Browsing all posts in Severe Weather.
My hometown EF4 Tornado track 4/22/11 Good Friday. We are blessed that there were no deaths.
A tornadic supercell crossed the Greater St. Louis Metropolitan Area with many reports of large hail and damage from New Melle in St. Charles County to Granite City in Madison County, Illinois. My aunt Marilyn & the family were already in the basement & I called my father in Florissant to get into his. Some of the most intense damage occurred in St. Louis County across Maryland Heights where my Aunt used to live, Bridgeton, St. Ann, Edmundson, Lambert St. Louis International Airport, Berkeley, and Ferguson where my Granny and Grandpa George used to live and in Madison County near Granite City. Several people were injured by flying debris and glass at the main terminal of the airport, but remarkably there were no fatalities. Two tornadoes were confirmed so far from this event. The first was near New Melle and was rated EF1, the other was a long-track tornado that was rated EF4 and affected St. Louis and Madison Counties.
The EF4 tornado is the strongest tornado that has occurred in St. Louis County for 44 years. You have to go back to January 24th 1967 (my father’s birthday & my mother was pregnant) to find a tornado that was as strong. In fact, the tornado paths are very similar.
Back to the evening of Friday April 22, 2011, an intense supercell thunderstorm produced a long-track tornado which tore a path of destruction from west to east across the St. Louis Metropolitan Area. The tornado reached a maximum intensity of EF4 on the Enhanced Fujita Scale as it tracked through the community of Bridgeton, just west of Lambert St. Louis International Airport. The total path length was 22 miles, with a width of up to 0.4 miles.
The tornado initially touched down along the northern edge of Creve Coeur Lake at approximately 755 pm. It tracked nearly due east at about 40 mph, and intensified as it entered Maryland Heights. There it produced up to EF3 damage to many homes and businesses with a damage swath of 200 to 400 yards wide. Damage continued eastward in an unbroken track, crossing I-270 about 1 mile south of I-70. The tornado reached peak intensity of EF4 as it devastated the community of Bridgton along Old St. Charles Rock Road. From there the tornado paralleled Interstate 70 through the community of St. Ann, then took aim directly on Lambert St. Louis International Airport. Many of the large windows in the main terminal building were blown out or damaged by flying debris and a large section of roof was peeled from Concourse C. Although the vast majority of people were evacuated to lower levels and to interior rooms before the tornado hit, 5 people were treated and released from area hospitals for injuries due to flying debris. The airport was closed due to the extensive damage.
The tornado exited Lambert St. Louis International Airport crossing near the McDonnell Boulevard/Harmon Lane intersection. It then moved into Berkeley where it crossed Interstate 170 between Airport Road and Scudder Avenue. Extensive damage was noted along Fourth Avenue, especially at the Garfield Avenue and Hancock Avenue intersections where a vacant house and several homes lost their entire roof structure. The greatest damage in this neighborhood was rated EF2. The tornado continued to the northeast through neighborhoods south of Airport Road producing significant tree damage including many large trees falling on homes. The tornado then crossed Airport Road near Abston Avenue. The tornado crossed North Florissant Road where it caused extensive roof damage to the Newer Materials building and the First Baptist Church of Ferguson. Across the road, a Little Caesars Restaurant lost its entire roof. Damage to these structures was rated EF1. The tornado then continued through neighborhoods along and just the north of Hereford Avenue/Chambers Road where it continued to cause extensive tree damage as well as additional partial roof damage to homes along the path toward West Florissant Road. Also along this part of its path, it partially removed the roof at the Griffith Elementary School which was rated as EF1. This is also where the tornado widened to one quarter of a mile with damage noted to trees and some homes on both sides of Chambers Road. Along the entire path from Berkeley to Dellwood, damage varied in intensity from EF1 to low end EF2 with a maximum estimated wind speed of 120 mph, and included numerous snapped power poles in addition to the extensive number of snapped and downed trees.
The tornadic damage continued southeast of the intersection of Chambers and Florissant Roads and traveled eastward south of Chambers road, crossing the Mississippi River approximately 2 miles south of Interstate 270. The majority of the damage was rated EF1 due to fallen trees. Some of these trees fell on homes while a few others fell through homes causing damage not directly relating to the intensity of the wind within the tornado.
EF2 damage was uncovered at three different locations east of Dellwood. One area was located one quarter mile south of Chambers Road on Halls Ferry Road where four large utility poles were snapped. The second area of EF2 damage was located 0.25 mile south of Chambers Road along Bellefontaine Road where significant tree damage occurred. The last area of damage was located in Bellefontaine Neighbors just south of Chambers Road on Ra Roux Court. Roofs were removed from three homes at this location, while other homes sustained varying degrees of damage.
The width of the damage area varies from 100 yards to 0.4 mile with the widest area of damage west of Halls Ferry and south of Chambers Road. The tornado entered Illinois about 1.5 miles south of the Chain of Rocks Bridge. The tornado continued east to 0.5 mile north of the intersection of Highway 203 and Pontoon Road. Damage east of this intersection included uprooted and snapped trees and three homes had roofs removed. At least one hundred homes were damaged in the area. The maximum damage found was in a neighborhood along Bern and Dawn Streets. The tornadic damage then curved southeast and ended near the intersection of Alton Street and Pontoon Road. Damage width over this area varied from 50 to 150 yards. The damage east of Highway 203 was rated low-end EF2. The highest wind speeds associated with the EF2 damage were approximately 120 mph.
On my father’s birthday while my mother was pregnant, January 24th 1967, a violent F4 tornado ripped a 21 mile long path of destruction across St. Louis County, they used to talk about it all of the time. It ranks as the fourth worst tornado in history to hit the St. Louis Metropolitan Area and is the last F4 tornado to affect St. Louis. The tornado initially touched down around 6:55 p.m. in western St. Louis County at Olive Street Road near the Howard Bend Pumping Station where damage was reported to the Chesterfield Manor Nursing Home. The tornado moved northeast at 40 mph striking the small community of Lake, the luxury homes at River Bend Estates and Old Farm Estates valued between $25,000 and $33,000 (1967 dollars), Creve Coeur Meadows and Glenwood Subdivisions, and the heavily populated communities of Maryland Heights, Bridgeton, St. Ann, Edmundson, Woodson Terrace, Berkeley, Ferguson, Dellwood, the Hathaway Manor Subdivision, and Spanish Lake. The tornado apparently dissipated or weakened as it crossed the Mississippi River, as there is no record of significant damage in Illinois. The damage path ranged from 50 to 200 yards wide and the tornado was on the ground for approximately 35 minutes. Remarkably only 3 fatalities were reported while 216 people suffered injuries. Damage included 168 homes destroyed, 258 with major damage, and 1485 with minor damage. At least 600 businesses were damaged or destroyed. The total damage was estimated to be around 15 million dollars. The tornado was given a F4 rating on the Fujita Tornado Ranking Scale. The F4 occurrence was likely small in aerial coverage with the majority of the severe damage being classified as either F2 or F3. Eight other tornadoes struck Missouri that day with 32 tornadoes in all occurring from Oklahoma to Wisconsin. The Wisconsin tornado is believed to be the farthest north tornado ever recorded in January. Many people will remember that the bad weather continued across Missouri January 25th and 26th with freezing rain and snow following this historic winter tornado outbreak.
THE VIDEO BELOW IS AMAZING. THE VIOLENT TORNADO MOVES OVER LAMBERT ST. LOUIS
INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT AND PEOPLE ARE TOLD TO GO QUICKLY COVER IN BAGGAGE CLAIM.
THE C CONCOURSE WAS BADLY DAMAGED WITH MOST OF THE WINDOWS BLOWING OUT.
THE PEOPLE IN THE OTHER CONCOURSES WERE VERY LUCKY AS YOU WATCH BELOW.
I POST MY FAVORITE WEATHER VIDEOS BELOW:
Expect a significant Winter Storm for Southern California Friday 2/18 & Saturday 2/19
Friday, rain develops. We could see severe thunderstorms, and we have the risk of urban & small stream flooding. SSW winds are going to be gusty.
40 to 50 miles per hour in the valleys @ times and over 60 mph in the mountains, breezy everywhere else. Cross winds will be strong for airplanes and high
profile vehicles. With a strong jet stream and the position of the jet being in the right place, there is better risk for seeing
thunderstorms in some areas and some could be severe with dangerous lightning, hail, water spouts, small tornadoes &
damaging downbursts. Rainfall rates may go higher than 1/2″ per hour with the threat of debris flows in burn areas.
A winter storm warning is now in effect for the LA and Ventura Co. mountains with the snow levels going from 6,000 feet
down to 3,500 feet and possibly down to 2,500 feet later in the weekend. 1 to 2 feet of snow above 4,000 feet is likely. The 5 through
the Grapevine will be impacted with snow! Be prepared for winter driving Saturday into early Sunday. The weather clears up on Sunday
and it stays cool with highs in the 50s in most areas. Join us on Channel 5 in Los Angeles for the latest weather updates. Safe travels!
Atmospheric Scientist Jim Castillo
Minneapolis Metrodome Roof Collapses-Video & Natural Sound as it happens! 12/12/10
PHOTO OF THE METRODOME IN MINNAPOLIS-BEFORE THE COLLAPSE
THE ROOF OF THE METRODOME COLLAPSES AFTER 17 INCHES OR 43 CENTIMETERS OF SNOW
FELL IN MINNEAPOLIS CAUSING THE POSTPONEMENT OF THE VIKINGS-GIANTS GAME!
FOX SPORTS & YOUTUBE VIDEO WITH AMAZING NATURAL SOUND POSTED ABOVE!
THE VIKINGS-GIANTS GAME HAS BEEN MOVED TO MONDAY NIGHT AT 7:20PM EASTERN TIME
AT FORD FIELD IN DETROIT! BTW, THERE ARE NO REPORTS OF ANYONE BEING INJURED.
55 Mile Per Hour Gust-Malibu Hills/Winter Weather in the Heartland/Flood Watch in Washington
Warm & Windy in S. CA/Blizzard Warnings in the Heartland/Flooding in the NW
Wind Advisories have been posted for the L.A. & Ventura County Mountains. This includes the Santa Monica Range.
Below are some of the wind gusts in the last 24 hours. Friday 12/10/10 into Saturday 12/10/11.
MALIBU HILLS-NE 55 mph
WHITAKER PEAK-NW 78 mph
LAGUNA PEAK-NE 40 mph
MONTECITO HILLS-NE 51 mph
The Wind Advisory Remains in effect until 6pm Saturday Evening 12/11/10. This impacts travel on the 5 and the 14 freeways.
A Wind Advisory means: winds of 34 miles per hour(mph) or greater are expected in Santa Clarita, Newhall, Valencia & Malibu.
High pressure building into Southern California will bring above average temperatures this weekend and gusty offshore winds.
Record highs are possible on Sunday.
At the same time, a major winter storm is hitting the heartland with blizzard warnings covering Iowa and nearby states. Snow & blowing
snow will be a big problem. Travel is not recommended this weekend in places like Kansas City, St. Louis, Chicago, Des Moines, & Minneapolis. Snow & blowing snow is likely with below zero wind chills. This storm moves eastward on Sunday and Monday 12/13/10.
In Washington State, flood watches and warnings are up for area rivers due to the very high snow levels and heavy rainfall.
SUPER TYPHOON HITS PHILIPPINES MONDAY 10/18
DEADLY SUPER TYPHOON MEGI SLAMS THE PHILIPPINES: CLICK HERE FOR REPORT
Marveling at Super Typhoon Megi, THE WASHINGTON POST TELLS THE STORY BELOW:
Visible satellite images of Super Typhoon Megi on October 18. Top image is a contrast enhanced close-up of the image on the right in the series underneath it. Source: Naval Research Lab.
Super Typhoon Megi, the strongest tropical cyclone to hit a mass of land on the planet since Hurricane Dean in 2007. The one time Category 5 storm exhibited amazing satellite features prior to landfall
See the sequence above just before Megi swept across the northern Philippines. The top image is a close-up of the third image in the series beneath it. I enhanced the contrast a bit so you can look-in at the structure of the spiral bands surrounding the eye and inside the eye itself.
By Jason Samenow | October 18, 2010; 7:30 PM ET
Hurricane Earl Stronger-Then Weakens and Spares Most of NE
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...EARL ACCELERATING TO THE NORTHEAST...EXPECTED TO BRING RAIN AND STRONG WINDS TO PORTIONS OF NOVA SCOTIA... SUMMARY OF 200 AM EDT...0600 UTC...INFORMATION ---------------------------------------------- LOCATION...40.6N 68.3W ABOUT 105 MI...165 KM ESE OF NANTUCKET MASSACHUSETTS ABOUT 240 MI...390 KM SW OF CAPE SABLE NOVA SCOTIA MAXIMUM SUSTAINED WINDS...70 MPH...110 KM/HR PRESENT MOVEMENT...NE OR 50 DEGREES AT 30 MPH...48 KM/HR MINIMUM CENTRAL PRESSURE...960 MB...28.35 INCHES WATCHES AND WARNINGS -------------------- CHANGES WITH THIS ADVISORY... NONE. SUMMARY OF WATCHES AND WARNINGS IN EFFECT... A HURRICANE WATCH IS IN EFFECT FOR... * NOVA SCOTIA FROM ECUM SECUM WESTWARD TO DIGBY A TROPICAL STORM WARNING IS IN EFFECT FOR... * WATCH HILL RHODE ISLAND EASTWARD AROUND CAPE COD TO HULL MASSACHUSETTS...INCLUDING MARTHAS VINEYARD...NANTUCKET ISLAND... AND BLOCK ISLAND * STONINGTON MAINE TO EASTPORT MAINE * THE ENTIRE COAST OF NOVA SCOTIA * PRINCE EDWARD ISLAND * NEW BRUNSWICK FROM THE U.S./CANADA BORDER EASTWARD TO FORT LAWRENCE...AND FROM SHEDIAC TO TIDNISH * THE MAGDALEN ISLANDS A TROPICAL STORM WATCH IS IN EFFECT FOR... * POINT ESCUMINAC TO SHEDIAC NEW BRUNSWICK
- HURRICANE EARL
WARNING E. N.C. AND WATCH FOR CAPE
FIONA HEADING MORE NORTH AND GASTON MORE WEST
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Heavy Snow North of Kansas City and a Watch for Chicago 2/20/10
Heavy Snow North of Kansas City and a Watch for Chicago 2/20/10
Mix for Kansas City and Heavy Snow for St. Joseph Missouri into N. IL
Winter Storm Warnings in Pink and Watch in Blue for Chicago 2/20/10
Major Storm for Chicago& The Midwest…Eventually the Northeast
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SNOW FORECAST FOR NEW YORK CITY (A FOOT)
- GET READY NEW YORK CITY/BOSTON/PHILLY & DC FEB. 10TH SNOW & WIND
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- WINTER WARNINGS MIDWEST & EVENTUALLY THE NORTHEAST
CHICAGO 6-12" IN THE FORECAST FEB. 8TH/FEB. 9TH
SNOPOCALYPSE Reports As of Saturday Morning Feb. 6th, 2010. PHILLY 26.7″ /DC
THE WEATHER COMPUTER MODELS DID A PRETTY GOOD JOB WITH THE FEB 5 & 6TH BLIZZARD OF 2010. NEW YORK CITY HAD HARDLY ANY SNOW, WHILE WASHINGTON DC, BALTIMORE AND PHILADELPHIA WERE HAMMERED !
District of Columbia 20″ / Pennsylvania- PHILADELPHIA 26.7′/ Yardley 7.2″/ Maryland -Allegany County 21 to 29.5″/ Anne Arundel County up to 26.8″ , Annapolis 17.6″/ Baltimore County up to 29″, Essex 24.5″/ Baltimore 20″, Gwynn Oak 26″/ Virginia- Monticello up to 14.1″/Alexandria 15.0″/ Fairfax 19.0/ Delaware- Wilmington 25″/ Dover 16″/ New Jersey- Atlantic City 16.3″/ Mount Holly National Weather Service 18.2″/ West Cape May 10.8″ / Ocean City 12″ / Mercer County up to 15″/ Morris County 1.4″ / Monmouth County up to 14″
WOW! CHECK OUT WASHINGTON DC SNOW FEB. 6, 2010 BLIZZARD !
BELOW: WEST PHILADELPHIA BLIZZARD FEB. 2010
EXCELLENT DETAILS OF THE BLIZZARD IN DC AS IT UNFOLDS
Washington DC, Baltimore, MD and Atlantic City, NJ Blizzard Feb. 5, 2010
I LOVE HER COMMENTARY !!!
DC BLIZZARD FEB. 2010
Washington DC Blizzard Feb. 5th, 2010! THIS GUY IS DRAMATIC, BUT HYSTERICAL, LOVE IT ! WE NEED MORE OF THIS !!!
BELOW: IT’S GETTING DEEP !!!!
OMG ! IS THIS BEAUTIFUL OR WHAT !!! WASHINGTON DC AREA FEB. 6TH, 2010 UP TO 30″ OF SNOW EXPECTED!!! BLIZZARD 2010 !