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



Wednesday, May 19, 2010

It's like De'ja vous

Watching TWC this morning, and hearing the banter leading up to today, I see that Oklahoma (the same area pummeled with a massive tornado outbreak a week and a half ago) is facing a moderate risk for today.  There is a 90% chance according to TWC's Tor:Con index.  According to SPC, there is only a 15% chance today that an EF2 or greater tornado will occur in their hatched area.
 
A Public Severe Weather Outlook has been issued and conditions are favorable for a significant outbreak again today and tonight.
 
NWS STORM PREDICTION CENTER IN NORMAN OK IS FORECASTING THE DEVELOPMENT OF TORNADOES...LARGE HAIL AND DAMAGING WINDS OVER  PRIMARILY OKLAHOMA THIS AFTERNOON AND TONIGHT.
  
   THE AREAS MOST LIKELY TO EXPERIENCE THIS ACTIVITY INCLUDE
  
          PARTS OF WESTERN ARKANSAS
          MUCH OF OKLAHOMA
          SMALL PART OF NORTHERN TEXAS
STORM DEVELOPMENT IS EXPECTED TO INCREASE ACROSS NORTHERN AND WESTERN OKLAHOMA BY MID AFTERNOON AND QUICKLY BECOME SEVERE.  CONDITIONS WILL BE FAVORABLE FOR LARGE SUPERCELL THUNDERSTORMS WHICH WILL INCLUDE A THREAT OF NOT ONLY TORNADOES BUT VERY LARGE HAIL AND DAMAGING WINDS.
We have seen reports of softball sized hail in parts of these areas with recent storms.  I can't even imagine an updraft required to generate hail the size of softballs.  That is amazing.  I mean think about the weight of a 4.5" diameter chunk of ice.  Imagine air strong enough to lift that up into a cloud to refreeze a layer of rain on it.  Hard to imagine...
 
People in the highlighted areas should be mindful of the weather, especially in light of the fact that these storms will likely turn severe quickly.  Be ready to get into your safe spot.
 
I read a note from my sis, quoting her daughter while they were watching TWC.  She said, "Yay, they are making my Saturday beautiful for me..."
 
Have a beautiful day!
~Dewdrop

3 comments:

  1. That would be 15% chance within 25 miles of a given point in the area. Given the amount of area that this covers I would say the chance of a tornado in that entire area is much higher than 15%.

    Infrequent commenter but I read your blog regularly. Keep up the great work.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Thanks for the comment William.

    Yes, TWC put it at a 90% chance for tornadoes in the area. The 15% is for an EF2 or greater within 25 miles of a given point within the hatched area, as you said. Thanks for the clarification and for reading.

    ReplyDelete
  3. I am always so fascinated with your weather reports. I wish we had a little more bad weather here. I glory in a good storm--though here in the Valley we rarely have damaging storms let alone tornados!

    They say we are in for a bit of a windstorm today. It was clear and beautiful just an hour ago--but the clouds are moving in and there is that uneasy stillness which often fills the air just before the storm comes.

    ReplyDelete

Dew comment, please...