April 27th Tornado Outbreak Video From Reed Timmer of Storm Chasers

Tornado Outbreak of Historic Proportion 4/27/11

In all my years of observing severe weather, both locally and nationally, I have NEVER seen anything like what went on today, and is still going on. Mississippi, Alabama and Georgia and Tennessee have been hit HARD. At one time, there were 40 tornado warnings going on at once. The Weather Channel reported at 10:00pm that over 64 have been confirmed dead already.

Update: Death toll at 178, with128 of those in Alabama. Very sad.

Besides the number of tornadoes, I have never witnessed multiple large violent tornadoes going on at once in such a small part of the country.

Prayers go out to those in the Southeast tonight.

Philadelphia, MS Tornado


Tuscaloosa, AL Tornado


Birmingham, AL Tornado

20th Anniversary of Andover, KS Tornado Outbreak

Today is the 20th anniversary of the infamous Andover, KS tornado outbreak, which spawned 55 confirmed tornadoes, the most devastating being the F5 that decimated Andover, KS. In Andover, homes were swept from their foundations. You can read about it his outbreak here.

Here is a compilation video of tornadoes from that day.



This is the infamous overpass video, still talked about today. It is NOT safe to take shelter under an overpass! Notice about 1:12 into this video the van that is being tossed about, in and out of the ditch by the tornado. Very scary stuff...

Severe Storms Possible - Tuesday 4/26/11

The Storm Prediction Center has SW MO, NE OK and much of the country to the east in a slight risk box. Further south, there is a moderate and high risk box. A severe weather outbreak is expected in NE TX and Southern AR.

The National Weather Service in Springfield lists the risk in SW MO as:

• Tornado risk: Limited
• Flooding risk: Significant
• Hail risk: Elevated
• Thunderstorm wind damage: Elevated
• Lightning risk: Elevated

The biggest threat will be the southern most counties in MO, especially south central MO.

You should stay tuned to local weather forecasts. Make sure your NOAA All Hazards Radio is on and backed up by battery. If you don't own a NOAA All Hazards Radio, you should. Click the link for a previous blog post on selecting one.

Flash Flood Watch Extended

After a brief lull in the rain, the Ozarks can expect another storm system to impact the region this evening through tomorrow. As a result, the National Weather Service has extended the Flash Flood Watch through Wednesday afternoon for most of Southwest Missouri along and south of I-44.

Flooding is the biggest killer in the Ozarks. The region has numerous low water crossings and the terrain enhances the flash flooding potential.

For a look at the latest river levels across the region, please click here.

For road closures due to flooding, check out this link.

With the threat of more heavy rain later today: You should stay tuned to local weather forecasts. Make sure your NOAA All Hazards Radio is on and backed up by battery. If you don't own a NOAA All Hazards Radio, you should. Click the link for a previous blog post on selecting one.

Possibly Devastating Tornado in Arkansas

Kevin Lighty from KSPR noted on Facebook tonight this amazing radar signature of a tornado near Vilonia, Arkansas. Both the storm relative velocity showing incredible rotation and the debris ball on the radar are just off the hook.

Reed Timmer is reporting that pavement has been scoured off near Vilonia. The last time I've hears about anything like that was the Jarrell, TX tornado in 1997, which was rated an F5.

Let's hope that the impact to the folks in Arkansas isn't as bad as it could be...

PDS Tornado Watch Issued

A PDS (Particularly Dangerous Situation) Tornado Watch has been issued for parts of South Central, MO, most of AR and a small part of OK, TX and LA.

Tornado Watch Information

If you are in these areas, please pay special attention to local weather forecasts and warnings. A risk of strong, life threatening tornadoes exists in this area.

You should stay tuned to local weather forecasts. Make sure your NOAA All Hazards Radio is on and backed up by battery. If you don't own a NOAA All Hazards Radio, you should. Click the link for a previous blog post on selecting one.

Severe Storms Possible - Monday 4/25/11

UPDATED

The Storm Prediction Center has the Ozarks in a slight risk box for severe weather today. The good news is that the moderate risk box shifted south. The National Weather Service office in Springfield lists the following risks in the Hazardous Weather Outlook:

• Flooding Risk: Significant to Extreme
• Tornado Risk: Limited to Elevated
• Lightning Risk: Significant
• Hail Risk: Elevated
• Thunderstorm Wind Risk: Limited to Elevated

These risks are most likely during the afternoon hours, and along and southeast of the Interstate 44 corridor.

You should stay tuned to local weather forecasts. Make sure your NOAA All Hazards Radio is on and backed up by battery. If you don't own a NOAA All Hazards Radio, you should. Click the link for a previous blog post on selecting one.

Good Friday Tornado Event Review - St. Louis MO

The NWS Office in St. Louis, MO has published a review of the Good Friday tornado that caused major damage to the Greater St. Louis Metropolitan area, including the Labert St. Louis International Airport.

The amazing thing is that there were no fatalities or reports of serious injury. Folks this tornado caused EF-4 damage (166-200MPH) at one point, and was rated EF-2 (111-135 MPH) when it hit the airport. With over 3o minutes of warning, and execution of safety plans, lives were saved. See this story from Fox News.

St. Louis National Weather Service Event Review

Severe Weather Possible Sunday Night and Monday

There is a continuing threat for severe weather in the area both overnight and on Monday. This threat includes the possibility of isolated tornadoes. Flooding is an issue due to the continuing rainfall. Please be safe at low water crossings, etc. Turn around, don't drown!

You should stay tuned to local weather forecasts. Make sure your NOAA All Hazards Radio is on and backed up by battery. If you don't own a NOAA All Hazards Radio, you should. Click the link for a previous blog post on selecting one.

Video as Tornado Hits Lambert Field in St. Louis

Severe Thunderstorm Watch Until 6 AM

Severe Thunderstorm Watch Until 6 AM

You should stay tuned to local weather forecasts. Make sure your NOAA All Hazards Radio is on and backed up by battery. If you don't own a NOAA All Hazards Radio, you should. Click the link for a previous blog post on selecting one.

Tornado Watch Until 10 PM

The National Weather Service has issued a *TORNADO WATCH* until 10 p.m. this evening. Be alert for rapidly changing weather conditions and prepare for warnings to be issued.

You should stay tuned to local weather forecasts. Make sure your NOAA All Hazards Radio is on and backed up by battery. If you don't own a NOAA All Hazards Radio, you should. Click the link for a previous blog post on selecting one.

Severe Storms Possible Today - 4/22/11

UPDATE: SPC has now changed the risk to moderate. NWS upped the tornado risk to elevated. The timing is later afternoon into tonight. Please pay attention to local forecasts.

The Storm Prediction Center has our area in a moderate light risk box for severe weather. They note the chance for super cell thunderstorms this afternoon and evening. The Springfield National Weather Service Office Hazardous Weather Outlook lists today's risks as:

• Tornado Risk - Elevated
• Hail Risk - Significant
• Lightning Risk - Significant
• Thunderstorm Wind Risk - Elevated
• Flooding Risk - Elevated

You should stay tuned to local weather forecasts. Make sure your NOAA All Hazards Radio is on and backed up by battery. If you don't own a NOAA All Hazards Radio, you should. Click the link for a previous blog post on selecting one.

Severe Weather Possible Today

The Storm Prediction Center has our area listed in a slight risk box for today. The NWS office in Springfield lists the hazards as quarter sized hail and lightning. The SW MO, SE KS, NE OK and NW AR areas are under a Severe Thunderstorm Watch until 10:00 PM.

Tomorrow severe weather is also possible, and will likely be worse than today.

You should stay tuned to local weather forecasts. Make sure your NOAA All Hazards Radio is on and backed up by battery. If you don't own a NOAA All Hazards Radio, you should. Click the link for a previous blog post on selecting one.

April 19th Tornadoes - Bowling Green, MO and Carlinville IL

Timelapse Tornado Footage from 2010 - Skip Talbot

Severe Storms Likely - Tuesday 4/19/11

The Storm Prediction Center shows much of the Ozarks in a moderate risk box for severe weather. Basically areas south and east of I-44. The local National Weather Service is forecasting the following risks for our area today:

• Hail and T-Storm Wind Gusts - Elevated to Significant Risk
• Tornadoes - Limited to Elevated Risk
• Non T-Storm Wind Gusts - Limited

Storms should be in the Joplin area in the early afternoon hours and the Springfield area in the late afternoon hours. However, you should monitor local media for updated information and specific information for your area.

You should stay tuned to local weather forecasts. Make sure your NOAA All Hazards Radio is on and backed up by battery. If you don't own a NOAA All Hazards Radio, you should. Click the link for a previous blog post on selecting one.

Severe Weather/Tornadoes Expected Tuesday 4/19/11

The Storm Prediction Center has most of MO in a Moderate Risk box tomorrow. Family and friends in IL are also in this risk box. This is a good indication that severe weather will occur. The local NWS office is using strong language regarding the situation tomorrow:

"An episode of severe storms will occur Tuesday afternoon through Tuesday night." They list the risks as:

• Baseball sized hail
• Wind gusts of 70 MPH
• Tornadoes

You should stay tuned to local weather forecasts. Make sure your NOAA All Hazards Radio is on and backed up by battery. If you don't own a NOAA All Hazards Radio, you should. Click the link for a previous blog post on selecting one.

Massive Multi-Vortex Oklahoma Tornado - 4/14/11

Mapleton, IA Tornado Documented - 4/9/11

Time Lapse of Tornado Hitting Raleigh, NC

Severe Storms Likely Tonight - 4/14/11

The Storm Prediction Center and The National Weather Service in Springfield are calling for severe weather in the Ozarks this afternoon and evening, and even into the overnight hours. This includes the possibility of tornadoes.

You should stay tuned to local weather forecasts. Make sure your NOAA All Hazards Radio is on and backed up by battery. If you don't own a NOAA All Hazards Radio, you should. Click the link for a previous blog post on selecting one.

Severe Weather Likely - Thursday 4/14/11

Severe weather is expected on Thursday in the Ozarks. Storms are expected to fire in Southeast Kansas during the late afternoon hours, and in Southwest Missouri in the evening. The threats expected are:

• Tornadoes
• Damaging Straight Line Winds
• Large Hail

You should stay tuned to local weather forecasts. Make sure your NOAA All Hazards Radio is on and backed up by battery. If you don't own a NOAA All Hazards Radio, you should. Click the link for a previous blog post on selecting one.

EF-0 Tornado Touches Down in Rogersville, MO

An EF-0 tornado touched down in Rogersville, MO around 11pm on Sunday 4/10/11. It was mainly trees and outbuildings that were affected. See the story at the NWS site.

This storm tracked right over my house, and I was watching it intensify on radar. It developed into quite a strong cell out of a minor line of storms only minutes earlier.

Baseball sized hail was also reported out of this storm. That'll leave a mark...

Strong to Severe Storms Possible Today 4/10/11

The National Weather Service is predicting strong to severe thunderstorms capable of producing damaging winds and isolated tornadoes in the Ozarks this afternoon and evening. The risks include:

Lightning: Significant Risk
Hail and Wind: Elevated Risk

Tornado: Limited Risk

You can find the NWS Web Briefing that will describe what is expected.

You should stay tuned to local weather forecasts. Make sure your NOAA All Hazards Radio is on and backed up by battery. If you don't own a NOAA All Hazards Radio, you should. Click the link for a previous blog post on selecting one.

Severe Weather Possible Today 4/8/11

The Storm Prediction Center and the local National Weather Service office are predicting the possibility of severe weather in the Ozarks this afternoon and tonight. The risks include:

Hail - Elevated Risk

Tstorm Winds - Elevated Risk

Tornado - Limited Risk

You should stay tuned to local weather forecasts. Make sure your NOAA All Hazards Radio is on and backed up by battery. If you don't own a NOAA All Hazards Radio, you should. Click the link for a previous blog post on selecting one.

Gary Cook joins OzarkStorms.com

I am pleased to announce that Gary Cook, one of the most enthusiastic "weather weenies" I know, has accepted an invitation to write for OzarkStorms.com. I met Gary through the Weather Warrior gatherings, and I have read his weather related postings on Facebook for quite some time. He will bring another perspective to OzarkStorms.com and help keep the information fresh.

Gary hails (pun intended) from Monett, MO. I asked him to say a little something about himself so you all can get to know him better:

"I guess you could say weather is in my blood. I was first introduced to the weather by my cousin, Ken Ford, who used to the do the weather on the NBC affiliate in Joplin, KSNF. He bought me my first NOAA Weather Radio, which I used to sit and listen to for hours on end. From that point on the weather became a fascination of mine.

I interned in the KOAM weather department in 2001 and prepared to major in meteorology at Mississippi State University when my grandfather's health sidelined those plans. I instead decided to stay home at teach. I teach speech and debate as well as social studies at Monett High and have been there since 2007. I have coached numerous district champions, a state champion, and a national runner-up in speech and debate events.

Around the school I am known as the weather guy. I am a certified Skywarn Spotter and a weather watcher for KSPR."

Welcome aboard Gary!