Took the long way home...

Well, Mini-Dew and I were traveling from the library to the pet store (needed hay for the giant rodent) yesterday evening, when I noticed that convection was rolling in hard out of the south... the Gulf feed was significant and it was a solid deck of moisture rolling in. I promptly let bf know that his topless time was over and that it was time to dress the jeep, and then I sat and photographed some of the towers going up there in the parking lot, which Mini-Dew was annoyed and embarrassed by, but she didn't get really irritated until later in the evening. Here are the early towers though.Now, that last one... that's my little storm cloud. That tower climbed and climbed, and I got to watch the whole thing as I drove through town, thinking... wow, that's nice... man, look at that thing climb... we've got ourselves a nice little storm... all the while snapping shots, while I was safely stopped at lights or pulled off the road (seriously, I had Mini-Dew in tow.) I really like the church one. Here, I was stopped just outside of a trailer park, where there was a patch of wisteria up against the fence... I couldn't get over how gorgeous they are up close. They look like little iris blooms. Who knew? Of course, you know what they meant I had to do... right?







You have to click on those to look at the larger pic. Beautiful purple wisteria blossoms... chasing Dewdrop style... They were so beautiful, I simply had to capture them with the cumulus tower backdrop...After that, I had all intentions of heading home, checking out radar, to get a good look at the big picture... which when I left for pain and torture was sporadic nothingness, at least where weather was concerned. Things were starting to feed in and fire, but nothing major, and I could see that much looking at the sky. I was almost home, when I decided to seek out a field to watch this little cell roll by. I couldn't get over how striking the structure was and to have it facing the setting sun... beautiful!!! There was absolutely no indication of rotation, so I felt comfortable with where I was. It was all just going up. It was magnificent, and it absolutely captivated me, where I was compelled and determined to watch the entire life cycle of my little storm cell, despite Mini-Dew's perpetual criticism... "Mommy, when are we going to go?" "Mommy, this is boring." "We aren't doing anything." "It's just a cloud." Somehow, she doesn't see the splendor that I see when I look at something as powerfully magnificent as a thundercloud. Oh well, we stayed until I was finished looking, so basically almost through dissipation. It was actually overtaken by the next, much larger thunderstorm before it fully dissipated, and... BONUS, the subsequent cloud actually had an associated shelf cloud. Coolness, AND bf had texted me about a green sky south of me... hail core punching with Mini-Dew... lol.

OK, no, I did not see a tornado. No, I didn't catch any lightning (it was sparse, and it just didn't seem worth the effort it would've taken). No, I saw no funnel cloud... not even a wall cloud, or even the most slight indication that there was rotation, BUT I was able to experience some awesome structure in my neck of the woods, and I chased it Dew-style.

Today, the action area appears to be northeast Texas and southeastern Oklahoma and western Arkansas. Let's see what happens. I stayed up on Steve Miller's (Oklahoma Steve's) forecast chat room last night to see what everyone thought of the set up. Lots of chasers will be out chasing this event today. I know both Steve Miller, OK and Steve Miller, TX will be out, both streaming live video of their chases, if that works out. I have a jam packed full day, and then I am off to Atlanta. I will update as time permits. I just hope all the chasers stay safe, and that those in the path of this potential tornado outbreak stay vigilant in watching conditions and listening to their radios. Unfortunately, today's severe weather outbreak will likely continue into the night. Looking at statistics, the tornado count for this year, so far, already more than doubles the 10 year average, and we are just now entering the "peak tornado season". It should be a very interesting day.

Toodles,
~Dewdrop

Another round of severe weather in the South Central US

As I ponder the difficulties and pain that the victims of the Super Tuesday Tornado Outbreak endure, my thoughts turn to Psalm 77. My hope is that those affected will maintain their strength and faith in God. Here are portions of Psalm 77 that I feel compelled to share...

Psalm 77
I cried out to God for help;
I cried out to God to hear me.
When I was in distress, I sought the Lord;
at night I stretched out untiring hands
and my soul refused to be comforted.
Has God forgotten to be merciful?
Has he in anger withheld his compassion?"
Then I thought, "To this I will appeal:
the years of the right hand of the Most High."
I will remember the deeds of the LORD;
yes, I will remember your miracles of long ago.
I will meditate on all your works
and consider all your mighty deeds.
Your ways, O God, are holy.
What god is so great as our God?
You are the God who performs miracles;
you display your power among the peoples.
With your mighty arm you redeemed your people,
The waters saw you, O God,
the waters saw you and writhed;
the very depths were convulsed.
The clouds poured down water,
the skies resounded with thunder;
your arrows flashed back and forth.
Your thunder was heard in the whirlwind,
your lightning lit up the world;
the earth trembled and quaked.
Your path led through the sea,
your way through the mighty waters,
though your footprints were not seen.

I want to repeat that last part because it is the part that I feel like speaks to me the most about this time of recovery...

The clouds poured down water, the skies resounded with thunder; your arrows flashed back and forth. Your thunder was heard in the whirlwind, your lightning lit up the world; the earth trembled and quaked. Your path led through the sea, your way through the mighty waters, though your footprints were not seen.

Praise Him in this storm. UPDATE from a resident of Mountain, View, AR...

I live in Mountain View and work at the MV Telephone Company. We have managed to restore telephone service to almost every part of the county, and we have also restored DSL internet service to those that have generators. Initially, Entergy said the power would be on between 9pm-12am on Sunday night (yesterday), but that did not happening. Now we are being told power may be back on by midnight tonight (Monday). The schools and most businesses are still closed, of course, but everyone has plenty to keep them busy. The cleanup continues on the eastern side of town -- we did have one confirmed fatality and only two serious injuries, thankfully. FEMA has set up a command center here, and of course there are many relief groups serving hot food and handing out water. All of the roads are open but there may be some delays with utility work. Hopefully the power will come back soon and we can really start the cleanup in earnest. Thanks for your blog, btw.

~Tyler Henderson

Thanks for the thorough update, Tyler! Unfortunately, another round of severe weather is forecasted today for parts of Texas, Oklahoma, Louisiana and... yes, Arkansas. There is not near the emphasis on the tornadic threat associated with this approaching weather, but the cold air aloft will translate to a greater risk of large hail with this passing system.

Looking ahead to tomorrow, a subtropical impulse is being projected as approaching the Floridian peninsula out of Mexico. This impulse has generated quite a stir... I know waking Jeff from his weatherless coma. The SPC looks to tomorrow for the area being bombarded with a surge of moisture, boundary layer destabilization, strong southwesterly mid/upper flow coupled with deep layer sheer, which all works together to generate an increasing potential for supercells and yes, a potential for tornadoes, not to mention large hail and damaging winds. (I haven't posted my really awesome lightning strike in a while, and given the Dewvoid imposed SDS, I thought this might help).

Locally, in South Georgia, I awoke to freezing temperatures outside. I was smart this time though, brewing my coffee before heading outside, so sitting outside waiting on Mini-Dew's bus, wasn't quite the Dewdrop-cicle situation that it usually is. What gets to me is that, although we started at 30 degrees this morning, the forecast high today is over 70 degrees. A 40 degree span in one day?! Insanity. (This picture I posted is from my archive from just about a year ago. I really need to get out and shoot or get some weather... or something.)

Talking about insanity, I have an exciting weekend planned... Mini-Dew's birthday party. We have invited 7 of her friends over for a slumber party. Go ahead and shoot me now. LOL.

Toodles,
~Dewdrop

Deadly tornadoes in Arkansas, Tennessee, and Kentucky leave a wake of Destruction

Well, last night, my blog visits since July 5, 2007 soared over 10,000 hits, with 322 hits coming in yesterday. WOW! Looks like there were a great many folks interested in learning about the devastation that occurred through the night (and continues this morning and afternoon) in Arkansas, Tennessee, Mississippi, Kentucky, Alabama, and now Georgia, as a massive and deadly tornado outbreak ripped across the country. With this system, already 70 tornadoes have been reported, including two reported during the past 3 hours in Alabama. It has been a terribly tragic weather event, as already 47 deaths have been reported (update 52), and, sadly, as the sun rises on the aftermath, and that path of destruction continues through this morning, afternoon and tonight, the death toll will most likely rise. It's unimaginable. I know, as I watched the hook echo race towards Nashville last night, my heart sunk, to see it on radar and know what it means is a very humbling and frightening thing. You just want to shout to everyone in it's path, seek shelter, get to safety!!! Last night presented a true nightmare scenario, as massive, destructive, deadly long-lived tornadoes tore through Arkansas, Mississippi, Tennessee and Kentucky... continuing on through the night in Tennessee and Alabama, destroying and stealing people's lives and livelihoods as they slept, and the severe weather threat continues...

Today, a large part of the eastern CONUS (Continental US) has been placed under a slight risk for severe weather by the SPC (Storm Prediction Center). I must give kudos to the SPC; yesterday, they placed the area struck the hardest under a high risk for severe weather, and they were strikingly accurate in their forecast for this intensely dangerous weather event. Today's slight risk has already produced tornado reports in Alabama and several tornado warnings have been issued this morning in eastern Alabama and northwest Georgia. I heard from Rick that Alabama Mike had a tornado within miles of his home, and Rick was able to offer some data support for Mike. I have not spoken with Mike yet to get his first-hand account of the events that transpired this morning, but I am awaiting that update. The SPC has a discussion about the outlook for today...

MODEST INSTABILITY /MLCAPES OF 500-1000 J PER KG/ AND FORCING ALONG COLD FRONT SHOULD MAINTAIN A LINE OR CLUSTERS OF STORMS THROUGH THE MUCH OF THE DAY. THE PRESENCE OF 50-60 KT OF DEEP LAYER SHEAR SHOULD SUPPORT A CONTINUED THREAT OF SUPERCELLS AND BOWING STRUCTURES WITHIN LARGER CONVECTIVE BAND. ISOLATED TORNADOES WILL BE POSSIBLE ALONG WITH THE POTENTIAL FOR ISOLATED DAMAGING WINDS. THE TORNADO THREAT APPEARS HIGHEST THIS MORNING INTO EARLY AFTERNOON.

The most intense part of the remaining storm appears to be targeting the area further north of here, where it is likely that the outlook will be upgraded to a moderate risk for severe weather as the day continues... and there appears to be some question regarding the storm's life...

HOWEVER...IT REMAINS QUESTIONABLE WHETHER ONGOING...PRE-FRONTAL LINE OF STORMS WILL CONTINUE TRANSLATING EWD OR IF STORMS WILL DIMINISH ACROSS THE CENTRAL APPALACHIANS AND ALLOW COLD FRONT TO FOCUS DEVELOPMENT LATER TODAY AND EARLY THIS EVENING.

This bit that they are referencing is more commonly known as "the Dewvoid". As a storm chaser, I have had more storms dissolve prior to getting to me than I can even mention. In all seriousness though, this is a messy, destructive and deadly system. I don't wish this storm anywhere near any populated areas, so if the Dewvoid will save lives, I am all for it.... granted, if it holds together and makes it to my neck of the woods, I am on it. ;O) This is a look at what lies ahead for my neck of the woods. Stay tuned...

For some excellent coverage of the events of this horrific tornado outbreak, check out these sites...

Steve Miller - out of Oklahoma
Tony Laubach - out of Colorado
Jeff Gammons - out of Florida
David Drummond - out of Texas
Mike Wilhelm - out of Alabama
Chris Collura - out of Florida but temporarily in Chicago (he was in it, but he hasn't updated yet)
Michael Detwiler - out of Tennessee

This in from a blog visitor...

Megan said...
My sister in law was working at the hospital at the time of the tornado. My brother and their kids were at home and are fine, but no one in my family has heard from my sister n law. Her name is Angula McDonald. If anyone has any information about the hospital or other areas of Mtn. View, please post them here and I will check back frequently. My brother tried to get to the hospital last night, but he couldn't get past the security to make sure that Angue was okay.

If anyone has information about Angue, please get in touch with me, so I can pass the word along to Megan.

Donna said...
Hi my breeder of my dog lives in Mountain View her name is Sue Parracino does anyone know if she is OK. Thank you Donna

Ditto, with Sue Parracino, so I can let Donna know. Y'all might check with emergency management in those areas.

1:30 PM Update: I will be leaving shortly for a Doctor's appointment... here is a current radar snapshot of what's coming my way, just a solid squall line event, no really isolated cells worthy of storm chasing at this point. The NWS (National Weather Service) in Tallahassee issued a Special Weather Statement for the counties to my west, as a cell over that way has pulsed and bowed slightly... but otherwise, still just watching and waiting.

7:10 update: Of course, the "Dewvoid" prevails. The system fell apart, and there wasn't even one strike of lightning for me to capture... got a few drops of rain, but that is all. It seriously fell apart...

I got this comment from an anonymous reader:

anonymous said...
My mom lives in MV and she finally called me an hour or so ago. The hospital was hit, but all people from there are safe. The Chevy dealership was hit and some homes, but mostly the tornado went through open fields. She said only one lady died in MV. I guess they know no one else is dead because they have checked all damaged places. However, the power system was also hit, for the whole town. So no one has power at all and probably for a few days.

I've tried to find more info online, but it's hard. I did find a couple pictures of damage on Highway 5 at Arkansas Matters site
or just go to their homepage and scroll to the "Sever Weather Photos" and you can see more.

So, feel free to check that out, and thanks a bunch to the anonymous reader for the update about Mountain View.

God be with all those affected or about to be affected.
~Dewdrop

Tornado outbreak in... January????

I knew when I saw this yesterday afternoon that it was going to be an eventful day. I was talking with Mike and Matt on Dick and Darin's online chat, and we were watching as the storm intensified right before our very eyes. I watched as Dick and Darin got set in position, until I had to run to an appointment, and I couldn't even arm chair chase. I am sure that with as many tornadoes as there were that broke out in Missouri, Wisconsin, Arkansas and Illinois yesterday (37 reports thus far, and sadly two reported fatalities), that those guys encountered something. They were in it. They weren't too far from the one above actually. A tornado outbreak... in January...??? I thought this was SDS season. Anyways, I was watching TWC this morning, as they were showing the storm damage, and while I was watching, they flashed a picture that one of the "Weather Warriors" sent in. It was a picture of some of the hail that fell yesterday in the severe weather outbreak compared to a can of Mountain Dew. Dew sized hail!!! I love it! I know Mike (not Meso Mike, Alabama Mike, Tennessee Mike, Nebraska Mike, Oklahoma Mike, or Storm Chasing Mikey.., this was Texas Mike) was getting readings of up to 4.13" hail potential off his GR2ae. Now, it looks like round two has begun:

835 AM CST TUE JAN 8 2008

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

MUCH OF EASTERN AND SOUTHERN ARKANSAS
PARTS OF WESTERN KENTUCKY
PARTS OF SOUTHEAST MISSOURI
PARTS OF NORTHERN MISSISSIPPI
PARTS OF WESTERN TENNESSEE

Just a little further east, and it looks like Tennessee and Alabama Mikes would be contending with this one. Locally, we've got nothing, except some more of that exceptionally dense fog (not as dense as yesterday, but still pretty thick). That makes three days in a row now, that the fog was so dense and low that it left the concrete damp. It almost looked like it had rained... but no such luck. I even caught the fog drops... eh, let's call them dewdrops ;-) ... dangling from the branches of my little tree. I love the way the sun spotlights my anemometer. A true weather geek lives here is what that picture tells me.Well, tonight is the big night... the "Twister Sisters" show on WEtv, will be Dew-ified. I have a couple of members of the chase team stopping by for the big show, and I am certain that I will be teased heartily regardless... I am ready. I will be offering a full review of the show tomorrow. Stay tuned.

Have a lovely day!
~Dewdrop