Good Saturday bloggers,
Before we look ahead, let's take a look at our most recent storm system. Colder air once again saved us from severe weather along with the track of the main storm being south.
There were just two thunderstorm cells that produced tornadoes yesterday, fortunately over rural areas. They were located in northwest Texas near Childress. The tornadic cells moved east and evolved into a bow echo that produced straight line wind damage.
The two cells began producing tornadoes around 530-545 PM Friday. Here is the radar image from that time.
Our 41 Action News Storm Chaser, Mikey Gribble, was on one of those cells.
That is quite a sight and it is in the best place, over an open field. Thank you Mikey.
By 1015 PM the tornadic cells became a bow echo that stretched from Oklahoma City, OK to east of Waco, TX. It was producing strong winds, but just a few severe weather reports which means winds of 58 mph or higher. There was a much more severe bow echo along the gulf coast.
By 830 AM this morning the bow echo was weakening in eastern Mississippi. The stronger bow echo was still raging from southern Georgia to the Florida panhandle. The main storm was located over northwest Arkansas, moving east and away. Rain continued along and south of I-44. That will exit by this evening.
We were not only on the northern edge of the storm, but temperatures were in the 50s. So, we saw several hours of scattered showers. 5-7 PM Friday did see a heavy thunderstorm track from Ottawa, KS to southern sections of Johnson and Jackson counties before moving east and weakening.
What's next? Abundant sunshine and a big warming trend is the answer.
Highs will be in the 60s today, 70s Sunday and 80s Monday. Lows will be in the 40s Sunday and near 60 Monday. The wind will be nearly calm this evening, increasing to south at 15-25 mph Sunday and 20-40 mph Monday.
Our next storm system arrives Tuesday and exits Thursday. This will increase the chance for rain and thunderstorms. Anytime there is a chance of thunderstorms in April, May and June you have to watch for the potential of severe weather.
If we are to see severe weather, it will most likely be Tuesday. Latest data is suggesting that the main severe threat will be along and south of I-44 as the storm will come through here disorganized. There is a cold front on our doorstep during peak heating on Tuesday, but the main upper level energy is in the southern Plains. That all being said, with the front in the area we will have to watch things closely.
Wednesday and Thursday we will have a chance of rain and a few thunderstorms in the colder air. So, severe weather will be unlikely. Colder air now means highs 55-65 and lows 45-55.
We will worry about the severe threat later as between now and then we are looking at some great spring weather.
The one minute video below (no audio) has details on the forecast through Thursday.
Have a great weekend and stay healthy.
