Fall is Officially Here!
Well everyone it’s finally that time of year again, it’s Fall! This became very evident on my last vacation that we got back from yesterday. We went and vacationed in Pigeon Forge, TN in the heart of the beautiful “Great Smokey Mountains”. It was probably the most beautiful vacation that I’ve ever been on. It was here that I realized how fast this year has gone by! Here are some beautiful pictures of Fall and the Mountians…
Beautiful Foliage in "The Great Smokey Mountains"
Leaves in full color on The Blue Ridge Parkway
Leaves in Cades Cove, TN
Significant Severe Weather Outbreak Today!!!
| Public Severe Weather Outlook | |
ZCZC SPCPWOSPC ALL
WOUS40 KWNS 271025
ARZ000-ILZ000-INZ000-KYZ000-MOZ000-TNZ000-271800-
PUBLIC SEVERE WEATHER OUTLOOK
NWS STORM PREDICTION CENTER NORMAN OK
0425 AM CST SUN FEB 27 2011
...SIGNIFICANT SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS EXPECTED OVER PARTS OF THE OZARK
PLATEAU INTO MID-SOUTH/LOWER OHIO VALLEY LATER TODAY AND TONIGHT...
THE NWS STORM PREDICTION CENTER IN NORMAN OKLAHOMA IS FORECASTING
THE DEVELOPMENT OF A FEW STRONG TORNADOES AND POTENTIALLY WIDESPREAD
DAMAGING WINDS OVER PARTS OF THE OZARK PLATEAU INTO MID-SOUTH/LOWER
OHIO VALLEY LATER TODAY AND TONIGHT.
THE AREAS MOST LIKELY TO EXPERIENCE THIS ACTIVITY INCLUDE
MUCH OF ARKANSAS
SOUTHERN ILLINOIS
FAR SOUTHWEST INDIANA
WESTERN KENTUCKY
SOUTHEAST MISSOURI
WESTERN TENNESSEE
ELSEWHERE...SEVERE STORMS ARE ALSO POSSIBLE FROM PORTIONS OF THE
CENTRAL AND SOUTHERN PLAINS EAST/NORTHEAST THROUGH THE MID
MISSISSIPPI/OHIO VALLEYS AND MID-SOUTH.
A POWERFUL UPPER-LEVEL STORM SYSTEM AND ASSOCIATED 100+ MPH JET
STREAM OVER THE SOUTHWESTERN DESERTS THIS MORNING WILL PROGRESS EAST
THROUGH THE SOUTHERN ROCKIES...CENTRAL AND SOUTHERN PLAINS...
REACHING THE MIDDLE AND LOWER MISSISSIPPI VALLEY BY MONDAY MORNING.
MEANWHILE...AN AREA OF LOW PRESSURE IN THE LOWER ATMOSPHERE FORMING
OVER SOUTHEAST COLORADO WILL MOVE EAST ACROSS SOUTHERN KANSAS OR
NORTHERN OKLAHOMA BEFORE ACCELERATING NORTHEAST THROUGH CENTRAL
MISSOURI AND THE OHIO VALLEY TONIGHT. SOUTHERLY WINDS IN ADVANCE OF
THIS LOW PRESSURE WILL DRAW A WARM AND HUMID AIR MASS NORTH THROUGH
THE CENTRAL AND SOUTHERN PLAINS...MIDDLE/LOWER MISSISSIPPI AND OH
VALLEYS.
INITIAL SEVERE THUNDERSTORM DEVELOPMENT IS EXPECTED THIS AFTERNOON
INTO EVENING OVER PORTIONS OF EASTERN KANSAS INTO WESTERN MISSOURI
AS THE UPPER-AIR DISTURBANCE BEGINS TO INTERACT WITH THE
MOIST...UNSTABLE AIR MASS. STRONG VERTICAL WIND SHEAR WILL PROMOTE
THE DEVELOPMENT OF INTENSE STORMS CAPABLE OF LARGE HAIL...DAMAGING
WINDS AND A FEW TORNADOES. THIS ACTIVITY IS EXPECTED TO RAPIDLY
MOVE AND/OR DEVELOP EAST AND NORTHEAST THROUGH THE MID MISSISSIPPI
AND OHIO VALLEYS TONIGHT IN CONJUNCTION WITH THE SURFACE LOW
PRESSURE CENTER.
A SEPARATE AREA OF SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS IS EXPECTED TO DEVELOP THIS
EVENING INTO TONIGHT FROM THE VICINITY OF A PACIFIC FRONT/DRYLINE
OVER EASTERN OKLAHOMA AND WESTERN ARKANSAS NORTHEAST TOWARD THE
CONFLUENCE OF THE MISSISSIPPI AND OHIO RIVERS. THESE STORMS WILL
MOVE EAST THROUGH THE EARLY MORNING HOURS MONDAY WITH A RISK FOR
POTENTIALLY WIDESPREAD DAMAGING WINDS AND TORNADOES /SOME POSSIBLY
STRONG/ FROM THE OZARK PLATEAU ACROSS PARTS OF THE MID-SOUTH.
STATE AND LOCAL EMERGENCY MANAGERS ARE MONITORING THIS DEVELOPING
SITUATION. THOSE IN THE THREATENED AREA ARE URGED TO REVIEW SEVERE
WEATHER SAFETY RULES AND TO LISTEN TO RADIO...TELEVISION...AND NOAA
WEATHER RADIO FOR POSSIBLE WATCHES...WARNINGS...AND STATEMENTS LATER
TODAY.
..MEAD.. 02/27/2011
$$
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Round #2 of Severe Weather this Sunday
The Storm Prediction Center is calling for a Slight Risk of severe weather this Sunday right in the same place that just got hit by yesterdays severe weather. This year being a “La Nina” year, the southeastern part of the United States is more prone to Severe Weather outbreaks this spring. Meteorologist Kirk Mellish of WSB Radio says,
“La Nina always gives rise to concern for the severe weather season. Last year I correctly forecast below average severe weather, particularly tornadoes. This year looks to have a more active tornado season than last year, especially April and early May as it looks now.”
So all the data is pointing to a very active tornado season in the Southeast. Remember that a Tornado Watch means that conditions are favorable for the development of severe weather, including Tornadoes, Large Hail and Damaging Winds. A Tornado Warning means that a Tornado has been detected on Doppler Radar or is occuring or could touch down at any moment, it also means that threat to life and property has developed. If a tornado is imminent and you are in a home or building, move to a pre-designated shelter on the lowest floor, such as a basement, or a small interior room closet, bathroom or hallway – and get under a sturdy piece of furniture. Remember to always put as many walls as possible between you and the outside. I hope that this article was very helpful and informative. Please write me a comment and share your thoughts with me, or feel free to ask any questions you may have about weather or severe weather season. Thanks for taking time to read this! -WxSpotter
**PUBLIC SEVERE WEATHER OUTLOOK**
PUBLIC SEVERE WEATHER OUTLOOK
NWS STORM PREDICTION CENTER NORMAN OK
0330 AM CST THU FEB 24 2011
...SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS EXPECTED OVER PARTS OF THE LOWER
MISSISSIPPI...LOWER TENNESSEE...AND LOWER OHIO VALLEYS LATER TODAY
INTO TONIGHT...
THE NWS STORM PREDICTION CENTER IN NORMAN OK IS FORECASTING THE
DEVELOPMENT OF TORNADOES...DAMAGING WINDS...AND HAIL OVER PARTS OF
THE LOWER MISSISSIPPI AND LOWER TENNESSEE VALLEYS LATER TODAY INTO
TONIGHT.
THE AREAS MOST LIKELY TO EXPERIENCE THIS ACTIVITY INCLUDE
MUCH OF ARKANSAS
WESTERN KENTUCKY
NORTHERN MISSISSIPPI
WESTERN AND MIDDLE TENNESSEE
SURROUNDING THE AREA OF GREATEST RISK...SEVERE STORMS ALSO MAY OCCUR
FROM NORTHERN AND EASTERN TEXAS...AND CENTRAL AND EASTERN
OKLAHOMA...INTO ALABAMA AND THE WESTERN SLOPES OF THE SOUTHERN AND
CENTRAL APPALACHIANS
A POTENT JET STREAM DISTURBANCE NOW IN NEW MEXICO WILL SWEEP
EAST-NORTHEAST ACROSS THE SOUTHERN PLAINS TODAY...AND INTO THE LOWER
MISSISSIPPI AND OHIO VALLEYS TONIGHT AND EARLY FRIDAY.
AS THIS OCCURS...A SURFACE LOW NOW FORMING IN OKLAHOMA WILL
STRENGTHEN AND ACCELERATE EAST-NORTHEAST INTO NORTHWEST ARKANSAS
THIS AFTERNOON...BEFORE CONTINUING NORTHEAST ACROSS KENTUCKY AND
SOUTHERN OHIO EARLY FRIDAY.
A BROAD CURRENT OF MOIST AND INCREASINGLY UNSTABLE AIR WILL SURGE
NORTHWARD AHEAD OF THE LOW INTO MUCH OF SOUTH-CENTRAL AND
SOUTHEASTERN UNITED STATES.
THE COMBINATION OF INCREASING MOISTURE AND INSTABILITY WITH THE
STRENGTHENING WINDS OF THE JET STREAM WILL CREATE AN ENVIRONMENT
FAVORABLE FOR STRONG ROTATING THUNDERSTORMS AS DAYTIME HEATING
FURTHER DESTABILIZES THE REGION FROM THE ARKLATEX TO THE LOWER
TENNESSEE VALLEY.
THE STORMS WILL HAVE THE POTENTIAL TO GROW INTO ONE OR MORE
LONG-LIVED BANDS THAT COULD PRODUCE A FEW STRONG TORNADOES...IN
ADDITION TO SWATHS OF DAMAGING WIND AND HAIL.
THE THUNDERSTORMS SHOULD BE THE MOST NUMEROUS LATER THIS AFTERNOON
THROUGH EARLY TONIGHT OVER PARTS OF ARKANSAS...MISSISSIPPI AND
TENNESSEE...BUT MORE ISOLATED SEVERE WEATHER MAY PERSIST THROUGH
EARLY FRIDAY OVER PARTS OF THE TENNESSEE AND OHIO VALLEYS.
STATE AND LOCAL EMERGENCY MANAGERS ARE MONITORING THIS DEVELOPING
SITUATION. THOSE IN THE THREATENED AREA ARE URGED TO REVIEW SEVERE
WEATHER SAFETY RULES AND TO LISTEN TO RADIO...TELEVISION...AND NOAA
WEATHER RADIO FOR POSSIBLE WATCHES...WARNINGS...AND STATEMENTS LATER
TODAY.
..CORFIDI.. 02/24/2011
$$
Major Severe Weather Outbreak Tomorrow!
A Moderate Risk of Severe Weather is possible tomorrow. Strong Tornadoes, Damaging Winds, Lightning, and Large Hail are all possible tomorrow and Friday. Here is what The Storm Prediction Center says about the outbreak:
DAY 2 CONVECTIVE OUTLOOK NWS STORM PREDICTION CENTER NORMAN OK 11:00 AM CST WED FEB 23 2011 ...THERE IS A MODERATE RISK OF SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS OVER CENTRAL AND EASTERN ARKANSAS...NOTHERN MISSISSIPPI...AND WESTERN TENNESSEE... ...THERE IS A SLIGHT RISK OF SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS FROM EASTERN OKLAHOMA AND NORTHERN TEXAS AND INTO THE TENNESSEE AND LOWER OHIO VALLEYS... ...SYNOPSIS... A POTENT UPPER LOW...NOW OFF THE WESTERN COAST OF BAJA CALIFORNIA...WILL BE PICKED UP BY THE SOUTHERN STREAM JET AND WILL EMERGE INTO SOUTHERN HIGH PLAINS BY THURSDAY MORNING. AT THE SURFACE...LOW PRESSURE WILL DEEPEN AS IT MOVES FROM NORTHWESTERN TEXAS/WESTERN OKLAHOMA AND INTO NOTHERN ARKANSAS BY 12:00 AM AND CONTINUING ALONG THE OHIO RIVER OVERNIGHT AND INTO FRIDAY MORNING. INCREASING SLY FLOW AHEAD OF THE LOW WILL AID IN MOISTURE TRANSPORT ACROSS THE WARM SECTOR WHICH WILL BE BOUNDED ON THE NORTH END BY A WARM FRONT EXTENDING FROM THE LOW...ROUGHLY ALONG THE 39.50 DEGREE PARALLEL AT 12:00 AM. ...EASTERN OKLAHOMA/NORTHEASTERN TEXAS AND ACROSS ARKANSAS AND INTO KENTUCKY AND TENNESSEE... THUNDERSTORMS ARE EXPECTED TO BE ONGOING ACROSS NORTHWESTERN TEXAS INTO SOUTHERN OKLAHOMA THURSDAY MORNING NEAR THE SURFACE LOW AND NEAR THE DEVELOPING DRYLINE/COLD FRONT SURGE. THESE STORMS WILL BE CAPABLE OF HAIL...AND PERHAPS GUSTY WINDS. OTHER STORMS WILL EXTEND FROM KANSAS AND INTO THE OHIO VALLEY WHERE A SOUTHWESTERLY LOW LEVEL JET WILL ENHANCE LIFT ALONG AND NEAR THE WARM FRONT. THUNDERSTORMS SHOULD INTENSIFY DURING THE DAY FROM NORTHERN TEXAS INTO EASTERN OKLAHOMA BY MID AFTERNOON...WITH A CONTINUED HAIL AND INCREASING SEVERE WIND THREAT. VEERING LOW LEVEL WINDS MAY TEMPER THE INITIAL THREAT OF TORNADOES. THE MOST DANGEROUS STORMS ARE EXPECTED DURING THE LATE AFTERNOON INTO THE EVENING...FIRST ACROSS ARKANSAS THEN SPREADING ACROSS NOTHERN MISSISSIPPI AND WESTERN TENNESSEE. TORNADOES...POSSIBLY STRONG...AND PARTICULARLY DAMAGING WINDS WILL BE POSSIBLE MAINLY BETWEEN 00Z-06Z. ..SPC.. 02/23/2011
New Website to be launched in the Spring!
I have been working on a new weather website that is still under consturction and wont be finished until the springtime. When the new website is finished this one will no longer be updated. But I will still be updating this website until the other one is finished! here is a quick preview of what the homepage will look like… (Still under construction)
A Break From Winter
Winter has taken a break across the nation so far this week and brutaly paralizing Tornado Alley with a huge snowstorm and the Deep South with an inch of snow. Now it seems we are in a warming trend and will probably stay in that warm weather pattern for the next 17 days as the forecast models are not predicting ANY snow in Oklahoma, Texas, and The Deep South. But we all know how winter is in the South! You never know what is waiting around the corner! Everyone enjoy this nice weather while it lasts ’cause I’ve got a feeling that Winter is not overwith just yet in the South. -WxSpotter
Georgia Severe Weather Awareness Week 2011: After The Storm
Ok. The storm is over. You and your family were prepared and came through in good shape. But, there is property damage. Utilities are out. Are the roads blocked? Maybe there are flood waters to deal with. You’re in the aftermath and there are still risks to your safety.
Knowing what to do in the wake of a severe storm or disaster may be just as important to you and your family as taking proper actions ahead of the storm. A study of injuries after a tornado in Marion, Illinois, showed that 50 percent of the tornado-related injuries were suffered during rescue attempts, cleanup, and other post-tornado activities. Nearly a third of the injuries resulted from stepping on nails. Any storm that damages power lines, gas lines, or electrical systems, puts you at risk due to fire, electrocution, or an explosion.
Here are just a few safety tips…
- Be aware of hazards from exposed nails and broken glass.
- Do not touch downed power lines or objects in contact with downed lines. Report electrical hazards to the police and the utility company.
- If it is dark when you are inspecting your home, use a flashlight rather than a candle or torch to avoid the risk of fire or explosion in a damaged home.
- If you see frayed wiring or sparks, or if there is an odor of something burning, you should immediately shut off the electrical system at the main circuit breaker if you have not done so already.
- If you smell gas or suspect a leak, turn off the main gas valve, open all windows, and leave the house immediately. Notify the gas company, the police or fire departments, or State Fire Marshal’s office, and do not turn on the lights, light matches, smoke, or do anything that could cause a spark. Do not return to your house until you are told it is safe to do so.
- For more information, visit the Centers for Disease and Prevention. They have a wealth of information about what to do in the aftermath of all sorts of events – like tornadoes, floods,hurricanes, and many more.
After a storm hits, you may need to find a contractor to fix damage to your home or business, but the fear of victimization from contractor fraud can make this difficult. The National Center for the Prevention of Home Improvement Fraud (NCPHIF) says that the key is being thoughtful versus reactive and desperate. Unscrupulous and illegal contractors prey on homeowners who are uninformed, ill-prepared, and unable to protect themselves. When you are informed, ask questions, and remain calm while finding a contractor to repair your home, you are minimizing the opportunity of being victimized by contractor fraud and may be protecting your neighbors too. A contractor that is trying to get away with fraud will run if he thinks you may be the one to catch him before he acts! Here are some helpful hints from NCPHIF for hiring a contractor.
- DO contact multiple contractors yourself and obtain multiple estimates for repair.
- DO NOT hire a contractor that is going door to door and DO NOT hire them based on the lowest estimate. Make sure all estimates include the same detail and descriptions for material and labor costs associated with your project. A project estimate should include all of this information.
- DO obtain each contractor’s contact and business information including: Exact business name as registered with the Secretary of State, Contractor’s name, Business Address, Business Phone, Cell Phone, Website, Insurance Coverage information, Business License #, and Contractor’s License #, if applicable.
- DO NOT hire a contractor that is missing any of this information. A reputable contractor will expect you to ask for all of this.
- DO NOT confuse a Business License with a Contractor’s License. In most states, all businesses must have a business license. A business license is NOT a contractor’s license. In states that do license contractors, a reputable contractor must have both if the project requires a contractor’s license and they must be valid and up to date.
- DO get more than 3 customer referrals for similar projects and CALL THEM to ask questions about the project, any conflicts and any resolutions. Ask if building permits were pulled and if possible confirm that they were online.
- DO NOT assume these are real referrals. They may be family, friends etc. A good referral is someone who has used the contractor professionally on their home.
- DO call your Insurance Agent to verify the contractor’s insurance coverage is valid, appropriate for the work to be done, and will not leave any coverage gaps that may leave you liable should issues occur.
- DO NOT allow the contractor to file your insurance claim for you.
- DO require a formal typed contract that includes: all contact information, license numbers, breakdown of labor and supplies, a full scope of work, guarantees or warranties on materials and workmanship, procedures for change orders, start and completion dates, payment plan based on stages of work completed, an exit clause, and a right to cancel.
- DO NOT accept a handwritten contract, or a typed one with blank spaces, that is missing the above items.
Thank You for coming to WeatherSpotter to learn about severe weather safety! I hope that you take all of this information and use it wisely! -WxSpotter
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