Sunday, March 8, 2009

A Rude Wake-Up Call A Sign of Things to Come

I am heading to church with my family and then will be back at WLFI by this afternoon. This still looks like our prime time for strong storms. Yesterday we had the high risk window between 1 p.m. and 4 p.m. and that still looks good....although just to be safe we need to extend that severe window to between 1:00 p.m. and 6:00 p.m.

Yes, we will have a few rumbles of thunder this morning but the main dynamics with our approaching storm will not arrive until this afternoon.

Here is what is happening..the main cold front that will drop temperatures from the upper 60s into the lower to middle 30s by tomorrow morning will pack a punch. My main threat for us will be wind and some large hail. Our upper-level winds that fuel storms will go from near 35 mph this morning to 60 mph by early afternoon. A few storms could easily drag these high winds to the ground. Up at 10,000 feet we will see the winds go from 45 to 85 mph which is quite impressive. Our CAPE values go over 500 with a lifted index of -2 which is unstable enough for a few weather warnings. There will also be wind shear to deal with but the tornado threat for our area will remain at less than 10%. Thunderstorms will be quick-moving and head east-southeast at 40 to 60 mph this afternoon. Look to the west and northwest this afternoon. That is where the bad storms are heading from.

Keep in mind outside of thunderstorms we will see wind gusts near 50 mph beginning at 3 p.m. and those high winds will continue until at least 11 p.m. There is a flood advisory for White, Cass, Pulaski, Fulton, and Miami Counties for lowland areas. This region has had one to two inches overnight with another inch of rain possible. Be careful in these areas. Flooding is another concern of ours with a flood crest on the Wabash likely on Wednesday.

Off to church and yes I will pray the worst of these storms miss our area and then we will have to get ready for more possible storms and flooding Monday night and Tuesday. If you need me this afternoon you can call the office at 463-1800 ext. 255 or e-mail me at storm@wlfi.com. All rainfall amounts, storm reports, and pictures will be greatly appreciated.

22 comments:

Anonymous said...

Thank you for the update Mike.

Tornado warnings and watches in Kansas and MO Looks very bad! heading our way gang hold on to you hats.

Lightning getting vivid in Laf.

March 8, 2009 8:43 AM

Anonymous said...

Currently just some thunder in my area of Lafeyette. and Rainy!

Justin.

Anonymous said...

There is that severe thunderstorm warning up around Poniac, and Ottawa, IL, but so far nothing more!

I'M still seeing some light thunder and mostly rain at this time nothing severe. Temperature is also currently at 52* degrees.

Justin.

Anonymous said...

Very heavy rain in Lafayette!

Anonymous said...

Yes, Mike I also think it is safe to say the biggest threats in the storms today will be the Wind, and Small Hail likely.

High gusty winds are a good chance for 45% chance!

And Small Hail is another good but slightly lower chance at 30% chance!

Tornadoes are still staying lower at around a 5% chance! Lets just keep it that way!!!

This is just the light thundershower before we head into this afternon when things get even more wet and thunder like!

Heavy Heavy down pour here in Lafayette RIGHT NOW!

Justin.

Anonymous said...

Justin how could things get more wet LOL! I ran to the store to get some milk for breakfast. The rain had let up slightly, Only to start pouring again a few mins later. I am soaked and freezing!

There is a lot of standing water on the roads, and my windshield wipers could not keep up with the heavy rain falling.
A couple of lightning strikes too close for comfort!

Hang in there gang! Be safe!
Teri in Laf.

Anonymous said...

Teri, Mike, No joke!

I have at the least on flat ground.....FOUR INCHES of standing water.!!!!! No joke! I have never seen that much water in my back yard before!

I did take a few pictures but there not very good! But WOW! A LOT O WATER.....

Justin.

Anonymous said...

URGENT - WEATHER MESSAGE
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE INDIANAPOLIS IN
513 AM EDT SUN MAR 8 2009

...MARKEDLY INCREASED WIND GUSTS EARLY THIS EVENING INTO
TONIGHT...

.LOW PRESSURE OVER WESTERN MISSOURI WILL STRENGTHEN AND MOVE
NORTHEAST INTO THE SOUTHERN GREAT LAKES BY THIS EVENING. SOUTH
WINDS WILL INCREASE AHEAD OF THE COLD FRONT THIS AFTERNOON. WIND
SPEEDS WILL INCREASE FURTHER BY EARLY EVENING AS A STRONG COLD
FRONT...TRAILING THE LOW PRESSURE SYSTEM...SWEEPS THROUGH
INDIANA. WEST WINDS OF 20 TO 30 MPH WITH BRIEF GUSTS BETWEEN 45
AND 50 MPH ARE LIKELY BEHIND THIS COLD FRONT. STRONG CROSSWINDS
ON INTERSTATES 65 AND 69 WILL CAUSE TRAVEL DIFFICULTY.
INZ021-028>031-035>049-051>057-060>065-067>072-081715-
/O.NEW.KIND.WI.Y.0003.090308T2200Z-090309T1000Z/
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
513 AM EDT SUN MAR 8 2009
...WIND ADVISORY IN EFFECT FROM 6 PM THIS EVENING TO 6 AM EDT
MONDAY...

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN INDIANAPOLIS HAS ISSUED A WIND
ADVISORY...WHICH IS IN EFFECT FROM 6 PM THIS EVENING TO 6 AM EDT
MONDAY.

WEST WINDS OF 20 TO 30 MPH WITH GUSTS OF 45 TO 50 MPH ARE
EXPECTED.

A WIND ADVISORY MEANS THAT WINDS OF 30 MPH SUSTAINED OR GUSTS OF
45 TO 50 MPH ARE EXPECTED. WINDS THIS STRONG CAN MAKE DRIVING
DIFFICULT...ESPECIALLY FOR HIGH PROFILE VEHICLES. USE EXTRA
CAUTION.

Anonymous said...

Here in Indiana we can never have normal weather. We are either over in temps temporarily, that causes problems. OR we are below are averages. We can never be just right on track for the time of year. The temps will soon go back to around 30-40's. I believe that is below normal now, since we are approaching mid March. Our averages should be ever so slightly be going up too.

I am hoping for another warmer spell for the last part of March, that way it'll be hot down in Florida. I am not holding my breath though. I don't think we have had a normal Spring and summer in a long time. As I think they both were below normal last year too. Never truly got too hot.

This time changes is a bummer, it took 1hr away from me this morning! Oh well, tonight will be nice.

Thanks Mike, keep us posted!

Anonymous said...

WOW Justin, I know what you mean about the water, my drive way is flooded. Water way over my shoes, had to tread in it to get to my car. I am afraid to look in my basement!

Worried about the winds to come this afternoon. Things have calmed in Laf for now.

I cant believe its almost 11:00, going to have a hard time adjusting to the time change.

Teri In Laf

Anonymous said...

Tomorrow will not be a fun for students who will lose an hours sleep. And they had a stressful week with the ISTEP.Be ready all you teacher bloggers and readers. Tomorrow will be a tough one!

My child is already complaining!

Anonymous said...

Tornado Watch for our Viewing area!

Justin.

Anonymous said...

Weather radio just went off must of our area is under a Tornado Watch!!!!!!!!!!!!!more in a min.

Anonymous said...

A tornado watch is in effect from now until 4:00pm this evening!
for the WLFI Viewing area.

Justin.

Anonymous said...

Sounds like we are under the gun. Just look at what the NWS has us under.

Flood Warning
Flood Watch
Tornado Watch
Wind Advisory

We are going to get some bad weather. Get ready and be safe. Have you plan in place!!!

Anonymous said...

BULLETIN - IMMEDIATE BROADCAST REQUESTED
TORNADO WATCH OUTLINE UPDATE FOR WT 49
NWS STORM PREDICTION CENTER NORMAN OK
1040 AM CDT SUN MAR 8 2009

TORNADO WATCH 49 IS IN EFFECT UNTIL 400 PM CDT FOR THE
FOLLOWING LOCATIONS
INC007-011-015-021-023-027-045-051-055-063-073-083-101-105-107-
109-111-119-121-125-129-133-147-153-157-163-165-167-171-173-
082100-
/O.NEW.KWNS.TO.A.0049.090308T1540Z-090308T2100Z/
IN
. INDIANA COUNTIES INCLUDED ARE

BENTON BOONE CARROLL
CLAY CLINTON DAVIESS
FOUNTAIN GIBSON GREENE
HENDRICKS JASPER KNOX
MARTIN MONROE MONTGOMERY
MORGAN NEWTON OWEN
PARKE PIKE POSEY
PUTNAM SPENCER SULLIVAN
TIPPECANOE VANDERBURGH VERMILLION
VIGO WARREN WARRICK

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Anonymous said...

The Lift Index has fallen once again! We was at -2 this morning only to now be at that -3 range. As the Lift Index gets around that -3 to -4 range things meaning storms can get Strong! We will have to watch this very closely! We are on the line for MOD risk for severe weather. With WINDS still being a big threat with a good 45% chance good news is tornadoes are still around that 5% chance however we will not rule them out. And hail being another good chance with a good 30% chance.

We will just have to take this hour by hour!

Justin.

Anonymous said...

Yes Justin, looks like it might be a bumpy ride this afternoon.

Teri

Anonymous said...

Okay I have not ducked for cover with all the wind storms we have had. Gusts over 60mph, but with thunderstorms that will change. I will be in the basement. One never knows when a tornado could drop.

Glad I bought that bottle of wine!

Hey Mary Anne want to share LOL!

Anonymous said...

Yes Teri, I still do think the main threats will be High Gusty winds and possible Hail Lightning as always! And HEAVY Rainfall. Tornadoes we will keep low chance but not rule them out!

Looks like we could see a little rain here in the next few minutes.

Justin.

Anonymous said...

And there is that little rain / Thunder.

Justin.

Anonymous said...

Bunch of tornado watches just popped up...dang it.

Still showing some activity in IL but I hope it calms down before arriving to IN.

Stay on your toes everyone.