Friday, May 31, 2013

Risk Outlook

Good Morning!

I plan to have specifics up a little later today, but for now, just to keep you in the loop, we do have a "slight" risk for severe thunderstorms today in the area.  Have a look at these maps:

Storm Prediction Center Day 1 Outlook
Current Temperatures and detailed of the risk area.
More to come as the day progresses!

Thursday, May 30, 2013

SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING - CANCELED CALHOUN, ISSUED FOR EATON

The severe thunderstorm that prompted the warning has left Calhoun County and is now in Eaton County.  Charlotte, Potterville, Dimondale, Grand Ledge, West Lansing, you're looking down the barrel.  Move indoors until the storms have passed.

SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING - CALHOUN UNTIL 7 PM

A Severe Thunderstorm Warning is in effect until 7 PM for Calhoun County for this storm:


Moving NE @ 35 MPH.

This storm has a history of producing quarter sized hail, and winds up to 60 MPH.  Marshall, Olivet, you look to be in line of fire for this one, Albion a close shave for you as well.  Get inside and let this storm pass!

SPECIAL WEATHER STATEMENT LENAWEE

Strong thunderstorms in the area, pea sized hail, wind to 40 mph.

Weather Update #1 4 PM EDT

Good Afternoon!

Another active severe weather evening looks to be evolving.  The Storm Prediction Center has parts of of seven states under Tornado Watches.  Look at this graphic:

Storm Prediction Center Currently Active Tornado Watches as of  4 PM EDT
In addition, popcorn showers and thunderstorms are starting to fire in an isolated to widely scattered fashion across the area, have a look at radar and current temperatures:


I would not be surprised to see storms increase in coverage and intensity.  We'll keep an eye on it for you and let you know as needed.

Quick Look For Thursday

Here's how Thursday stacks up for you in Jackson:


Wednesday, May 29, 2013

Quick Look At Wednesday

Good Morning!

It was a busy night last night in Michigan regarding severe weather, and as time permits today I will round up some of the details and share them with you.  I invite anyone that reads this blog and is aware of storm damage to post pictures or reports and attach them to this post.  You can also tweet using hashtag #scentmiwx or just #miwx.

SEVERE WEATHER:  While the threat for Michigan overall is limited today, we do note some showers and thunderstorms up around the Bay City/Saginaw area.  They don't need any more severe weather there, as that area was hit by a couple of tornadoes last night.

Moisture is not an issue, with dewpoints already well into the 60's at most reporting stations.  What I'm seeing is showers and such approaching from the southwest and falling apart as they run into stable air.  They travel northeast, and then find the moderately unstable air left over from the convection this morning,and  that's their cup of coffee to energize, if you will, and re-fire.

We don't expect anything severe at this point, that's not to say there won't be some thunderstorms on-going today, and these could bring some straight-line wind issues with them.  I will have to monitor trends and see how much daytime heating we pick up.  That will ultimately decide how widespread the storms become.

A totally different scenario out in the Plains, as conditions are stacking up for another red-letter sever weather day, a tornado outbreak is certainly on the table for later this afternoon.  I would not be surprised to see the Storm Prediction Center go to a "high" risk for Texas, Oklahoma, and Kansas.  I certainly hope this does not verify, as places such as Moore, OK are under the gun again, and they are still picking up the pieces from last week's EF5 tornado!

Today's Outlook - Periods of sunshine, developing scattered showers and thunderstorms, especially in the afternoon, high 83.  Some storms could be strong, gusty wind is the primary threat.

For some reason, I cannot upload any graphics to this post, so we'll catch you up on those later.  Have a great Hump Day!

Severe Weather Update

This should be the last post for the night barring any unforeseen tornadic weather in the area.  Temperatures are coming down and the atmosphere is starting to stabilize.  We note a Severe Thunderstorm Warning is still in effect for Calhoun County until 1 AM.  Grand Rapids NEXRAD radar shows all of the strong to severe activity working north and east at about 35 MPH.

There are currently strong thunderstorms in Eaton County, as well as parts of Clinton and Shiawassee.  The Eaton County storms will impact Ingham County with some wind, lightning and downpours, moving into Clinton county as well.  Hillsdale and Lenawee counties may be impacted at around 2:30 AM by strong thunderstorms currently in northern Indiana.

I'll have a look tomorrow as the light of day reveals what happened in Michigan tonight.  So long for now.

TORNADO WARNING CANCELED - NEW SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING ISSUED

The National Weather has canceled the Tornado Warning for Barry and Calhoun Counties, as the storm has weakened.  They replaced it with a Severe Thunderstorm Warning until 1 AM for all of Calhoun County, southern Barry and eastern Kalamazoo counties.

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN GRAND RAPIDS HAS ISSUED A 

SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING FOR... 
SOUTHERN BARRY COUNTY IN SOUTHWEST MICHIGAN... 
CALHOUN COUNTY IN SOUTH CENTRAL MICHIGAN... 
EASTERN KALAMAZOO COUNTY IN SOUTHWEST MICHIGAN... 

* UNTIL 100 AM EDT 

* AT 1154 PM EDT...A LINE OF SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS WAS LOCATED ALONG A 
LINE EXTENDING FROM LACEY TO FULTON...AND MOVING EAST AT 40 MPH. 

HAZARD...60 MPH WIND GUSTS. 

SOURCE...RADAR INDICATED. 

IMPACT...EXPECT DAMAGE TO ROOFS...SIDING AND TREES. 

* LOCATIONS IMPACTED INCLUDE... 
BATTLE CREEK... RICHLAND... TEKONSHA... 
MARSHALL... ALBION... NASHVILLE... 
GALESBURG... FULTON... PORTAGE... 
CLIMAX... VICKSBURG... AUGUSTA... 
CONVIS TWP... LEE TWP... BABCOCK... 

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... 

FOR YOUR PROTECTION MOVE TO AN INTERIOR ROOM ON THE LOWEST FLOOR OF A 
BUILDING. 

Tuesday, May 28, 2013

SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING EATON COUNTY

...A SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT FOR EATON COUNTY 
UNTIL 1230 AM EDT... 

AT 1144 PM EDT...A SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WAS LOCATED NEAR CHARLOTTE... 
AND MOVING EAST AT 40 MPH. 

HAZARD...60 MPH WIND GUSTS. 

SOURCE...RADAR INDICATED. 

IMPACT...EXPECT DAMAGE TO ROOFS...SIDING AND TREES. 

THE SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WILL BE NEAR... 
POTTERVILLE AROUND 1155 PM EDT. 
EATON RAPIDS AROUND MIDNIGHT EDT. 
DIMONDALE AROUND 1205 AM EDT. 

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... 

FOR YOUR PROTECTION MOVE TO AN INTERIOR ROOM ON THE LOWEST FLOOR OF A 
BUILDING. 

TORNADO WARNING UPDATE - BARRY, CALHOUN, KALAMAZOO


If you're in this polygon, you need to be in shelter now!  Don't wait on it, don't look for it - almost impossible to see a tornado coming at you at night!

TORNADO WARNING - NORTHWEST CALHOUN COUNTY


TORNADO WARNING 
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE GRAND RAPIDS MI 
1116 PM EDT TUE MAY 28 2013 

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN GRAND RAPIDS HAS ISSUED A 

TORNADO WARNING FOR... 
SOUTHEASTERN BARRY COUNTY IN SOUTHWEST MICHIGAN... 
NORTHWESTERN CALHOUN COUNTY IN SOUTH CENTRAL MICHIGAN... 
NORTHERN KALAMAZOO COUNTY IN SOUTHWEST MICHIGAN... 

* UNTIL 1215 AM EDT 

* AT 1112 PM EDT...A SEVERE THUNDERSTORM CAPABLE OF PRODUCING A 
TORNADO WAS LOCATED NEAR KALAMAZOO...AND MOVING NORTHEAST AT 30 
MPH. 

HAZARD...DEVELOPING TORNADO

SOURCE...RADAR INDICATED ROTATION

IMPACT...MOBILE HOMES WILL BE HEAVILY DAMAGED OR DESTROYED. 
SIGNIFICANT DAMAGE TO ROOFS...WINDOWS AND VEHICLES WILL 
OCCUR. FLYING DEBRIS WILL BE DEADLY TO PEOPLE AND ANIMALS. 
EXTENSIVE TREE DAMAGE IS LIKELY. 

* LOCATIONS IMPACTED INCLUDE... 
BATTLE CREEK...RICHLAND...NASHVILLE...GALESBURG...AUGUSTA...HICKORY 
CORNERS...SPRINGFIELD...BANFIELD...BEDFORD...DOWLING...LACEY... 
ASSYRIA...MORROW LAKE...HOWLANDSBURG...HIGHLAND PARK...YORKVILLE... 
GULL LAKE...FORT CUSTER...LEVEL PARK AND BEADLE LAKE. 

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... 

TAKE COVER NOW. MOVE TO AN INTERIOR ROOM ON THE LOWEST FLOOR OF A 
STURDY BUILDING. AVOID WINDOWS. IF IN A MOBILE HOME...A VEHICLE OR 
OUTDOORS...MOVE TO THE CLOSEST SUBSTANTIAL SHELTER AND PROTECT 
YOURSELF FROM FLYING DEBRIS. 

More Strong Storms On The Way

Good Evening!

A Busy night weather-wise here in Michigan, and it continues now, with strong to severe thunderstorms on the way into the area again from the southwest.  That National Weather Service has already issued Severe Thunderstorm warnings for Kalamazoo County, and I fully expect those to extend east and north as the night progresses.  Branch, Calhoun, Eaton, Clinton, expect strong to severe storms in the next 30-40 minutes at the most.


TORNADO WARNING - NORTHERN GENESEE


This storm appears to be turning right and tracking SE now it is so wrapped up, which puts the town of Beecher back under the gun again!  Tornado Precautions NOW if you're in the northern half of Genesee County!

TORNADO WARNING - NORTHERN GENESEE

...A TORNADO WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT FOR NORTHERN GENESEE COUNTY 
UNTIL 1130 PM EDT... 

AT 1028 PM EDT...A SEVERE THUNDERSTORM CAPABLE OF PRODUCING A TORNADO 
WAS LOCATED NEAR CLIO...AND MOVING EAST AT 20 MPH. 


HAZARD...TORNADO

SOURCE...RADAR INDICATED ROTATION

IMPACT...MOBILE HOMES WILL BE DAMAGED OR DESTROYED. DAMAGE TO 
ROOFS...WINDOWS AND VEHICLES WILL OCCUR. FLYING DEBRIS WILL 
BE DEADLY TO PEOPLE AND ANIMALS. TREE DAMAGE IS LIKELY. 

THIS DANGEROUS STORM WILL BE NEAR... 
THETFORD TOWNSHIP AND GENESEE AROUND 1040 PM EDT. 
OTISVILLE AROUND 1055 PM EDT. 

A SECOND STORM APPROXIMATELY 5 MILES SOUTHWEST OF CLIO WAS ALSO 
SHOWING SIGNS OF ROTATION

THE WARNING INCLUDES AREAS SURROUNDING THESE LOCATIONS... 
OTISVILLE... MOUNT MORRIS... CLIO... 

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... 

TAKE COVER NOW. MOVE TO AN INTERIOR ROOM ON THE LOWEST FLOOR OF A 
STURDY BUILDING. AVOID WINDOWS. IF IN A MOBILE HOME...A VEHICLE OR 
OUTDOORS...MOVE TO THE CLOSEST SUBSTANTIAL SHELTER AND PROTECT 
YOURSELF FROM FLYING DEBRIS. 

TORNADOES ARE DIFFICULT TO SEE AND CONFIRM AT NIGHT. TAKE COVER NOW. 

SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WATCH - BRANCH, HILLSDALE

The National Weather Service has issued a Severe Thunderstorm Watch for Branch and Hillsdale counties until 2:00 AM EDT Wednesday May 29th.  Primary threat is thunderstorms with winds up to 70 MPH.

SEVERE WEATHER UPDATE 9:31 PM


  • The Tornado Warning for Shiawasee County is expired as of 9:30
  • Law enforcement has confirmed a tornado on deck moving through Beecher, just NW of Flint
  • A Tornado Warning continues for southern Genesee County until 10:15 PM for a storm with a radar indicated tornado now moving through or just north of Linden.

URGENT - PDS TORNADO WARNING - SOUTHERN GENESEE - TORNADO WARNING CONTINUES FOR SHIAWASSEE

The National Weather Service has upgraded the Tornado Warning to a PDS Tornado Warning for Genesee County.  Look at this and get to shelter if you're in a polygon!


THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN DETROIT/PONTIAC HAS ISSUED A 

TORNADO WARNING FOR... 
SOUTHERN GENESEE COUNTY IN SOUTHEAST MICHIGAN... 

* UNTIL 1015 PM EDT 

* AT 909 PM EDT...A SEVERE THUNDERSTORM CAPABLE OF PRODUCING A LARGE 
AND EXTREMELY DANGEROUS TORNADO WAS LOCATED NEAR BYRON...AND MOVING 
EAST AT 30 MPH. 

THIS IS A PARTICULARLY DANGEROUS SITUATION

HAZARD...DAMAGING TORNADO

SOURCE...RADAR INDICATED ROTATION

IMPACT...YOU ARE IN A LIFE THREATENING SITUATION. MOBILE HOMES WILL 
BE DESTROYED. CONSIDERABLE DAMAGE TO HOMES...BUSINESSES 
AND VEHICLES IS LIKELY AND COMPLETE DESTRUCTION POSSIBLE. 
FLYING DEBRIS WILL BE DEADLY TO PEOPLE AND ANIMALS. EXPECT 
TREES TO BE UPROOTED OR SNAPPED. 

* THE TORNADO WILL BE NEAR... 
ARGENTINE AROUND 925 PM EDT. 
LINDEN AND RANKIN AROUND 930 PM EDT. 
FENTON AROUND 935 PM EDT. 
GRAND BLANC AROUND 945 PM EDT. 
GOODRICH AND ATLAS AROUND 955 PM EDT. 

THE WARNING INCLUDES AREAS SURROUNDING THESE LOCATIONS... 
SWARTZ CREEK... LINDEN... GRAND BLANC... 
GOODRICH... GAINES... FENTON... 

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... 

TO REPEAT...A LARGE...EXTREMELY DANGEROUS AND POTENTIALLY DEADLY 
TORNADO IS DEVELOPING. TO PROTECT YOUR LIFE...TAKE COVER NOW. MOVE TO 
AN INTERIOR ROOM ON THE LOWEST FLOOR OF A STURDY BUILDING. AVOID 
WINDOWS. IF IN A MOBILE HOME...A VEHICLE OR OUTDOORS...MOVE TO THE 
CLOSEST SUBSTANTIAL SHELTER AND PROTECT YOURSELF FROM FLYING DEBRIS. 

TORNADO WARNING UPDATE - SHIAWASSEE

...A TORNADO WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT FOR SOUTHERN SHIAWASSEE COUNTY 
UNTIL 930 PM EDT... 

AT 839 PM EDT...A SEVERE THUNDERSTORM CAPABLE OF PRODUCING A TORNADO 
WAS LOCATED NEAR PERRY...AND MOVING EAST AT 35 MPH. 

HAZARD...TORNADO

SOURCE...RADAR INDICATED ROTATION

IMPACT...MOBILE HOMES WILL BE DAMAGED OR DESTROYED. DAMAGE TO 
ROOFS...WINDOWS AND VEHICLES WILL OCCUR. FLYING DEBRIS WILL 
BE DEADLY TO PEOPLE AND ANIMALS. TREE DAMAGE IS LIKELY. 

THIS DANGEROUS STORM WILL BE NEAR... 
PERRY AND MORRICE AROUND 850 PM EDT. 
BANCROFT AROUND 900 PM EDT. 
BYRON AND DURAND AROUND 910 PM EDT. 

THE WARNING INCLUDES AREAS SURROUNDING THESE LOCATIONS... 
PERRY... MORRICE... LAINGSBURG... 
DURAND... BYRON... BANCROFT... 

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... 

TAKE COVER NOW. MOVE TO AN INTERIOR ROOM ON THE LOWEST FLOOR OF A 
STURDY BUILDING. AVOID WINDOWS. IF IN A MOBILE HOME...A VEHICLE OR 
OUTDOORS...MOVE TO THE CLOSEST SUBSTANTIAL SHELTER AND PROTECT 
YOURSELF FROM FLYING DEBRIS. 

TORNADO WARNING SHIAWASSEE COUNTY

Shiawassee County, take your Tornado Precautions now if you're in the warning polygon!  Perry, Durand, Vernon, Laingsburg - take cover!

Detroit NEXRAD Velocity Product - You need to be IN SHELTER if you're in the polygon!

Storm Update 8:33 PM

The storms I was concerned about at 8 have moved off to the east and no longer pose a threat to St. Johns/Clinton County.

Storm Update 8 PM EDT

My thanks to Ben Kouchnerkavich of Southwest Michigan Weather for his help and covering the South Central Michigan Weather Zone until I was able to get back from high school baseball and get up to speed.

Still some strong thunderstorms in the area off to the north, and the severe threat is not done - plenty of quality air for storms to get a foothold in as they travel across Michigan this evening.  Have a look at the radar:

Grand Rapids NEXRAD Reflectivity Image
The good news is that while these storms are strong, no question, they are not sever at the moment.  That could change though, we will keep an eye on it for you here!  Eagle, DeWitt, St. Johns, be prepared - We are watching a storm closely on the velocity product, it's suspicious:

Grand Rapids NEXRAD Base Velocity Display
More To Come!

Wet & Stormy Week...

Good Morning!

It's a very humbling experience for me as a forecaster to look at when things go wrong.  I am looking at my seven day graphic right now and seeing that I was no where CLOSE to what actually transpired and is in effect right now.  It's a reality check for me to see just how much I have yet to unravel with respect to the weather, and being reasonably accurate with forecasting it for you.  I will start logging my forecasts for you and let you know how I am doing after a month of two of data collection.

Now to current business.  Some showers and scattered thunderstorms are moving through the area as we speak, right now they are in the north zone of the blog.  Lansing and St. Johns will be seeing those storms depart soon as the whole line is lifting north and away from us.  It looks like a potentially rough ride for severe weather today, let's take a deeper dive and have a look at it.

SEVERE WEATHER:  You know that something is potentially brewing when I lead off with severe weather in the discussion post.  Today the Storm Prediction Center has us in the "slight" risk category for severe weather.  Let's take a look at the maps and you'll see what I mean.


SPC Day 1 Severe Wind Outlook (wind 58 MPH or better)
The slight risk in and of it itself is just something to file away and make a note to pay closer attention to the weather today than you otherwise might.  The thing within this that concerns me is that we are forecast with a 1 in 3 shot at severe wind, which is anything over 58 MPH.  That means possibly severe storms with damaging wind as the primary bad news.  Just keep it in mind as the day evolves.  There was plenty of severe weather out in the Plains last night, as Nebraska and Kansas were raked by tornadoes.  Unfortunately, the potential is there for additional severe weather out there today and tonight.

RAIN:  We won't be seeing much sunshine today, as a system rotates through the area, bringing us more showers and thunderstorms later this afternoon and evening after we get some daytime heating in to destabilize the atmosphere.  Let's have a look at the Weather Prediction Center's forecast for the next few days regarding rain:

5 Day rain forecast valid thru 8 AM Sunday June 2nd
Look at that 4.3 inch bullseye down by Benton Harbor!  Some definite flood issues possible here and around the area, so be aware of that as well.  3.5 to 4" of rain is the forecast for this part of the world, and that looks in the ballpark, as we see showers and thunderstorms in the area as a few upper waves move through around an increasingly deepening trough.  We see more rain than dry weather, with only a couple of windows of dry conditions and sunshine to speak of right through the weekend.

TEMPERATURES:  We ride the crest of a warming trend over the next few days, culminating in a high of 87 on Thursday, then after a cold front comes through, we drop back into the lower 70's for the weekend, but we can't really shake the rain for any length of time, so I personally want to dial back those temperatures just a bit.  If we get all of the cloud cover and rain that multiple forecast models are saying we should, then the GFS is a bit ambitious in his predictions.  Wednesday afternoon into early Thursday and then again next week look to be the best chances at staying dry.

Plenty of cloud cover on the visible satellite, and you can see the shower and storm activity in the NEXRAD composite overlay:


And here's the forecast for Jackson and surrounding areas including Parma and Rives Junction:

Today, cloudy, rain stops mid-morning, some breaks for sunshine in spots, then showers and thunderstorms re-develop later this afternoon and evening, some could be severe, high 75.  Wind SW 7-14 MPH.

Tonight, periods of showers and some gusty thunderstorms, lows near 65.  Wind SW 8-16 MPH.

Wednesday, showers and couple of thunderstorms persist until late afternoon, warmer, high  82.  Wind SW 7-14 MPH.

Wednesday night, clearing skies, lows near 64, wind SW 6-12 MPH.

Thursday, increasing clouds as the day progresses, a stray shower or lonely thunderstorm cannot be ruled out, high 85.

Friday, cloudy, scattered to numerous showers and thunderstorms developing, high 83.

Saturday, continued overcast with periods of hit or miss showers and thunderstorms, high 80.

Sunday, still cloudy, cooler, chance of showers, high 73.

Monday, clearing skies, pleasant, high 72.

There's a look at your forecast for the next six days, I do hope that you have a good day!  Blessings.