Aftermath of the derecho that swept through Central Ohio this summer in August. Credit: Michael Goulet | Campus Photo Editor
Students and residents in Columbus and surrounding areas have been hit by severe weather in August that have affected their daily lives. This includes tornadoes, floods and the recent heat wave.
On Aug.11 there was a tornado south of downtown Columbus. Another tornado hit Ackerman Rd and went through Clintonville all the way to Interstate 71, as well as one in Old Towne East, Ohio, according to Aaron Wilson, Agricultural Weather and Conduct Field Specialist who also serves as the State Climatologist of Ohio.
There were also tornadoes west of Columbus on Aug. 15.?
“We had over 20 tornadoes in the month of August. Typically in a year Ohio sees 22 tornadoes, we had about that many just in the month of August,” Wilson said.?
Recurring patterns of temperatures in the high 80s will be seen over the next several days. However, this Thursday will be cooler, with a high of 77 according to the National Weather Service, or NWS.?
Though a tornado risk is not in the immediate forecast, as the next few days will have possible thunderstorms, Wilson recommends students use the NWS for warnings about incoming tornadoes and have multiple ways to get alerted of a tornado.?
“Tornado sirens are meant for people that are outside and close to the siren location,” Wilson said. “You want to have multiple ways of receiving tornado warnings. Phone alerts, local media, weather radios, as students should not assume they can hear a tornado siren if they are inside.”
Alvaro Montenegro, an associate professor of atmospheric sciences at Ohio State, explained how the tornadoes are also related to the recent flooding.?
“The day we had tornadoes, we also had a different type of extreme weather called derechos or straight line winds, which are associated with thunderstorm clouds,” Montenegro said.?
On Aug. 12 and 13 there was severe flooding in west central Ohio and parts of Perry County and Hocking County.?
Similarly, on Aug. 19 and 20 there was another round of flooding across Central Ohio and in Fairfield and Perry county, which caused areas around Buckeye Lake to close down, according to Wilson.
“Students should also keep in mind that a severe thunderstorm warning can be equally as dangerous as a tornado warning,” Wilson said.??
He also notes that this was Ohio’s wettest August on record going back to 1878, with 9.94 average inches of rainfall.
There has also been a heat wave in Columbus recently that has made it difficult for students to walk to class and be outside for a while.
“It has been very difficult to remain outside for long periods of time, and I really enjoy working outside on schoolwork. This hasn’t been an option so far this semester,” Silas Jenkins, senior atmospheric science student and Vice President at the university’s meteorology club, said.?
This August, the days have been hot and dry, which makes 90 degree days feel like up to 110. This can make it difficult for students living in dorms with no air conditioning, such as Mack, Bradley, Paterson and Canfield Halls.?
Students express concern with the heat wave as getting around campus proves to be difficult.?
“With the campus being so big and my dorm being situated on one side of the campus and my classes being situated on another, it does take some extra thoughtfulness about what I’m wearing and what I’m bringing with me to class,” Nevaeh Jackson, a second-year political science major, said.?
Jenkins offers pieces of advice to students for all types of weather emergencies.?
“Flash flood warning? Don’t drive your car through water, and if you live right on the river consider heading to a friend’s house,” Jenkins said. “Severe thunderstorm warning? Get inside! Lightning, heavy rain, wind, and hail can all be dangerous to drive in, and especially dangerous to stand outside in. Heat Advisory? Make sure to stay hydrated and avoid strenuous activity outside. Tornado watch or severe thunderstorm watch? Avoid going hiking, camping, or going anywhere you might be unable to take shelter in a fairly prompt manner.”
Although summer may be over, Wilson warns students that more 90 degree days might come in the upcoming weeks and there will be very active thunderstorms. There is also a secondary severe weather storm peak in Ohio which occurs at the end of September and the first part of October.
