Resolution_2025 Kittitas County Hazard Mitigation Plan

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2025 Hazard Mitigation Plan Kittitas County, Washington Chapter 4: Hazard Identification and Risk Assessment 161 Category Risk of Heat-Related Impacts 4 Magenta Extreme: This level of rare and/or long-duration extreme heat with little to no overnight relief affects anyone without effective cooling and/or adequate hydration. Impacts likely in most health systems, heat-sensitive industries, and infrastructure. The HeatRisk takes into consideration the following – how unusual the heat is for the time of the year, the duration of the heat including both daytime and nighttime temperatures, and those temperatures that pose an elevated risk of heat-related impacts based on data from the CDC. The NWS SPC is responsible for issuing severe thunderstorms and tornado advisories, as conditions warrant. Table 4-101 outlines the severe thunderstorms and tornado advisories.204F 204 Table 4-101. NWS Severe Weather Advisories Type Description Severe Thunderstorm Watch Issued by the NOAA SPC when conditions are favorable for the development of severe thunderstorms in and close to the watch area. The size of the watch can vary depending on the weather situation. Severe thunderstorm watches are usually issued for a duration of four (4) to eight (8) hours. They are normally issued well in advance of the actual occurrence of severe weather. Severe Thunderstorm Warning Issued by the local NWS Forecast Office when either a severe thunderstorm is indicated by radar, or a spotter reports a thunderstorm producing hail one (1) inch or larger in diameter and/or winds equal or exceed 58 mph. Severe thunderstorm warnings are usually issued for a duration of one (1) hour. They can be issued without a Severe Thunderstorm Watch already in effect. Severe thunderstorms can produce tornadoes with little or no advance warning. Tornado Watch Issued by the SPC when conditions are favorable for the development of tornadoes in and close to the watch area. The size of the watch can vary depending on the weather situation. Tornado watches are usually issued for a duration of four (4) to eight (8) hours. They are normally issued well in advance of the actual occurrence of tornadoes. Tornado Warning Issued by the local NWS Forecast Office when either a tornado is indicated by radar or sighted by spotters. Tornado warnings are usually issued for a duration of around 30 minutes. They can be issued without a Tornado Watch being already in effect. Gale Watch Issued by the local NWS Forecast Office for locations along the water when one (1) or both of the following conditions is possible to begin within 36 hours and is not directly associated with a tropical cyclone – sustained winds of 34 to 47 knots (39 to 55 mph) or frequent gusts (duration of two (2) or more hours) between 34 to 47 knots (39 to 55 mph). Gale Warning Issued by the local NWS Forecast Office for locations along the water when one (1) or both of the following conditions is expected to begin within 36 hours and is not directly associated with a tropical cyclone – sustained winds of 34 to 47 knots (39 to 55 mph) or frequent gusts (duration of two (2) or more hours) between 34 to 47 knots (39 to 55 mph). At this point, vessels need to be secure at port. During an excessive heat event, the NWS Pendleton, Oregon Area Forecast Office issues excessive heat advisories, watches, and warnings. Table 4-102 outlines the heat-related products issued by the local NWS Forecast Office. NWS’ local offices collaborate with local agencies (e.g., emergency managers, public health professionals) to determine when an alert should be issued for the local area by establishing heat index thresholds for each advisory. 204 National Weather Service. (n.d.). National Weather Service Glossary. Retrieved from https://w1.weather.gov/glossary/.