There is a chance for tornadoes today across northern Missouri and southern Iowa today as a storm system moves across the area. A large tornado outbreak isn't expected, thankfully, but since I know there are quite a few Kossacks who live in Missouri/Iowa, especially in the St. Louis area, it would warrant some coverage here to make those folks aware of the situation.
The latest updates will appear at the top of the diary, and will be written as frequently as needed (usually when a new tornado warning is issued).
You know the drill: Keep politics, meta, pie fighting and dickish comments out of here or you'll find yourself HRed.
Updates
Update 4 1059PM Central
New tornado warning up for the large cone tornado reported by trained weather spotters.
* AT 1045 PM CDT...TRAINED WEATHER SPOTTERS REPORTED A LARGE CONE TORNADO NEAR JOHNSTOWN. THIS TORNADO IS 13 MILES NORTH OF BUCKLIN...OR 18 MILES NORTHEAST OF BROOKFIELD. DOPPLER RADAR SHOWED THIS TORNADO MOVING EAST AT 25 MPH.
* LOCATIONS IMPACTED INCLUDE...
ELMER AND SOUTH GIFFORD.
Here is a projected path and estimated arrival times for select towns and cities in northern Missouri. The times are Eastern, so subtract one hour for Central. If you are in or near any of the areas listed, take cover now!
Update 3 1048PM Central
Storms finally fired up and they're rotating quickly. Tornado warning for Macon and Linn Counties in Missouri. Trained weather spotters report a tornado is on the ground with this storm. New Boston and Ethel, MO are in the path of this storm. Those near Gifford, Elmer, La Plata, Millard, Gibbs, Brashear, Hurdland, Edina and Novelty in Missouri need to be prepared to take cover from this confirmed tornado.
Update 2 723PM Central
There is a line of storms in northwestern Missouri and southern Iowa, moseying off to the east. They're not severe right now, but they could become severe later. Worth keeping an eye on. Everything else is quiet, though.
Update 1 608PM Central
Nothing is happening yet, which is a good thing. Don't let your guard down, though. The watch is up until 11 and storms are able to fire at night.
Watches
Tornado Watch #475 is in effect until 1100PM Central Time:
Threats
Tornado Threat
Green area means 2% chance of a tornado within 25 miles of any point. Brown area meant 5% chance of a tornado within 25 miles of any point.
Wind Threat
Brown area means 5% chance of 50 KT winds within 25 miles of any point, yellow means 15% chance, and red means 30% chance.
Hail Threat
Brown area means 5% chance of hail >1" within 25 miles of any point, yellow means 15%, red means 30%, and the black hatched area means significant chance of hail larger than 2" (egg size or larger).
Supercell Development
A significant number on this map is 2, at which point the environment is capable of supporting supercell thunderstorm development. Numbers higher than that mean the environment is increasingly more favorable for supercell development. This area will probably move east as the low pressure system does the same.
Links and Misc.
Links
National Weather Service
Storm Prediction Center
SPC Convective Outlooks
SPC Mesoscale Discussions
SPC Weather Watches
SPC Storm Reports
SPC Mesoanalysis Page
Visible, Infrared, Water Vapor Satellite Imagery
NWS Doppler Radar Page
Wunderground Doppler Radar Page
Estimating Hail Size
(From NWS Boise)
Size |
Comparable Object |
0.25" |
Pea Size |
0.50"" |
Mothball, Peanut, or USB Plug Size |
0.75" |
Penny Size |
0.87" |
Nickel Size |
1" |
Quarter Size |
1.25" |
Half Dollar Size |
1.50" |
Ping Pong Ball Size |
1.75" |
Golfball Size |
2.00" |
Egg Size |
2.50" |
Tennis Ball Size |
2.75" |
Baseball Size |
3.00" |
Large Apple Size |
4.00" |
Softball Size |
4.50" |
Grapefruit Size |
> 4.50" |
Probably a record, call somebody |