Slow Start to the Year
We are definitely off to a slow start this year, tornado-wise. The U.S. averages about 80 tornadoes in the month of March, with the March of 2014 only recording 25 tornadoes. In April, the U.S. averages around 155 tornadoes. So far this April, we’ve had 11 tornadoes. Granted, it’s early yet; and one large outbreak…
First Storm Chase of the Year
I went on my first storm chase of the year today. It wouldn’t be accurate to describe the chase as “disappointing,” as I had a very pessimistic outlook of seeing anything today. What’s the saying, “keep your expectations low and you’ll never be disappointed?” Anyway, I saw nothing but rain today. To see a more…
Spring Is Finally Here
Temperatures across northern Illinois (as I write this,) are in the low to mid 40s. More importantly, it’s looking like these temperatures are here to stay; for the most part. Tomorrow the temperatures will dip back down a bit, and Sunday morning could be in the single digits. But by Sunday afternoon, temperatures across the…
Glimmer of Hope, or Maybe Just a Mirage
Looking at the long range GFS (I know, I know,) there is something that caught my eye. (Image missing.) This is the surface temperatures, winds, and MSLP at 276 hours out. Yes, that is super ridiculously far out. Yes, it’ll most likely change. But with the lows position in northern Wisconsin, and northern Illinois sitting…
Re: Next Severe Weather Event
Yeah, the latest runs of the GFS have already completely changed the previously described scenario. The low that was originally progged to move through the area on March 2 isn’t even there any more. But that’s what I get for being hopeful about forecast models at over 200 hours out. The GFS does show a…
Next Severe Weather Event?
With yesterday’s severe weather event in the books, and northern Illinois slipping back into winter, I’ve been looking at the GFS; eagerly looking for the next event as well as some more spring like temperatures. There is a possibility on March 2: A surface low will move through the Central Plains into the Mississippi River…
Joplin, Missouri Six Months Later
I stopped in Joplin again during my latest drive back to Illinois. It was nearly six months to the day since the monstrous EF-5 tornado tore through the city, and killed 160 people. Much progress has been made since my last drive through Joplin. Just about all of the debris and wreckage has been cleaned…
Joplin, Missouri EF-5 Tornado Damage.
This wasn’t actually a storm chase. Alyson and I were on our way to Elgin, IL for my brother’s wedding, and we stopped in Joplin along the way. The destruction we saw there was incredible; unimaginable. And this was three or four weeks after the tornado had gone through. Below are some of the pictures…