The heavens declare the glory of God;
the skies proclaim the work of his hands.
-Psalm 19:1

Do you know that God controls the clouds and makes his lightning flash?
-Job 37:15



Thursday, October 18, 2007

Big day number 2...

The Moderate Risk area for today almost covers new daddy, Tennessee Mike's area (Looks like Mary Katherine brought more than just a cold front - future wx geek, no doubt) and almost dips down into Alabama Mike's neck of the woods. At a minimal, they are solidly in place for the slight risk. Severe weather abound. The SPC has issued yet another Public Severe Weather Outlook, citing a chance for the development of a few strong and possibly long-track tornadoes. It's actually very strong wording being offered by the SPC.

WITH JET STREAM WINDS IN EXCESS OF 120 MPH AND ABUNDANT MOISTURE TO SERVE AS FUEL...THE STORMS WILL QUICKLY BECOME SUPERCELLS. WITH A BROAD AREA OF FAVORABLE ENVIRONMENT IN PLACE...THESE ROTATING STORMS COULD BECOME LONG-LIVED AND MAY BE ACCOMPANIED BY STRONG AND POSSIBLY LONG-TRACK TORNADOES...IN ADDITION TO DAMAGING WINDS AND HAIL.
Yes, that read in excess of 120mph. You can easily make out the low pressure system on the radar. What a phenomenal storm system. I heard some reports yesterday regarding the severe weather that battered the central plains. Fourteen tornado reports in all, mostly in the Missouri area, leaving two fatalities in their wake, destroying homes, and obliterating an Octoberfest celebration in Tulsa, leaving one person critically injured and injuring some others. So far, there are 156 wind damage reports from yesterday's storm. That storm was moving quickly across the plains yesterday, just sort of barreling down anything in its path. That certainly looks like more of a spring storm report map than a fall one... what a bizarre year! These are fast moving storms, people seem to have been caught off guard (I mean, come on an Octoberfest celebration yesterday in Tulsa, do they even turn on TWC...?) Keep those NOAA weather radios tuned in folks...

Now, as for tomorrow... I am still solidly within the slight risk area, and though lingering cloud cover will attempt to ruin our instability... the deep-layer winds should compensate some for that... really, the wording is pretty juicy, so I'll let them say it:
WHILE LACK OF INSTABILITY SHOULD ACT TO LIMIT STORM INTENSITY TO SOME DEGREE...THIS NEGATIVE WILL BE AT LEAST SOMEWHAT COMPENSATED FOR BY FAVORABLY-STRONG DEEP-LAYER WIND FIELD. WITH SHEAR ACTING TO ENHANCE/SUSTAIN ORGANIZED STORMS -- INCLUDING SMALL-SCALE LINES/BOWS AND SOME SUPERCELLS...EXPECT FAIRLY WIDESPREAD SEVERE WEATHER COVERAGE. MAIN SEVERE THREAT WILL LIKELY BE DAMAGING WINDS...THOUGH A COUPLE OF TORNADOES WILL ALSO BE POSSIBLE. HAIL SHOULD BE A LESSER THREAT IN GENERAL -- AS IS TYPICAL IN LOW CAPE/HIGH SHEAR SITUATIONS.
SUPERCELLS!!! Just what Dr. SDS ordered for my symptoms. For the time being, I will be happy with the wet stuff we currently have headed this way. It might ruin my instability, but if it will add some pressure to my shower, it will be good enough for me. I have some exciting plans tomorrow, and I will hopefully have a nice photogenic chase spot later tomorrow. I am charging batteries now, tripod loaded and ready to go.

That's all I've got. If things get wild and crazy, I'll let you know.

Carolina Mike just pointed something out to me... Looky, looky at the junk I've got headed this way!!! Awesomeness. I need to call my friend in Navarre. This should be an interesting day!

Check the team blog for updates...

Ciao,
~Dewdrop

23 comments:

  1. I was just going to mention...LOTS of storms and convection headed toward your CWA...The Mobile NWS has been issuing tornado warnings for the western FL panhandle all morning long....Is your air more stable?

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  2. I also meant to say that was an excellent report on the storms of yesterday as well as what's on tap for today....very well written...

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  3. Quick Dew!!!!!! Go to Atlanta!!!! ;-P

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  4. Can you believe all that?! Looks like the tornado Warning just misses my friend's area... she texted me back, so I know she's ok. It is wide open down there though. We have had heavy cloud cover since I woke this morning, not sure how long before that. If we can get a break from that, get some heating in... we might have ourselves a ball game; otherwise, just rain in the near future. No instability for me! You're familiar with the Dewvoid, right...? lol (yeah, thanks, Rick, btw.)

    Thanks, Mike, for the compliments on the blog... (bowing graciously). That reminds me, did I mention some possible bow echoes in my near future? ;-D

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  5. See reports of a Tornado in Pensacola, FL. Talked to Jim Edds and he was out shooting aftermath video for TWC. Hoping for some stills later.

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  6. Thanks, Jeff. I'd be interested to see Jim's footage of that. I heard that it hit a mall there. Thanks to Alabama Mike for sharing this site with pics of the Pensacola tornado from this AM.

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  7. Looks like quite a bit of action headed your way! So jealous here....

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  8. I just got word that Jim Edds will be doing a live interview on the Weather Channel here in the 5:00 hour sometime.

    I have posted aftermath video on my blog.

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  9. I am supporting Alabama Mike as he is currently in pursuit of a rotating wall cloud near his stomping ground. I've put some captures out on the team blog. Check there for updates. I am just getting rain, but things are dark!

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  10. Thanks for the update, Jeff. I will be sure to check it out!!!

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  11. Awesome pictures you helped Alabama Mike capture! Great job.

    SCM

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  12. Thanks, Mikey. It was great to be able to support him!

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  13. Oh my gosh... what a bad blog reader fan I have been. Fan... hee hee! It seems you have just been livin' it up down there! I can't believe how close you were to Chris D. WOW! Love your first shot at the fair with the big ferris wheel. I definitely think you should enter that contest next year! Go for it! Every time I turn on the news, I have seen all that rain down in the panhandle of FL, and keep wondering if you're getting some. Not much rain up this way. I'm doing my part to conserve water. I quit letting my cat drink out of the dripping sink. ha! :o) Have a super weekend! January will be here soon! Whoo hoo!

    Coutney

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  14. Wow, Courtney, does that make you an official fan?! Cool. Thanks for the compliments. I totally loved the concert, as if you couldn't tell. I will be entering the contest. Carolina Mike would never let me live it down if I didn't, and by that time, he'll be close enough to beat down my door. We finally got lots of rain. It was nice relief. I hope y'all get rain soon. The situation with the drought up there is scary.

    Can't wait for January!!!

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  15. Thanks again Dewdrop for your support...I would not have had such a cool experience without your help!

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  16. Like I said, Mike, the only thing that would have made that better would have been if I was there with you experiencing it first hand.

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  17. Really...as long as we had someone giving such good radar support!

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  18. Soon, I will have that with me whereever I go. It will happen. Mark my words. I look forward to the next opportunity.

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  19. Mobile data... on a laptop... tax return season. Unless of course, Santa decides to leave a little something under the tree for me... I've been good... mostly. lol

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  20. lol...get one that you can see the screen when it's bright...being told where to go is still easier, especially when the storms are moving as rapidly as yesterday

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  21. If Santa is feeling awfully generous...

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Dew comment, please...