Big Storm, Winds, Outbreak
UPDATE: As of 7 PM Central time, 9 tornadoeshave been reported in Kansas. Guadeloupe Pass, Texas reported winds of 61 mph gusting to 73 at 1 pm today before the station stopped reporting.
ORIGINAL POST:
A big, symmetric low pressure system is cranking through the nation's heartland today. This is the first in a series of strong storms that we'll see this fall and winter. Here's how it looked "in Technicolor*" on AccuWeather.com RadarPlus:
AT 3 PM EASTERN (CLICK FOR HUGE VERSION) SEE ALSO 12 PM EASTERN | KS VIS SAT ANIM
WHAT ARE YOU LOOKING AT? The map shows sea-level pressure in a gradient from red (high) to blue (low). The core of the strong low-pressure system is easy to see in the middle of the country. Also shown are
wind speed and direction arrows, showing the wind flow into the storm. Below that is a pale layer of infrared satellite, showing the rotating cloud bands as the low pressure system pulls in moisture. On top of that is shown the radar image.
If you look closely at those wind readings, they are pretty impressive. I see a 40 and a 44 mph reading in there. Remember - that's sustained winds, folks. Further research leads me to a 53-knot (61 mph) gust at Springfield, Colorado at 3 PM CDT today. The Oklahoma Mesonet also reported a 60 mph gust 21 miles north of Mooreland, Oklahoma at 2:40.
These storms are even spitting out tornadoes -- two reports from Russell, Kansas have been filed with the National Weather Service this afternoon.
The storm will spin northeastward by tomorrow afternoon, providing more wind and severe storms in the area. A moderate risk of severe storms has been issued by the government for northern Arkansas through Missouri into Illinois for tomorrow. The issuance of a Moderate Risk more than a day away is fairly rare, so this storm means business. More on the severe weather threat tomorrow.
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"Xerox" or "Kleenex" idiomatic usage.
