Weather Headlines
Freeze Watch in effect for tonight
Heavy rain and strong storms expected Easter Sunday
Below normal temperatures expected next week
Main threats
TONIGHT: Freeze Watch in effect. Protect tender vegetation, as temperatures will likely be below freezing for several hours.
EASTER SUNDAY: Heavy rainfall and strong to severe storms are possible. A significant outbreak of severe storms is likely across the Deep South, with our region being on the northern edge of that threat area. This will need to be watched closely. The Storm Prediction Center has placed our region in the SLIGHT RISK for severe storms on Sunday.
The graphics below shows the threat areas for Sunday. This is a new product that you will see me used quite often. An outbreak of tornadoes, some strong, is expected across Mississippi and Alabama, especially across central and southern portions of those states. At this time, that activity is expected to stay to our south. In the images below, the overall severe threat is shown on the left, while the graphics to the right show the greatest probability for damaging winds (blue) and the greatest probability for tornadoes (red). Again, notice our area is within the risk, but on the northernmost edge of that risk. More often than not, when we see an outbreak of severe storms to our south like this, those storms rob energy from our storms, leaving us with heavy rain and strong storms. I’ll watch this very closely and I’ll be updating throughout the weekend.
Summary
We’ll see a beautiful day today, though it will be a bit chilly. Those chilly conditions will lead to frost and freeze conditions area-wide tonight.
By Saturday, the pattern will begin quickly changing, as a storm system ramps up to our west. Rain should develop by Sunday morning and be with us all day. That storm system will likely bring us heavy rainfall and strong storms. Some of those storms may be severe.
After that system moves out, we will remain within a big dip in the jetstream. That will keep us unseasonably cool and a bit unsettled for the new work week.
Almanac
Baldwin’s 7-Day forecast
Wx Hazards Across the Nation
Strong storms can be found across western Texas today, while the rest of the nation is quite cool and wintry. Light wintry precip can be found across the Northeast and the northern plains. Another storm system threatens southern California.
Yesterday’s National High and Low Temperature
High: 101 degrees at Falcon Lake, Texas
Low: 1 degrees at Peter Sinks, Utah
Records
On this day in 2009 a half-mile wide EF-4 tornado cut a nearly 24-mile long path across Rutherford County. It was Good Friday. The twister brushed the northern side of Murfreesboro. Two people are killed and another 59 are injured. The tornado destroyed 194 homes and damaged another 1,547. Nine other tornadoes touched down in the state that day.
Friday Funny
NASA Knowledge
Yesterday was the 61st anniversary of NASA selecting its first class of astronauts. The Project Mercury Astronauts were quickly dubbed the “Mercury Seven” by the news media. The Astronauts included Scott Carpenter, Gordon Cooper, John Glenn, Gus Grissom, Wally Schirra, Alan Shepard, and Deke Slayton. The Mercury Seven created a new profession in the United States, and established the image of the American astronaut for decades to come.
Long Range Outlook
This is for the period April 15-19. The outlook favors below normal temperatures and slightly above normal precipitation for our area.
Temperatures
Precipitation
NEWS
So many of you have asked what NOAA weather radio I recommend. The top of the line is the WR120, pictured below. “Stay connected during severe weather conditions, emergencies or power outages with this WR120 NOAA Weather Alert Radio. When a severe weather watch or warning is issued by the National Weather Service, the WR120 automatically alerts you, giving you the seconds you need to seek shelter. The weather radio is automatically activated along with a loud tone, LED indicator and alert message on the large, easy-to-read LCD with adjustable illumination. S.A.M.E. digital weather/hazard alert feature provides you with constant monitoring of your local NWS broadcast. The S.A.M.E. decoding receiver allows you to hear only messages for the areas concerning you. Weather radio also features an alarm clock and seven preset weather channels. It can be used with battery or AC power.”
These can be found for $29.99 (or lower!) at Walmart, Amazon, or Academy Sports (to name a few places). Order online and have it shipped to your home if you’d like.
Baldwin’s View-of-the-Day
This is video of the Good Friday Murfreesboro tornado that occurred on this day in 2009.
You all have a great Good Friday!
The Legend of the Dogwood
In Jesus’ time, the Dogwood tree had grown to a great size, like that of an Oak tree! They used it to build the cross that Jesus was hung on. This made the Dogwood tree sad. Jesus, sensing this sadness, promised the Dogwood tree that it would never again grow large enough to build a cross. It’s branches would be narrow and crooked-not good for building at all.