Author: Meteorologist Mark

It’s been a very active night in the weather business. First of all, very destructive tornadoes have hit tonight across Missouri. Some of the radar signatures were just downright disturbing. Look at the hook echo on that storm pictured below. It’s even trying to form an “eye”. Only the most powerful tornadoes display that kind of signature (typically).

Now, the Arkansas River is flooding, possibly by historic proportions. Two barges have broken free and are headed to a dam. It is feared that the impact of these barges will cause the dam to fail, completely flooding the town of Webers Falls, Oklahoma. Therefore, the whole town is being evacuated right now and Interstate 40 has been closed through there. What a mess.

Finally, I’ll end on a very peaceful note. For those of you who are still up it is worth your while to step outside. Look southeast and up a bit and you’ll see a very bright star. That is actually Jupiter. It sure is shining bright! Hurry up and check it out before that big bright moon starts to rise and dampens it’s glow.

You all have a good evening and keep those folks who aren’t as fortunate as us close to your hearts.

The weather situation in Oklahoma has escalated quickly this afternoon. They were in the slight risk for severe wx but that is all being upgraded now. A tornado watch just issued is the rare “Particularly Dangerous Situation (PDS)” tornado watch that the Storm Prediction Center issues if strong to violent tornadoes are possible. Hopefully everyone hasn’t grown complacent after Monday’s severe wx didn’t get as bad as it could have been.  If you know anyone who lives in this area just give them a call or text or something…just to let them know how serious the situation is getting.

That severe t-storm warning in southwest Oklahoma is making some of us nervous, as it may aim for the more populated areas near Oklahoma City later on.

Later this evening, tornadoes will likely develop across northeast Oklahoma and move into Missouri. The town of Joplin is under the gun, too. They were devastated by an EF-5 tornado eight years ago this evening.

Be glad we have all this “boring” TN weather today! ha

Main threats

No threats in sight. Just be careful in the heat! Sunscreen, fluids, and shade.

Summary

The summer-like pattern continues. It may be hotter than the fourth of July this coming weekend but it’s only Memorial Day!

Just look for hot and humid conditions to prevail for the next week or so. We can’t completely rule out a very isolated afternoon shower or storm, but 90-95% of the plateau will stay dry. I might have to introduce a 20% storm chance for Memorial Day, but for now I’ll just keep it like the other six days.

Next Tuesday may be the hottest day of the 7-day outlook. It’s not out of the question that we could hit 91 or 92. Thankfully, models are showing this ridge of high pressure breaking down by next Wednesday (one week from now) and that should allow a frontal passage to bring us some rain and relief from the heat.

WeatherTAP WeatherFACT

Winds converge in areas of low pressure. In other words, the winds blow toward the center. As winds increase, the Coriolis Effect increases. That effect causes the winds to deflect to the right in the northern hemisphere. When those winds get strong enough for the Coriolis Effect to deflect them so much they can’t blow directly toward the center anymore, a calm region near the center can form. This usually happens when winds are  about 74 mph, which is when a tropical storm becomes a hurricane.

Records

A violent tornado slammed into the town of Saragosa, Texas on this day in 1987. Saragosa is located in southwest Texas. The town of 183 people lost 35 people that day, with another 121 being injured. The tornado destroyed 85% of the town. Trucks were hurled through adobe and wood-frame homes. Some cars were thrown 500 feet.

The worst thing about this tornado is that it hit during graduation for pre-schoolers at Catholic Hall of Our Lady of Guadalupe Church. That’s where 22 of the deaths occurred. The F-4 tornado was on the ground for three miles.

Almanac

Yesterday’s record high: 88 (1962)

Yesterday’s record low: 35 (1954)

Today’s record high: 88 (1970)

Today’s record low: 32 (2002) It can still frost this time of year!

Today’s sunset: 7:44

Tomorrow sunrise: 5:28

Today’s day length: 14 hrs 15 mins 38 secs

Tomorrow’s day length: 14 hrs 16 mins 57 secs

One year ago today

The high was 77 degrees and the low was 63. Nearly three quarters of an inch of rain fell (0.70″).

Astronomy 

Sky viewing conditions tonight: GOOD

Moon rise: 11:27 p.m.

Moon set: 8:38 a.m.

Moon phase: Waning Gibbous, 92% illumination

What to look for in the night sky tonight

Saturn rises tonight at around 11:30. This is about the same time as the moon rise. The two will cross the sky together as the night goes along. The moon will, of course, be brighter than Saturn, but when the moon is not around Saturn is many times brighter than any of the other stars around. You should be able to see it quite well, even with the moon out and shining bright.

Mars will be in the western sky when the sun sets. It will stay out until about 10:00 or so. Then, Jupiter rises in the east at about 10:00 and stays out all night.

News

The picture is below is one a storm chaser took as a tornado-producing storm was bearing down on this area. Notice how many chasers are out. I’ve never heard so many complaints in my life about the chasers. Apparently, storm chasing across the southern plains is no longer safe, due to ignorant chasers. That’s a shame. What’s worse is that we’re nearing the day when a whole slew of chasers get killed because of this. It almost seems inevitable now.

I doubt I ever chase in Oklahoma again. The chasers were terrible a few years ago when I was last out there. It sounds like it has gotten magnitudes worse. No thanks. Thankfully, the northern plains are still a good place to chase.

Some of you here at TAP remember Tammie Goodwin? Her son is at Oklahoma University and he storm chases (you should see his pics!). We’ve been talking up a storm chasing trip across the Dakotas, etc. for next summer. That’s what I’m talking about! (ha) He actually chases with a guy who moved out there from Crossville! How bizarre is that?

It’s also been cool seeing so many of the professional chasers praising weatherTAP for our reliable, fast service! How cool is that? A lot of those professional chasers use weatherTAP and that’s pretty darn cool.

You all have a great day!