Monday, March 31, 2008

Monday March 31, 2008 - Buffalo, MO Hit Hard

Blog post updated at 3:38pm 4/1/08 with tornado information.

At least 43 businesses and 13 homes were damaged or destroyed in Buffalo, MO today from the storms that roared through the area. The city of Buffalo was surprised by the storm, and was not able to sound the sirens.

Justin Gann (KC0EUJ), a fellow amateur radio operator whose truck is pictured to the right, had this to say:

"We were all in the PIP Internet building where I work watching it rain out the window and all the sudden everyone was running and looking for cover. The next thing we know the windows are blown out and we were looking at all the damage. It was all pretty sudden no tornado sirens or anything. The girlfriend of one of the guys was in the white car in the pic. She said she got in the back seat and laid down as it busted her window out. She was lucky."

The National Weather Service survey team has determined the following:

A TORNADO RATED EF-2 TOUCHED DOWN NEAR THE INTERSECTION OF PRAIRIE GROVE AND NEILL ROAD WHERE A TURKEY FARM WAS DAMAGED. INTERMITTENT DAMAGE OCCURRED ALONG A 5-MILE PATH WITH A MAXIMUM WIDTH OF 300 YARDS...WHERE 40 HOMES WERE DAMAGED AND NINE HOMES WERE DESTROYED. THREE MINOR INJURIES WERE REPORTED. THE STORM LIFTED NEAR THE BUFFALO AIRPORT.

Monday March 31st, 2008 - Earthquake in SE MO

The severe weather was the headline, but did you know a 2.8 earthquake hit just north of Poplar Bluff, MO today?

USGS Info

Details

Sunday, March 30, 2008

Severe Weather Expected Monday 3/31/08

From the National Weather Service regarding Monday:

THUNDERSTORMS ARE EXPECTED TO REDEVELOP ALONG AND AHEAD OF THE FRONT WITH A FAVORABLE ENVIRONMENT TO PRODUCE LARGE HAIL...DAMAGING WINDS...AND TORNADOES. THE GREATEST CHANCES FOR SEVERE WEATHER WILL BE IN AREAS FROM SOUTHEAST KANSAS INTO WESTERN MISSOURI...GENERALLY IN COUNTIES ALONG AND WEST OF MISSOURI HIGHWAY 5 FROM 2 PM THROUGH 10 PM.

It's spring folks, have the weather alert radios ready, and a plans in place.

UPDATE: We are already under a tornado watch. The forecast calls for a tornado possibility all day long into the night. We are going to get 3 waves. One preliminary line this morning, the main threat this afternoon, then a squall line tonight. Please monitor the NWS or local media to keep abreast of the situation.

Friday, March 28, 2008

March 27, 2008 - Severe Wx

Much to my surprise, Southwest Missouri was put into a slight risk box on Thursday, March 27th. Shortly after realizing this (as Jeff Kerr KC0VGC predicted) we were issued a Severe Thunderstorm Watch. I didn't have a strong feeling we would see anything out of this weather system, but things started rapidly changing at 6:56 PM when a tornado warning was issued for Barry County.

I had been watching this cell develop on radar and it appeared to show signs of a hook echo, so I wasn't surprised when the warning was issued. I geared up and headed out to intercept. While heading south to the Christian/Taney county line I met up with Ian Horton (KB0UTW). We proceeded south to Branson West after debating whether or not we could get south of the storm in time. Once there, the storm fell apart and below severe limits.

While heading down, we talked with Tyler Costantini (KB0PQP) who was observing this storm from the back side. He reported that it did have turbulence and rotation at one time. I did grab a screen shot from video of this storm observing from the south looking north to the Christian and Taney county lines. The picture isn't impressive at all, but you can see the clear slot in the back of the storm and the anvil.


After this I headed home, and monitored as more storms fired up and moved west to east. One storm in particular came just south of my house, and appeared to have a hook echo. In fact, there was indication on GRLevel3 of a meso and other radar images appeared to indicate opposing winds inside the storm. Since it persisted for about 15 minutes, I went ahead and took the family to the basement as it passed by. The little red plus symbol west of Ozark is my house, which is on the south side of Nixa. The little red circle is the meso indicator. I'm not questioning why the NWS did not issue a warning, but this storm concerned me, so I took precautions. Just after this radar image, this storm broke up.


All in all, it wasn't a horrible night. I understand there were confirmed tornadoes in the Rolla area, but nothing too bad.

Thursday, March 27, 2008

Above Normal Flood Conditions Exist

According to to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) this spring will present a higher than normal risk of flooding, as already evident by the recent flooding in the Midwest. From an article on NOAA's website:

“We expect rains and melting snow to bring more flooding this spring,” said Vickie Nadolski, deputy director of NOAA’s National Weather Service. “Americans should be on high alert to flood conditions in your communities. Arm yourselves with information about how to stay safe during a flood and do not attempt to drive on flooded roadways – remember to always turn around, don’t drown.”

Wednesday, March 26, 2008

March 18, 2008 SW MO Flooding Followup

Images have been flying around the Springfield emails in the last 24 hours with great aerial footage of the flooding in the Greene and Christian county area. The website where these are posted lists Josh Martin as the photographer, and the date of pics were from one day after my photos, on Wednesday March 19th, at around 2pm Central time.

Based on the timing of these pics, the water had receded from the day before when I grabbed pics and video.

This image below from the US 160 and AA highway area just south of the Christian/Greene is from the same area as my photos here and here and here.


The images below correspond to my photos here and here.


Tuesday, March 18, 2008

Severe Flooding in SW MO

A severe flood event is underway here in SW Missouri. Water rescues are happening all around the region, at least 1 fatality has been reported today. I documented some of the flooding events around the Nixa, MO area this afternoon. I took video and still shots. The rain is STILL coming down. More than 6 inches of rain has fallen in about 24 hours in the area in which the images are from.

There are so many areas covered by flood waters in Christian county, they have run out of Road Closed signs and barricades. People, be careful out there. It's entirely possible, as you can see at the end of my video, to come across a flooded area with no barricades. From what I understand, they are feverishly working to get more barricades to block off these spots.

Be smart. Turn around, don't drown.


Here is a Google Maps layout of the locations documented in the video and stills.





Pictures of the James River at Highway 160 and AA just south of the Christian County and Green County lines.

Image from just north of the intersection of Farm Road 192 and 141.

Image from Tracker Road in Nixa, MO just west of Highway 160.


Image from the Riverdale area, West of Ozark, MO



-- KB0WVT

Monday, March 17, 2008

Isolated Tornadoes Possible - Monday 3/17/08


Conditions are coming together for severe storms this afternoon and tonight. Strong vertical wind shear combined with moderate instability may lead to the development of large hail, damaging winds and isolated tornadoes as the system moves across the area.

If you do not have a weather alert radio, you should get one. Walgreens, Walmart, Radio Shack and many other places carry them. Get one with SAME technology so you can set it to go off for your county and the one to your west for lead time.

Saturday, March 15, 2008

KOLR10 Storm Academy 2008

The KOLR10 Storm Academy 2008 was quite a success. There was a HUGE turnout, and a great agenda. A few of the Skywarn spotters from the local coverage area participated with two storm chasers from Kansas in a one hour forum on the similarities and differences of each group. The spotters were Brant Sheppard (N0BFR), Bob Hessee (N0XJJ), Mike Rains (K0RFI), Brian DePriest (KC0JYE), and Jeff Morrissey (KB0WVT). The chasers were Tyler Costantini (KB0PQP) and Joey Ketcham (KD0CFR). I felt the information provided was top notch and very educational.
Some of the forums besides the spotter/chaser topic were:

  • January 7th, 2008 NWS - Doug Cramer, NWS
  • January 7th, 2008 Live TV Coverage - Ted Keller, Tom Trtan
  • Covering the Outbreak - Chris Grogan
  • Mobile Weather Lab - Jill Gilardi

The January 7th information from almost all perspectives was really interesting. The audience heard from the NWS, the TV meteorologists and the reporters who covered the outbreak as they described the many angles in which this outbreak was handled. I would have liked to seen a spotter angle as well, but in all fairness I didn't think about that until I was writing this.

It was a pleasure to sit and talk with both Ted Keller and Tom Trtan. Those guys are two genuine weather weenies who not only love what they do, but love bouncing ideas and talking about it. Now it's no secret that Tom Trtan and Bob Hessee are like Dr. Evil and Mini Me. But the picture to the right is photographic evidence that Big Tom and Little Tom not only look alike, but don't seem to mind it too much.

Dowtown Atlanta Hit By Tornado

Downtown Atlanta was hit by a tornado last night. It sounds like they were very lucky with 27 reported injuries. The tornado is reported to have hit the Georgia Dome with 18,000 fans inside. Apparently a warning was issued just prior. I don't know how long the Georgia Dome had to warn the fans, but I have posted my thoughts on this type of situation before.



"There was no announcement of the approaching storm for the 18,000 fans inside the Georgia Dome for the Southeastern Conference basketball tournament. The first sign was a rumbling from above and the rippling of the Fiberglas fabric roof. Catwalks swayed and insulation rained down on players during overtime of the Mississippi State-Alabama game, sending fans fleeing toward the exits and the teams to their locker rooms."
--FOXNews.com

Fox News Story

Thursday, March 13, 2008

Storm Academy 2008

KOLR10 is putting on a weather seminar called Storm Academy this Saturday, March 15th. It will be from 9am to 1pm at OTC. Topics will include weird weather, the January 7th and 8th 2008 outbreak, Spotters and Chasers, and more. Click the link below for more information.

Wednesday, March 12, 2008

NWS Spotter Training - Christian County

Wow! It was a blowout crowd at the Nixa Community Center. NWS Senior Forecaster Megan Terry (KC5YNO) did a solo appearance and conducted the training. She came across as very knowledgeable on the subject matter, and intelligent and witty, which made this educational presentation an enjoyable event.

The crowd was made up of all types, general public, law enforcement, fire and EMT personnel, amateur radio operators, SkyWarn spotters, and even TV meteorologists. Both Dave Snider and Brandon Beck from KY3 came, and even brought there sons. Brandon was behind me and out of my sight, but I can tell Dave is really into his son, and is a proud dad. He looks bigger on TV, though.

The count was around 107 people. Megan did a great job projecting her voice and a great job managing the large crowd by herself. Nice work Megan.

KY3's Coverage of the Spotter Training

Monday, March 10, 2008

La Nina Could Impact 2008 Tornado Season

KY3 meteorologist Dave Snider has posted a special report about La Nina and the potential impact to the 2008 storm season, including the possibility of "changing the average storm track and increasing the number of severe weather and tornado days around the heart of the United States". Click the image below to read this interesting article.

Tuesday, March 4, 2008

Winter Storm Update

Well, what a difference a mile or two makes. In Nixa, we had 1.3 inches measured. Here at work in SE Springfield, 3 inches measured. I'm hearing that a few miles West of here 8 inches fell. That's a HUGE difference.

One that that doesn't change between 1 inch and 8 inches, however, is the horrible driving. It's pretty sad to see overturned vehicles on the road with only an inch or two on the ground.

EDIT: Sniderman posted this link in the comments section that shows the snowfall maps from the NWS.

Monday, March 3, 2008

Here We Go Again - Winter Storm Warning 3/3/08

Another round of winter weather is moving in. First sleet, then 1/4 - 1 inch of ice, then 5 - 8 inches of snow. 24 hours ago, I was getting my gear ready for possible severe weather. I'm starting to see a pattern here...