The Los Angeles branch of the National Weather Service has issued a striking warning labeled “Particularly Dangerous Situation (PDS)” displayed in bright pink against a stark gray backdrop. This alert is an unusual measure intended to draw attention to the heightened risk of wildfires expected to affect Southern California starting at 4 a.m. (1200GMT) on Tuesday.
The PDS alert was initially created to signify tornado outbreaks in the Midwest. Over ten years ago, three meteorologists proposed broadening its applicability to encompass various disasters, including ice storms, floods, hurricanes, and now, wildfires. The aim is to ensure that such warnings capture public attention and prompt immediate action.
Jonathan Howell, one of the scientists involved in this initiative, stated, “It catches the attention, it really heightens that awareness and the need to really act at that point.” The objective was for the term to become associated with severe weather conditions and to be utilized for different emergencies, including hurricanes and snowstorms, as highlighted in a 2011 presentation for the American Meteorological Society.
Howell, who serves as the science and operations officer at the weather service’s office in Mobile, Alabama, believes the PDS has made a meaningful impact over the years and possibly saved lives universally.
Historically, the Storm Prediction Center of the weather service, dedicated to providing forecasts and alerts for severe weather instances like thunderstorms and tornadoes, reveals that the PDS term was first introduced on April 2, 1982, by forecaster Robert H. Johns. This introduction coincided with a tornado watch, following a previous unsuccessful attempt in the late 1970s where meteorologists had warned about a potentially severe weather day that ultimately did not materialize.
In contrast to the 1970s and 1980s, where predictive capabilities were limited, modern meteorologists now utilize advanced tools to more accurately foresee catastrophic weather events. This progress has enhanced the reliability of severe weather warnings, as Howell noted.
The PDS designation has been referenced in various newspaper articles, including a report from April 1, 1983, discussing a significant storm system that led to a blinding dust storm in West Texas.
Recently, during the first week of November last year, the National Weather Service issued a PDS alert as Santa Ana winds heightened the risk of the Mountain Fire located northwest of Los Angeles. Forecasters deemed the situation as “extreme and life-threatening.” Furthermore, on December 9, residents in Los Angeles and Ventura counties received similar warnings when Santa Ana winds swept through the mountain region.
