OF THESE MESSAGES.
 
 THE SEVERE  WEATHER BULLETIN WILL CONTINUE TO BE TRANSMITTED USING
 THE WWCN  HEADER. THE WWCN BULLETIN WILL NO LONGER INCLUDE ANY
 INFORMATION  REGARDING THE SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNINGS AND TORNADO
 WARNINGS, BUT  WILL CONTINUE TO INCLUDE A SUMMARY OF ALL REMAINING
 PUBLIC  WARNINGS AND WATCHES IN EFFECT FOR EACH PUBLIC AREA.
 
 THE FOLLOWING  BULLETINS ARE AFFECTED:
 
 WWCN11 CWHX  (ENGLISH) WWCN71 CWHX (FRENCH)
 WWCN13 CWHX  (ENG) WWCN73 CWHX (FRE)
 WWCN14 CWHX  (ENG) WWCN74 CWHX (FRE)
 WWCN15 CWHX  (ENG) WWCN75 CWHX (FRE)
 WWCN16 CWHX  (ENG) WWCN76 CWHX (FRE)
 WWCN17 CWHX  (ENG) WWCN77 CWHX (FRE)
 
 WWCN11 CWNT  (ENG) WWCN71 CWNT (FRE)
 WWCN12 CWNT  (ENG) WWCN72 CWNT (FRE)
 WWCN13 CWNT  (ENG) WWCN73 CWNT (FRE)
 WWCN14 CWNT  (ENG) WWCN74 CWNT (FRE)
 WWCN15 CWNT  (ENG) WWCN75 CWNT (FRE)
 WWCN16 CWNT  (ENG) WWCN76 CWNT (FRE)
 
 WWCN11 CWTO  (ENG) WWCN71 CWTO (FRE)
 WWCN12 CWTO  (ENG) WWCN72 CWTO (FRE)
 WWCN13 CWTO  (ENG) WWCN73 CWTO (FRE)
 
 WWCN10 CWUL  (ENG) WWCN70 CWUL (FRE)
 
 WWCN11 CWVR  (ENG) WWCN71 CWVR (FRE)
 WWCN13 CWVR  (ENG) WWCN73 CWVR (FRE)
 WWCN19 CWVR  (ENG) WWCN79 CWVR (FRE)
 
 WWCN11 CWWG  (ENG) WWCN71 CWWG (FRE)
 WWCN12 CWWG  (ENG) WWCN72 CWWG (FRE)
 WWCN13 CWWG  (ENG) WWCN73 CWWG (FRE)
 WWCN14 CWWG  (ENG) WWCN74 CWWG (FRE)
 WWCN15 CWWG  (ENG) WWCN75 CWWG (FRE)
 WWCN16 CWWG  (ENG) WWCN76 CWWG (FRE)
 
 2. THE WARNING  CONTENT WITHIN ALL SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNINGS
 (WUCN) AND ALL  TORNADO WARNINGS (WFCN) WILL CONTAIN THE FOLLOWING
 ADDITIONAL  WARNING INFORMATION IMPROVEMENTS:
 
 - A FORECAST  VALID TIME FOR EACH ALERT BULLETIN,
 
 - IMPACT  STATEMENTS AND CALL TO ACTION STATEMENTS LINKED TO THE
 DEGREE OF  SEVERITY AND DEGREE OF CERTAINTY OF THE SEVERE WEATHER
 HAZARDS  PREDICTED WITHIN EACH ALERT.
 
 3. A NEW  SUMMARY OF ALL ACTIVE SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNINGS AND ALL
 ACTIVE TORNADO  WARNINGS WILL ALSO BECOME AVAILABLE, IN A SEPARATE
 MESSAGE CALLED  THE ALERT MESSAGE SUMMARY. THE ALERT MESSAGE SUMMARY
 BULLETINS WILL  BE ISSUED UNDER THE FOLLOWING NEW HEADERS:
 
 WWCN51 CWHX  (ENGLISH) WWCN61 CWHX (FRENCH)
 WWCN53 CWHX  (ENG) WWCN63 CWHX (FRE)
 WWCN54 CWHX  (ENG) WWCN64 CWHX (FRE)
 WWCN55 CWHX  (ENG) WWCN65 CWHX (FRE)
 WWCN56 CWHX  (ENG) WWCN66 CWHX (FRE)
 WWCN57 CWHX  (ENG) WWCN67 CWHX (FRE)
 
 WWCN51 CWNT  (ENG) WWCN61 CWNT (FRE)
 WWCN52 CWNT  (ENG) WWCN62 CWNT (FRE)
 WWCN53 CWNT  (ENG) WWCN63 CWNT (FRE)
 WWCN54 CWNT  (ENG) WWCN64 CWNT (FRE)
 WWCN55 CWNT  (ENG) WWCN65 CWNT (FRE)
 WWCN56 CWNT  (ENG) WWCN66 CWNT (FRE)
 
 WWCN51 CWTO  (ENG) WWCN61 CWTO (FRE)
 WWCN52 CWTO  (ENG) WWCN62 CWTO (FRE)
 WWCN53 CWTO  (ENG) WWCN63 CWTO (FRE)
 
 WWCN50 CWUL  (ENG) WWCN60 CWUL (FRE)
 
 WWCN51 CWVR  (ENG) WWCN61 CWVR (FRE)
 WWCN53 CWVR  (ENG) WWCN63 CWVR (FRE)
 WWCN59 CWVR  (ENG) WWCN69 CWVR (FRE)
 
 WWCN51 CWWG  (ENG) WWCN61 CWWG (FRE)
 WWCN52 CWWG  (ENG) WWCN62 CWWG (FRE)
 WWCN53 CWWG  (ENG) WWCN63 CWWG (FRE)
 WWCN54 CWWG  (ENG) WWCN64 CWWG (FRE)
 WWCN55 CWWG  (ENG) WWCN65 CWWG (FRE)
 WWCN56 CWWG  (ENG) WWCN66 CWWG (FRE)
 
 FOR ADDITIONAL  INFORMATION REGARDING THESE CHANGES PLEASE CONTACT:
 JOANNE  ST-COEUR
 PHONE: (819)  934-4434
 E-MAIL:  JOANNE.ST-COEUR(AT)EC.GC.CA
 
 A COMPTER DU  13 MARS 2013 A 1600 UTC, ENVIRONNEMENT CANADA
 APPORTERA LES  CHANGEMENTS SUIVANTS AU PROGRAMME D'AVERTISSEMENT
 PUBLIC  :
 
 1.  ENVIRONNEMENT CANADA CONTINUERA D'EMETTRE LES  AVERTISSEMENTS
 SUIVANTS POUR  TOUTES LES ZONES PUBLIQUES DU CANADA :
 
 ALERTE D'ORAGE  VIOLENT (WUCN)
 ALERTE DE  TORNADE (WFCN) BULLETIN DES CONDITIONS METEOROLOGIQUES
 MENACANTES  (WWCN)
 
 LES ALERTES  D'ORAGE VIOLENT ET LES ALERTES DE TORNADE CONTINUERONT
 D'ETRE EMISES  A L'AIDE DES EN-TETES DES BULLETINS WUCN ET WFCN,
 RESPECTIVEMENT.  IL N'Y AURA PAS DE CHANGEMENT DANS LE FORMAT DE CES
 MESSAGES.
 
 LE BULLETIN  DES CONDITIONS METEOROLOGIQUES MENACANTES CONTINUERA
 D'ETRE EMIS A  L'AIDE DE L'EN-TETE DU BULLETIN WWCN. LE BULLETIN
 WWCN N'INCLURA  PLUS DE RENSEIGNEMENTS SUR LES ALERTES D'ORAGE
 VIOLENT ET LES  ALERTES DE TORNADE, MAIS CONTINUERA D'INCLURE UN
 RESUME DE TOUS  LES AUTRES AVERTISSEMENTS ET LES VEILLES DESTINEES
 AU PUBLIC EN  VIGUEUR POUR CHAQUE ZONE PUBLIQUE.
 
 LES BULLETINS  SUIVANTS SONT TOUCHES :
 
 WWCN11 CWHX  (ANGLAIS) WWCN71 CWHX (FRANCAIS)
 WWCN13 CWHX  (ANG) WWCN73 CWHX (FRA)
 WWCN14 CWHX  (ANG) WWCN74 CWHX (FRA)
 WWCN15 CWHX  (ANG) WWCN75 CWHX (FRA)
 WWCN16 CWHX  (ANG) WWCN76 CWHX (FRA)
 WWCN17 CWHX  (ANG) WWCN77 CWHX (FRA)
 
 WWCN11 CWNT  (ANG) WWCN71 CWNT (FRA)
 WWCN12 CWNT  (ANG) WWCN72 CWNT (FRA)
 WWCN13 CWNT  (ANG) WWCN73 CWNT (FRA)
 WWCN14 CWNT  (ANG) WWCN74 CWNT (FRA)
 WWCN15 CWNT  (ANG) WWCN75 CWNT (FRA)
 WWCN16 CWNT  (ANG) WWCN76 CWNT (FRA)
 
 WWCN11 CWTO  (ANG) WWCN71 CWTO(FRA)
 WWCN12 CWTO  (ANG) WWCN72 CWTO (FRA)
 WWCN13 CWTO  (ANG) WWCN73 CWTO (FRA)
 
 WWCN10 CWUL  (ANG) WWCN70 CWUL (FRA)
 
 WWCN11  CWVR(ANG) WWCN71 CWVR (FRA)
 WWCN13 CWVR  (ANG) WWCN73 CWVR (FRA)
 WWCN19 CWVR  (ANG) WWCN79 CWVR (FRA)
 
 WWCN11 CWWG  (ANG) WWCN71 CWWG (FRA)
 WWCN12 CWWG  (ANG) WWCN72 CWWG (FRA)
 WWCN13 CWWG  (ANG) WWCN73 CWWG (FRA)
 WWCN14 CWWG  (ANG) WWCN74 CWWG (FRA)
 WWCN15 CWWG  (ANG) WWCN75 CWWG (FRA)
 WWCN16 CWWG  (ANG) WWCN76 CWWG (FRA)
 
 2. LE CONTENU  DE TOUTES LES ALERTES D'ORAGE VIOLENT (WUCN) ET DE
 TOUTES LES  ALERTES DE TORNADE (WFCN) COMPRENDRA LES AMELIORATIONS
 SUPPLEMENTAIRES  SUIVANTES :
 
 - UNE PERIODE  DE VALIDITE DE PREVISION POUR CHAQUE BULLETIN,
 
 - ENONCES  RELATIFS AUX IMPACTS ET AUX ACTIONS RECOMMANDEES LIES AU
 DEGRE DE  GRAVITE ET AU DEGRE DE CERTITUDE DES PHENOMENES
 METEOROLOGIQUES  VIOLENTS PREVUS DANS CHAQUE ALERTE.
 
 3. UN RESUME  DE TOUTES LES ALERTES D'ORAGE VIOLENT EN VIGUEUR ET DE
 TOUTES LES  ALERTES DE TORNADE EN VIGUEUR SERA DISPONIBLE DANS UN
 MESSAGE  DISTINCT APPELE SOMMAIRE DES ALERTES. LES BULLETINS DE
 SOMMAIRE DES  ALERTES SERONT EMIS AVEC LES EN-TETES SUIVANTS :
 
 WWCN51 CWHX  (ANGLAIS) WWCN61 CWHX (FRANCAIS)
 WWCN53 CWHX  (ANG) WWCN63 CWHX (FRA)
 WWCN54 CWHX  (ANG) WWCN64 CWHX (FRA)
 WWCN55 CWHX  (ANG) WWCN65 CWHX (FRA)
 WWCN56 CWHX  (ANG) WWCN66 CWHX (FRA)
 WWCN57 CWHX  (ANG) WWCN67 CWHX (FRA)
 
 WWCN51 CWNT  (ANG) WWCN61 CWNT (FRA)
 WWCN52 CWNT  (ANG) WWCN62 CWNT (FRA)
 WWCN53 CWNT  (ANG) WWCN63 CWNT (FRA)
 WWCN54 CWNT  (ANG) WWCN64 CWNT (FRA)
 WWCN55 CWNT  (ANG) WWCN65 CWNT (FRA)
 WWCN56 CWNT  (ANG) WWCN66 CWNT (FRA)
 
 WWCN51 CWTO  (ANG) WWCN61 CWTO (FRA)
 WWCN52 CWTO  (ANG) WWCN62 CWTO (FRA)
 WWCN53 CWTO  (ANG) WWCN63 CWTO (FRA)
 
 WWCN50 CWUL  (ANG) WWCN60 CWUL (FRA)
 
 WWCN51 CWVR  (ANG) WWCN61 CWVR (FRA)
 WWCN53 CWVR  (ANG) WWCN63 CWVR (FRA)
 WWCN59 CWVR  (ANG) WWCN69 CWVR (FRA)
 
 WWCN51 CWWG  (ANG) WWCN61 CWWG (FRA)
 WWCN52 CWWG  (ANG) WWCN62 CWWG (FRA)
 WWCN53 CWWG  (ANG) WWCN63 CWWG (FRA)
 WWCN54 CWWG  (ANG) WWCN64 CWWG (FRA)
 WWCN55 CWWG  (ANG) WWCN65 CWWG (FRA)
 WWCN56 CWWG  (ANG) WWCN66 CWWG (FRA)
 
 POUR OBTENIR  PLUS DE RENSEIGNEMENTS CONCERNANT CES CHANGEMENTS,
 VEUILLEZ  COMMUNIQUER AVEC :
 JOANNE  ST-COEUR
 TELEPHONE :  (819) 934-4434
 COURRIEL :  JOANNE.ST-COEUR(AT)EC.GC.CA

[Thunderbolt]

Do you guys think the valid time will be included into the message on weather radio and if weatheradio is supposed to be upgraded soon?

[davefootball123]

Originally Posted by Thunderbolt

Do you guys think the valid time will be included into the message on weather radio and if weatheradio is supposed to be upgraded soon?

I'd bet on them not including it. Weather Radio Canada has the power to send the full length bulletin to the weather radios, however they choose not to. I wouldn't expect an upgrade this year either.

[DarkSky]

I'm going to say rain rain rain rain..... On days like this I wish I lived where it was colder, but we always get rain here when it's a blizzard everywhere else. At least it doesn't have to be shoveled..

[Thunderbolt]

So I emailed Joanne asking if the valid time would be included in the message on Weatheradio Canada and this is was she sent me back:

Good morning,

On March 13, 2013, Environment Canada’s Meteorological Service will introduce a new software upgrade in its operation to increase the efficiency in producing and disseminating thunderstorms and tornado alerts.
The new software upgrade is being introduced before summer severe weather starts. It will help produce and issue thunderstorm and tornado warning messages in less time through various dissemination channels (website, Weatheradio, media, etc).

Since Weatheradio broadcasts all our public warnings, Environment Canada will wait to have all the alerts converted to the new software before we incorporate valid time on Weatheradio. The transition of all alerts on the new software will take place in 2013 and 2014.

I am glad to hear you are an user of Weatheradio. I hope this information answer your question.

Joanne
Joanne St-Coeur
Meteorological Service of Canada, Environment Canada
Telephone 819-934-4434 Facsimile 819-934-4560

Government of Canada
Website www.ec.gc.ca

[Derecho]

Originally Posted by Thunderbolt

So I emailed Joanne asking if the valid time would be included in the message on Weatheradio Canada and this is was she sent me back:

Hmm, interesting. Hope it'll include warning text as well.

[davefootball123]

I was sent some examples today by an Environment Canada meteorologist as he was training with the new templates. He sent me what was on his workstation computer so they weren't formatted however I took the info and put it into what I *think* will be the format of the new warnings at EC. He said the Communities in the path include: part may not always be included as its forecaster discretion. THE EMO stuff may be formatted different...formatting over facebook doesn't tell me anything...

037   
WFCN11 CWTO 231941  
TORNADO WARNING  
ENDED BY ENVIRONMENT CANADA  
AT 5:50PM EDT THURSDAY AUGUST 20TH 2009
---------------------------------------------------------------------  
TORNADO WARNING FOR:
	MISSISSAUGA - BRAMPTON
	VAUGHAN - RICHMOND HILL - MARKHAM
	NEWMARKET - GEORGINA - NORTHERN YORK REGION

THIS WARNING IS IN EFFECT UNTIL 7:00PM EDT
	
---------------------------------------------------------------------  
==DISCUSSION==  
AT 5:50PM EDT, METEOROLOGISTS WERE TRACKING A DANGEROUS THUNDERSTORM
THAT IS LIKELY PRODUCING A TORNADO. DOPPLER RADAR INDICATES STRONG
ROTATION NEAR BRAMPTON AND IT IS MOVING EAST-NORTHEAST.

COMMUNITIES IN THE PATH INCLUDE: VAUGHAN.

THIS IS A DANGEROUS AND POTENTIALLY LIFE-THREATENING SITUATION.

EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT ONTARIO RECOMMENDS YOU THAT YOU TAKE COVER 
IMMEDIATELY, IF THREATENING WEATHER APPROACHES. GO INDOORS TO A
ROOM ON THE LOWEST FLOOR, AWAY FROM OUTSIDE WALLS AND WINDOWS,
SUCH AS A BASEMENT, BATHROOM, STAIRWELL OR INTERIOR CLOSET. LEAVE
MOBILE HOMES, VEHICLES, TENTS, TRAILERS, AND OTHER TEMPORARY
FREE-STANDING SHELTER, AND MOVE TO A STRONG BUILDING IF YOU CAN.
AS A LAST RESORT, LIE IN A LOW SPOT TO PROTECT YOUR HEAD FROM FLYING
DEBRIS. IF YOU HEAR A ROARING SOUND OR SEE A FUNNEL CLOUD, SWIRLING
DEBRIS NEAR THE GROUND, FLYING DEBRIS, OR ANY THREATENING WEATHER 
APPROACHING, TAKE SHELTER IMMEDIATELY. ENVIRONMENT CANADA CONTINUES 
TO MONITOR THE SITUATION CLOSELY. STAY TUNED TO YOUR LOCAL MEDIA
OR WEATHER RADIO FOR FURTHER UPDATES. IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO REPORT
SEVERE WEATHER, YOU CAN SEND AN EMAIL TO STORM.ONTARIO@EC.GC.CA
  
END/OSPC

[SlideShowBob]

I think the language will shock a few when they first start it up. So far I like the new "steps".

[Derecho]

I really hope this is not the final precautionary/preparedness actions advice. Too much goin' on in there --we came for weather info not a novel!

EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT ONTARIO RECOMMENDS YOU THAT YOU TAKE COVER
IMMEDIATELY, IF THREATENING WEATHER APPROACHES. GO INDOORS TO A
ROOM ON THE LOWEST FLOOR, AWAY FROM OUTSIDE WALLS AND WINDOWS,
SUCH AS A BASEMENT, BATHROOM, STAIRWELL OR INTERIOR CLOSET. LEAVE
MOBILE HOMES, VEHICLES, TENTS, TRAILERS, AND OTHER TEMPORARY
FREE-STANDING SHELTER, AND MOVE TO A STRONG BUILDING IF YOU CAN.
AS A LAST RESORT, LIE IN A LOW SPOT TO PROTECT YOUR HEAD FROM FLYING
DEBRIS. IF YOU HEAR A ROARING SOUND OR SEE A FUNNEL CLOUD, SWIRLING
DEBRIS NEAR THE GROUND, FLYING DEBRIS, OR ANY THREATENING WEATHER
APPROACHING, TAKE SHELTER IMMEDIATELY. ENVIRONMENT CANADA CONTINUES
TO MONITOR THE SITUATION CLOSELY. STAY TUNED TO YOUR LOCAL MEDIA
OR WEATHER RADIO FOR FURTHER UPDATES. IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO REPORT
SEVERE WEATHER, YOU CAN SEND AN EMAIL TO