Do You Remember...Old Severe Weather Announcement

[cydsho]

Anyone from SW Iowa is probably familiar with KMA's tornado watch 2 tone somewhat comforting "beep" every minute or so (during songs, ballgames, whatever) and then the terrifying tornado warning pulsing high pitch sound.
I think they have been using that for at least 45-50 years now. As long as I've been alive.

 

[jcyclonee]

When I was in about 3rd grade, our neighborhood was hit by a tornado. Salvation Army trucks came around with free food everyday, there were pieces of shingles lying around all over the place that you could pick up and throw like frisbies, the insurance company paid for us to stay in a hotel with a pool while our house was being fixed, and there were Playboy magazines that flew into the woods near our house. Best summer ever.

 

[huntt26]

I thought this thread was going to be about the siren in Jack Trice. Anyone remember when they first did it around the Chizik era and the sound was more like a submarine than a severe weather sounder?

aaahhhoooooogaaa aaahhooooogaaa

We've come a long way, folks! #soundthesirens

 

[VeloClone]

I don't remember being freaked out by severe weather or tornado warnings even as a little kid, but rather fascinated and intrigued. This was true even after driving to Ryan, Iowa to look at the damage from their horrific tornado in 1974.

 

[CascadeClone]

For a few years, either Channel 2 or 9 in CR had a shocking "NANANANANANANANANANA" sound that would break into programming with no warning. That was more scary than whatever weather they were tracking.

It was like someone took a horrible annoying clock radio alarm, and walked up behind you, and blasted it in your ear.

 

[huntt26]

For a few years, either Channel 2 or 9 in CR had a shocking "NANANANANANANANANANA" sound that would break into programming with no warning. That was more scary than whatever weather they were tracking.

It was like someone took a horrible annoying clock radio alarm, and walked up behind you, and blasted it in your ear.

I think that was KCRG. They also had their remix of the news music for severe weather background music they would play. I really miss the Captain Bobby guy that would storm chase in the helicopter. That was badass.

 

[NickTheGreat]

All I know, is that when I was a pup, a Tornado Warning meant a tornado had been spotted, and a Tornado Watch mean conditions were right for a tornado to form. Watch meant, "watch out" and warning meant "take cover."

Nowadays, we get Tornado Warnings if it's kinda stormy and/or windy in a neighboring county. And we're probably in a Tornado Watch now, given how it's sunny and warm.

I don't like this Weather Warning Inflation.

/Old Man Yelling at Sky

 

[Isualum13]

I don't watch network television anymore. So dont experience these much anymore. Also means I will need to rely mostly on the town siren.

Also, I find it completely necessary and understandable to send death threats to the meteorologist for interrupting your tv program.

 

[alarson]

 

[Walden4Prez]

All I know, is that when I was a pup, a Tornado Warning meant a tornado had been spotted, and a Tornado Watch mean conditions were right for a tornado to form. Watch meant, "watch out" and warning meant "take cover."

Nowadays, we get Tornado Warnings if it's kinda stormy and/or windy in a neighboring county. And we're probably in a Tornado Watch now, given how it's sunny and warm.

I don't like this Weather Warning Inflation.

/Old Man Yelling at Sky

The new thing I see on shows like "Today" is Al Roker will talk about how "45 million people could be affected by severe weather today!"

Take about 10% off there big shoots.

 

[Knownothing]

All I know, is that when I was a pup, a Tornado Warning meant a tornado had been spotted, and a Tornado Watch mean conditions were right for a tornado to form. Watch meant, "watch out" and warning meant "take cover."

Nowadays, we get Tornado Warnings if it's kinda stormy and/or windy in a neighboring county. And we're probably in a Tornado Watch now, given how it's sunny and warm.

I don't like this Weather Warning Inflation.

/Old Man Yelling at Sky

They really need to change this. Why can't they just call it a Tornado Warning and a Tornado Spotted. I get confused. Especially if I have been drinking.

 

[VeloClone]

They really need to change this. Why can't they just call it a Tornado Warning and a Tornado Spotted. I get confused. Especially if I have been drinking.

I can't believe people still get confused. They have been using this terminology for at least 50 years. It isn't that hard to learn.

We are watching for severe weather

We are warning you about severe weather.

Not hard.

 

[NickTheGreat]

I can't believe people still get confused. They have been using this terminology for at least 50 years. It isn't that hard to learn.

We are watching for severe weather

We are warning you about severe weather.

Not hard.

In Central Iowa, we'll be in a Tornado Warning if they have not actually spotted a tornado.

 

[deadeyededric]

The old severe weather announcement music on KCCI when Connie McBurney was there always freaked me out. I've searched the internets quite a bit trying to get that sounder back just to hear it again.

I remember the one from the 80's was kind of freaky.

 

[deadeyededric]

In Central Iowa, we'll be in a Tornado Warning if they have not actually spotted a tornado.

It's probably a good idea to issue a warning if the radar picks it up.

 

[dualthreat]

I can't believe people still get confused. They have been using this terminology for at least 50 years. It isn't that hard to learn.

We are watching for severe weather

We are warning you about severe weather.

Not hard.

Like my old boss explaining daylight savings time to me. "Its easy, just remember that you fall forward and spring back each year."

Face Palm

 

[Sousaclone]

I know the EAS alert buzzer on the radio or TV makes me jump no matter what. Even when I know it's a test (typically 6 AM while on my way to work), you know something is messed up when that system gets fired up.

 

[CYEATHAWK]

I don't remember being freaked out by severe weather or tornado warnings even as a little kid, but rather fascinated and intrigued. This was true even after driving to Ryan, Iowa to look at the damage from their horrific tornado in 1974.

I think that one in Ryan still has the distinction of being one of the worse in the country for the month of August. The 70's were not kind to Iowa in the tornado category. Earlier in June of the same year one ripped through Ankeny killing two people and causing a ton of damage. Same storm blew the neighbors barn into our field leaving a path of mangled boards about a half mile long with the roof upside down.....intact....about a mile away. Put boards 4 feet in the ground leaving only a foot exposed. Had to tie a chain and pull out with a tractor. Left quite the impression on this young mind.

 

[Cyczech]

Conrad Johnson's radar was black and white and looked more like an air traffic control signal. As it spun around you'd see the big blotch of white, which to me as a kid, meant TORNADO. And WMT radio will still play that damn beep beep beep...beepidy beep during severe weather to this day.

Supposedly that's what it was. He bought a military surplus radar and hauled it to CR and rigged it up. Now that's a pioneer in his field.

 

[cyfan50438]

I remember as a kid we had a warning heard on KGLO that was a more scarier version of the Range Game sound on the Price is Right. Wish I can find that sound.