Weather reports and warnings that we now take for granted may be harder to come by in 2000. Although the weather people assure us they have the Y2K problem almost licked I dont have much confidence they can deliver without compliant media, satellites, power, phones, and weather reporting stations scattered around the globe. Windstorms, snowstorms, tornados, floods and other severe weather could claim many more lives than they do now if we ignore the need to acquire at least a basic understanding of meterology, and at least the ability of any pilot to recognize trouble coming. Aviation weather is a quick course that may help you "read the clouds" become more aware of weather signals. That along with a good barometer and humidity reading will clue you to what weather may be approaching.

-- Ann Fisher (zyax55b@prodigy.com), December 18, 1998

Answers

Yurp - that and a good all band radio. Also helps if you have an old granny with arthur-itis, they always moan and groan when it's going to rain. Also blokes with metal plates in their heads - they seem to know when there is lightening abaht. By the way if you're out and abaht on new years eve 1999 and don't have a watch, if you see an old geezer keel over clutching his chest, fair bet it's his pacemaker that has developed "a glitch", probably Japanese time unfortunately, not a lot of people know that. Another good earthquake tell-tale sign is dogs barking madly - this could be an earthquake. Also, cats, very clever creatures they are, they go missing before earthquakes, not a lot of people know that. That's the difference between the two, dogs are much more loyal. Cats just bugger off if there's an earthquake looming, not so much as a quick meeooww, no, it's goodnight Vienna! Homing pidgeons, yep, if they don't come home you know something funny is going to happen. Thinking about it, I wonder if the bleedin cats have anything to do with the paucity of pigeons circa earthquake time? These things could be important post y2k - my advice, book mark this thread.

-- Andy (2000EOD@prodigy.net), December 18, 1998.

There is little doubt that our current weather early warning systems (satellites, doppler radar, NWS, radio, tv, etc.) prevent a huge number of tragedies each year. The loss of any of these would result in a much higher death toll from severe weather conditions.

We all rely on these systems to tell us when to get ready (for storms, blizzards, severe cold, severe heat, etc).

-- Arnie Rimmer (arnie_rimmer@usa.net), December 18, 1998.

The last time I asked about the WSR 88 (AKA Doppler Radar) the operator just laughed. And then said "Nope!"

Chuck

-- Chuck a night driver (rienzoo@en.com), December 18, 1998.