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!