Wacky Weather Warning! - Page 3 - Calgarypuck Forums - The Unofficial Calgary Flames Fan Community

Resolute 14 · 07-09-2006, 09:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Clarkey

What exactly are you doing when you try to follow it? Do you just drive close to it to watch from afar or are you actually driving into the storm?

And a question: why would it matter if your computer is on during a lightning storm? If there is a surge it's going to get it whether it's on or off. I'm curious why people say to do this, it could be good advice for all I know.

If the computer is on, and a surge hits, it can spike (or dip) the amount of power the PC is getting. That can very easily damage components. Similar to the human body suffering a sudden change in blood pressure.

If the computer is turned off, a power outage/surge arent nearly as likely to affect anything since there is little to no power going through it to begin with.

Speaking of storms, I passed through a nasty one just west of Whitecourt today. No hail, but some mighty impressive lightning strikes towards Grande Prairie, and the rain was coming down in sheets. I had to slow to 80 (from 130) just to stay straight. Of course, this was right after I had to get a flat tire replaced in Whitecourt (not easy on a Sunday), and two hours after I got stuck when Hwy 2 was closed due to a major accident north of Lacombe. I love when a seven hour drive to Grande Prairie takes over ten.

KevanGuy · 07-09-2006, 09:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Clarkey

What exactly are you doing when you try to follow it? Do you just drive close to it to watch from afar or are you actually driving into the storm?

Well, depends on the type of storm, where its going, what stage it is in. The ones I enjoy are the ones that are single powerful cells that I can stay a distance of about 50-25K from and just take some pics and hope for a tornado.

Storms like the one on Thursday that hit fast and close I will just drive into to see how intense it is. I dont really like that as much cause it can be dangerous (hail, hydroplaining, moron drives that slam on the breaks).

Today was a bit of a shinguard-show because the storm was all over the place. I was just trying to get to where the action was.

EDIT: Hrmm...after seeing the size of that hail I am kinda thankful I didnt run into that part of the storm.

BlackArcher101 · 07-09-2006, 09:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KevanGuy

Today was a bit of a shinguard-show because the storm was all over the place. I was just trying to get to where the action was.

No kidding, it split into multiple storms, then it hovered in one spot, then it merged with other storms, then it disappeared, then it was replaced with another storm..... just crazy.

Quote:

Originally Posted by KevanGuy

EDIT: Hrmm...after seeing the size of that hail I am kinda thankful I didnt run into that part of the storm.

Heh, it's a good thing I didn't steer you into that part of the storm then

KevanGuy · 07-09-2006, 09:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BlackArcher101

Heh, it's a good thing I didn't steer you into that part of the storm then

And don't think I dont appreciate it. Heh.

Anyway, here are some pics.

KevanGuy · 07-09-2006, 09:46 PM

Nehkara · 07-09-2006, 10:32 PM

Looks like there is another huge thunderboomer gathering to hit Calgary. Looks like we get two in one day.

KevanGuy · 07-09-2006, 10:34 PM

Are you looking at the radar or outside? I can see it on the radar but am wondering if you can see something interesting already. I cant see out west from my place.

fleudian · 07-09-2006, 10:40 PM

i was taking people's groceries out to their cars in the rain and hail

that's twice this week

Nehkara · 07-09-2006, 10:50 PM

Radar. Going to head out and watch.

KevanGuy · 07-09-2006, 11:01 PM

Yup, it looks like we are in for another good one. Smaller then the first one today though but pretty intense. I think it will hit west and then north of the city. Actually, the 10:50 radar shows that it may be losing some of its intensity. Still pretty high could tops though.

KevanGuy · 07-09-2006, 11:18 PM

Well, we're in business. Not only is there action to the west but a cell to the south moving toward the city is ready to get serious.

Eddie Bronze · 07-09-2006, 11:21 PM

Just before I'm ready to head to bed: I can hear the booming and rumbling off in the distance up here on the north side of the university.

hockeygrl44 · 07-09-2006, 11:43 PM

INSANE STORM!! The thunder is so crazy. It's been shaking my windows, and the last huge jolt set off all the car alarms on my street!

KevanGuy · 07-09-2006, 11:45 PM

Looks like it's going to be more bark then bite. Things have fizzled out PDQ.

I-Hate-Hulse · 07-10-2006, 07:34 AM

Consider buying an uninterruptible power supply, I've found they are much better at protecting your computer from the surges and line noise this time of year. They're pretty cheap too, about $75 for an APC 750VA APC on sale (about $85 at Costco right now)

Ironhorse · 07-10-2006, 09:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by I-Hate-Hulse

Consider buying an uninterruptible power supply, I've found they are much better at protecting your computer from the surges and line noise this time of year. They're pretty cheap too, about $75 for an APC 750VA APC on sale (about $85 at Costco right now)

x 2.

And as an added bonus, you are also protected from power outages.

Bobblehead · 07-10-2006, 09:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hockeygrl44

INSANE STORM!! The thunder is so crazy. It's been shaking my windows, and the last huge jolt set off all the car alarms on my street!

Yeah, I heard the loudest crack I've heard in years last night! A few alarms were set off. At least it was loud enough that everyone must have woken up (I can't imagine how they wouldn't - I had ringing in my ears), because they were all turned off a few minutes later.

Nehkara · 07-10-2006, 10:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bobblehead

Yeah, I heard the loudest crack I've heard in years last night! A few alarms were set off. At least it was loud enough that everyone must have woken up (I can't imagine how they wouldn't - I had ringing in my ears), because they were all turned off a few minutes later.

Despit the marked lack of violence in terms of rain or hail, I did notice a huge quantity of lightning accompanying the storm last night.

O_M_A · 07-10-2006, 11:50 AM

What's with the nutty weather out here lately?

Was driving back from Vancouver last night (around 10ish) and got the good fortune of being hit dead on by the second of those big thunderstorms right outside Morley. It's the only time in my life that I've seen EVERY single car on the highway pulled over waiting a good 20-25 minutes waiting for the storm to pass. Just craziness.

Big time hail too.

mykalberta · 07-10-2006, 01:16 PM

Was it that bad or are those drivers just jittery.

Coming back from Edmonton late afternoon yesterday on Hwy2 there were a bunch of cars pulled over and the rain wasnt actually that bad, it wasnt 130-140 weather but it was definately 100-1110.

Damn people who go 70-80 in rain.

MYK