Awesome June weather

You just can't beat Colorado for exciting weather ... how many other places can have an active tornado watch ... and a winter weather advisory .... within 75 miles of one another!

Now granted ... there is also 5,000 vertical feet between the two too!

More info on Wichita heat burst

Here is a little more in depth explainer on the heat burst that was documented in Wichita, Kan. this past week.

Thanks for the link, Ric W.!

More details on Wichita heat burst

Rare heat burst hits Wichita

This article is simply amazing ... a heat burst hits Wichita, KS.

The temp rose 17 degrees just after midnight ... along with tropical storm force winds.

Click the link to read more.

Rare Heat Burst Hits Wichita : Click to Read

August in June, not Christmas in July

It's hot!  Plain and simple.

Much of the nation east of the Rockies is sizzling in August-like temperatures. Numerous records have been set from Austin, Tx and Hattiesburg, Ms.

It's also hot as far north as Minneapolis/St. Paul where heat advisories have been in effect.

This his is shifting north and east, and will be in the big cities of the northeast before the week is over.

Excessive heat watches are in effect already for the Philadelphia area where temps could approach 100 degrees on both Wednesday and Thursday.

June is heating up

I apologize it has been a little while since I've blogged ... my work schedule has been hectic ... I sure do appreciate all my loyal readers!  Thanks for your patience.

Well June is here ... and things are sure heating up.  We've topped 90 degrees here in the Denver area.  It's been in the 90s and even 100s from the deserts of California all the way over to the southeast states.

Heat advisories have been in place this weekend across the mid-south where the humidity has made the "feels like" temperature feel well above 100 degrees.

Excessive heat is expected over the south for at least the next 2 to 3 days.

Meanwhile ... huge fires continue to burn in Arizona.  One of the largest in state's history as a matter of fact.

We've actually had bad air quality here in the Denver area over the past few days as southwest winds transported smoke from the fires in Arizona, New Mexico and southern Colorado.

You could also smell the smoke pretty strong at times ... just amazing!

Critical fire weather conditions are expected over the southwest states Sunday and in particular Monday ... let's send our best thoughts to the fire fighters!!



Another deadly day possible

It breaks my heart to write this type of message in advance but even if one person who lives in the danger zone reads my blog and takes extra precaution ... than it is worth it.

An extremely dangerous severe weather outbreak is possible today in the areas shaded pinkish-red.  We could be talking another Joplin or Tuscaloosa type event.

Around that is a moderate risk and then all areas in yellow could see some severe storms today.

By far... the largest populaton centers at greatest risk today include Wichita, KS, Joplin, MO, Oklahoma City, OK, Tulsa, OK, and Fayetteville, AR.

Be planning your day NOW ... get batteries for your NOAA weather radio. If you don't have one, consider getting one if you can afford it. Radio Shack has great ones.

Decide where you will go in your home should a storm approach. Lowest level, interior room - put as many walls between you and the outside as possible. A closet works well.

Cover your head - flying debris is a huge killer during a tornado.

It is not WHIMPY to be prepared and to plan in advance ... believe it or not ... I've heard that before.

Talk this potential weather event up with friends and loved ones today ... it is a great way to spread awareness and keep everyone on their toes.

Use technology ... there are many services these days that can send alerts to your cell phone, email or computer when bad weather strikes.

Quiet stretch of weather very welcome

After a record breaking and extremely bad month of severe weather, May has delivered a relatively quiet weather pattern to the nation. (in terms of severe weather)

We are still dealing with some major flooding issues and those will unfortunately continue over at least the next 2 weeks.

More heavy rain and snow will move into the northern Rockies and portions of the nation's center later this week.

Warming up

Near record highs along the Front Range this weekend ... we missed it here in Denver yesterday by one degree.  Today's record high is 91.

We'll get up in the vicinity but will probably not break it.

The fire danger is increasing ... I just wish we could have some of that water the Ohio and Mississippi River Valleys' are dealing with.

The flood waters are rolling toward New Orleans. They may have to open flood gates that haven't been opened in over two decades!

An interesting story to watch for sure.

Tropical downpours across south

Many of the southern states are being soaked today with very heavy rain.

In central Arkansas, thousands woke up to flooded streets and yards on Sunday morning.  Reports of 6 to 10 inches of rain in less than 10 hours have been common.

Near Petit Jean State Park, one report included 1.42 inches of rain in just 35 minutes!!!

Here comes the flooding

Forecasters are predicting a flood that  could river that of the mid 1930s along the Mississippi River Valley south of St. Louis.

Also included in the flood danger zone is the Ohio River Valley.

What a beautiful sight!

For the first time in I don't know how long ... the US National Watch and Warning map is free of Severe Thunderstorm and Tornado watches and warnings. YAY!!!!!!!!!

Now we have flooding and extreme fire danger to deal with before more storms over the weekend.

Break from the severe storms

Well the poor southern states will finally catch a break from the historic severe weather outbreak this weekend.

But only for a few days before more storms and severe weather enter the picture toward the end of the weekend.

For now, let's focus on the dry few days and pray for the recovery/search and rescue operations.

This was the worst tornado event since 1974's Super Outbreak on April 3-4.

5,000 severe weather reports and counting!

I was just adding up the severe weather reports so far for the month of April ... over 500 tornadoes and over 5,000 reports of hail and high winds!

Can't wait to see how this all stacks up statistically once the months ends.

Today we are watching for very heavy rain across southern Missouri. Tomorrow a moderate risk of severe storms once again ... this time with a bullseye over Arkansas.

Will April set a record for severe weather?

Wow - what an AMAZING month this has been for severe weather across the United States. It seems like almost every day .. if not every few ... we've seen large outbreaks.

You tube video from St. Louis Airport!

I just can't believe the direct hit that Lambert St. Louis Int'l Airport took today.  It will be amazing to see the first pictures when daylight hits.

Initial reports say the airport will be closed indefinitely. Wow!  That will really take a local toll on the city.

So far this month there have seen several hundred tornadoes and thousands of hail and high wind reports.  I think there have been at least 50 or 60 deaths due to the weather.

Now we will be dealing with some serious flooding issues along the Mississippi, Ohio and Red Rivers.  Here in the Rockies we are dealing with some flooding from the melt of a very deep snowpack.

At least 3 Colorado ski resorts have recorded over 500 inches of snow this year!  One resort still have over 100 inches on the ground!!!

PDS Tornado Watch

A severe weather outbreak is in progress over the southern plains this afternoon - it will last well into the night.

A PDS Tornado Watch has been issued for portions of Oklahoma and Kansas. This means a "particularly dangerous situation" is unfolding.

In other words ... there is a higher than normal confidence in the potential for tornadoes.