Topic: The season ahead - SMH article

[David C]

look out haha, we're expecting a year "similar to other years"  :-)

http://www.smh.com.au/news/environment/storm-season-warning-time-to-get-ready/2007/09/24/1190486196356.html

or see below:

Storm season warning: time to get ready

Up to 100 severe storms, some with devastating potential, are expected to hit NSW this summer and residents are being urged to be prepared.

The storms could include driving hail or cause flash flooding, and also have enough power to lift roofs and make missiles out of garden furniture.

The Bureau of Meteorology (BoM), State Emergency Service (SES) and the NSW Government came together today to highlight the storm season, which officially runs from October 1 to March 31.

"We think this year is going to be pretty similar to other years," BoM NSW Regional Director Barry Hanstrum told reporters in Sydney.

"And that is we see about 100 severe thunderstorms each summer, and a small proportion of those have the potential to be very devastating."

Mr Hanstrum said the big threat came from "super-cell" thunderstorms which were longer lived than typical storms but also highly localised, with an impact zone spanning as little as 10 kilometres.

"The warning systems that we provide are designed to give people as much notice as we can of the occurrence of those storms," he said.

SES Deputy Director Greg Slater said there were 10,000 SES volunteers able to respond to emergency call-outs across NSW, and he urged residents to make their properties ready.

"Cleaning out debris from gutters, downpipes and drains, keeping your roof in good repair, clearing up loose items from the yard and balcony and trimming back overhanging branches are important yet simple ways to prepare your property for storms," Mr Slater said.

Emergency Services Minister Nathan Rees said NSW's storms were the the state's most expensive natural disasters, costing an average $196 million a year.

AAP

[Jimmy Deguara]

David,

Thanks for that.

Sounds like the usual plug for their warning service to me. I am happy with the warmer start to this season - we'll see for how long it continues to be above average and what seas surface temperatures are like.

Regards,

Jimmy Deguara