6pm Winter Storm Update

By -
We are at the dinner hour in the Central time zone when people are making decisions for the next day. So, here is my final winter storm update for the evening.

Interstate 40 is now closed from Albuquerque to Texola, in western Oklahoma, a distance of 400 miles due to the blizzard and the ice. Via Facebook, this is what it was like to live in the blizzard area. Gov. Martinez has declared a State of Emergency in New Mexico.

The last I heard I-70 is closed just west of St. Louis and I-49 is closed in southwest Missouri due to flooding. Addition 6:15pm, Gov. Nixon has declared a State of Emergency in all of Missouri. Another 2-4 inches of rain will fall from now to 4pm tomorrow from southwest Missouri to southeast Oklahoma.

There are tornadoes in progress as I type this, please scroll down for the current tornado watch. I am not live-blogging those storms.

Forecast radar for 10pm. Blue is snow and purple is freezing rain or sleet.

Here is the forecast radar for 7am Monday.

Here is the forecast snow from now until 7am (more snow will fall after that time). There will considerable blowing and drifting of the snow.
The light blue is 2 inches. The break at dark violet is 7 inches. The area in the southeast Texas Panhandle is forecast to receive nearly a foot.

There are already 52,000 homes and businesses without power in Oklahoma due to the ice storm. Addition 6:12pm: 1,500 homes around Rose Hill, Kansas, are now without power. Rose Hill is about 25 mi. ESE of Wichita in the pink area below. 

The amounts of ice being forecast vary widely this evening. I lean toward the low side of the forecasts.
However, the already gusty winds in Kansas and Missouri will increase a bit during the night. So, because of uneven ice loading on power lines there is still the potential for power failures. This is reflected in the Sperry-Piltz power failure index which reflects temperatures, amount of ice and winds.
You can see on the forecast for additional freezing rain accumulation that the greatest amounts are from the southern Flint Hills in Kansas (east of Wichita) into north central Oklahoma. This is reflected in the Index by the red areas which have a chance for scattered additional power failures. There is a lesser, but certainly not zero, chance in the orange and yellow areas.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

The East Coast Severe Weather Threat is Over

By -
Image
Midnight: The East Coast Threat for Tornadoes and Severe  Thunderstorms Has Ended 3:50pm. Tornado watch for the Middle Atlantic Region. 2:30pm Tornadoes are also forecast in the South. 2:20pm. A couple of tornadoes, hail and wind gusts to 65 mph are possible with these storms. This includes NYC and Philadelphia.  1:05pm. The tornado risk has been extended northward into New York. The brown area has a significant risk of tornadoes. Remember: if a tornado warning is issued, go to your basement and get under heavy furniture like a pool table. Of, if your basement is finished, get into the bathroom. Go ahead an put a couple of water bottles and, if appropriate, diapers in your shelter area. Wear shoes.  If you don't have a basement or safe room, go to the lowest floor and get into a bath or closet in the middle of your home. Children should be put in the bathtub.  I'll update later today. 
Read more

Today's Tornado and Severe Thunderstorm Outlook - 9:30pm

By -
Image
After 65 mph winds went through Wichita, we have been without power for 35 minutes. So, I am going to have to end coverage for the night (using backup systems to write this). Scroll down for the forecast of tornadoes and severe thunderstorms for Sunday and Sunday night.  Please read down for the latest forecasts regarding this dangerous tornado and damaging wind situation! 5:40pm, a new "regular" tornado watch has been issued for north central Kansas.  Note that wind gusts to 80 mph are likely in this storm in addition to tornadoes and giant hail. Please make sure friends and relatives in the area are aware of the danger in the area outlined in red below plus the red area outlined at 2:50pm  In addition to "several strong tornadoes," hail to 4.8" in diameter is forecast along with wind gusts to 80 mph. Now is the time for persons living in mobile homes, manufactured homes and those with mobility issues should be making plans!!  Do not wait until a tornado warn...
Read more

Updated Freezing Rain and Heavy Rain Forecast

By -
Image
Note: An Updated Forecast is Available HERE Freezing Rain The National Weather Service has now issued winter weather advisories, two warnings and a watch. It may be a bit too large but, when it comes to freezing rain and slick roads, caution is usually the better course of action.  Here's a color code: Deep purple is an ice storm warning; serious condition where power outages are possible. Pink is a winter storm warning for significant icing. Deep green is a winter storm watch. I don't know why this is still a watch. If I were on the forecast desk I would have a winter storm warning for icing.  Dark blue is a winter weather advisory, a lesser condition, for icing.  Here is a view of the entire watch/warning/advisory area. The small area of green in Illinois is for flooding and, in Nebraska, for snow.  Here is a forecast of freezing rain amounts; totals to 6am Tuesday.  Color codes: Yellow is 0.25 to 0.50 inches. Power outages may occur in this areas. Deep blue i...
Read more