Dr. Jeff Masters' WunderBlog

Severe weather moves into the Mississippi Valley
Posted by: Dr. Jeff Masters, 4:59 PM GMT on March 31, 2007 +3
Severe weather continues today across the Plains, where flooding has been the main problem in the past 24 hours. Portions of Texas received up to seven inches of rain in the past day (Figure 1), causing closure of many roads. Seven tornadoes touched down in Texas yesterday, and one near Hallettsville injured three people. Four twisters touched down Thursday, and as many as 70 on Wednesday. The tornado outbreak killed four people on Wednesday. The strongest storm surveyed so far was an EF3 tornado that hit Holly, Colorado, killing one person and injuring eleven. The tornado was unusual in that it did not show up on radar until a few minutes after it touched down, and moved from east to west. Holly was not not under a watch, no warnings were issued, and the town sirens did not go off. Our tools and knowledge are still not good enough to always detect these storms before they touch down, unfortunately. The heavy rains these storms have brought--and the up to six feet of snow in the mountains of Wyoming--should help drought conditions relax in the Plains, though.

Expect the severe weather action to shift to the Mississippi Valley today and Alabama tomorrow. However, the storm system is gradually losing its punch, and we may not see any more tornadoes by Sunday out of the system.


Figure 1. Total storm precipitation estimated by radar for the Dallas/Fort Worth region for the period March 29 - March 31.

Jeff Masters
Hail Storm (txcoffeecup)
Hail Storm on March 30, 2007. Camp Wood, Texas
Hail Storm
()
Holly Colorado tornado (Rosamane)
A F4 tornado (winds up to 199 mph) struck Holly, CO on Wednesday, March 28, with only minutes notice. A lot of clean-up has already been done. In this photo, the floor of another home that was completely destroyed ended up in this home. Six homes were completedly destroyed, and at least 65 more were severely damaged, many more sustained some sort of damage. Several farms were also severly damaged or destroyed. A 29 year old mother of two was killed, and 11 more were injured seriously enough to be taken to the hospital.
Holly Colorado tornado
Categories: Tornado
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1. ryang 5:01 PM GMT on March 31, 2007    
Thanks Dr.M,getting bad later today.
Member Since: August 25, 2006 Posts: 329 Comments: 12333
2. DocBen 5:25 PM GMT on March 31, 2007    
It's been quite a spring so far. With a typhoon soon in the Pacific it could be an interesting summer as well.
Member Since: May 16, 2006 Posts: 0 Comments: 96
3. mobal 5:43 PM GMT on March 31, 2007    
Expect the severe weather action to shift to the Mississippi Valley today and Alabama tomorrow. However, the storm system is gradually losing its punch, and we may not see any more tornadoes by Sunday out of the system.

Works for me! Thanks for the update :)
Member Since: August 3, 2005 Posts: 479 Comments: 5311
5. hurricane23 7:15 PM GMT on March 31, 2007    
01W has continued to intensify threw the morning hours and remains a fairly large system with favorable conditions in front expect futher intensification probably more than currently forcasted.

IR loop of 01W

Free Image Hosting at www.ImageShack.us

Also Jaya continues to undergo rapid intensification...

Member Since: May 14, 2006 Posts: 8 Comments: 13276
6. jake436 7:41 PM GMT on March 31, 2007    
So much for March coming in "like a lion", and going out "like a lamb"! March was a lion from start to finish in many places.
Member Since: August 31, 2006 Posts: 0 Comments: 271
7. lilmax 8:09 PM GMT on March 31, 2007    
Wow, 01W...first northern hemisphere storm. when does the western pacific hurricane season officially start anyways?
8. Thunderstorm2 8:12 PM GMT on March 31, 2007    
TS Kong-rey (01W) is at 35 knots and 1000 hPa
Member Since: December 22, 2006 Posts: 129 Comments: 7608
10. lilmax 8:18 PM GMT on March 31, 2007    
very interesting. thnx MichaelSTL
11. TheCaneWhisperer 8:32 PM GMT on March 31, 2007    
Hopefully that is not an indication of how things will run in the Atlantic Season! ProgressivePulse here! New look for the season and beyond!
12. DocBen 9:07 PM GMT on March 31, 2007    
Tong-rey is now officially a Tropical Storm.

And the Great Experiment continues ...
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13. tornadodude 9:31 PM GMT on March 31, 2007    
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14. TS2 9:35 PM GMT on March 31, 2007    
Forecast to reach Cat 1 too DB
15. TayTay 11:30 PM GMT on March 31, 2007    
Look at the cloud tops.

t
16. Skyepony (Mod) 11:40 PM GMT on March 31, 2007    
Pretty far south, shear is dropping.
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17. hurricane23 11:46 PM GMT on March 31, 2007    
Indeed continues to get organized....



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18. hurricanic 12:44 AM GMT on April 01, 2007    
I just started a blog. Please, check it out!
Member Since: August 9, 2006 Posts: 7 Comments: 129
19. ryang 12:45 AM GMT on April 01, 2007    
HURRICANIC very good blog,will post updates there about the two storms.
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22. HIEXPRESS 7:29 AM GMT on April 01, 2007    
Member Since: October 13, 2005 Posts: 4 Comments: 2153
24. doublexposure 2:46 PM GMT on April 01, 2007    
Link This article appeared today, Just thought I would share it.
25. lightning10 3:20 PM GMT on April 01, 2007    
GFS was showing a moster storm today for So Cal next week. A major change from what earlyer runs. Looks like 3-5 inches of rain. This could put a dent in the dryest season to date. >_>
Member Since: November 24, 2005 Posts: 41 Comments: 629
26. cajunkid 4:06 PM GMT on April 01, 2007    
blob action off east coast of Mexico, hmmm
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27. stormchasher 4:10 PM GMT on April 01, 2007    
just a blob No need to worry:}
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28. IKE 4:13 PM GMT on April 01, 2007    
Posted By: HIEXPRESS at 2:29 AM CDT on April 01, 2007.
Cat 5 Spins up in Gulf - Moving WEST!


By July or August that may be a reality...then it's $5 a gallon for gas. Then my car gets a 200,000 mile break.
Member Since: June 9, 2005 Posts: 23 Comments: 37044
29. MZT 5:02 PM GMT on April 01, 2007    
Last year was quite active in the N Pacifis. Very short lull this winter...
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30. Skyepony (Mod) 5:09 PM GMT on April 01, 2007    
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31. BahaHurican 5:13 PM GMT on April 01, 2007    
Hey, looks like a new invest in the S. Pacific . . . 97S

About 10S 90E
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32. BahaHurican 5:53 PM GMT on April 01, 2007    
Here is kong-rey:

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33. cloudlover 6:31 PM GMT on April 01, 2007    
With the hail and tornado season having an active March....should we anticipate more of the same for April-May? Any forecast models that someone can share...I have some, but they don't extend out past 1 week.
34. Thunderstorm2 6:34 PM GMT on April 01, 2007    
Tropical Storm 01W (Kong-rey) Warning #5
===============================
Tropical Storm 01W (Kong-rey) has 1 minute sustained winds of 55 knots with wind gusts of 70 knots, moving west-northwest at 9 knots.

Tropical Storm 01W is located 430 nm east-southeast of Guam. The wave height associated with this system is 18 feet.

The next JTWC tropical storm warning is at 21:00pm Sunday
Member Since: December 22, 2006 Posts: 129 Comments: 7608
35. norfolknob 7:17 PM GMT on April 01, 2007    
Hi, I'm new, may have posted this twice in error, still learning. Not a weather buff at all, would be interested in anyone's thoughs as to why we have felt as if we are living in a wind tunnel this week in SOUTHERN BELIZE. And when is it going to stop.....
36. BahaHurican 7:28 PM GMT on April 01, 2007    
norfolknob,

Are u living in southern Belize? If so, welcome! We are always glad to see any new comments from the Caribbean area!

On the wind, it's usually fairly windy in the Bahamas at this time of year. I take it that's not the case where you are?

I'm sure there are some maps around that can give some clue as to why there have been heavy winds there.

Member Since: October 25, 2005 Posts: 19 Comments: 17663
37. BahaHurican 7:38 PM GMT on April 01, 2007    
Question on Kong-Rey:

Somebody remind me what causes those little "sun-ray" type clouds radiating out from the centre of the storm? For some reason I associate them with a storm that is getting ready to deepen and intensify.
Member Since: October 25, 2005 Posts: 19 Comments: 17663
38. TS2 7:40 PM GMT on April 01, 2007    
I do aswell Baha..but i'm not sure what causes them
42. lightning10 11:24 PM GMT on April 01, 2007    
7.6 Earthquake in Solomon Islands. Tsunami watch has just been canned for Hawaii. No Aprils fools Joke.
Member Since: November 24, 2005 Posts: 41 Comments: 629
43. BahaHurican 11:38 PM GMT on April 01, 2007    
Earthquake Near Solomon Islands Sparks Tsunami Alert (Update1)
By Emma O'Brien and Ed Johnson

April 2 (Bloomberg) -- An earthquake of magnitude 7.6 struck near the coast of the Solomon Islands, spurring a tsunami warning for Australia, Indonesia and South Pacific island nations.

The quake occurred at 7:39 a.m. Solomon Islands time, 45 kilometers (25 miles) south southeast of the coastal settlement of Gizo, in the New Georgia archipelago and 345 kilometers west northwest of the capital, Honiara, at a depth of 10 kilometers, the U.S. Geological Survey said in an e-mailed alert.

The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center issued a tsunami alert for the Solomon Islands, Papua New Guinea, Vanuatu, Nauru, Chuuk, New Caledonia, Tuvalu, Kiribati, the Marshall Islands, Australia and Indonesia.

Towns and villages were damaged in the Solomon Islands when a tsunami swept ashore, Agence France-Presse reported, citing an unidentified police official, who said there were no reports of casualties. The center said it received reports of a 15- centimeter high wave at Honiara.

The Solomon Islands, about 2,500 kilometers from the eastern coast of Australia, has a population of about 550,000 people and experiences frequent earth tremors and volcanic activity.

A tsunami watch extends to Fiji, Guam, New Zealand, the Philippines, Japan, Tonga and Samoa, the center said in an e- mailed statement.

``An earthquake of this size has the potential to generate a destructive tsunami that can strike coastlines near the epicenter within minutes and more distant coastlines within hours,'' the center said in an e-mailed statement. ``Authorities should take appropriate action in response to this possibility.''

An aftershock of magnitude 6.7, also at a depth of 10 kilometers, hit 539 kilometers west northwest of Honiara at 7:47 a.m. Solomon Islands time, the USGS said on its Web site.

To contact the reporters on this story: Emma O'Brien in Wellington on eobrien6@bloomberg.net ; Ed Johnson in Sydney at ejohnson28@bloomberg.net .

Last Updated: April 1, 2007 19:03 EDT
Member Since: October 25, 2005 Posts: 19 Comments: 17663
44. Skyepony (Mod) 11:39 PM GMT on April 01, 2007    
I wanna say ribbon clouds, been digesting too much dry air, gonna weaken.

Belize winds may drop toward next weekend by the forecast through WU.
Member Since: August 10, 2005 Posts: 144 Comments: 29342
45. Tazmanian 11:45 PM GMT on April 01, 2007    
: BahaHurican vary good April fool day joke


Posted By: BahaHurican at 5:38 PM MDT on April 01, 2007.

Earthquake Near Solomon Islands Sparks Tsunami Alert (Update1)
By Emma O'Brien and Ed Johnson

April 2 (Bloomberg) -- An earthquake of magnitude 7.6 struck near the coast of the Solomon Islands, spurring a tsunami warning for Australia, Indonesia and South Pacific island nations.

The quake occurred at 7:39 a.m. Solomon Islands time, 45 kilometers (25 miles) south southeast of the coastal settlement of Gizo, in the New Georgia archipelago and 345 kilometers west northwest of the capital, Honiara, at a depth of 10 kilometers, the U.S. Geological Survey said in an e-mailed alert.

The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center issued a tsunami alert for the Solomon Islands, Papua New Guinea, Vanuatu, Nauru, Chuuk, New Caledonia, Tuvalu, Kiribati, the Marshall Islands, Australia and Indonesia.

Towns and villages were damaged in the Solomon Islands when a tsunami swept ashore, Agence France-Presse reported, citing an unidentified police official, who said there were no reports of casualties. The center said it received reports of a 15- centimeter high wave at Honiara.

The Solomon Islands, about 2,500 kilometers from the eastern coast of Australia, has a population of about 550,000 people and experiences frequent earth tremors and volcanic activity.

A tsunami watch extends to Fiji, Guam, New Zealand, the Philippines, Japan, Tonga and Samoa, the center said in an e- mailed statement.

``An earthquake of this size has the potential to generate a destructive tsunami that can strike coastlines near the epicenter within minutes and more distant coastlines within hours,'' the center said in an e-mailed statement. ``Authorities should take appropriate action in response to this possibility.''

An aftershock of magnitude 6.7, also at a depth of 10 kilometers, hit 539 kilometers west northwest of Honiara at 7:47 a.m. Solomon Islands time, the USGS said on its Web site.

To contact the reporters on this story: Emma O'Brien in Wellington on eobrien6@bloomberg.net ; Ed Johnson in Sydney at ejohnson28@bloomberg.net .

Last Updated: April 1, 2007 19:03 EDT
Member Since: May 21, 2006 Posts: 5088 Comments: 111354
46. BahaHurican 11:58 PM GMT on April 01, 2007    
Unfortunately, not a joke.

Google it. It happened tomorrow in the Solomons.
Member Since: October 25, 2005 Posts: 19 Comments: 17663
48. BahaHurican 12:00 AM GMT on April 02, 2007    
Skye,

I am trying to think of a way to access previous blogs, because I know we talked about this last year. I just don't have a real idea of WHEN or what we called the things.

I think it was a West Pacific storm we were talking about then, too, though.
Member Since: October 25, 2005 Posts: 19 Comments: 17663
49. RL3AO 12:05 AM GMT on April 02, 2007    
15 cm tsunami reported.
51. Skyepony (Mod) 12:10 AM GMT on April 02, 2007    
I wanna say the special guest from nhc? One of the big WP storms last season.
Member Since: August 10, 2005 Posts: 144 Comments: 29342

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About JeffMasters
Jeff co-founded the Weather Underground in 1995 while working on his Ph.D. He flew with the NOAA Hurricane Hunters from 1986-1990.

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