Prognosis-
Storm Prediction Center has issued a Slight Risk for severe weather on 'Day 3' (2 days away, because Day 1 is today, day 2 is tomorrow, etc.). This Slight Risk includes a 30% risk of severe weather in Arkansas, Southwest Missouri and East Oklahoma, with formidable risks still present in Northeast Texas and the rest of the aforementioned states.
A worry I have to start with is the tilt of the storm. Every storm has a tilt. There is a positive tilt, in which 500mb winds (seen above) will be strongest to the southwest of the system, or a negative tilt, where the strongest winds will be to the southeast of the system. This situation involves a negative tilt storm, and let me tell you why that is bad news.
Negative tilted troughs indicates that the storm has reached maturity and is at maximum strength. Additionally, negative tilted troughs will have cold air running over the warm air, which thus provides additional instability and makes for more severe thunderstorms.
These 500mb winds are also concerning, as the top wind speeds appear to be up to 110 knots, which equates to about 130 MPH. This raises the concern for wind shearing. With high winds at different height levels in the atmosphere, wind shearing can take place. This shearing makes the environment for tornadoes much more conductive than without shearing. Unfortunately, that appears to be what will be happening in this situation.
This is what's called a hodograph. Hodographs measure where the radiosonde is being taken by winds in the atmosphere, which are then used to tell if there is rotation in the atmosphere. A radiosonde is what is sent up in those big weather balloons by the National Weather Service. This hodograph is forecast for the time storms are to be present in Arkansas. This hodograph was based near Hughes, Arkansas.
In this hodograph, we see forecast strong lower level winds as the lines are very long from one number to the next. Notice how it begins to form a half circle shape, meaning that there is some form of rotation being detected at that point in Arkansas. Suddenly, the half circle stops and makes a full circle/square shape. This is exactly what no one wants to see.
What this complete shape means is that there is suddenly a very tight area of rotation in the atmosphere that could cause a tornado. No meteorologist ever wants to see that complete shape.
Moving on, the line then goes off the chart, but likely makes another half circle shape, again indicating some form of rotation may be present.
This hodograph tells us that there may be some tornadic activity in the area come February 28-29. I am concerned about that complete circle that was shown in the hodograph, and I believe that will be something to seriously watch.
The NAM is showing that there will be a lifting mechanism in place to get the storms going. This image portrays the Lifted Index, or LI. When the LI goes negative, it means that stronger storms are likely. When it is positive, it means that the atmosphere is more stable than not.
The Lifted Index here calculates to about -5 in Arkansas and Texas, which is some pretty good instability that could very well get those storms rocking.
The final index is the Energy Helicity Index (EHI). It calculates rotation + energy (CAPE) in the atmosphere to make one of the better indicators for potential tornadoes. Values over 1 are considered apt for tornadoes.
In this image, we see values of 1 to 1.25 in some scattered spots in Arkansas, leading me to believe that Arkansas will be where the strongest of storms happen and where the best chance for a tornado will be. I find it hard to believe that people in the Lower Great Lakes will get anything big out of this as there will be more limited moisture and atmospheric instability.
All in all, I suggest you keep a sharp eye on this. It could get interesting.
-Andrew
Storm Prediction Center has issued a Slight Risk for severe weather on 'Day 3' (2 days away, because Day 1 is today, day 2 is tomorrow, etc.). This Slight Risk includes a 30% risk of severe weather in Arkansas, Southwest Missouri and East Oklahoma, with formidable risks still present in Northeast Texas and the rest of the aforementioned states.
Negative tilted troughs indicates that the storm has reached maturity and is at maximum strength. Additionally, negative tilted troughs will have cold air running over the warm air, which thus provides additional instability and makes for more severe thunderstorms.
These 500mb winds are also concerning, as the top wind speeds appear to be up to 110 knots, which equates to about 130 MPH. This raises the concern for wind shearing. With high winds at different height levels in the atmosphere, wind shearing can take place. This shearing makes the environment for tornadoes much more conductive than without shearing. Unfortunately, that appears to be what will be happening in this situation.
In this hodograph, we see forecast strong lower level winds as the lines are very long from one number to the next. Notice how it begins to form a half circle shape, meaning that there is some form of rotation being detected at that point in Arkansas. Suddenly, the half circle stops and makes a full circle/square shape. This is exactly what no one wants to see.
What this complete shape means is that there is suddenly a very tight area of rotation in the atmosphere that could cause a tornado. No meteorologist ever wants to see that complete shape.
Moving on, the line then goes off the chart, but likely makes another half circle shape, again indicating some form of rotation may be present.
This hodograph tells us that there may be some tornadic activity in the area come February 28-29. I am concerned about that complete circle that was shown in the hodograph, and I believe that will be something to seriously watch.
The Lifted Index here calculates to about -5 in Arkansas and Texas, which is some pretty good instability that could very well get those storms rocking.
In this image, we see values of 1 to 1.25 in some scattered spots in Arkansas, leading me to believe that Arkansas will be where the strongest of storms happen and where the best chance for a tornado will be. I find it hard to believe that people in the Lower Great Lakes will get anything big out of this as there will be more limited moisture and atmospheric instability.
All in all, I suggest you keep a sharp eye on this. It could get interesting.
-Andrew
9 comments:
Wow! Great article, Andrew! You really are great at explaining different types of weather instruments and maps. I learn a lot from you! I can't wait for some more spring weather and some hurricanes later on!
- Reid
Hey Andrew! I'm reading that there is a potential for some bug snow Wednesday into Thursday for the Northeast. What's your thoughts for southern New England in terms of snow/ice? The big weather stations (The Weather Channel, Accuweather, Weather Underground) and the NWS is forecasting a 70% chance for snow and/or wintery precipitation. Thanks!
(Specifically, I'm at Bethel, CT)
- Reid Wilson
Andrew, what if a major tornado hit your house, and killed/seriously injured someone you were close to. Would you still have the same obsession with weather?
I just found this site and love it. What do you see for Easter Iowa or western Illinois for severe weather this spring and summer?
Reid: Glancing at the ECMWF tells me that there will likely be several inches of snow in some spots. Exact amounts remain to be seen.
Anonymous: Of course. It would only inspire my passion to continue researching and investigating weather.
Muddy Iron River Works: From the looks of it, slightly above normal with exact probabilities yet to be determined. Glad you like the site!
EDIT: Muddy River Iron Works.
Glad to know you notice the potential for a bit of snow in the East! We need it! I myself was very pessimistic till I looked at the 12z Euro. One thing I have noticed this winter is that the models have been too far n/w. Most winters they are too far s/e. I will really keep an eye on this potential. Still plenty of time for things to change. Folks in MN get ready hefty snow is coming!!! Andrew, I agree. If some tragedy were to happen to my family, it would only inspire me to work harder to prevent such disasters. I will closely monitot the svr potential. I hope you have fully recovered from your illness. Have a great evening, Andrew!
I have heard rumors about some areas in ND getting over 18in of snow. I don't think that is true. The highest report I have seen is 8.5 in. With the storm that went thru Fri I saw 19.5 in ( Maine) as the max snow total. Oops for me I only expected 6-12 in! I will watch for banding a bit more! Hopefully any svr wx does not harm anyone, and we get some good snow from this next storm. I'll draw conclusions Mon night. No sooner.
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