Storm moves east...and it feels like August along the Coast!

Hi everyone

Devastating tornadoes across the Central U.S this weekend.  Over 130 reports of twisters – and the damage is extensive.  Luckily this time, we had plenty of time to warn people – and I do believe the death toll would have been higher if we didn’t have the ability to alert people in advance.  It is still so heartbreaking to see people’s homes and livelihoods taken from them in just a matter of minutes.

Thankfully, this storm is winding down, however, we still have a slight risk for strong storms across the Texas coast and up around the eastern Great Lakes as this system pushes east.  Some of the rainfall totals around the Corpus Christi area is staggering.  Over a foot (!) of rain has fallen in less than 48 hours!

Ahead of the cold front partly responsible for these devastating storms, record breaking temperatures are making it feel like August across the east coast.  Take a look!

This is not a heat wave by any stretch.  Temperatures are going to drop substantially in the next 24 hours.  87 in New York today.  65 on Wednesday.

Very happy to hear all of our regular bloggers who live in the South are ok after this weekend’s horrific storms.   Let’s hope things calm down for a little while…

Thoughts and prayers to all those affected by this weekends storms.   I’m just thankful most people headed the warnings and took them seriously.

JD

Severe weather outbreak expected Saturday/Sunday

Good morning everyone.  Wanted to give you a heads up that we have a strong storm system coming out of the West that will explode into the Plains this weekend with a classic severe outbreak setup expected tomorrow through Sunday!

We are expecting large hail, damaging winds, heavy rain, and MANY STRONG TORNADOES that could be long track and potentially life threatening. 

The National Weather Service has issued a rare “HIGH RISK” threat for parts of Oklahoma and Kansas tomorrow. 

There is a “MODERATE” risk for parts of Northwest Texas, Central and Western Oklahoma, Central and eastern Kansas, Southeast Nebraska, Northwest Missouri and Southwestern Iowa.  We will also see the threat for very heavy rain and flooding with storms over the region.

Today’s “slight risk” takes place across the South Central Plains and into the Lower Missouri Valley. 

Large hail, damaging winds and heavy rain are expected and we could see some isolated tornadoes.  But the main event will come SATURDAY THROUGH SUNDAY.  If you live across the Central U.S, please please be weary of dangerous weather, and pay close attention to your local forecasts and weather alerts.

Be safe everyone.  Talk to you Monday.

JD

Severe threat ongoing this week

Hi everyone!

Hope you had a wonderful Easter!   We had such a great weekend.  Plenty of egg hunts and chocolate eating.  I still feel like “Humpty Dumpty” after all the Easter Bunny treats!

In weather-land, we have a three day set up for severe weather starting this afternoon/evening from eastern New Mexico, West Texas through the Oklahoma Panhandle and into eastern Colorado.   The main threats will be large hail and damaging winds, but a few tornadoes are possible. 

Here’s a look at tomorrow’s threat, and Friday’s too:

The West coast continues to be active with rain and snow across the mountains.  Some of that energy will bring the potential for more severe weather this weekend and into the new workweek.

And finally, we’ve had some pretty chilly temperatures at night and in the morning across the east.   We’ll need the extra blanket(s) again tonight:

That’s about it for now.  If you have any spring pics, send them my way @janicedeanfox

Hope you’re all doing well.  And remember if you’re up (or can’t sleep!)  I’ll be on Fox and Friends First today and tomorrow starting at 5am! 

Talk to you then!

JD

HAPPY EASTER! OPEN BLOG

Hi everyone

Wanted to post an open blog for you guys.  I’m off tomorrow and Monday. 

I found this amazing picture and story which I thought was appropriate as we head into the Easter weekend:

Picture taken on March 28, 2012 shows a tree decorated with around 10,000 Easter eggs in Saalfeld, Germany. (AFP Photo / Martin Schutt Germany Out)

A German couple has gone to some lengths to celebrate the well-loved Christian holiday, decorating a tree in their garden with 10,000 painted Easter eggs.

­Volker Kraft has been collecting and painting Easter eggs for over 40 years. Starting with plastic eggs, he later switched to real ones. The 76-year-old has long made decorating a tree in the couple’s back yard a family tradition, the Associated Press reports.

Every other Easter, the pensioner has added new eggs to his collection. His wife emptied the shells of their contents, while the rest of the family decorated the eggs with pastoral scenes and portraits of saints.

Now that he’s reached the 10,000 mark, Kraft says the collection must not get any bigger – or he’ll literally be treading on eggshells.

“There will be no more because I do not have storage capacity,” the he’s quoted by Associated Press as saying. “I would have to sleep with the eggs otherwise.”

The family does not however intend to stop painting Easter eggs. Old eggs will be replaced by new, with some offered for sale.

Take care everyone!  Talk to you Tuesday!

JD

Tornadoes target Dallas

Good afternoon everyone!

A much quieter day today in the weather center.   The video out of Dallas Ft Worth is just breath-taking.  I’m just thankful we have no loss of life after yesterday’s tornado outbreak across northeast Texas.  Props to the National Weather Service who had those warnings up as soon as possible.

We have a lot of bloggers who either live or have family and friends in the region, so I’m thankful all of you who have checked in are ok!

So far there are 18 reports of tornadoes from the southern DFW Metroplex to far northeast Texas yesterday afternoon.  We had over 100 reports of hail and wind damage.

Today’s threat is farther east today across Louisiana, Mississippi and Alabama to the Tennessee Valley:

Large hail and damaging straight-line winds will be the primary threats today, although isolated tornadoes are definitely possible.  There’s also a separate area of strong storms with wind and hail possible across southeast Virginia and eastern North Carolina.

Tomorrow’s threat pushes across the eastern Gulf Coast and Florida, but the tornado threat won’t be as high.

In other news, the forecasters at Colorado State University are predicted a LOWER than average hurricane season this year.  I hope they are right!  It only takes on bad storm to make it an active season.

Be safe everyone.  Thanks as always for being a caring, considerate family of bloggers!

JD

OPEN BLOG!

Hi everyone!

Well, didn’t win the lottery over the weekend, but I still feel like a lucky gal!  Great job, wonderful hubby, beautiful kids and nice bloggers! 

I’ll let you guys chit chat, and I’ll check in a little later on!

JD

Friday's weather...and mega millions!

Hi everyone!

Just bought my mega-millions tickets.  I know, I know – I have just as good a chance being hit by lightening TWICE than win the lottery, but hey – you can’t win if you don’t PLAY!  And as much as I love my job, if you don’t see me Monday, I’ll be in Tahiti or somewhere exotic with my family sipping fancy drinks with umbrellas…

Lots of weather to tell ya about:

Strong to severe storms will fire across Texas and Oklahoma as well as into Ohio Valley.  Large hail and strong winds will be the main concern, however isolated tornadoes will also be possible.  

Temperatures continue to soar above average over the Northern Plains and Front Range.  

Another powerful storm will punch into the Northwest down into Northern California.  Ahead of this system, winds will be very strong across Southern California and into the Great Basin.

And winds will be calm today, but starting tomorrow, firefighters are going to have a tougher time containing that wildfire that continues to threaten homes and lives in Conifer Colorado…

That’s it for now.  I’m going home for a nap!  Thank goodness it’s the weekend.   Wheeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!

See ya Monday — (or NOT if they call my numbers tonight!  HA!)

JD

OPEN BLOG!

Hi everyone!  Today was my first day doing the 5am weather shift (I’m going to be doing it every Thursday/Friday),  and I am ready for a NAP!  I’ll check in with a full report tomorrow…but until then, feel free to chat away! 

zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz……

JD

Weather Headlines for Tuesday

Good morning everyone!

Happy Tuesday.  Back to the winter coats here in the Northeast (and the Great Lakes too!)  Brrrrr!  I wish I had brought my hat and gloves with me to work as well.  Thankfully, we’ll start to feel temperatures warm up a little bit though the day and the workweek!

A system along the Canadian border is spreading showers across the Midwest and Great Lakes.   A few strong thunderstorms are possible from Illinois to Kansas:

The High and Northern Plains will see very gusty winds and dry conditions. High Wind Warnings are in effect along with red flag warnings advising of higher than normal fire danger.

We’re watching the weather across Colorado where an erratic wildfire continues to threaten homes and lives!

Ahead of the system across the Midwest, temperatures remain 15-20 degrees above average…

And yet another system moving onshore in the West will spread heavy rain and snow from Washington and Oregon to Northern California.  I’m sure those folks are ready for a little sunshine and warmer temperatures!

Also wanted to let you guys know that starting Thursday, I’ll be up and at ‘em doing weather for Fox and Friends First!  So, if you’re up at that time before the rooster crows, send some positive energy my way!   I’ll need it, along with a little extra coffee! 

Talk to you later!

JD