Meet SD's Chief Weather Watcher

Last Week's U-T had a profile Jim Purpura, the head of the National Weather Service's San Diego office. A native of the midwest who worked for nearly two-decades in "tornado alley," he is quickly to point out that fair weather Southern Califonia is safe from severe weather

Purpura's office covers all of San Diego and Orange counties, plus western Riverside and San Bernardino counties. The area encompasses nine climate zones, including deserts, beaches and mountains.

That varied terrain can play a part in many “low-probability but high-impact” events, including flash floods, fires, severe storms, tsunamis and even tornadoes

read the whole article here.