Storm Australian Severe Weather Forum
Severe Weather Discussion => Tornado Alley Outbreaks and Severe Weather Worldwide => Topic started by: Guest on 01 February 2011, 08:00:11 AM
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Dangerous winter storm to impact much of the central U.S.
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A severe winter weather situation is currently developing across the central and southern Plains, and will spread into the Ohio Valley region over the next several days. A powerful storm system crashing ashore in northern California will continue to surge southeast across the Four Corners region, and will eventually converge with abundant moisture being pumped north from the western Gulf of Mexico. As a result, a strong surface low is anticipated to develop over the Arklatex region on Monday and move northeast, eventually reaching and continuing northeast along the Ohio River by Tuesday. With cold air already in place over Oklahoma, and as a reinforcing arctic airmass continues to push generally southward from the western Canadian prairies, an outbreak of extreme winter weather is expected, stretching from Oklahoma to the central Appalachians by mid-week. Forecast models (http://www.twisterdata.com) are not in total agreement as to how much or what type of wintry precip will fall, but a large part of Oklahoma, eastern Kansas and especially Missouri could see very heavy, possibly historic amounts of snow beginning Monday into late Tuesday, with blizzard conditions possible as well. Areas just to the south of the snow line may see a damaging ice storm, with freezing rain accumulations of 1" possible, along with sleet and accumulating snow. Residents of central and eastern OK (http://www.srh.noaa.gov/oun/?n=getreadyforwintryweather) into the http://www.crh.noaa.gov/eax/ (http://www.tornadovideos.net/ [url=http://www.crh.noaa.gov/eax/)]Kansas City[/url], Springfield (http://www.crh.noaa.gov/sgf/?n=hwo) and St. Louis, MO (http://www.crh.noaa.gov/lsx/) area are urged to monitor the latest information from local media and National Weather Service (http://www.weather.gov/) offices, be prepared for power outages and brutally cold wind chills, along with crippling snowfall. We will post updates as they become available as well!
http://www.tornadovideos.net/component/content/article/35-snow/1326-dangerous-winter-storm-to-impact-much-of-the-central-us (http://www.tornadovideos.net/component/content/article/35-snow/1326-dangerous-winter-storm-to-impact-much-of-the-central-us)
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Central U.S. getting rocked by winter storm!
(http://www.tornadovideos.net/images/stories/2011/february/2.1.11.nws1.png)(http://www.tornadovideos.net/images/stories/2011/february/2.01.11.wv.330p.jpg)A crippling blizzard has set in across a large part of the central United States, due to what many meteorologists are calling the largest winter storm system they've ever seen. Check out the water vapor imagery above to get a look at this monster from satellite-view! Overnight into this morning, parts of north Texas experienced significant amounts of sleet and freezing rain, with numerous accidents and major travel issues resulting around the Dallas-Fort Worth area. Precipitation that developed over north Texas last evening rapidly spread north, across the Red River and into Oklahoma. Beginning just before midnight and lasting into today, a large portion of Oklahoma experienced first heavy sleet and then very heavy snow, both of which were at times accompanied by thunder and lightning, along with 30-40 MPH winds (gusting to over 50 at times). Total accumulations ranging generally between 6-14" are common over much of the state, with northeast OK picking up the most on average. Near Tulsa, portions of the Hardrock Casino's roof collapsed earlier this morning (http://www.newson6.com/) after it was damaged by high winds and heavy snow. Even though the snow has tapered off by now, high winds continue across most of Oklahoma, with dangerous wind chills of around -20 common, and severe blowing snow and drifting making travel near impossible. As the storm has continued northeast into Missouri, extremely heavy snow has been falling across the I-44 corridor and points north, along with the standard, 30-40 MPH blizzard-criteria winds. The St. Louis area and points east will likely be impacted the hardest, with snow amounts of up to 2 feet possible, along with winds in excess of 40 MPH, again, creating widespread blizzard conditions. The situation will continue to develop northeast of St. Louis, and will impact Chicago, Indiana, Ohio and Lower Michigan with similar conditions into tomorrow. Snow has not been the only issue with this massive storm system, as freezing rain has also been a problem just south of the snow line. The Indianapolis area is currently bracing for a major ice storm, where an inch or more of freezing rain is possible along with more strong winds, which will further complicate any icing that transpires. In addition, this highly dynamic system has prompted tornado watches in the Gulf Coast area, where temperatures are in the 70s, shear is very strong and instability has been adequate enough for a number of severe thunderstorms. Be sure to visit your local NWS website (http://www.weather.gov/) or monitor local media for news on current conditions if you're in the path of this dangerous storm system. - A number of storm chasers are stationed over the bulk of the area affected by this impressive winter storm, so as always, tune in to the Live page for a look at the conditions on the ground in those areas. Also, don't forget Holdercast (http://www.tornadovideos.net/webcast) for the latest graphical analysis of what's to come!
http://www.tornadovideos.net/component/content/article/35-snow/1327-central-us-getting-rocked-by-winter-storm (http://www.tornadovideos.net/component/content/article/35-snow/1327-central-us-getting-rocked-by-winter-storm)