Warm weather returns to Maine

Augusta recorded a temperature of 72 degrees on Oct. 6, and although highs since then have been in the upper 60s, they haven't reached 70 degrees, said Chris Legro of the National Weather Service in Gray.
"It would be the warmest reading so far this year," he said.
Legro said the temperature reached 69 in Augusta on April 19 and 68 on Sunday. Temperatures in Waterville and the surrounding area have been similar, although the National Weather Service keeps daily readings only for Augusta, Gray and Portland, he said.
The temperature is expected to remain cool at night, said Legro. It would also not be unusual to see daytime highs only in the 50s in May, he said.
Gardeners and farmers in the area are among those excited about the warm weather, although fire officials also are warning of the risks that dry, warm weather can cause.
At Johnny's Selected Seeds fields in Albion, workers already have planted peas and were putting in an experimental crop of corn, which usually is planted later in the year, into the ground on Monday

http://www.pressherald.com/news/warm-weather-returns-as-state-finally-warms_2013-04-30.html

The challenge of forecasting Colorado weather

http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=6565483752503740244#editor/src=header

DENVER - People working for the City of Denver like to boast the city routinely receives more than 300 days of sun every year.
Let it be said that most meteorologists in Colorado don't receive any hate mail when they accurately predict the next sunny day. It's the 60 or so days of rain that can occasionally lead to the nasty correspondence.
"We don't notice when the weather forecast is right. We always notice when it's wrong," said the National Weather Service's Nezette Rydell.
The Meteorologist in Charge in the Boulder office says it's the nature of the weather prediction game.
Her office was hardly alone in feeling the wrath of some Coloradans during what turned out to be a very snowy April.
"It's still predicting the future. I think sometimes people forget that, even with all of the fabulous technology that has evolved over the years. It's still predicting the future," 9News meteorologist Kathy Sabine said.
"Even the groundhog struggled this year," she said with a smile.
9News meteorologist Marty Coniglio admits the expectations of the public are occasionally outpacing the realities of weather forecasting.
"It's now not good enough to say 'it's going to snow.' It's not enough to say 'it's going to snow from this time on this date to this time on this day.' Now, it's the exact amount of snow in the exact location."
It's that expectation that doesn't mix well in particular with forecasting snow accumulation. Coniglio says it's realistic to give a range, but Colorado's varying terrain and unpredictable winds make it virtually impossible to guarantee a particular accumulation in a given area.

A Dangerous Storm Brews As Washington Mixes Weather And Politics

The Obama administration is at it again, playing the “ Washington Monument” game with the Sequester, aka the 2.2% reduction of the 2013 federal budget (which itself is 7% above the 2012 tab).  This ploy seeks to maximize public inconvenience (closing the Monument to tourists), or threaten public safety over budget and staff reductions.
Specifically, the National Weather Service (NWS) is furloughing forecasters in its 122 local offices, and  threatening death and destruction as a result of four days off between now and the end of October.

http://www.forbes.com/sites/patrickmichaels/2013/04/28/a-dangerous-storm-brews-as-washington-mixes-weather-and-politics/

Flooding, Water Rescues Reported in Houston

http://www.weather.com/news/houston-flooding-images-20130427

Storms in the Houston area that dumped several inches of rain have left thousands of people without electricity and forced about 150 high-water rescues.
The National Weather Service on Sunday reported the area received more than 6 inches of rain since Saturday.
Officials had no immediate reports of anyone hurt or significant damage. Part of the roof of a convenience store in Sugar Land collapsed.
CenterPoint Energy had about 6,900 homes and businesses still without electricity Sunday afternoon as crews worked to restore power. Nearly 45,000 customers lost electricity by Saturday night.
The Houston Fire Department answered about 150 vehicle rescue calls from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. Saturday as water flooded roadways.
Forecasters say Montgomery County, just north of Houston, had some hail the size of golf balls.
Flooding became a major, life-threatening concern on Saturday night after inches of rain fell in the Houston, Texas area. According to The Weather Channel's Severe Weather Expert, Dr. Greg Forbes, rainfall totals of more than a half-foot were reported, including one report of 8.12 inches in Sugar Land-Meadows Place.
Hobby Airport reported 6.05 inches of rain Saturday, about half of it coming in just one hour. However, the April 27 daily record of 6.20 inches from 1972 remained intact

Rainy weather to start out work week

Raleigh, N.C. — A low-pressure system creeping into central North Carolina will bring moderate and heavy rain to most of the area Sunday night and Monday morning.
The wet weather comes after a bright, sunny close to the work week, and a cloudy weekend.
Highs Sunday ranged from the upper 50s to the low 70s in central North Carolina, and although the amount of precipitation earlier Sunday was immeasurable in a lot of areas, Sunday night's system could see anywhere from 1 to 2 inches, WRAL meteorologist Aimee Wilmoth said. Some areas in the southeastern part of the state could see more than 2 inches, she said.
"We could have some problems for our morning commute," Wilmoth said.
The slow-moving storm could also cause some minor flooding in low-lying areas as well.
The rain will linger throughout the day Monday before clearing by nightfall.
The chance of rain lingers for most of the week. Wilmoth said there's a chance of some afternoon showers on Tuesday and Wednesday.
None of the weather, however, is expected to be severe.
Monday's high in Raleigh is expected to be about 68 degrees. The highs will remain around 70 degrees for the rest of the week.

http://www.wral.com/unsettled-weather-pattern-sets-up-shop-in-central-nc/12386718/

Roof of Sugar Land food mart collapses during severe weather

http://abclocal.go.com/ktrk/story?section=news/local&id=9082156

SUGAR LAND, TX (KTRK) -- Saturday's storms are being blamed for a roof collapse that destroyed an entire store in Sugar Land.
No one was hurt when the roof collapsed at Famis Food Market in the 1700 block of Dulles near Lexington.
The city of Sugar Land is blaming the collapse water that collected on the roof from the storms. The owners say they were inside and heard the roof start to collapse.

Houston Forecast: Chance for severe weather overnight

HOUSTON – The National Weather Service has extended several weather warnings Saturday in regards to the severe thunderstorms moving through the Houston area.
The NWS has extended a flash flood warning for Brazoria, Fort Bend, Harris and Waller counties in effect until 9:45 p.m. A flood warning is in effect until 7:42 a.m. Sunday morning for Harris County.
A Severe Thunderstorm Watch is also in effect until 1 a.m. on Sunday for the following counties: Austin, Brazoria, Calhoun, Chambers, Colorado, Fort Bend, Galveston, Grimes, Harris, Jackson, Liberty, Matagorda, Montgomery, Polk, San Jacinto, Walker, Waller, Washington and Wharton.
The NWS said that thunderstorms capable of producing quarter-size hail and damaging winds up to 60 mph were moving southeast at 25 mph. Another line of storms will move through overnight increasing the chance of flashing flooding.
There is a 60 percent chance for rain on Sunday with temperatures in the mid-60s in the morning. The high should peak at about 80 degrees in the afternoon.


http://www.khou.com/weather/Houston-Forecast-Chance-for-severe-weather-overnight-205038711.html

Hospital, homes evacuated amid flood threats in Illinois, elsewhere

http://www.cnn.com/2013/04/18/travel/weather/?hpt=hp_inthenews

CNN) -- Record-setting rains in parts of the Midwest have caused hundreds of flight cancellations and flooding, with one northern Illinois hospital evacuating patients due to rising floodwaters.

Forty-four patients were removed Thursday from Morris Hospital in Morris, Illinois, due to the threat of rising floodwaters from the nearby Illinois River that had already soaked the two-story facility's ground floor, said hospital spokeswoman Janet Long. Of those, 27 were transferred to other hospitals and 17 ended up going home or back to their nursing homes.

The evacuation was precautionary, Long said, adding that the hospital's emergency department will remain open Friday -- when the Illinois River is expected to crest around 7 a.m.

Along the same river about 25 miles west in Ottawa, a voluntary evacuation order has been issued for residents in the eastern part of that city, said LaSalle County emergency management official Connie Brooks. Some 100 people have already left two mobile home parks 10 miles farther west in Utica, she added.

Rising rivers are just one of the headaches tied to torrential rains in recent days. Back streets and highways have also been inundated by flash floods around Illinois, Indiana and elsewhere, while thousands of would-be air travelers have found themselves stranded.

Sirens sound statewide for severe weather test

http://www.wisn.com/weather/Sirens-sound-statewide-for-severe-weather-test/-/9374846/19813610/-/4acla2z/-/index.html


The National Weather Service and Wisconsin Emergency Management will conduct a state-wide tornado drill at 1:00 p.m. for the entire state of Wisconsin in conjunction with Wisconsin Severe Weather Awareness week.

Read more: http://www.wisn.com/weather/Sirens-sound-statewide-for-severe-weather-test/-/9374846/19813610/-/4acla2z/-/index.html#ixzz2RFXaJZUU

Big Cool Down, Little Severe Weather

http://dfw.cbslocal.com/2013/04/18/big-cool-down-little-severe-weather/


Strong storms initiated very early this morning north of San Angelo and quickly pressed into North Texas.  With a Severe Thunderstorm Watch in place, the line came in with only one Severe Thunderstorm Warning for the Brownwood area and no official reports of severe weather.  Pockets of heavy rain, lightning and gusts to 45 mph were common along the leading  edge of the storms, but overall the storms where innocuous.  The graphic below was at 9 AM.  You can see the front was through all of North Texas with most areas sinking into the 40s under gusty northwest winds except for immediately behind the front.

D.C. Weather Forecast: Severe Weather Likely Tonight With A Strong Cold Front Approaching

http://www.wjla.com/blogs/weather/2013/04/d-c-weather-forecast-severe-weather-likely-tonight-with-a-strong-cold-front-approaching-18607.html


After a wild weather day, the severe threat is over and rain will gradually taper off after midnight.  Behind the front, much cooler temperatures and a quiet weather pattern will set up for the weekend.  Check out some of the highest wind gusts across the area from earlier today when the front slid through.

Read more: http://www.wjla.com/blogs/weather/2013/04/d-c-weather-forecast-severe-weather-likely-tonight-with-a-strong-cold-front-approaching-18607.html#ixzz2RFWQLhAR

Severe Weather Headed Our Way

http://philadelphia.cbslocal.com/2013/04/19/severe-weather-headed-our-way/

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) – A strong cold front has been wreaking havoc on the weather across the US this week, and now it’s our turn!
This system separates warm, moist air to the east from much cooler, drier air to the west, and that clash of air masses is producing a volatile situation as the front marches eastward tonight.
Thunderstorms are moving from southwest to northeast and there is a good amount of shear in the atmosphere. For tornadoes to form, you need pretty specific conditions, and wind shear plays a large part in that.

There are two types: speed shear (wind speed increasing as you move up through the atmosphere), and directional shear (wind direction changing as you move upward through the atmosphere). You must have both for a tornado to form.

Another round of severe weather possible Monday

http://www.koco.com/weather/Another-round-of-severe-weather-possible-Monday/-/9845544/19838482/-/p6j6qk/-/index.html




Another round of severe weather is possible Monday afternoon and evening. And, fortunately, this event looks nothing like what we had last week.
The risk is basically a borderline severe weather risk where storms may set up during the afternoon that could produce some marginal severe hail and winds around 60 mph. Overall, I am not very impressed with the set-up Monday to see anything significant.
Widespread rain is likely with an isolated severe storms thrown in there.
While an isolated severe storm is possible during the afternoon in Northwest Oklahoma, I expect the better chance to see rain will come near sunset across Northern Oklahoma when a cold front moves into the state.

Superstorm Sandy Shook the U.S., Literally

When superstorm Sandy turned and took aim at New York City and Long Island last October, ocean waves hitting each other and the shore rattled the seafloor and much of the United States -- shaking detected by seismometers across the country, University of Utah researchers found

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2013/04/130418213919.htm

Don't let the snow fool you, severe weather is on its way this Spring

At a time when snowstorms just won’t quit, a member of the National Weather Service reminded the public about what’s to come.
May and June are the hardest-hitting months for tornadoes in Wisconsin, though the season typically runs from April to September.
NWS-Chanhassen/ Twin Cities meteorologist Shawn DeVinny trained members of the public Wednesday night on how to spot a storm during a two-hour presentation at the courthouse in Chippewa Falls.
As far as the seemingly never-ending winter, DeVinny said it’s not as rare as some people realize. He said on average, about two inches of snow is common in April.

http://chippewa.com/news/local/don-t-let-the-snow-fool-you-severe-weather-is/article_422151b8-a5d1-11e2-867f-001a4bcf887a.html

Severe Outbreak Hits South, Midwest

http://www.weather.com/news/weather-severe/severe-outbreak-pictures-photos-20130412

Severe storms struck the Southeast on Thursday, one day after the same system brought tornadoes to Arkansas and Missouri. On both days, widespread damage was reported from tornadoes that touched down, leaving injuries and an extensive cleanup effort.

Severe Weather into Tonight: Wichita, Kansas City, Orlando

http://www.accuweather.com/en/weather-news/severe-weather-threat-wichita/10245281

As a blizzard rages over the Dakotas, a sharp cold front cutting into much warmer air across the central Plains will ignite a round of powerful thunderstorms. A second round is already firing up across central and northern Florida.
Locations most at risk into tonight include Kansas City, Mo., Independence, Kan., Lahoma, Okla., Wichita, Kan., Ponca City, Okla., Trenton, Mo., Ottumwa, Iowa and Davenport, Iowa, to name a few. Farther south and east, strong storms could affect Jacksonville, Orlando, Ocala, and Tampa, Fla.

Extratropical Cyclones Forming

Cyclones are three dimensional and as such are sometimes found primarily aloft with little coherence between the surface features of fronts and precipitation. The example cyclone provided here produced large snowfall totals in Denver during the New Year holiday, causing significant impact to local residents and nearby ski resorts.

http://severewx.atmos.uiuc.edu/index.9.html

Severe storms fades after whacking Midwest, South

A powerful storm that swept across the country this week was on its way to the North Atlantic on Friday, leaving rain, snow and at least four deaths in its wake.

At one point, the line of storms stretched from Canada to the Gulf of Mexico. It dumped snow in the north-central and northeastern United States and torrential rain in the Ohio and Mississippi valleys, and brought tornadoes in the Deep South.

Four people were killed in separate incidents in Missouri, Mississippi and Nebraska.

http://www.cnn.com/2013/04/12/us/storms/index.html

WEATHER: Severe storms weakening across metro

These storms could develop quarter to golf ball-size hail.
Highest chances for rain will be over central Oklahoma.
We will dry out for the second half of Saturday.
Easter Sunday will be beautiful with mild temperatures and partly cloudy skies.
There is a slight chance for rain just southeast of OKC.
Enjoy it…wet and chilly conditions move in early next week with a powerful storm system.