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This is sorta off topic to your blog, sorta, why is sometimes they will not issue a t-storm watch in an area where there seems to be severe activity?]

David,

When a severe thunderstorm watch is not issued, usually the conditions are not quite rype for severe weather. The thunderstorms may look mean, with very heavy rain, and lightning, yet they could still be below severe levels. A severe thunderstorm must have 1" diameter hail or winds in excess of 58 mph.

Gary

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Gary, great job. We went to check out your blog after your suggestion (on air). The blog is a great idea, and I'm encouraged to have our ocassional questions answered.

So... is it safe to plant our flowers without a future freeze? We're ruled by Murphy. If we do it now, it'll freeze unless you tell us it's ok.

Indeed you and your team's forecast is the most accurate. We're amused by the healthy rivalry it's created with your competitors as shown in the Kansas City Star some weeks ago. Congrats on your accuracy, and a great news story.

Regards, Mark G, KC North

Mark,

I think you can plant now! We could have frost Thursday morning, but then that could be it.

Gary

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Dear Gary,
I thought that the severe weather period was starting out slower this year. I have lived out here for 3 years (from Lakewood, Ca) and it seemed like things started getting "excited" by now. We live in pomona, ks.. everything seemed to go either south or north of us.

thanks for the info.
Randy

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Just wondering since you've said it in a couple newscasts and now in this web blog... what exactly is your or Nbc Action News' association with Blown Away Tours? It almost seems like an advertisement, which if so, you might should just come out and say it. If it's merely an extension of Nbc Action News, then that's a pretty cool idea.

Qwert,

It is great that our chase crew #1 is an experienced tornado chase crew. So, yes it is an extension of our team.

Gary

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Could you please tell me what name is given to the "dirt tornadoes" that we sometimes see when we are driving across Kansas to Colorado? We were driving out in the middle of March and noticed a big one turning out on the plains. Keep up the GREAT work!!!

Kathy:
The "dirt tornado" you are referring to is called a "DUST DEVIL." Not a very technical name, I know, but still a fascinating weather phenomenon!!

Dust devils form under mainly clear skies, where the sun has heated the ground. The air adjacent to the hot ground also warms, and that makes the situation unstable... as warm air will rise.

Dust devils usually happen in large open areas where a vast amount of air is heated. They can start off small... but soon the surrounding air rushes in and can intensify the upward motion. The flat, bare surface of the Plains and Desert Southwest also provides minimal "friction"... so the dust devil can sustain itself... sometimes as long as 30 minutes!

But these are NOT tornadoes, as the clear skies prevents even tall dust devils from reaching any cloud base.

Jamie