The Superior Express -

Drought, high winds and tilled fields are all it takes for a dust storm, also called a haboob, on the plains.

“Dust storms are worse than fog,”

Shawn Rossi, a meteorologist with the Hastings Weather Bureau, said.

“Do not drive into a dust storm. Pull off the road as far as you can. Stop! Turn off your lights. Take your foot off the brakes or you will probably be rear-ended,” he continued. “This driving proceedure had cut accidents about in half in Oklahoma this past year.”

The advice was part of a weather spotter training session at the Superior Public Safety Building, Monday evening. About 20 people attended the event, most of whom serve on the Superior Volunteer Fire Department and generally compose the community’s storm spotter team.

Radar for the Superior area is located in Blue Hill. “We need your eyes!” Rossi told the group. “Radar is not perfect. It can’t see close to the ground and it does not scan directly overhead.”

Using graphics and video of area storms, Rossi focused on when, where and how tornadoes form, especially where to look for them in the storm system.

He also talked about how and when to report significant weather events. For example, when it hails, the weather bureau wants to know the size of the largest hail stones compared to an object that is always the same size - like a quarter, baseball or tennis ball.

He reviewed storm development, reporting wind speeds based on visible damage, red flag warnings and showed satellite images of fires and burn scars.

Each year, the presentation focuses on a different aspect of dangerous weather conditions.