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Yes!! This is great. The thunderstorm we had last night in was awesome. I hope the trend continues!

Is it true when storms move from East to West, they are usually more severe?

Anne,

No, it is NOT true. Thunderstorms are usually more severe when they are moving west to east. When they are moving in an easterly direction the winds are turning in the atmosphere (shear) to create an environment for the thunderstorms to rotate.

Gary

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Dear Mr. Lezak,
I am a college student attending Northwest Mo State in Maryville, Mo. Do you think that there is a chance of tornadoes affecting the immediate metro area today? Thanks for your time.

Kinley,

I just isn't unstable enough today for tornadoes.

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Do you think we will see tornados with these storms? Thanks for this blog it is great!

SHELLY:
No tornadoes, as the greatest threat has been hail.

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last night's sky was pretty awesome looking. impressive lightening. are you thinking around that same intensity of storm this afternoon or worse?

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How does the sun "destabilize" the air? Does the increased energy speed up air rising, etc? Thanks for doing such a great job.
Derek

DEREK:
Sunshine is responsible for increased instability because it heats the surface of the earth. You may notice that certain surfaces heat up faster and to a higher temperature than others. One example is blacktop... it absorbs a lot of incoming solar radiation to become hotter to the touch than, say, a regular sidewalk.

Warm air is less dense than cold air... so the warming surface air will rise. With this daytime heating, instability is created because the warm air at the surface is quickly moving up into the atmosphere.

Another way to increase instability is by increasing the low level dewpoints. The DEWPOINT is the amount of moisture in the air. During daytime heating, the warming surface air also becomes more able to evaporate water vapor. If there is moisture nearby... from vegetation or a body of water... daytime heating will allow dewpoints to increase. More moisture in the air means there is a greater amount of latent heat release in a thunderstorm, and therefore, higher levels of instability!

Jamie :)

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I have been a solid viewer since I moved to KC 5 years ago. I love watching the weather. When I get online (in the evening) to see the weather for the week it shows the next day's high and that night's low. I would like to see the current day's low. For example: Today is Monday. Your site shows the high and low for Tues. I want to know what the low will be Monday night into early Tuesday morning. I ride a motorcycle to work when it is warm enough so I would like to know the night before if I will be able to ride.
Thanks for all the accurate weather. It is very much appreciated.
Josh

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Gary-

Let me guess....it was YOU who Elizabeth Alex or somebody in the News department asked as far as how to pronounce "Chickasha OK..." on that pallet factory fire! You Okies are always in demand!

Another former Okie...

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Gary,
I was wondering if you could give the wind speed and direction forcast on the 10 pm news. A lot of guys are fishermem and the wind speed is an important safety factor. High winds --high waves. Small boat safety is important to us old people.I don't need to go overboard.Knowing what to expect can make or break a fishing trip. I'm talking about local lakes. Thanks

Bill,

We usually do show the wind speed forecasts, but I will try to make it a more important part of the weathercast.

Gary