Posted on 06/12/2013 3:22:19 AM PDT by Clint N. Suhks
Ingredients are coming together across parts of the Midwest and Ohio Valley that could potentially trigger a derecho on Wednesday into Wednesday night.
While it isn't exactly a certainty whether or not a derecho will form, some of the cities and towns most at risk include Chicago, Ill.; Columbus, Ohio; Fort Wayne, Ind.; Aurora, Ill.; Dayton, Ohio and Davenport, Iowa, to name a few.
Strictly speaking, a derecho is a widespread, long-lived wind storm that is associated with a band of rapidly moving showers or thunderstorms. These showers and thunderstorms produce wind damage over a large swath of land.
While wind gusts form derechos can sometimes reach speeds over 80 or even 100 mph, the vast majority of observed wind reports are usually between 60 and 70 mph.
Wind speeds of 60 or 70 mph can uproot trees, snap off large branches and bring down utility poles and wires. Due to the widespread nature of these wind gusts, power outages can also be far-reaching.
Additionally, these kinds of wind speeds can cause minor damage to structures, including roofs on houses, and they can easily blow around any unsecured objects left outside.
Even if a derecho does not evolve on Wednesday and Wednesday night, powerful thunderstorms will still be quite numerous across much of Illinois, Indiana and Ohio.
Thunderstorms will begin near Davenport, Iowa and northern Illinois. The thunderstorms that develop here will have the ability to take on some rotation, and a few tornadoes are possible, especially in and around Davenport, Rockford, Ill.; Sterling Ill.; Ottawa, Ill. and Chicago.
The thunderstorms will then begin to congeal into a bowing, or backward 'C' shaped line as they reach northern Indiana or Lake Michigan. How much of a bowing shape the thunderstorms can take on will play a role in determining how much wind the storms can produce, and ultimately, whether or not a "derecho" fully evolves.
The worst of the storms will likely be in the afternoon across western Iowa into northern Illinois and Indiana. In places such as Ohio, the most dangerous storms may hold out until the evening hours or even after dark. Still, there could still be a stray thunderstorm around even before the main line arrives.
If you will be out and about on Wednesday or have any plans Wednesday evening or night, you will need to pay special attention to the weather as this could be a particularly dangerous situation. Once thunderstorms develop, they will strengthen quickly, and dangerous conditions could follow soon after.
One added concern across the region will be very heavy, potentially flooding rain. This storm system will have the ability to produce a large area of 2-3 inches from Chicago into Detroit, Cleveland and Pittsburgh. Rain of this magnitude, on top of already saturated soil, will cause flash flooding and the possibility of renewed flooding or larger waterways.
Current technology has advanced enough over recent years to provide ample alert of the potential for severe weather and the approach of localized severe storms. Be sure to understand the difference between a watch and a warning. A watch means that an area is being monitored for dangerous weather. A warning means that dangerous weather is imminent. When a warning is issued, there may be too little time to travel across town or across a county to escape the storm. The time to have a plan of action and move to the general vicinity of a storm shelter or safe area is when a watch is issued.
Keep in mind that lightning is one of Mother Nature's most dangerous killers. If you can hear thunder, you are close enough to the storm to be struck by lightning, even if the sun is still shining.
MAXWELL SMART: “Oh no, Chief! - not Derecho! Anything but Derecho! We’re not prepared for Derecho! Derecho will mean total disaster! If Derecho hits, we’re doomed! Just one question, Chief: What is Derecho?”
Heading for Washington...again.
If’n I were to die from flyin garden gnomes and that made the obit...I’d haunt the writer
Five Bert's
and that storm in central fla caused by that white hispanic
Rubio?
Boom Boom Zimmerman
Ever wonder why I watch the weather warning so closely? Here’s what we do to stay ahead of the storm for you:
1. Make sure our schedules are printed out for the next 72 hours in case of loss of power.
2. Send emails to all returning clients to be sure they have our mobile numbers to text any flight/travel delays to us.
3. Pre-load vehicles with an extra pet carrier in the event your pet needs to be evacuated post storm(s).
4. Confirm alternate pet kenneling locations for both cats or dogs
5. Contact back-up sitters to be prepared to assist if needed.
Never, never underestimate the value of a good pet sitting company....still quiet here, but time for me to get moving again for a doggy daycare pick-up, an evening feed & walk weather permitting, and a visit to an epileptic cat for her meds.... plus a last stop to top off gas.
I thought it was good advice. She wouldn’t want her garden gnomes to go on walkabout and lose their way home.
Come to think of it she better put the pink flamingoes in their coop.
"The Waffle House Index is an informal metric used by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to determine the impact of a storm and the likely scale of assistance required for disaster recovery. The measure is based on the reputation of the Waffle House restaurant chain for staying open during extreme weather and for reopening quickly, albeit sometimes with a limited menu, after very severe weather events such as tornados or hurricanes. The term was coined by FEMA Administrator Craig Fugate in May 2011, following the Joplin tornado; the two Waffle House restaurants in Joplin remained open after the EF5 multiple-vortex tornado struck the city on May 22.[1][2] According to Fugate, "If you get there and the Waffle House is closed? That’s really bad. That’s where you go to work."[3]
The Index has three levels, based on the extent of operations and service at the restaurant following a storm:[3]
Green: the restaurant is serving a full menu, indicating the restaurant has power and damage is limited.
Yellow: the restaurant is serving a limited menu, indicating there may be no power or only power from a generator or food supplies may be low.
Red: the restaurant is closed, indicating severe damage. "
Exactly, I hate these new PC names for American weather events. I don't care what they call them elsewhere. I thought the "haboob" thing was ridiculous and so is this. Call things what they are, in English, and quit making up new names for everything! Morons. Now get back to WORK!
Next up... Hurricane Lafawnduh.
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