***Late-Season Severe Outbreak Taking Shape***

A late season multi-day severe weather event is taking shape for parts of the South and Southeast for Monday-Wednesday.  Moisture from the Gulf, along with ample wind shear, will return to TX, AR, and OK.  These will provide the necessary fuel for significant severe weather with tornadoes, damaging winds, and destructive hail all becoming likely.  The primary threat areas for Monday will be over much of Central/Northeastern TX, up through Southern OK and Western AR. Tuesday will bring a more broad threat with severe storms possible through much of the mid/lower MS valley.  The cold front will continue East bringing the threat all the way to the Carolinas.  Many Watches and Warnings are anticipated so be sure to check back and stay tuned to local forecasts for updates.  Follow me on Twitter for up to the minute updates at @MaximumWeather.  These storms will have the potential to cause significant damage to life and/or property, be sure to have an emergency plan in place in case the weather turns quickly. -BW

***Early Season Snowstorm Taking Shape in the Northeast***

A rare late October snowstorm is taking shape over parts of the Northeast.  A swath of snow will fall through many states with an estimated 25 million people potentially affected.  Snowfall totals will very greatly with 8-12" amounts inland being common with some locally higher amounts.  The snow will be wet and heavy with the potential to create dangerous travel conditions and widespread power outages.  Expect major airport delays for anyone planning to travel by air.  If you are affected by watches and warnings be sure to have an emergency plan in place, stay tuned to local media, and listen NOAA weather radio for the latest updates for your area.  Check back for updates....

Hurricane Rina ***Updated 10.25.11***

Images: NOAA/NWS/NHC

Hurricane Rina is now a very strong Category 2 hurricane with maximum sustained winds of 110mph and a central pressure of 970mb and falling.  Hurricane warnings are in effect for the eastern Yucatan coastline including popular vacation spots such as Cozumel, Playa Del Carmen, and Cancun.  Rina is forecast to further strengthen over the next 48hrs into a major Category 3 storm.  Any preparations to preserve life and property must be rushed to completion as conditions will quickly deteriorate in warned areas.  A storm surge of 5-7ft is anticipated along immediate coastal areas.  Rina will also bring 8-16 inches of rain which will most certainly cause flash flooding.  Conditions will begin to decline Wednesday afternoon/evening through Thursday.  This is a dangerous storm, if you are in the projected path have an emergency plan.  Updates will come as conditions warrant. See http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/ for more detailed information.

Hurricane Rina ***UPDATED 10/24/11 8:30pm CDT***

Image: NOAA/NWS/NHC

Hurricane Rina is currently gaining strength in the Southwest Caribbean tonight.  Rina quickly gained strength early this morning and gained hurricane strength winds mid-morning.  Current strength is Category 1 with winds max sustained at 75mph.  Movement in WNW at 3mph and the last pressure reading was 989mb and falling.  Rina is expected to continue to gain strength over the next 48hrs. at which time it could be a "major" Category 3 hurricane.  Locations currently in the track include Cozumel, Playa Del Carmen, and Cancun.  Some model uncertainty does exist so check back for updates. -BW 

Explosive Tornado Outbreak ***Day 3*** Updated 5.25.11

Images: NOAA/NWS/SPC

Another "High Risk" day is turning the skies black across much of the nations mid-section.  There are currently no less than six tornado watches issued as of 6pm CDT.  Three of these watches have the rare tag of PDS (Particularly Dangerous Situation).  2011 is proving to be the worst year in recorded history for tornadoes.  Tornado related deaths for the year topped 500 with total number of tornadoes right around 1200 which is twice the national average for this time of year.  The number of tornadoes is not what worries meteorologists, but rather the intensity.  Under "normal" circumstances the country could go several seasons without an EF-5 tornado, however this season boasts four EF-5's.  Previously, the most recent EF-5 was in 2008.  There is the possibility of more tonight.  Stay tuned for updates and Stay aware of any watches and warnings that may be issued.

Tornado Nation ***Updated Tue. 5-24-2011***

Tornadoes have struck up and down the country's mid section over the past three days leaving utter devastation and death in their wake.  Sadly, 2 people were killed in an EF-1 tornado that cut a path through the highly populated North-side of Minneapolis, MN on Sunday afternoon.  The same evening a historically tragic event unfolded in the town of Joplin, MO (pop. 50,000) where an EF-5 tornado ripped through the town destroying absolutely everything in its path leaving at least 122 dead and making it the single deadliest tornado since 1950.  Once again, tornadoes carved a deadly path through Oklahoma tonight (Tue.) leaving at least 7 dead with storms expected to continue overnight and unfortunately hit some of the same areas as Sunday's storms.  The atmosphere will re-load for tomorrow across portions of the mid and lower Mississippi valleys.  The SPC in Norman, OK has a day 2 Moderate Risk for a large area with another major severe weather outbreak likely.  More strong/violent long-track tornadoes will be possible in many areas including Missouri, Arkansas, Illinois, Indiana, Tennessee, and Mississippi.  Stay tuned to your local forecast and check W.W.W. for continued updates on this potentially record breaking year. 

Tornado Watch 322 has been issued for much of Southeast MN including the Twin Cities.

Tornado watch 322 has been issued for parts of MN, WI, and IA. The watch is effective until 8 pm CDT. Stay tuned for further updates from worldswildestweather.com

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Tragedy strikes in the South.

As many of you already know a violent and very deadly outbreak of tornadoes occurred over the last two days with the most severe damage occurring in Alabama, Georgia, Mississippi and Tennessee.  The latest death toll stands at just over 200 with that number sure to rise as search and rescue crews sift through rubble and debris.  Many meteorologists are calling this the outbreak of the century as the scope of the damage is fully assessed.  I have not heard an official review of the storms yet but after reviewing several different videos and pictures I would say without a doubt that at least one or more of these tornadoes will be rated EF-5.  In the weather world this is also known as "The finger of God" due to its ability to erase anything in its path.  Updates on storm specifics are coming in very slowly as almost 1 million people are without power so stay tuned for further information.  Many people ask why I do what I do and this is the reason.  I have to say that due to the work of dedicated meteorologists and storm chasers/spotters many lives were probably saved.  If you would like to see video and pictures of the storms visit weather.com or cnn.com for the latest updates.  be sure to follow on Twitter (@worldswildestweather) for breaking W.W.W. news.  Also, please take a moment to remember victims of this disaster as most of us were unaffected by this tragedy. Have a good day!

-Brian

Southeast U.S. under siege!

The southeast US is being hammered by tornadic supercell thunderstorms tonight as another round of dangerous weather strikes tornado alley. For the second day in a row the SPC issued a "High Risk" for severe weather meaning life threatening weather was immenent. Reports of damage including the collapse of a three story motel in Georgia are already coming in. We will continue coverage overnight into the morning hours with news as it comes in. Be sure to follow on twitter (@worldswildestwx) for breaking news updates. Have a pleasant evening and be sure to check your local forecast.

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Tornado Outbreak over TX, AR!

Image: NOAA/NWS/SPC

An outbreak of strong to violent tornadoes and hail the size of baseballs is occurring over parts of Texas and Arkansas this afternoon/evening.  This is the most dangerous severe weather outbreak of the year so far with the SPC (spc.noaa.gov) issuing a rare High Risk probability for severe weather over several states in the ARK.LA.TEX region.  This has also had the even more rare tag of a PDS watch which the SPC calls a particularly dangerous situation. Today is the type of day that all meteorologists, spotters, and chasers prepare for their entire carers.  This is the time when lives are in real danger and can be saved as long as warnings are heeded.  Stay tuned for further updates and details and follow on Twitter @worldswildestwx!

Catastrophic weather event taking shape over parts of the south.

A massive outbreak of severe weather is taking aim at parts of Texas, Arkansas, Oklahoma, and Louisiana. The Storm Prediction center has issued a high risk for severe weather, which is the top of the scale as far as threats go. Strong to violent long track tornadoes are expected as well as a widespread swath of wind damage. Stay tuned to this blog for further details.

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****MODERATE RISK FOR SEVERE WEATHER TODAY****

Image: NOAA/NWS/SPC

A warm front will push north this afternoon igniting an outbreak of severe weather across Southern MN and parts of SD, IA, and WI.  The main threat will be very large and destructive hail and isolated tornadoes.  The storms will develop over Nebraska and and South Dakota and spread to the northeast through the late afternoon and evening.  The storms will be more of a supercell form rather than a line form which favor the hail and tornado threat rather than damaging winds.  Please continue to monitor local forecasts as this is a potntially dangerous situation.  Just wanted to mention that the weather here in Cozumel is beutiful and HOT!  Unfortunatly, I will miss out on the action today but that's ok... Im in Mexico!  Have a great day!

7.1 Japan Aftershock ****Updated****

A very strong aftershock rocked the same region affected by the 9.0 earthquake nearly a month ago.  Initially measured at 7.4, it was later downgraded to a 7.1 by the USGS in Boulder, CO.  Even at 7.1 the shaking was felt as far away as Tokyo (approx. 200 miles).  The aftershock occurred at 11:32pm Japan Time or 9:32am CDT.  This is not what the Japanese need considering the effect that the 9.0 quake had.  There has been no reports of damage or injuries due to the fact that it may be hard to differentiate between events.  Tsunami warnings were briefly posted but quickly canceled once the threat had been better assessed.   Meanwhile, the weather here in MN was very pleasant with temps in the 60's around the Twin Cities and plenty of sunshine.  The weather situation could change dramatically this weekend with our first shot at severe weather coming on Saturday afternoon (If your going to Target Field for the Twins game keep an eye on the forecast).  It appears possible at this time that the threat for all modes of severe weather will be possible with the arrival of a strong low pressure system from the southwest and moisture from the Gulf of Mexico.  Speaking of Mexico, I will be updating from the island of Cozumel starting tomorrow (April 8) and returning April 15.  Please understand if updates are a bit slow as computer access is very limited.  If severe weather erupts this weekend be sure to stay safe and point that camera to the sky!  Have a great evening!

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Massive Line of Storms Moves East!

Image: NOAA/NWS

An intense line of storms is surging East this evening creating extensive damage in its wake.  The Storm Prediction Center issued a Moderate Risk for severe weather for the second day in a row meaning the severe weather season is in full swing.  A cold front surging east as it circles the low pressure system will produce storms with destructive hail, deadly lightning, and tornadoes over a large part of the South and East.  This is a very dangerous situation so please monitor local forecasts if you are in affected areas.  This line has a history of producing huge hail, tornadoes, and damaging wind gusts.  These threats will continue overnight and into Tuesday morning for much of the eastern seaboard.  Check back for updates!

Severe weather threat for Mississippi Valley Sunday.

Severe weather will roll through the Mississippi Valley and the Middle Plains Sunday afternoon and evening.  Very warm and moist air will push north with the arrival of a strong low pressure center.  A cold front/dryline will dig to the south and east combining with enough wind shear to create rotation in the atmosphere for tornadic supercells.  Along with the tornado threat, a threat for very large and destructive hail will exist as well.  The storms are expected to become more linear with the threat for damaging winds becoming more likely overnight into Monday.  Check back for updates on this developing weather situation.  Have a great night!

Supercells blowing up in Lower Mississippi Valley!

Image: NOAA/NWS/SPC

Tornado Watch 72 is in effect until 10:00 CDT for much of Southern Louisiana and Mississippi.  Tornado Warnings are now in effect just to the west of New Orleans.  A severe thunderstorm watch is also in effect for much of central Texas.  Storms are possible with large hail and damaging winds being the primary threat. These storms are expected to converge into one very large storm complex and continue to the East with the threat for damaging winds and isolated tornadoes overnight.  Check your local forecast and have your NOAA weather radio tuned for additional updates.  Have a safe night!

-Brian

2011 Extreme Weather Team T-shirts Just Arrived!

The new WorldsWildestWeather.com 2011 Extreme Weather Team T-shirts have just arrived and look great!  They are in extremely short supply with only 11 being printed and 2 already spoken for.  If demand is high enough I may order another limited run however the shirts are not cheap to print so it won't be many.  I designed the shirts online at CustomInk.com and I have to admit they did a great job with the shirts.  The idea is that we will have a shirt for every year with this being the first for the Extreme Weather Team.  We are still deciding exactly how the shirts will be available so check back for updates.  I would like to hold some sort of photo/video contest for the upcoming storm season or possibly sell a few to recover some operating costs.  I will need to save a few for those of you who are crazy enough to chase storms with me so keep that in mind.  Any suggestions are welcome as well.  Check back soon!

Crow River flooding at Delano ***UPDATED***

Photo: Greg Wright

Image: NOAA/AHPS

With sandbags at the ready, the city of Delano is ready to take on the annual Crow River flood waters that slowly continue to rise.  At the Bridge St. bridge the water currently stands at 18.15ft with an expected crest of about 19.2ft sometime Saturday afternoon. A backhoe has been brought in to break up an ice jam as of 2:30pm Friday.  If the predicted crest verifies, the 2011 crest will fall about a foot shy of last years crest of 20.3 ft.  This is good news to all those living along the Crow River considering they do not need a repeat of 1965's record setting crest of 23.2ft.  Fortunately the temps have stayed cool enough to prevent a rapid runoff of the newly fallen snow, and should stay that way for the next week or so.  The other bit of good news is that there also little to no precipitation forecasted over that time which will help rivers slowly recede.   We will be monitoring the river closely over the next several days so stay tuned for updates!

Moderate Risk of Severe Weather Today for KY/WV/OH

Image: NOAA/NWS/SPC

A strong line of storms from the same system that brought us rain, sleet, and heavy snow yesterday is moving East and bringing with it the threat for severe weather across several states.  This system is responsible for an EF-2 rated tornado in Iowa which had an 11 mile damage path with no known injuries.  The tornado threat will decrease as daylight fades and the storms become more linear, however the threat for high winds and hail still exists.  If you are in any of the affected areas stay tuned to your local forecast for details.
         Meanwhile, here in MN we got a dose of old man winter again... I know, I'm sorry.  Here in the Twin Cities it rained for about a day, then proceeded to sleet for about 4-6 hours, then changing to snow which has just ended recently.  It is a very different story depending on which direction you go from here.  The bad news is that this is precipitation that the rivers did not need.  The forecast for the lakes and rivers will depend highly on the temperature and precipitation over the next week to ten days.  At this time it appears that temps will stay cool enough to allow for a gradual melt of new snow.  Check back soon for updates as the 2011 Extreme Weather Team T-shirts will arrive April 4 and they will go fast!

Severe storms rumbling across Eastern NE into IA!

Image: NOAA/NWS/SPC

The huge low pressure center moving across the upper plains is very active this evening with severe weather exploding across Nebraska, Iowa, and portions of Missouri.  This storm system is expected to spread every type of precipitation imaginable.  Tornadoes are being reported in Iowa with storms heading towards Des Moines. This system is also going to bring heavy precip to our area.  Rain south of I-94, snow north of there. As much as 2 inches of liquid precip could fall over southern MN, which could push some rivers to near record levels.  Stay tuned for another update tonight!

Late Season Winter Storm To Target The North!

A very potent low pressure center will organize over Nebraska and move in to Iowa tonight.  This system will bring with it copious amounts of moisture which will fall as mostly rain south of the Interstate 94 corridor and heavy wet snow north of I-94.  Blizzard warnings are now posted for Duluth and other areas in the vicinity of Lake Superior with snowfall totals of 12-16 inches possible and gusty winds of 30-40mph expected.  Winter Storm warnings are posted for the rest of the northern part of the state with 12 inches possible along and south of the Highway 2 corridor.  The Twin Cities area will see mostly rain with an inch or two of wet snow not out the  question.  Rainfall totals could be as high as an inch in some areas which will only compound the flood threat.  Many people along streams and rivers will be holding their breath for the next 10 days or so as we wait and see how high the water goes.       

Get ready for rainy days ahead.

The next few days will be wet here in Minnesota with rain chances for Sunday and the threat of a larger system Tuesday into Wednesday next week.  Light rain will begin to fall Saturday night and continue on Sunday with rainfall amounts from .1 to .25 inches possible.  The system for Tue/Wed will pack a greater punch with rain Tuesday changing to snow Wednesday.  At this time some models are predicting 1.25 inches of liquid precip which could mean several inches of snow depending on the temperature.  Snow would be the favorable precipitation with regard to the flooding threat as runoff into rivers would be slower.  This system could bring the severe weather threat  as close as the Minnesota/Iowa border.  Stay tuned for latest flood information and forecasts!  Have a great weekend!

Happy St. Patty's Day!

Happy St. Patrick's Day to all you Irish and pretend-to-be Irish out there!  The Spring melt is in full swing here in Minnesota with temps right around 50 around the region today.  Unfortunately, the only green on the weather map is the counties around the country currently under flood watches, warnings, or advisories.  Visit weather.gov for detailed information.  The next several days could be relatively stormy which is normal for this time of year.  Any type of precip that falls will fall on ground that is already saturated with moisture causing runoff in to streams and rivers.  All of the major river valleys around the country are swollen and vulnerable to rain.  Several storm systems could impact our area this week with the best chance for rain coming Sunday in to Monday and a threat of snow mixed with rain on Tuesday and Wednesday.  Stay tuned as we track severe weather in the plains and other weather throughout the country next week.  Have a great evening!

National Flood Safety Awareness Week March 14-18.

It is National Flood Safety Awareness week this week throughout the U.S. March 14-18.  This is the best time to gather family, friends and neighbors together to formulate a flood plan if you live in a flood prone area.  A basic flood plan should include the following: a secondary place to stay in the event of an evacuation, a list of all essential items to remove from your home (if necessary), and a list of important contacts (i.e. family, friends, emergency management officials).  Be sure to stay aware of any flood watches or warnings in your area and be certain you and your family know exactly what these watches and warnings mean.  Your local NWS forecast office should be able to provide you with information specific to your area.  If you do not live in a flood prone area keep in mind that heavy rain can cause flash flooding on roadways and in basements very quickly.
      If you live here in Minnesota you will want to pay special attention due to growing concern that major flooding is imminent in many of our states creeks and streams this Spring .  5 months worth of snowpack will disappear quickly this week with temps in the 50's for much of the region, as well as the threat of rain showers through next week.  This will cause many of the regions rivers and tributaries to swell to flood stage and remain that way for an extended period of time.  Stay tuned to your local forecast and Worlds Wildest Weather.com for continuing updates on this situation.  Have a great evening!

Remember to take a Skywarn class today!

Logo Courtesy of Skywarn

Skywarn Spotter training classes are in full swing around the country and they are looking for you!  Skywarn storm spotters are the eyes of the National Weather Service when dangerous weather moves in to our area.  Even if you don't want be out spotting storms being a spotter can be critical as the NWS wants all types of reports including hail size and wind damage.  Reports can be relayed through several different types of media including amateur radio for time sensitive information and online submission for non-critical information.  If  nothing else it is a great educational experience that doesn't cost anything (in most cases).  The dedicated volunteers of Skywarn have years of service and can be a great resource for severe weather questions and answers.  For more information about Skywarn and how you can become a certified spotter visit your local NWS office website or the National Skywarn website at Skywarn.org  The weather for the US will be very seasonal with the exception of a system coming ashore in the Pacific Northwest and some areas of heavy snow in Nebraska.  Stay tuned for updates on the now 9.0 Earthquake/Tsunami disaster.  Have a great afternoon!

Catastrophic 8.9 Earthquake updated.

The massive 8.9 quake off the East coast of Japan will most definitely go down as one of the great natural disasters of our time.  Similar in size and strength to the 2004 quake that spawned a tsunami claiming 200,000+ victims in Indonesia, this one could have a far greater impact as meltdown of a nuclear reactor at the Fukushima Daiichi facility appears to be underway.  It is now anyone's guess as to what will be done next but one thing is clear,  it appears that efforts to pump sea water and boron gas into the reactor core have failed and temperatures and pressures continue to rise along with the threat for widespread radioactive contamination.  There are now reports coming in from the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) confirming that the entire main island of Japan has shifted by about 8 feet.  There are also reports from the National Institute of Geophysics and Volcanology in Italy claiming that the Earth was shifted on it's axis by about 4 inches.  This event is being covered almost 24/7 by all major news outlets around the world so I will not elaborate too much unless major news breaks but keep checking back for updates as history is being re-written right now.  Have a good night!  

Massive 8.9 quake strikes Japan!

Tsunami warnings issued throughout Pacific ocean including Hawaii and West coast of US. Stay tuned for further details.

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Heavy Rains Continue To Pound The Northeast!

(Image courtesy of: NOAA/NWS) 

The same storm system that brought heavy rain, snow, and severe weather to the South has moved on to the Northeast bringing with it huge amounts of rainfall up and down Eastern third of the country.  There has almost continually been the threat for significant weather for the past three days with 37 tornado reports and nearly 150 high wind/wind damage reports in the last 72 hours.  This storm was geographically a giant, affecting an estimated 100 million people and counting.  Flooding will continue to be the primary threat in the Northeast with persistent rainfall totaling several inches in many areas.  This rain will fall on a fairly dense snow pack in many areas only further compounding the threat.  If you live in an area prone to flooding remember the TADD principal (see graphic above).  Meanwhile, fairly quiet weather will reside over the Central US as high pressure dominates the region. A smaller system will spread across the Canadian border on Friday bring chances of rain, snow, and mixed precipitation to North Dakota and Minnesota.  All indications are that the significant storm systems will remain quiet for the next week or so.  The next system could potentially affect the US by the end of next week so stay tuned for further details.

Huge line of storms slams gulf coast states.

A very strong line of storms rolled through the gulf states yesterday and today causing damage and injuries in several states.  As of 10:00PM CST there were 16 reports of tornadoes, 71 wind damage reports, and 1 injury reported in Henry Co, Alabama.  Those were only the reports from today as there were also several reports from the same system yesterday.  This system will move north and east out of the area leaving most of the country quiet in its wake.  The stormy pattern will pick up again toward the end of the week with snow and rain likely further north. Stay tuned for updates.  Have a great night!

Severe threat to continue overnight for lower Mississippi valley...

The latest radar image from the NWS continues to indicate very strong to severe thunderstorms throughout the lower Mississippi valley.  There are several reports of tornadoes on the ground with extensive damage near the Texas/Oklahoma border with no injuries as of now, thankfully.  These storms will continue east throughout the night moving in to Arkansas and Louisiana.  There continues to be strong storms in the vicinity of central/eastern Louisiana and southern Mississippi.  Theses storms will continue on a NNE track with continued risk of wind, hail, and tornadoes.  Heavy rain is the biggest threat to the Ohio, Tennessee, and Mississippi Valleys where they certainly don't need any more rain on an already soaked ground.  Continue to monitor local forecasts as this system is very widespread and potentially dangerous due to the timing of the storms.

(Image: NOAA/NWS)

Moderate risk for severe weather now issued by SPC.

The NWS storm prediction center in Norman, OK has upgraded the risk for significant severe to moderate for today/tonight.  The highest risk area at this time is most of Louisiana, southern Arkansas, and southern Mississippi.  The threat for long-lived supercell thunderstorms and potentially strong tornadoes will exist in this region late this afternoon into tonight.  This will be a very dangerous situation for an area just plagued by recent severe weather.  Any storm is more dangerous at night, and tornadoes are especially dangerous at night.  No light coupled with the fact that most people are asleep make tornadoes exponentially more deadly.  Stay tuned this afternoon and evening for continued updates on this storm system.

Meteorological Overtime!

This is the time of year people in and out of this business say "enough already".  Storm after storm, the atmosphere is letting us know that there is plenty of warm, moist, air to the south and cold, dry, air to the north.  This is making for one interesting March in what is sure to be a crazy month.  In the short-term a low pressure system is digging out of the south west and will gain strength as it moves across the upper midwest.  The system will track just slightly to the south and east of the forecasted track from several days ago.  That is why they say "subject to change" I guess.  That's the beauty of weather, you just never really know until it happens.  This storm will still dump a wide swath of 8+ inches in SE Minnesota and West central Wisconsin.  Twin Cities is looking at 3-5 inches.  More in the southeast metro, less in the northwest metro.  This storm will also bring significant severe weather to portions of OK, TX, AR, and LA.  Long-lived supercell thunderstorms are forecasted to develop over eastern Texas and spread in to Arkansas and Louisiana by late afternoon/evening hours.  There is still some uncertainty as to the timing and placement of these storms due to an atmospheric "cap".  Stay Tuned tomorrow for further updates and details on this developing weather situation. Have a great evening!

Stormy day for the entire eastern seaboard.

Virtually the entire eastern seaboard will see precipitation throughout the day.  Persistant rain will dominate from Florida to New England with many areas under flood watches and warnings at this time.  Snow will continue north of there with some areas recieving more than a foot locally.  This storm will stretch from border to border as it slowly move east off of the coast.  Yet another storm is organizing in the mountain west with watches and advisories in place.  The stormy March that was predicted seems to be verifying with deadly consequeces already.  The storm to the west will intensify in the next 48 hours bringing heavy rain and snow to the country's mid section.  The exact track is still uncertain but it apears that the heaviest snow will fall to the South and East of the Twin Cities area with amounts in excess of 8 inches possible.  Stay tuned to future updates on this possible winter storm.

Huge Line of storms surges east toward New Orleans.

Injuries are now be reported in Rayne, LA. as a huge line of storms moves east through southern Louisiana.  KATC is reporting possible tornado touchdowns with moderate to heavy damage.  This is particularly dangerous due to Mardi Gras celebrations throughout the area.  This line of storms is so large that it stretches from northern Maine to the Rio Grande in Texas.  Flooding will be a major problem in many areas including the Tennessee and Ohio River valleys.  Flood watches and warnings are now posted so check your local forecast for additional info.  Latest report of 5 injuries, 1 critical, coming in from Rayne, LA now.  If you live in southeast LA area (including the New Orleans metro area) be sure to prepare for severe weather immediately.  Stay tuned for updates on this system and the system forecasted for mid next week.  Have a good afternoon.

(Image: NOAA/NWS/SPC)  

Stormy night for Central US...

Severe Thunderstorm and Tornado watches are now posted for Missouri and Illinois.  This includes the St. Lois metro area.  Tornado Watch 37 will probably turn into a thunderstorm watch shortly as the system becomes more linear with damaging winds and hail the primary threat.  We will continue to monitor this system and relay any info that becomes available.  We also continue to track a very strong low pressure system moving through the upper midwest Tuesday in to Thursday next week.  This system will likely impact a large area with heavy snow likely on the cold side and severe weather on the warm side of the system.  Stay tuned to latest forecasts and WWW for additional details. Have a great evening!

Yet another winter storm taking aim at the upper midwest!

Good evening everyone!  Models continue to indicate that a potent low pressure system will move across the upper midwest Tuesday and Wednesday of next week.  Snow could be falling in central and southern Minnesota from Monday afternoon until Wednesday night.  This will be a long duration event carrying with it the possibility of heavy snow, wintry mix, and rain to the south.  The possibility of Severe weather will exist Wednesday across the Ohio and Tennessee Valleys as this will be a large storm system.  The path and strength of the system are still uncertain at this time and may change at any time.  As of now the 136 hour forecast model is indicating a cool inch of liquid precipitation which could mean as much as a foot of snow for some areas.  This storm will no doubt have a negative impact on the Spring flooding.  The latest outlook was issued today and the predictions only became more dire for the Mississippi, Minnesota, and Red Rivers. Specific forecasts and probabilities are available at http://water.weather.gov/ahps2/index.php?wfo=mpx .  The next flood outlook will be issued March 10, and this next outlook may be the one to pay very close attention to.  Continue to monitor local forecasts as well as WorldsWildestWeather.com for further updates.  Have a great evening!

March, in like a lion... out like a lion. Is that possible?

Good morning everyone.  The weather here in the Northland took a quick turn back to sub-zero temps this morning with most areas around the Twin Cities coming in at about 5 degrees below zero.  The latest outlooks are forecasting a very stormy and wet month of March for much of the country.  Here, this will mean continued snowfall throughout much of the month and south of here will see more severe weather than usual.  Not what anybody who lives anywhere near a river wants to hear.  Flood forecasts become more dire almost every day due to the fact that temps remain cold enough for not only more snow but not melting what we already have.  My fear is that once Spring finally arrives it will be like a light switch causing flash melting of snow thus increasing the flood risk. The Southern plains in to the Ozarks could see some severe development Friday with large hail and damaging winds being the primary threat.  There may be a slight risk of severe storms developing on Sat. along the gulf states as the atmosphere will be much more unstable in this region.  We are also tracking what could be a significant weather system moving in to the upper midwest by Mon.-Tue. next week.  Stay tuned in the coming days for updates as well as some pretty exciting announcements from World's Wildest Weather!  Have a great day! 

Squall Line causes widespread damage... Threat continues tonight for Eastern seaboard.

Sadly, there is one confirmed report of a fatality in Franklin County, Tennessee.  Details are unclear as of now but local media outlets are reporting that a man was pinned under a mobile home in Estill Springs, TN.  This storm system has caused a very wide swath of significant damage through many states.  There are multiple reports of tornadoes, winds in excess of 85mph, and hail to the size of baseballs.  A good reminder to practice severe weather safety procedures when warnings are issued.  Unfortunately, the threat from the same system continues in the Southeast.  A large squall line is moving through the Atlanta metro area now which has shut down the Atlanta airport (the busiest airport in the world) causing major flight delays.  It has been a very busy weather week for many parts of the country with almost 625 reports of severe weather since Sunday (as of 5:30pm CDT).  The weather will settle down a bit for the remainder of the week with no major storms for the next week.  Some strong storms will be possible late in the week for TX, OK, AR, and LA.  This system will spread through many of the same areas as the last two events.  Stay tuned for further details

Missouri Under Siege!

Rotating supercell thunderstorms continue to rumble across eastern Kansas and western Missouri this evening.  These storms are forecasted to be only the beginning of a large scale severe weather event.  Multiple Watches and warnings are in effect now and they are almost certain to continue in to the overnight hours.  This situation is particularly dangerous due to the nocturnal nature of the storms.  The system will eventually evolve in to one or more squall line type storms which have the possibility of widespread swaths of damaging wind and brief tornadoes that can quickly spin up with any embedded circulation.  The storms will continue east through the overnight hours spreading the severe threat all the way to the east coast tomorrow.  I will probably lose several hours of sleep tracking the storms even though I am 1000 miles away.  Hopefully those in the affected areas pay close attention to the latest watches and warnings as it could mean the difference between life and death.

(Image: NOAA/NWS/Storm Prediction Center)  

Severe Weather Outbreak Likely Today in to Tonight For Central US.

A very potent upper level system with a very strong jet stream flow will clash with very warm, moist air from the gulf along with a deepening low pressure center now over the four corners region.  Storms will erupt very quickly   around eastern Kansas and western Missouri.  These storms should move quickly to the ENE though the afternoon and evening hours and will be capable of all modes of severe weather with destructive hail and damaging wind gusts being the primary threat, although an isolated tornado can not be ruled out.  The greater threat will come later in the evening from eastern Oklahoma in to western/central Arkansas.  Here, a greater tornado and wind threat will exist and will continue to move from the Ozark plateau in to the Mississippi and Tennessee Valleys overnight.  The storms should start out as discreet supercells and eventually merge in to a single linear system which will affect a widespread area.  This is a particularly dangerous situation as storms will continue, and possibly intensify, during the overnight hours.  Stay tuned to later forecasts and updates on this developing weather situation. Have a great day!

Another Day 2 Moderate Risk For Severe Weather Issued by SPC.

The SPC in Norman, OK has issued yet another moderate risk for the day 2 period.  These outlooks are fairly rare, only averaging about 10 issued every year.  This is the 2nd issued in the last 4 days and unfortunately it will affect many of the same areas as Thursday's storms.  The setup for Sunday's storm looks to be very similar to that of Thursday's event.  There is still some uncertainty as to when and what type of storms will develop first.  The atmosphere will remain "capped"  over parts of Eastern Kansas, Oklahoma, and Texas which means warm air aloft will inhibit some storm development early in the period.  The storms are again expected to merge in to a single line along the frontal boundary/dry line and move across the middle Mississippi and Tennessee Valleys with damaging winds likely and tornadoes possible with any embedded supercell storms.  Stay tuned to later forcasts and updates on this potentially dangerous situation.

(Image: NOAA/NWS/SPC)

Farewell Discovery!

Space shuttle Discovery lifted off at 4:53pm EDT Thursday for what is scheduled to be its final flight in to space.  Shuttle mission STS-133 is led by commander Steven Lindsey and flown by pilot Eric Boe.  Some interesting facts about this flight are that mission specialist Steve Bowen is making his second consecutive shuttle flight as he was on board Atlantis for mission STS-132 in May of 2010.  He is the first astronaut to ever fly back-to-back missions.  The second interesting bit is that Discovery will have a "robonaut" on board.  "R2" as NASA calls it will become a permanent resident of the International Space Station and be used to assist crew members and also studied to understand how robots behave in space.  The educational and inspirational experiences the shuttle program has provided will surely be missed after the program is retired later this year.  Two more flights are scheduled for this year with the last being STS-135 slated to lift off in late June 2011.  Meanwhile, the weather in the West continues to be unsettled with snowy and very cold conditions.  We are still tracking a slight risk of severe weather over much of the southern plains into the Mississippi river valley on Sunday so stay tuned for further updates.  Have a great day!

(Logo credit: NASA)

Record cold expected for western US.

Temps will plummet tonight throughout much of the country but especially in the West where temps will run 25 to 40 degrees below average in many places.  Freeze warnings are in effect for much of central California where record low temps are possible tonight.  This system will bring snow to elevations as low as 1000 ft. in the San Francisco Bay area.  The system will slowly move to the east and strengthen once again bringing heavy snow to the upper midwest and thunderstorms to the central plains with severe weather looking more likely by the end of the weekend.  All modes of severe weather appear possible although damaging wind gusts appear to be the main threat at this time.  Stay tuned for additional updates. Have a great night!

Stormy for both coasts, quiet in Central US.

The storm system which swept through the lower Mississippi and Tennessee Valleys with deadly speed has now moved on to New England where rain, snow, and mixed precip continue to fall.   Sadly, tragedy struck in Graves County, Kentucky after for young Amish children were swept away by flash flooding.  None of them were found alive.  Just another senseless reminder of how dangerous severe weather can be.  Keep those children in the back of your mind next time you hear of any flash flood warnings in your area.  Meanwhile, the West is dealing with snow and cold temps virtually everywhere as several low pressure centers sit nearly stationary.  Many areas are currently under some type of winter warning or advisory with very heavy snow already falling in the Sierra Nevada. These lows will slowly begin to organize over the Rockies over the next 36-48 hours.  As this system pushes to the east it will again bring severe weather to many of the same areas affected by yesterdays storms.  Also, this could mean significant snow for the upper midwest where temps should be cold enough. The exact track of the low is still uncertain so check back often.  I will update as soon as the information becomes available.  Have a great day!    

Severe Weather Threat to continue into tonight.

A massive squall line continues to move East towards the Mississippi River producing tornado warnings, destructive hail, deadly lightning and extremely heavy rainfall.  The threat will continue in to the overnight hours.  As time goes on the main threat will become damaging wind gusts.  Tornado watches continue until 10PM local time with isolated tornadoes possible throughout tonight.  There are breaking news reports of vehicles being blown off of  Interstate 55 in MO.  Continue to monitor the latest forecasts and updates concerning this severe weather event.

(Image: National Weather Service)

Tornado Watch issued for AR/LA/TX

The NWS Storm Prediction Center has issued the first Tornado watch of the day for parts of Texas, Louisiana, Oklahoma and Arkansas.  This Tornado watch is valid until 6PM CDT for these areas.  A line of storms has developed along the frontal boundary and is rapidly progressing to the ENE.  It is likely that supercell thunderstorms will develop quickly out in front of the main line of storms.  More watches are likely as well as warnings so stay tuned for updates.  If you live in any the the affected areas please stay abreast of the local forecast as this is a very dangerous situation.

A Colorful Day on the U.S. Hazards Map.

Good Morning!  Two large areas of heavy precipitation are ongoing across the Central U.S. this morning as a strong area of low pressure is developing to the Southwest.  A stripe of winter storm warnings is now in effect all the way from central Kansas in to Maine.  Some strong storms are now around the Texas/Oklahoma border as this area is currently under a severe thunderstorm watch.  The main threat from any of these storms will be hail and/or damaging winds.  The more prominent event of the day will unfold later this afternoon over portions of Arkansas, Mississippi, Tennessee, and Kentucky.  Ongoing storms in Texas and Oklahoma will continue to move Northeast. As these storms move to the NE they will encounter a large amount of unstable and moist air from the gulf.  There will be enough rotation in the atmosphere that strong tornadoes and very large hail are likely.  These storms are expected to eventually merge in to a single bowing line with the threat for widespread damaging wind becoming the greater threat tonight.  All modes of severe weather will be possible in to the early hours of Friday morning so stay tuned to further updates. Have a great day!

SPC issues Moderate Risk For severe weather Thursday.

Good morning everyone!  The Storm prediction Center in Norman, OK has issued a day 2 moderate risk for severe weather for portions of Arkansas, Mississippi, Missouri, and Tennessee.  The latest information suggests that a strong surface low will pass over the region Thursday afternoon.  With surface dew points in the 60's and a low level jet stream flow of 60 knots storms will begin to fire along the dry line/cold front early Thursday afternoon and continue in to the evening and overnight hours.  This is a dangerous setup for those residing in the area as they are forecasting potentially "strong" tornadoes which they define as EF2 or greater on the enhanced Fujita scale.  The next outlook is due out at 11:30AM Central time.  I will be updating quite frequently throughout the event so please stay tuned for further updates.  Have a great day!  

(Image: NOAA / SPC)

The waiting game...

Good afternoon everyone!  We are watching two areas of low pressure that will impact the lower 48 states in the coming days.  The first is centered about 300 miles to the SW of San Francisco, CA.  This low is expected to continue to move South until mid-week when it will shift to the East and move inland.  As this disturbance crosses the Rockies it will begin to strengthen.  There is the threat of significant severe weather as this low moves through the central plains in to the Mississippi and Tennessee valleys.  The low will then continue on a generally SW to NE track bringing with it the chance for rain and snow to the East coast.  The second low we are tracking will bring snow and bitter cold temps to the northern Rockies.  Temps could be in the 30 to 50 degree below average for this time of year in Montana.  This low will also spread precip in to parts of South Dakota, North Dakota and Minnesota by the end of the work week with another system on its heels for Early next week.  Check back for updates and have a great day! 

Powerful earthquake Hits New Zealand.

A powerful 6.3 Earthquake has struck the city of Christchurch, New Zealand at a depth of 3.1 miles. A depth which is fairly shallow for a strong quake such as this one.  The USGS is also reporting a strong after shock registering 5.6 within the last hour.  Widespread damage and serious injuries are being reported along with power outages and general chaos in the streets as the quake happened just before 1PM local time (6PM Central time).  Christchurch has been struck many times before including a very strong 7.1 striking the southern city in September 2010.

Love it or hate it... it's still Winter.

The winter storm is beginning to move out of the area however, snow continues to fall here in East central MN.  It should taper to flurries by this afternoon. Snow reports are coming in anywhere from 13 to 19 inches from across the region putting this storm right in line with the December storm that dumped around the same amount. As I was typing that the power went out... a snow plow must have hit a power pole or something . As of this morning at 6:00 AM the season total stood at 73.6 inches at the MSP airport so far.  This ranks 11th snowiest in Twin Cities history with the record standing at 98.6 inches for the 1983-1984 winter.  We will probably will end up somewhere in the 90 inch range if March runs about average. Still tracking a severe weather outbreak later in the week for the lower Mississippi Valley region with damaging winds, destructive hail, and isolated tornadoes all being possible. Stay tuned for further updates. Have a great afternoon!

(Image courtesy of the NWS)

Snow, Snow, and more Snow.

The snow continues to fall here in the Twin Cities with the wind picking up considerably.  Estimating the snowfall is difficult at this point due to the wind. Here in the west metro I would say about 8 inches has fallen at this point. The snow will continue in to the morning hours with winds gusting to 30mph, which will most certainly have an adverse impact on the morning commute. Road closures continue to be reported in SW Minnesota and parts of South Dakota. I just had the pleasure of watching the neighbor shovel the parking lot to get his BMW z3 in to his garage. Sure makes me glad I drive an SUV.  School and activity closings are already being posted so stay tuned to media coverage for the latest updates. High winds caused downed power lines and snapped tree branches up and down the East coast. Mixed precip continues to cause major airport delays in Chicago as well. The weather has shifted back to a colder, more stormy pattern for at least the next week or so. The Storm Prediction Center is forecasting what could be a significant tornado outbreak on Thursday for parts of Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas, and Mississippi.  The threat is forecast continue overnight in to Friday to the East. I will update as soon as more information becomes available.   Travel safely and have a great night everyone!

Footloose!

Good morning! Models are now forecasting a foot or better of snow in many parts of SD and MN.  The Twin Cities metro area will be taking a direct hit from this major winter storm. A winter storm warning is now in effect for a good portion of the northern half of the country. Snow is expected to spread from southwest to northeast starting tonight with widespread snowfall amounts of 8-12 inches and locally higher amounts possible. Stay tuned to further forecasts and updates concerning this storm.

Major Winter Storm to affect Upper Midwest!

Where do I start?  Here at home in the Twin Cities we just became the bullseye for the next major winter storm. Does this remind you of previous posts perhaps?  Meanwhile, the still deflated Metrodome could see as much as 12 inches of snow in what is going to look like a giant ice cream scoop shortly.  There is also the Solar storms which continue to cause HF radio blackouts and geomagnetic storms.  I'm not sure if it is related but I have had no data service with t-mobile all day and the local NWS radar (KMPX) information was not available for a short time.  Not good considering we are staring down the barrel of a precipitation gun.  I will be updating as frequently as possible throughout the weekend once things become more organized and clear.  I want to say a quick hello to the Baklund family. Oliver, I am working on your question buddy! Thanks for the support! Please continue to check your local forecast for area specific information. Have a great evening!

-Brian

Sun of a Gun!

The weather here on Earth seems to be somewhat calm for the moment, but we can't say the same for the Sun.  On Monday evening the Sun ejected a strong solar flare.  The "shock" from this solar flare is expected to arrive any time between Thursday night and midday Friday according to the Space Weather Prediction Center in Boulder, CO.  The flare is expected to cause "strong" geomagnetic storming which is a G3 on a scale from G1 to G5.  G1 being "minor" and G5 being "extreme".  The flare is not expected to cause any widespread outages however some re-routing of air traffic is possible along with high frequency radio communications being affected.  The SWPC did confirm that this flare was the largest of its kind since 2006.  If nothing else it has been a while since I've seen the Aurora!

Image courtesy of NOAA.

Feeling a little foggy?

Good afternoon! Dense fog and drizzle has been persistent through the morning hours but is expected to lift giving way to what could be record temps for east central MN and west central WI.  Windy conditions will develop this evening in to tonight with gusts to 40 mph possible for central MN.  The west continues to see unsettled conditions with watches, warnings, and advisories still in effect for the Sierra Nevada and points east.  Blizzard warnings are now posted for northwestern ND and a winter storm warning remains in effect for western MT. The east will be generally quiet with only light showers expected in parts of SC.  The Minnesota Dept. of Public Safety and the NWS will be holding a Spring Flood Update press conference at 2:30 pm, in which the are expected to release the latest flood forecasts and begin preparations for what could be a very wet Spring in the Red, Minnesota, and Mississippi river valleys.  I will update as soon as the information is released. Have a great afternoon!

Monster Snowfall In The Sierra Nevada Range!

Heavy snowfall continues for the next couple of days for the Sierra Nevada range. Check out the NWS 7 day forecast for Carson  Pass, CA.  Ive Posted the link below. Notice the amounts of snow everyday. Measured in feet, not inches. We thought we had it bad here in MN. The models continue to indicate a strong low pressure system moving through the central plains Sunday night in to Tuesday spreading what is sure to be rain, sleet, and snow over several states. The strength and track of the low will determine which type of precipitation falls, and where. Check back, I will be updating frequently about this possible winter storm.

Link to NWS 7-day forecast for Carson Pass, CA:
http://forecast.weather.gov/MapClick.php?lat=38.66192241975437&lon=-119.8992919921875&site=sto&smap=1&unit=0&lg=en&FcstType=text

In the crosshairs again?

Good morning everyone!  It's going to be a fairly quiet day weather wise here in the upper midwest.  Can't say the same for the western US. Blizzard warnings are now posted for parts of CO with continuing heavy precipitation in the mountains of CA.  High wind warnings posted for most of Nevada, Utah, and parts of Southern California. Dense fog blanketed much of the central plains this morning as relatively warm air sat over the snow pack that now blankets many of those states.  The East coast will generally remain quiet through the end of the work week until a strengthening low pressure system will bring windy conditions to New England. Models continue to indicate a possible winter storm moving in to the upper Mississippi valley region by early next week.  Continue to check back for updates!

-Brian

Beginners!

Alright, so I am starting to figure out exactly what a blog is.  I thought it was going to be more of a discussion type of atmosphere or something like that.  I guess thats what a forum style setup would be for.  I don't know... I'm new at this.  I have a goal.  My goal is to try to get some awesome weather experiences and as much information to as many people as possible.  I would also like to see 1,000 page views so please help out!

The proverbial "off-season" for weather seems to no longer exist.  This time of the year used to be know for a more settled pattern.  Not any more.  It literally seems like yesterday that the local and national "weather man" was telling us that the storm of the century was on its way.  That's because it was yesterday.  It seems as though every weather event has more of an impact than the one before it. Of course, it may only appear that way due to everything from the rising population=bigger impact theory to greater mass media coverage. This blog contains no bias as all great meteorologists maintain that no single weather event can be attributed to climate change.

I will do my best to cover as many significant events as possible.  I hope everyone enjoys the blog.  Please comment as everything is read.  I'm sure I will figure out more about the blog setup in the coming days and weeks so check back often as it will be updated frequently!

-Brian    

Midwestern Heat Wave!

If you live in the upper midwest as I do you are in for a bit of a Spring treat through Thursday.  Temps will generally be warming to the low to mid 40's in the Minneapolis area with lows overnight right around the freezing mark.  As we all know this will not last as we are only half way through February.  The western half of the country will see a stormy pattern the next couple of days with winter storm warnings issued for many of the mountainous areas and winter weather advisories in the lower elevations.  Much of the Northeast will chill down just a bit today and tonight but should recover nicely towards the end of the week.  The South should remain dry and temps in the mid 70's with the exception of a few scattered showers in the AR/LA/TX region. Have a great day!

-Brian   

The First Post!

Hey Everyone! Welcome To the first post for my brand spankin' new weather blog.  Other than brief moments on facebook (can I type that here without being sued?) , this is my first intentional post on the internet.  I am doing this because I am very passionate about the weather and I love to tell people about it.  This will probably help with my relationship with my girlfriend as well, as she wont have to listen to me so much anymore.

I know that people from every part of the weather spectrum will view, and hopefully post, on the blog.  My only reason for doing this is to bring together the best stories, experiences, and information from all walks of weather life.  I myself do not possess any sort of degree or certification in meteorology so please don't take anything too seriously.  I might get a little anxious at times (those of you who know me know what Im talking about) but don't worry, I will get over it eventually.  Please feel free to offer any expertise, comments, or any other other info that you feel is worthy of a post.

As for the main topic of discussion on the blog, I will try to post some sort of  blurb about the weather somewhere in the world every day, but will mostly consist of things going on in the U.S.  As most of us know, these days the weather seems to be increasingly hostile, with heavier precipitation, stronger winds, and more destruction than ever before.  There has never been a better time to be aware of the forces around you.

Please have fun with the blog and keep things polite as there is no room for "internet fighting" here.  I hope to hear from everyone and share some amazing experiences!  Thanks Everyone!

-Brian