TORNADO WARNING
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE TWIN CITIES/CHANHASSEN MN
716 PM CDT WED JUN 17 2009
THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN THE TWIN CITIES HAS ISSUED A
* TORNADO WARNING FOR...
SOUTHERN STEELE COUNTY IN SOUTH CENTRAL MINNESOTA...
NORTHEASTERN FREEBORN COUNTY IN SOUTH CENTRAL MINNESOTA...
* UNTIL 800 PM CDT
* AT 715 PM CDT...RADAR INDICATED A DEVELOPING TORNADO. THE MOST
DANGEROUS PART OF THE STORM WAS 4 MILES SOUTHEAST OF STEELE
CENTER...AND MOVING EAST AT 15 MPH.
* LOCATIONS IN THE WARNING INCLUDE...
BIXBY...
BLOOMING PRAIRIE...
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
WHEN A TORNADO WARNING IS ISSUED BASED ON RADAR...IT MEANS THAT
STRONG ROTATION HAS BEEN DETECTED IN THE STORM. A TORNADO MAY ALREADY
BE ON THE GROUND...OR IS EXPECTED TO DEVELOP SHORTLY.
BULLETIN - EAS ACTIVATION REQUESTED
TORNADO WARNING
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE TWIN CITIES/CHANHASSEN MN
716 PM CDT WED JUN 17 2009
THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN THE TWIN CITIES HAS ISSUED A
* TORNADO WARNING FOR...
SOUTHERN STEELE COUNTY IN SOUTH CENTRAL MINNESOTA...
NORTHEASTERN FREEBORN COUNTY IN SOUTH CENTRAL MINNESOTA...
* UNTIL 800 PM CDT
* AT 715 PM CDT...RADAR INDICATED A DEVELOPING TORNADO. THE MOST
DANGEROUS PART OF THE STORM WAS 4 MILES SOUTHEAST OF STEELE
CENTER...AND MOVING EAST AT 15 MPH.
* LOCATIONS IN THE WARNING INCLUDE...
BIXBY...
BLOOMING PRAIRIE...
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
WHEN A TORNADO WARNING IS ISSUED BASED ON RADAR...IT MEANS THAT
STRONG ROTATION HAS BEEN DETECTED IN THE STORM. A TORNADO MAY ALREADY
BE ON THE GROUND...OR IS EXPECTED TO DEVELOP SHORTLY.
BULLETIN - EAS ACTIVATION REQUESTED
TORNADO WARNING
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE TWIN CITIES/CHANHASSEN MN
637 PM CDT WED JUN 17 2009
THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN THE TWIN CITIES HAS ISSUED A
* TORNADO WARNING FOR...
SOUTHEASTERN WASECA COUNTY IN SOUTH CENTRAL MINNESOTA...
SOUTHERN STEELE COUNTY IN SOUTH CENTRAL MINNESOTA...
EXTREME NORTHEASTERN FARIBAULT COUNTY IN SOUTH CENTRAL MINNESOTA...
FREEBORN COUNTY IN SOUTH CENTRAL MINNESOTA...
* UNTIL 715 PM CDT
* AT 635 PM CDT...RADAR INDICATED A DEVELOPING TORNADO. THE MOST
DANGEROUS PART OF THE STORM WAS 4 MILES NORTHWEST OF HARTLAND...OR
ABOUT 4 MILES NORTH OF FREEBORN...AND MOVING NORTHEAST AT 10 MPH.
* LOCATIONS IN THE WARNING INCLUDE...
MANCHESTER...
HARTLAND...
ALBERT LEA...
NEW RICHLAND...
STEELE CENTER...
BIXBY...
HOLLANDALE...
HAYWARD...
GENEVA...
ELLENDALE...
CLARKS GROVE...
BLOOMING PRAIRIE...
** It's official. At 4:40 the first Minnesota tornado of the year touched down near Nashua, in Wilkin Country, far west central Minnesota - no reports of damage or injuries.
(Update: 5:05 pm. A tornado warning is posted for Grant, Otter Tail and Wilkin counties until 5:45 pm. People living in the Elbow Lake area are potentially in the path of this tornadic storm, which is producing 3/4 to 1"+ hail. As a rule the larger the hail the greater the potential for the same violent updraft spawning a tornado. The threat of severe weather will continue, spreading from west central into central Minnesota later this evening. Computer models suggest that storms will become even more widespread during the evening and early nighttime hours, spreading from west/north toward the east/southeast, reaching St. Cloud after 8 or 9 pm, into the Twin Cities by 11 pm or midnight. Most of us will NOT see anything severe, but isolated reports of damaging hail, straight-line winds over 70 mph, and an isolated tornado [first of the year in Minnesota] can't be ruled out).
(Latest Supercell Composite Index from SPC, the Storm Prediction Center. The greatest risk of severe "supercell" thunderstorms is over far southwestern MN and much of central and western Iowa this afternoon. With murky sun, a very unstable airmass, and sufficient wind shear aloft conditions seem ripe for strong/severe T-storms. A tiny percentage may produce large, damaging hail, damaging straight-line winds, even an isolated tornado. The greatest threat of violent weather appears to be south/west of the Minnesota River, including Albert Lea, Mankato, Worthington, Jackson and Windom later today. Although the greatest risk appears to be across southern Minnesota, a few strong to severe storms may form over central Minnesota, from St. Cloud to the Twin Cities area - the best chance of severe weather coming from 4 to 7 pm. Stay alert, and check in often for possible warnings later today. It's entirely possible that Minnesota will see it's FIRST tornado touchdown of the year later today).
(Midday visible satellite image showing some hazy, murky sun breaking through over much of southwestern Minnesota. This is important, because any heating of the ground and the air immediately above the ground will increase the instability of the airmass over the southern third of Minnesota, increasing the potential for severe storms later today).
(Probability of a tornado touchdown within 25 miles of any point - a 5% risk for much of southwestern and central Minnesota. Many of the ingredients for isolated tornado-producing, supercellular thunderstorms are present. I do expect watches and warnings across parts of central and southern Minnesota later today. Stay tuned). Summer Clouds
As of 4pm Tuesday, the Twin Cities was around 1.00" behind normal precipitation since June 1st and a little over 5.00" behind normal precipitation since January 1st. Tuesday night's rain was a nice slow soaker. Gully washing convective thunderstorms are always dangerous if the ground is dry. Instead of draining into the soil, heavy rain cascades over concrete-like lawns and gardens and collects into drainage pipes and sewers that have a hard time accepting all the rain at once, which sometimes can exceed 2 inches of rain per hour in heavier thunderstorms. Instead, the pitter patter of raindrops on the window Tuesday night was just the right tempo; steady enough for a good drink across the entire Twin Cities metro. More rain is expected this week with, perhaps, our first shot at severe storms statewide on Thursday afternoon/evening. Spongier soil from Tuesday's rain will have an easier time accepting rainfall that may come down heavy at times later this.
Image credit Pekka ParviainenDid you know that weather on earth forms in the lowest layer of the atmosphere called the troposhpere? Cloud formation comes in many makes and models in this layer: Cumulus (low clouds), Alto (middle clouds) and cirrus (high clouds).
Here's a nice visual from Enchanted Learning:
Cumulonimbus clouds are the tallest clouds in the troposphere, which can grow to a height of nearly 12 miles high or more (60,000 ft.)
Image courtesy NASA's Earth Observatory. This picture was taken high above Africa looking down at at thunderstorm towering to nearly 12 miles high.Have you ever wondered what the names of clouds mean. Here are some Latin cloud meanings from the weather notebook:
So, now that I've given you an overview of typical cloud formations, take a look at this video:
These are called NLC's or "noctilucent clouds" and I've actually never seen these. They are very rare and only happen during the summer months in the northern hemisphere and occur during twilight. First, take a look at this graphic: (Just mouse over the different objects to get a quick description)
What layer do you think noctilucent clouds form in?
What layer do you think noctilucent clouds form in?
If you said Mesosphere, you were correct!
Noctilucent clouds are the highest cloud in the Earth's atmosphere, developing around 50 miles high - the same layer that shooting stars appear. Because they are so high, they are visible long after the sun disappears below the horizon.
Image courtesy NASA
These clouds are still somewhat of a mystery to scientists, but some speculate these clouds form due to ice crystals/water vapor from space shuttles.
Image courtesy NASAThese clouds are still somewhat of a mystery to scientists, but some speculate these clouds form due to ice crystals/water vapor from space shuttles.
Weather Headlines* Damp start. Break in the showery pattern Wednesday midday into Thursday afternoon.
* Next chance of organized showers comes late Thursday into Friday. Some storms may be strong to severe. The Storm Prediction Center has MN and WI under a slight risk of severe weather.
* Saturday rain may linger over Wisconsin, clouds and showers can't be ruled out over far eastern Minnesota. Overall, the weekend is looking drier and warm
*Sunday (Father's Day) showers and storm return late
* Long-range guidance: highs mostly in the 80s the last full week of June. No more cold fronts in sight.
Todd's Outlook
Today: damp start, then becoming partly sunny with an unsettled afternoon sky. High: 81
Tonight: Another round of showers and storms slides into western Minnesota. Low: 61
Thursday: Partly sunny. Showers and storms developing late in the day, some strong to severe. High: 81
Friday: Unsettled with a few widely scattered showers or storms. High: 77
Saturday: Drying out. Sunshine returns with June-like temperatures. High: 84
Sunday: Sunny start, clouds increase late with showers and storms by evening. High: 84
Monday: Partly sunny with a chance of scattered showers and storms. High: 85
Tuesday: Still unsettled, getting warm and muggy. High: 87
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