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On a topic from yesterday...

"Nick brings up an interesting point. Often times, derechos can be more destructive that EF-0/1 tornados. Also, they do indeed cover more area. I know the EMS and sirens are keyed to tornado warnings, but why not to all weather events that are destructive in nature, immediate, and can carry a specific threat? I know..a better question for the EMS folks..but definitely a very good point."

For T-storms with very strong winds, usually hurricane force or stronger, I have seen warnings from the NWS which state "Activation of outdoor warning sirens recommended." Wouldn't the EMS follow that recommendation and turn on the sirens?

David
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David,

I don't remember one of these statements saying this, but you are likely correct. The EMS would very likely sound the sirens in such a situation.

Gary

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With the rain predicted next week... any severe weather or just a nice soaking?
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Hank,

At this time of year there will be the potential for severe weather. Right now it is way too early to tell. I just hope it rains.

Gary

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Gary I found this message from a Warning on Wunderblog..

.NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DOPPLER RADAR INDICATED A SEVERE THUNDERSTORM 18 MILES WEST OF CARTHAGE...MOVING NORTHEAST AT 75 MPH. * LOCATIONS IMPACTED INCLUDE... CARTHAGE. THIS STORM IS CAPABLE OF PRODUCING GOLF BALL SIZE HAIL...AND DESTRUCTIVE WINDS IN EXCESS OF 80 MPH. SIREN ACTIVATION IS SUGGESTED.

I have seen the National Weather Service in Kansas City issue a few statements like this before..but it does not seem to happen often.

Bryan
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Bryan,

A good example, thanks.

Gary

Hi Gary welcome back,
A couple of things. In response to David's comment about the Tornado Sirens going off in the event of a damaging thunderstorm with or without a tornado. On March 12, 2006 in Lawrence, KS. After the violent winds of the "microburst" hit where I was(if that's indeed what it was, I'm still not 100% convinced), the tornado sirens did go off for 15-30 seconds before the winds tore them up and I don't recall a tornado warning being issued for Douglas county, KS at that time. A second thing, I see 3 days of storms at the end of the forecast period, whats your feeling on that? have a great day!

Jonathan
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Jonathan,

My gut feeling is that it will rain, and likely an inch or more. Will there be any severe weather? Somewhere in the plains, but here I am not sure?

And, that microburst still may have been a tornado. It was quite impressive.
Gary

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Most derechos have the windspeed of a Cat 1 Hurricane [Winds 74-95 mph], and some severe linear MCSs do as well. Guess its just not as sexy to warn for a severe thunderstorm as a tornado. I wont ask Gary to answer, but human side left out of this, tornados are more on the public mind than severe thunderstorms. We also know that tornados will always get coverage. Would a strong derecho? Probably depends on the programming and the population. Would the same questions be asked for a tornado on the ground...not likely.
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Evening Gary, Can you pinpoint anything specific in the LRC that caused our winter weather to end? Is there another mechanism that developed to help begin our real winter but it did seem to end abruptly. Or is this that part of the warm cycle which we have experienced twice already? You are correct, in the fact that it probably will be too warm to snow but could we have a run of cooler temps in April? Thanks for all you do. Michael/Topeka/Berryton
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Michael,

It is really hard to believe that it did end the way it did. I still think there may be another chance sometime down the road.

Winter has held on quite strong just north and northeast of us. Look at the storm moving through the northeast this weekend. Iowa and Nebraska had two blizzards in the last three weeks.

We are in the December part of the pattern, which was also mostly not very winter like so this shouldn't be such surprise. I think we will have two wet storms in the next two weeks and a high likelyhood of colder weather in April.

Gary

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Gary,
Where can I watch Weather Plus on the new website?

David
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David,

It should be back on their soon.

Gary

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Will your dogs be making an appearance in the upcoming weather special? =)
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Marlina,

Breezy and Stormy will not be making an appearance on the weather special. Last year, Windy and Stormy did, but not this year. Thanks for asking.

They did go to a school with me today and they did all of their tricks.

Gary

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Thanks to Brian and David for the examples of sirens being sounded in other than tornado situations!
It does seem like someone flipped a switch and winter left us, well the LRC flipped that switch I guess, but I think that April will feel a bit more like March than March did so hopefully we don't get too much tender vegetation to show up before April!
And it has snowed in April before so maybe something weird will happen;)( by then it would be most likely too warm to stick but it would be neat to get a nice visual event at least!!)
thanks for your time.
Nick in St. Joe!!!

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gary, or whoever gets this first,
i know its a little too far out to tell yet but do you think those storms could get severe up here in chillicothe? only reason i ask is because im driving down to carrollton for the storm spotters seminar on wednesday night and i was just wonderin if i'll have to deal with any really bad weather.
randy

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Randy,

Still a little too early to tell what the severe threat may be for next week. If there is severe weather around(Wednesday) the NWS will postpone the spotter meeting and have it at a later date. This is what happened with the scheduled spotter talk from February 28. I'm not sure where the talk was, but it was moved to a different date.

Jeremy

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how can I get the raw data to be able to forcast severe weather events? IE: dew points,lifted index,upper level air flows, vort max'es. have the education along with some ideas that I would like to share.It's time to go on the offence.
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There are various sites Kevin,

Maybe some of our bloggers can come up with the answer to your question.

Gary