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Today is the 15th Commemoration of the Joplin Tornado -- The Deadliest Tornado of the Storm Warning Era (With 11am Update)

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In an unspeakable tragedy, the government's warning system failed in Joplin, MO  the evening of May 22, 2011 -- 15 years ago today.  The Result? 161 Perished. Ruskin Heights Tornado about the time it was damaging my future bride's home.   The tornadohad a 71-mile path and was F-5 intensity. Photo from Wikipedia. May 20, 1957, was the date of the Ruskin Heights Tornado and the date the federal government (finally) got into the tornado warning business. Those warnings have saved tens of thousands of lives. On that Monday evening, the Weather Bureau's tornado warning was accurate and their tornado watch -- which had been issued hours earlier -- was right on the money.*  Over time, both the science (our knowledge of how tornadoes function and how best to warn of them) and the technology (radar, weather satellites, then Doppler radar) helped weather science cut the tornado death rate (deaths per million population) by a stunning 95% . Then, shockingly, it all collaps...
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Don't Be Misled By Headlines Like These

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The National Weather Service today forecast a "below average" hurricane season. Yet, we are seeing headlines like this: There is no reason to "prepare now" for a hurricane. Hurricane season doesn't even start until June 1.  I hate clickbait relating to weather. 
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7 Day Forecast Rainfall

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Looks like a wet period in the South with the holiday weekend coming up.  Normally, I would say "that is a shame" but we need so much rain in some many of these areas that we should probably thankful for the rain regardless of when it arrives. 
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69 Years Ago at This Time......

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....My family was closely following the weather . A supercell thunderstorm had moved near Emporia, Kansas -- where it produced large hail -- on its way toward Williamsburg and Ottawa where it produced an F-5 intensity tornado that began killing people at Ottawa, moved through densely populated south Kansas City, and then lifted near the suburb of Raytown, MO. Forty-four people were killed and as many as 500 were injured.  Charles LeMaster via The Ottawa Herald. Used with permission.  This tornado was historic because it was the first time the federal government's Weather Bureau issued what we could call today a "tornado warning." Those warnings have saved lives! The number is likely in the tens of thousands.  Here's another story, just published today , of how a tornado warning and a tornado safe room allowed a young woman to graduate from high school this week.  Members of the AccuWeather team on a storm warning client "field trip" It was this storm, known...
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'Clean' Energy: Not So Fast!

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As many of us have been cautioning for years:  What happens when the wind farm or solar farm has outlived its usefulness? Rusting, broken towers cluttering the view. While my comment was directed at wind energy, the same is true for solar. When you hear how "cheap" alternative power is, that doesn't include the cost of cleanup.  We are going to have 'clean' energy facilities littering the countrysides forever. 
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Some Apologies Pertaining to Yesterday's Storms

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Yesterday was hardly weather science's best day. I believe some apologies are in order. Amateur Storm Chasers.   Storm chasing has brought numerous insights into meteorology that have resulted in better tornado warnings. That stated, it is my understanding, backed up by photos and video, the roads in northeast Kansas were absolutely clogged by 'chasers.' The problem is that many of these people were not actual chasers.  In a number of cases (and this has happened to me more than once) locals recognize that a chaser(s) is in the area and they want to see a tornado. So they start following the chaser. It reminds me of the airport phenomenon known as "gate lice," when one person prematurely gets in line so everyone does. I'm told there were hundreds of cars. In addition to "locals," there are the "thrill seeker" chasers, many of whom seem to little regard for traffic laws.  One person estimated there were between 800 and 1,600 people in northe...
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"Particularly Dangerous [Tornado] Situation!" - Updated, 4:55pm

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Note: I will be providing updates on Twitter/X  @usweatherexpert .  6:15pm Tornado Watch for Kansas City and Wichita 4:45pm, western Oklahoma  3:55pm Another tornado watch has been issued.  3:10pm, second tornado watch, Kansas (only) 1pm update This is a rare  type of tornado watch known as a "particularly dangerous situation" watch. It means that strong or violent tornadoes are likely. I will be updating on Twitter/X but also make sure you monitor weather conditions from trusted sources throughout the afternoon and evening.  3:20p Forecast Using my 4-point scale, here is the key to the maps: The red area has a high  risk of tornadoes. The area with the bold hatching is where strong or violent tornadoes may occur. Based on late data, I am especially concerned about northeast Kansas and the counties that contain I-70 north to the border.  The yellow are has an enhanced risk of tornadoes. The hatching means that any tornado that occurs may be s...
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