"All science begins with observation" is a phrase that is never more true than for the sciences of meteorology and hydrology. When attempting to predict what continuously changing fluids and gases (the atmosphere and the water cycle) will do in the future, makes the accurate and timely weather observation extremely important.

We couldn't do it without you!

process.

The over 11,700 Cooperative Weather Observers across the United States, including those under the Weather Service Forecast Office, in the Caribou area, donate more than a million hours each year to obtain weather data. Observers provide the precious stream of weather information that we need to forecast the weather, issue weather warnings, and record the climate of the United States.

Other COOP observer awards in 2001 were:

Bill Larrabee, Sebec Lake, 25 year Length of Service Award (LOS)

Paul Knaut Jr., Dover-Foxcroft, 25 year LOS

Marguerite Sullivan, Eastport, 20 year LOS

Ed and Kathryn Mekelburg, Robbinston, 10 year LOS

By: Ken Wallingford

During this past winter season, you may have noticed a new addition to our Winter Storm Warning and Winter Weather Advisory products i.e., impact statements.  What are they, and why are we using them?

The Caribou office of the National Weather Service, like all other members of our organization, must expect certain criteria to be met before we can issue a Winter Weather Advisory or a Winter Storm warning.  For example, if 5 or 6 inches of snow is expected to fall over a given area in a 24 hour period, then a Winter Weather Advisory is required.  If 7 inches of snow or more is expected in a 24 hour period, then a Winter Storm Warning would be issued.

However, not all advisories and warnings are created equal.  To emphasize this point, let's assume that we expect about 7 inches of snow to fall from early in the morning through late that evening.  Winds are expected to be light throughout this event and the snow will generally fall at a light to occasionally moderate rate.  This cri

teria would meet our definition of a Winter Storm Warning, however, the overall impact of this event on most people would not be very great.  In other words, travel would not be especially difficult and road crews would have little trouble keeping roads clear i.e., this event would generally have a low impact on people.

Now, let's take the same snowfall above and have it fall heavily over just a 6 hour period.  This time we will also add some wind which will create low visibilities in blowing and drifting snow.  This scenario, like the last one, would warrant a Winter Storm Warning.  However, unlike the previous scenario, the impact here would be much greater.  Snow would fall heavily and the wind would create significant blowing and drifting snow, making it very difficult for roads crews to keep up.  This scenario would have a high impact on most people.

So....  Impact statements are our

way of taking a given weather scenario and customizing it for the general public. In other words, when the meteorologist makes the decision to issue a Winter Weather Advisory or a Winter Storm Warning, they then attempt to fine tune this product by telling the public what kind of potential impact it will have.  At this time, our impact categories are as follows:

Low
Moderate
High
Extreme
Historical

The next time you hear or see one of our Winter Storm Warnings or Winter Weather Advisories, pay particular attention to the impact statement.  We hope these additions help "paint" a better picture in your mind as to how bad an expected storm will be.