Updraft: August 12, 2010 Archive

Ingredients for heavy rain

Posted at 7:06 AM on August 12, 2010 by Craig Edwards

Updated thinking of rainfall potential for the next sixty hours from NOAA HPC.

In case you missed it, while the flooding in western Wisconsin yesterday was bad, it was easily trumped by the excessive flooding that created life threatening conditions in Ames, Iowa. So far this year Des Moines, a short drive south of Ames, has already received nearly 42 inches of moisture. That total through early August is 19 inches above the thirty year normal.

We have another run at ninety degrees in southern Minnesota today. Yesterday's high in the Twin Cities was 93, making it the fourteenth day of the summer season with ninety degrees or greater. Last summer we had half as many days that reach 90 or better. The record high in Minneapolis/St. Paul for today is 94 set in 1965.

Earlier this morning, severe thunderstorms traveled southeast of Detroit Lakes. Storms should lose some punch this morning. The Storm Prediction center indicates a risk of severe storms over much of Minnesota during the next twenty-four hours.

Heat, humidity, thunderstorms, heavy downpours; welcome to the tropics.
CE

Tipping point-stay tuned

Posted at 2:29 PM on August 12, 2010 by Craig Edwards

visible satellite image with thunderstorms towering in far west central Minnesota around 2pm cdt.

A Severe Weather Watch may be issued soon. Thunderstorms could become severe quickly, with the possibility for tornadoes in western Minnesota this afternoon.

Stay sky aware.

Tornado Watch until 10PM CDT

Posted at 3:32 PM on August 12, 2010 by Craig Edwards

The atmosphere is favorable for severe thunderstorms in and close to this designated area.

TORNADOES...HAIL TO 3 INCHES IN DIAMETER...THUNDERSTORM WIND
GUSTS TO 70 MPH...AND DANGEROUS LIGHTNING ARE POSSIBLE IN THESE
AREAS.

Listen for possible warnings and statements this afternoon and evening.

Under the gun

Posted at 4:02 PM on August 12, 2010 by Craig Edwards

Image of the convective precipitation from the RUC expected through 7 PM CDT.

The graphic outlining the Tornado Watch area has a static image of the radar. Please refer to updated radar imagery for the latest thunderstorm depiction.

Heavy rain is likely with these storms. Overall eastward progression of the moisture field is likely later this evening.
CE

Severe weather and heavy rain

Posted at 4:59 PM on August 12, 2010 by Craig Edwards

Thunderstorms have fired up from Fargo to Sioux Falls this afternoon. Radar animation paints these storms moving east and northeast at 35 mph. A Tornado Watch is in effect until 10 PM CDT for south west and west central Minnesota. See previous blog for details.

Flash Flood Watches are in effect for southwest Minnesota and part of west Central Wisconsin that were drenched with heavy rains Tuesday night.

Follow the severe weather warnings from the NWS at the Chanhassen website.
CE

Tornado warnings and another watch possible

Posted at 6:31 PM on August 12, 2010 by Craig Edwards

Storm Prediction Center suggests these storms marching through western Minnesota still powerful enough to warrant a possible extension of Tornado Watch.

Meanwhile tornadic storms traveling through Appleton and in the proximity of Morris in west central Minnesota as of 630pm cdt.

Be weather aware.
CE

Tornado Watch now includes Twin Cities

Posted at 6:44 PM on August 12, 2010 by Craig Edwards

Tornadoes have been reported with this line of storms in locations of west central Minnesota. Stay abreast of warnings and be ready to seek shelter quickly.

Follow the NWS warnings here.
CE

More big storms erupt

Posted at 9:59 PM on August 12, 2010 by Craig Edwards (2 Comments)

More thunderstorms have fired up in central and southwest Minnesota. Keep your weather radio handy overnight. A Flash Flood Watch is in effect for southwest Minnesota. Be cautious for water flowing over roadways if you must travel during the darkness hours.

While the Tornado Watch for western Minnesota has expired, drenching rains, hail and gusty winds are likely with the strongest storms.

The Tornado Watch for the Twin Cities will expire at 11pm cdt.

Here's the storm report from the National Weather Service to the SPC.