Great Plains Tornado Risk Wednesday

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On Sunday, I said I would let you know today if there was a risk of a tornado in the Great Plains Wednesday. I'm afraid there is but it is not a high risk by any means.

There will be a few supercell thunderstorms with large hail and damaging straight-line winds. If Gulf moisture is sufficient (still a question), there could be several tornadoes. The map below is my forecast of these conditions.
Again, I am not expecting this to be a major tornado and severe weather outbreak. Nevertheless, since this is the first forecast of these conditions in the Great Plains in 2019, some reminders:
  • Make sure you have at least two independent sources to receive any warnings. Make sure fresh batteries are powering any weather radios and your cell phone is fully charged.
  • Clean out your shelter area. Put a couple of bottles of fresh water into it. 
  • Pay attention to the warnings; don't to outside to look at the storms. 
  • Remember to wear shoes into the shelter. On the slight chance your home should be damaged, there will be nails, sharp metal, etc., that could injure bare feet. 

I will update on this risk at least once tomorrow morning. Also, I will update on the blizzard forecast for the northern Great Plains this afternoon.

Addition: If you feel you must see what an approaching tornado looks like, watch this video and you will see one to the time the tornado strikes. Mr. Clem Schultz, the photographer, was seriously injured and his wife was killed by this tornado. That's why you don't want to watch yourself. Get to shelter. 

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