On the afternoon and early evening of Aug. 24, 2016, a significant, albeit localized, tornado outbreak occurred across Indiana and Ohio. By the time the situation calmed down (meteorologically-speaking), 42 tornado reports (Fig. 1) had been logged at the Storm Prediction Center (SPC) web site. During the overnight hours, ABC-7
Read DetailsSeptember 10 marks the average day of peak tropical cyclone activity in the Atlantic Ocean basin (Fig. 1). As we approach that day, the atmosphere is delivering. Early this Monday morning (Aug. 22, 2016), there were three tropical systems at play in the Atlantic – Tropical Depression Fiona and two
Read DetailsEarly this Saturday morning, many parts of southern and central Louisiana were under a flooding emergency. Widespread 10 to 20 inch rainfall totals (Fig. 1) have led to flooding and flash flooding with some places under evacuation orders and others dealing with water reaching and entering homes and businesses. The National
Read DetailsTake a look at the enhanced (false-colored) infrared satellite image in Fig. 1. See that huge red blob across Kansas? That feature is what meteorologists call an MCS or “Meso-scale Convective System.” By official National Weather Service definition, “An MCS is, “a complex of thunderstorms which becomes organized on a
Read DetailsDateline: Vail, CO During the months of May and June, in many parts of the Nation, you might start hearing talk about the soon-to-arrive, “monsoon.” But, do you really know what the monsoon is? The North American Monsoon provides summer thunderstorms from California to Colorado and from Mexico to Montana.
Read DetailsDateline: Vail, CO This article, which addresses the effects of altitude and latitude on temperature, could be for most anyplace(s) in the 50 states. But the western U.S. (including Alaska and Hawaii), with incredibly wild swings of altitude across relatively small distances, offers some of the best settings. Since I
Read DetailsTypically seen in high wind shear environments, “fair weather” funnels are awesome things to encounter. They usually form through vortex stretching, are always short-lived, and shouldn’t ever touch the ground. They also form during “benign” weather scenarios. Yesterday, I caught one, totally by accident (as is usually the case). I
Read DetailsEarly on Jun.14, 2016, I headed out to read my rain gauge (located on the 16th fairway of my community golf course). Looking up and to the west, I was treated to a spectacular cloud display (Fig. 1). One small cumulus cloud had managed to grow vertically thanks to a
Read DetailsFor more than a week, computer models have suggested a developing rainy period for south Florida during the first part of June. Now, a tropical weather system may enter the equation. Computer models and National Hurricane Center guidance suggest that a potential tropical low will develop off the Yucatan Peninsula
Read DetailsTwo key weather agencies – NOAA (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, the parent agency of the National Weather Service – NWS) and U. S. Air Force are bringing their hurricane hunter aircraft to Naples, FL, today, Fri., May 20, 2016, as part of a week-long Gulf Coast Hurricane Awareness Tour
Read Details