STORM CHANCES ON THE WAY… April 30, 2008

Moisture will be on the increase as we move into Thursday afternoon. As that strong surge of humidity sets up out ahead of a cold front, we will be ripe for the possibility of some showers and storms Thursday evening and Friday morning. We are under a slight risk for severe weather from the Storm Prediction Center. Here is the very latest outlook:

These storms will be capable of producing strong winds, large hail and even the possibility of an isolated tornado. Rainfall totals don’t look to be too high, but with all the rain we have had so far this year we could be dealing with more flooding. Here is a look at the QPF (Quantitative Precipitation Forecast) for Friday morning. We could see rainfall totals just over an inch in some areas of north of Interstate 40.

Severe Weather Update & Drew’s Useless Trivia April 30, 2008

We’re still watching the potential for severe weather late Thursday night into Friday morning along a frontal boundary.  This front will serve as the focus for showers and storms.  The atmosphere should become unstable throughout the day on Thursday as dewpoints surge into the 60′s; however, warm air advection will create a cap aloft that should hold the storms off until Thursday night.

 

If the cap breaks, we could see rapidly developing showers and storms that would likely become severe.  With enough sunshine and increasing moisture it will be possible.  We still feel the best chance for storm activity will be from 10 p.m. on Thursday till 6 a.m. on Friday morning.  Notice the bulls eye of parameters for Thursday evening ahead of the dryline across Central Oklahoma.  Large hail and damaging winds seem to be the primary threats for our area.

 

Ok so here’s my useless trivia…did you know that there’s a technical difference between the words “breezy” and “windy”?  If you say breezy, you’re indicating winds between 15 and 25 mph; however, if you say windy, you should be referring to winds blowing between 20 and 30 mph. 

Warmth & Storms Return April 29, 2008

 

 

 

We’ve seen unseasonably cool temperatures over the last several days; however, spring warmth is set to return by Wednesday and Thursday, along with showers and storms.  Notice the averages above; this is where we should be this time of the year.

 

850 temperatures signal a nice warm-up, especially for Thursday.  Gulf stratus will also be moving back across the area, so temperatures will be held down to some degree, but 80 degree warmth will be very possible. 

That same southerly fetch will also provide the moisture for showers and storms late Thursday into Friday morning.  The CAP should hold Thursday afternoon with the warm air advecting aloft, but if any storm can break the cap, it will become severe quickly. 

Dynamically speaking, the real nasty storms should remain north across Kansas and Missouri, but a cold front should light up and focus storms for Friday morning.  These storms will be capable of producing hail and gusty winds. 

National Air Quality Week April 27, 2008

Going Green has gone mainstream these days!  It’s great to see major companies spending money on advertising that appeals to green consumers; however, as consumers, we all assume a responsibility too.  This week is National Air Quality week, so here are some tips from the EPA to help be more environmentally friendly.  If you have additional tips, please feel free to post your comments.

 

You can help reduce pollution in your community by following these guidelines. These recommendations are especially important when ozone is expected to be unhealthy:

• Conserve electricity and set your air conditioner at a higher temperature.
• Choose a cleaner commute—share a ride to work or use public transportation. Combine errands and reduce trips.
• Bicycle or walk to errands when possible.
• Defer use of gasoline-powered lawn and garden equipment for later in the day, or for days when the air quality is better.
• Refuel cars and trucks after dusk.
• Limit engine idling.
• Get regular engine tune ups and car maintenance checks (especially for the spark plugs).
• Avoid spilling gas and don’t “top off” the tank. Replace gas tank cap tightly.
• Properly dispose of household paints, solvents and pesticides. Store these materials in airtight containers.
• Paint with a brush, not a sprayer.
• Buy low VOC paints for indoor and outdoor painting jobs.

You can help prevent or reduce unhealthy levels of particle pollution with these actions: :

• Reduce or eliminate fireplace and wood stove use.
• Avoid using gas-powered lawn and garden equipment.
• Avoid burning leaves, trash and other materials.
• Use household, workshop, and garden chemicals in ways that keep evaporation to a minimum, or try to delay using them when poor air quality is forecast.
• Replace your car’s air filter and oil regularly

Meteor Sighting 4/26/2008 April 27, 2008

We received many calls about a large meteor that lasted “for at least five seconds” as it shot across the sky.  One caller from NW AR said that it had a brilliant greenish color to it.  Another in Van Buren said that it was more yellowish, none the less; many people seem to have seen the same thing.  One caller said that it passed through the sky around 8:45 PM.

 

We would love to get a picture of this if you or someone that you know happened to get one!  Please be so kind as to email us a copy if this is the case at weather@4029tv.com

Front Moving Through! April 25, 2008

It’s been quite windy today… and muggy too!  Early this morning our wind direction was primarily south southeasterly.  We were on the warm side of a cold front.  In fact lows this morning were just in the middle 60s!  As early as the late morning, across Cherokee and Delaware counties, the wind made an abrupt shift to the northwest as the front passed through.  The front continues to move through our entire area and by tonight most of us will clear out.  Thunderstorm activity along the front has been sparse, cloud cover across our area with just limited breaks of sun kept the atmosphere somewhat stable.

 

Saturday will be one of those gorgeous weekend days that you’ll remember for a few …ENJOY!

COLD FRONT THUNDERSTORMS April 25, 2008

A good chance for showers and storms today as a cold front moves in out of the West. We are watching the possibility for some severe weather for the late morning and early afternoon. The severe threats that we are most worried about will be hail, 60 mph wind gusts and flooding. There could be a slight amount of rotation involved which could lead to possible tornado development. The good news is that this front will bring dry air into the region tonight and tomorrow; so expect sunshine for Saturday before a short wave of energy brings more storm chances for early Sunday morning.

Here is look at the visible satellite image for our region. You can see the clearing out ahead of the front. That means we will have some sunshine to help make us a little more unstable as the front approaches. Keep it tuned to 4029 TV as we will do what we always do when severe weather hits…KEEP YOU ADVISED!

EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS FAIR April 25, 2008

We just want to remind you that the 40/29 SuperDoppler Weather Team will be at the 2ND Annual NWA Emergency Preparedness Fair on Saturday, April 26th from 10am-4:00pm. This is a fantastic event with lots going on and we will be available to answer all your severe weather questions. Here is a list of all the activities that will be going on Saturday. We hope to see you there!

*Weather Tips from the 40/29 SuperDopler Weather Team

*Free 72 hour starter kits to the first 1,000 families

*Free Child ID cards

*Fire truck/smoke room for kids to crawl through

*Airevac Helicopter

*Pet Preparedness Tips

*Dora and Shrek Characters will be in attendance

*Blood Drive by the American Red Cross

*Giveaways & Prize Raffles

*AND SO MUCH MORE!!!

A FEW RAYS OF SUN… April 24, 2008

Here is a look at a visible satellite image from early this morning.  Notice the breaks in the clouds over central Oklahoma.  This means we could actually get a little sunshine this afternoon.  South winds will keep temperatures above average again today, but a cold front brings average temperatures back into the forecast tomorrow…and it also brings some more storm chances.

Storm Pics April 24, 2008

Penny size hail and lightning north of Ozark