Understanding & Avoiding Thunderstorms on Chesapeake Bay

Speaker: Mark Thornton of LakeErieWX Marine Weather

Sponsored By: Spinsheet Magazine

Thunderstorms can quickly spoil an outing in many ways—strong winds, large waves, dangerous lightning, hail, or visibility-limiting rain. This 3-part live webinar series will examine the various types of thunderstorms and the ingredients that lead to their formation. The webinar will cover why thunderstorms often ‘pop-up’ late on summer afternoons and why some storms have short life-spans while others persist for several hours. The webinar will also introduce the many readily-available resources for forecasting and monitoring thunderstorms.

The webinar is designed for all boaters who would like to reduce their chances of a hair-raising or windswept encounter with a thunderstorm. 

• March 12, 2026 
  • A few basic weather principles 
  • How to decode the confusing symbols, color shading, and meteorological shorthand on weather forecast maps. 
  • How to use Doppler Weather Radar to assess the development, monitor the evolution, and track the movement of thunderstorms. 
• March 19, 2026 
  • The different types of thunderstorms. 
  • The conditions that lead to thunderstorm development and their life-cycle. 
  • How to recognize the large and small-scale weather patterns that promote thunderstorm development. 
  • The dynamics that lead to damaging downdrafts and lightning. 
• March 26, 2026 
  • How to forecast the potential and nature of severe weather. 
  • How to integrate your knowledge of thunderstorm development and radar interpretation skills by reviewing several non-severe and severe historical weather events. 
  • The terminology used by the National Weather Service during hazardous and severe weather events.