Your #AltusOK March weather information from @OKMesonet

Shown as March 2016
Sunday	Monday	Tuesday	Wednesday	Thursday	Friday	Saturday
Periods of Record Temps #1904-2010 Precip #1904-2012 Snow #1904-2012 # - large gaps in record	Key * - Record since tied Highlight = Mar record All Temps in deg F All Precip in inches Sig Prcp Freq = Pct of days with >= 0.1" precip	1 T Avgs: 60/33 Sig Prcp Freq: 9% Extremes: High T 92 (2006) Low T 8 (1962) Precip 0.88 (1942) Snow 8.5 (1942)	2 T Avgs: 62/34 Sig Prcp Freq: 11% Extremes: High T 90 (1974) Low T 6 (1922) Precip 1.56 (1918) Snow 2.0 (1995)	3 T Avgs: 63/34 Sig Prcp Freq: 14% Extremes: High T 89 (1955) Low T 6 (1943) Precip 1.35 (1988) Snow 0.5 (1917)	4 T Avgs: 63/32 Sig Prcp Freq: 5% Extremes: High T 83 (1938) Low T 8 (2002) Precip 0.64 (1992)	5 T Avgs: 64/34 Sig Prcp Freq: 4% Extremes: High T 93 (1991) Low T 13 (2002) Precip 1.56 (2004) Snow 0.8 (1954)
6 T Avgs: 64/34 Sig Prcp Freq: 9% Extremes: High T 92 (2009) Low T 11 (1943) Precip 0.73 (1970) Snow 1.5 (1948)	7 T Avgs: 63/34 Sig Prcp Freq: 5% Extremes: High T 88 (2006) Low T 10 (1920) Precip 0.71 (1970) Snow trace (1995)	8 T Avgs: 63/34 Sig Prcp Freq: 9% Extremes: High T 83* (1925) Low T 10 (1967) Precip 1.25 (1919) Snow 3.8 (1919)	9 T Avgs: 65/35 Sig Prcp Freq: 9% Extremes: High T 89 (1955) Low T 14 (1996) Precip 0.57 (1994) Snow 1.3 (1915)	10 T Avgs: 66/36 Sig Prcp Freq: 9% Extremes: High T 91 (1955) Low T 14 (1932) Precip 1.48 (1973) Snow 0.5 (1948)	11 T Avgs: 66/38 Sig Prcp Freq: 11% Extremes: High T 95 (1967) Low T 19* (1932) Precip 2.80 (1990) Snow 2.5 (1948)	12 T Avgs: 66/38 Sig Prcp Freq: 14% Extremes: High T 95 (1989) Low T 18 (1998) Precip 0.80 (1929) Snow 4.5 (1958)
13 T Avgs: 66/37 Sig Prcp Freq: 9% Extremes: High T 95 (1916) Low T 8 (1948) Precip 0.88 (1922) Snow 3.6 (1924)	14 T Avgs: 68/36 Sig Prcp Freq: 6% Extremes: High T 91 (1971) Low T 19 (1954) Precip 1.50 (1982)	15 T Avgs: 67/39 Sig Prcp Freq: 9% Extremes: High T 88 (1932) Low T 16 (1947) Precip 1.10 (1981) Snow 2.0 (1947)	16 T Avgs: 66/37 Sig Prcp Freq: 7% Extremes: High T 85 (1916) Low T 21 (1956) Precip 2.42 (1998)	17 T Avgs: 69/38 Sig Prcp Freq: 11% Extremes: High T 94 (1989) Low T 22* (1928) Precip 2.35 (1961)	18 T Avgs: 68/39 Sig Prcp Freq: 14% Extremes: High T 92 (1916) Low T 11 (1923) Precip 1.39 (2008)	19 T Avgs: 67/39 Sig Prcp Freq: 15% Extremes: High T 93 (1994) Low T 20 (1965) Precip 1.73 (2006) Snow 2.5 (1924)
20 T Avgs: 69/38 Sig Prcp Freq: 13% Extremes: High T 92 (1916) Low T 10 (1965) Precip 1.50 (1985) Snow 2.0 (2010)	21 T Avgs: 69/38 Sig Prcp Freq: 9% Extremes: High T 98 (1997) Low T 20 (1955) Precip 1.25 (1921) Snow 1.0 (2010)	22 T Avgs: 70/40 Sig Prcp Freq: 7% Extremes: High T 95 (1997) Low T 18 (1914) Precip 1.68 (1935) Snow 0.9 (1955)	23 T Avgs: 71/40 Sig Prcp Freq: 12% Extremes: High T 90 (1929) Low T 20 (1952) Precip 3.22 (2000) Snow 0.5 (2006)	24 T Avgs: 71/41 Sig Prcp Freq: 12% Extremes: High T 91 (1954) Low T 23* (1965) Precip 1.26 (1920) Snow trace (1974)	25 T Avgs: 69/41 Sig Prcp Freq: 8% Extremes: High T 92 (1932) Low T 23* (1940) Precip 1.23 (1960) Snow trace (1965)	26 T Avgs: 69/40 Sig Prcp Freq: 14% Extremes: High T 95 (1956) Low T 18 (1955) Precip 1.51 (1929) Snow 1.0 (2001)
27 T Avgs: 70/40 Sig Prcp Freq: 16% Extremes: High T 103 (1971) Low T 15 (1931) Precip 1.80 (1929) Snow 2.0 (1931)	28 T Avgs: 72/42 Sig Prcp Freq: 22% Extremes: High T 100 (1971) Low T 20* (1931) Precip 1.40 (1938) Snow 6.0 (1937)	29 T Avgs: 69/41 Sig Prcp Freq: 11% Extremes: High T 96 (1967) Low T 14 (1944) Precip 1.10 (1926) Snow 3.0 (1944)	30 T Avgs: 69/41 Sig Prcp Freq: 12% Extremes: High T 91* (1917) Low T 21 (1987) Precip 1.41 (1993) Snow 2.0 (1926)	31 T Avgs: 72/41 Sig Prcp Freq: 11% Extremes: High T 97* (1940) Low T 24 (1926) Precip 0.95 (1916)	Mar. Averages High Temp 67 F Low Temp 38 F Avg Temp 53 F Precip 1.55" Snow 0.7"

Do you have what it takes to be a Weather Ready Nation Ambassador? #WRN #Skywarn

The WeatherReady Nation (WRN) Ambassador initiative is an NWS effort to formally recognize our partners who are working with us to help improve the readiness, responsiveness, and overall resilience of people in our area against all the extreme weather that we experience.

The duties of a WRN Ambassador are pretty much what most of you do anyway - keep in touch with NWS Norman(maintain current point-of-contact and contact information), use NWS-generated information such as preparedness messages, and look for opportunities to work together on local preparedness events.

Any organization across all levels of government, businesses large and small, non-profit and non-governmental organizations, and academia can become a WRN Ambassador. Here are just a few examples of potential WeatherReady Nation Ambassadors in our area:

- city/county emergency management 

- city/county/state law enforcement

- city/county government

- fire departments and EMS

- tribes

- hospitals and medical facilities

- insurance agents/companies

- technology centers

- universities and colleges

- K-12 schools or school districts, public or private

- malls, stores, businesses

- TV and radio stations

- Skywarn storm spotter groups

- amateur radio clubs, ARES, RACES

- volunteer organizations, non-profit organizations

- faith-based organizations

- state government agencies

- zoos, amusement parks, recreational centers

- LEPC's

- military installations

- electric cooperatives, energy companies

- etc

The application process is quick and easy. Here's a link to the application, and here's a link to an FAQ list that will hopefully answer any questions you have about the program.

Thanks for your consideration and let me know if you have any questions!

Rick

Rick Smith - Warning Coordination Meteorologist
National Weather Service - Norman Forecast Office
120 David L. Boren Blvd., Suite 2400
Norman, OK 73072 

Portable Fireplaces: Tips for Staying Cozy and Safe #AltusOK

Portable fuel-burning fireplaces have become a popular way for people to heat their homes during winter months. However, if not used properly, these devices can be dangerous and pose a serious fire hazard.

According to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), half of all home heating fires occur in December, January, and February. Learn how to “Put a Freeze on Winter Fires.” Before you snuggle up to a portable fireplace, keep these NFPA safety tips in mind:

• Make sure the fireplace has an Underwriters’ Laboratory (UL) listing. This ensures the product has been tested for safety;
• Read and follow the manufacturer’s instructions closely; 
• Keep the area where you're using the fireplace well ventilated;
• Do not use the fireplace in sleeping areas; and
• Light the fireplace using a utility lighter or long match.

As with all heating equipment, space is important! Create a “safe zone” around the device by keeping children, pets, and anything that can burn at least three feet away.

To find out more information and protection tips on portable fireplaces, go to the NFPA website. 

How will El Nino impact you? #ELNino #ClimateChange #WRN

The United States experiences extreme and dangerous weather, and this winter, parts of the U.S. face a particularly severe threat. Forecasts are showing a soon-to-peak El Niño that could deliver drenching conditions to California and throughout the South. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) has developed fact sheets on El Niño available at NOAA El Niño Impacts by region and the Winter Outlook is available at NOAA El Niño Winter Outlook. These predicted conditions come with an enhanced flood threat and an increase in tornado activity through the spring.

For the next several months, many areas in the United States are at an increased flood risk from El Niño as a direct result of drought and wildfires. Disasters don’t always occur when families are together in one place. Now is the time to put together a family communication plan and talk with your family about ways to contact each other during an emergency, and designate a safe meeting spot. You can also plan ahead by knowing official evacuation routes, and keeping important papers in a safe, waterproof place. Additional tips and resources on how to stay safe and prepare are available at www.ready.gov.

More information is available about El Niño at www.fema.gov/el-Niño. The tab labeled Additional Resourcesinclude links to resources from various federal agencies including NOAA, U.S. Department of Agriculture, U.S. Department of the Interior, and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.

Here are some key federal agency links:

NOAA

•  NOAA El Niño Regional Impact
•  NOAA El Niño Winter Outlook
•  El Niño Historical Info

FEMA

•  fema.gov/el-Niño
•  FEMA Hazard Mitigation Assistance (HMA) Fact Sheet
•  Individual and Community Preparedness Division Resources

 U.S. Army Corps of Engineers

•  U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Emergency Response and Advanced Measures Fact Sheet

 U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA)

•  Rural Development Rural Utility Services Fact Sheet
•  Resources Related to Severe Weather and Flood Hazards Posed by El Niño

U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD)

•  Disaster Recovery Toolkit
•  Rebuild Healthy Homes Guide

U.S. Geological Survey (USGS)

•  USGS Water Data Collection and Resources for Emergency Management

Winter Weather Mistakes to Avoid #OKwx #AltusOK #WRN

You may have to take extra precautions to keep your family safe or to prevent property damage. The Weather Channel highlights 22 things to avoid as you prepare for winter, including:

• Failing to Clean the Gutters Before Freezing Weather Arrives.Cleaning gutters is important when protecting and preparing your home for the winter months. Gutters help keep icicles from forming along the roofline. Icicles may damage shingles, which can cause water to leak into your home. 
• Going to Bed Before Heating Sources Have Cooled. Before you go to bed or leave the house, ensure that space heaters have cooled and are powered off.  If you have built a fire in the fireplace, be sure that the embers are no longer burning.
• Forgetting to Develop a Fire Escape Plan.  According to the U.S. Fire Administration, the risk of home fires increases with the use of alternative heating sources, so it's important to develop and rehearse an escape plan.

To see the full list of winter weather don’ts, visit the Weather Channel website.

Weather Safety from @NWSNorman coming to #AltusOK #Skywarn #WRN

The National Weather Service Office in Norman is presenting Skywarn information to area residents February 9 at 6 p.m. in the Council Chambers of the City of Altus City Hall, according to area emergency management officials.

The training is free.  The public is encouraged to attend, according to Steve Grayson, KE5BPL, the Altus Skywarn Association president.

"This is NOT a storm chaser program," said Wayne Cain, Jackson County Emergency Management director.  "This is information for the public to learn what to report, how to report it, and to whom to report it."

To volunteer as a “community storm spotter” area residents should visit http://bit.ly/1QxDhF9 to obtain additional information, according to Lloyd Colston, City of Altus Emergency Management director.

For more information about the Norman Office, http://weather.gov/norman is the link while http://altusem.blogspot.com is the link for local emergency management information.

Would @FEMA really predict #AltusOK area weather? #WRN #Skywarn @OUNwcm @NWSNorman

Rumor has it that the Federal Emergency Management Agency has predicted a terrible storm for February 20.  

FEMA does not predict the weather.  The National Weather Service office in Norman forecasts the weather for the area.

IF one would want to know what FEMA is saying, subscribe to an email list.  It's a daily update for all across the USA.   .  

Weather Ready Nation folks rely on reliable sources, rather than rumor, to get the facts.  Speaking of Weather Ready Nation, the program turned two this week.  

Are you a Weather Ready Nation Ambassador?