News DetailExplosive supercells likely today across Western KS/Eastern TX Panhandle/Western OK!
Posted At: May 26, 2008 @ 10:46 AM
Posted By: Reed Timmer
Related Categories: Tornadoes
A moderate risk has been issued for parts of the Southern Plains (see below). Unfortunately, I don't have time to post much in the way of models, but today will be characterized by monster CAPE and marginal low-level wind shear that is forecast to increase dramatically by sunset. Closer to 00z, there may be a chance for large tornadoes as the LLJ increases if storms can remain discrete. We're currently in Dodge City, KS but may position a little further east as the dryline mixes. At least 3 live streams should be running today, so stay tuned to the live tracker!
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Looks like fun.
I hope us in Ohio get some storms today, that would be the first in 2 weeks.
Hey Guys & Gals, most of you that are chasing in Kansas today will probably be mobile in the southwest to south central part of the state today but I wanted to warn you that if the severe storms should propagate more to the southeast Kansas to be aware of the flooding that we are starting to experience here now. I'm in Fredonia (Wilson County) and we've already got 3" since 2:00 am. The storms that are currently over us are back building to west into Elk & Greenwood county and are creating even more precip. upstream and this is as of 12noon. Anyway, hope you all have a succesful day and be safe!
Have fun you guys!! Stay safe!
hey gerb im from sw pennsylvania we are under a slight risk loooks like things should be comming later today there calling for severe storms im juicing up my cam for tonight but im watching closely its in the mid 80s here also goodluck to tornado videos.net be safe and have fun
stormchasing rules
Kim, I live in central Ohio, fairfield county and its 80 at 230 with a dew of 60 under fair skies. I sure hope I can pop something here by 4 or 5 pm. Good luck to you as well.
Hey I am cooking burgers in Perryton tonight if any of you make it down this far!
Stream 3 has Wild Kingdom on right now!
Here is a link to a brief video of the Parkersburg, Iowa tornado from yesterday. The structure at the beginning of this clip is outstanding! I am no storm surveyor and do not claim to be, but this sure looks like EF4-EF5 damage if I have ever seen it. What do you guys think?
http://video.aol.com/video-detail/caught-on-tape-tornado-hits-iowa/2666974343?icid=acvsv1
Here is another showing the tornado and its devastating damage...
http://video.aol.com/video-detail/caught-on-tape-tornado-touchdown-in-iowa/3933659208
First Tornado Watch up for the exact area they have the moderate risk for today:
http://www.spc.noaa.gov/products/watch/
Reed or anyone...do you think a squall line in northern illinois is imminent this evening?
Nice clowning around for the camera! It is good to see your spirits are up-and it looks like you all are having fun. I hope the storms fire up-but be careful! And Chris, I hope it cools off for you!
Latest update tornado threat increaing from south kansas into oklahoma as stroms move north stronger low level shear helicty is located in the defuce outflow biundary since yesterdays storms.Also note increaing vertical shear noted on the 06km shear vectors tornado/some strong increaing with 4inch hail.Little cap remains in pa,ny so hail winds increaing and isolated tornado.
I have some analysis and expertiese for the storm in parkersburg iowa it destroyed homes of foundations leveled 3 stroy houes and even a school.From my estamites its a very strong ef4 to moderate ef5 winds to 250mph i think.
New discussian severe thunderstorm watch may be needed for pennsylvania nu capes now 1,000 and increasing with dew points stronger westerly flow aloft is beggining to go there i live in ny.Also tomorrow slight risk where i am excited first time this year over my area!
Supercell with golfball hail reported by spotters headed for greensburg,kansas.I have noted rotation as well with strongest shear in kansas cape atm 2,500 to 3,500 and mderately strong vertical shear and increasing with jet and outflowincreasing low level shear.
heres a link for ben holcomb cam on that lowering wall cloud http://www.severestudios.com/cgi-bin/stream.pl?username=Ben.Holcomb&uid=3
Ok.... now this is just SCREWY!
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE GREEN BAY WI
259 PM CDT MON MAY 26 2008
...LATE SEASON FREEZE TONIGHT OVER THE FAR NORTH...
.UNSEASONABLY COLD TEMPERATURES ARE EXPECTED LATE TONIGHT
AS CANADIAN HIGH PRESSURE BUILDS INTO NORTHERN WISCONSIN.
VILAS-ONEIDA-FOREST-FLORENCE-LINCOLN-LANGLADEINCLUDING
THE CITIES OF...EAGLE RIVER...RHINELANDER...CRANDON...
TOMAHAWK...ANTIGO
259 PM CDT MON MAY 26 2008
...FREEZE WARNING IN EFFECT FROM 1 AM TO 7 AM CDT TUESDAY...
THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN GREEN BAY HAS ISSUED A FREEZE
WARNING...WHICH IS IN EFFECT FROM 1 AM TO 7 AM CDT TUESDAY.
THE COMBINATION OF CLEARING SKIES AND DIMINISHING WINDS...AND
UNSEASONABLY COLD AIR POURING IN FROM CANADA WILL BRING A LATE
SEASON FREEZE OR FROST TO THE FAR NORTH TONIGHT. LOW TEMPERATURES
TONIGHT WILL BE NEAR 32 DEGREES. THE DURATION OF THE FREEZE WILL
BE DETERMINED BY HOW QUICK THE WINDS DROP OFF LATE TONIGHT.
ANOTHER COOL DAY IS IN STORE FOR THE AREA ON TUESDAY. THIS WILL
LEAD TO ANOTHER FREEZE OR FROST OVER THE AREA TUESDAY NIGHT.
FREEZE WARNINGS OR FROST ADVISORIES WILL LIKELY BE NEEDED ACROSS
MUCH OF NORTH CENTRAL AND NORTHEAST WISCONSIN.
Hey alberto, big fan here. My friend and I are wondering what you are forecasting for northern illinois. Initiation starting sometime soon?
getting very hairy south of greensburg http://www.severestudios.com/cgi-bin/stream.pl?username=Ben.Holcomb&uid=3
here's a different cam on the same sthttp://www.severestudios.com/cgi-bin/stream.pl?username=dennis.sherrod&uid=21orm
greensburg has 2 storms and a tornado warning right now kiowa county south of greensburg heading towards haviland
tornado warning for greensburg,kansas kiowa county ben holcomn from severe studios on the storm.Illinois may get storms soon but its 50, 50
baseball sized hail confirmed just south of greensburg
rotating wall cloud southeast of greensburg moving northeast toward haviland
also tornado for zook southeast of larned ks indication of strong rotation moving northeast at 25 mph
tornado warning kay county oklahoma
Pecos county texas in severe thunderstorm watch tornado reported along with 4.25 hail softballs.Very classic looking supercell tornado. reported.
THIS should give everyone a clear picture of how powerful the Parkersburg tornado was.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5m5fdPgrtxc
Check out that semi! WHOA!
The Hugo MN tornado was ruled EF3 today
Parkersburg tornado in iowa should get ef5 rating.Tornado repoted in blackwell oklahoma kay county by rader hook ecko and spotters.Also 2 tornados in texas reported with those supercells.Increasing severe in the great lakes north east as short wave enhances lift with marginal to moderate cape hail winds possible anywhere there.
Hey Bo, I think that MN tornado survey is still preliminary. I am going to be astounded if that isn't upgraded to EF-4. The damage there looks probably worse than what I saw here after Feb. 5th, and that one was, of course, EF-4.
Does anyone know what the Windsor, CO tornado was rated?
ef3 tracy looked more dangerous than was it happens not always wedge tornados are very strong.
Yes small thunderstorms have delevoped here in Ontario. North of Barrie. I will not be chasing because its to far away for my budget. have a 2000 dollar repair to do on my car soon so Ill only be chasing close to home.
imo i like the old rating scale more. when i saw that footage of windsor my first thought was ^%$# &&*%% #@@%$^%^ and so was everyone else that saw that footage. im not trying to spark a debate, i understand the new rating is based on damage done by the storm but that thing was massive massive massive and i guarantee whoever assessed the damage may or may not have been there but whoever actually saw that thing live with their own eyes knows that was an original gangster F &^%$#^& 5
Traineed weather spotters reported a tornado near pratt kanas wedge tornado likely given strong hook and veloicty couplet inicating a large wedge.
Ben holcomg of severe studios has a rope tornado near pratt kansas.
The damage from the Hugo tornado Looks insane for such a tight area. Now I wish I stayed down there and gone through the area, but it looked like a lot of EMS vehicles were heading that way, so maybe it was best that I stayed out of there! The precip ahead of that thing was unreal. I'm suprised I only encountered pea size hail, but Tim had golfballs in Forest Lake just a few miles away!
tornado is just northwest of cunningham moving east northeast
numerous confirmations of large tornado moving toward lerado kansas and getting ready to move into penalosa kansas now take cover
tornado warnings for kingman and reno counties have been cancelled
TVN very close to having a tornado.
Yeah...watching now as well. Hope they hit the jackpot here...I wanna see it too! : )
They are gonna get hit by lightning
Wow! That lightning is awesome!
If this thing drops a twister I have a feeling it could be massive. That just looks amazing!
THIS IS INCREDIBLE
hey alberto what do you have on your radar just northeast of arlington kansas
Stay safe guys...that lightning looks vicious.
hey aj what do you have on radar just south of partridge ks any rotation?
Man, they lost their stream. Shoot! I think they are getting ready to deploy their probe infront of this thing. I don't quite think it is a tornado yet.
Anthony..Severe T Storm for you!
* AT 755 PM CDT...NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE METEOROLOGISTS WERE
TRACKING A SEVERE THUNDERSTORM CAPABLE OF PRODUCING UP TO QUARTER
SIZE HAIL...AND DAMAGING WINDS UP TO 60 MPH. THIS STORM WAS
LOCATED NEAR LANGDON...OR 12 MILES EAST OF NEOLA...AND MOVING EAST
AT 36 MPH.
* LOCATIONS WITHIN THE WARNING INCLUDE...
ABBYVILLE...ARLINGTON...HAVEN...LANGDON...PARTRIDGE...PRETTY
PRAIRIE...YODER...CHENEY LAKE.
tornado threat greatest in oklahoma with 2 sustained supercells and kansas.But yeh mcs should develop in couple of hours now the low level jet is enhancing tornado threat with pretty good iflowbut the jet will veer and make an mcs iwth the southwest winds aloft and surface.Concern for strong tornado in north oklahoma near the difuse outflow boundary.
The cell that just crossed the Texas panhandle into western Oklahoma is a nasty one!
thnx doug my lights keep flickering and its pouring out right now lots of lightning this has been a VVVERRYYY long 4 days in kansas aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa
anthony I'm looking at a cell to the immediate southside of Hutchinson that is probably on a straight line for you. You need to keep an eye on that one. there is another at Dodge City that is pretty potent as well.
thats a few miles away as we speak it's starting to get windy and lots of lightning. ben holcombe of severe studios is basically in my back yard chasing this one which really has me concerned even though they have said no severe threat here just maybe some golfball size hail they just reported baseball size hail just east of dodge city
Stream 1 are on the nasty storm I mentioned earlier. I'd love to see a visual of that one however I'm sure a live stream at this point would be pointless.
Well its figures there was a rain storm that hit me like 20 minutes ago and it was nothing on radar.
Then its strenghtens over my house and about 5 minutes ago there was a hail sig around the schomberg area. With intense lightning to my southeast. Well today was a huge bust here is southern Ontario. Dont know when the next chase day will be.
Well, Illinois was the biggest bust ever,,,,does anyone have any explanations as to why?
hey chris the answer to your question is because oklahoma and kansas RULE......or just greedy!!!
new tornado warning for kay county moving toward blackwell and also narden oklahoma it's going to cross over I 35
http://data.ksn.com/video/radarstream.html
live streaming ksn stormteam
WOW.. Over 40 tornado report in Iowa yesterday..
For all us chasing the past 4 days (thursday to Sunday).. It has been intense to say the least
Got back to Cali this morning... Sorting through all the footage from the four day marathon... AMAZING stuff.. Looks like over 180 tornado reports plus for this period. Cant even count how many rotating storms I witnessed in these four days.
Good to be back in the home though. Surf is good.. so going to get an Tuesday AM surf session with my son on some horizontal ones. This Cali kid really enjoyed all the people in the travels and... What an awesome extended outbreak!
Looking forward to the next possible outbreak.. Maybe the SD/ND will get some of those really low pressure systems like that 975 mb low last year. That storm was awesome! June is here !
JC
ben holcomb of severe studios did capture the large wedge tornado that was near Pratt KS this evening. He's heading to Salina and getting onto I-70 due East to Indiana where they hope to get some tomorrow. He's going to edit the video and hopefully we'll see it soon. I'm not trying to plug anyone else's chases on this website but Reed and Co. can't be everywhere at once and i'm still amped from tonights severe weather since it did happen in my kickin grounds. I hope Reed and Joel and whoever else got some too. IMO when it comes to weather it belongs to everybody and everybody should be able to witness it no matter who captures it. To tell you the truth i would rather watch all intercepts done by Reed and Joel because they are so passionate and they don't hold back. Sometimes they sound like a couple of knuckleheads but they are hands down one of the best teams out there. again, thanks for your courage and knowledge guys.
I like your last post Anthony. Reed and Joel are by far my favorite chasers as well. I am pretty sure they got good footage again today. They almost had a tornado to the ground earlier this evening on the stream.
And I was watching them on cam just a minute ago - they forgot to turn it off. But they look like they were having the best time of thier life. They looked so happy and free. People wanting to shake their hands. Man, they are living the dream! Running around the great planes caputring incredable footage of awesome tornadoes. And about to be aired on national television on the Discovery channel. I am going to try to save up this year so I can chase next year. Because I need to get out there bad! It's calling me.
Note to Reed: The video stream still gets really choppy when you are away from populated places. It only works about 1/4 the time.
i'm also going to chase next year and just thinking about seeing that first one has chills going down my back. I was so close to going out tonite but i know for a fact that i'm not ready. i need to find someone to chase with first off and secondly i want a laptop for radar. There's so much i need to learn and i'm definately not going to get as close as those guys do!!!! at least not my first year. i'm studying maps like crazy. I'm going to start by chasing very close probably Pratt to Hutch and learn alot of the roads and routes.
Anthony - I need some one to chase with as well. I've been using the radar with my laptop for a good two years now. I can tell when there is a tornado by looking at it now. Perhaps we can meet up next year if i ever chase- just a thought.
But I need to get close! My plan is to stay safe, for like a year or so - just to get a feel for chasing. But later on down the road I want to try to get a camera inside a tornado - get some of the best footage ever. Much like Reed and Joel are doing. I have to feel the storm. A couple years ago at my uncles house in PA they had a funnel cloud pass over their house. And i was watching the whole thing outside. It was crazy. The circulation just amazed me. I need to experience that adrenaline rush again.
Well, we have survived the six day chase frenzy and are finally headed back to Norman, Ok. We captured about 12 tornadoes on video or stills (all in Kansas). The most memorable moment was when a large cone/wedge was barreling down on us at over 50 mph and dissipated (forget the rope-out stage) just over one mile away from a direct hit. The storm then produced a massive 1.5 mile wedge just 3 miles north of our location, all while a violent stove pipe was grinding along. The chase ended south of Elk City, OK with one of the best supercell that I have ever seen. We think that it might have produced a tornado when it fully occluded into the precip (also indicated on radar) but we are not counting it. Also, I might add that the lighting was the best that any of us have ever witnessed by a thunderstorm. It was so close and intense with its rapid strikes that we could actually watch the plasma ball at the ground! I will be posting pictures shortly on the forum... stay tuned!!!
i sent you a message to your youtube page Joey. counting the days down for next year, but as for this year i will totally enjoy the videos that tvn capture.
I hate you all...i'm so jealous. I never get anything in illinois. i all wanted was one nice storm to photograph. just one. Didnt even happen. Mother nature hates me.
rock chalk jayhawwwwwk kansas is #1
Matt..
6 DAYS ? Whew... You gonna be sleepin good tonite! I said it in prior posting.. "You guys are animals"
I was so fried from the 4 day thing.. The lightning... (Sunday) ???? I was sittin under a bridge on I70.. about Wakeeney, turned the cam on and got bolt after bolt cg'n dangerously close.. The explosive thunder to top it off being where i was.... OMG! Just sorting through all my video and just amazed! "Mucho Rotation Senor" .. Really scored big and most of all had the most thrilling great adventure. Logged a heap of miles... aaaaahmazing run...
All you guys at TVN... Good hard work ! Just love Kansas when it goes off... Until next time comrades... Rest up.. Lets do it again..
Looking forward to the next one... Until then.. Surfs up... Tuesday am surf session on deck for me and my son.. 10pm PST here & a good "my bed" night sleep is on after I hit "submit comment" ... Jc
I am hear in ny have a 15% hail,winds 2% for tornado.Also on the day 4 to 8 on day 5 a widespread severe weather outbeak.Saying ample cape and strong shear for 3 day outbreak from the plains into my country,I am happy big time.First of the year here.
I am saddened by the deaths that occured Sunday, but to anyone who lives in tornado country here is the one part of the story that was disturbing:
"Officials said at least some of those killed were in their basements during the tornado. They died when their homes were sucked off their foundation."
Heres the link to the rest of the story:
http://www.kcci.com/news/16391215/detail.html
I know that this is off topic, so please move this if need be...
BULLETIN - EAS ACTIVATION REQUESTED
TORNADO WARNING
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE ST LOUIS MO
1238 PM CDT TUE MAY 27 2008
THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN ST LOUIS HAS ISSUED A
* TORNADO WARNING FOR...
EASTERN ST. LOUIS COUNTY IN EAST CENTRAL MISSOURI
NORTHERN ST. LOUIS CITY IN EAST CENTRAL MISSOURI
* UNTIL 130 PM CDT
* AT 1232 PM CDT...TRAINED WEATHER SPOTTERS REPORTED A FUNNEL
CLOUD NEAR PAGE AVENUE AND INTERSTATE 170 IN WOODSON TERRACE...
MOVING EAST AT 10 MPH.
* LOCATIONS IMPACTED INCLUDE...
BEL-RIDGE...
KINLOCH...
GREENDALE...
COOL VALLEY...
BEVERLY HILLS...
NORMANDY...
HILLSDALE...
NORTHWOODS...
UPLANDS PARK...
JENNINGS...
THE SAFEST PLACE TO BE DURING A TORNADO IS IN A BASEMENT. GET UNDER A
WORKBENCH OR OTHER PIECE OF STURDY FURNITURE. IF NO BASEMENT IS
AVAILABLE...SEEK SHELTER ON THE LOWEST FLOOR OF THE BUILDING IN AN
INTERIOR HALLWAY OR ROOM SUCH AS A CLOSET. USE BLANKETS OR PILLOWS TO
COVER YOUR BODY AND ALWAYS STAY AWAY FROM WINDOWS.
LAT...LON 3877 9017 3871 9020 3869 9020 3867 9019
3864 9019 3866 9037 3874 9037 3879 9015
TIME...MOT...LOC 1738Z 266DEG 7KT 3870 9034
$$
BRITT
Well....it looks like if the dude who updated the Wikipedia article on the outbreak is correct, the Parkersburg Tornado is officially rated as an EF-5!!!
Evan C it is official from the NWS themselves. It has been rated EF5 just as I thought it would be. Anyway was reading Matt Van Every's post and noticed he mentioned the really intense lightning.
Me and Reed were talking once and he said that he has almost been struck multiple times this season. We learned that the hard way the last few chases with some INSANELY close calls this past weekend and a few weekends ago in Arkansas. It wasn't the worst I've ever seen in my life, but chase wise its been a wild ride. LOL.
Also looking at the long range June could be active so get ready!!
Heidi,
You might be right about the EF4 rating... they initially thought it may be one tornado that travelled from coon rapids to hugo, but they now claim it was two. one was EF1--preliminary guess, and the other EF3, but they may raise it.
I heard yesterday that parkersburg was EF4, but they now raised it to EF5... pretty insane.
So close to my house, I should go take a look at the damage. 5 miles from my parents house. It will be interesting to hear what the final verdict is on that.
Does anyone know why they never tell the public on local channels when a tornado watch is PDS or not? You would think that this would draw more attention and awareness.
Our station, KAIT-8, Jonesboro, runs the "...THIS IS A PARTICULARLY DANGEROUS SITUATION..." text on the crawler at the bottom of the screen when we're in a PDS. It's not hard to do; every station should do it.
I posted links to the damage & survey report in the forum
Its pretty insane we go 8 years without a EF5 tornado and now 2 of them in the last 2 years.
I know this is a long way out but the models are looking to me like I might get some action next Wednesday. 8 days from now. 3500 CAPE. cap looks like it could be a problem but its not a strong cap. I dont know but ill leep an eye out for it. Could be my first tornado. I gotta convice the boss for the day off.
Bo, Heidi, I don't think the general public is going to take a PDS watch any more seriously than a tornado watch. The average joe just doesn't know the difference.
I was frantically calling everyone I know on Sunday to warn them what was coming. I called 4 neighbors including my parents, and no one took me seriously. It was, ho hum, whatever. I finally yelled hard at my mom to get herself and dad in the basement NOW and ask questions later.
But in general I think the public just does not take tornado watches very seriously, PDS or not. I think when people start paying attention is when the sirens go off.
Andrew, I get the same kind of response from everyone I know. Even after all of the news coverage lately, people still think it can't happen to them.
Matt, I know we don't use EF scales up here, but you gotta count Elie in that anyway. make it 3 in 2 years.
I had almost forgotten about that one Strike- typical American arrogance, lol.
You Canucks always seem to get ignored when it comes to tornadoes but you certainly get your share- and get some of the most beautiful photogenic stuff up there.
I think you hit the nail on the head andrewmn, until those sirens are going off people are going to be watching reruns of Roseanne!!!
Wow i completely forgot about that tornado. I dont know why but ya 3 in the last 2 years my bad.
Going on the topic of people not caring its the same here. July 10th last years there was a tornado warned supercell heading for Tottenham. And i looked outside to see kids outside on there bikes in the park like it was a sunny day. When you can clearly see a huge supercell coming right at us. Thankfully it weakened just before hitting us but it was still a good storm.
One more thing about this is that the EF-scale didn't come into effect until last year. There had to have been several F-4s (or even high-end F-3) that would have been EF-5. Marmaduke, AR is one that immediately comes to mind; La Plata, MD is another... Hallam, NE.... Those are just a few off the top of my head. Here's a link to compare the F-scale to the EF-rating now in effect:
http://www.spc.noaa.gov/faq/tornado/ef-scale.html