TORNADO WATCH HAS BEEN ISSUED

TORNADO WATCH IS NOW IN EFFECT

       THE STORM PREDICTION CENTER IN NORMAN, OKLAHOMA HAS ISSUED A TORNADO WATCH FOR OUR AREA UNTIL MIDNIGHT FOR OUR AREA. HAZARDS INCLUDE 80MPH WINDS, 2" DIAMETER HAIL AND SEVERAL TORNADOES WITH SOME INTENSE TORNADOES. THIS IS AVERY SERIOUS SITUATION!! A WATCH MEANS THAT CONDITIONS ARE FAVORABLE FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF SEVERE WEATHER INCLUDING TORNADOES. EVEN THOUGH A STORM IS NOT IMMINENT, REMAIN ALERT FOR RAPIDLY CHANGING WEATHER CONDITIONS AND MONITOR LATER STATEMENTS AND POSSIBLE WARNINGS.

DON'T LET YOUR GUARD DOWN!!

Severe Weather Still Likely

      Another PDS WATCH has been issued, this time it's close to home!! The SPC has issued a PDS Severe Thunderstorm Watch until 2am. This watch stretches all the way from Southwestern Wisconsin to just west of Columbus. The timing is looking like it is going to be a little different than before, but that does not change the fact that it is going to be a very dangerous situation. Power outages, heavy rain, frequent lightning, large hail, destructive winds and isolated tornadoes are still a very real threat tonight. 11pm-4am is looking like the worst time for the event. However, there is still the potential for scattered storms to develop before that time. Any storms that develop this evening will have the chance to become severe (60mph winds and 1" diameter hail) very quickly.

        AEP is saying that power outages are likely and the duration could be significant. One good thing about this year is that if you do end up losing power it will not be as hot as it was last year following the storms (Highs only in the 70's). 

This is the PDS Watch issued by the SPC. Hazards include---Damaging Winds to 80mph, Very Large Hail to 2" in Diameter and a Few Isolated Tornadoes

Severe Weather Starting

A PDS (PARTICULARLY DANGEROUS SITUATION) TORNADO WATCH has been issued for parts of Iowa, Minnesota, Wisconsin and Illinois. Even though this is not in effect for us here in Ohio, it is important because this type of watch is very rare, it signifies the potential for rapid development of destructive storms that can have very large hail, damaging wind and large tornadoes. If a line of storms does end up developing, this is where it will come from, making this watch even more important because what develops out west will move east later today and tonight.

Severe Weather Update

Likelihood Increasing

        The likelihood of a significant severe weather outbreak is increasing today!! The Storm Prediction Center has informed us that they will be updating the risk area to HIGH RISK for parts of Eastern Iowa, Northern Illinois, Northern Indiana and Northwestern Ohio. This may not include Central Ohio at the moment but this is a very significant increase  and a sign that the SPC has increased confidence in the event. I would not be surprised to see the HIGH RISK expanded later on today to include Central Ohio as we will become extremely unstable.

         To put this in perspective, this is the first time all year that the SPC has issued a HIGH RISK category. This will be a wind driven HIGH RISK meaning that the main threat will be damaging and destructive winds (possibly as high as 80-90mph), however, large tornadoes will be possible, mainly in Illinois, and very large hail will also be possible, though not as likely.

THIS IS A VERY SERIOUS SITUATION AND COULD IMPACT OUR AREA BY LATER THIS EVENING AND OVERNIGHT. FLASH FLOODING, HIGH WINDS, LARGE HAIL AND TORNADOES ARE ALL POSSIBLE TODAY AND TONIGHT! PLEASE STAY UP TO DATE BY VISITING WEATHER.GOV or SPC.NOAA.GOV.  

Timing

        The severe line of storms will likely be here in Central Ohio around the evening rush and will continue with heavy rain through the night and into early Thursday morning.

Lightning will be abundant with these storms and will pose a serious threat. It is important to remember that lightning can kill you and should be taken seriously. And remember IF YOU CAN HEAR THUNDER YOU ARE CLOSE ENOUGH TO BE STRUCK BY LIGHTNING!!!

Significant Severe Weather

SEVERE WEATHER OUTBREAK

         If you think back to last year at the end of June the damaging thunderstorms that knocked out power for days, and even weeks for some, may come to mind. A scenario that is very similar to last year is looking increasingly likely for tomorrow, Wednesday June 12. The Storm Prediction Center in Norman, OK has placed us under a day 2 moderate risk. These types of risk levels are reserved for the most threatening situations and should not be taken lightly. Not only are we under the moderate risk, but we are also in what is known as the hatched area, this means we are at an increased risk for significant severe weather (Winds >75mph, Hail >2" in diameter and strong Tornadoes). However, the main threats will be damaging winds and large hail, but a tornado cannot be ruled out.

       Tomorrow the atmosphere will become extremely unstable with dew points in the low 70s and temperatures in the low 90's(In other words it will be hot and sticky!). Thunderstorm development could be explosive and the weather could change rapidly. You should keep up on the watches and warnings tomorrow as they are issued. The treat area includes almost all of the same areas impacted last year, all the way from South Dakota, Iowa and Minnesota to Illinois, Indiana and Ohio. This has the potential to bring significant and widespread damaging wind to all of these areas. If you lost power last time and bought a generator, I would make sure it is able to run and in working order. :)

       As the atmosphere destabilizes tomorrow, some supercell storms are possible and then the potentially destructive line of storms will come through here Wednesday night into Thursday morning. These storms are also known for the very heavy rain they produce, so flash flooding will be another severe threat we will have to add to the list tomorrow night as the storms move in.

      I will try to keep you updated as the situation unfolds tomorrow, but as you can imagine i will be busy tracking it :) and if I lose power i will not be able to post!! Stay safe and stay up to date!