In weather forecasting in the United States, "particularly dangerous situation" (PDS) is enhanced wording used by the National Weather Service to convey special urgency in some watch or warning messages for unusually extreme and life-threatening severe weather events, above and beyond the average severity for the type of event. It is used in the format "This is a particularly dangerous situation..." at the discretion of the issuing forecaster. A watch or warning bearing the phrase is referred to as a PDS watch or PDS warning as shorthand jargon.
It was first used by the Storm Prediction Center (SPC), a national guidance center of the National Weather Service, for tornado watches and eventually expanded to use for other severe weather watches and warnings by the agency's regional forecast offices. It is most commonly used for major tornado outbreaks or long-lived, extreme derecho events, and has been used for non-convective weather hazards such as exceptional flash flooding, or a wildfire.
PDS watches and warnings alike are quite uncommon; less than 3% of watches issued by the SPC from 1996 to 2005 were PDS watches, or an average of 24 each year. When a PDS watch is issued, there are often more PDS watches issued for the same weather system, even on the same day during major outbreaks, so the number of days per year that a PDS watch is issued is significantly lower.
Background
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The short history of the origin of the option of issuing a tornado watch with the enhanced PDS wording occurred during the winter of 1981–82 when the Severe Local Storms (SELS) unit transitioned to a more flexible method of issuing weather products. Ed Ferguson, Deputy Director of the National Severe Storms Forecast Center (NSSFC), suggested to Lead Forecaster Jack Hales that the guidance center could provide an opportunity to give more resolution to the tornado watch product. Hales suggested the PDS option to identify areas where, a few times each year, conditions are most likely to aid in the development of large and intense tornadoes. The first PDS tornado watch was issued by Robert H. Johns for the April 2, 1982 tornado outbreak across the southern and central Great Plains.
While historically applied only to severe thunderstorm, tornado and flash flood watches (i.e., severe local storm "polygonal" events), PDS wording could theoretically be applied to other types of weather watches (such as winter storm, high wind, hurricane, or fire weather watches) when an enhanced threat for such conditions exists. These watches have generally (but not always) been issued during a high risk or an upper-end moderate risk either of severe storms from the SPC's convective outlooks or of flash flooding from the Weather Prediction Center (WPC)'s excessive rainfall outlooks.
On April 24, 2011, the National Weather Service Weather Forecast Office in Memphis, Tennessee, issued the first PDS flash flood watch to highlight the threat for widespread, significant and potentially life-threatening flash flooding due to repeated rounds of severe thunderstorms.
On December 19, 2017, and August 3, 2018, the National Weather Service Weather Forecast Office in Reno, Nevada, issued PDS red flag warnings to highlight the threat for potentially life-threatening fire danger due to strong gusty winds and low humidity.
Issuance
PDS flash flood watch
PDS flash flood watches are issued when there is a higher-than-normal risk of widespread, life-threatening flash flooding. These watches are issued by local NWS Weather Forecast Offices, not the Storm Prediction Center.
Below is the first PDS flash flood watch, which was issued by the National Weather Service Forecast Office in Memphis, Tennessee, on April 24, 2011, as mentioned above.
PDS flash flood watchURGENT - IMMEDIATE BROADCAST REQUESTED FLOOD WATCH NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE MEMPHIS TN 239 PM CDT SUN APR 24 2011 ...VERY HEAVY RAINFALL THROUGH THE MIDDLE OF THIS WEEK WILL LIKELY LEAD TO SIGNIFICANT...WIDESPREAD FLASH FLOODING... ...THIS IS A PARTICULARLY DANGEROUS SITUATION... A BOUNDARY WILL CONTINUE TO REMAIN STATIONARY ACROSS SOUTHERN MISSOURI INTO KENTUCKY THROUGH MONDAY. REPEATED ROUNDS OF THUNDERSTORMS WILL TRACK ALONG THE FRONT BRINGING HEAVY RAINFALL. THEN A LOW PRESSURE SYSTEM WILL TRACK ALONG IT INTO MISSOURI AND PUSH THE FRONT FURTHER SOUTH TO ALONG THE I-40 CORRIDOR MONDAY NIGHT THROUGH TUESDAY NIGHT. THIS WILL SHIFT THE HEAVY RAIN AXIS FURTHER SOUTH TO ALONG AND JUST NORTH OF THE I-40 CORRIDOR. A SECOND LOW PRESSURE SYSTEM WILL TRACK ALONG THE NEWLY STALLED BOUNDARY AND SET OFF ADDITIONAL TRAINING THUNDERSTORMS LATE TUESDAY NIGHT AND WEDNESDAY. THE FINAL COLD FRONT WILL PASS THROUGH LATE WEDNESDAY AFTERNOON...ENDING THE PERSISTENT HEAVY RAINFALL. ARZ026>028-035-036-048-049-058-MSZ001>014-TNZ003-004-019>021- 048>055-088>092-250400- /O.NEW.KMEG.FF.A.0007.110426T0000Z-110428T0000Z/ /00000.0.ER.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.OO/ CRAIGHEAD-POINSETT-MISSISSIPPI-CROSS- CRITTENDEN-ST. FRANCIS- LEE AR-PHILLIPS-DESOTO-MARSHALL-BENTON MS-TIPPAH-ALCORN- TISHOMINGO-TUNICA-TATE-PRENTISS- COAHOMA-QUITMAN-PANOLA-LAFAYETTE- UNION-WEAKLEY-HENRY-DYER-GIBSON-CARROLL-LAUDERDALE-TIPTON-HAYWOOD- CROCKETT-MADISON-CHESTER-HENDERSON- DECATUR-SHELBY-FAYETTE- HARDEMAN-MCNAIRY-HARDIN- INCLUDING THE CITIES OF...JONESBORO...HARRISBURG...BLYTHEVILLE... WYNNE...WEST MEMPHIS...FORREST CITY...HELENA... SOUTHAVEN... OLIVE BRANCH...CORINTH...IUKA...TUNICA...BOONEVILLE... CLARKSDALE...BATESVILLE...OXFORD...NEW ALBANY... MARTIN... DRESDEN...PARIS...DYERSBURG...HUMBOLDT...MILAN...HUNTINGDON... COVINGTON...JACKSON...LEXINGTON...BARTLETT...GERMANTOWN... COLLIERVILLE...MEMPHIS...MILLINGTON...SOMERVILLE... BOLIVAR... SAVANNAH 239 PM CDT SUN APR 24 2011 ...FLASH FLOOD WATCH IN EFFECT FROM MONDAY EVENING THROUGH WEDNESDAY EVENING... THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN MEMPHIS HAS ISSUED A * FLASH FLOOD WATCH FOR PORTIONS OF EAST ARKANSAS...NORTH MISSISSIPPI AND WEST TENNESSEE...INCLUDING THE FOLLOWING AREAS...IN EAST ARKANSAS...CRAIGHEAD...CRITTENDEN...CROSS... LEE...MISSISSIPPI...PHILLIPS...POINSETT AND ST. FRANCIS. IN NORTH MISSISSIPPI...ALCORN...BENTON...COAHOMA...DESOTO... LAFAYETTE...MARSHALL...PANOLA...PRENTISS...QUITMAN...TATE... TIPPAH...TISHOMINGO...TUNICA AND UNION. IN WEST TENNESSEE... CARROLL...CHESTER...CROCKETT...DECATUR...DYER...FAYETTE... GIBSON...HARDEMAN...HARDIN...HAYWOOD...HENDERSON...HENRY... LAUDERDALE...MADISON...MCNAIRY...SHELBY...TIPTON AND WEAKLEY. * FROM MONDAY EVENING THROUGH WEDNESDAY EVENING. * THIS IS A PARTICULARLY DANGEROUS SITUATION * TOTAL RAINFALL AMOUNTS OF 5 TO 8 INCHES ARE EXPECTED ALONG AND NORTH OF I-40 WITH 2 TO 5 INCHES EXPECTED SOUTH OF I-40. LOCALLY HIGHER AMOUNTS ARE LIKELY. * RAINFALL AMOUNTS SUCH AS THESE MAY LEAD TO WIDESPREAD... SIGNIFICANT...AND LIFE THREATENING FLASH FLOODING. THIS EVENT MAY BE AS SEVERE AS THE MAY 1–2, 2010 FLOODING IN PLACES. FLASH FLOODING OF CITIES...RURAL AREAS...RIVERS...AND SMALL STREAMS ARE POSSIBLE. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... A FLASH FLOOD WATCH MEANS THAT CONDITIONS MAY DEVELOP THAT LEAD TO FLASH FLOODING. FLASH FLOODING IS A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION. YOU SHOULD MONITOR LATER FORECASTS AND BE PREPARED TO TAKE ACTION SHOULD FLASH FLOOD WARNINGS BE ISSUED. && $$ ARZ008-009-017-018-MOZ113-115-TNZ001-002-250400- /O.EXT.KMEG.FF.A.0006.000000T0000Z-110428T0000Z/ /00000.0.ER.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.OO/ RANDOLPH-CLAY-LAWRENCE-GREENE-DUNKLIN-PEMISCOT-LAKE-OBION- INCLUDING THE CITIES OF...WALNUT RIDGE...PARAGOULD...KENNETT... CARUTHERSVILLE...UNION CITY 239 PM CDT SUN APR 24 2011 ...FLASH FLOOD WATCH NOW IN EFFECT THROUGH WEDNESDAY EVENING... THE FLASH FLOOD WATCH IS NOW IN EFFECT FOR * PORTIONS OF EAST ARKANSAS...SOUTHEAST MISSOURI AND WEST TENNESSEE...INCLUDING THE FOLLOWING AREAS...IN EAST ARKANSAS... CLAY...GREENE...LAWRENCE AND RANDOLPH. IN SOUTHEAST MISSOURI... DUNKLIN AND PEMISCOT. IN WEST TENNESSEE...LAKE AND OBION. * THROUGH WEDNESDAY EVENING. * THIS IS A PARTICULARLY DANGEROUS SITUATION * ADDITIONAL RAINFALL AMOUNTS OF 6 TO 9 INCHES ARE EXPECTED. LOCALLY HIGHER AMOUNTS ARE LIKELY. THIS...IN COMBINATION OF THE 2 TO 4 INCHES THAT HAVE ALREADY FALLEN MAY LEAD TO TOTAL RAINFALL AMOUNTS IN EXCESS OF 12 INCHES IN MANY LOCATIONS. * RAINFALL AMOUNTS SUCH AS THESE WILL LIKELY LEAD TO WIDESPREAD... SIGNIFICANT...AND LIFE THREATENING FLASH FLOODING. THIS EVENT MAY BE AS SEVERE AS THE MAY 1-2 2010 FLOODING IN MANY PLACES. FLASH FLOODING OF CITIES...RURAL AREAS...RIVERS...AND SMALL STREAMS ARE POSSIBLE. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... A FLASH FLOOD WATCH MEANS THAT CONDITIONS MAY DEVELOP THAT LEAD TO FLASH FLOODING. FLASH FLOODING IS A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION. YOU SHOULD MONITOR LATER FORECASTS AND BE PREPARED TO TAKE ACTION SHOULD FLASH FLOOD WARNINGS BE ISSUED. && $$ BORGHOFF
PDS flash flood warning
PDS flash flood warnings are issued when there is a higher than normal risk of widespread, life-threatening flash flooding. Like PDS flash flood watches, they are issued by the local NWS Weather Forecast Offices, rather than the Storm Prediction Center. Recently, they have been issued as PDS flash flood emergencies, most notably by the National Weather Service offices in Houston and Corpus Christi, Texas.
This warning was issued on September 27, 2024, by the National Weather Service Forecast Office in Greenville–Spartanburg, South Carolina, in response to devastating flooding in western North Carolina caused by Hurricane Helene.
PDS flash flood warningFlash Flood Warning
NCC023-027-111-291800- /O.NEW.KGSP.FF.W.0113.240927T2323Z-240929T1800Z/ /00000.0.ER.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.OO/
BULLETIN - EAS ACTIVATION REQUESTED Flash Flood Warning National Weather Service Greenville-Spartanburg SC 723 PM EDT Fri Sep 27 2024
...FLASH FLOOD EMERGENCY FOR CATAWBA RIVER FROM LAKE JAMES TO LAKE RHODHISS...
The National Weather Service in Greenville-Spartanburg has issued a
- Flash Flood Warning for...
Central Burke County in western North Carolina... Southeastern Caldwell County in western North Carolina... East Central McDowell County in western North Carolina...
- Until 200 PM EDT Sunday.
- At 723 PM EDT, Devastating rainfall of 6-25 (twenty-five) inches
occurred from Wednesday evening through Friday morning from Lake Hickory to the Catawba River headwaters, with the highest totals exceeding 2 feet along the Blue Ridge Escarpment across the upper Catawba River watershed. This is resulting in catastrophic and historic inflows into Lake James, and releases from Lake James are causing catastrophic flooding along the Catawba River into Lake Rhodhiss.
- The latest pool elevations for the upper Catawba River lakes are
as follows (Full Pool is 100.0 feet):
Lake James: 110.3 feet and rising steadily. RECORD BROKEN. Lake Rhodhiss: 108.1 feet and rising steadily.
- The former record pool elevation at Lake James is 107.36 feet
which occurred in September 8, 2004 during Hurricane Frances. Major Flood Stage is 110.0 feet.
- The current record pool elevation at Lake Rhodhiss is 110.10 feet
which occurred in August 1940. Major Flood Stage is 110.0 feet.
- This is an unprecedented and extremely dangerous event. Residents
are urged to heed guidance from emergency management and law enforcement on any potential impacts to property. We are pleading with drivers to heed any barricades and avoid all flooded areas. There have been numerous swift water rescues because people are choosing to risk their lives and the lives of others by failing to Turn Around Don`t Drown. Please do the right thing and protect your life, the life of your family, and the lives of those who risk theirs to save you.
This is a FLASH FLOOD EMERGENCY for Catawba River from Lake James to Lake Rhodhiss. This is a PARTICULARLY DANGEROUS SITUATION. SEEK HIGHER GROUND NOW!
HAZARD...Life-threatening flash flooding from historic rainfall
and resultant dam floodgate releases.
SOURCE...Duke Energy and Burke County Emergency Management.
IMPACT...This is a PARTICULARLY DANGEROUS SITUATION. SEEK
HIGHER GROUND NOW! Life-threatening flash-flooding of
Lake James, the Catawba River, and Lake Rhodhiss is
ongoing. Structural flooding along Lake James
continues and is developing along Lake Rhodhiss.
Downstream of Bridgewater Dam on the Catawba River,
several structrues are damaged or destroyed, with some
single-level homes submerged by floodwaters. These
floodwaters are causing numerous swift-water rescues.
Backwater effects are causing significant inundation
along tributaries, including flooding exceeding 4 ft
deep at the NC 18/US 64 bridge, blocking a primary
roadway connecting Morganton and Lenoir.
- Please stay weather aware and monitor lake levels and Duke Energy
projections closely for any changes.
- For more information on lake levels or dam releases, people are
encouraged to visit https://lakes.duke-energy.com or call 1-800-829-5253.
- Residents along the Catawba River are encouraged to stay aware of
the latest updates from Burke County by signing up for alerts at: http://smart911.com
- McDowell County Emergency Management, Burke County Emergency
Management, Caldwell County Emergency Management, and Duke Energy are closely monitoring these high flows and pool levels and additional updates will be provided as new information becomes available.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
Move to higher ground now! This is an extremely dangerous and life-threatening situation. Do not attempt to travel unless you are fleeing an area subject to flooding or under an evacuation order.
If you are in low-lying areas along the Catawba River you should move to higher ground immediately.
&&
LAT...LON 3583 8188 3577 8179 3584 8164 3581 8159
3581 8146 3578 8135 3573 8139 3574 8143
3574 8159 3571 8176 3572 8194 3568 8202
3572 8206 3580 8191
FLASH FLOOD...OBSERVED FLASH FLOOD DAMAGE THREAT...CATASTROPHIC
$$
JMP
PDS high wind warning
PDS high wind warnings are issued by the National Weather Service when non-convective winds are expected to be especially damaging or dangerous to people and property, beyond what would be expected of a typical high wind warning.
The warning below was issued by the National Weather Service in Salt Lake City, Utah, on September 8, 2020, for an extreme downslope wind event in Salt Lake City and the northern Wasatch Front.
PDS high wind warningURGENT - WEATHER MESSAGE National Weather Service Salt Lake City UT 911 AM MDT Tue Sep 8 2020 UTZ002-003-082315- /O.CON.KSLC.HW.W.0006.000000T0000Z-200909T1500Z/ Northern Wasatch Front-Salt Lake and Tooele Valleys- Including the cities of Ogden, Bountiful, and Salt Lake City 911 AM MDT Tue Sep 8 2020 ...HIGH WIND WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 9 AM MDT WEDNESDAY... ...THIS IS A PARTICULARLY DANGEROUS SITUATION.... * WHAT...East winds 30 to 45 mph with gusts in excess of 70 mph are expected. Wind gusts as high as 98 mph near Farmington, Centerville and the mouth of Weber Canyon have been reported this morning. This is a particularly dangerous situation. * WHERE...Salt Lake and Tooele Valleys and Northern Wasatch Front. * WHEN...Until 9 AM MDT Wednesday. * IMPACTS...High winds may move loose debris, damage property and cause power outages. Travel will be difficult especially for high profile vehicles. The most impacted travel routes are expected to be along the I-15 corridor between Salt Lake City and Layton, the Legacy Parkway, the US 89 corridor in Davis and Weber Counties, and Foothill Drive. * ADDITIONAL DETAILS...Stay inside! Flying debris and numerous falling trees may be deadly. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... People are urged to secure loose objects that could be blown around or damaged by the wind. && $$
PDS red flag warning
PDS red flag warnings are issued by the National Weather Service to inform the public that there is an unusually high threat of wildland fire combustion, and rapid spread of wildfires, due to very dry fuels, very low humidity levels, and strong winds.
The PDS red flag warning below was issued by the National Weather Service in Reno, Nevada, on December 19, 2017.
On August 3, 2018, the National Weather Service in Reno, Nevada, issued another PDS red flag warning to communicate the threat of life-threatening fire danger due to strong gusty winds and low humidity.
On April 12, 2022, the National Weather Service in Norman, Oklahoma, issued a PDS red flag warning because of an extreme fire weather behavior (overlap of extremely dry fuels, humidity as low as 8 percent and wind gusting to 60 mph).
PDS red flag warningURGENT - FIRE WEATHER MESSAGE National Weather Service Reno NV 140 PM PST Tue Dec 19 2017 CAZ273-201500- /O.CON.KREV.FW.W.0017.171220T0300Z-171221T0300Z/ Mono and Eastern Alpine Counties- 140 PM PST Tue Dec 19 2017 ...RED FLAG WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM 7 PM THIS EVENING TO 7 PM PST WEDNESDAY FOR GUSTY WINDS AND LOW HUMIDITY FOR MONO COUNTY SOUTH OF MONO LAKE... ...THIS IS A PARTICULARLY DANGEROUS SITUATION... AFFECTED AREA...Fire Zone 273 Mono and Eastern Alpine Counties. Winds...Southwest 25 to 40 mph with gusts up to 70 mph late tonight into Wednesday morning. The winds will shift to the north by early Wednesday afternoon with speeds of 20 to 30 mph and gusts to 55 mph. Location and timing of strongest wind gusts...The strongest wind gusts will be along the 395 corridor tonight into Wednesday morning. Wednesday afternoon the strongest gusts will be in the Owens and Chalfant Valleys. Humidity...As low as 10 to 20% tonight and again late Wednesday afternoon. Brief recovery near or above 50% is possible late Wednesday morning. Duration...10 to 15 hours, locally up to 20 hours. Impacts...The combination of gusty winds and low humidity can cause fire to rapidly grow in size and intensity. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... This is a particularly dangerous situation with low humidity and very high winds. New fires will grow rapidly out of control, in some cases people may not be able to evacuate safely in time should a fire approach. Avoid outdoor activities that can cause a spark near dry vegetation, such as yard work, target shooting, or campfires. Follow local fire restrictions. Check weather.gov/reno for updates and livingwithfire.info for preparedness tips.
PDS severe thunderstorm watch
PDS severe thunderstorm watches are issued when there is a higher than normal risk of severe thunderstorm winds capable of major structural damage (in addition to large hail and perhaps a few isolated tornadoes), usually due to a strong and persistent derecho. These watches are very rare (accounting an average of only two each year), as the risk for tornadoes must remain low enough to not warrant a tornado watch (a normal tornado watch would be issued if the tornado risk is significant alongside the extreme wind threat).
This PDS severe thunderstorm watch shown below was issued by the Storm Prediction Center in Norman, Oklahoma, on May 12, 2022, for a derecho in portions of Iowa, Minnesota, Nebraska, and South Dakota.
PDS severe thunderstorm watchSEL8
URGENT - IMMEDIATE BROADCAST REQUESTED Severe Thunderstorm Watch Number 208 NWS Storm Prediction Center Norman OK 325 PM CDT Thu May 12, 2022
The NWS Storm Prediction Center has issued a
* Severe Thunderstorm Watch for portions of
Northwest Iowa
Southwest Minnesota
Northeast Nebraska
Southeast South Dakota
* Effective this Thursday afternoon and evening from 325 PM until
1000 PM CDT.
...THIS IS A PARTICULARLY DANGEROUS SITUATION...
* Primary threats include...
Widespread damaging winds and scattered significant gusts to 105
mph expected
Scattered large hail likely with isolated very large hail events
to 2 inches in diameter possible
A couple tornadoes possible
SUMMARY...A prolific wind-damage event is expected unfold from northeast Nebraska into southeast South Dakota and northwest Iowa/southwest Minnesota. Pockets of significant wind damage are highly likely, along with the potential for large hail and possible a line-embedded tornado or two.
The severe thunderstorm watch area is approximately along and 60 statute miles north and south of a line from 60 miles west of Mitchell SD to 5 miles east northeast of Spencer IA. For a complete depiction of the watch see the associated watch outline update (WOUS64 KWNS WOU8).
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
REMEMBER...A Severe Thunderstorm Watch means conditions are favorable for severe thunderstorms in and close to the watch area. Persons in these areas should be on the lookout for threatening weather conditions and listen for later statements and possible warnings. Severe thunderstorms can and occasionally do produce tornadoes.
&&
OTHER WATCH INFORMATION...CONTINUE...WW 205...WW 206...WW 207...
AVIATION...A few severe thunderstorms with hail surface and aloft to 2 inches. Extreme turbulence and surface wind gusts to 90 knots. A few cumulonimbi with maximum tops to 550. Mean storm motion vector 22045.
...Guyer
PDS special marine warning
PDS Special marine warnings are issued by the National Weather Service to inform mariners of weather conditions that present a considerable threat to life and property.
On April 19, 2018, the Baltimore/Washington, D.C. forecast office upgraded a special marine warning to PDS status as a gust front approached Chesapeake Bay.
PDS special marine warningNational Weather Service Baltimore MD/Washington DC 1138 AM EDT THU APR 19 2018 ANZ537-191700- /O.CON.KLWX.MA.W.0020.000000T0000Z-180419T1700Z/ 1138 AM EDT THU APR 19 2018 ...A SPECIAL MARINE WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 100 PM EDT... For the following areas... Tidal Potomac from Cobb Island MD to Smith Point VA... At 1137 AM EDT, a gust front was located near Quantico Marine Base, moving southeast at 25 knots. Numerous wind gusts of 35 to 45 knots have been observed with this line. HAZARD...Wind gusts 34 knots or greater. SOURCE...Radar indicated. IMPACT...Boaters in small craft could be thrown overboard by suddenly higher winds and waves capsizing their vessel. Locations impacted include... Yeocomico River... Breton Bay... Point Lookout... Coltons Point... Saint Clements Bay... Coles Point... Mouth Of The Potomac River... Saint George Island... White Point Beach... Tall Timbers... and Piney Point. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... This is a particularly dangerous situation. Sudden onset of gale force winds can cause even experienced mariners to capsize. Capsizing in cold water is especially dangerous and can quickly result in hypothermia. If you haven't already done so, move to safe harbor now! && LAT...LON 3797 7641 3801 7647 3802 7651 3807 7654 3811 7660 3815 7661 3817 7676 3817 7685 3826 7686 3825 7684 3823 7660 3821 7657 3814 7652 3806 7633 3801 7629 3791 7627 TIME...MOT...LOC 1537Z 310DEG 27KT 3871 7777 3813 7848 HAIL...0.00in WIND...>34kts $$ DHOF
PDS special weather statement
PDS special weather statements are usually issued by the NWS for hazards that do not have a specific code of their own, and pose an exceptionally high risk of damage and loss of life.
The PDS special weather statement below was issued by the National Weather Service in Buffalo, New York, on December 11, 2013, regarding extreme amounts of lake effect snow to impact the defined area. The same office issued multiple PDS Special Weather Statements for hurricane-force winds forecast to hit the Buffalo area on February 24, 2019.
PDS special weather statementSPECIAL WEATHER STATEMENT NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE BUFFALO NY 255 PM EST WED DEC 11 2013 NYZ006>008-112200- OSWEGO-JEFFERSON-LEWIS- INCLUDING THE CITIES OF...OSWEGO...WATERTOWN...LOWVILLE 255 PM EST WED DEC 11 2013 ...EXTREMELY HEAVY LAKE EFFECT SNOW TO CONTINUE THROUGH THE EVENING COMMUTE... A BAND OF VERY INTENSE LAKE EFFECT SNOW EXTENDING FROM BETWEEN SANDY CREEK AND ADAMS ALONG I-81...EASTWARD TO LOWVILLE AND CROGHAN WILL CONTINUE THROUGH THE AFTERNOON. OTHER AREAS IMPACTED BY THIS SNOW BAND INCLUDE BUT ARE NOT LIMITED TO MONTAGUE...MARTINSBURG...HIGHMARKET...TURIN...SANDY CREEK...LACONA...PULASKI...LOWVILLE AND LYONS FALLS. THIS BAND WILL DRIFT SLIGHTLY NORTH OVER THE NEXT COUPLE OF HOURS. SNOWFALL RATES OF 3 TO 5 INCHES PER HOUR CAN BE EXPECTED WITHIN THE MOST INTENSE LAKE BANDS. IN ADDITION...WEST WINDS BETWEEN 15 TO 30 MPH WILL RESULT IN CONSIDERABLE BLOWING AND DRIFTING SNOW...REDUCING VISIBILITIES TO NEAR ZERO AT TIMES MAKING FOR WHITE OUT CONDITIONS. ...THIS IS A PARTICULARLY DANGEROUS SITUATION... THIS WILL PRODUCE TREACHEROUS TRAVEL CONDITIONS ACROSS THE TUG HILL...INTERSTATE 81 FROM PULASKI TO ADAMS...AND ALONG STATE ROUTE 12 FROM TURIN TO LOWVILLE. TRAVEL ACROSS THESE AREAS WILL BE NEARLY IMPOSSIBLE THIS AFTERNOON...AND IS HIGHLY DISCOURAGED. $$ JAM
PDS tornado watch
PDS tornado watches are issued when there is a significantly higher than normal risk of multiple EF2 or stronger tornadoes – especially those that are predicted to be long-track in nature, with path lengths of more than 20 miles – in the watch area (usually amounting to damage consistent with EF4 or EF5 tornadoes at maximum), in addition to including significant wind and hail damage. This enhanced wording in a Tornado Watch is meant to alert the public of the potential for very life-threatening severe weather. Under current criteria, such would be issued when the probability for significant tornadoes is 80% or greater. PDS Tornado Watches are often issued on high risk days for severe weather, though have been issued on high-end moderate risk days.
The PDS tornado watch shown below was issued on April 27 during the tornado outbreak sequence of April 25–28, 2024.
PDS tornado watch URGENT - IMMEDIATE BROADCAST REQUESTED
Tornado Watch Number 146
NWS Storm Prediction Center Norman OK
1240 PM CDT Sat Apr 27 2024
The NWS Storm Prediction Center has issued a
* Tornado Watch for portions of
Western Oklahoma
Northwest Texas
* Effective this Saturday afternoon and evening from 1240 PM
until 800 PM CDT.
...THIS IS A PARTICULARLY DANGEROUS SITUATION...
* Primary threats include...
Several tornadoes and a few intense tornadoes likely
Widespread large hail and scattered very large hail events to 3
inches in diameter likely
Widespread damaging winds and isolated significant gusts to 75
mph likely
SUMMARY...Intense thunderstorms are expected to develop this
afternoon along and east of a dryline over western Oklahoma and
northwest Texas. Supercells are expected, capable of very large
hail and damaging winds. The most intense cells may also produce
strong or potentially long-tracked tornadoes.
The tornado watch area is approximately along and 70 statute miles
east and west of a line from 35 miles east northeast of Alva OK to
45 miles southwest of Wichita Falls TX. For a complete depiction of
the watch see the associated watch outline update (WOUS64 KWNS
WOU6).
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
REMEMBER...A Tornado Watch means conditions are favorable for
tornadoes and severe thunderstorms in and close to the watch
area. Persons in these areas should be on the lookout for
threatening weather conditions and listen for later statements
and possible warnings.
&&
OTHER WATCH INFORMATION...CONTINUE...WW 144...WW 145...
AVIATION...Tornadoes and a few severe thunderstorms with hail
surface and aloft to 3 inches. Extreme turbulence and surface wind
gusts to 65 knots. A few cumulonimbi with maximum tops to 500. Mean
storm motion vector 24035.
...Hart
PDS tornado warning
PDS tornado warnings are currently issued on an experimental basis by the 38 National Weather Service Weather Forecast Offices within the Central Region. The criteria for a PDS warning are when a tornado on the ground has been spotted or confirmed, or a significant tornado is expected based on radar signatures. While the intention of this experimental warning may be to replace the loosely defined tornado emergency, PDS tornado warnings are structured as the second highest level of tornado warning within the impact based warning system (an experiment – which also includes tags within warning products illustrating radar indications or physical observations of tornadoes, and damage potential – participated by the 33 Weather Forecast Offices within the Central Region, as well as eight additional offices within the Western, Eastern and Southern regions that began utilizing the system in the spring of 2014); a tornado emergency, the highest warning level, is used within the United States for destructive tornadoes approaching more densely populated areas. These are the first warnings issued with PDS wording, and like PDS flash flood watches, are issued by local forecast offices.
Below is an example of a PDS Tornado Warning, issued for the 2021 Naperville–Woodridge tornado on June 20, 2021.
PDS tornado warning083
WWUS53 KLOT 210416
SVSLOT
Severe Weather Statement
National Weather Service Chicago/Romeoville
1116 PM CDT Sun Jun 20 2021
ILC031-043-197-210445-
/O.CON.KLOT.TO.W.0004.000000T0000Z-210621T0445Z/
Will IL-DuPage IL-Cook IL-
1116 PM CDT Sun Jun 20 2021
...A TORNADO WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 1145 PM CDT FOR
NORTHWESTERN WILL...SOUTHEASTERN DUPAGE AND SOUTH CENTRAL COOK
COUNTIES...
At 1115 PM CDT, a confirmed large and extremely dangerous tornado
was located over Darien, or over far east Woodridge, moving east at
45 mph. Radar confirms debris with this tornado moving over
populated areas.
This is a PARTICULARLY DANGEROUS SITUATION. TAKE COVER NOW!
HAZARD...Damaging tornado.
SOURCE...Radar confirmed tornado.
IMPACT...You are in a life-threatening situation. Flying debris may
be deadly to those caught without shelter. Mobile homes
will be destroyed. Considerable damage to homes,
businesses, and vehicles is likely and complete destruction
is possible.
The tornado will be near...
Burr Ridge, Western Springs and Indian Head Park around 1120 PM
CDT.
Palos Hills, Justice, Summit, Bridgeview, Hickory Hills,
Countryside, Willow Springs and Hodgkins around 1125 PM CDT.
Oak Lawn, Midway Airport, Burbank, Alsip, Chicago Ridge, Palos
Heights, Crestwood and Worth around 1130 PM CDT.
Other locations in the path of this tornadic thunderstorm include
Chicago Lawn, Oak Forest, Ashburn, Evergreen Park and Midlothian.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
To repeat, a large, extremely dangerous and potentially deadly
tornado is on the ground. To protect your life, TAKE COVER NOW! Move
to a basement or an interior room on the lowest floor of a sturdy
building. Avoid windows. If you are outdoors, in a mobile home, or in
a vehicle, move to the closest substantial shelter and protect
yourself from flying debris.
&&
LAT...LON 4166 8817 4178 8811 4180 8769 4151 8778
TIME...MOT...LOC 0415Z 275DEG 41KT 4175 8799
TORNADO...OBSERVED
TORNADO DAMAGE THREAT...CONSIDERABLE
HAIL...<.75IN
OEMC zones...TORNADO WARNING. 8 and 10.
$$
FRIEDLEIN
 | Parts of this article (those related to PDS wind chill warning) need to be updated. The reason given is: PDS Wind Chill Warning should be updated to PDS Extreme Cold Warning (as of October 2024, the NWS has officially renamed this product). Please help update this article to reflect recent events or newly available information. (October 2024) |
PDS wind chill warning
PDS wind chill warnings are issued when there is an enhanced risk of frost bite, hypothermia, and eventually death due to extremely low wind chills. These warnings are issued by the National Weather Service Weather Forecast Offices rather than the Storm Prediction Center.
The PDS wind chill warning shown below was issued by the National Weather Service in the Twin Cities on January 5, 2014.
PDS wind chill warning629 WWUS43 KMPX 050957 WSWMPX URGENT - WINTER WEATHER MESSAGE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE TWIN CITIES/CHANHASSEN MN 357 AM CST SUN JAN 5 2014 ...HISTORIC AND LIFE-THREATENING COLD AIR HAS ARRIVED... ...THIS IS A PARTICULARLY DANGEROUS SITUATION... THE COLDEST AIRMASS SINCE 1996 CONTINUES TO MOVE SOUTHEAST OUT OF CANADA AND INTO MINNESOTA AND WISCONSIN. WIND CHILL VALUES WILL RANGE BETWEEN 30 AND 45 BELOW TODAY AND CONTINUE TO FALL THROUGH MONDAY MORNING. AIR TEMPERATURES TONIGHT WILL DROP INTO THE 20S AND 30S BELOW ZERO. GUSTY WEST OR NORTHWEST WINDS COMBINED WITH THESE EXTREMELY COLD TEMPERATURES WILL PRODUCE WIND CHILLS OF 50 TO 65 BELOW ZERO LATE TONIGHT AND EARLY MONDAY. WIND CHILLS COLDER THAN 50 BELOW CAN CAUSE EXPOSED FLESH TO FREEZE IN ONLY 5 MINUTES. A WIND CHILL WARNING IS IN EFFECT FOR CENTRAL AND SOUTHERN MINNESOTA AND WEST CENTRAL WISCONSIN THROUGH NOON TUESDAY. THE GUSTY WINDS WILL ALSO BRING AREAS OF BLOWING SNOW TO MUCH OF THE AREA TODAY AND TONIGHT. WHERE GUSTS REACH 35 TO 45 MPH OVER WESTERN AND SOUTHERN MINNESOTA...VISIBILITIES MAY OCCASIONALLY BE REDUCED TO LESS THAN A HALF MILE IN NEAR BLIZZARD CONDITIONS. THIS WILL BRING AN ADDITIONAL LEVEL OF DANGER TO ANYONE STRANDED. MNZ041-047-048-054>057-064-065-067-073>075-082>085-091>093-052115- /O.CON.KMPX.WC.W.0001.000000T0000Z-140107T1800Z/ DOUGLAS-STEVENS-POPE-LAC QUI PARLE-SWIFT-CHIPPEWA-KANDIYOHI- YELLOW MEDICINE-RENVILLE-SIBLEY-REDWOOD-BROWN-NICOLLET-WATONWAN- BLUE EARTH-WASECA-STEELE-MARTIN-FARIBAULT-FREEBORN- INCLUDING THE CITIES OF...ALEXANDRIA...MORRIS...GLENWOOD... MADISON...BENSON...MONTEVIDEO...WILLMAR...GRANITE FALLS... OLIVIA...GAYLORD...REDWOOD FALLS...NEW ULM...ST. PETER... ST. JAMES...MANKATO...WASECA...OWATONNA...FAIRMONT...BLUE EARTH... ALBERT LEA 357 AM CST SUN JAN 5 2014 ...WIND CHILL WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL NOON CST TUESDAY... A WIND CHILL WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL NOON CST TUESDAY. * THIS IS A PARTICULARLY DANGEROUS SITUATION! * WIND CHILL VALUES: 35 TO 65 BELOW...WITH THE COLDEST READINGS TONIGHT AND MONDAY MORNING. * IMPACTS: EXPOSED FLESH WILL FREEZE IN 10 MINUTES WITH WIND CHILLS OF 35 BELOW...AND IN 5 MINUTES WITH WIND CHILLS OF 50 BELOW OR COLDER. * OTHER IMPACTS...WINDS GUSTING BETWEEN 35 AND 45 MPH THIS AFTERNOON AND TONIGHT WILL LEAD TO BLOWING SNOW WITH VISIBILITIES OCCASIONALLY DROPPING TO 1/2 MILE OR LESS IN NEAR BLIZZARD CONDITIONS. SHOULD YOUR VEHICLE BECOME STRANDED...YOUR LIFE WILL BE AT RISK. CONSIDER POSTPONING ALL TRAVEL. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... A WIND CHILL WARNING MEANS THE COMBINATION OF VERY COLD AIR AND STRONG WINDS WILL CREATE DANGEROUSLY LOW WIND CHILL VALUES. THIS WILL RESULT IN FROST BITE AND LEAD TO HYPOTHERMIA OR DEATH IF PRECAUTIONS ARE NOT TAKEN. && $$ MNZ042>045-049>053-058>063-066-068>070-076>078-WIZ014>016-023>028- 052115 /O.CON.KMPX.WC.W.0001.000000T0000Z-140107T1800Z/ TODD-MORRISON-MILLE LACS-KANABEC-STEARNS-BENTON-SHERBURNE-ISANTI- CHISAGO-MEEKER-WRIGHT-HENNEPIN-ANOKA-RAMSEY-WASHINGTON-MCLEOD- CARVER-SCOTT-DAKOTA-LE SUEUR-RICE-GOODHUE-POLK-BARRON RUSK- ST. CROIX-PIERCE-DUNN-PEPIN-CHIPPEWA-EAU CLAIRE- INCLUDING THE CITIES OF...LONG PRAIRIE...LITTLE FALLS... PRINCETON...MORA...ST. CLOUD...FOLEY...ELK RIVER...CAMBRIDGE... CENTER CITY...LITCHFIELD...MONTICELLO...MINNEAPOLIS...BLAINE... ST. PAUL...STILLWATER...HUTCHINSON...CHASKA...SHAKOPEE... BURNSVILLE...LE SUEUR...FARIBAULT...RED WING...AMERY... BALSAM LAKE...RICE LAKE...BARRON...LADYSMITH...HUDSON... NEW RICHMOND...RIVER FALLS...PRESCOTT...MENOMONIE...BOYCEVILLE... DURAND...PEPIN...CHIPPEWA FALLS...BLOOMER...EAU CLAIRE...ALTOONA 357 AM CST SUN JAN 5 2014 ...WIND CHILL WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL NOON CST TUESDAY... A WIND CHILL WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL NOON CST TUESDAY. * THIS IS A PARTICULARLY DANGEROUS SITUATION! * WIND CHILL VALUES: 35 TO 65 BELOW...WITH THE COLDEST READINGS TONIGHT AND MONDAY MORNING. * IMPACTS: EXPOSED FLESH WILL FREEZE IN 10 MINUTES WITH WIND CHILLS OF 35 BELOW...AND IN 5 MINUTES WITH WIND CHILLS OF 50 BELOW OR COLDER. * OTHER IMPACTS...AREAS OF BLOWING SNOW ARE POSSIBLE AS WINDS GUST AS HIGH AS 35 MPH THIS AFTERNOON AND TONIGHT. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... A WIND CHILL WARNING MEANS THE COMBINATION OF VERY COLD AIR AND STRONG WINDS WILL CREATE DANGEROUSLY LOW WIND CHILL VALUES. THIS WILL RESULT IN FROST BITE AND LEAD TO HYPOTHERMIA OR DEATH IF PRECAUTIONS ARE NOT TAKEN. && $$ BORGHOFF
Other watches and warnings
While the use of PDS wording for other types of watches and warnings has not been used, PDS wording could theoretically be applied to any kind of watch or warning to alert the public to weather events where there exists an increased risk of loss of life or widespread damage to property. Such situations could include PDS watches or warnings for blizzards, ice storms, or extreme heat. For example, on October 29, 2012, in advance of Hurricane Sandy, which was expected to become post-tropical prior to making landfall, a high wind warning was issued for New Jersey stating "This is an extremely dangerous situation!" Similarly, on May 26, 2015, during the flood disaster in Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas, and Louisiana, a flood warning was issued similar to a PDS flood warning stating "...This is a dangerous and life-threatening situation..." A severe thunderstorm warning bulletin issued by the National Weather Service at Tampa Bay/Ruskin regarding a strong, tornadic storm system moving through the area contained the following: "This storm may cause serious injury and significant property damage." Several severe thunderstorm warnings issued by the National Weather Service in Goodland, Kansas on June 8, 2024, contained the phrasing "this is an extremely dangerous situation" prompted by "tornado like wind speeds" in the range of 80–100 mph (130–160 km/h).
References
- NOAA (2004-04-18). "Storm Prediction Center Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)". Retrieved 2008-05-23.
- "National Weather Service Issues Area Red Flag Warning". Retrieved 2018-08-04.
- ^ Dean, Andrew R. (2006-11-07). "PDS watches: how dangerous are these "particularly dangerous situations?" (2006 - 23SLS_23sls)". American Meteorological Society. Retrieved 2008-05-23.
- Lewis, John (2007-11-03). "A Forecaster's Story: Robert H. Johns". Electronic Journal of Severe Storms Meteorology. 2 (7). doi:10.55599/ejssm.v2i7.12.
- "IEM Valid Time Extent Code (VTEC) App". Mesonet.agron.iastate.edu. Retrieved 2014-01-22.
- National Weather Service (2020-09-08). "Iowa Environmental Mesonet NWS Product Archive". Retrieved 2020-09-08.
- National Weather Service (2017-12-19). "Iowa Environmental Mesonet NWS Product Archive". Retrieved 2018-04-18.
- "IEM :: Valid Time Event Code (VTEC) App".
- NOAA (2022-05-12). "Storm Prediction Center: Particularly Dangerous Situation (PDS) Severe Thunderstorm Watch 208".
- Herzmann, Daryl. "IEM :: Valid Time Event Code (VTEC) App". mesonet.agron.iastate.edu. Retrieved 2018-04-19.
- herzmann, daryl. "IEM :: SPS from NWS BUF". mesonet.agron.iastate.edu. Retrieved 2023-01-18.
- herzmann, daryl. "IEM :: SPS from NWS BUF". mesonet.agron.iastate.edu. Retrieved 2023-01-18.
- herzmann, daryl. "IEM :: SPS from NWS BUF". mesonet.agron.iastate.edu. Retrieved 2023-01-18.
- Brugge, R. (December 1994). "The Alabama tornado outbreak of 27 March 1994 - an example of tornado formation". Weather. 49 (12): 407–411. Bibcode:1994Wthr...49..407B. doi:10.1002/j.1477-8696.1994.tb05961.x. ISSN 0043-1656.
- "Storm Prediction Center PDS Tornado Watch 146". Storm Prediction Center. Storm Prediction Center. Retrieved 31 March 2023.
- "Impact Based Warning Experimental Product". Crh.noaa.gov. Retrieved 2014-01-22.
- National Weather Service (2014). "Impact Based Warnings". National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Retrieved March 12, 2014.
- "Enhanced Product – Tornado Warnings and Associated Follow-up Statements Modified to Emphasize Impacts, Intensity, and Recommended Actions via Bulleted Messages and Coded Tag Lines" (PDF). NWS. Archived from the original (PDF) on 13 April 2012. Retrieved 15 April 2012.
- "'CATASTROPHIC': Experimental Tornado Warnings to be Explicit". AccuWeather. 2012-04-05. Archived from the original on 2014-03-13. Retrieved 2014-03-12.
- "Tornado Warning". Iowa State University Iowa Environmental Mesonet. National Weather Service Forecast Office in Romeoville, Illinois. Retrieved 24 April 2024.
- National Weather Service (2014-01-05). "Iowa Environmental Mesonet NWS Product Archive". Retrieved 2014-01-06.
- "High Wind Warning – Hurricane Sandy". National Weather Service – Philadelphia/Mount Holly. Retrieved 29 October 2017.
- Payne, Ed; Shoichet, Catherine (26 May 2015). "Running updates: Storms slam Houston, kill 31 in Texas, Oklahoma, Mexico". CNN. Retrieved 30 October 2017.
- "Tampa Bay/Ruskin – Severe Thunderstorm Warning". National Weather Service. Retrieved 30 October 2017.
- "IEM :: Valid Time Event Code (VTEC) App". Iowa Environmental Mesonet. National Weather Service Forevast Office in Goodland, Kansas. Retrieved March 25, 2020.
- "IEM :: Valid Time Event Code (VTEC) App". Iowa Environmental Mesonet. National Weather Service Forevast Office in Goodland, Kansas. Retrieved March 25, 2020.
- "IEM :: Valid Time Event Code (VTEC) App". Iowa Environmental Mesonet. National Weather Service Forevast Office in Goodland, Kansas. Retrieved March 25, 2020.
This article incorporates public domain material from websites or documents of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.
External links
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