TornadoVideos.net

Posted At: May 8, 2008 @ 11:36 AM

Posted By: Reed Timmer

Another day of active weather is ahead, this time for the Deep South. There has already been a tornado report with damage in Tupelo MS. More warnings and extended watches are likely for North Mississippi and North-Central Alabama. In fact, SPC issued a 10% hatched area for tornadoes: 

I am not surprised by the forecast considering instability should increase before the main forcing moves into Alabama. A tornado watch is in effect through 2 pm today:

Biggest threat today will be supercells developing ahead of squall line. The environment is prime. Dewpoints in the mid 60s, temps rising into the 80s, 850 mb flow 50 kts, no CIN. Here is the RUC analysis from SPC of the curent 0-1 km storm relative helicity. This is the measure for the potential aid in updraft rotation:

Reed should have more updates later. I should be out chasing this event, but I am down in Mobile monitoring any severe potential for our inland counties. 

-JY

Posted At: May 7, 2008 @ 1:52 PM

Posted By: Reed Timmer

We're currently waiting here in Gainesville, TX, as a tornado watch was just issued for the area.  Looking at the low-level jet (visually), it appears relatively backed in our location, with near due-southerly flow.  This is very favorable for strong tornadoes if it remains until the storms arrive.  At least two teams will be streaming live to the tracker!!  According to the weather station, the dewpoint here is 67-68 - so clearly moisture will not be an issue.  Stay tuned for updates..

Posted At: May 7, 2008 @ 11:53 AM

Posted By: Reed Timmer

Given the insane wind shear profiles that are forecast to be in place east of a surging dryline this afternoon/evening, strong tornadoes will be likely with any discrete storms that form.  The best location for strong tornadoes appears to be along and just south of a surface low progged to move eastward just south of the Red River.  50 knots at 850 mb and 700 mb with significant turning will yield extreme low-level shear values.  This could be a very bad situation for the populated NE TX.  We're currently heading east on Highway 82 toward the I-35 corridor, and expect initiation around 2 and 3.  Stay tuned to the live streaming!  Good luck to all who are chasing today...these are going to be some very fast movers!

Posted At: May 6, 2008 @ 12:09 PM

Posted By: Reed Timmer

As a strong vort max rotates out from the Desert Southwest this afternoon, isolated supercells will develop along the dryline west and southwest of Lubbock, TX.  If these cells can remain discrete into the late afternoon/evening, then tornadoes will be likely as the low-level jet intensifies from the south.  We're currently targeting an area between Lubbock and Hobbs, NM where the wind shear profiles look most ideal.  I paid my data card bill, so the tracker and streaming video will be in full-force!!  Stay tuned for updates..

Posted At: May 5, 2008 @ 3:13 PM

Posted By: Reed Timmer

As many of you know, yesterday was the 1-year anniversary of the tragic EF5 tornado that struck Greensburg, KS the night of May 4, 2007.  Sadly, 13 people lost their lives from that storm, and a majority of the buildings in Greensburg were completely destroyed.  Below is a 4-part video compiled in remembrance of that night by Dick McGowan and Darin Brunin of TornadoLive.com. 

A week ago, we visited Greensburg for the first time since the tornado, and while the rebuilding process is moving forward rapidly, visual scars of the tornado are widespread.  Nearly all the trees in the town are dead or severely injured, and bare foundations of previous buildings can be seen everywhere.  Still though, a strong feeling of optimism and  determination is apparent with the locals as the town continues to rebuild stronger and more eco-friendly than ever.  Heading the rebuilding process is Greensburg GreenTown, a nonprofit organization established to provide the residents of Greensburg with the resources, information, and support to rebuild as a model green community.  News and updates of the rebuilding process, as well as donation information can be found at the following website:   

http://www.greensburggreentown.org/

Storm chasers not only played a significant role in the warning process during this tragic tornado event but providing ground truth to National Weather Service forecasters and Emergency Managers, but also have established a charity program called Project Greensburg, where profit from storm chaser highlight DVDs are being donated to the rebuilding process.  Information on this program can be found at the URL below:

http://www.thestormsof2007.org/projectgreensburg.htm

Posted At: May 3, 2008 @ 12:00 PM

Posted By: Reed Timmer

Here is the video of the strong, violent tornado in Northeast AR from Don G of TVN Stream 2.  Note how low the wall cloud is!  Sadly it appears that this tornado caused significant damage to at least a few structures, but I've been out of touch with the news since yesterday.  I'll have images up of the low-contrast wedge near I-40 that we intercepted earlier in the day, as well as the tragic scene in Enterprise, MS.  Thankfully though, no injuries were reported at this time in Enterprise due to the lengthy warning time - and the whole town went to a shelter.  Stay tuned for updates.