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Deep South Severe Weather Outbreak – Apr 28, 2014

Outside of NYC, Severe Weather, Storms, Thunderstorms, Tornadoes, , , , , , , , , , ,

A major severe weather outbreak is currently underway for portions of the Deep South from Louisiana up through Tennessee, extending east from the Mississippi to western Alabama. As you can see in this satellite image, there are numerous supercell thunderstorms with high cloud tops piercing into the tropopause, indicative of extremely strong updrafts. Low level helicity (a measure of the vorticity and spin imparted on the air) is also high, along with abundant moisture and convective available potential energy (CAPE) will continue to fuel dangerous storms capable of spawning multiple tornadoes, damaging wind gusts, and severe hail.

Major severe weather outbreak over the Deep South viewed from space
Major severe weather outbreak over the Deep South viewed from space

NYC Weekend Weather – Apr 4, 2014

NYC, Rain, Storms, Weather Update, Weekend, , , , , , ,

A chilly start to the weekend as we have cold easterly winds off the ocean, and a deck of clouds overhead. Rain will pick up in coverage and intensity as the day goes on, and it promises to be more or less a washout tonight.

Cloud deck building over the area, bulk of the actual rain is still off to our west over Central PA
Cloud deck building over the area, bulk of the actual rain is still off to our west over Central PA

Fortunately, the frontal system responsible for the rain will clear out of the area by Saturday. Sunny conditions will prevail, with winds turning from the east to the west and picking up to 15-20mph by the afternoon. High temperatures should top out around the mid-upper 50s, right about average for this time of year. Clear skies overnight Saturday will allow for good radiational cooling, and low temperatures could dip into the mid-upper 30s across the region.

Sunday promises to be the best day of the weekend, with high pressure firmly in control over the region. Sunny skies should allow for a mild day with high temperatures approaching 60.

The next storm system moves into the area later Monday into Monday night, with another chance for rain. Temperatures Monday could top 60 again with warm air flowing ahead of an approaching cold front.

Cool gif – Severe Thunderstorms in the Plains, Apr 3, 2014

Cool Images, Outside of NYC, Severe Weather, Thunderstorms, Tornadoes, Weather Update, , , , , , , ,

Check out this satellite loop of a line of severe thunderstorms over eastern Oklahoma extending northeast into western Missouri. You can see the classic telltale signs of explosive thunderstorm growth here. Notice how at the outset, the line of clouds near the center of the frame are relatively thin, but then balloon out as time goes by. What’s happening here is that the cumulonimbus (thunderstorm) clouds along this line are growing so rapidly that they are hitting the top of the troposphere. Since water vapor has a difficult time penetrating into the stratosphere, it gets forced out laterally instead. Indeed, the Storm Prediction Center in Norman, OK has issued a mesoscale discussion, along with severe thunderstorm warnings and tornado watches for much of the area.

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