UPDATED: This Is a Dangerous Weather Day

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This is a day where you will want to make sure friends and family in the affected areas are aware of the tornado and damaging wind threat and are prepared accordingly. 

 I am using the NWS SPC's forecasts about which I largely agree.

I also just saw a television meteorologist play down this threat. I don't know what he is thinking but this is a dangerous situation. If I am wrong, I will happily take the criticism tomorrow.

 Tornado Threat
The significant tornado threat is the brown area. Yellow is the enhanced threat and red is a high risk. The hatching means that violent tornadoes are possible. In addition, toward the Mississippi River, tornadoes could occur at night. This is a dangerous combination. Note: I would have pulled the yellow up to Tulsa and the Missouri border. Otherwise, this is an excellent forecast.

Damaging Winds Threat
This is an extreme threat. 
Prepare for power failures in the hatched area!
In the hatched area, wind gusts are forecast to exceed 75 mph. In the red area, there is a high risk of high winds. In the purple area, there is an extreme threat. 

There will also be areas of large hail, but let's not focus on that today.

How to Prepare.
  • Make sure you have fresh batteries for your weather radio.
  • Keep your laptop and cell phone charged until you hear thunder. After that time, a power surge is possible which might damage your equipment. 
  • Clear your shelter area of any obstacles. Put a couple of bottles of water inside.
  • Remember to wear shoes into shelter. 
  • You should have at least two independent sources for warnings beyond sirens. Examples would be a NOAA weather radio and the AccuWeather app on your smartphone. Make sure you take these to your bedroom if you are under a tornado watch when you retire for the night. The two make a pretty good "tornado alarm." 
  • Prepare for power failures in the purple/hatched area. 

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