Spring Is Almost Here - All Hazards Radio Time!

It's almost that time of year!  Do you have an All Hazards Radio?  Is it backed up by battery and ready to go?  You can stall all you want, but Mother Nature will NOT wait.  If you don't own one, I wrote a blog post a few years ago with some advice...read it and get one!

We could see our first round of thunderstorms on Wednesday in the midwest.  Will you be ready?

Ice and Snow Possible Starting Tuesday Morning 2/4/14

Another round of winter precipitation is expected Tuesday morning (2/4/14). Prepare now to avoid delays getting to work, and have a plan for later in the day as the snow and/or ice accumulates.  Below is the Web Briefing Update from the Springfield, MO National Weather Service office.  You can find up to date information real time here.

   

Winter Storm To Impact Ozarks

Okay folks, get ready...winter is here.

NIST Report on Joplin Tornado

Technical Investigation of the May 22, 2011, Tornado in Joplin MO

The above link will take you to a 429 page VERY detailed DRAFT of the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) investigation of the Joplin MO tornado.  In it you will find details on emergency communications, building performance (St. Johns, Walmart, Home Depot and more), designated safe areas, etc.  It's a long read with a ton of information.

Abstract:

This is the final report of the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) investigation of the May 22, 2011, tornado in Joplin, Missouri, conducted under the National Construction Safety Team Act. This report describes the wind field of the tornado and how the wind pressures and windborne debris damaged and destroyed thousands of buildings; the emergency communications before and during the tornado and how the public responded; the influence of tornado hazards and public response and building and designated shelter area performance on survival and injury; and areas of current building and emergency communications codes, standards and practices that warrant revision. Also described in this report is the means by which NIST reached its conclusions. NIST collected large numbers of documents, photographs, videos, and building plans; developed a computer model of the wind field of the tornado as it crossed the City of Joplin; analyzed the performance of a range of building types for life safety and functionality; interviewed many survivors of the tornado, developed an evidence-based explanation for decisions made and actions taken by the public in response to the tornado; and analyzed the factors affecting life safety outcomes. The report outlines 47 findings related to the May 22, 2011, Joplin tornado and concludes with a list of 16 recommendations for action in areas of improved measurement and characterization of tornado hazards, new methods for tornado resistant design of buildings, enhanced guidance for community tornado sheltering, and improved and standardized emergency communications.

What It Is Like Getting Hit By The Outer Edge Of An EF-4 Tornado ***Adult Language***

*****WARNING:  ADULT LANGUAGE*****

This is from the Washington, IL tornado on 11/17/13.  This family survived an EF-4 tornado.  It appears they were on the outer edge of this 170-190 MPG winded beast.  Adult language, so watch at your own discretion.  Prayers go out to my family and friends in the Pekin/Washington IL area.  I grew up in Pekin, before moving away when I was 15 years old.

How A Tornado Can Hit One House And Miss Another

This image posted by The Chicago Tribune from the November 17th Washington, IL tornado shows the unfortunate results of a farm house taking a direct hit.  But what is incredible is the spiral patterns in the field.  You can see that there are portions of the field that didn't get hit with the swirling funnel.  It easily demonstrates how one home could still be standing and another could be leveled.

Scattered Strong to Severe Storms Possible

Strong to severe storms are possible later today and tonight.  The Storm Prediction Center has much of SW MO, NE OK, NW AR and much of KS in a slight risk box for severe weather.  The National Weather Service in Springfield, MO lists the hazards as:

• Limited tornado risk
• Elevated hail risk
• Elevated thunderstorm wind damage risk
• Elevated flooding risk
• Significant lightning 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)