Updated Tornado and Damaging Wind Forecast: 8:25am

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This is an important day to keep up on the weather in parts of the Ozarks, Ohio Valley and into the Middle Appalachians.

Tornado Risk

On my 4-point scale (the highest is the rare "extreme" which is not in today's forecast), here is the legend:
  • Red, hatched = high risk of tornadoes with some of the storms strong (EF-2 intensity or greater).
  • Yellow, hatched = enhanced risk of tornadoes, some strong. 
  • Brown = significant risk of tornadoes. 

Damaging Wind Risk
Map legend:
  • Pink, hatched = high risk of wind gusts, some 75 mph or stronger. 
  • Red, hatched = enhanced risk of wind gusts, some 75 mph or stronger.
  • Yellow = significance risk of wind gusts of 60 mph or stronger.
A derecho is possible. Please keep in mind that wind force is logarithmic which means that an 80 mph gust is significantly more damaging than a 60 mph gust. 

Safety Recommendations

If you live in a mobile home or need a public shelter, you will find lists and maps here. Please check it now, before the threat of a tornado or extreme winds is imminent. If you have friends or family living in housing without an adequate tornado/extreme wind sheltering area, please give them a call and refer them to the public shelter site. 

With this combination of tornado and derecho risk, I strongly urge the following safety measures:
  • Power outages are likely. In situations like these, because of the large geographic area that may be  affected, some may be without power for days.
  • Make sure your car is fully fueled. 
  • It is a good idea to have some extra cash in case of extensive power failures.
  • Your smartphone and laptops should be fully charged -- but disconnect them when you hear thunder to prevent damage from a potential power surge. 
  • If you have a chainsaw, make sure it is fully fueled. 
  • Be sure you monitor the weather today and tonight n and night and have multiple ways of receiving warnings. If you have a weather radio, install fresh batteries. 

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