Tuesday, December 30, 2008

Wall Clouds to Wonderful Weather for One More Day!

Bob Baumgartner of Romney shows us a nice sunset for a change in our new and improved weather pattern. A red sky at night will certainly be a Lafayette delight. It was so nice to see the stars again last night and yes that bright object in the sky was Venus. This was nicely captured by Allison Loy as it was getting ready to set in the western sky. Usually stars and planets are very tough to pick up but it was so clear out and Venus was so bright it does in fact stand out nicely.


Three out of every four days this December have brought every possible kind of weather. The only thing we haven't seen is a blizzard! No, I am not forecasting one but it would be a fitting end to this month that will go down as Lafayette's stormiest or wettest month since 1990. No, I am not forecasting a blizzard. I do not want to start any rumors.....LOL... Our monthly precipitation at WLFI at is now up to 4.66 inches with 4.2 inches of snow this month. In 1990 we had 5.05 inches of total precipitation. December is normally our third driest month but not this year. We have almost doubled our average precipitation of 2.43 inches. Saturday was certainly a microcosm of how stormy it has been and a reminder that you can have severe weather in every single month of the year. This was never more evident than on Saturday when the tornado sirens blared in Clinton County. Dena Flanagan sends in pictures of our ominous month or what I have been calling our delirious December! WOW! Thanks Dena!

Hey Mike, well before I turned on the TV tonight, I of course was outside taking pictures of the sky,...I thought there were a few interesting clouds as well as many colors in the sky before this storm hit us....while I was on the deck, the winds shifted from blowing towards northeast to blowing real hard to the southwest, it was an amazing change, then the wind completely stopped.....I took a few pictures of the rain that was coming across the field from the northwest of us, and wow was that sound incredible....I guess it was a little worse just a few miles south of us, but it proves, Weather of ALL seasons can happen at anytime in Indiana...LOLOL

This is looking towards the northeast from our house, towards Lafayette
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This was about 5 seconds later looking towards the Southeast
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This is looking towards the West......Huge Wall cloud heading our way
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One of the many odd clouds that kept dropping out of the wall cloud.
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This massive cloud is what was heading towards the Interstate 65 & 28 area..this was just crossing over US 52 South....it was Beautiful, yet I had no idea we were under a Tornado warning until I was done taking pictures...lol
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This was taken facing South, I took this and had to go in due to the wall of rain that hit us!
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Happy Holidays Mike,
Dena Flanagan
(Wyandotte & New Castle Rd)

Yes we can have happy holidays because that circulation stayed in the sky. Live Doppler 18 did show a hook on the radar when it crossed over Interstate 65 and 28 and you can see why with the above picture. This is why tornado warnings were issued and yes we should all feel very lucky that that rotating storm stayed up in the sky. The cool outflow that hit the area right before these storms moved through may have been just enough to stabilize things and keep us from having a tornado. Speaking of tornadoes, one of the top weather stories of
of 2008 was our busy tornado season. We had the second most active season since 1953! We have even more reason to be thankful about that we had no fatalities in all those tornadoes. It was a deadly year for tornadoes nationwide with 120 deaths which is about twice the normal. Here at home we had 11 tornadoes in our viewing area. Keep in mind Tippecanoe County ranks number one on the list for most tornadoes in the state of Indiana since the early 1950s. This is tornado alley not only in the U.S. but in Indiana.

Normally we average four tornadoes here in the Lafayette area. We almost tripled this number due to a La Nina year which is notorious for bad tornado seasons in the Midwest. The jet stream not only takes a dip in the Midwest helping to form storms but they track right up from Oklahoma and this is the area where our biggest storms come from. These storms have added fuel from the strong jet stream that adds rotation to our thunderstorms which makes them more likely to bring destructive winds, hail, and tornadoes. Tons of moisture is also lifted north from the Gulf of Mexico and as a result we have plenty of lift, moisture, and instability causing a dangerous and robust tornado season.


Here is a graphic showing why it was such a busy season. Notice we were in the red zone or the zone of concern for destructive storms. The La Nina did begin to fade out but not until the autumn and that is why we had a much quieter and beautiful autumn pattern to start. But believe it or not some signs point to La Nina making a comeback which means we could have another interesting winter and severe weather season in 2009! I will keep you posted here on the blog. There are no clear-cut answers on any of the long-range forecasts. Now compare this jet stream to the current jet stream below. You can really see the difference.

This means there will be no worries about any tornado sirens going off today. In fact this week it should be mainly dry! This is great news for the rivers and streams that will continue to recede. This zonal pattern or more of a west to east flow is known for much quieter weather and it will live up to its reputation. Also, the main storm track shifts farther north. How long will this last?

Well it is Indiana and with a Greenland Block expected to develop things could be a whole lot different by later next week and the following week. This time I do not think we will be talking ice that is for sure. We could certainly get the first of two big snows that I have forecasted this winter. We are due! That is for sure. Check back tonight for your New Year's travel weather. It could be a little rougher if you are traveling North, but nothing like we saw Christmas week! Make it a wonderful day and do something nice for someone.


30 comments:

Anonymous said...

I'M about to head off to bed and Wanted to check the blog! These are some really good cloud shots!! I love the sunset!!!!!And Dena,! your cloud shots are really something! The one that got me was the one that was just crossing over the US 52 south area! That is around where my aunt lives!

I was on the phone to her and Had told her we had watches and warnings out! Trying to keep her posted as I always do! This just gos to show how lucky we all are!

We all seen the rotation on radar and I'M glad it did not touch down!

Wall clouds are something to look at but VERY VERY Dangerous! I'M glad that is over!

Now lets all go out and Have a Good Day!!!!!

Justin in Lafayette

Anonymous said...

We were driving back from Indy on 65 during the time Dena shot her videos. I told my husband, if it weren't December I'd think we were having tornado weather. The wind and the gusting horizontal rain was phenomenal and many pulled to the side of the road. As Justin said, we are so lucky!

Anonymous said...

Great pictures of the storm clouds!

I was out doing some star gazing mysself...wow how bright the starts/planets were..

Anonymous said...

Super pictures! I could not get good pics of the sunset or storm clouds, due to I live in town and too many wires, houses in the way!

Thanks for sharing all!

Well off to take my daughter shopping, she cant wait to spend her Xmas money! Then I have some pet grooming to do on my kitties..they wont be happy..I am sure I will end up with a few stratches:( They are both 19 years old and grumpy old men LOL!

Enjoy this beautiful day!

Teri

Anonymous said...

Wow...what gret pix, Dena! Was it really that dark outside when those clouds were overhead? I would have been heading for the basement, AFTER I caught the pix, LOL! Thanks for sharing them, or Mike for posting them!

Oh gosh--Mike mentions the year 1953--I REMEMBER that year! I lived in Goodland at the time and on the last day of school we had a tornado touch down about 1/4 mile from my home! I thought it was a long way away but I look at that path now and realize how close we really were! No warning system obviously but I remember the blackness of the sky and the huge hail. It was so thick we could not see the neighbor's house with just a driveway separating the houses. From what I know now about wx I would get it at a low end EF2. Roofs were peeled off, trees stripped of leaves and down, a board driven through a cow, straw into poles, etc. I remember my mother asking if it was the end of the world. As old as I am i remember what the sky looked like that day so very long ago.

Sure is a beauty out there now! Yesterday was beautiful with sunshine and warmer temps. I wore only a nylon jacket! People are out cleaing up brush and limbs from the ice storm.

have a good one!

MA in REM

Anonymous said...

Neat story MA!

me

Anonymous said...

anybody having the same problem I am, trying to find a place for all the new Christmas toys???

Took a break to check the blog and wx..is pretty out..Temp is 35* Yes..

Anonymous said...

I am glad we can get a break from the crazy weather! Its nice to have a little sun. But, I am sure this will not last long.

But, if you think about it, if you can get through Jan/Feb then we are pretty much right into Spring. I know its a awhile, but I have to keep that approach to keep myself motivated in the winter. But usually its Jan/Feb when we get really ugly weather.

Anyone notice Valentines Day things out already? Christmas is over :( Goes so fast! I hate it.

Anonymous said...

Beautiful Day today, can use more of them. Ready for the New Year to arrive.

Anonymous said...

wind to some counties north of tipp

Anonymous said...

I was just talking to one of my neighbors about the storms we seen last Saturday! It seems every time I talk to someone we always get talking about Weather! I drive my Family Nuts! As well my friends! :)
As we all most likely do! :)

Anyway she did not even know we was in a Tornado warning! Or that there was a wall cloud Spotted!! Not good!!!! We need the Sirens to sound off!!! I did not hear any that night! At least where I'M at! Near the Fairgrounds!

Did Anyone hear them??

It is just like we need Thunderstorm watches and warnings to be put out for lightning!

Till then we will just have to keep updateing people we know to! And for those without Pc, Keep it tuned to TV 18 When things get bad!

Now time to get cooking on the grill! YUM!!!!! A good day for that! My current temperature is at 49.* degrees!!!!!

Have a good day Bloggers!

Justin in Lafayette

Anonymous said...

agree Justin

Anonymous said...

windy windy windy I posted this was going to happen. or did I?? maybe in an older post.

INZ021-028>031-035>049-051>057-060>065-067>072-310415-
/O.NEW.KIND.WI.Y.0012.081231T0500Z-081231T1200Z/
CARROLL-WARREN-TIPPECANOE-CLINTON-HOWARD-FOUNTAIN-MONTGOMERY-
BOONE-TIPTON-HAMILTON-MADISON-DELAWARE-RANDOLPH-VERMILLION-PARKE-
PUTNAM-HENDRICKS-MARION-HANCOCK-HENRY-VIGO-CLAY-OWEN-MORGAN-
JOHNSON-SHELBY-RUSH-SULLIVAN-GREENE-MONROE-BROWN-BARTHOLOMEW-
DECATUR-KNOX-DAVIESS-MARTIN-LAWRENCE-JACKSON-JENNINGS-
INCLUDING THE CITIES OF...LAFAYETTE...FRANKFORT...KOKOMO...
CRAWFORDSVILLE...ANDERSON...MUNCIE...INDIANAPOLIS...TERRE HAUTE...
SHELBYVILLE...BLOOMINGTON...COLUMBUS...VINCENNES...BEDFORD...
SEYMOUR
305 PM EST TUE DEC 30 2008
...WIND ADVISORY IN EFFECT FROM MIDNIGHT TONIGHT TO 7 AM EST
WEDNESDAY...

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN INDIANAPOLIS HAS ISSUED A WIND
ADVISORY...WHICH IS IN EFFECT FROM MIDNIGHT TONIGHT TO 7 AM EST
WEDNESDAY.

A STRONG LOW PRESSURE SYSTEM WILL MOVE ACROSS THE NORTHERN HALF OF
INDIANA TONIGHT. STRONG WIND WILL ACCOMPANY THIS LOW WITH GUSTS
UP TO 45 MPH POSSIBLE. WINDS THIS STRONG CAN MAKE DRIVING
DIFFICULT...ESPECIALLY FOR HIGH PROFILE VEHICLES. USE EXTRA
CAUTION.

THIS LOW WILL MOVE EAST OF INDIANA FAIRLY QUICKLY. WIND GUSTS WILL
DIMINISH TO AROUND 25 TO 30 MPH NEAR DAYBREAK.

Anonymous said...

Is everybody ready for this wild WINDY Night????? We will just have to see if our power stays on!

See you all on here off and on tonight!

Justin

Anonymous said...

Hey Justin, I am ready, my dryer broke down today, I have wet laundry to dry... clothes are hanging on the line ..and doing so rather fast, I keep looking out every few mins to make sure my clothes have not blown away:)

What a beginning to a new year:) dont mean to sound clum.. but gosh

Teri

Anonymous said...

well there I go again with typo errors...:)

Anonymous said...

Teri I don't have a wind sensor but it Looks like we could see wind gusts of around 40 mph maybe even 45 mph!

Justin

Anonymous said...

Maybe even near 50 mph before all the wind moves through!

Your clothes by morning should be dry and cold! :)

Justin in Lafayette

Anonymous said...

I know Justin, my wind sensor was leaning off its tower now after this weeks winds it down on the ground.... I went to get my clothes off the line..and it was crazy scary!

Teri

Anonymous said...

When on earth is this crazy weather going to stop?? Global warming/warning or what???

Anonymous said...

Justin my power just flickerd.. do you have your flash lights and candles ready?? I dont live far from you!

teri

Anonymous said...

I sure do hear this wind!!!!! It is going hard! Teri My lights are doing fine at this time! However I'M going to get some lights ready just to be safe!

If you have a laptop Let me know if you lose power!

Justin in Lafayette

Anonymous said...

Is this the system that was in Colorado today? Denver had hurricane force winds..... I have family out there... now its here???..yuck

T yes its me this time!

Anonymous said...

It looks like the winds will stay around the 40 to 45 mph range! And currently there have not been any wind reports!

I hope we luck out!

Justin

Anonymous said...

I was watching Mikes forcast on TV winds could reach up t 50 mph... I wonder how much longer the power lines can hold up? trees, shingles ect....

Anonymous said...

I cant sleep with the wind blowing things around and the windows rattling , I guess I will go eat a midnight snack:( just what I need

like Mike said dont blow away!

Anonymous said...

Justin, I do have a lap top, but battery time is short. I will let you know about the power, so far so good, but still is flickering! Darn!

Teri

Anonymous said...

A snack sounds good!

I'M seeing more of a Gusty night! Not so much windy but Gusty! Just when I start to think things have calmed down we get another good gust!

I like that ( Don't Blow Away )

Justin

Anonymous said...

I am going to try to get some sleep, not only are the howling winds are keeping me up this late so are my barking dogs! they are not liking this! All enjoy your midnight snack, we had choc. chip cookies and milk:)

Night all,

Teri

Anonymous said...

Night Teri and all I'M off to bed as well! See Ya all later!

And HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!!!2009!!!!!

MAY WE ALL HAVE A GREAT AND BLESSED NEW YEAR!

Wishing all a happy 2009!

Justin in Lafayette