Dr. Jeff Masters' WunderBlog

Dangerous tornado outbreak expected Saturday; Gulf of Mexico SSTs warmest on record

Posted by: Dr. Jeff Masters, 2:57 PM GMT on April 13, 2012

+47

A dangerous tornado outbreak is expected on Saturday over the Plains, says NOAA's Storm Prediction Center (SPC). Warm, moist air flowing northwards from a Gulf of Mexico that has record-warm waters will collide with cold air funneling down from Canada, creating a highly unstable air mass capable of creating strong thunderstorm updrafts. An impressive upper-level low, accompanied by a jet stream with 105 - 125 mph winds at middle levels of the atmosphere, will create plenty of wind shear, giving the air the spin it needs to form tornadoes. SPC has has issued their highest level of alert, a "High Risk," for much of Oklahoma, Kansas, and Nebraska for Saturday. Included in the "High Risk" area are the cities of Wichita, Oklahoma City, and Lincoln. This is the second time SPC has issued a "High Risk" forecast this year; the first "High Risk" forecast came for the March 2 tornado outbreak, which killed 41 people and did $1.5 - $2 billion in damage. It is very unusual for SPC to issue a "High Risk" forecast more than a day in advance of a suspected tornado outbreak; according to Wikipedia, today's "High Risk" forecast is only the second time SPC has ever done this. The other instance was for the April 6 - 8, 2006 tornado outbreak focused over Tennessee, which generated 73 tornadoes that killed 13 and did $1.5 billion in damage. People living in the threatened area need to pay close attention on Saturday to this dangerous severe weather situation.

Figure 1. Severe weather risk for Saturday, April 14, 2012, from NOAA's Storm Prediction Center.

Gulf of Mexico water temperatures the warmest on record
Temperatures in the states bordering the Gulf of Mexico were the 3rd - 7th warmest on record during the first three months of 2012, according to NOAA's National Climatic Data Center. This allowed Sea Surface Temperatures (SSTs) in the Gulf of Mexico (25 - 30°N, 85 - 90°W) to climb to 1.4°C (2.5°F) above average during March 2012, according to a wunderground analysis of the Hadley Centre SST data set. This is the warmest March value on record for the Gulf of Mexico, going back over a century of record keeping. During the first two weeks of April, Gulf of Mexico waters remained about 1.5°C above average, putting April on pace to have the warmest April water temperatures on record. Only one year in the past century has had April water temperatures in the Gulf of Mexico more than 1.1°C above average; that year was 2002 (1.4°C above average.) All that record-warm water is capable of putting record amounts of water vapor into the air, since evaporation increases when water is warmer. Because moist air is less dense than dry air, this warm, moist air flowing northwards from the Gulf of Mexico into the developing storm system over the Plains will be highly unstable once it encounters cold, dry air aloft. The record-warm waters of the Gulf of Mexico are a key reason for the high risk of severe weather over the Plains this weekend.

Figure 2. Departure of Sea Surface Temperature (SST) from average for April 12, 2012, as computed by NOAA/NESDIS. SSTs in the Gulf of Mexico are at their warmest levels on record for this time of year.

Follow Weather Underground on twitter for the latest on this potential severe weather outbreak.

Jeff Masters

April Storms (llpj04)

this storm greeted me as I came out of the grocery store, chased me home and got to my driveway the same time I did.

Lightning Up the Pond - Oklahoma (mbryan777)

Last night we had a pretty spectacular lightning storm. I put the camera on the tripod in time-lapse mode and laid on my back on the hillside above the pond taking in an amazing show. When it got more exciting than I was comfortable with, I ran for the house.

Categories: Severe Weather Tornado

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1851. Bluestorm5 2:05 AM GMT on April 15, 2012
well respected meteorologist from Charlotte (@wxbrad) is comparing this Greensburg/Fellsburg/Macksville tornado to Joplin... and also saying he got scan of near 210 mph. Member Since: August 1, 2011 Posts: 7 Comments: 3364

1852. FFtrombi 2:06 AM GMT on April 15, 2012
Any good streaming tv channels for severe weather? Member Since: November 6, 2009 Posts: 0 Comments: 165

1853. washingtonian115 2:06 AM GMT on April 15, 2012
I just got in the door.What's happening. Member Since: August 14, 2010 Posts: 5 Comments: 10585

1854. skook 2:06 AM GMT on April 15, 2012
Link Link for live coverage from Wichita. Member Since: August 10, 2009 Posts: 11 Comments: 308

1855. RTSplayer 2:06 AM GMT on April 15, 2012
Quoting Jedkins01: just so you know, there is no F6 ;) Fujita scale up to F12 Member Since: January 25, 2012 Posts: 27 Comments: 875

1856. weatherh98 2:07 AM GMT on April 15, 2012
Witchitas suburbs are gonna get slammed Member Since: June 17, 2011 Posts: 11 Comments: 6031

1857. hurricanehunter27 2:07 AM GMT on April 15, 2012
Is this even possible? Member Since: July 22, 2010 Posts: 1 Comments: 3346

1858. muddertracker 2:07 AM GMT on April 15, 2012
Quoting skook: Link Link for live coverage from Wichita. Thanks! Member Since: August 16, 2007 Posts: 1 Comments: 2093

1859. LargoFl 2:07 AM GMT on April 15, 2012
SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING IAC031-115-139-163-ILC131-161-150300- /O.NEW.KDVN.SV.W.0011.120415T0203Z-120415T0300Z/ BULLETIN - EAS ACTIVATION REQUESTED SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE QUAD CITIES IA IL 903 PM CDT SAT APR 14 2012 THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN THE QUAD CITIES HAS ISSUED A * SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING FOR... SOUTHEASTERN CEDAR COUNTY IN EAST CENTRAL IOWA... EASTERN MUSCATINE COUNTY IN EAST CENTRAL IOWA... SOUTHWESTERN SCOTT COUNTY IN EAST CENTRAL IOWA... NORTHERN MERCER COUNTY IN NORTHWEST ILLINOIS... SOUTHWESTERN ROCK ISLAND COUNTY IN NORTHWEST ILLINOIS... EASTERN LOUISA COUNTY IN SOUTHEAST IOWA... * UNTIL 1000 PM CDT. * AT 900 PM CDT...NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DOPPLER RADAR INDICATED A SEVERE THUNDERSTORM CAPABLE OF PRODUCING PING PONG BALL SIZE HAIL. THIS STORM WAS LOCATED APPROXIMATELY NEAR WAPELLO...AND MOVING NORTHEAST AT 50 MPH. * OTHER LOCATIONS IN THE WARNING INCLUDE BUT ARE NOT LIMITED TO TOOLESBORO...GRANDVIEW...NEW BOSTON...FRUITLAND...MANNON...JOY... ELIZA...MUSCATINE...MILLERSBURG...ALEDO...ILLINOIS CITY... FAIRPORT...HAMLET...MATHERVILLE...REYNOLDS...MONTP ELIER...DURANT... TAYLOR RIDGE...ANDALUSIA...BUFFALO...BLUE GRASS...SHERRARD AND OAK GROVE. THIS INCLUDES INTERSTATE 80 IN IOWA BETWEEN MILE MARKERS 276 AND 278. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... THIS IS A DANGEROUS STORM. MOVE IMMEDIATELY INDOORS AND STAY AWAY FROM WINDOWS. && LAT...LON 4166 9094 4133 9043 4131 9043 4107 9110 4107 9118 4119 9130 TIME...MOT...LOC 0203Z 231DEG 44KT 4118 9113 WIND...HAIL <58MPH 1.50IN $$ NICHOLS Member Since: August 6, 2011 Posts: 0 Comments: 22395

1860. Jedkins01 2:07 AM GMT on April 15, 2012
Quoting CybrTeddy: Hypothetically, it would have >319 mph event. Hypothetically and scientifically are 2 different things :) Member Since: August 21, 2008 Posts: 0 Comments: 5321

1861. Bluestorm5 2:08 AM GMT on April 15, 2012
MACKSVILLE, KANSAS NEED TO GET UNDERGROUND ASAP!!!!! THIS IS TORNADO EMERGENCY!!!!! THIS TORNADO IS EXTREMELY DANGEROUS!!!!! Member Since: August 1, 2011 Posts: 7 Comments: 3364

1862. WxGeekVA 2:08 AM GMT on April 15, 2012
The cell is splitting... Now probably 2 separate tornadoes on the ground near Saint John and Macksville... Member Since: September 3, 2011 Posts: 13 Comments: 3311

1863. hurricanehunter27 2:08 AM GMT on April 15, 2012
Quoting washingtonian115: I just got in the door.What's happening. Absolute craziness. Member Since: July 22, 2010 Posts: 1 Comments: 3346

1864. ScottLincoln 2:08 AM GMT on April 15, 2012
Quoting CybrTeddy: Hypothetically, it would have >319 mph event. No. EF5 is winds of 200mph+, and as such, there is no upper bound. EF5 is the highest a tornado can be rated, even if it were determined that winds were 400mph. Member Since: September 28, 2002 Posts: 3 Comments: 1475

1865. TropicalAnalystwx13 2:08 AM GMT on April 15, 2012
These cities are about to get wiped off the map. Member Since: July 6, 2010 Posts: 89 Comments: 25124

1866. photonchaser 2:09 AM GMT on April 15, 2012
Imagine an F12 super sonic tornado! Member Since: June 3, 2004 Posts: 1 Comments: 134

1867. 1900hurricane 2:09 AM GMT on April 15, 2012
Quoting TropicalAnalystwx13: EVERE WEATHER STATEMENT NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DODGE CITY KS 900 PM CDT SAT APR 14 2012 KSC047-145-151-185-150215- /O.CON.KDDC.TO.W.0030.000000T0000Z-120415T0215Z/ STAFFORD KS-PRATT KS-PAWNEE KS-EDWARDS KS- 900 PM CDT SAT APR 14 2012 ...TORNADO EMERGENCY FOR MACKSVILLE... ...A TORNADO WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT FOR EASTERN EDWARDS... SOUTHEASTERN PAWNEE...NORTHWESTERN PRATT AND STAFFORD COUNTIES UNTIL 915 PM CDT... AT 859 PM CDT...NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DOPPLER RADAR INDICATED VERY STRONG ROTATION ASSOCIATED WITH A CONFIRMED LARGE AND EXTREMELY DANGEROUS TORNADO 3 MILES SOUTH OF MACKSVILLE. THIS TORNADIC STORM WAS MOVING NORTHEAST AT 55 MPH. DANGEROUS AND EXTREMELY DESTRUCTIVE HAIL UP TO SOFTBALL SIZE IS ALSO EXPECTED WITH THIS STORM. LOCATIONS IMPACTED INCLUDE... MACKSVILLE... DILLWYN... ST. JOHN... SEWARD... MAINLY RURAL AREAS OF EASTERN EDWARDS...NORTHWESTERN PRATT... SOUTHEASTERN PAWNEE AND STAFFORD COUNTIES. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... TO REPEAT...A LARGE...EXTREMELY DANGEROUS AND POTENTIALLY DEADLY TORNADO IS CONFIRMED! 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. TORNADOES AT NIGHT ARE ESPECIALLY DANGEROUS. DO NOT WAIT UNTIL YOU SEE OR HEAR THE TORNADO...IT MAY BE TOO LATE. TAKE COVER NOW! && That's the old Greensburg storm Member Since: August 2, 2006 Posts: 43 Comments: 10321

1868. hurricanehunter27 2:09 AM GMT on April 15, 2012
I wonder if the tornado split while it was on the ground. That would be something. Member Since: July 22, 2010 Posts: 1 Comments: 3346

1869. RTSplayer 2:09 AM GMT on April 15, 2012
Well, whatever F or EF it is, it's coming up on Saint John and a big intersection. Member Since: January 25, 2012 Posts: 27 Comments: 875

1870. LargoFl 2:09 AM GMT on April 15, 2012
FLASH FLOOD WARNING IAC039-053-117-125-135-159-175-181-150800- /O.NEW.KDMX.FF.W.0005.120415T0155Z-120415T0800Z/ /00000.0.ER.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.000000T0000 Z.OO/ BULLETIN - EAS ACTIVATION REQUESTED FLASH FLOOD WARNING NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DES MOINES IA 855 PM CDT SAT APR 14 2012 THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN DES MOINES HAS ISSUED A * FLASH FLOOD WARNING FOR... CLARKE COUNTY IN SOUTH CENTRAL IOWA... EASTERN UNION COUNTY IN SOUTH CENTRAL IOWA... LUCAS COUNTY IN SOUTH CENTRAL IOWA... NORTHEASTERN RINGGOLD COUNTY IN SOUTH CENTRAL IOWA... NORTHERN DECATUR COUNTY IN SOUTH CENTRAL IOWA... NORTHWESTERN MONROE COUNTY IN SOUTH CENTRAL IOWA... SOUTHERN MARION COUNTY IN SOUTH CENTRAL IOWA... SOUTHERN WARREN COUNTY IN SOUTH CENTRAL IOWA... * UNTIL 300 AM CDT SUNDAY * AT 855 PM CDT...NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DOPPLER RADAR INDICATED SLOW MOVING THUNDERSTORMS WITH VERY HEAVY RAINFALL ACROSS THE WARNED AREA. SOME OF THESE STORMS ARE CAPABLE OF PRODUCING RAINFALL AMOUNTS OF 3 INCHES OR MORE PER HOUR. * RUNOFF FROM THIS EXCESSIVE RAINFALL WILL CAUSE FLASH FLOODING TO OCCUR. SOME LOCATIONS THAT WILL EXPERIENCE FLOODING INCLUDE... CHARITON AND OSCEOLA. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... EXCESSIVE RUNOFF FROM HEAVY RAINFALL WILL CAUSE FLOODING OF SMALL CREEKS AND STREAMS...HIGHWAYS AND UNDERPASSES. ADDITIONALLY... COUNTRY ROADS AND FARMLANDS ALONG THE BANKS OF CREEKS...STREAMS AND OTHER LOW LYING AREAS ARE SUBJECT TO FLOODING. DO NOT DRIVE YOUR VEHICLE INTO AREAS WHERE THE WATER COVERS THE ROADWAY. THE WATER DEPTH MAY BE TOO GREAT TO ALLOW YOUR CAR TO CROSS SAFELY. TURN AROUND...DONT DROWN. BE ESPECIALLY CAUTIOUS AT NIGHT WHEN IT IS HARDER TO RECOGNIZE THE DANGERS OF FLOODING. IF FLASH FLOODING IS OBSERVED ACT QUICKLY. DO NOT ENTER THE WATER. TURN AROUND AND MOVE UP TO HIGHER GROUND TO ESCAPE FLOOD WATERS. DO NOT STAY IN AREAS SUBJECT TO FLOODING WHEN WATER BEGINS RISING. && LAT...LON 4110 9432 4130 9287 4100 9287 4078 9432 $$ ZOGG Member Since: August 6, 2011 Posts: 0 Comments: 22395

1871. Bluestorm5 2:10 AM GMT on April 15, 2012
Quoting washingtonian115: I just got in the door.What's happening. 2 extremely strong tornado, one near Manchester with 228-300 knots gate to gate. Another missed Greensburg by 2 miles, but appears to hit Macksville, Kansas. That tornado got scan of 210+ mph winds with movement of 80 mph and softball sized hail. Tornado emergency for Macksville as we speak. Member Since: August 1, 2011 Posts: 7 Comments: 3364

1872. weatherh98 2:10 AM GMT on April 15, 2012
Quoting hurricanehunter27: Is this even possible? 2 tornadoes Member Since: June 17, 2011 Posts: 11 Comments: 6031

1873. Jedkins01 2:10 AM GMT on April 15, 2012
Quoting RTSplayer: Fujita scale up to F12 Quoting RTSplayer: Fujita scale up to F12 Link Member Since: August 21, 2008 Posts: 0 Comments: 5321

1874. JTDailyUpdate 2:10 AM GMT on April 15, 2012
Quoting RTSplayer: It's never been confirmed on Earth. But the rating scale has no theoretical limit, it goes up to at least F12... But there has never been an confirmed F6 on Earth. Even the Moore tornado does not qualify... It could easily happen elsewhere in the solar system, we just don't have the technology to measure it yet. There are thousand mile per hour vortices on Uranus and Neptune, for example. Just imputing my two cents here, but according to the original Fuijita scale a F12 would have a speed of 738 mph, also known as Mach 1 or the speed of sound Member Since: August 19, 2011 Posts: 0 Comments: 205

1875. hurricanehunter27 2:11 AM GMT on April 15, 2012
Quoting Jedkins01: Link He was talking about the F scale not EF. Member Since: July 22, 2010 Posts: 1 Comments: 3346

1876. CybrTeddy 2:11 AM GMT on April 15, 2012
Quoting ScottLincoln: No. EF5 is winds of 200mph , and as such, there is no upper bound. EF5 is the highest a tornado can be rated, even if it were determined that winds were 400mph. F6 Referring to the old scale. I even pointed out earlier that the EF5 is 200mph That's not important right now, Macksville is in huge trouble. Member Since: July 8, 2005 Posts: 253 Comments: 20178

1877. ScottLincoln 2:11 AM GMT on April 15, 2012
Quoting WxGeekVA: The cell is splitting... Now probably 2 separate tornadoes on the ground near Saint John and Macksville... It looks like the two rotation icons you are seeing there are due to substantial radar dealias failures. There still appears to be only one major circulation, and maybe one smaller, weaker one. The storm near Macksville is still the real, large rotation, at least for now. Member Since: September 28, 2002 Posts: 3 Comments: 1475

1878. MZT 2:11 AM GMT on April 15, 2012
This is some insane stuff. It's more like the whole cell just rotates down onto the ground than a mere funnel descending out of it. Member Since: September 24, 2005 Posts: 0 Comments: 775

1879. TropicalAnalystwx13 2:12 AM GMT on April 15, 2012
What is this nonsense?! Member Since: July 6, 2010 Posts: 89 Comments: 25124

1880. 1900hurricane 2:12 AM GMT on April 15, 2012
Member Since: August 2, 2006 Posts: 43 Comments: 10321

1881. Chicklit 2:13 AM GMT on April 15, 2012
Tornado emergency for Macksville... ... A Tornado Warning remains in effect for eastern Edwards... southeastern Pawnee... northwestern Pratt and Stafford counties until 915 PM CDT... At 859 PM CDT... National Weather Service Doppler radar indicated very strong rotation associated with a confirmed large and extremely dangerous tornado 3 miles south of Macksville. This tornadic storm was moving northeast at 55 mph. Dangerous and extremely destructive hail up to softball size is also expected with this storm. Locations impacted include... Macksville... Dillwyn... St. John... Seward... mainly rural areas of eastern Edwards... northwestern Pratt... southeastern Pawnee and Stafford counties. Precautionary/preparedness actions... To repeat... a large... extremely dangerous and potentially deadly tornado is confirmed! 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. Tornadoes at night are especially dangerous. Do not wait until you see or hear the tornado... it may be too late. Take cover now! Lat... Lon 3773 9902 3774 9926 3782 9931 3827 9900 3827 9847 3826 9847 3795 9847 time... Mot... loc 0200z 224deg 50kt 3793 9897 hail 4.25in Member Since: July 11, 2006 Posts: 14 Comments: 10225

1882. JTDailyUpdate 2:13 AM GMT on April 15, 2012
Anybody in the front of the track of the Greenburg tornado should get underground A TORNADO IS CONFIRMED TO BE ON THE GROUND Member Since: August 19, 2011 Posts: 0 Comments: 205

1883. TropicalAnalystwx13 2:13 AM GMT on April 15, 2012
Two large, damaging tornadoes next to each other. Anything in the path of these are being destroyed. Member Since: July 6, 2010 Posts: 89 Comments: 25124

1884. ncstorm 2:13 AM GMT on April 15, 2012
TWC said the storm looks to be heading towards south of wichita, ks but the storm has been wobbling..I caught the tail end of that interview but I think Mike Siedel is at the NWS in Wichita. They are so calm right now. Member Since: August 19, 2006 Posts: 7 Comments: 8311

1885. redux 2:13 AM GMT on April 15, 2012
why do they put a camera guy behind the scenes in the weather services shop? what value did that just add? the guy is busy doing his job, and then he has to answer questions like " is this storm going to hit us?" Member Since: June 28, 2010 Posts: 0 Comments: 183

1886. reedzone 2:13 AM GMT on April 15, 2012
Confirmed Tornado has hit a Hospital in Iowa... Member Since: July 1, 2008 Posts: 13 Comments: 7247

1887. Xyrus2000 2:14 AM GMT on April 15, 2012
Quoting TropicalAnalystwx13: What is this nonsense?! Confirmed two tornadoes with that storm. EDIT- 3/4 mile wide tornado! Member Since: October 31, 2009 Posts: 0 Comments: 1016

1888. skook 2:14 AM GMT on April 15, 2012
2 tornados on the ground in harper county ks, (confirmed) according to KSN tvLink Member Since: August 10, 2009 Posts: 11 Comments: 308

1889. washingtonian115 2:14 AM GMT on April 15, 2012
Quoting Bluestorm5: 2 extremely strong tornado, one near Manchester with 228-300 knots gate to gate. Another missed Greensburg by 2 miles, but appears to hit Macksville, Kansas. That tornado got scan of 210+ mph winds with movement of 80 mph and softball sized hail. Tornado emergency for Macksville as we speak. Someone is in trouble tonight... Member Since: August 14, 2010 Posts: 5 Comments: 10585

1890. hurricanehunter27 2:14 AM GMT on April 15, 2012
Quoting TropicalAnalystwx13: What is this nonsense?! Mother nature just went postal. Member Since: July 22, 2010 Posts: 1 Comments: 3346

1891. 1900hurricane 2:14 AM GMT on April 15, 2012
The big three: Member Since: August 2, 2006 Posts: 43 Comments: 10321

1892. weatherh98 2:14 AM GMT on April 15, 2012
Quoting TropicalAnalystwx13: What is this nonsense?! Left cell looks stronger but thee right is one of the better of the day!! This is insane!! Member Since: June 17, 2011 Posts: 11 Comments: 6031

1893. LargoFl 2:15 AM GMT on April 15, 2012
SEVERE WEATHER STATEMENT NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE WICHITA KS 901 PM CDT SAT APR 14 2012 KSC077-191-150230- /O.CON.KICT.TO.W.0028.000000T0000Z-120415T0230Z/ SUMNER KS-HARPER KS- 901 PM CDT SAT APR 14 2012 ...A TORNADO WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT FOR SOUTHEASTERN HARPER AND SOUTHWESTERN SUMNER COUNTIES UNTIL 930 PM CDT... AT 856 PM CDT...A CONFIRMED LARGE AND EXTREMELY DANGEROUS TORNADO WAS LOCATED JUST NORTHWEST OF BLUFF CITY...AND MOVING NORTHEAST AT 40 MPH. THIS IS A PARTICULARLY DANGEROUS SITUATION. HAZARD...DAMAGING TORNADO. SOURCE...RADAR CONFIRMED TORNADO. IMPACT...MAJOR HOUSE AND BUILDING DAMAGE LIKELY AND COMPLETE DESTRUCTION POSSIBLE. NUMEROUS TREES SNAPPED. MAJOR POWER OUTAGES IN PATH OF TORNADO HIGHLY LIKELY. SOME ROADS POSSIBLY BLOCKED BY TORNADO DEBRIS. COMPLETE DESTRUCTION OF VEHICLES LIKELY. LOCATIONS IMPACTED INCLUDE... CALDWELL...ARGONIA...FREEPORT AND MILAN. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... TO REPEAT...A LARGE...EXTREMELY DANGEROUS AND POTENTIALLY DEADLY TORNADO IS ON THE GROUND. 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. TORNADOES ARE DIFFICULT TO SEE AND CONFIRM AT NIGHT. TAKE COVER NOW. && LAT...LON 3700 9778 3699 9811 3706 9816 3740 9774 3703 9749 3699 9769 3699 9777 TIME...MOT...LOC 0200Z 223DEG 33KT 3713 9791 TORNADO...OBSERVED TORNADO DAMAGE THREAT...SIGNIFICANT HAIL...2.75IN $$ KLEINSASSER Member Since: August 6, 2011 Posts: 0 Comments: 22395

1894. ScottLincoln 2:15 AM GMT on April 15, 2012
Quoting CybrTeddy: F6 Referring to the old scale. That's not important right now, Macksville is in huge trouble. Ratings above F5 were not used operationally, even with the old scale. Quoting Bluestorm5: 2 extremely strong tornado, one near Manchester with 228-300 knots gate to gate. Another missed Greensburg by 2 miles, but appears to hit Macksville, Kansas. That tornado got scan of 210+ mph winds with movement of 80 mph and softball sized hail. Tornado emergency for Macksville as we speak. Be careful not to confuse shear and actual wind speed. For an actual measured speed of "210+mph winds, you would need an actual pixel of about +180kts or -180kts. That is difficult to measure with doppler radar because it would be several times past the nyquist velocity and could only be displayed as a dealiased/reconstructed value. Member Since: September 28, 2002 Posts: 3 Comments: 1475

1895. 1900hurricane 2:15 AM GMT on April 15, 2012
Bow echo keeps looking worse and worse as well. Member Since: August 2, 2006 Posts: 43 Comments: 10321

1896. hurricanehunter27 2:15 AM GMT on April 15, 2012
Quoting JTDailyUpdate: Anybody in the front of the track of the Greenburg tornado should get underground A TORNADO IS CONFIRMED TO BE ON THE GROUND Not just 1 but two. Two strong tornadoes on the same cell. Member Since: July 22, 2010 Posts: 1 Comments: 3346

1897. TropicalAnalystwx13 2:16 AM GMT on April 15, 2012
Three quarters of a mile wide tornado. Member Since: July 6, 2010 Posts: 89 Comments: 25124

1898. oddspeed 2:16 AM GMT on April 15, 2012
3/4 mile wide : Member Since: September 4, 2007 Posts: 0 Comments: 224

1899. Chicklit 2:16 AM GMT on April 15, 2012
3/4 mile wide tornado headed toward Milan, KS according to life feed. Link Member Since: July 11, 2006 Posts: 14 Comments: 10225

1900. photonchaser 2:16 AM GMT on April 15, 2012
3/4 of a mile wide! Member Since: June 3, 2004 Posts: 1 Comments: 134

1901. LargoFl 2:16 AM GMT on April 15, 2012
Quoting hurricanehunter27: Mother nature just went postal. man your sure right there, this night may go down in the history books Member Since: August 6, 2011 Posts: 0 Comments: 22395

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