Severe Storms Possible Today

Tornado Watch until 3pm

Severe storms are possible this morning and later today in the Ozarks.  The Storm Prediction Center has the area listed in a slight risk box for severe weather, including the possibility for tornadoes.  The Springfield National Weather Service lists the risk today as:

• Elevated tornado risk
• Elevated hail risk
• Significant thunderstorm wind damage risk
• Elevated lightning risk
• Limited non thunderstorm wind 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.

Springfield, MO NWS - Hazardous Weather Outlook

Storm Prediction Center - Convective Outlook (Today)

Storm Prediction Center - Convective Outlook (Tomorrow)

Strong to Severe Storms Overnight and Tuesday

The Storm Prediction Center has Southern MO, SE KS, Eastern OK and Arkansas in a slight risk box, and the SE portion of the risk area in Arkansas and beyond is a moderate risk.  This is for overnight tonight and tomorrow.  The National Weather Service office in Springfield, MO lists the hazards as:

• Limited tornado risk
• Limited thunderstorm wind damage
• Limited lightning risk
• Limited non-thunderstorm wind damage

These risk are for the Day 1 outlook.  There is a good chance the Tuesday morning outlook will contain stronger language.  To be clear, for SW MO there will be a risk just after midnight tonight or so, then a bigger risk Tuesday in the late morning hours or noon.  

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.

Springfield, MO NWS - Hazardous Weather Outlook

Storm Prediction Center - Convective Outlook (Today)

Storm Prediction Center - Convective Outlook (Tomorrow)

Tornadoes Possible Tuesday 1/29/13

The National Weather Service in Springfield, MO and the Storm Prediction Center are both briefing the public to prepare for severe weather on Tuesday, including tornadoes.  This time of year, this could change either way.  But at this time, this is the forecast, and there is the possibility the risk will go up as Tuesday gets closer.

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.

Springfield, MO NWS - Hazardous Weather Outlook

Storm Prediction Center - Convective Outlook (Today)

Storm Prediction Center - Convective Outlook (Tomorrow)

Video screen capture of lightning lit tornado
in Republic, MO.  January 7, 2008.

Five years ago today was one of the worst tornado outbreaks I've experienced, and one of the worst is SW MO, especially in the sheer number of tornadoes.  The National Weather Service event review lists "at least" 33 tornadoes.  I have it from a good source that due to the 75+ MPH straight line winds that came through at the end of the event, damage paths were contaminated and that there were very likely even more tornadoes.  In fact, I have evidence of opposing winds at the Cox Rd. and Plainview Rd. intersection in SW Springfield.  I posted a few blog posts about that evening (see below), including a chase log (Jeff Kerr and I).  There, you will find quite a bit of detail, some video and some pictures, including the evidence of a small tornado that was not in the official count.

Please remember that tornadoes can happen any time of the year, and especially in the Spring, which isn't that far away.  If you don't already own a NOAA All Hazards Radio, please get one soon.

Initial post indicating isolated tornadoes...boy was that forecast conservative!

Event overview with link to chase log.

Event update.

Hard safety lesson learned...a post describing an error in judgement.

Excellent "hook echo" example from Republic, MO tornado.

Please Prepare And Be Aware...Let's Break The Record

The longest stretch of days without a tornado fatality dates back to February 24, 1987 at 197 days.  The most recent tornado fatality on record today is June 24, 2012, which means we are currently at 192 days without a tornado fatality.  Currently the Storm Prediction Center is forecasting no severe weather in the next 8 days.

Folks, this is a record we want to break, and it looks like we are going to do it.  There were approximately 27 tornadoes on Christmas day (2012) with no reported fatalities.  Bravo to our National Weather Services offices and local media!  I feel confident that "situational awareness" is the reason lives were saved on Christmas day, and why we are on track to beat this record.

Please prepare and be aware... Spring is coming.  If you don't own a NOAA All Hazards Radio, you should. Click the link for a previous blog post on selecting one.