All About Mid West Weather

Storm Spotters Page

2011-04-08T19:56:00.001-04:00

Please note the Stormspotter Home Page link (Stormspotter.Org) was hacked and is off line until further notice. Thank you for your patience.

Stormspotter

Tornado Watch from the Storm Prediction Center

2011-04-08T19:43:00.003-04:00

URGENT - IMMEDIATE BROADCAST REQUESTED

TORNADO WATCH NUMBER 108

NWS STORM PREDICTION CENTER NORMAN OK

535 PM CDT FRI APR 8 2011

THE NWS STORM PREDICTION CENTER HAS ISSUED A TORNADO WATCH FOR PORTIONS OF SOUTH CENTRAL INTO

EAST CENTRAL KANSAS WESTERN AND NORTHERN OKLAHOMA EFFECTIVE THIS FRIDAY AFTERNOON AND SATURDAY

MORNING FROM 535 PM UNTIL 100 AM CDT. TORNADOES...HAIL TO 2.5 INCHES IN DIAMETER...THUNDERSTORM

WIND GUSTS TO 70 MPH...AND DANGEROUS LIGHTNING ARE POSSIBLE IN THESE AREAS. THE TORNADO WATCH

AREA IS APPROXIMATELY ALONG AND 65 STATUTE MILES NORTH AND SOUTH OF A LINE FROM 35 MILES NORTH

OF CLINTON OKLAHOMA TO 25 MILES EAST NORTHEAST OF CHANUTE KANSAS.

FOR A COMPLETE DEPICTION OF THE WATCH SEE THE ASSOCIATED WATCH OUTLINE

UPDATE (WOUS64 KWNS WOU8).

REMEMBER...A TORNADO WATCH MEANS CONDITIONS ARE FAVORABLE FOR    TORNADOES AND SEVERE

THUNDERSTORMS IN AND CLOSE TO THE WATCH AREA. PERSONS IN THESE AREAS SHOULD BE ON THE LOOKOUT FOR

THREATENING WEATHER CONDITIONS AND LISTEN FOR LATER STATEMENTS AND POSSIBLE WARNINGS.OTHER WATCH

INFORMATION...CONTINUE...WW 106...WW 107...

DISCUSSION...TSTMS HAVE FORMED IN THE PAST HALF HOUR ALONG LOW-LVL    CONFLUENCE AXIS OVER N

CNTRL OK.  TWRG CU EXTEND SSW FROM THAT AREA ALONG DRY LINE INTO SW OK.  SFC-BASED CU ALSO ARE

APPARENT ALONG W/E    FRONT OVER S CNTRL/E CNTRL KS.  DESPITE APPARENT RIDGING ALOFT /PER

WV IMAGERY/...COMBINATION OF STRONG INSTABILITY AND LOW-LVL CONFLUENCE MAY SUPPORT SUSTAINED

STORMS/POSSIBLE SUPERCELLS WITH LARGE HAIL/LOCALLY DMGG WIND THROUGH LATE EVE.  WHILE LOW-LVL

SHEAR ATTM IS SOMEWHAT MARGINAL FOR TORNADOES...EXPECTED STRENGTHENING OF    850-700 MB FLOW

AFTER DARK INTERACTING WITH EXISTING SUSTAINED STORMS MAY YIELD A THREAT FOR TORNADOES.

AVIATION...TORNADOES AND A FEW SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS WITH HAIL    SURFACE AND ALOFT TO 2.5 INCHES.

EXTREME TURBULENCE AND SURFACE WIND GUSTS TO 60 KNOTS. A FEW CUMULONIMBI WITH MAXIMUM TOPS TO

550. MEAN STORM MOTION VECTOR 24025.

National Weather Festival-Oklahoma

2010-10-12T12:24:00.001-04:00

Be sure to mark your calendars for Saturday November 6th for the National Weather Festival. The free event will run from 9am until 1pm at the National Weather Center in Norman.

If you haven't had a chance to visit us, this is a great opportunity for you and the whole family. There will be plenty of activities to keep weather fans of all ages interested, busy and entertained.

One of the highlights will be the Storm Chaser/Spotter Car Show. We've made some big changes to the show for this year and we now have a category specifically for storm spotters. Feel free to pass this along to anyone who might be interested in showing off their vehicle. We'll have more details and registration information on the web page soon.

Keep an eye on the webpage at www.nationalweatherfestival.org for the latest news and information. You can also get updates via Twitter (follow @nwf2010) and on the festival's Facebook Page - http://www.facebook.com/#!/group.php?gid=294325310404

Thanks

Rick
--
Rick Smith
Warning Coordination Meteorologist

Tornado Watch for Oklahoma

2010-09-10T19:44:00.002-04:00

Event: Tornado Watch
Alert:
TORNADO WATCH 653 IS IN EFFECT UNTIL 100 AM CDT FOR THE
FOLLOWING LOCATIONS
OK

. OKLAHOMA COUNTIES INCLUDED ARE
ALFALFA CRAIG GARFIELD
GRANT KAY NOBLE
NOWATA OSAGE OTTAWA
PAWNEE WASHINGTON

Nowcast as of 6:25 PM CDT on September 10, 2010

Now
Scattered showers and thunderstorms are moving east across North Texas this evening... extending from near Olney to east of Abilene at 625 PM. Although most of the showers and thunderstorms will remain south of Archer and Clay counties... isolated showers and storms will be possible across Archer and southern Clay counties of North Texas early this afternoon. Farther north... a cold front extends from Kansas into the Oklahoma Panhandle and will move southeast into northwest Oklahoma this evening. Meanwhile... a dryline extended from near Cherokee to near Altus Oklahoma. Showers and thunderstorms may begin to develop along the cold front in Kansas and into northern Oklahoma this evening. If thunderstorms do develop this evening... atmospheric instability remains high and severe weather will be possible. Those planning outdoor activities this evening across northern Oklahoma should monitor the weather.

Watches, Warnings or Advisories for Oklahoma-NWS

2010-07-16T13:49:00.002-04:00

Watches, Warnings or Advisories for Oklahoma
This page shows alerts currently in effect for Oklahoma .

Last updated: 11:06 CDT on 07-16-2010
Heat Advisory
Issued: July 16 at 4:13AM CDT
Expiring: July 18 at 7:00PM CDT
Issued by NWS Norman-Oklahoma City
Areas affected:Alfalfa; Atoka; Blaine; Bryan; Caddo; Canadian; Carter; Cleveland; Coal; Comanche; Cotton; Custer; Dewey; Garfield; Garvin; Grady; Grant; Hughes; Jackson; Jefferson; Johnston; Kay; Kingfisher; Kiowa; Lincoln; Logan; Love; Major; Marshall; McClain; Murray; Noble; Oklahoma; Payne; Pontotoc; Pottawatomie; Seminole; Stephens; Tillman; Washita; Woods; Woodward

Excessive Heat Warning
Issued: July 16 at 11:06AM CDT
Expiring: July 16 at 7:00PM CDT
Issued by NWS Tulsa
Areas affected:Adair; Cherokee; Choctaw; Craig; Creek; Delaware; Haskell; Latimer; Le Flore; Mayes; McIntosh; Muskogee; Nowata; Okfuskee; Okmulgee; Osage; Ottawa; Pawnee; Pittsburg; Pushmataha; Rogers; Sequoyah; Tulsa; Wagoner; Washington

On a personal note: Local TV stations are warning of heat indicies between 105-115F.

Excessive Heat Warning~NWS

2010-07-15T13:24:00.001-04:00

URGENT - WEATHER MESSAGE
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE NORMAN OK
1130 AM CDT THU JUL 15 2010
OKZ017>020-023>032-038>042-044>046-050-TXZ090-160000-
/O.CON.KOUN.EH.W.0001.000000T0000Z-100716T0000Z/
BLAINE-KINGFISHER-LOGAN-PAYNE-CADDO-CANADIAN-OKLAHOMA-LINCOLN-
GRADY-MCCLAIN-CLEVELAND-POTTAWATOMIE-SEMINOLE-HUGHES-COMANCHE-
STEPHENS-GARVIN-MURRAY-PONTOTOC-COTTON-JEFFERSON-CARTER-LOVE-CLAY-
INCLUDING THE CITIES OF...WATONGA...KINGFISHER...GUTHRIE...
STILLWATER...ANADARKO...YUKON...EL RENO...MUSTANG...
OKLAHOMA CITY...CHANDLER...CHICKASHA...PURCELL...NORMAN...MOORE...
SHAWNEE...SEMINOLE...HOLDENVILLE...LAWTON...DUNCAN...
PAULS VALLEY...SULPHUR...ADA...WALTERS...WAURIKA...ARDMORE...
MARIETTA...HENRIETTA
1130 AM CDT THU JUL 15 2010
...EXCESSIVE HEAT WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 7 PM CDT THIS
EVENING...
AN EXCESSIVE HEAT WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 7 PM CDT THIS
EVENING.
* TEMPERATURE: HEAT INDICES WILL EXCEED 105 DEGREES AGAIN
TODAY...AND WILL LOCALLY EXCEED 110 DEGREES.
* IMPACTS: PROLONGED EXPOSURE TO EXCEPTIONALLY HOT AND HUMID
AFTERNOONS...WITH LITTLE RELIEF AT NIGHT...PLACES PEOPLE AT
INCREASED RISK OF DEVELOPING HEAT RELATED ILLNESSES. THIS IS
ESPECIALLY TRUE IN CITIES.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
AN EXCESSIVE HEAT WARNING MEANS THAT A PROLONGED PERIOD OF
DANGEROUSLY HOT TEMPERATURES WILL OCCUR. HOT TEMPERATURES AND
HIGH HUMIDITY WILL COMBINE TO CREATE A DANGEROUS SITUATION IN
WHICH HEAT ILLNESSES ARE LIKELY. DRINK PLENTY OF FLUIDS...STAY IN
AN AIR-CONDITIONED ROOM...STAY OUT OF THE SUN...AND CHECK UP ON
RELATIVES AND NEIGHBORS.

Storm Map

2010-07-11T21:38:00.000-04:00

SEVERE WEATHER STATEMENT-NWS

2010-07-11T21:34:00.000-04:00

SEVERE WEATHER STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE NORMAN OK
817 PM CDT SUN JUL 11 2010
OKC017-051-109-120200-
/O.CON.KOUN.SV.W.0244.000000T0000Z-100712T0200Z/
CANADIAN OK-OKLAHOMA OK-GRADY OK-
817 PM CDT SUN JUL 11 2010
...A SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 900 PM CDT
FOR EXTREME NORTHWESTERN GRADY...WESTERN OKLAHOMA AND CANADIAN
COUNTIES...
AT 816 PM CDT...NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE RADAR DETECTED SEVERE
THUNDERSTORMS ALONG A LINE EXTENDING FROM EXTREME NORTHERN OKLAHOMA
CITY TO NORTHWESTERN OKLAHOMA CITY TO 4 MILES WEST OF EL RENO TO 13
MILES WEST OF CALUMET...MOVING SOUTHEAST AT 20 MPH.
HAZARDS IN THE WARNING INCLUDE...
WIND GUSTS TO 65 MPH...
MINOR FLOODING IN AREAS OF POOR DRAINAGE...
* LOCATIONS IN THE WARNING INCLUDE BETHANY...CALUMET...CONCHO...EL
RENO...MUSTANG...NICHOLS HILLS...PIEDMONT...RICHLAND...THE
VILLAGE...UNION CITY...VALLEY BROOK...WARR ACRES...WESTERN OKLAHOMA
CITY AND YUKON.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
HEAVY RAINS MAY QUICKLY FLOOD LOW LYING AREAS SUCH AS CREEKS...
DITCHES AND UNDERPASSES. AVOID THESE AREAS AND DO NOT CROSS FLOODED
ROADS AS AUTOMOBILES CAN QUICKLY STALL.
&&
LAT...LON 3540 9743 3538 9767 3537 9767 3534 9779
3532 9807 3567 9830 3572 9757
TIME...MOT...LOC 0116Z 316DEG 18KT 3562 9752 3554 9773
3553 9800 3557 9834
$$
WR

Flash Flooding/NWS

2010-07-06T20:18:00.002-04:00

Flash Flood Warning
Oklahoma (Oklahoma)

FLASH FLOOD WARNING
OKC017-027-051-087-109-070145-
/O.NEW.KOUN.FF.W.0019.100706T2250Z-100707T0145Z/
/00000.0.ER.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.OO/
BULLETIN - EAS ACTIVATION REQUESTED
FLASH FLOOD WARNING
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE NORMAN OK
550 PM CDT TUE JUL 6 2010
THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN NORMAN HAS ISSUED A
* FLASH FLOOD WARNING FOR...
SOUTHEASTERN CANADIAN COUNTY IN CENTRAL OKLAHOMA...
NORTHWESTERN CLEVELAND COUNTY IN CENTRAL OKLAHOMA...
NORTHEASTERN GRADY COUNTY IN CENTRAL OKLAHOMA...
EXTREME NORTHWESTERN MCCLAIN COUNTY IN CENTRAL OKLAHOMA...
SOUTHWESTERN OKLAHOMA COUNTY IN CENTRAL OKLAHOMA...
* UNTIL 845 PM CDT
* AT 547 PM CDT...NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE RADAR INDICATED VERY HEAVY
RAIN FROM NEARLY STATIONARY THUNDERSTORMS OVER THE SOUTHERN HALF
OF OKLAHOAM CITY EXTENDING WEST TO TUTTLE AND EAST TO DEL CITY.
* LOCATIONS IN THE WARNING INCLUDE DEL CITY...FOREST PARK...MIDWEST
CITY...MOORE...MUSTANG...NICOMA PARK...OKLAHOMA CITY...SPENCER...
STANLEY DRAPER LAKE...TINKER AIR FORCE BASE...TUTTLE AND VALLEY
BROOK.
THIS INCLUDES INTERSTATE 35 BETWEEN MILE MARKERS 116 AND 132.
THIS INCLUDES INTERSTATE 40 BETWEEN MILE MARKERS 143 AND 164.
THIS INCLUDES INTERSTATE 44 BETWEEN MILE MARKERS 108 AND 122.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
AROUND 2 INCHES OF RAIN HAS FALLEN IN SOME OF THESE AREAS. AN
ADDITIONAL 2 OR 3 INCHES IS LIKELY IN PARTS OF SOUTHERN OKLAHOMA
CITY. EXCESSIVE RUNOFF FROM HEAVY RAINFALL WILL CAUSE FLOODING OF
SMALL CREEKS AND STREAMS...URBAN AREAS...HIGHWAYS...STREETS AND
UNDERPASSES AS WELL AS OTHER DRAINAGE AREAS AND LOW LYING SPOTS.
DO NOT DRIVE YOUR VEHICLE INTO AREAS WHERE WATER COVERS THE ROADWAY.
AS LITTLE AS 6 INCHES OF WATER MAY CAUSE YOU TO LOSE CONTROL OF YOUR
VEHICLE. TWO FEET OF RUSHING WATER CAN CARRY AWAY MOST VEHICLES
INCLUDING SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES AND PICKUP TRUCKS. MOVE TO HIGHER
GROUND.
&&
LAT...LON 3546 9727 3533 9734 3529 9762 3526 9769
3522 9775 3534 9796 3542 9778 3558 9732$$
WR

Excessive Heat Warning

2010-06-22T08:37:00.000-04:00

Statement as of 3:52 AM CDT on June 22, 2010

... Excessive heat warning remains in effect until 7 PM CDT
Wednesday...

An excessive heat warning is in effect...

For the following counties...

* in Oklahoma... creek... Okfuskee... Okmulgee... Tulsa... Rogers...
Pawnee... Wagoner... Washington... Osage... Nowata... McIntosh and
Muskogee.

In Arkansas... Crawford... Sebastian and Franklin.

Hazardous weather...
* afternoon temperatures in the mid to upper 90s will combine
with very high humidity to result in dangerous heat indices at
or slightly above 105 degrees through Wednesday afternoon.
Overnight low temperatures will be very warm... in the middle to
upper 70s... which will provide little relief from the heat.

Impacts...
* the combination of hot temperatures and high humidity will
combine to create a dangerous situation in which heat illnesses
are possible.

Precautionary/preparedness actions...
* drink plenty of fluids... stay in an air-conditioned room... stay
out of the sun... and check up on relatives and neighbors.

Flood Warning and Latest Update

2010-06-14T11:07:00.003-04:00

We are receiving record amounts of rain and flooding. At present, there has been 9" of rainfall in the OKC area. Many streets are closed, including in and out of Will Rogers World Airport. Water rescues are being attempted in several locations. A rescue boat is now at one location where the passengers of the vehicle have been bailing water out with a bucket for the past three hours. Local TV stations are requesting you stay home unless evacuation is necessary. They are preparing to open the flood gates at Lake Overholser, which may cause low lying areas to flood even more.
stormspotter

Below is the information from the NWS
FLASH FLOOD STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE NORMAN OK
934 AM CDT MON JUN 14 2010
OKC017-027-109-141700-
/O.CON.KOUN.FF.W.0004.000000T0000Z-100614T1700Z/
/00000.0.ER.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.OO/
CANADIAN OK-OKLAHOMA OK-CLEVELAND OK-
934 AM CDT MON JUN 14 2010
...A FLASH FLOOD WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL NOON CDT FOR
NORTHWESTERN CLEVELAND...OKLAHOMA AND EASTERN CANADIAN COUNTIES...
...VERY DANGEROUS FLOODING CONTINUES IN OKLAHOMA CITY...
RESIDENTS OF OKLAHOMA CITY AND SURROUNDING AREAS NEED TO USE EXTREME
CAUTION THIS MORNING. AVOID FLOODED AREAS AND DO NOT DRIVE INTO
AREAS WHERE WATER COVERS THE ROADWAY. PEOPLE WHO LIVE IN FLOOD PRONE
AREAS SHOULD CLOSELY MONITOR WATER LEVELS AND BE PREPARED TO
EVACUATE.
FLOOD PRONE AREAS AND SMALL CREEKS AND STREAMS IN OKLAHOMA...
NORTHWESTERN CLEVELAND AND EASTERN CANADIAN COUNTIES WILL EXPERIENCE
VERY DANGEROUS FLOODING... AND SIGNIFICANT FLOODING WILL OCCUR IN
MANY AREAS THAT ARE NOT HISTORICALLY FLOOD PRONE.
WIDESPREAD RAIN CONTINUES ACROSS THE OKLAHOMA CITY METRO AREA WITH
MANY AREAS STILL RECEIVING RAIN AT RATES OF 1 TO 2 INCHES PER HOUR.
WIDESPREAD RAIN TOTALS FROM 4 TO 8 INCHES HAVE ALREADY BEEN MEASURED
IN MUCH OF OKLAHOMA CITY SINCE 4 AM. THUNDERSTORMS ARE CONTINUING TO
DEVELOP SOUTHWEST OF OKLAHOMA CITY AND MOVE TOWARD THE AREA. VERY
DANGEROUS FLOODING WILL OCCUR THIS MORNING...WITH SEVERAL WATER
RESCUES ALREADY IN PROGRESS. THIS IS A VERY DANGEROUS FLOODING
SITUATION.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
DO NOT DRIVE YOUR VEHICLE INTO AREAS WHERE WATER COVERS THE ROADWAY.
AS LITTLE AS 6 INCHES OF WATER MAY CAUSE YOU TO LOSE CONTROL OF YOUR
VEHICLE. TWO FEET OF RUSHING WATER CAN CARRY AWAY MOST VEHICLES
INCLUDING SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES AND PICKUP TRUCKS. MOVE TO HIGHER
GROUND.
LAT...LON 3539 9715 3538 9743 3530 9754 3532 9766
3534 9769 3533 9774 3535 9778 3534 9779
3537 9799 3573 9784 3572 9714
$$
TAYLOR
Issuing Weather Forecast Office Homepage

Flood Warning
Oklahoma (Oklahoma)

FLOOD STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE NORMAN OK
945 AM CDT MON JUN 14 2010
OKC109-142245-
/O.EXT.KOUN.FL.W.0022.100614T1442Z-100615T1151Z/
/OKBO2.1.ER.100614T1343Z.100614T1800Z.100614T2351Z.NO/
945 AM CDT MON JUN 14 2010
THE FLOOD WARNING CONTINUES FOR
THE NORTH CANADIAN RIVER AT OKLAHOMA CITY.
* UNTIL TUESDAY MORNING.
* AT 9:00 AM MONDAY THE STAGE WAS 18.1 FEET.
* MINOR FLOODING IS OCCURRING AND MINOR FLOODING IS FORECAST.
* FLOOD STAGE IS 17.0 FEET.
* FORECAST...THE NORTH CANADIAN RIVER WILL CONTINUE RISING AND CREST
NEAR 20.9 FEET EARLY MONDAY AFTERNOON. THE NORTH CANADIAN RIVER
WILL FALL BELOW FLOOD STAGE MONDAY EVENING.
* IMPACT...AT 21 FEET...CROPLANDS...PASTURES...AND RURAL ROADS EAST
OF OKLAHOMA CITY NEAR THE TOWNS OF SPENCER AND JONES ARE INUNDATED
BY SIGNIFICANT OVERFLOW DEPTHS. SPENCER IS NOT AFFECTED BY
FLOODWATERS...WHILE SHALLOW FLOODING MAY REACH THE OUTSKIRTS OF
JONES.
* FLOOD HISTORY...THIS CREST COMPARES TO THE PREVIOUS CREST STAGE OF
21.0 FEET ON JUNE 29...2007.

Alert-Heat Advisory

2010-06-04T13:25:00.000-04:00

NOAA-NWS-ALERTS-OK20100604144500OUNSpecialWeatherStatementOUN20100605000000OK from w-nws.webmaster@noaa.gov
Sent: 09:45 CDT on 06-04-2010
Effective: 09:45 CDT on 06-04-2010
Expires: 19:00 CDT on 06-04-2010
Event: Special Weather Statement
Alert:
...VERY WARM WEATHER EXPECTED THIS WEEKEND THROUGH EARLY NEXT WEEK...
FORECAST HIGH TEMPERATURES THIS WEEKEND AND EARLY NEXT WEEK ARE
EXPECTED TO RISE INTO THE TRIPLE DIGITS THROUGH MUCH OF THE AREA.
HIGH TEMPERATURES ALONG WITH HIGH HUMIDITY VALUES WILL MAKE IT FEEL
2 TO 5 DEGREES WARMER THAN THE ACTUAL TEMPERATURE. THIS MEANS THAT
THE HEAT INDICES...ESPECIALLY IN SOUTHERN OKLAHOMA AND WESTERN
NORTH TEXAS...WILL BE BETWEEN 100 AND NEAR 110 DEGREES.
THIS IS THE FIRST TIME THIS YEAR THAT MUCH OF THE AREA WILL REACH
THE TRIPLE DIGITS. HEAT IS THE NUMBER ONE WEATHER RELATED KILLER IN
THE UNITED STATES...AND THERE ARE CERTAIN SAFETY PRECAUTIONS THAT
YOU CAN TAKE TO PREVENT HEAT ILLNESS. MAKE SURE CHILDREN OR PETS
ARE NEVER LEFT ALONE IN A CLOSED VEHICLE. DRINK PLENTY OF WATER
THROUGH THE DAY...AVOID STRENUOUS OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES...AND WEAR
LIGHTWEIGHT...LIGHT-COLORED CLOTHING.
THERE IS A COLD FRONT EXPECTED TO MOVE INTO NORTHERN OKLAHOMA LATE
SATURDAY...DROPPING HIGH TEMPERATURES BETWEEN 5 AND 10 DEGREES ON
SUNDAY. HOWEVER...THE RELIEF WILL NOT LAST LONG...AS TEMPERATURES
ARE EXPECTED TO REBOUND ON MONDAY AND TUESDAY...WHERE HEAT INDICES
WILL CLIMB TO OVER 100 DEGREES THROUGH MUCH OF THE AREA.
CONTINUE TO MONITOR THE FORECAST FOR THE LATEST INFORMATION
CONCERNING THE HEAT EXPECTED OVER THE NEXT SEVERAL DAYS.
Instructions:
Target Area:
Alfalfa
Atoka
Beckham
Blaine
Bryan
Caddo
Canadian
Carter
Cleveland
Coal
Comanche
Cotton
Custer
Dewey
Ellis
Garfield
Garvin
Grady
Grant
Greer
Harmon
Harper
Hughes
Jackson
Jefferson
Johnston
Kay
Kingfisher
Kiowa
Lincoln
Logan
Love
Major
Marshall
McClain
Murray
Noble
Oklahoma
Payne
Pontotoc
Pottawatomie
Roger Mills
Seminole
Stephens
Tillman
Washita
Woods
Woodward

Severe Weather Map

2010-05-19T20:16:00.000-04:00

Tornado Watch

2010-05-19T19:58:00.000-04:00

Tornado Watch
WATCH COUNTY NOTIFICATION FOR WATCH 190
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE NORMAN OK
621 PM CDT WED MAY 19 2010

OKC005-011-013-015-017-019-027-029-031-043-045-047-049-051-063-
069-073-081-083-087-093-095-099-103-109-119-123-125-133-137-153-
200300-
/O.CON.KOUN.TO.A.0190.000000T0000Z-100520T0300Z/

TORNADO WATCH 190 REMAINS VALID UNTIL 10 PM CDT THIS EVENING FOR
THE FOLLOWING AREAS

IN OKLAHOMA THIS WATCH INCLUDES 31 COUNTIES

IN CENTRAL OKLAHOMA

CANADIAN CLEVELAND GRADY
KINGFISHER LINCOLN LOGAN
MCCLAIN OKLAHOMA PAYNE
POTTAWATOMIE

IN EAST CENTRAL OKLAHOMA

PONTOTOC SEMINOLE

IN NORTHERN OKLAHOMA

GARFIELD NOBLE

IN NORTHWEST OKLAHOMA

BLAINE DEWEY ELLIS
MAJOR WOODWARD

IN SOUTHEAST OKLAHOMA

ATOKA BRYAN COAL
HUGHES JOHNSTON MARSHALL

IN SOUTHERN OKLAHOMA

CARTER GARVIN MURRAY
STEPHENS

IN SOUTHWEST OKLAHOMA

CADDO COMANCHE

THIS INCLUDES THE CITIES OF...ADA...ANADARKO...ARDMORE...ARNETT...
ATOKA...CHANDLER...CHICKASHA...COALGATE...DUNCAN...DURANT...
EL RENO...ENID...FAIRVIEW...GUTHRIE...HOLDENVILLE...KINGFISHER...
LAWTON...MADILL...MOORE...MUSTANG...NORMAN...OKLAHOMA CITY...
PAULS VALLEY...PERRY...PURCELL...SEMINOLE...SHAWNEE...
STILLWATER...SULPHUR...TALOGA...TISHOMINGO...WATONGA...
WOODWARD AND YUKON.

Particularly Dangerous Situation! Tornado Watches 146 - 147

2010-05-10T15:11:00.000-04:00

THE NWS STORM PREDICTION CENTER HAS ISSUED A
TORNADO WATCH FOR PORTIONS OF

EASTERN COLORADO
WESTERN KANSAS

EFFECTIVE THIS MONDAY AFTERNOON AND EVENING FROM 1235 PM UNTIL
700 PM CDT.

TORNADOES...HAIL TO 2 INCHES IN DIAMETER...THUNDERSTORM WIND
GUSTS TO 70 MPH...AND DANGEROUS LIGHTNING ARE POSSIBLE IN THESE
AREAS.

THE TORNADO WATCH AREA IS APPROXIMATELY ALONG AND 70 STATUTE
MILES EAST AND WEST OF A LINE FROM 40 MILES EAST NORTHEAST OF
GOODLAND KANSAS TO 50 MILES WEST SOUTHWEST OF MEDICINE LODGE
KANSAS. FOR A COMPLETE DEPICTION OF THE WATCH SEE THE ASSOCIATED
WATCH OUTLINE UPDATE (WOUS64 KWNS WOU6).

REMEMBER...A TORNADO WATCH MEANS CONDITIONS ARE FAVORABLE FOR
TORNADOES AND SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS IN AND CLOSE TO THE WATCH
AREA. PERSONS IN THESE AREAS SHOULD BE ON THE LOOKOUT FOR
THREATENING WEATHER CONDITIONS AND LISTEN FOR LATER STATEMENTS
AND POSSIBLE WARNINGS.

DISCUSSION...ISOLATED SUPERCELL THUNDERSTORMS ARE EXPECTED TO FORM
ALONG THE SURFACE DRYLINE OVER WESTERN KS IN THE NEXT FEW
HOURS...AND TRACK EASTWARD ACROSS THE WATCH AREA. STRONG LARGE
SCALE FORCING AND FAVORABLE WIND PROFILES WILL SUPPORT THE RISK OF A
FEW TORNADOES. VERY STEEP MID LEVEL LAPSE RATES ARE ALSO SUPPORTIVE
OF LARGE HAIL AND DAMAGING WINDS.

AVIATION...TORNADOES AND A FEW SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS WITH HAIL
SURFACE AND ALOFT TO 2 INCHES. EXTREME TURBULENCE AND SURFACE
WIND GUSTS TO 60 KNOTS. A FEW CUMULONIMBI WITH MAXIMUM TOPS TO
500. MEAN STORM MOTION VECTOR 24035.

...HART
. COLORADO COUNTIES INCLUDED ARE

KIT CARSON

. KANSAS COUNTIES INCLUDED ARE

BARBER CLARK COMANCHE
EDWARDS ELLIS FINNEY
FORD GOVE GRAHAM
GRAY HASKELL HODGEMAN
KIOWA LANE LOGAN
MEADE NESS PAWNEE
PRATT RUSH SCOTT
SHERIDAN SHERMAN STAFFORD
THOMAS TREGO WALLACE
WICHITA

THE NWS STORM PREDICTION CENTER HAS ISSUED A
TORNADO WATCH FOR PORTIONS OF

SOUTH CENTRAL KANSAS
CENTRAL AND WESTERN OKLAHOMA

EFFECTIVE THIS MONDAY AFTERNOON AND EVENING FROM 125 PM UNTIL
1000 PM CDT.

...THIS IS A PARTICULARLY DANGEROUS SITUATION...

DESTRUCTIVE TORNADOES...LARGE HAIL TO 4 INCHES IN DIAMETER...
THUNDERSTORM WIND GUSTS TO 80 MPH...AND DANGEROUS LIGHTNING ARE
POSSIBLE IN THESE AREAS.

THE TORNADO WATCH AREA IS APPROXIMATELY ALONG AND 95 STATUTE
MILES EAST AND WEST OF A LINE FROM 40 MILES SOUTH SOUTHEAST OF
FORT SILL OKLAHOMA TO 25 MILES NORTH NORTHEAST OF WICHITA KANSAS.
FOR A COMPLETE DEPICTION OF THE WATCH SEE THE ASSOCIATED WATCH
OUTLINE UPDATE (WOUS64 KWNS WOU7).

DISCUSSION...AN DANGEROUS ENVIRONMENT IS DEVELOPING ACROSS PARTS OF
SOUTHERN KS AND WESTERN/CENTRAL OK THIS AFTERNOON AS AIRMASS RAPIDLY
DESTABILIZES AND UPPER TROUGH APPROACHES. THUNDERSTORMS ARE
EXPECTED TO INITIALLY DEVELOP ALONG THE SURFACE DRYLINE OVER WESTERN
OK...THEN PROGRESSING EASTWARD THROUGH THE LATE AFTERNOON AND
EVENING. TORNADIC SUPERCELLS ARE A DISTINCT POSSIBILITY WITH THE
THREAT OF STRONG AND LONG-TRACK TORNADOES. VERY LARGE HAIL IS ALSO
LIKELY IN THE STRONGER CELLS.

AVIATION...TORNADOES AND A FEW SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS WITH HAIL
SURFACE AND ALOFT TO 4 INCHES. EXTREME TURBULENCE AND SURFACE
WIND GUSTS TO 70 KNOTS. A FEW CUMULONIMBI WITH MAXIMUM TOPS TO
500. MEAN STORM MOTION VECTOR 25045.

...HART
. KANSAS COUNTIES INCLUDED ARE

BUTLER CHAUTAUQUA COWLEY
ELK GREENWOOD HARPER
HARVEY KINGMAN RENO
SEDGWICK SUMNER

. OKLAHOMA COUNTIES INCLUDED ARE

ALFALFA BLAINE CADDO
CANADIAN CARTER CLEVELAND
COMANCHE COTTON CREEK
CUSTER DEWEY ELLIS
GARFIELD GARVIN GRADY
GRANT HARPER JEFFERSON
KAY KINGFISHER KIOWA
LINCOLN LOGAN LOVE
MAJOR MCCLAIN MURRAY
NOBLE OKFUSKEE OKLAHOMA
OKMULGEE OSAGE PAWNEE
PAYNE POTTAWATOMIE ROGER MILLS
SEMINOLE STEPHENS TILLMAN
TULSA WASHINGTON WASHITA
WOODS WOODWARD

about 13 minutes ago, CoasterStorm's WxHQ posted Visible satellite showing
explosive cumulus towers from SW KS into TX panhandle. Storms will rotate
very quickly. PDS watch out alread.

Winter Weather Update 3-20-10 2140

2010-03-20T22:58:00.003-04:00

Current conditions at the Spencer Mesonet site include temperatures at 28 degrees and winds from the north-northwest at just under 15 mph creating a windchill of 16.6 degrees. Attached graphic products include Updated Snowfall Totals, anticipated Conditions Tonight and Sunday Predictions.

Latest from the National Weather Service:

An upper level low will move slowly east along the Red River tonight. Light snow wrapping around the storm system will line up from north to south along the Interstate 35 corridor. An additional one to three inches of snow will fall near I-35 and eastward through Sunday morning. Flurries will end farther west...but wherever there is snow falling or already on the ground...brisk northwest winds will continue to create some blowing snow and reduction to visibility. Conditions will improve slowly on Sunday. Greater improvement will come Sunday night and Monday as dry and warmer weather moves in behind the storm. Another weather system will arrive near the middle of next week...producing mainly rain.

We will continue to monitor and provide updates as available and necessary.

Major Winter Storm for northern OK*** Blizzard like high winds expected behind the front into Saturday

2010-03-19T01:03:00.002-04:00

REPORTED BY GREG WHITWORTH

Models are finally coming to some agreement about the location, timing and impact of the final winter storm of the season. This storm has the potential to put OKC in the record books as the snowiest winter ever if OKC can get 4 1/2 inches.
The 0Z NAM has come a little more in line with the previous GFS runs as far as location and timing of this storm are concerned. For Oklahoma City, I am thinking 2-4 inches, not the "similar to the record blizzard" predicted on TV, at least not in Oklahoma City. Blizzard like conditions will occur due to the winds, but the snowfall amounts don't look as high until you get northeast of Tulsa. However, keep in mind drifting due to high winds may give the appearance of more than 4 inches in OKC.

Location:
Snow will fall northeast of a line from near Lubbock to Abilene, TX and across nearly the entire state of Oklahoma. The only area that is not expected to see much if any snow is south of a line from Frederick to Ardmore to DeQueen, AR.

Amounts:
The most significant snows will fall north of I-40, with the heaviest snow by far impacting areas from Tulsa into southwest and central Missouri, where nearly a foot of snow is expected, northeast of Claremore, OK into Missouri. 1-3" north of a line from Altus to Ada to northern McCurtain Co. This includes the southern
sides of Oklahoma City. 1-3" across the western panhandle from Guymon west.
3-5" north of a line from Elk City to Bethany to Chandler and from Chandler to Checotah to Van Buren, Arkansas. Also 3-6" from east of Guymon across the eastern Texas panhandle. 5-8" north of a line from Gage to Stillwater to Muskogee to Tahlequah 7-12" from northeast of Ponca City to Tulsa to north of Tahlequah
Nearly a foot across far northeast OK, eastern Kansas, western Missouri but south of Kansas City and Columbia where about half a foot of snow is expected.

See the attached graphic:
http://wxcaster4.com/nam/CONUS1_ETA212_SFC_ACCUMSNOWFALL-KUCHERA_84HR.gif

Timing:
By 1 pm, the front should extend from Cherokee to Erick, through much of northwest OK. Showers and thunderstorms, some heavy to severe, may develop by 3 pm from near Hobart to Ponca City. This is ahead of the cold air. Tornadoes do not appear to be a threat, however gusty winds and large hail appear likely. The storms should move northeast. Vertical velocity fields from the NAM model indicate the strongest storms may occur southwest and south of OKC from near Fort Cobb to Norman.

The front extends from Ponca City to just west of OKC to Altus by 7 pm. The front should clear the Oklahoma City metro area during the 9 pm hour.

Snow should begin in northwest Oklahoma by 7 pm, and extend from near Ponca City to west of Altus by 1 am Saturday. A band of sleet for possibly 2-3 hours will accompany the changeover to snow. The changeover to sleet should extend from Pawnee to Oklahoma City to Frederick by 4 a.m. Saturday, with snow beginning in this area near sunrise.

At sunrise, the changeover to sleet then snow should extend from Tulsa to west of Ardmore. By this time, the front should extend from south-central Missouri to Fort Smith, AR to Dallas, TX. By 1 pm, the changeover should extend from east-central Missouri to far northwest Arkansas to south of McAlester, with snow pushing into the Arkansas River valley by sundown.

Blizzard like winds of 30 to 50 mph appear possible just behind the front. Expect road closures to be common across the northern 3 rows (deep) of counties, starting Saturday afternoon. The winds should gradually subside in western Oklahoma by sunset on Saturday.

Snow will taper off from West to east, ending in the panhandle by 11 am Saturday, and ending
from Ponca City to west of Oklahoma City to Lawton by sunset Saturday evening. Snow should
end in Oklahoma City by about 2 am Sunday morning. This is when the trouble begins.

The snow stalls across eastern Oklahoma and remains there through much of the night east of a line from Ponca City to just east of Oklahoma City to Ada. This will cause heavy accumulations, especially across northeast Oklahoma where heavier bands are expected closer to the track of the low. Snow will continue across northeast Oklahoma and northwest Arkansas, including Muskogee, all areas east of Tulsa, and staying mainly south of the Missouri River, through Sunday night going into Monday, at midnight. The duration of this event would also favor very heavy accumulations, probably of disaster declaration levels,across much of southwest Missouri, southeast Kansas and northeast Oklahoma north and east of Tulsa.

Winds will finally die down in Central Oklahoma by around noon on Sunday when the system begins to pull away.

Winter Storm Watch-UPDATE

2010-03-19T01:01:00.000-04:00

The previously mentioned Winter Storm Watch has in fact just been issued-

HARPER-WOODS-ALFALFA-GRANT-KAY-ELLIS-WOODWARD-MAJOR-GARFIELD-
NOBLE-ROGER MILLS-DEWEY-CUSTER-BLAINE-KINGFISHER-LOGAN-PAYNE-
BECKHAM-WASHITA-CADDO-CANADIAN-OKLAHOMA-LINCOLN-GRADY-MCCLAIN-
CLEVELAND-POTTAWATOMIE-SEMINOLE-

INCLUDING THE CITIES OF...BUFFALO...ALVA...CHEROKEE...MEDFORD...
PONCA CITY...ARNETT...WOODWARD...FAIRVIEW...ENID...PERRY...
CHEYENNE...TALOGA...WEATHERFORD...CLINTON...WATONGA...
KINGFISHER...GUTHRIE...STILLWATER...ELK CITY...SAYRE...CORDELL...
ANADARKO...YUKON...EL RENO...MUSTANG...OKLAHOMA CITY...CHANDLER...
CHICKASHA...PURCELL...NORMAN...MOORE...SHAWNEE...SEMINOLE
320 PM CDT THU MAR 18 2010

...WINTER STORM WATCH IN EFFECT FROM SATURDAY MORNING THROUGH
SUNDAY MORNING...

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN NORMAN HAS ISSUED A WINTER STORM
WATCH FROM SATURDAY MORNING THROUGH SUNDAY MORNING FOR HEAVY SNOW
ACROSS PORTIONS OF NORTHERN...WESTERN...AND CENTRAL OKLAHOMA.

* TIMING: EARLY SATURDAY MORNING THROUGH SUNDAY MORNING.

* MAIN IMPACT: HEAVY WET SNOWFALL REDUCING VISIBILITY AND
ACCUMULATING OVER 4 INCHES IN MANY AREAS...WITH LOCAL AMOUNTS
OVER 8 INCHES IN NORTHCENTRAL OKLAHOMA.

* OTHER IMPACTS: WIND GUSTS OVER 45 MPH WILL COMBINE WITH
TEMPERATURES JUST BELOW FREEZING TO PRODUCE WIND CHILLS IN THE
TEENS.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

A WINTER STORM WATCH MEANS THERE IS A POTENTIAL FOR SIGNIFICANT
SNOW ACCUMULATIONS ALONG WITH STRONG WINDS THAT MAY IMPACT TRAVEL
AND STRESS LIVESTOCK. CONTINUE TO MONITOR THE LATEST FORECASTS.

Winter Storm Watch

2010-03-19T00:54:00.002-04:00

Try not to get too excited about Spring just yet; it appears another significant Winter-like blast is heading our direction for Friday evening/night into Saturday. I have attached three graphic products from the National Weather Service for your viewing and below is the latest information, also from the National Weather Service:

Despite warm temperatures Thursday and Friday, much colder air will move into the area late Friday, and a strong storm system will develop over the high plains and move toward the southern plains on Saturday. High temperatures on Saturday will be 20 to 30 degrees cooler than Friday and blustery north winds will occur creating cold wind chill readings. Areas of accumulating snow appear likely. The track of the storm system is still uncertain, so it is also uncertain where the heaviest snow will fall. Anyone with travel plans this weekend is strongly encouraged to keep up with the latest weather forecasts. Before the weather turns back to winter, strong thunderstorms will be possible along the front.

It appears that a Winter Storm Watch may be issued by the National Weather Service, but the extent and specific location is yet to be determined. We will continue to monitor the situation and provide updates as necessary.

Weather Update 1-29-10 0925

2010-01-29T10:57:00.002-05:00

Although additional amounts of freezing drizzle and light snow were recorded overnight, we have not experienced the magnitude of icing as originally predicted for our area. Road crews continued clearing and treatments throughout the night, however as additional bands of freezing precipitation passed through the area early this morning, additional accumulations on roadways and exposed surfaces were experienced. Snow continues to fall throughout the area with anticipated accumulations of up to three inches predicted.

State-wide road conditions reports indicate “slick and hazardous” through all but southeastern Oklahoma. Travel is discouraged throughout our area. Reports of power outages are becoming more prevalent, including in some specific areas of the metro, however no wide-spread outages in the metro right now. Larger outages are reported in southwestern, southern and now southeastern portions of the state. We are not receiving significant reports of downed tree limbs in the metro as of yet, however, as the precipitation continues to fall, particularly if wind speeds increase, additional outages, falling lines, broken poles and tree limbs will compound the problems and potential for outages. Attached graphics from the National Weather Service depict a storm update and predictions for today.

From the National Weather Service –

Light snow will continue across northern and western Oklahoma early this morning. While western, southwestern Oklahoma and north Texas will see areas of freezing drizzle and freezing rain. A transition to snow across central and southwestern Oklahoma and western north Texas with 1 to 3 inches of snow possible. Travel is discouraged and even walking outdoors can be hazardous due to slick and ice covered surfaces and the potential for falling tree limbs. Precipitiatioin is expected to end and winds diminish later this afternoon and evening. Temperatures wil remain cold through Sunday.

Winter Weather Update 1-28-10 1630

2010-01-28T18:27:00.001-05:00

Power outages in western and southwestern Oklahoma are still significant as tree limbs and heavily weighted power lines an poles continue to be problematic. Outages are occurring in our area, although typically smaller and of shorter duration.

Although precipitation is still falling, there is some good news in two areas. One, we are moving more toward receiving sleet as opposed to freezing rain. Secondly, for some odd reason the “back edge” of the precipitation coming from north Texas has rapidly cut off, with at least a temporary reprieve in precipitation an estimated four hours from Oklahoma City (if it stays as it is). This will not be the end of precipitation as regeneration is anticipated, but it may represent a reduction in overall amounts. Meteorologists are still calling for sleet and/or freezing rain in our area through 10 PM tonight, followed by snow into at least mid-day tomorrow. Actual accumulations are uncertain, but still potentially two inches of ice/sleet and possibly up to eight inches of snow.

We are continuing to monitor the situation and will provide updates as necessary.

Winter Weather Update 1-28-10 13:30 PM

2010-01-28T14:41:00.002-05:00

We are currently at Level two activation at the RMACC.
Conditions continue to deteriorate in western and central Oklahoma, including ice accumulations in portions of Oklahoma County as a mixture of freezing rain and sleet continues to fall. Reports of broken tree limbs and downed power lines and poles are beginning to be more prevalent, particularly west of the County and into southwest Oklahoma where several areas have already been severely impacted. We can anticipate additional accumulations particularly on structures and items not in close contact with the ground, although ground coverage is being experienced.

An approaching/developing low pressure system in the SW part of the US will cause moisture and overall storm development to increase, thus “feeding” the situation here in Oklahoma and central Oklahoma. Current temperatures are in the upper 20’s in Oklahoma County with wind speeds recorded at 24-28 mph, although a large number of Mesonet sites throughout the state are beginning to be covered with ice and are unable to provide wind-related information.

All flights at Will Rogers Airport have been cancelled and travel is discouraged in a large portion of the state. OG & E currently reports no power outages in our area although larger portions of southwest Oklahoma have experienced power loss.

Precipitation is expected to change to snow sometime this evening or tonight and eventually end sometime tomorrow (Friday) afternoon.

I have attached two National Weather Service graphic products depicting both the current situation and predictions for this afternoon and evening.

We are continuing to monitor the situation and will provide additional information as available.

Winter Weather Update 1-27-10 1400hrs-EOC

2010-01-27T15:49:00.005-05:00

We have just completed two additional conference calls with State Emergency Management and the Tulsa and Norman National Weather Forecast Offices, all of which continue to emphasize and reinforce the same basic information as has been previously provided, with one potentially significant modification, that of a shift in the “bands” of precipitation (by type) slightly to the northwest. As the attached graphics indicate, we here in central Oklahoma are now potentially facing increased amounts of ice and/or sleet, with slightly decreased amounts of snow. The heavier snowfall is still anticipated in northwestern portions of the state. This does not mean central Oklahoma will not receive snow, just comparatively lesser amounts than previously predicted, with a potential increase in ice or sleet (see graphic 1-27-10 1300 Predicted Totals).

I continue to emphasize that storm tracking differences of even a few miles can significantly change actual precipitation amounts and type. Additionally, air temperatures above the surface are the determining factor as to what type of actual precipitation will be experienced, and because of the slow movement of these “air masses” and their relative depth or thickness, exact predictions are difficult. Also, weather professionals continue to emphasize the importance of wind conditions with this event, which are expected to be 20 to 30 mph with higher gusts possible.

One of the greatest challenges with this event is determining the exact timing of freezing conditions as the system moves into Oklahoma. Current predictions indicate freezing air temperatures will likely exist in our area around the 0700-0800 timeframe tomorrow (Thursday) morning. It sounds like the major portion of the precipitation may not actually arrive until closer to noon, but again, we are looking at specific details and they are difficult to accurately identify.

Please note that central Oklahoma is included in a Winter Storm WARNING for Thursday morning into Friday. From the National Weather Service-

Today is the last day to prepare before a major winter storm arrives in Oklahoma and north Texas. Beginning tomorrow…. rain will change to freezing rain and sleet from western North Texas and northeast across southwest and central Oklahoma. Widespread power outages will be possible… further north, across northern Oklahoma… the main impact will come from very heavy snow, possibly up to 10 inches in some areas.

We will continue to monitor conditions and forecasts and keep you updated as information is made available.

Winter Weather Update-1/27/10

2010-01-27T12:39:00.004-05:00

Updates and additional information continue to come in and I have attached the latest graphic products from the National Weather Service. Additional meetings and conference calls are scheduled for various points during the day today and I will provide information updates as necessary and available. Again, winter weather is difficult to track and specifically forecast, however, the consistency in available models and information we receive tends to indicate pretty much what we have been saying, at least at this point. There will likely be some modifications as the event and storm elements draw closer to the state.

Latest from the National Weather Service-

Mild weather will continue today, before a strong cold front and storm system approach from late tonight through early Friday. This storm will produce a mixture of heavy rain, ice, sleet, and snow over Oklahoma and western north Texas. Most of the precipitation will occur Thursday, which will be windy and much colder. Snow is expected in northern Oklahoma. Central and southern Oklahoma are expecting freezing rain and sleet before the snow. The precipitation will end Friday morning while the cold air will persist into Saturday. A warming trend begins on Monday.

Winter Weather Update-EOC/NWS

2010-01-26T17:25:00.003-05:00

There is still a great deal of uncertainty among forecasters and computer models as to the exact impact the approaching winter weather event is going to have, but it does appear that virtually all of Oklahoma will in fact be affected. We continue to participate in planning meetings and discussions, conference calls and briefings, and although there are a variety of opinions and observations, the information below appears to be the best representation, at least at this point. Again, please remember that winter weather is difficult to forecast and a variance in storm system or individual storm attribute movement of even just a few miles can significantly change what is actually experienced in any given area.

I have attached three graphic products from the National Weather Service, one depicting anticipated conditions on Wednesday, one for Thursday and a third with current precipitation predictions for the main impact of the event. Additional information from the latest Sperry-Piltz Ice Accumulation Index posting (SPIA Index, an additional tool typically used by electric utilities and other applications to evaluate ice conditions and the resulting impact) indicates that our area may experience significant power outages including main feeder lines and broken tree limbs, etc. Some of these outages, should they occur, may last for several days. Freezing temperatures and strong winds are expected to continue into the weekend, with Sunday potentially being the first day above freezing (barely).

In addition to constant monitoring of weather forecasts and actual conditions, planning should include the consideration of:
1) potential power outages, including what critical aspects of your home or business will be affected (heat, water supply, medical-related power, etc.)
2) cancellation of travel plans, both incoming and outgoing. Should the event occur as currently predicted, all travel will be strongly discouraged.
3) plan for and make accommodations for the elderly, very young, pets and those who need other forms of assistance. Do not wait until adverse weather happens!

Additional meetings, briefings and conference calls are scheduled to continue throughout the upcoming event and I will keep you advised as conditions change or additional information is made available. For now, here is the latest from the National Weather Service-

Dry and mild weather will continue through Wednesday, before a strong cold front and storm system approach. This storm will produce a mixture of heavy rain, ice, sleet, and snow over Oklahoma and western north Texas. Most of the precipitation will occur Thursday, which will be windy and much colder. Snow is expected in northern Oklahoma. Central and southern Oklahoma are expecting freezing rain and sleet before the snow. Precipitation will end Friday morning and the cold air will persist into Saturday. A warming trend begins Sunday.

3 attachments — Download all attachments View all images
Wednesday Forecast.jpg
47K View Download
Thursday Forecast.jpg
45K View Download
Thur-Fri Overview 1-26-10.jpg
43K View Download

Weather Info/Links From Greg Whitworth

2010-01-26T11:53:00.001-05:00

I'm short on time to write a forecast discussion since I too was one of the people out getting groceries last night. I want to make you aware of some weather links you can check yourself to get snow forecasts and maps; the same information I look at.

I'm quite concerned about a major event. The ECMWF model has been saying this system will track across slower than projected. The NAM and GFS models are slowly catching onto this and with each version, are increasing the total amount of moisture in the forecast. It's now well over 2" in OKC and in one case, the NAM was dumping out 3" of moisture over OKC. I'm less concerned about the panhandle, I don't think the impacts will be quite as high as what the models have been saying.

This system looks to take a trek very close to the December 24th storm. That means heavy snow in central and southern Oklahoma. Unfortunately, the cold air doesn't look as deep as it did with the December 24th storm, which means there may be some significant icing especially central and southern OK before the change over to snow.

I think the ice will begin around sunrise on Thursday and change to snow near mid-afternoon to sunset in central OK, and sooner in northwest OK. I haven't looked at too many detains for the northwest part of the state, but that's why I'm providing links to the maps so you can look for yourself.

We're talking about a significant, possibly historical event; one that will likely require another disaster declaration for some parts of the state. The models are dumping out over 10" of snow in the main band with anywhere from 1/4 an inch of ice to nearly an inch. They are very persistant with the high totals for the most part. See the maps to know if your area is going to be one of the high impact areas. I will try to write a forecast discussion up sometime this evening.

Here's a timeline chart forecast for Norman, OK produced by a computer at WLNS TV in Lansing, Michigan. It takes all the model information, reprocesses it, and dumps out snow and ice total forecasts. Keep in mind this forecast is ONLY for Norman, OK and the computer does not do any other cities.around here other than Amarillo and Wichita.
It has the date and time in GMT, the wind, Here's what the categories mean:
SfcT = surface temperature
Ptype = preciptation type
SRat = snow ratio, 1 inch of rain equals this many inches of snow (for instance 15 inches of snow to 1 inch of rain)
TotSN = total snow
TotQPF = if you melted the frozen stuff, how much rain it would be (the liquid equivalent of the event)
TotPL = total sleet
TotZR = Total Freezing Rain

http://66.70.209.226/weather/snow/oun.txt

Here's another site I use a lot. Earl Barker's modeling site. It has total snowfall and total ice on a map. The site is somewhat complex, so let me explain what you should look at and give some shortcuts.

http://www.wxcaster.com/models_main.htm

The links like this are the ones you'll want:

NAM Radar Site Snowfall Overlays: NAM Snowfall - fixed 12/08/2009 0630Z
http://wxcaster.com/gis-snow-overlays.htm
Click on the dot on the map.
Total snow from the NAM model for it's versions that come out around 10 pm and 10 am.

GFS Radar Site Snowfall Overlays: GFS Snowfall
http://wxcaster.com/gis-gfs-snow-overlays.htm
Click on the dot on the map.
Total snowfall from the GFS model for it's versions that come out around 10 pm and 10 am.

More regional maps and ice charts:
Region Snowfall: Regional Snowfall
NAM snow (the version that comes out around 10 am and 10 pm):
http://wxcaster4.com/nam/CONUS1_ETA212_SFC_ACCUMSNOWFALL-KUCHERA_84HR.gif
NAM sleet accumulation:
http://wxcaster4.com/nam/CONUS1_NAM212_SFC_ACCUM-SLEET_84HR.gif
NAM freezing rain accumulation:
http://wxcaster4.com/nam/CONUS1_NAM212_SFC_ACCUM-FZRN_84HR.gif

NAM model (the version that comes out around 4 am and 4 pm):
Total snow:
http://wxcaster4.com/nam/CONUS1_MESO-ETA212_SFC_ACCUMSNOWFALL-KUCHERA_84HR.gif

GFS snowfall (10 am and 10 pm version):
http://grib2.com/gfs/CONUS_GFS0P5_SFC_ACCUM-SNOW_84HR.gif
GFS freezing rain:
http://grib2.com/gfs/WINTER_GFS0P5_SFC_ACCUM-FZRN_84HR.gif
GFS sleet:
http://grib2.com/gfs/WINTER_GFS0P5_SFC_ACCUM-SLEET_84HR.gif

GFS snowfall (4 am and 4 pm version):
http://wxcaster4.com/gfs/CONUS2_GFS0P5_SFC_ACCUM-SNOW_84HR.gif
GFS sleet:
http://wxcaster4.com/gfs/CONUS2_GFS0P5_SFC_ACCUM-SLEET_84HR.gif
GFS freezing rain:
http://wxcaster4.com/gfs/CONUS2_GFS0P5_SFC_ACCUM-FZRN_84HR.gif

Greg Whitworth

Potential Winter Weather-EOC and NWS

2010-01-26T11:51:00.000-05:00

Despite our best wishes and intentions, it appears that another significant winter weather event may be heading for our area. As mentioned on previous occasions, winter weather is more difficult to accurately forecast, particularly specific attributes in specific areas. That is why you will likely notice some “generalities” in the information provided below. We will continue to monitor the situation and keep you advised as this event moves closer and more accurate information is made available.

Latest from the National Weather Service, potentially affecting all areas of Oklahoma in one form or another-

URGENT - WINTER WEATHER MESSAGE
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE NORMAN OK

...WINTER STORM WATCH IN EFFECT FROM THURSDAY MORNING THROUGH
LATE THURSDAY NIGHT...

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN NORMAN HAS ISSUED A WINTER STORM
WATCH...WHICH IS IN EFFECT FROM THURSDAY MORNING THROUGH LATE
THURSDAY NIGHT.

* AFTER TWO WEEKS OF RELATIVELY MILD WEATHER... A WINTER STORM
WILL TAKE AIM ON THE SOUTHERN PLAINS AROUND THURSDAY. COLD AIR
CURRENTLY IN PLACE OVER CANADA WILL MOVE INTO THE AREA WEDNESDAY
BEHIND A STRONG COLD FRONT. AS THE COLD AIR DEEPENS OVER THE
AREA LATE WEDNESDAY INTO THURSDAY...A STORM SYSTEM WILL
APPROACH FROM THE WEST. A VARIETY OF WINTER WEATHER WILL BE THE
RESULT.

* TIMING: THE MOST LIKELY TIME FOR HAZARDOUS WINTER WEATHER WILL
BE FROM EARLY THURSDAY MORNING THROUGH EARLY FRIDAY MORNING.

* MAIN IMPACTS: FREEZING RAIN MAY BEGIN TO ACCUMULATE ON
POWER LINES AND ELEVATED SURFACES DURING THE DAY THURSDAY. THE
MOST LIKELY AREA FOR SIGNIFICANT ICE ACCUMULATIONS APPEARS TO BE
ACROSS SOUTHERN OKLAHOMA AND PARTS OF WESTERN NORTH TEXAS. SLEET AND
SNOW ACCUMULATIONS APPEAR MORE LIKELY ACROSS CENTRAL AND
NORTHERN OKLAHOMA ALTHOUGH SOME FREEZING RAIN WILL BE POSSIBLE.

* OTHER IMPACTS: GUSTY NORTH AND NORTHEAST WINDS AROUND 25 TO 35
MPH WILL ADD ADDITIONAL STRESS TO POWER LINES THAT HAVE ICE
ACCUMULATIONS. SOME BLOWING AN DRIFTING OF SNOW WILL ALSO BE
POSSIBLE.

* PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

A WINTER STORM WATCH MEANS THERE IS A POTENTIAL FOR SIGNIFICANT
SNOW...SLEET...OR ICE ACCUMULATIONS THAT MAY IMPACT TRAVEL.
CONTINUE TO MONITOR THE LATEST FORECASTS.

Wind Chill Advisory

2010-01-07T07:15:00.000-05:00

Statement as of 4:52 AM CST on January 07, 2010

... Wind Chill Advisory remains in effect until 6 PM CST Friday...
... Winter Weather Advisory will expire at 5 am CST early this
morning...

* frigid air will continue to plunge southward from the northern
plains as strong northerly winds continue at 25 to 35 mph.

* Timing: the coldest wind chill values are expected Thursday
through Thursday night. The winds will not be as strong on
Friday but dangerously cold wind chill values will still
occur.

* Central Oklahoma can expect wind chills to range from -15 to -5
with 0 to 5 degrees along the Red River valley.

* Impacts: light snow showers and snow flurries will be possible
through the mid morning but no accumulations will occur.
Freezing drizzle last night and early this morning has left some
roads and sidewalks slick and hazardous. Please use caution when
venturing outside.

Precautionary/preparedness actions...

A Wind Chill Advisory means that very cold air and strong winds
will combine to generate low wind chills. This will result in
frost bite and lead to hypothermia if precautions are not taken.
If you must venture outdoors... make sure you wear a hat and
gloves.

Winter Weather Update

2010-01-05T14:14:00.000-05:00

In case you haven't heard, it's cold and about to get a lot colder!!

We will experience some of the coldest temperatures we've seen in the last 10-15 years beginning Wednesday and continuing into the weekend. The cold temps will combine with nasty north winds to produce dangerously low wind chills.

The front that will usher in the cold air and strong winds will move through the area Wednesday afternoon. Behind the front, there may be enough moisture to cause some very light freezing drizzle and/or light snow. We don't expect this to be a big problem, but as cold as it's been, it would only take a little freezing drizzle to make roads slick and hazardous Wednesday evening into Thursday morning, so keep that in mind. The bitter cold will persist into Saturday before temperatures moderate and allow us to climb above freezing.

Most locations will see a prolonged period - 18-24 hours or more - of wind chill readings at or below zero, with the colder values further north. This obviously is dangerous for people who are outside for any period of time. We do not anticipate issuing any type of advisory for the light winter precipitation, but there could be some travel issues if it develops. We will definitely be issuing a Wind Chill Advisory either this evening or Wednesday morning. As of right now, the forecast wind chill values are not expected to reach -20 degrees, which is the threshold for a wind chill warning, but we will be close across far northern Oklahoma.

Here are some other links that you might find helpful:

CDC Guide on Extreme Cold Safety - http://www.bt.cdc.gov/disasters/winter/pdf/cold_guide.pdf
WFO Norman Winter Weather Safety Page - http://www.srh.noaa.gov/oun/?n=safety-winter
WFO Norman Wind Chill Information - http://www.srh.noaa.gov/oun/?n=safety-winter-windchill
NWS Wind Chill Page - http://www.nws.noaa.gov/om/windchill/
Protecting your pipes (Plano TX EM Facebook Page) - http://www.facebook.com/note.php?note_id=235104348525

As always, if you have questions, let me know.

Rick
--
Rick Smith
Warning Coordination Meteorologist

National Weather Service - Norman Forecast Office

Weather Situation for This Week/D.Barnes/EOC

2010-01-04T11:25:00.003-05:00

Latest from the National Weather Service- anticipated extremely cold temperatures later this week and a 40% chance of freezing precipitation Wednesday night.

NWS - A cold surface high pressure, extending from the upper Midwest into the southern Plains, will maintain cold northerly winds today. Southerly winds will return tonight into Tuesday which will help warm temperatures for Tuesday (mid-30’s for central OK). On Wednesday a strong arctic cold front will arrive. Late week highs will struggle to reach 15 to 25 degrees, while lows could drop below zero degrees by Friday morning. Dangerously low wind chill temperatures and an extended period of sub-freezing weather are likely.

Graphic representations for today (Monday) and Tuesday, Wednesday, and later in the week are attached. We will continue to monitor and provide updates as necessary.

Thanks-

David K. Barnes, Director
Oklahoma County Emergency Management

Latest from the National Weather Service-

2009-12-29T18:06:00.001-05:00

Snow, moderate at times, will continue to spread northward across western north Texas and Oklahoma through the afternoon. Although most of the snow will melt when it hits the ground, it will come down hard enough at many locations to result in a quick 1/2" on grassy and elevated surfaces. Although most accumulations through this evening will average 1" or less, scattered accumulations of up to 2" are still possible from western north Texas through southwest and central Oklahoma.

Latest Winter Weather Information EOC and NWS

2009-12-28T17:49:00.000-05:00

Just a quick update on the potential for more snow...

We may see some accumulating snow beginning Tuesday morning across western north Texas and SW Oklahoma, then spreading northeast into Tuesday night.

Model trends with this system have been to take a little further north, which would take the potential for more snow north, as well. Right now, we're not looking for significant accumulations, but given what we've been through in recent days, any mention of snow will get a lot of attention. We think the highest totals will be around two inches, most likely along and north of I-44. We do not plan to issue a winter storm watch, but may issue a winter weather advisory at some point late tonight or early Tuesday.

Keep an eye on our enhanced page - http://www.srh.noaa.gov/oun/enhanced.php - for the latest details.

--
Rick Smith
Warning Coordination Meteorologist

National Weather Service - Norman Forecast Office

Winter Storm Warning Update

2009-12-23T18:00:00.001-05:00

From the National Weather Service- please notice that we are toward the south end of the predicted activity. This does not mean that it will not necessarily occur, but MAY be of lesser intensity than in areas to our north.

2009-12-23 20:47:00 UTC

906
WWUS44 KOUN 232047
WSWOUN

URGENT - WINTER WEATHER MESSAGE
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE NORMAN OK
247 PM CST WED DEC 23 2009

INCLUDING THE CITIES OF...PONCA CITY...PERRY...GUTHRIE...
STILLWATER...OKLAHOMA CITY...CHANDLER
247 PM CST WED DEC 23 2009

...WINTER STORM WARNING IN EFFECT FROM MIDNIGHT TONIGHT TO 6 PM
CST THURSDAY...

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN NORMAN HAS ISSUED A WINTER STORM
WARNING FOR SNOW AND BLOWING SNOW...WHICH IS IN EFFECT FROM
MIDNIGHT TONIGHT TO 6 PM CST THURSDAY. THE WINTER STORM WATCH IS
NO LONGER IN EFFECT.

* TIMING: NEAR SUNRISE THURSDAY THROUGH EARLY THURSDAY EVENING

* MAIN IMPACT: NEAR BLIZZARD CONDITIONS WITH SNOW AND BLOWING SNOW
AND ACCUMULATION UP TO 5 INCHES IN CENTRAL OKLAHOMA AND 8
INCHES IN NORTH CENTRAL OKLAHOMA.

* OTHER IMPACTS: INCREASINGLY BLUSTERY WINDS...RESULTING IN
BLOWING SNOW AND LOW WIND CHILL TEMPERATURES. THERE IS ALSO A
CHANCE OF FREEZING RAIN.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

A WINTER STORM WARNING MEANS SIGNIFICANT AMOUNTS OF SNOW...
SLEET...AND ICE ARE EXPECTED OR OCCURRING. STRONG WINDS ARE ALSO
POSSIBLE. THIS WILL MAKE TRAVEL VERY HAZARDOUS OR IMPOSSIBLE.

Latest from the National Weather Service

2009-12-23T12:50:00.004-05:00

Latest from the National Weather Service-

I have attached several graphic products representing the predicted conditions for tonight and into CHRISTmas Eve. Please remember to plan ahead and to check local weather conditions before traveling, including your destination and points in between. If traveling into areas with colder temperatures and the possibility of freezing precipitation, it is wise to take additional clothing, coats or a blanket in case the unexpected should occur. A roadside safety kit including flashlight, gloves, warm hat and footwear, bottled water, high protein snack foods, some type of “traction aiding” material such as sand or cat litter, etc. should be taken with you.

Mild weather will persist today southeast of the interstate 44 corridor... while cooler temperatures will prevail over northwest Oklahoma. Scattered thunderstorms will affect southern and eastern Oklahoma. A few areas of light freezing drizzle may also occur over far northwest Oklahoma...but temperatures will warm a few degrees by mid morning. This afternoon... severe storms will be possible over part of southeast Oklahoma. From late today into Thursday, the colder air will spread southward causing a change to snow. Accumulating snow, with areas of blowing/drifting snow, are most likely to affect parts of northern and central Oklahoma. As the storm begins to shift to the east on Christmas Eve, blustery north winds will bring in the coldest air yet this season.

Looks like we may have a white CHRISTmas!

Winter Weather Potential

2009-12-07T15:06:00.000-05:00

A Winter Weather Advisory has been posted for central and northern Oklahoma from 9pm tonight (Monday) through 9am Tuesday. Light freezing drizzle may cause limited ice accumulations on exposed objects. While impacts are expected to remain low, the morning commute in Oklahoma City may prove difficult, IF freezing precipitation should occur. Surface temperatures will be at or below freezing tonight and in the early morning hours. Light freezing drizzle/rain is expected in the advisory area.

Conditions will rapidly improve on Tuesday as surface temperatures warm above freezing. Impacts are not expected in southern Oklahoma where temperatures should be above freezing and also farther removed from the upper system.

As usual, winter weather, and particularly adverse winter weather, is more difficult to forecast and determine with as much advance warning and accuracy as Springtime severe weather. All personnel are strongly encouraged to monitor on-going weather conditions, forecasts and observations, and to make tentative plans to allow additional time for the Tuesday morning commute, should it be necessary.

The Oklahoma County Office of Emergency Management will continue to monitor the situation and provide updates as necessary.

Potential Severe Weather

2009-09-21T17:13:00.002-04:00

Oklahoma County has been placed in a Severe Thunderstorm WATCH area until 10:00 PM. There is currently no severe weather near, or threatening Oklahoma County, however, due to a cold front that is approaching from the northwest, and the presence of significant moisture in central Oklahoma, the possibility of severe thunderstorm development is present. Below is part of the actual WATCH information provided from the Storm Prediction Center (SPC) in Norman

URGENT - IMMEDIATE BROADCAST REQUESTED
SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WATCH NUMBER 742
NWS STORM PREDICTION CENTER NORMAN OK
200 PM CDT MON SEP 21 2009

THE NWS STORM PREDICTION CENTER HAS ISSUED A
SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WATCH FOR PORTIONS OF

EXTREME NORTHWEST ARKANSAS
SOUTHEAST KANSAS
SOUTHWEST AND CENTRAL MISSOURI
CENTRAL AND EASTERN OKLAHOMA
EXTREME NORTHWEST TEXAS

EFFECTIVE THIS MONDAY AFTERNOON AND EVENING FROM 200 PM UNTIL
1000 PM CDT.

HAIL TO 2 INCHES IN DIAMETER...THUNDERSTORM WIND GUSTS TO 70
MPH...AND DANGEROUS LIGHTNING ARE POSSIBLE IN THESE AREAS.

THE SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WATCH AREA IS APPROXIMATELY ALONG AND 75
STATUTE MILES EAST AND WEST OF A LINE FROM 50 MILES NORTH
NORTHWEST OF SPRINGFIELD MISSOURI TO 40 MILES SOUTH SOUTHEAST OF
WICHITA FALLS TEXAS.

REMEMBER...A SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WATCH MEANS CONDITIONS ARE
FAVORABLE FOR SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS IN AND CLOSE TO THE WATCH
AREA. PERSONS IN THESE AREAS SHOULD BE ON THE LOOKOUT FOR
THREATENING WEATHER CONDITIONS AND LISTEN FOR LATER STATEMENTS
AND POSSIBLE WARNINGS. SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS CAN AND OCCASIONALLY
DO PRODUCE TORNADOES.

DISCUSSION...THUNDERSTORMS WILL GRADUALLY INCREASE IN
COVERAGE/INTENSITY ACROSS MO/SE KS AND OK THIS AFTERNOON AS THE LOW
LEVELS CONTINUE TO DESTABILIZE IN ADVANCE OF A COLD FRONT AND
PRE-FRONTAL TROUGH. DEEP LAYER VERTICAL SHEAR IS SOMEWHAT MARGINAL
FOR SUPERCELLS IN THE WARM SECTOR...WHILE MLCAPE VALUES RANGE FROM
2000-3000 J/KG BASED ON SURFACE TEMPERATURES IN THE 80S WITH
BOUNDARY LAYER DEWPOINTS OF 68-70 F. IT APPEARS THAT LARGE HAIL AND
DAMAGING WINDS WILL BE THE MAIN SEVERE THREATS THIS AFTERNOON. THE
SEVERE THREAT WILL CONTINUE INTO THIS EVENING AND EARLY TONIGHT AS
STORMS GRADUALLY EVOLVE INTO AN EXTENSIVE BAND ALONG THE FRONT AND
SPREAD EWD/SEWD.

AVIATION...A FEW SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS WITH HAIL SURFACE AND ALOFT
TO 2 INCHES. EXTREME TURBULENCE AND SURFACE WIND GUSTS TO 60
KNOTS. A FEW CUMULONIMBI WITH MAXIMUM TOPS TO 500. MEAN STORM
MOTION VECTOR 26025.

Drones seek storms' secrets

2009-07-01T17:51:00.000-04:00

This is interesting! I wonder if weather forecasting in general will be helped by this project.

Michelle

State News

Web Search
powered by YAHOO! SEARCH

Home › News › State News

Drones seek storms' secrets

New unmanned drones promise better weather insight

BY JIM WAYMER Florida Today
Originally published 09:08 a.m., June 30, 2009
Updated 09:08 a.m., June 30, 2009

Photo provided

The Global Hawk drone will give scientists more information on how storms strengthen, by taking closer and longer looks at storms' eyewalls.

STORY TOOLS

Above-normal shear may mean "pretty quiet" hurricane season this year

Predator drones piloted from laptops track al-Qaida in the Middle East and illegal border crossings from Canada and Mexico.

In the middle of the Atlantic, they will hunt hurricanes -- maybe leading to the end of manned reconnaissance flights, or at least the most dangerous ones.

One drone can jet high above a hurricane to scan a storm's origins. Another propels along a cyclone's tail, deep into the eyewall, within a few hundred feet of the ocean surface. Their instruments peer through clouds and sandstorms. They send photos and real-time video.

This new breed of hurricane hunters targets the Holy Grail in hurricane forecasting: better prediction of how storms quickly strengthen. The closer, longer glimpses of a storm's beginnings and eyewall could one day save lives and property.

"We can stay aloft longer," said Ramesh Kakar, a program scientist at NASA in Washington, D.C. "That's a big difference between a drone and a manned aircraft. You're limited by the pilot fatigue."

NASA plans a test flight in September of the Global Hawk predator drone, with hopes of having it ready for next year's hurricane season.

"It's just like having your own little roving satellite," said Robbie Hood, director of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's Unmanned Aircraft Systems program in Boulder, Colo. "It would be like parking a satellite above the storm."

The Global Hawk cruises at 400 mph and can reach 65,000 feet with up to 2,000 pounds of weather instruments.

Last year, the Air Force transferred two Global Hawks to NASA's Dryden Flight Research Center at Edwards Air Force Base in California. For now, the drones will deploy from there.

But Kakar hopes to make the drone available at NASA's Wallops Flight Facility in Virginia next year.

Aerosonde

To focus resources on the Global Hawk, the federal government this year scrubbed flights of a much smaller hurricane drone that gathers near-ocean data, which forecasters say is vital for improving storm-intensity predictions.

The Aerosonde drone, named after the Australian company that designed it, can fly 500 feet or lower above the ocean.

Scientists say the temperature, pressure and moisture data collected would help to better describe the way energy transfers from ocean to the atmosphere to make a storm's power grow so fast. That could improve warnings for hurricanes such as Charley in 2004, which seemed to fizzle as Charlotte County residents went to bed but grew to a powerful Category 4 storm overnight.

The first Aerosonde drone to venture into a tropical storm launched in 2005 during Tropical Storm Ophelia.

The prop-driven drone weighs roughly 30 pounds and cruises at 50 to 70 mph, at up to 15,000 feet. It can run about 24 hours or more on the 1.6 gallons of fuel it carries.

But the drone has its drawbacks, which caused NOAA and NASA to shelve it this year in favor of focusing on Global Hawk.

"Aerosonde will carry very minor, miniature instruments, and it can't fly very high," Kakar of NASA said. "It has a limited coverage. Also, if you're not careful, it can get destroyed."

NOAA lost one Aerosonde drone, when researchers in 2007 intentionally ditched it into the Atlantic off of North Carolina during Hurricane Noel. They wanted to gather more storm data, rather than return the craft to refuel.

Global Hawk

Federal hurricane researchers decided the larger, much pricier Global Hawk -- a 44-foot-long aircraft with a 116-foot wingspan -- could gather more valuable data, partly because it can carry a much heavier payload of instruments.

The Global Hawk can drop dropsondes -- small devices on chutes that radio sea temperature, salinity and other information back to computers aboard the aircraft -- as the manned flights do, and collect more measurements.

"What I'm trying to do here is simulate a lower satellite," Kakar said.

He hopes to develop air-refueling capability for the Global Hawk, to double its flight time to about 60 hours. Most manned hurricane flights last seven to nine hours.

Others drones in the works include the Altair Predator B, the Global Observer and Zephyr. Each has its pros and cons. The Zephyr, for example, can linger over a hurricane for days at a time, but only with about a nine-pound payload.

NOAA's unmanned aircraft program had a $3.3 million budget last year and $6.3 million this year.

Manned flights

Hood said it could be 30 years before the drones ground the human hurricane hunters.

NOAA's time-tested Gulfstream-IV jet, called "Gonzo," flies into the storms, with a crew of 10, dropping in instruments. And Lockheed's N42RF "Kermit" and N43RF "Miss Piggy" each carry a crew of 18.

The manned flights can improve track forecasts by 20 percent, by deploying dropsondes.

But they give only periodic snapshots, so forecasters can't wait for a longer, closer look into a storm's eye.

"I think over the next decades we're going to see pretty significant improvements in hurricane intensity forecasting," said Scott Spratt, a National Weather Service forecaster in Melbourne.

Contact Waymer at 242-3663 or jwaymer@floridatoday.com.

Comments

There are no comments yet. Click here to start the conversation!

Comments are the sole responsibility of the person posting them. We don't allow comments that degrade others on the basis of gender, race, class, ethnicity, national origin, religion, sexual orientation or disability. Epithets, abusive language and obscene comments will not be tolerated... nor will defamation.

Click here for our full user agreement »

Please download the latest version of Adobe Flash Player, or enable JavaScript for your browser to view the video player.

The most e-mailed stories from TCPalm.com

Stories with the most user comments:

More Heat This Weekend

2009-06-26T14:39:00.000-04:00

354 am central daylight time fri jun 26 2009
...excessive heat warning remains in effect until 7 pm central daylight
time
Saturday...
For the following counties...
In arkansas...
Crawford...franklin and sebastian.
In oklahoma...
Osage...washington...nowata...craig...ottawa...pawnee...tulsa...
Rogers...mayes...delaware...creek...okfuskee...okmulgee...
Wagoner...cherokee...muskogee...mcintosh...sequoyah and le flore.
Afternoon heat index values of 105 to 110 degrees will be common
Across much of northeast oklahoma...and in the arkansas river
Valley of east central oklahoma and west central arkansas through
Saturday. These high temperatures combined with nighttime temperatures
Only falling into the mid and upper 70s will cause a continued
Strain on those who must be outside...and those who do not have
Air conditioning.
The excessive heat will likely peak saturday afternoon ahead of
An approaching cold front...with actual high temperatures in the
Upper 90s to around 103. A cold front saturday night will result
In milder temperatures on sunday.
Precautionary/preparedness actions...
Remember the effects of excessive heat can accumulate over a
Number of days.
The combination of hot temperatures and high humidity will create
A situation in which heat illnesses are possible. Drink plenty of
Fluids...stay in an air-conditioned room if possible...stay out
Of the sun...and check up on relatives and neighbors.
Never leave any person or pet in a closed...parked vehicle.
Temperatures inside can reach over 150 degrees quickly...
Resulting in heat stroke and death. Ensure pets have adequate
Water and if outdoors a shady place to rest.

957 am central daylight time fri jun 26 2009
...heat advisory remains in effect until 9 pm central daylight time
saturday...
A heat advisory remains in effect until 9 pm central daylight time
saturday.
A strong dome of high pressure will continue to sink and
Compressionally heat the air into the first half of the weekend
Over much of southeastern missouri...southern illinois...and
Southwestern kentucky. The result will be an increasingly hot...
Humid...and stagnant air mass that will produce afternoon and
Evening heat index values around 105 for both today and saturday.
Precautionary/preparedness actions...
A heat advisory means that a period of hot temperatures is
Expected. The combination of hot temperatures and high humidity
Will combine to create a situation in which heat illnesses are
Possible. Drink plenty of fluids...stay in an air-conditioned
Room...stay out of the sun...and check up on relatives and
Neighbors.

354 am central daylight time fri jun 26 2009
...heat advisory remains in effect from 7 am this morning to 7 pm
central daylight time saturday...
For the following counties...
In oklahoma...
Pushmataha...choctaw...pittsburg...haskell and latimer.
Afternoon heat index values of 100 to 105 degrees will be common
Across southeast oklahoma friday and saturday. Overnight lows will
Remain in the lower 70s...with some sheltered valley locations
Reaching the upper 60s both nights. A cold front will bring a
Chance of showers and thunderstorms by sunday...along with cooler
Temperatures.
Precautionary/preparedness actions...
A heat advisory means that a period of hot temperatures is
Expected. The combination of hot temperatures and high humidity
Will combine to create a situation in which heat illnesses are
Possible. Drink plenty of fluids...stay in an air-conditioned
Room...stay out of the sun...and check up on relatives and
Neighbors.
Never leave any person or pet in a closed...parked vehicle.
Temperatures inside can reach over 150 degrees quickly...
Resulting in heat stroke and death. Ensure pets have adequate
Water and if outdoors a shady place to rest.

330 am central daylight time fri jun 26 2009
...heat advisory remains in effect from noon today to 10 pm central
daylight time
Saturday...
A heat advisory remains in effect from noon today to 10 pm central
daylight time
Saturday.
A ridge of high pressure will build east into extreme southeast
Kansas and the missouri ozarks through saturday. High
Temperatures today and saturday will range from the mid to upper
90s. Coupled with high humidity...afternoon heat index values
Will peak around 105 degrees.
A cold front will move through the ozarks saturday night and early
Sunday morning bringing relief from the heat. A more comfortable
Airmass will settle into the region sunday and last into the
Middle of next week.
Precautionary/preparedness actions...
A heat advisory means that a period of hot temperatures is
Expected. The combination of hot temperatures and high humidity
Will combine to create a situation in which heat illnesses are
Possible. Drink plenty of fluids...stay in an air-conditioned
Room...stay out of the sun...and check up on relatives and
Neighbors.

318 am central daylight time fri jun 26 2009
...heat advisory in effect from 10 am to 7 pm central daylight time
saturday...
The national weather service in little rock has issued a heat
Advisory...which is in effect from 10 am to 7 pm central daylight time
saturday.
The combination of afternoon temperatures in the mid 90s to around
100...along with high humidity values...will produce dangerous
Heat indices saturday afternoon. Heat index values between 105 and
110 degrees will be common across much of arkansas...with locally
Higher values over 110 degrees across central and southern
Arkansas.
Precautionary/preparedness actions...
A heat advisory means that a period of hot temperatures is
Expected. The combination of hot temperatures and high humidity
Will combine to create a situation in which heat illnesses are
Possible. Drink plenty of fluids...stay in an air-conditioned
Room...stay out of the sun...and check up on relatives and
Neighbors.

Urgent - weather message
National weather service memphis tn
317 am central daylight time fri jun 26 2009
...hot and humid conditions are expected across western parts of
The mid south today...
.an strong upper level ridge of high pressure will bring hot
Temperatures to areas along west of interstate 55 today.
Increasing humidity will combine with temperatures in the upper
90s to produce heat indices of 100 to 105 degrees this afternoon.
317 am central daylight time fri jun 26 2009
...heat advisory in effect from 10 am this morning to 7 pm central
daylight time
This evening...
The national weather service in memphis has issued a heat
Advisory...which is in effect from 10 am this morning to 7 pm central
daylight time
This evening.
Hot and humid conditions are expected along and west of interstate
55 today. Heat indices will reach 100 to 105 degrees during the
Afternoon.
Precautionary/preparedness actions...
A heat advisory means that a period of hot temperatures is
Expected. The combination of hot temperatures and high humidity
Will combine to create a situation in which heat illnesses are
Possible. Drink plenty of fluids...stay in an air-conditioned
Room...stay out of the sun...and check up on relatives and
Neighbors.

...hot weather expected this weekend...
.a strong ridge of high pressure will build over the west coast
This weekend resulting in warmer than normal temperatures for the
Interior sections of the san francisco bay area.
...excessive heat warning remains in effect from 11 am saturday
To 8 pm pdt sunday for the santa clara valley including san
Jose...
Temperatures will warm rapidly on saturday as an area of high
Pressure builds strongly over california and light offshore flow
Develops. Hot temperatures will continue on sunday as well.
High temperatures are expected to reach the mid 90s to as high as
101. Overnight low temperatures on saturday night will only drop
Into the mid 60s to middle 70s.

258 am central daylight time fri jun 26 2009
...excessive heat warning remains in effect until 7 pm central daylight
time
Saturday...
Dangerous hot and humid conditions will continue through
Saturday evening...with afternoon and early evening heat index
Readings of 105 to 110 degrees.
The health risks associated with heat and humidity increase
Dramatically as the hot weather lingers. Therefore...it becomes
Even more important to make frequent checks on friends...
Neighbors...and relatives that may be susceptible to the heat.
These checks are especially critical for those living in homes or
Apartments that do not have air conditioning.
Precautionary/preparedness actions...
Children...the elderly...and people with chronic ailments are
Usually the first to suffer from the heat. Heat exhaustion...
Cramps...or in extreme cases...heat stroke...can result from
Prolonged exposure to these conditions. Friends...relatives...or
Neighbors should check on people who may be at risk.
Many people avoid using air conditioning because of the cost. In
Times of extreme heat and humidity...this can be a fatal mistake!
Many towns and cities...social agencies...and utilities have
Financial assistance available for those in need. If you have air
Conditioning be sure to use it...it can truly make the difference
Between life and death.
Even healthy people should stop outdoor activities in these times
Of extreme heat and humidity. If you must be outside...drink plenty
Of water or other non-alcoholic beverages and take frequent
Breaks in the shade.
People in the st. Louis metropolitan area can get information on
Cooling centers or energy assistance related to the excessive
Heat by calling the united way of greater st. Louis at 800-427-
4626.

Urgent - weather message
National weather service lincoln il
951 am central daylight time fri jun 26 2009
...heat advisory for parts of central illinois this afternoon...
.the combination of temperatures in the lower 90s and dewpoints
In the lower 70s will create heat index values in excess of
100 degrees this afternoon...mainly along and south of a
Rushville...to springfield...to effingham line. Further north...
Slightly drier air filtering southward from the upper midwest
Will keep heat indices a bit lower. Another heat advisory
Covering all of central illinois may be required on saturday...as
Hotter and more humid air pushes into the area from the
Southwest.
951 am central daylight time fri jun 26 2009
...heat advisory remains in effect from 1 pm this afternoon to
7 pm central daylight time this evening...
A heat advisory remains in effect from 1 pm this afternoon to
7 pm central daylight time this evening.
Temperatures in the lower 90s will combine with high relative
Humidity levels to produce heat index readings of 100 to
105 degrees this afternoon.
Precautionary/preparedness actions...
A heat advisory means that a period of hot temperatures is
Expected. The combination of hot temperatures and high humidity
Will create a situation in which heat illnesses are possible.
Drink plenty of fluids...stay in an air-conditioned room...stay
Out of the sun...and check up on relatives and neighbors.

258 am central daylight time fri jun 26 2009
...heat advisory remains in effect until 7 pm central daylight time
saturday...
Dangerous hot and humid conditions will continue through
Saturday evening...with afternoon and early evening heat index
Readings of 100 to 105.
The health risks associated with heat and humidity increase
Dramatically as the hot weather lingers. Therefore...it becomes
Even more important to make frequent checks on friends...
Neighbors...and relatives that may be susceptible to the heat.
These checks are especially critical for those living in homes or
Apartments that do not have air conditioning.
Precautionary/preparedness actions...
Children...the elderly...and people with chronic ailments are
Usually the first to suffer from the heat. Heat exhaustion...
Cramps...or in extreme cases...heat stroke...can result from
Prolonged exposure to these conditions. Friends...relatives...or
Neighbors should check on people who may be at risk.
Even healthy people should stop outdoor activities in these times
Of extreme heat and humidity. If you must be outside...drink plenty
Of water or other non-alcoholic beverages and take frequent
Breaks in the shade.
Many people avoid using air conditioning because of the cost. In
Times of extreme heat and humidity...this can be a fatal mistake!
Many towns and cities...social agencies...and utilities have
Financial assistance available for those in need. If you have air
Conditioning be sure to use it...it can truly make the difference
Between life and death.

Urgent - weather message
National weather service kansas city/pleasant hill mo
518 am central daylight time fri jun 26 2009
...oppressive heat and humidity returns today through saturday...
.after a warm and muggy overnight...heat will build again today and
Remain over the area until a cold front moves through the region
Saturday afternoon and evening. A very moist airmass will maintain
High humidity levels...bringing peak afternoon heat indices to
Between 105 and 110 degrees.
518 am central daylight time fri jun 26 2009
...excessive heat warning remains in effect until 7 pm central daylight
time
Saturday...
An excessive heat warning remains in effect until 7 pm central daylight
time
Saturday.
Hot and humid weather will return today...and remain over the area
Until a front arrives saturday afternoon and evening. Afternoon
Temperatures should climb into the middle 90s today...and middle to
Even upper 90s saturday. Very humid conditions will yield maximum heat
Index readings in the 105 to 110 degree range. Nighttime lows will
Only fall into the middle to upper 70s which will not allow buildings
Without air conditioning to cool down...especially in the more urban
Areas.
Of particular concern will be for any outdoor events today and
Saturday. Persons attending such outdoor events should take frequent
Breaks...preferably in an air conditioned building...to cool down and
Drink water to prevent heat illnesses.
Precautionary/preparedness actions...
An excessive heat warning means that a prolonged period of
Dangerously hot temperatures will occur. The combination of hot
Temperatures and high humidity will combine to create a dangerous
Situation in which heat illnesses are likely. If you must be
Outdoors the next several days...especially during the peak
Heating of the afternoon...be sure to drink plenty of water and
Take frequent breaks in the shade...or preferably in an air
Conditioned building. Children...the elderly...and pets are most
Susceptible to excessive heat...and should be checked on
Frequently during this stretch of hot weather.

336 am central daylight time fri jun 26 2009
...excessive heat warning remains in effect until 7 pm central daylight
time
Saturday...
An excessive heat warning remains in effect until 7 pm central daylight
time
Saturday.
Very hot and humid conditions will linger across the region
Through saturday. Afternoon heat indices around 105 degrees or
Higher are expected in the warning area.
Precautionary/preparedness actions...
An excessive heat warning means that a prolonged period of
Dangerously hot temperatures will occur. The combination of hot
Temperatures and high humidity will create a dangerous situation
Where heat illnesses are likely. Drink plenty of fluids and stay
In an air-conditioned room. Stay out of the sun and check up on
Relatives and neighbors. The elderly...children and pets are most
Susceptible to excessive heat...and should be checked on
Frequently during this stretch of hot weather.

317 am central daylight time fri jun 26 2009
...excessive heat warning remains in effect until 7 pm central
daylight time this
Evening...
An excessive heat warning remains in effect until 7 pm central
daylight time this
Evening.
Very hot temperatures and high levels of humidity will persist
Through this afternoon. Afternoon heat indices will peak around
105 degrees.
Precautionary/preparedness actions...
Children...the elderly...and people with chronic ailments are
Usually the first to suffer from the heat. Heat exhaustion...
Cramps...or in extreme cases heat stroke can result from
Prolonged exposer to these conditions. Friends...relatives...and
Neighbors should check on people who may be at risk.

--
Email services provided by the System Access Mobile Network. Visit
www.serotek.com to learn more about accessibility anywhere.

Dealing With The Accessive Heat

2009-06-24T16:26:00.000-04:00

Urgent - weather message
National weather service new orleans la
531 am central daylight time wed jun 24 2009
...a heat advisory remains in effect for southeast louisiana and
Southern mississippi until 7 pm today...
.a ridge of upper level high pressure has become centered farther
West over the southern plains...but the extended period of very
Hot weather will continue today. Temperatures will be slightly
Lower thursday through the weekend...but high heat indices may
Reach dangerous levels each day.
531 am central daylight time wed jun 24 2009
...heat advisory remains in effect until 7 pm central daylight time
this evening...
High temperatures today are expected to be mostly in the upper 90s
To near 100 degrees. When factoring in the humidity...late morning
And afternoon heat indices will reach 105 to 110 degrees. There is
A slight chance of a late afternoon or evening shower or
Thunderstorm with some cooling rain and gusts of wind...but most
Areas will remain hot and dry.
High temperatures friday through sunday are expected to drop to
The mid 90s...but humidity values are expected to remain high...and
This will likely continue to produce afternoon heat indices near
105 degrees or greater. There is a slight chance of afternoon or
Evening showers and thunderstorms each day...but most areas will
Remain hot and dry.
Precautionary/preparedness actions...
The excessive heat and humidity will make a dangerous combination
For individuals if proper precautions are not taken. Excessive
Heat kills people by taxing the human body beyond its abilities
To cool itself. In a normal year...about 175 americans die from
The heat.
This is a dangerous situation. Children...the elderly...and
People with chronic ailments are usually the first to suffer from
The heat. Heat exhaustion...heat cramps...or in extreme cases...
Heat stroke may result from prolonged exposure to these
Conditions. Friends...relatives...or neighbors should check on
People at risk.

344 am central daylight time wed jun 24 2009
...heat advisory in effect from noon today to 7 pm central daylight time
this
Evening...
The national weather service in little rock has issued a heat
Advisory...which is in effect from noon today to 7 pm central daylight
time this
Evening.
The combination of afternoon temperatures in the mid and upper 90s...
Along with high humidity values...will produce dangerous heat
Indices this afternoon. Heat index values between 105 and 110
Degrees will be common along the arkansas river valley...as well
As central and southern arkansas.
Precautionary/preparedness actions...
A heat advisory means that a period of hot temperatures is
Expected. The combination of hot temperatures and high humidity
Will combine to create a situation in which heat illnesses are
Possible. Drink plenty of fluids...stay in an air-conditioned
Room...stay out of the sun...and check up on relatives and
Neighbors.

343 am central daylight time wed jun 24 2009
...heat advisory in effect until 7 pm central daylight time this
evening...
The national weather service in shreveport has issued a heat
Advisory...which is in effect until 7 pm central daylight time this
evening.
The combination of afternoon temperatures around 100 degrees...
Along with high humidity values...will produce dangerous heat
Indices this afternoon. Heat index values near or exceeding
105 degrees will be common across the entire four state region
Today. The excessive heat will result in a serious strain on
Those who must be outside...and those who do not have air
Conditioning.
Precautionary/preparedness actions...
A heat advisory means that a period of hot temperatures is
Expected. The combination of hot temperatures and high humidity
Will combine to create a situation in which heat illnesses are
Possible. Drink plenty of fluids...stay in an air-conditioned
Room...stay out of the sun...and check up on relatives and
Neighbors.
Never leave any person or pet in a closed...parked vehicle.
Temperatures inside can reach over 150 degrees quickly...
Resulting in heat stroke and death. Ensure pets have adequate
Water and if outdoors a shady place to rest.

309 am central daylight time wed jun 24 2009
...heat advisory remains in effect until 7 pm central daylight time
this evening...
A heat advisory remains in effect until 7 pm central daylight time
this evening.
Heat stress levels will continue to be very high today. High
Temperatures between 97 and 100 degrees...combined with high
Relative humidity will send heat indices to above 105 this
Afternoon.
Precautionary/preparedness actions...
A heat advisory means that a period of hot temperatures is likely
To continue. Be sure to check on the elderly. The combination of
Hot temperatures and high humidity will combine to create a
Situation in which heat illnesses are possible. Drink plenty of
Fluids...stay in an air conditioned room...and stay out of the
Sun.

707 am central daylight time wed jun 24 2009
...excessive heat warning remains in effect until 7 pm central daylight
time
Thursday...
An excessive heat warning remains in effect until 7 pm central daylight
time
Thursday.
Very hot and humid conditions will linger across the region
Through thursday. Afternoon heat indices around 105 degrees or
Higher are expected in the warning area. The excessive heat
Warning includes areas along and east of a line from salina to
Wichita to wellington...including the wichita metropolitan area.
Precautionary/preparedness actions...
An excessive heat warning means that a prolonged period of
Dangerously hot temperatures will occur. The combination of hot
Temperatures and high humidity will create a dangerous situation
Where heat illnesses are likely. Drink plenty of fluids and stay
In an air-conditioned room. Stay out of the sun and check up on
Relatives and neighbors. The elderly...children and pets are most
Susceptible to excessive heat...and should be checked on
Frequently during this stretch of hot weather.

501 am central daylight time wed jun 24 2009
...excessive heat warning remains in effect until 10 pm central
daylight time this
Evening...
An excessive heat warning remains in effect until 10 pm central
daylight time this
Evening.
Hot and humid conditions will persist through today. Heat index
Values will again climb to between 105 and 112 degrees this
Afternoon. This oppressive heat will occur over areas along and
North of a line from joplin...to stockton lake...to the lake of
The ozarks.
Current forecast trends indicate that hot and humid conditions
Will persist through the end of this week. As a result...the
Excessive heat warning may need to be extended through saturday.
Stay abreast of the latest forecasts and advisories from your
National weather service in springfield missouri for updated
Information regarding this episode of hot and humid weather.
Precautionary/preparedness actions...
An excessive heat warning means that a prolonged period of
Dangerously hot temperatures will occur. The combination of hot
Temperatures and high humidity will combine to create a dangerous
Situation in which heat illnesses are likely. Drink plenty of
Fluids...stay in an air-conditioned room...stay out of the sun...
And check up on relatives and neighbors.

259 am central daylight time wed jun 24 2009
...excessive heat warning remains in effect until 10 pm central daylight
time
Thursday...
For the following counties...
In arkansas...
Crawford...franklin and sebastian.
In oklahoma...
Osage...washington...nowata...craig...ottawa...pawnee...tulsa...
Rogers...mayes...delaware...creek...okfuskee...okmulgee...
Wagoner...cherokee...muskogee...mcintosh...sequoyah and le flore.
Afternoon heat index values of around 105 degrees will be common
Across much of northeast oklahoma...and in the arkansas river
Valley of east central oklahoma and west central arkansas through
Thursday. Isolated heat index readings may approach 110 degrees.
These high temperatures combined with nighttime temperatures only
Falling to between 75 and 80 will result in a serious strain on
Those who must be outside...and those who do not have air
Conditioning.
The excessive heat will continue to slowly increase into thursday
...and will likely persist into and possibly beyond the weekend.
The only real question to the forecast is the day-to-day changes
In humidity. As the heat continues and the area grass begins to
Cure the amount of humidity in the air may drop...but that will
Just allow the temperature to climb. These subtle trends will be
Monitored closely and will control how the excessive heat event
Evolves over the region.
Precautionary/preparedness actions...
Remember the effects of excessive heat can accumulate over a
Number of days.
The combination of hot temperatures and high humidity will create
A situation in which heat illnesses are possible. Drink plenty of
Fluids...stay in an air-conditioned room if possible...stay out
Of the sun...and check up on relatives and neighbors.
Never leave any person or pet in a closed...parked vehicle.
Temperatures inside can reach over 150 degrees quickly...
Resulting in heat stroke and death. Ensure pets have adequate
Water and if outdoors a shady place to rest.

707 am central daylight time wed jun 24 2009
...heat advisory remains in effect from 1 pm this afternoon to
7 pm central daylight time thursday...
A heat advisory remains in effect from 1 pm this afternoon to
7 pm central daylight time thursday.
Very hot and humid conditions will linger across the heat
Advisory area through thursday. Afternoon heat indices of near
105 degrees are expected to occur this afternoon...and again
Thursday afternoon.
Precautionary/preparedness actions...
A heat advisory means that a period of hot temperatures is
Expected. The combination of hot temperatures and high humidity
Will create conditions where heat illnesses are possible. Drink
Plenty of fluids and stay in an air-conditioned room if possible.
Stay out of the sun...and check up on relatives and neighbors.

405 am central daylight time wed jun 24 2009
...excessive heat warning remains in effect until 9 pm central
daylight time this
Evening...
An excessive heat warning remains in effect until 9 pm central
daylight time this
Evening.
The combination of highs in the mid to upper 90s...and very high
Humidity will create dangerous heat through wednesday evening.
This afternoon heat index is expected to be around 110... But may
Be as high as 115.
Precautionary/preparedness actions...
An excessive heat warning means that a prolonged period of
Dangerously hot temperatures will occur. The combination of hot
Temperatures and high humidity will combine to create a dangerous
Situation in which heat illnesses are likely. Drink plenty of
Fluids...stay in an air-conditioned room...stay out of the sun...
And check up on relatives and neighbors.

357 am central daylight time wed jun 24 2009
...excessive heat warning remains in effect until 9 pm central
daylight time this
Evening...
An excessive heat warning remains in effect until 9 pm central
daylight time this
Evening.
Hot and humid conditions will redevelop again today. Highs
Wednesday will again reach the mid 90s...and combined with dew
Points in the mid 70s will result in heat index values of near
110 degrees this afternoon.
Precautionary/preparedness actions...
An excessive heat warning means that a prolonged period of
Dangerously hot temperatures will occur. The combination of hot
Temperatures and high humidity will combine to create a dangerous
Situation in which heat illnesses are likely. Drink plenty of
Fluids...stay in an air-conditioned room...stay out of the sun...
And check up on relatives and neighbors.

Urgent - weather message
National weather service kansas city/pleasant hill mo
257 am central daylight time wed jun 24 2009
...oppressive heat and humidity tonight through wednesday...
.a large dome of very warm high pressure will persist across the
Region through at least today. Afternoon temperatures will reach the
Middle to upper 90s with high humidity levels. The combination of the
Heat and humidity in the afternoon will make it feel more like it is
105 to 110 degrees. Some relief is possible on thursday as a weak cold
Front moves across missouri. If significant thunderstorms develop along
This front tonight...the cooler air may press further south into west
Central and central missouri.
257 am central daylight time wed jun 24 2009
...excessive heat warning remains in effect until 10 pm central
daylight time this
Evening...
An excessive heat warning remains in effect until 10 pm central
daylight time this
Evening.
An extended period of hot and humid weather has enveloped much of
Eastern kansas and missouri...and will continue through
Wednesday. Afternoon temperatures will reach into the middle to
Upper 90s...and with the humid conditions...heat index values
Will be peaking between 105 and 110 degrees during the afternoon.
Overnight lows are only expected to fall into the middle to upper
70s. This combination of hot afternoons and warm nights will make
It difficult for those without air conditioning or persons
Spending extended periods outdoors...to cool their core body
Temperature. This can lead to heat related illness without the
Proper precautions. A brief reprieve from the heat is possible on
Thursday as slightly cooler temperatures are forecast across
Northern and parts of central missouri. It is possible that the
Heat will build again on friday and saturday and additional
Advisories may be needed.
Precautionary/preparedness actions...
An excessive heat warning means that a prolonged period of
Dangerously hot temperatures will occur. The combination of hot
Temperatures and high humidity will combine to create a dangerous
Situation in which heat illnesses are likely. If you must be
Outdoors...especially during the peak heating of the afternoon...
Be sure to drink plenty of water and take frequent breaks in the
Shade...or preferably in an air conditioned building. Children...
The elderly...and pets are most susceptible to excessive heat...
And should be checked on frequently during this stretch of hot
Weather.

438 am central daylight time wed jun 24 2009
...excessive heat warning remains in effect until 7 pm central daylight
time
Saturday...
An excessive heat warning remains in effect until 7 pm central daylight
time
Saturday.
The hot and humid airmass will remain over missouri and illinois
As a large area of high pressure continues to dominate the
Weather today. Highs are expected to reach the upper 90s with
Dewpoints in the low to mid 70s across the st. Louis metropolitan
Area. The combination of the heat and humidity will cause heat
Indices to reach the 105 to 110 degree range during the afternoon
And early evening hours.
A weak cold front will move into the area by thursday but temperatures
Will remain in the mid 90s thursday and friday with dewpoints in
The low 70s keeping heat indices above 100 degrees both days.
Friday night and into saturday a hot and humid airmass will rebuild
Across the st. Louis metro area. Highs on saturday in the upper
90s and dewpoints in the low 70s will result in heat indices in
The 105 to 110 degree range during the afternoon and evening hours.
Precautionary/preparedness actions...
Children...the elderly...and people with chronic ailments are
Usually the first to suffer from the heat. Heat exhaustion...
Cramps...or in extreme cases...heat stroke...can result from
Prolonged exposure to these conditions. Friends...relatives...or
Neighbors should check on people who may be at risk.
Many people avoid using air conditioning because of the cost. In
Times of extreme heat and humidity...this can be a fatal mistake!
Many towns and cities...social agencies...and utilities have
Financial assistance available for those in need. If you have air
Conditioning be sure to use it...it can truly make the difference
Between life and death.
Even healthy people should stop outdoor activities in these times
Of extreme heat and humidity. If you must be outside...drink lots
Of water or other non-alcoholic beverages and take frequent
Breaks in the shade.
People in the st. Louis metropolitan area can get information on
Cooling centers or energy assistance related to the excessive
Heat by calling the united way of greater st. Louis at 800-427-
4626.

Urgent - weather message
National weather service quad cities ia il
357 am central daylight time wed jun 24 2009
...another day with dangerous and humidity...
.hot and humid conditions are expected again today. Heat indices
Will climb into the dangerous category by noon and remain there
Through early this evening. A thunderstorm complex will move
Through the area this evening bringing relief from the heat.
357 am central daylight time wed jun 24 2009
...heat advisory in effect from noon today to 8 pm central daylight time
this
Evening...
The national weather service in quad cities has issued a heat
Advisory...which is in effect from noon today to 8 pm central daylight
time this
Evening.
Temperatures are expected to climb into the lower to middle 90s
This afternoon and early this evening. These temperatures combined with
High humidities will create heat indices in the 100 to 105 range.
Precautionary/preparedness actions...
A heat advisory means that a period of hot temperatures and high
Humidity is expected. This combination will lead to possible
Heat illnesses. Drink plenty of fluids...stay in an air-
Conditioned room...stay out of the sun...and check on relatives
And neighbors...especially the elderly.

Urgent - weather message
National weather service lincoln il
328 am central daylight time wed jun 24 2009
...hazardous heat conditions expected through wednesday...
.hot and humid conditions will remain entrenched over central and
Southeast illinois today. Apparent temperatures will return above
100 degrees by this afternoon. A weak cold front is expected to
Move across the area tonight brining more seasonal conditions to
The region for the remainder of the week.
328 am central daylight time wed jun 24 2009
...heat advisory remains in effect until 7 pm central daylight time
this evening...
A heat advisory remains in effect until 7 pm central daylight time
this evening.
Temperatures in the 90s will combine with high humidity levels to
Create heat index readings from 100 to 105 degrees by this
Afternoon.
Precautionary/preparedness actions...
Drink plenty of fluids...stay in an air-conditioned room...stay
Out of the sun...and check up on relatives and neighbors.

Urgent - weather message
National weather service chicago/romeoville il
305 am central daylight time wed jun 24 2009
...hot and humid conditions today...
.another day of high temperatures in the low to mid 90s is
Expected on wednesday. These high temperatures will combine with
High humidity levels to boost the heat index into the 100 to 105
Range. An anchored ridge of high pressure will help to continue
The hot spell across northern illinois and northwest indiana.
305 am central daylight time wed jun 24 2009 /405 am eastern
daylight time wed jun 24 2009/
...heat advisory remains in effect until 7 pm central daylight time
/8 pm eastern daylight time / this
Evening...
A heat advisory remains in effect until 7 pm central daylight time /8
pm eastern daylight time / this
Evening.
High temperatures will climb into the middle 90s wednesday. High
Humidity levels combined with these hot temperatures will produce
Heat index values between 100 and 105 degrees. Light winds and
Poor atmospheric ventilation will make this heat episode even more
Stifling.
Precautionary/preparedness actions...
A heat advisory means that a period of hot temperatures is
Expected. The combination of hot temperatures and high humidity
Will combine to create a situation in which heat illnesses are
Possible. Drink plenty of fluids...stay in an air-conditioned
Room...stay out of the sun...and check up on relatives and
Neighbors.

333 am eastern daylight time wed jun 24 2009
...heat advisory remains in effect from noon today to 7 pm eastern
daylight time
This evening...
A heat advisory remains in effect from noon today to 7 pm eastern
daylight time
This evening.
An upper high pressure system and light winds will cause
Temperatures to climb into the low 90s today with dew points in
The low 70s producing heat index values around 100.
Precautionary/preparedness actions...
A heat advisory means that a period of hot temperatures is
Expected. The combination of hot temperatures and high humidity
Will combine to create a situation in which heat illnesses are
Possible. Drink plenty of fluids...stay in an air-conditioned
Room...stay out of the sun...and check up on relatives and
Neighbors.

Urgent - weather message
National weather service dodge city ks
318 am central daylight time wed jun 24 2009
...the hot weather will stick around...
.a high pressure ridge over the eastern high plains will result
In mostly sunny skies and high dew points over central and part
Of western kansas today and thursday. This will result in heat indices
Reaching the advisory criteria during the afternoon and early
Evening hours.
318 am central daylight time wed jun 24 2009
...heat advisory remains in effect from 2 pm this afternoon to
8 pm central daylight time thursday...
A heat advisory remains in effect from 2 pm this afternoon to
8 pm central daylight time thursday.
Temperatures will range from 100 to 104 degrees both on today and
Thursday. Heat indices will rise during the afternoon and evening
Hours into the 104 to 107 degree range.
Precautionary/preparedness actions...
A heat advisory means that a period of hot temperatures is
Expected. The combination of hot temperatures and high humidity
Will combine to create a situation in which heat illnesses are
Possible. Drink plenty of fluids...stay in an air-conditioned
Room...stay out of the sun...and check up on relatives and
Neighbors.

MILITARY INSTALLATIONS AS NATIONAL EMERGENCY CENTERS.

2009-06-22T14:15:00.000-04:00

Excerpt SEC. 3. DESIGNATION OF MILITARY INSTALLATIONS AS NATIONAL EMERGENCY CENTERS.

http://www.govtrack.us/congress/billtext.xpd?bill=h111-645

Text of H.R. 645: National Emergency Centers Establishment Act

HR 645 IH

111th CONGRESS

1st Session

H. R. 645

To direct the Secretary of Homeland Security to establish national emergency centers on military installations.

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

January 22, 2009

Mr. HASTINGS of Florida introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, and in addition to the Committee on Armed Services, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned

A BILL

To direct the Secretary of Homeland Security to establish national emergency centers on military installations.

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled,

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

This Act may be cited as the 'National Emergency Centers Establishment Act'.

SEC. 2. ESTABLISHMENT OF NATIONAL EMERGENCY CENTERS.

(a) In General- In accordance with the requirements of this Act, the Secretary of Homeland Security shall establish not fewer than 6 national emergency centers on military installations.

(b) Purpose of National Emergency Centers- The purpose of a national emergency center shall be to use existing infrastructure--

(1) to provide temporary housing, medical, and humanitarian assistance to individuals and families dislocated due to an emergency or major disaster;

(2) to provide centralized locations for the purposes of training and ensuring the coordination of Federal, State, and local first responders;

(3) to provide centralized locations to improve the coordination of preparedness, response, and recovery efforts of government, private, and not-for-profit entities and faith-based organizations; and

(4) to meet other appropriate needs, as determined by the Secretary of Homeland Security.

SEC. 3. DESIGNATION OF MILITARY INSTALLATIONS AS NATIONAL EMERGENCY CENTERS.

(a) In General- Not later than 60 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Homeland Security, in consultation with the Secretary of Defense, shall designate not fewer than 6 military installations as sites for the establishment of national emergency centers.

(b) Minimum Requirements- A site designated as a national emergency center shall be--

(1) capable of meeting for an extended period of time the housing, health, transportation, education, public works, humanitarian and other transition needs of a large number of individuals affected by an emergency or major disaster;

(2) environmentally safe and shall not pose a health risk to individuals who may use the center;

(3) capable of being scaled up or down to accommodate major disaster preparedness and response drills, operations, and procedures;

(4) capable of housing existing permanent structures necessary to meet training and first responders coordination requirements during nondisaster periods;

(5) capable of hosting the infrastructure necessary to rapidly adjust to temporary housing, medical, and humanitarian assistance needs;

(6) required to consist of a complete operations command center, including 2 state-of-the art command and control centers that will comprise a 24/7 operations watch center as follows:

(A) one of the command and control centers shall be in full ready mode; and

(B) the other shall be used daily for training; and

(7) easily accessible at all times and be able to facilitate handicapped and medical facilities, including during an emergency or major disaster.

(c) Location of National Emergency Centers- There shall be established not fewer than one national emergency center in each of the following areas:

(1) The area consisting of Federal Emergency Management Agency Regions I, II, and III.

(2) The area consisting of Federal Emergency Management Agency Region IV.

(3) The area consisting of Federal Emergency Management Agency Regions V and VII.

(4) The area consisting of Federal Emergency Management Agency Region VI.

(5) The area consisting of Federal Emergency Management Agency Regions VIII and X.

(6) The area consisting of Federal Emergency Management Agency Region IX.

(d) Preference for Designation of Closed Military Installations- Wherever possible, the Secretary of Homeland Security, in consultation with the Secretary of Defense, shall designate a closed military installation as a site for a national emergency center. If the Secretaries of Homeland Security and Defense jointly determine that there is not a sufficient number of closed military installations that meet the requirements of subsections (b) and (c), the Secretaries shall jointly designate portions of existing military installations other than closed military installations as national emergency centers.

(e) Transfer of Control of Closed Military Installations- If a closed military installation is designated as a national emergency center, not later than 180 days after the date of designation, the Secretary of Defense shall transfer to the Secretary of Homeland Security administrative jurisdiction over such closed military installation.

(f) Cooperative Agreement for Joint Use of Existing Military Installations- If an existing military installation other than a closed military installation is designated as a national emergency center, not later than 180 days after the date of designation, the Secretary of Homeland Security and the Secretary of Defense shall enter into a cooperative agreement to provide for the establishment of the national emergency center.

(g) Reports-

(1) PRELIMINARY REPORT- Not later than 90 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Homeland Security, acting jointly with the Secretary of Defense, shall submit to Congress a report that contains for each designated site--

(A) an outline of the reasons why the site was selected;

(B) an outline of the need to construct, repair, or update any existing infrastructure at the site;

(D) an outline of preliminary plans for the transfer of control of the site from the Secretary of Defense to the Secretary of Homeland Security, if necessary under subsection (e); and

(E) an outline of preliminary plans for entering into a cooperative agreement for the establishment of a national emergency center at the site, if necessary under subsection (f).

(2) UPDATE REPORT- Not later than 120 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Homeland Security, acting jointly with the Secretary of Defense, shall submit to Congress a report that contains for each designated site--

(A) an update on the information contained in the report as required by paragraph (1);

(B) an outline of the progress made toward the transfer of control of the site, if necessary under subsection (e);

(C) an outline of the progress made toward entering a cooperative agreement for the establishment of a national emergency center at the site, if necessary under subsection (f); and

(D) recommendations regarding any authorizations and appropriations that may be necessary to provide for the establishment of a national emergency center at the site.

(3) FINAL REPORT- Not later than 1 year after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Homeland Security, acting jointly with the Secretary of Defense, shall submit to Congress a report that contains for each designated site--

(A) finalized information detailing the transfer of control of the site, if necessary under subsection (e);

(B) the finalized cooperative agreement for the establishment of a national emergency center at the site, if necessary under subsection (f); and

(4) ADDITIONAL REPORTS- The Secretary of Homeland Security, acting jointly with the Secretary of Defense, may submit to Congress additional reports as necessary to provide updates on steps being taken to meet the requirements of this Act.

SEC. 4. LIMITATIONS ON STATUTORY CONSTRUCTION.

This Act does not affect--

(1) the authority of the Federal Government to provide emergency or major disaster assistance or to implement any disaster mitigation and response program, including any program authorized by the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 5121 et seq.); or

(2) the authority of a State or local government to respond to an emergency.

SEC. 5. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.

There is authorized to be appropriated $180,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2009 and 2010 to carry out this Act. Such funds shall remain available until expended.

SEC. 6. DEFINITIONS.

In this Act, the following definitions apply:

(1) CLOSED MILITARY INSTALLATION- The term 'closed military installation' means a military installation, or portion thereof, approved for closure or realignment under the Defense Base Closure and Realignment Act of 1990 (part A of title XXIX of Public Law 101-510; 10 U.S.C. 2687 note) that meet all, or 2 out of the 3 following requirements:

(A) Is located in close proximity to a transportation corridor.

(B) Is located in a State with a high level or threat of disaster related activities.

(2) EMERGENCY- The term 'emergency' has the meaning given such term in section 102 of the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 5122).

(3) MAJOR DISASTER- The term 'major disaster' has the meaning given such term in section 102 of the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 5122).

(4) MILITARY INSTALLATION- The term 'military installation' has the meaning given such term in section 2910 of the Defense Base Closure and Realignment Act of 1990 (part A of title XXIX of Public Law 101-510; 10 U.S.C. 2687 note).

Severe Thunderstorm Warning

2009-06-10T15:07:00.002-04:00

The National Weather Service in Norman has issued a

* Severe Thunderstorm Warning for...
Canadian County in central Oklahoma...
Kingfisher County in central Oklahoma...
Logan County in central Oklahoma...
western Oklahoma County in central Oklahoma...

* until 230 PM CDT

* at 140 PM CDT... National Weather Service Doppler radar indicated
severe thunderstorms along a line extending from 13 miles southwest
of Loyal to 22 miles southwest of Union City... moving northeast at
55 mph.

Hazards in the warning include...
wind gusts to 65 mph...

* locations in the warning include del City... Edmond... El Reno...
Guthrie... Kingfisher... Midwest City and northern Oklahoma City.

This includes Interstate 35 between mile markers 123 and 163.

This includes Interstate 40 between mile markers 111 and 162.

This includes Interstate 44 between mile markers 116 and 140.

Lat... Lon 3541 9733 3537 9806 3538 9807 3538 9820
3608 9820 3617 9747 3617 9738
time... Mot... loc 1840z 245deg 49kt 3586 9827 3527 9827

	Severe Thunderstorm Watch
Statement as of 1:46 PM CDT on June 10, 2009 Severe Thunderstorm Watch 364 remains in effect until 600 PM CDT for the following locations OK . Oklahoma counties included are Alfalfa Beckham Blaine Caddo Canadian Comanche Cotton Custer Dewey Ellis Garfield Grady Grant Greer Harmon Harper Jackson Kingfisher Kiowa major Roger Mills Stephens Tillman Washita Woods Woodward http://www.wunderground.com/radar/radblast.asp?ID=VNX

NOAA: 9 To 14 Tropical Storms This Season

2009-05-21T21:35:00.000-04:00

Well, we aren't far off from Hurricane Season, are we? I wonder what it's going to be like this year!

PICS OF DAY
Movies Coming Soon (w/trailers)

Click for more JustWeather.com

Site | Web | As Seen On

Homepage / Orlando Weather

Story
Related

Text Size

NOAA: 9 To 14 Tropical Storms This Season

1 To 3 Likely To Be Major Storm

RANDOLPH E. SCHMID, AP Science Writer

POSTED: Thursday, May 21, 2009

UPDATED: 2:45 pm EDT May 21, 2009

WASHINGTON -- Hurricanes will strike the United States this season and Americans must be prepared, federal forecasters said Thursday. They predicted nine to 14 named tropical storms this year.

Current projections call for a near normal year for hurricanes, Gerry Bell, lead Atlantic hurricane forecaster for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, said at a briefing. The named storms are expected to include four to seven hurricanes of which one to three are likely to be major storms.

"Hurricane season is upon us. We need to communicate down to the personal level, preparedness, now is the time," said National Hurricane Center Director Bill Read.

Have a plan and follow it, he said, waiting to see if the forecast changes can mean life or death.

Added Craig Fugate, head of the Federal Emergency Management Agency: "Hurricanes will make landfall in the United States, hurricanes will destroy homes, people need to heed the preparedness message and be ready to act,"

And Commerce Secretary Gary Locke noted that, "Today, more than 35 million Americans live in regions most threatened by Atlantic hurricanes."

Regardless of the total number of storms, Bell pointed out that "it only takes one to make it a very bad season."

People in hurricane-prone areas need to think about how these storms and their flooding might affect their lives, and to have a hurricane preparedness plan in place before the season begins, he said.

Hurricane season officially starts June 1. Last year there were 16 named storms, of which eight grew into hurricanes and five were major. About 1,000 people lost their lives, mostly in flash flooding in the Caribbean.

NOAA's forecast comes just days after the Department of Homeland Security urged Americans to be prepared for hurricane season.

Competing climate factors complicate the forecast, Bell noted.

Raising the possibility of a busy season are an ongoing high-activity era that began in 1995, which includes enhanced rainfall over West Africa, warmer Atlantic waters and reduced wind shear.

However, Pacific Ocean conditions also can have an impact on Atlantic and Caribbean hurricanes and currently conditions are neutral for warming or cooling of the Pacific sea surface. If an El Nino warming were to develop, that would have the effect of reducing Atlantic hurricanes.

NOAA Administrator Jane Lubchenco noted that the forecast will be updated in early August, normally the start of the busiest part of hurricane season.

Forecasters give a tropical storm a name when wind speeds reach 39 mph and upgrade it to a hurricane when sustained winds reach 74 mph. Major hurricanes have winds of more than 111 mph. The same type of storm is known as a typhoon or tropical cyclone in other parts of the world.

The first storm of this year in the Atlantic, Caribbean or Gulf of Mexico will be Ana, followed by Bill, Claudette and Danny.

Researchers at North Carolina State University say between 11 and 14 storms will develop in the Atlantic and 6 to 8 of them will become hurricanes. At Colorado State University, researchers forecast 12 named storms, including 6 hurricanes.

Additional Resources:

Comments

View the discussion thread.

blog comments powered by Disqus

Links We Like

Most Popular

StoriesClick to Expand
- P.I. Complaints Against Baez Escalated
  
  The Florida bar escalates complaints filed against Casey Anthony's defense attorney, Jose Baez.
- Annoying Neighbor: I've Gotten Worse
  
  A man known as Seminole County's most annoying neighbor announced his plans to continue to trash his yard the day after he was released from prison.
- Flooding Causes Millions In Damage
  
  Flooding from four days of nonstop rain has caused more than $8 million in damage in the Daytona Beach area.
- 'Spider-Man 3' Actress Found Dead In Paris
  
  French police say British actress Lucy Gordon, who appeared in "Spider-Man 3," was found dead in her Paris apartment after apparently committing suicide.
- Friend: Casey Never Mentioned 'Zanny'
  
  Attorneys in the civil case against Casey Anthony depose Anthony's former best friend, Annie Downing, Thursday afternoon.
VideosClick to Expand
- Mom Finds Long-Lost Son Across Street
  
  A mother spent 32 years looking for her son. In the end, he was closer than she thought.
- Students Toss Rocks At Music Teacher
  
  Parents at a California school are calling for more security after a teacher was attacked by a group of rock-wielding students.
- Dad Accused Of Eating Son's Eye
  
  A California man is accused of biting his four-year-old son in the eye. A warning: Details of the story are graphic.
- Couple Flees, $6 Million Accidental Bank Deposit
  
  International authorities are searching for two New Zealanders whose bank mistakenly deposited $6.1 million into their account. The couple took some of the money and ran. (May 21)
- 'Annoying Neighbor' Released From Jail
  
  A man known as Seminole County's most annoying neighbor will be released from state prison.
SlideshowsClick to Expand
- Looking For The Best Car For Your Family?
  
  If you're looking for the best car for your family, Parents magazine and Edmunds.com has a list of 15 cars that will get you pointed in the right direction.
- 3-Inch Tall Kitten May Be World's Smallest
- Daytona Beach Flooding
- Flooding SixPix Images 5.21.09
- A Look At 'American Idol' Winners
  
  A look at the winners of Fox's "American Idol" and what they've been up to since taking home the prize.

Possible Tornadoes Once Again

2009-05-15T20:44:00.000-04:00

** TORNADO THREAT THROUGH EARLY OVERNIGHT **

It appears there may be a threat of tornados in central OK during
the early overnight period. 12z NAM indicates vertically stacked
fields at 1 a.m. right over central Oklahoma.
In addition, 3 km helicity shows helicity near 500 over OKC and points
just east and south all the way to west of Ardmore at 1 a.m. Once
the front passes and wind shifts north, the tornado threat ends.

Until then, the threat of tornadoes continues across the eastern Texas
panhandles and other areas. 12z NAM also showed strong vertical
stackage of vertical velocity and high helicity over the eastern
two rows of the Texas panhandle with the best stackage over Hemphill
Co., TX. This correlates fairly well with tornadic cell currently in
progress over Gray Co., which continues to drop rapidly south.
Amarillo radar shows boundary collisions between the north-south
oriented outflow boundary and the cold front over Carson Co., TX.
This should help feed the southward moving tornadic storm in the
eastern TX panhandle as it continues to drop due south.

In addition, tornadic cells continue over south-central KS. I suspect
the emphasis will shift from there into central OK tonight. There could
be a window of opportunity for tornadic development in north central OK
as this transition occurs. After dark, emphasis shifts to central OK.

A few days of dry weather should exist after the front's passage tonight.
However, in south-central OK, the front's passage may not occur until
around mid-day tomorrow, so a continued threat of storms is expected in
southern OK and eastern OK tonight and for the first part of Saturday.

Greg

Tornado Watch 307

2009-05-15T16:48:00.000-04:00

URGENT - IMMEDIATE BROADCAST REQUESTED TORNADO WATCH NUMBER 307 NWS
STORM PREDICTION CENTER NORMAN OK 305 PM CDT FRI MAY 15 2009 THE NWS
STORM PREDICTION CENTER HAS ISSUED A TORNADO WATCH FOR PORTIONS OF
CENTRAL INTO EASTERN KANSAS WESTERN INTO NORTHERN OKLAHOMA
EASTERN TEXAS PANHANDLE EFFECTIVE THIS FRIDAY AFTERNOON AND EVENING
FROM 305 PM UNTIL 1000 PM CDT. TORNADOES...HAIL TO 3 INCHES IN
DIAMETER...THUNDERSTORM WIND GUSTS TO 70 MPH...AND DANGEROUS LIGHTNING ARE
POSSIBLE IN THESE AREAS. THE TORNADO WATCH AREA IS APPROXIMATELY
ALONG AND 70 STATUTE MILES NORTH AND SOUTH OF A LINE FROM 70 MILES
SOUTHWEST OF GAGE OKLAHOMA TO 50 MILES NORTH NORTHEAST OF CHANUTE KANSAS.
FOR A COMPLETE DEPICTION OF THE WATCH SEE THE ASSOCIATED WATCH OUTLINE
UPDATE (WOUS64 KWNS WOU7). REMEMBER...A TORNADO WATCH MEANS CONDITIONS
ARE FAVORABLE FOR TORNADOES AND SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS IN AND CLOSE TO THE
WATCH AREA. PERSONS IN THESE AREAS SHOULD BE ON THE LOOKOUT FOR
THREATENING WEATHER CONDITIONS AND LISTEN FOR LATER STATEMENTS AND
POSSIBLE WARNINGS. OTHER WATCH INFORMATION...CONTINUE...WW 305...WW
306... DISCUSSION...EXTREME INSTABILITY IN PLACE AHEAD OF APPROACHING
SURFACE COLD FRONT SHOULD SUPPORT RAPID SEVERE THUNDERSTORM DEVELOPMENT
DURING THE NEXT 1-2 HOURS...BOTH NEAR FRONT AND DRY LINE OVER ERN TX
PANHANDLE. DEGREE OF INSTABILITY AND STRENGTH OF CAP MAY SUPPORT DISCRETE
DEVELOPMENT INTO THE EARLY EVENING...DESPITE THE MODEST DEEP LAYER SHEAR.
SHOULD STORMS REMAIN DISCRETE...SLOW SSEWD MOVING SUPERCELLS SHOULD
EVOLVE WITH ATTENDANT THREATS OF VERY LARGE HAIL AND BRIEF TORNADOES.
SHEAR WILL REMAIN STRONGER WITH POSSIBLY A GREATER TORNADO POTENTIAL INTO
ERN KS. OVERALL EVOLUTION INTO A LARGER MCS...POSSIBLY COMPOSED OF
SEVERAL SMALL-SCALE BOW ECHOES SHOULD OCCUR THROUGH THE MID EVENING.
AVIATION...TORNADOES AND A FEW SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS WITH HAIL SURFACE AND
ALOFT TO 3 INCHES. EXTREME TURBULENCE AND SURFACE WIND GUSTS TO 60 KNOTS.
A FEW CUMULONIMBI WITH MAXIMUM TOPS TO 500. MEAN STORM MOTION VECTOR
29025. EVANS KANSAS COUNTIES INCLUDED ARE

ALLEN ANDERSON BARBER

BUTLER CHASE CHAUTAUQUA

COFFEY COMANCHE COWLEY

DICKINSON DOUGLAS ELK

FRANKLIN GEARY GREENWOOD

HARPER HARVEY JEFFERSON

KINGMAN LABETTE LYON

MARION MCPHERSON MONTGOMERY

MORRIS NEOSHO OSAGE

PRATT RENO SEDGWICK

SHAWNEE SUMNER WABAUNSEE

WILSON WOODSON

OKLAHOMA COUNTIES INCLUDED ARE

ALFALFA BECKHAM BLAINE

CUSTER DEWEY ELLIS

GARFIELD GRANT HARPER

KAY KINGFISHER MAJOR

NOBLE OSAGE PAWNEE

ROGER MILLS WOODS WOODWARD

TEXAS COUNTIES INCLUDED ARE

COLLINGSWORTH DONLEY GRAY

HEMPHILL LIPSCOMB OCHILTREE

ROBERTS WHEELER

Tornado Watch 306

2009-05-15T16:35:00.000-04:00

URGENT - IMMEDIATE BROADCAST REQUESTED TORNADO WATCH NUMBER 306 NWS
STORM PREDICTION CENTER NORMAN OK 235 PM CDT FRI MAY 15 2009 THE NWS
STORM PREDICTION CENTER HAS ISSUED A TORNADO WATCH FOR PORTIONS OF
CENTRAL ILLINOIS EAST CENTRAL MISSOURI EFFECTIVE THIS FRIDAY
AFTERNOON AND EVENING FROM 235 PM UNTIL 1000 PM CDT. TORNADOES...HAIL
TO 2.5 INCHES IN DIAMETER...THUNDERSTORM WIND GUSTS TO 70 MPH...AND
DANGEROUS LIGHTNING ARE POSSIBLE IN THESE AREAS. THE TORNADO WATCH
AREA IS APPROXIMATELY ALONG AND 65 STATUTE MILES EAST AND WEST OF A LINE
FROM 15 MILES WEST SOUTHWEST OF SCOTT AFB ILLINOIS TO 40 MILES NORTH
NORTHEAST OF BLOOMINGTON ILLINOIS. FOR A COMPLETE DEPICTION OF THE WATCH
SEE THE ASSOCIATED WATCH OUTLINE UPDATE (WOUS64 KWNS WOU6).
REMEMBER...A TORNADO WATCH MEANS CONDITIONS ARE FAVORABLE FOR TORNADOES
AND SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS IN AND CLOSE TO THE WATCH AREA. PERSONS IN THESE
AREAS SHOULD BE ON THE LOOKOUT FOR THREATENING WEATHER CONDITIONS AND
LISTEN FOR LATER STATEMENTS AND POSSIBLE WARNINGS. OTHER WATCH
INFORMATION...CONTINUE...WW 305... DISCUSSION...AIR MASS CONTINUES TO
DESTABILIZE ALONG AND SOUTH OF SURFACE WARM FRONT BISECTING CENTRAL IL
THIS AFTERNOON. STRONG PRESSURE FALLS ACROSS NRN IL SUGGESTS THIS WARM
FRONT WILL TEND TO LIFT NWD THROUGH THE EVENING. VERY STRONG LOW AND DEEP
LAYER SHEAR WILL REMAIN SUPPORTIVE OF SUPERCELLS WITH ATTENDANT TORNADO
THREAT. LARGER SEVERE MCS MAY EVOLVE ACROSS NRN/CENTRAL MO AND MOVE
STEADILY ESEWD TOWARDS E-CENTRAL MO/WRN IL THROUGH THE EVENING...WHICH MAY
SUPPORT INCREASED WIND DAMAGE THREAT. AVIATION...TORNADOES AND A FEW
SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS WITH HAIL SURFACE AND ALOFT TO 2.5 INCHES. EXTREME
TURBULENCE AND SURFACE WIND GUSTS TO 60 KNOTS. A FEW CUMULONIMBI WITH
MAXIMUM TOPS TO 500. MEAN STORM MOTION VECTOR 27035. EVANS
ILLINOIS COUNTIES INCLUDED ARE BOND CASS
CHAMPAIGN CHRISTIAN CLINTON COLES
DE WITT DOUGLAS EDGAR FAYETTE
FORD FULTON GREENE IROQUOIS
JERSEY LIVINGSTON LOGAN MACON
MACOUPIN MADISON MARION MASON
MCLEAN MENARD MONROE MONTGOMERY
MORGAN MOULTRIE PEORIA PIATT
SANGAMON SCHUYLER SCOTT SHELBY
ST. CLAIR TAZEWELL VERMILION WASHINGTON
WOODFORD MISSOURI COUNTIES INCLUDED ARE FRANKLIN
JEFFERSON ST. CHARLES ST. LOUIS MISSOURI
INDEPENDENT CITIES INCLUDED ARE ST. LOUIS CITY

Tornado Watch 305

2009-05-15T16:28:00.000-04:00

URGENT - IMMEDIATE BROADCAST REQUESTED TORNADO WATCH NUMBER 305 NWS
STORM PREDICTION CENTER NORMAN OK 1250 PM CDT FRI MAY 15 2009 THE NWS
STORM PREDICTION CENTER HAS ISSUED A TORNADO WATCH FOR PORTIONS OF
FAR WEST CENTRAL ILLINOIS FAR NORTHEAST KANSAS NORTHERN
MISSOURI EFFECTIVE THIS FRIDAY AFTERNOON AND EVENING FROM 1250 PM UNTIL
800 PM CDT. TORNADOES...HAIL TO 2.5 INCHES IN DIAMETER...THUNDERSTORM
WIND GUSTS TO 70 MPH...AND DANGEROUS LIGHTNING ARE POSSIBLE IN THESE
AREAS. THE TORNADO WATCH AREA IS APPROXIMATELY ALONG AND 45 STATUTE
MILES NORTH AND SOUTH OF A LINE FROM 10 MILES SOUTH SOUTHWEST OF SAINT
JOSEPH MISSOURI TO 75 MILES EAST NORTHEAST OF COLUMBIA MISSOURI. FOR A
COMPLETE DEPICTION OF THE WATCH SEE THE ASSOCIATED WATCH OUTLINE UPDATE
(WOUS64 KWNS WOU5). REMEMBER...A TORNADO WATCH MEANS CONDITIONS ARE
FAVORABLE FOR TORNADOES AND SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS IN AND CLOSE TO THE WATCH
AREA. PERSONS IN THESE AREAS SHOULD BE ON THE LOOKOUT FOR THREATENING
WEATHER CONDITIONS AND LISTEN FOR LATER STATEMENTS AND POSSIBLE WARNINGS.
OTHER WATCH INFORMATION...THIS TORNADO WATCH REPLACES SEVERE THUNDERSTORM
WATCH NUMBER 304. WATCH NUMBER 304 WILL NOT BE IN EFFECT AFTER 1250 PM
CDT. DISCUSSION...WARM FRONT IS GETTING MORE DEFINED E-W ACROSS NRN MO
JUST NORTH OF THE MO RIVER. EXPECT CLUSTER OF STORMS TO EVOLVE INTO A
BOWING MCS OR CYCLIC HP-SUPERCELL MOVING ESEWD ALONG THIS BOUNDARY THROUGH
THE AFTERNOON AS AIR MASS DESTABILIZES AND WEAKENS CAP. LARGE HAIL WILL
BE COMMON WITH THE STRONGER CORES...EVEN NORTH OF THE WARM FRONT WITH
ELEVATED STORMS. ACTIVITY NEAR AND SOUTH OF THE BOUNDARY WILL HAVE
ADDITIONAL TORNADO/DAMAGING WIND HAZARDS. AVIATION...TORNADOES AND A
FEW SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS WITH HAIL SURFACE AND ALOFT TO 2.5 INCHES.
EXTREME TURBULENCE AND SURFACE WIND GUSTS TO 60 KNOTS. A FEW CUMULONIMBI
WITH MAXIMUM TOPS TO 500. MEAN STORM MOTION VECTOR 28035. ...EVANS
ILLINOIS COUNTIES INCLUDED ARE ADAMS BROWN
CALHOUN PIKE KANSAS COUNTIES INCLUDED ARE
ATCHISON DONIPHAN JOHNSON LEAVENWORTH
WYANDOTTE MISSOURI COUNTIES INCLUDED ARE ADAIR
ANDREW AUDRAIN BOONE BUCHANAN
CALDWELL CALLAWAY CARROLL CHARITON
CLAY CLINTON COOPER DAVIESS
DEKALB GRUNDY HOWARD JACKSON
KNOX LAFAYETTE LEWIS LINCOLN
LINN LIVINGSTON MACON MARION
MONITEAU MONROE MONTGOMERY PIKE
PLATTE RALLS RANDOLPH RAY
SALINE SHELBY SULLIVAN WARREN

Updated preliminary tornado damage survey results from may 13 event

2009-05-15T04:03:00.000-04:00

Public Information Statement as of 9:30 PM CDT on May 14, 2009

Damage surveys conducted by National Weather Service in conjunction
with emergency management have found evidence of three tornadoes
from storms in Sullivan and Adair counties which struck on may 13,
2009. All tornadoes appeared to have been produced by the same
supercell thunderstorm.

1) the first tornado to form touched down just North of Milan Missouri
and proceeded east where it destroyed a Mobile home killing a female
occupant. The tornado continued eastward for a few more miles
damaging numerous trees before lifting. The damage produced by
this tornado indicates it was of EF-1 strength.

2) the second tornado to form touched down approximately 5 miles
west of Novinger near Highway 149. This tornado destroyed a house
and an out building west of Novinger before destroying a Mobile
home...and producing additional power line and minor building damage
on the south side of Novinger. The tornado paralleled Highway 6 east
of Novinger...damaging numerous power poles for a few more miles
before lifting. This tornado produced EF-1 damage along its track.

3) the third tornado produced by this storm touched down about 2
miles west northwest of Kirksville and moved eastward through the
northern part of the city. This tornado killed two people just
northwest of Kirksville and went on to produce EF-1 damage to
several structures in northern Kirksville including damage to a car
dealership and several homes. Initially damage found east of
Kirksville was thought to be the result of a separate
tornado...however further analysis of the damage path shows that the
tornado which struck northern Kirksville continued eastward into a
rural area and strengthened. Several farmsteads were struck by this
tornado east of Kirksville and at one point the tornado produced
EF-2 damage. Aerial surveys conducted by law enforcement indicated
the tornado finally lifted before reaching Clay Missouri.

Additionally...there were several eye witness accounts of smaller
satellite tornadoes occurring at the same time as the larger main
tornadoes. Damage from these potential satellite tornadoes was not
found...however the existence of these tornadoes is quite plausible.

Violent storms tear through Midwest; 3 dead in Mo.

2009-05-14T10:27:00.000-04:00

Wow! What an outbreak!

E-mail Print Text size Comment

A truck sits in the driveway of a badly damaged house after a tornado hit the area Wednesday, May 13,, 2009, in Kirksville, Mo. Multiple tornados hit the area as severe storms tore through the state. (AP Photo/L.G. Patterson)

A home in the Lakeside Estates is badly damaged after a tornadoe ripped through Adair County Wednesday evening May 13, 2009, causing extensive damage to Kirksville, Missouri. The city of Kirksville apparently took the hardest hit. Police Det. Sgt. Ron Celian said about 30 to 40 homes were damaged, one was destroyed and an auto dealership sustained significant damage. Two people were injured near the dealership when their car was blown off the road, Celian said. (AP Photo/Al Maglio)

Vehicles sit in the rubble of a brick home in the Lakeside Estates after a tornado ripped through Adair County Wednesday evening May 13, 2009, causing extensive damage to Kirksville, Mo., while claiming at least one person. (AP Photo.Al Maglio)

Cars are still sitting in what use to be a garage of a house that was badly damaged after a tornado hit the North part of the city Wednesday May 13, 2009 in Kirksville, MO. The city of Kirksville apparently took the hardest hit. Police Det. Sgt. Ron Celian said about 30 to 40 homes were damaged, one was destroyed and an auto dealership sustained significant damage. Two people were injured near the dealership when their car was blown off the road, Celian said. (AP Photo/Al Maglio)

Violent storms tear through Midwest; 3 dead in Mo.

The Associated Press

2009-05-14 09:51:06.0

KIRKSVILLE, Mo. — Violent storms tore through four Midwestern states, killing three people in northern Missouri, damaging dozens of homes and leaving thousands without power.

Kirksville apparently took the hardest hit Wednesday night. Police Detective Sgt. Ron Celian said the storm damaged 30 to 40 homes and flipped cars and shattered windows at a car dealership. One home was destroyed.

"It just tore everything up," said Don Williams, who rode out the storm in his basement with his wife and four children. "It was just a blur. Insulation and trees blowing everywhere. I could see stuff just flying through my house."

Sullivan County Emergency Management director Rick Gardner said a woman was killed Wednesday night when what appeared to be a tornado struck a mobile home east of Milan in Sullivan County.

Two other people died in a neighborhood near the car dealership, said Adair County coroner Brian Noe. Authorities did not release the victims' names pending notification of family members.

Missouri State Highway Patrol Sgt. Brent Bernhardt said the Adair County sheriff flew over the area to inspect the damage and said in some places the tornado was only 500 feet wide.

"It was not wide," Bernhardt said. "It would be on the ground and then come back up and be on the ground again."

In Gillespie, northeast of St. Louis, school was canceled Thursday because much of the town was without power and some school buildings were damaged.

In Caddo County in southwest Oklahoma, where a possible tornado tore roofs off homes and businesses in Gracemont and Anadarko, school officials canceled classes for the day because of widespread power outages.

Dozens of inmates were evacuated from the Caddo County jail because of a gas line break, said Caddo County Emergency Management Director Larry McDuffey.

In northeast Oklahoma, a 100 mph wind gust was recorded west of the Bartlesville airport in Washington County, authorities said. The high winds downed trees and power lines, temporarily cutting power to thousands.

Central Indiana saw wind gusts of up to 60 mph and street flooding was reported in Vincennes, Linton and Rockville, authorities said. Utilities reported 8,000 were without power in and around Indianapolis early Thursday.

In Illinois, a range of windy storms dumped as much as 3 inches of rain within 50 minutes. National Weather Service meteorologist Ed Shimon called the accumulation "unbelievable," comparing it to heavy rainfall in the tropics.

The storm was continuing in southern Illinois early Thursday, with lightning, heavy rain and strong wind gusts, Shimon said.

The latest storms come less than a week after another batch of severe weather, including at least a dozen confirmed tornadoes, ravaged parts of southern Missouri. Those storms killed four people and damaged or destroyed several hundred homes.

___

Associated Press writers Heather Hollingsworth and Andale Gross in Kansas City, Rochelle Hines in Oklahoma City and Rupa Shenoy in Chicago contributed to this report.

___

May 14, 2009 - 09:46 a.m. EDT

By using this service, you accept the terms of our visitor agreement and privacy policy
Registered site users, you may edit your profile.
Having trouble? Visit our help & FAQ

Email this Violent storms tear through Midwest; 3 dead in Mo. The form has errors highlighted in red, please review these entries and try again!
Recipient's Email Address: (Separate multiple addresses with commas)
Your Name:	Your Email Address: Send me a copy
Your Message (Optional):
privacy policy \| visitor agreement

All About Mid West Weather

Storm Spotters Page

Tornado Watch from the Storm Prediction Center

National Weather Festival-Oklahoma

Tornado Watch for Oklahoma

Watches, Warnings or Advisories for Oklahoma-NWS

Excessive Heat Warning~NWS

Storm Map

SEVERE WEATHER STATEMENT-NWS

Flash Flooding/NWS

Excessive Heat Warning

Flood Warning and Latest Update

Alert-Heat Advisory

Severe Weather Map

Tornado Watch

Particularly Dangerous Situation! Tornado Watches 146 - 147

Winter Weather Update 3-20-10 2140

Major Winter Storm for northern OK*** Blizzard like high winds expected behind the front into Saturday

Winter Storm Watch-UPDATE

Winter Storm Watch

Weather Update 1-29-10 0925

Winter Weather Update 1-28-10 1630

Winter Weather Update 1-28-10 13:30 PM

Winter Weather Update 1-27-10 1400hrs-EOC

Winter Weather Update-1/27/10

Winter Weather Update-EOC/NWS

Weather Info/Links From Greg Whitworth

Potential Winter Weather-EOC and NWS

Wind Chill Advisory

Winter Weather Update

Weather Situation for This Week/D.Barnes/EOC

Latest from the National Weather Service-

Latest Winter Weather Information EOC and NWS

Winter Storm Warning Update

Latest from the National Weather Service

Winter Weather Potential

Potential Severe Weather

Drones seek storms' secrets

State News

Home › News › State News

Drones seek storms' secrets

New unmanned drones promise better weather insight

STORY TOOLS

RELATED STORIES

More State News

Share and Enjoy [?]

Comments

More Heat This Weekend

Dealing With The Accessive Heat

MILITARY INSTALLATIONS AS NATIONAL EMERGENCY CENTERS.

Severe Thunderstorm Warning

NOAA: 9 To 14 Tropical Storms This Season

NOAA: 9 To 14 Tropical Storms This Season

1 To 3 Likely To Be Major Storm

Comments

Sponsored Links

Links We Like

StoriesClick to Expand

VideosClick to Expand

SlideshowsClick to Expand

Possible Tornadoes Once Again

Tornado Watch 307

Tornado Watch 306

Tornado Watch 305

Updated preliminary tornado damage survey results from may 13 event

Violent storms tear through Midwest; 3 dead in Mo.

More in Daily Advance

Violent storms tear through Midwest; 3 dead in Mo.