Dr. Jeff Masters' WunderBlog

Quiet tornado season wakes up; severe thunderstorm in India leaves 1 million homeless

Posted by: Dr. Jeff Masters, 1:41 PM GMT on April 23, 2010

After a record quiet start to the 2010 severe weather season, the atmosphere finally unleashed one of its classic violent spring weather days yesterday. NOAA's Storm Prediction Center tallied 32 tornado reports in Colorado, Kansas, and Texas. Fortunately, most of the storms occurred over uninhabited areas, and no injuries or major damage were reported. Our severe weather expert Dr. Rob Carver, has the details on the action in his blog today. The action was focused in a region the Storm Prediction Center had put in their "Moderate Risk" area for severe weather in yesterday's outlook. This was the first "Moderate Risk" region declared so far this year, which is a record for the latest day in the year this has occurred. According to Rich Thompson, a forecaster at NOAA's Storm Prediction Center, the previous record latest date for a "Moderate Risk" severe weather day was March 21, 2005. So, we beat the previous record by an entire month, which is a remarkable feat. There has been only one tornado death so far this year, the lowest death toll this far into the season on record. Typically, about half of the 80 or so tornado deaths we average per year have occurred by this point in the season. Yesterday's preliminary tornado count of 32 came close matching the preliminary U.S. tornado count for the entire month of March--36. March was the fourth-quietest March for tornado activity since record keeping began in 1950. The three-year average for March tornadoes is 138. One reason for the quiet tornado season has been the "upside down" winter and early spring we've experienced over North America over the past 3 1/2 months. Temperatures in Canada have been the warmest on record during this period, but have been unusually cold over the southern U.S. and Gulf of Mexico. Since the instability that severe thunderstorms need to occur comes from warm, moist air from the Gulf of Mexico encountering cold, dry air from Canada, this year's unusual "upside down" configuration has led to a much more stable than usual atmosphere over tornado alley in the U.S.

Figure 1. Doppler radar storm-relative velocity of the mile-wide tornado that affected western Kansas at 4:40 MDT April 22, 2010. No damage or injuries were reported from the tornado. A second tornado's Doppler radar signature is also visible at the bottom of the image.

Another severe weather outbreak expected today and Saturday
The Storm Prediction Center has outlined another "Moderate Risk" region of concern for severe weather today, this time centered over Arkansas, Mississippi, and northern Louisiana (Figure 2.) Tomorrow, the action moves eastwards and will be centered over Mississippi, Alabama, and Tennessee. This 3-day severe weather event will probably end up being one of the most significant of the year. Our severe weather expert Dr. Rob Carver will blog about today's action after it is over. As usual, you can follow today's severe weather outbreak with our interactive tornado page and our severe weather page..

Figure 2. Severe weather risk areas for Friday April 23, 2010.

Tornado and associated severe weather leave 1 million homeless in India
The U.S. has the world's most violent and numerous tornadoes, but second place goes to Bangladesh and eastern India. There, warm moist air from the Bay of Bengal often encounters cold, dry air from the Himalayas, setting up the instability needed to support severe thunderstorms. On Tuesday, April 13, and very unstable airmass (CAPE values > 3000) with strong westerly wind shear set up over eastern India, providing the classic set-up for supercell thunderstorms. Radar loops from the Kolkatta radar that day show a severe thunderstorm formed over extreme northeast India, near the Bangladesh border, and moved southeast into Bangladesh. The thunderstorm appeared to form a "bow echo", a configuration that often generates strong winds in excess of hurricane force near the bowed-out portion of the radar echo. Winds of 75 mph affected a large area of densely populated land, killing 137, severely damaging or destroying 200,000 homes, and leaving 1 million homeless. A weak tornado may have accompanied the storm. This may be the greatest number of people ever left homeless by a severe thunderstorm in world history.

Figure 3. Radar image from the Kolkatta Regional Meteorological Centre of the Indian Meteorological Department, showing the severe thunderstorm that killed 137 people and left 1 million homeless. Thanks go to Steve Nesbitt of UIUC for saving this image.

Jeff Masters

Into the Abyss (adkinsadam1)

A little more than April showers... These storms delivered tornadoes and 6 inches of hail! SPC can't seem to figure out that the front range loves these kinds of weather setups.

Funnel at Jericho Texas (live4storms)

Did not get to the ground.

Second Groom, TX Tornado (zach34298)

This is about the best that the tornado ever looked. It was on the ground for a few minutes, before it lifted, and then briefly touched down again.

Categories: Tornado

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951. Patrap 7:13 PM GMT on April 24, 2010
263 fxus64 klix 241812 afdlix Area forecast discussion National Weather Service New Orleans la 112 PM CDT Sat Apr 24 2010 Update... Tornado Watch number 95 has replaced portions of Tornado Watch 92. This new watch includes portions of southeast Louisiana that are generally along and east of a line from Morgan City to Gonzales to Kentwood. The Baton Rouge metropolitan area is not included in the new watch. In southern Mississippi...the new watch includes the coastal counties as well as Pearl River...Pike and Walthall counties. The new watch is in effect until 8 PM CDT. The cold front will continue to move eastward through the area this afternoon. As it does so...showers and thunderstorms will be possible along and just ahead of the front. Some of these thunderstorms may become severe with isolated tornadoes...large hail and damaging winds possible. An 18z special sounding has already been started and the first half of the sounding should be available shortly. No further updates to the forecast are expected before the afternoon package. Member Since: July 3, 2005 Posts: 377 Comments: 112912

953. Drakoen 7:14 PM GMT on April 24, 2010
Quoting kimoskee: For us non-weather people trying to keep up please explain (and yes I'm the one at the back of the class with the dunce cap) I thought I did... Member Since: October 28, 2006 Posts: 57 Comments: 29012

954. kimoskee 7:14 PM GMT on April 24, 2010
Oz is down again Member Since: August 17, 2008 Posts: 0 Comments: 670

955. tornadodude 7:15 PM GMT on April 24, 2010
Quoting kimoskee: Oz is down again yeah, he has bad signal right now, and is gonna stop broadcasting for awhile, he was getting some good damage shots too. check back later to see if he's on again Member Since: June 28, 2006 Posts: 22 Comments: 7816

956. MrstormX 7:19 PM GMT on April 24, 2010
SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING NEC139-242000- /O.NEW.KOAX.SV.W.0021.100424T1914Z-100424T2000Z/ BULLETIN - IMMEDIATE BROADCAST REQUESTED SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE OMAHA/VALLEY NEBRASKA 214 PM CDT SAT APR 24 2010 THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN OMAHA HAS ISSUED A * SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING FOR... CENTRAL PIERCE COUNTY IN NORTHEAST NEBRASKA... * UNTIL 300 PM CDT * AT 213 PM CDT...NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE METEOROLOGISTS DETECTED A SEVERE THUNDERSTORM CAPABLE OF PRODUCING QUARTER SIZE HAIL. THIS STORM WAS LOCATED NEAR PIERCE...OR 15 MILES NORTHWEST OF NORFOLK... AND MOVING WEST AT 5 MPH. * LOCATIONS IMPACTED INCLUDE... MAINLY RURAL AREAS OF CENTRAL PIERCE COUNTY. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS PRODUCE DAMAGING WIND IN EXCESS OF 60 MILES PER HOUR...DESTRUCTIVE HAIL...DEADLY LIGHTNING...AND VERY HEAVY RAIN. FOR YOUR PROTECTION MOVE TO AN INTERIOR ROOM ON THE LOWEST FLOOR OF YOUR HOME OR BUSINESS. HEAVY RAINS FLOOD ROADS QUICKLY SO DO NOT DRIVE INTO AREAS WHERE WATER COVERS THE ROAD. && LAT...LON 4212 9769 4222 9775 4227 9753 4216 9751 TIME...MOT...LOC 1915Z 068DEG 5KT 4220 9760 WIND...HAIL <50MPH 1.00IN $$ SMITH Member Since: May 27, 2009 Posts: 0 Comments: 4312

957. kimoskee 7:19 PM GMT on April 24, 2010
Quoting Drakoen: I thought I did... Ok ok you don't have to rub it in. I've already admitted to wearing the hat!!!! Member Since: August 17, 2008 Posts: 0 Comments: 670

960. MrstormX 7:22 PM GMT on April 24, 2010
Look out Paducah... Member Since: May 27, 2009 Posts: 0 Comments: 4312

961. MrstormX 7:24 PM GMT on April 24, 2010
Quoting Jeff9641: Eastern half of Yazoo City is gone. http://www.wlbt.com/Global/story.asp?S=12369237 Member Since: May 27, 2009 Posts: 0 Comments: 4312

962. alexhurricane1991 7:24 PM GMT on April 24, 2010
James spann says that the damage in yazoo could be ef5! now this is not me this is from a respectable met Member Since: April 8, 2010 Posts: 15 Comments: 2543

963. MrstormX 7:27 PM GMT on April 24, 2010
This is really bad, supposedly a tornado in "Big Lake" anyone know where that is. Member Since: May 27, 2009 Posts: 0 Comments: 4312

964. Bordonaro 7:28 PM GMT on April 24, 2010
Quoting alexhurricane1991: James spann says that the damage in yazoo could be ef5! now this is not me this is from a respectable met Yes, he mentioned this could be an EF-4 or EF-5 tornado, simply amazing!! Member Since: August 25, 2009 Posts: 20 Comments: 6785

967. kimoskee 7:32 PM GMT on April 24, 2010
Quoting Jeff9641: Tornado 1 1/2 miles wide! WHAT!!!! You had better be joking. Member Since: August 17, 2008 Posts: 0 Comments: 670

968. MrstormX 7:33 PM GMT on April 24, 2010
Tornado has been detected in South Dakota, in association with outflow bands. No word on warnings yet. Member Since: May 27, 2009 Posts: 0 Comments: 4312

970. centrfla 7:34 PM GMT on April 24, 2010
flgamma...hope everything ok with dad Member Since: August 28, 2006 Posts: 0 Comments: 65

971. HurricaneSwirl 7:35 PM GMT on April 24, 2010
Quoting Jeff9641: This may rival the 1974 Outbreak. Another surge in tornadoes will develope later today in the Ohio Valley and across AL & GA. When do you think watches might go up in GA? I'm kind of nervous now, even though just a small section of GA is under a moderate chance. Member Since: July 7, 2008 Posts: 2 Comments: 3237

972. CycloneOz 7:35 PM GMT on April 24, 2010
Hello everyone! This is a short message to let everyone know that Amy and I are safe and sound. Although, our nerves are a bit frayed. It is one thing intercepting a tornado out in the open and it is a whole other thing to intercept one in the woods. So you can understand why Amy and I felt scared at our final intercept point which was apx. 1-2 miles away from where the tornado crossed. I sincerely want to thank PensacolaDoug and tornadodude, for their invaluable assistance in getting us right into the action. I also want to thank KOG, Chucktown, and Bonadaro for all their helpful post on this intercept weekend. Finally, I sincerely want to thank each of you who joined us via the live web cam and I hope you join me and our team again when we fire up the live web cam during a hurricane landfall. We are traveling north on I-59 to Memphis, where we will turn the corner and head back home to New Mexico. One last thing...Amy is not going to kill me...but there will be pay back and it will be hell. Even still it was worth it for her to be here with me. Not only did she keep me entertained and awake at the wheel but she also kept you informed. And on top of all that I simply just enjoy her company. Will she ever come with me on one of these trips again? If she does, it will be because I lied to her and told her that we were going out to eat at Outback steak house. OZ--- Member Since: August 26, 2006 Posts: 10 Comments: 3154

973. kimoskee 7:35 PM GMT on April 24, 2010
Quoting Jeff9641: Nope via TWC. Turn on to TWC as Kris Hair damn near ran into the tornado. TWC has all of this live right now. Kris Hair has footage of this tornado. Can't in Jamaica. My TWC has the caribbean feed. Watching closely as I have family in Missouri. Member Since: August 17, 2008 Posts: 0 Comments: 670

975. Patrap 7:38 PM GMT on April 24, 2010
Statement as of 2:32 PM CDT on April 24, 2010 ... A Tornado Warning remains in effect until 300 PM CDT for northeastern Oktibbeha... northern Lowndes and southeastern Clay counties... At 231 PM CDT... National Weather Service meteorologists continued to track a tornado. This tornado has been confirmed and damage has been reported north of Starkville. This tornado was located near West Point moving northeast at 55 mph. The tornado will be near... Kolola Springs and Steens by 240 PM CDT... Caledonia by 245 PM CDT... Precautionary/preparedness actions... A Tornado Warning means that a tornado is occurring or imminent. You should activate your tornado action plan and take protective action now. This is an extremely dangerous and life threatening situation. This storm produced a strong tornado that created significant damage and injuries! If you are in the path of this tornado... take cover immediately! A Tornado Watch remains in effect until 800 PM CDT Saturday evening for Mississippi. Lat... Lon 3343 8830 3349 8874 3358 8878 3369 8871 3369 8849 3367 8848 3370 8837 3373 8833 3375 8831 3375 8825 3370 8824 time... Mot... loc 1931z 243deg 47kt 3366 8856 Cohen Member Since: July 3, 2005 Posts: 377 Comments: 112912

976. biloxidaisy 7:39 PM GMT on April 24, 2010
Quoting CycloneOz: Hello everyone! This is a short message to let everyone know that Amy and I are safe and sound. Although, our nerves are a bit frayed. It is one thing intercepting a tornado out in the open and it is a whole other thing to intercept one in the woods. So you can understand why Amy and I felt scared at our final intercept point which was apx. 1-2 miles away from where the tornado crossed. I sincerely want to thank PensacolaDoug and tornadodude, for their invaluable assistants in getting us right into the action. I also want to thank KOG, Chucktown, Bonadaro for all their helpful post on this intercept weekend. Finally, I sincerely want to thank each of you who joined us via the live web cam and I hope you join me and our team again when we fire up the live web cam during a hurricane landfall. We are traveling north on I-59 to Memphis, where we will turn the corner and head back home to New Mexico. One last thing...Amy is not going to kill me...but there will be pay back and it will be hell. Even still it was worth it for her to be here with me. Not only did she keep me entertained and away at the wheel but she also kept you informed. And on top of all that I simply just enjoy her company. Will she ever come with me on one of these trips again? If she does, it will be because I lied to her and told her that we were going out to eat at Outback steak house. OZ--- She's a brave woman!! I wouldn't have done it!! Drive safe! Member Since: August 23, 2008 Posts: 0 Comments: 243

978. MrstormX 7:40 PM GMT on April 24, 2010
Cumulus in Central Illinois starting to show some vertical development. Member Since: May 27, 2009 Posts: 0 Comments: 4312

979. kimoskee 7:42 PM GMT on April 24, 2010
Quoting kimoskee: Can't in Jamaica. My TWC has the caribbean feed. Watching closely as I have family in Missouri. Correction it's not TWC - it's One Caribbean Weather. That's the one with weather man with a parrot on his shoulder, and the other anchors wear loud tropical shirts. Hope that's none of you. Oh dear! Member Since: August 17, 2008 Posts: 0 Comments: 670

980. MrstormX 7:42 PM GMT on April 24, 2010
Member Since: May 27, 2009 Posts: 0 Comments: 4312

983. MrstormX 7:46 PM GMT on April 24, 2010
There is now a Secondary Outbreak of Severe storms starting across the great plains from Kansas up to the Dakotas. Member Since: May 27, 2009 Posts: 0 Comments: 4312

984. jazzygal 7:47 PM GMT on April 24, 2010
Thanks OZ. Really enjoyed it and glad you two are safe. I've seen a few tornadoes there on 82 after Hurricane Rita (What was left of her) passed through there and we had evacuated to Greenwood for that Hurricane. Have a safe trip home. Member Since: June 2, 2008 Posts: 0 Comments: 159

986. Patrap 7:48 PM GMT on April 24, 2010
Tornado strikes western Miss.; injuries reported © 2010 The Associated Press April 24, 2010, 2:36PM JACKSON, Miss. — A tornado touched down Saturday in at least three counties in west-central Mississippi, damaging several buildings and causing injuries, officials said. The extent of the injuries and how many people were hurt was not immediately clear. At least one person was airlifted to a hospital. The tornado, which was about 3/4 of a mile wide, was still making its way across state, said Mark McAllister, a meteorologist for the National Weather Service in Jackson. Three counties were conducting a "massive response," Mississippi Emergency Management Agency spokesman Greg Flynn said. He said he didn't have time to provide the number of those injured. "It's extensive and it appears to be significant," Flynn said of the damage. Jim Pollard, a spokesman for American Medical Response ambulance service, said the company dispatched 11 ambulances to Yazoo City. He also confirmed one person with significant injuries was airlifted to a Jackson hospital. He says at least four people were taken to hospitals by ambulance. The severe storms swept across the Southeast on Saturday, darkening skies and dumping rain on the region. Many areas were under tornado watches or warnings at some point during the day. The weather hampered crews trying to clean up an oil spill after an offshore rig exploded earlier this week off the coast of Louisiana. Several sporting events and festivals also were rescheduled. In Mississippi, the tornado struck Valley Park, Yazoo City and Durant, McAllister said. "Everything is closed off. It's hard to get emergency personnel in there," he said. The storms also damaged a church in east-central Mississippi and caused minor damage at Olive Branch Middle School in DeSoto County, just south of Memphis, Tenn. A possible tornado was reported in Alabama, damaging homes and downing trees but causing no injuries. In Louisiana, storms damaged a tank at a chemical plant near Tallulah. Louisiana State Police Sgt. James Martin says plant officials don't know of any chemicals leaking from the plant itself. Member Since: July 3, 2005 Posts: 377 Comments: 112912

987. kimoskee 7:48 PM GMT on April 24, 2010
Yep the weatherman with the parrot is on now. Unbelievable. onecaribbeanweather Member Since: August 17, 2008 Posts: 0 Comments: 670

988. KEEPEROFTHEGATE (Mod) 7:48 PM GMT on April 24, 2010
Member Since: July 15, 2006 Posts: 146 Comments: 41277

989. MrstormX 7:51 PM GMT on April 24, 2010
Chicago's ABC station predicts scattered Severe Storms will form in the Ohio River Valley after 4:00 local time. Member Since: May 27, 2009 Posts: 0 Comments: 4312

990. senselessoptimism 7:51 PM GMT on April 24, 2010
^^^^ the radar is terrifying right now. Those with expertise in forecasting these situation, any insight on how bad things could get in the Ohio Valley tonight? Things normally fizzle out by the time they get to me but this whole system has me more concerned than normal... Member Since: January 30, 2009 Posts: 0 Comments: 3

991. WaterWitch11 7:51 PM GMT on April 24, 2010
my god, i just saw all the reports on the tornadoes Member Since: August 11, 2008 Posts: 3 Comments: 1266

992. MrstormX 7:52 PM GMT on April 24, 2010
Quoting senselessoptimism: ^^^^ the radar is terrifying right now. Those with expertise in forecasting these situation, any insight on how bad things could get in the Ohio Valley tonight? Things normally fizzle out by the time they get to me but this whole system has me more concerned than normal... Where do you live specifically? Member Since: May 27, 2009 Posts: 0 Comments: 4312

993. AstroHurricane001 7:54 PM GMT on April 24, 2010
Please provide news links indicating that the tornado which struck Yazoo City, Mississippi was over a mile wide, that fatalities have been reported, and that the tornado may have been an EF5. Thanks. Member Since: August 30, 2008 Posts: 8 Comments: 2811

994. Bordonaro 7:55 PM GMT on April 24, 2010
Quoting WaterWitch11: my god, i just saw all the reports on the tornadoes One long-track Tornado has traveled from W LA, through the entire state of MS, now getting ready to cross into AL. Yazoo City, MS took a direct hit, severe damage, many injuries, and that area is now experiencing the strongest daytime heating. Up to 33, correction 36 Tornado Reports and counting!! Member Since: August 25, 2009 Posts: 20 Comments: 6785

995. MrstormX 7:56 PM GMT on April 24, 2010
"A large tornado hit Yazoo City in west-central Mississippi Saturday, according to the National Weather Service. Numerous buildings in the twister's path were destroyed. A NWS spokesman says the tornado was 3/4 of a mile wide. It hit the Mississippi cities of Valley Park, Yazoo City and Durant. Mississippi Emergency Management Agency spokesman Greg Flynn says officials in three counties were conducting a "massive response." Jim Pollard, public affairs manager for American Medical Response ambulance service, told the Associated Press the company dispatched 11 ambulances to Yazoo City. He says one person with significant injuries was airlifted to a Jackson hospital. Roy Wilson, the fire chief of Yazoo City, told CNN that 20 to 30 homes were destroyed in a nearby city. Wilson said some people were trapped inside some structures. He said he didn't yet have confirmed numbers on injuries. "It's in pretty bad shape so far," he told CNN of the city. I gotta tell you, people always say how dangerous it is to live in California, with all the earthquakes and wildfires. But I'll take that over tornados any day. I lived in Georgia for two years, and the threat of tornados was a constant for months on end. People were losing their homes all the time. I hope the folks in Mississippi are OK." Link Member Since: May 27, 2009 Posts: 0 Comments: 4312

996. senselessoptimism 7:56 PM GMT on April 24, 2010
Wow beaten by like a second! I live in Dayton, OH. Member Since: January 30, 2009 Posts: 0 Comments: 3

997. Drakoen 7:57 PM GMT on April 24, 2010
Some nasty cells in northeastern Mississippi with mid level lapse rates 7-7.5C/km. Lifted index values -5 to -7 and a SBCAPE around 1500-2000 J/kg according to the SPC Mesoanalysis page. Radar reporting 1.25in hail within the cell near Ackeman. Member Since: October 28, 2006 Posts: 57 Comments: 29012

998. kimoskee 7:57 PM GMT on April 24, 2010
Video from TWC of Yazoo http://www.weather.com/outlook/videos/first-video-of-yazoo-ms-tornado-damage-17094 Member Since: August 17, 2008 Posts: 0 Comments: 670

999. KEEPEROFTHEGATE (Mod) 7:58 PM GMT on April 24, 2010
Quoting WaterWitch11: my god, i just saw all the reports on the tornadoes yeah a PDS for sure for some it still is keep yer head up and yer eyes wide open Member Since: July 15, 2006 Posts: 146 Comments: 41277

1001. MrstormX 7:59 PM GMT on April 24, 2010
Quoting senselessoptimism: Wow beaten by like a second! I live in Dayton, OH. It will probably be more of a rain event for Dayton, but don't rule anything out. Member Since: May 27, 2009 Posts: 0 Comments: 4312

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