It looks like the weather over the United States will briefly get interesting again over the next few days, and as with all interesting weather, it spells danger for millions of people. Areas from Chicago to Detroit are at risk for large hail, damaging winds, and possibly an isolated tornado tomorrow.
After a long period without any severe weather, the atmosphere appears primed for a potentially dangerous severe weather outbreak tomorrow across areas from Kansas to Minnesota. Some areas could see tornadoes, baseball-size hail, and winds in excess of 75 MPH.
Earlier this year, the Storm Prediction Center announced that they're adding two new categories to their severe weather maps in an attempt to better convey the threat for severe weather to the public. They recently announced a date for the transition, sounding the death knell for ridiculous maps like we have today.
Chaos and relief erupted at a county fair in Montana over the weekend after a severe thunderstorm tore down two crowded tents and stopped a Rick Springfield concert from happening. The storm also set free a majestic herd of alpacas, bless its heart.
A severe weather outbreak is ramping up over parts of the eastern United States this afternoon, with an area that doesn't typically see much severe weather bearing the brunt of today's action. The risk for EF-2 or stronger tornadoes is 1000 times higher than normal in some spots.
A large part of the eastern United States is on track to see two distinct and very dangerous severe weather events both today and tomorrow, with the worst outbreak expected to occur tomorrow over the Ohio Valley and Mid-Atlantic regions.
A tornado struck a campground in Cheriton, Virginia around 9:00 this morning, killing two campers and injuring 26 more as the storm swept through the area. A news helicopter flying over the Cherrystone Campground for WAVY shows dozens of trees torn down along with many tents destroyed and strewn about.
Over the past twelve years, we've seen tens of thousands of tornado warnings across the United States. Almost every major city east of the Rocky Mountains has seen a tornado warning at some point since 2002, and the resulting maps are pretty cool looking.
Parts of eastern Colorado just went under severe thunderstorm watch number 420, and all is right in the world.
Deadspin covered the fallout from a television station in New York breaking into the last few minutes of the final game of the World Cup for a tornado warning in the station's viewing area. When it comes to severe weather, news stations put viewer safety over programming every time, and people who complain about it deserve to miss their shows.
When the forecast calls for a 30% chance of rain, it's reasonable to think that the chances of seeing rain are 3 out of 10. But when the forecast calls for a 30% chance of tornadoes, the risk is much higher and much more dangerous. Why is there such a discrepancy between severe weather and rain forecasts?
The Storm Prediction Center's moderate risk for severe weather fell flat today, with most of the severe weather occurring all around the area at highest risk but not much inside of it. Busts happen. They're good for residents but bad for forecaster verification. When it comes to the "crying wolf effect," though, we're actually lucky this kind of bust isn't commonplace.
A moderate (4 out of 5) risk for severe weather exists across parts of Pennsylvania and New York this afternoon ahead of thunderstorms that could produce widespread damaging winds in excess of 75 MPH at times. In addition to the wind risk, hail the size of ping pong balls and even a tornado or two are possible.
Intense thunderstorms are bubbling up along much of the East Coast this afternoon, some of which are turning severe. The worst of the storms are occurring eastern New York right now, and they may threaten New York City by rush hour.
"This is a particularly dangerous situation," says the Storm Prediction Center as a derecho is hauling eastward towards the Chicago metro area after producing 80 MPH winds across Iowa. The line should reach the Chicago metro area during rush hour, sometime between 530 and 630 Central Time this evening.
Parts of the Midwestern United States could see some powerful thunderstorms today, some of which could be extremely strong, producing winds in excess of 75 MPH. Due to the heightened threat, parts of Iowa, Nebraska, Missouri, and Kansas are under a moderate (4 out of 5) risk for severe weather.
One of the best technological advances in the past year didn't involve any new technology at all — the advance is the result of an ingenious programming tweak developed by the National Weather Service. It will ultimately save thousands of lives over the coming years.
