Updraft

Updraft Category Archive: SKYWARN

Storm season is upon us

Posted at 6:45 AM on April 6, 2011 by Craig Edwards
Filed under: SKYWARN, Thunderstorms

We've had such a chilly start to spring it's hard to believe that the threat of severe storms is perhaps right around the corner. Are you mentally prepared for the wrath of thunderstorms.

Eye-balling the latest weather maps, there is some consistency in the models placing parts of central and southern Minnesota in a risk for frisky thunderstorms on Saturday afternoon and evening.

Click on SPC Severe Weather Outlook page here.

This is still a ways out, but the Storm Prediction Center is giving a heads up on the potential for strong storms in their experimental long range severe weather outlook. The red circle for day four is for Saturday. The day five circle is for Sunday's threat.

Today, the National Weather Service will conduct their weekly test of the NOAA Weather Radio All Hazard warning alert at 1pm. Do you know where your weather radio is? It's a good day to track it down and plug it back in for a test.

Main stream rivers continue to be at flood stage or higher in most parts of the state. Overnight, the Red River at Fargo rose above major flood stage of 30 feet. The forecast is still on track for a crest of 38 to 41 feet early next week in Fargo.

Track the Red River flood forecasts out ouf Grand Forks NWS.

Here's the latest outlook for liquid precipitation from NOAA for the weekend that was issued yesterday afternoon.

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Is it any coincidence that the Twin Cities Metro Skywarn workshop is on Saturday in Minneapolis?

Still looking for an opportunity to become a Skywarn spotter. Here's a link to upcoming Skywarn trainiing sessions. Check with your local NWS office for other training sessions.

CE
naturesmessenger.com

Severe threat Thursday

Posted at 3:10 PM on June 16, 2010 by Paul Huttner (4 Comments)
Filed under: SKYWARN, Severe weather

It's been a quiet year so far for severe weather in most of Minnesota. That's a good thing. Rains have been ample in most areas, and if you can get the rain without the severe stuff that's the best scenario. It doesn't always work that way, so we've been blessed this year.

That may change Thursday, as our first widespread threat for severe storms pushes in. A warm front/cold front combo will deliver a potential 1-2 punch for the Upper Midwest Thursday. The main event looks like it may roll in Thursday evening with the cold front, but it looks like a lead warm front pushing through around midday Thursday may trigger a chance for a few storms as well.

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Data shows that in recent decades, Minnesota has averaged about 40 tornado touchdowns per year. Mercifully, the first tornado did not touch down until a record late June 17th in Minnesota. We've had no tornadoes reported so far this year too. It may be ironic that the first real threat for a tornado somewhere in Minnesota may be Thursday...June 17th.

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The primary threat Thursday will be high winds and hail, but toranodes cannot be ruled out, especially in west central Minnesota.

I was fortunate to be a part of the 2010 Minnesota SKYWARN workshop in April of this year. There are hundreds of dedicated and TRAINED severe weather spotters throughout Minnesota who spring into action and deploy around the state when severe weather threatens. They will be out in force Thursday as the potential for storms increases.

We can be thankful that they are in place. They provide critical observations to NWS to issue and enhance the quality of severe weather warnings.

Keep an eye on the sky Thursday as potential severe weather develops. We will have extra updates on MPR News stations as necessary.

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As you travel around the region, you can hear MPR News on many stations in the Upper Midwest. Here is a map and list of where to tune into the MPR News regional network for severe weather updates.

PH

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