Severe Weather Season in Plains Gaining Momentum

As we all know, severe weather season is approaching quickly for the Great Plains and it seems the season most weather enthusiasts dream of is finally starting to gain some momentum. This year 'tornado season' has been eerily quiet. Up until yesterday, the Great Plains states has not seen a single tornado touch down since January 4th of this year, where an EF2 touched down just north of Dozier, Alabama.

Meteorological conditions have to be just right in order to fuel thunderstorm development, and this year we just haven't seen those perfect conditions. Yesterday's weather pattern in the plains provided conditions that were just right - which produced a few tornadoes. As a low moved across the mid-west, a front was able to supply the lift needed to produce that rising motion in the atmosphere needed for storm development. From there a southerly flow from the Gulf provided enough moisture to fuel thunderstorms and finally, there was enough wind shear to create 'spin' in the atmosphere to help fuel tornado development. Sure enough by late afternoon the first tornado warning was issued near Tulsa, Oklahoma.

As the evening went on storms began to fire across Oklahoma, Alabama, and Missouri, with Oklahoma and Arkansas seeing the worst of it. While most of the storms were severe thunderstorm warned, only a few were tornado warned. According to the Storm Prediction Center, there were 7 tornado reports yesterday across Oklahoma and Arkansas. Unfortunately there was 1 fatality in a mobile home park located in Sand Springs, OK.

Storm reports for 3/25/2015 as seen on SPC Website.

The residents of Moore, OK saw yet another tornado rip through their town yesterday as well. The cell that produced this tornado actually took a while to be warned. A lot of meteorologist were buzzing on Twitter about this. It is thought that there was a tornado on the ground before the storm was warned. Hook-echo, low level rotation, and a debris ball were all evident on radar as the storm approached Moore, but the excitement of the storm moving through Oklahoma City at the time overshadowed the tornado touchdown near Moore. Just before the tornado moved through Moore, the cell was finally warned. This city seems to have some pretty bad luck with severe weather as they saw an F5 in 1999, an F4 in 2003, an EF4 in 2010, an EF5 in 2013, and the tornado that ravaged parts of the town last night. Many Twitter posts show damage to the unlucky town, including damage to the make shift emergency room that was set up after the city's hospital was destroyed by the 2013, EF5 monster.

Damage in Moore, Ok from yesterday's tornado touchdown.

Moore, OK funnel.

Past tornado paths through Moore, Ok. as posted on Twitter.

Tornado sirens were heard in Oklahoma City as an intense thunderstorm moved through the area. Thankfully there was no tornado touchdown with that particular storm, as it would have passed directly over the city causing major damage and putting many lives in danger. The view of the storm as it passed over the city was incredible though, unfortunately I cannot find any images to share.

So after all of yesterday's weather excitement, what is going on today?

There will be scattered thunderstorms spread over the areas in green on the map above, due to a cold front moving eastward and through these areas. All areas highlighted in green should keep a close watch as some severe storms can fire up in the afternoon hours. Some of these storms in the Mid-Atlantic and Gulf coast regions can be accompanied by some strong winds, which will occur mainly this afternoon.

As always just keep an eye to the sky and be weather-savvy!

Spring Has Partially Sprung!

This winter has brought some brutally cold temperatures and a lot of snowfall this year, which is why many of us will be excited to know warmer temperatures are coming our way! Finally all the snow that has fallen over this season will have a chance to melt away due to a weather pattern change that is expected to stick around into next week. Woo-Hoo! (...Unless you like snow and cold temperatures.)

StormTrackerWx lead meteorologist, Jason Berry, prepared this temperature map to post on our Facebook page. The map
shows high temperatures for various cities across the United States yesterday. Many of these cities are seeing warm-ups in
temperatures, as many places have been seeing below average temperatures all winter season.

Spring begins on March 20th and it certainly does seem that spring is headed our way as many cities which have seen below average temperatures for most of this winter season are finally warming up to average or above average March temperatures.

This map from Intellicast shows today's temperature departure throughout the United States. Blue is below average, no color
is normal, and orange/yellow is above normal temperatures.

As seen in the map above, most places in the United States are seeing average or above average temperatures, with the exception of parts of the south-central United States. As March progresses temperatures should begin to warm up and stay in the normal range which means we can all embrace the beautiful spring weather that is soon approaching! I don't know about you, but here at StormTrackerWx.com, we are excited to see the flowers bloom and trees bud! Let's keep our fingers crossed as it seems this nice weather will stick around into next week!

Let me close with this picture of the beautiful sun...which we haven't seen much of since winter took over our weather for the season!

Picture taken in Wilkes-Barre, Pa by StormTrackerWx meteorologist, Ashley Ellis.

March Comes in Like a Lion...

The old saying "March comes in like a lion and out like a lamb" is looking to be true this year, so far as yet another winter storm moves through the Northeast today and the Central United States last night and early this morning. Most area schools started dismissing students early today in anticipation for the wintry mix, with most students being home by 12pm. (With a few exceptions of course). Snow started to fall around 1pm today, but that didn't last long. After a few hours and a dusting of snow here in Wilkes Barre, Pa. the sleet began to fall hard and wind picked up, making it brutal outside.

Currently, in the Wilkes Barre/Scranton area, sleet is still falling and the temperature is 24 degrees. Roads and sidewalks are covered and slick due to sleet and snow accumulations and the NWS has issued a special weather statement for the area. If driving isn't a must tonight, please stay inside as travel conditions can become very treacherous, due to this wintry mix.

Sleet and freezing rain will continue for most of the afternoon and evening hours, then become spotty around midnight. The Wilkes Barre are can expect 1-3 inches and a light coating of ice from this early March storm. There is a possibility for some minor tree damage and power outages due to ice accumulations. Temperatures should rise into the low 30s by Wednesday morning.

Current conditions in Wilkes Barre, Pa. A dusting of snow
is on the ground, covered with sleet accumulations. I almost
slipped on my porch taking this photo! Please be careful if you
must travel this evening and tonight.