I mention this because of the possibility of tornadoes. 

Yes, it is true that Blazing Saddles  was shot in California but it was never intended as a "how to" book for building their high speed rail system which, last week, was estimated to now cost a third of a trillion  dollars.    Mel Brooks' script from Blazing Saddles So, yes, there are what could be considered 'instructions' in the script. But, since the high speed rail project actually began 30-years ago, could the real motivation be hinted at in the script? Of course, bad guy Hedley Lamarr realizes there is something standing between him and getting that land: "the rightful owners." So, he concocted a scheme to get the people of Rock Ridge to want to give up their cherished town's land.  Kinda sounds like government today, doesn't it? After writing the above, hours later this came across my X-feed:

Andrew Scott as meteorologist James Stagg As a meteorologist, I never thought a movie about a weather forecast could be so good. I rate it A+.  A quick scan of my movie reviews back to the start of the blog (2009) do not reveal any other movie rated that highly. Others evidently agree 86% of critics and 95% of the audience recommend it.  Pressure   is the story about the weather forecasts (yes, plural) leading up to D-Day -- perhaps the most important forecast in the history of the world. The title is a play on the word referring to both high and low pressure systems on a weather map and the pressure on the meteorologists.  Meteorologist Dr. James Stagg (well portrayed by Andrew Scott) used synoptic meteorology forecast techniques much like we use today; versus Dr. Irving Krick who used a technique called analogs. I wrote about  this controversy early  in the history of the blog (caution spoilers!). This controversy continues today. I explain in the "spoile...

The brown area has a significant risk of tornadoes. The hatching means that if  a tornado occurs, it could be strong. The atmosphere is extremely unstable which is a recipe for strong tornadoes and, even more so, damaging winds. Note: As of 3:10pm, this forecast still looks good except the tornado risk may be slightly higher farther south in Kansas.  The yellow area has a significant risk of thunderstorm-driven winds of 60 mph or stronger. The red area has a an enhanced  risk. The hatching indicates where wind gusts could exceed 75 mph. 

Dave Barry Dave Barry writes about being in France for the World Cup in 1998 and what a wonderful experience it was.  We in Kansas are glad that Kansas City is one of the 2026 World Cup cities. From what the media is reporting, there are still plenty of hotel rooms if you would like to visit during the tournament. I did a random check of the airlines and while the prices from a few cities (like Newark) may be a bit inflated, there appear to be plenty of seats. I don't know if it is because of the World Cup but I thought an item from the United web site was a bit odd: "Show price in money. " Can you purchase a ticket using graham crackers or deflated soccer balls? Back to the main subject: If you decide to visit Kansas City you can look forward to a warm welcome. 

This headline is pure hype! It refers to this forecast from the NWS Storm Prediction Center: A green forecast = a trivial risk. It isn't zero but it is a very long shot that tornadoes will occur. That said, there is a significant risk of thunderstorms with damaging winds in the yellow area. Given a thunderstorm, where you see yellow, gusts of 60 mph or stronger are forecast. In the hatching, wind gusts of 75 mph are forecast to occur. 

This is a stunning, but not surprising admission, the United Kingdom doubled the amount of money for their National Health Service ... and nothing good happened. The money went down the drain of the bureaucracy.  Keep this in mind when, for example, we are told raising taxes will fix the climate. 

We have had major chemical-related incidents in both California and Washington in the past week. These will be investigated by the U.S. Chemical Safety and Hazard Investigation Board . Like the National Transportation Safety Board, the USCSHIB has an admirable record of making our nation safer.  The USCHIB has already announced it has opened an investigation into the Washington paper mill explosion which killed one person. The explosion occurred yesterday and the investigative team is arriving this morning.  Yet, when a flood or tornado or hurricane causes triple digit fatalities in the United States there is no organized system of expert review to learn what went wrong (if anything) and how we (meteorologists, emergency managers, medical teams, etc.) can improve our responses going forward.  A succinct outline for a National Disaster Review Board is here . Congress?

(intentionally degraded image quality) With all of the controversy regarding the lack of National Weather Service launches, I wanted to let readers know that I have a photo of the building used as part of their weather balloon launches in my collection at Adobe Stock Photography .  Example photos from my collection of hundreds... And, with the wheat harvest coming up...

My friend, Dr. Roger Pielke, Jr., is the subject of a feature by newsman John Stossel. It tells the story of how the Obama Administration tried to "cancel" him not because he didn't believe global warming is a serious problem but because he doesn't not believe it is an existential threat to humanity.  It is well worth your time. Roger is a hero. 

Remembering all who have served.  Last month, a weak tornado passed over the Belton, MO cemetery where we have family members. While the flagpole is still bent, I like the sentiment on the stone at the entrance.

This was in Atlanta Wednesday during the evening rush hour.  The NWS didn't issue any kind of flood warning, watch or advisory. Waymo is blaming the NWS for this fiasco. Before this is all over, I suspect litigation will occur. 

We went past the 22,000,000 mark yesterday! Thank you so much!

Yet another NWS failure. See yesterday's post about the Joplin Tornado.  It wouldn't surprise me if litigation results from all of this. 

In an unspeakable tragedy, the government's warning system failed in Joplin, MO  the evening of May 22, 2011 -- 15 years ago today.  The Result? 161 Perished. Ruskin Heights Tornado about the time it was damaging my future bride's home.   The tornadohad a 71-mile path and was F-5 intensity. Photo from Wikipedia. May 20, 1957, was the date of the Ruskin Heights Tornado and the date the federal government (finally) got into the tornado warning business. Those warnings have saved tens of thousands of lives. On that Monday evening, the Weather Bureau's tornado warning was accurate and their tornado watch -- which had been issued hours earlier -- was right on the money.*  Over time, both the science (our knowledge of how tornadoes function and how best to warn of them) and the technology (radar, weather satellites, then Doppler radar) helped weather science cut the tornado death rate (deaths per million population) by a stunning 95% . Then, shockingly, it all collaps...

The National Weather Service today forecast a "below average" hurricane season. Yet, we are seeing headlines like this: There is no reason to "prepare now" for a hurricane. Hurricane season doesn't even start until June 1.  I hate clickbait relating to weather. 

Looks like a wet period in the South with the holiday weekend coming up.  Normally, I would say "that is a shame" but we need so much rain in some many of these areas that we should probably thankful for the rain regardless of when it arrives. 

....My family was closely following the weather . A supercell thunderstorm had moved near Emporia, Kansas -- where it produced large hail -- on its way toward Williamsburg and Ottawa where it produced an F-5 intensity tornado that began killing people at Ottawa, moved through densely populated south Kansas City, and then lifted near the suburb of Raytown, MO. Forty-four people were killed and as many as 500 were injured.  Charles LeMaster via The Ottawa Herald. Used with permission.  This tornado was historic because it was the first time the federal government's Weather Bureau issued what we could call today a "tornado warning." Those warnings have saved lives! The number is likely in the tens of thousands.  Here's another story, just published today , of how a tornado warning and a tornado safe room allowed a young woman to graduate from high school this week.  Members of the AccuWeather team on a storm warning client "field trip" It was this storm, known...

As many of us have been cautioning for years:  What happens when the wind farm or solar farm has outlived its usefulness? Rusting, broken towers cluttering the view. While my comment was directed at wind energy, the same is true for solar. When you hear how "cheap" alternative power is, that doesn't include the cost of cleanup.  We are going to have 'clean' energy facilities littering the countrysides forever. 

Yesterday was hardly weather science's best day. I believe some apologies are in order. Amateur Storm Chasers.   Storm chasing has brought numerous insights into meteorology that have resulted in better tornado warnings. That stated, it is my understanding, backed up by photos and video, the roads in northeast Kansas were absolutely clogged by 'chasers.' The problem is that many of these people were not actual chasers.  In a number of cases (and this has happened to me more than once) locals recognize that a chaser(s) is in the area and they want to see a tornado. So they start following the chaser. It reminds me of the airport phenomenon known as "gate lice," when one person prematurely gets in line so everyone does. I'm told there were hundreds of cars. In addition to "locals," there are the "thrill seeker" chasers, many of whom seem to little regard for traffic laws.  One person estimated there were between 800 and 1,600 people in northe...

Note: I will be providing updates on Twitter/X  @usweatherexpert .  6:15pm Tornado Watch for Kansas City and Wichita 4:45pm, western Oklahoma  3:55pm Another tornado watch has been issued.  3:10pm, second tornado watch, Kansas (only) 1pm update This is a rare  type of tornado watch known as a "particularly dangerous situation" watch. It means that strong or violent tornadoes are likely. I will be updating on Twitter/X but also make sure you monitor weather conditions from trusted sources throughout the afternoon and evening.  3:20p Forecast Using my 4-point scale, here is the key to the maps: The red area has a high  risk of tornadoes. The area with the bold hatching is where strong or violent tornadoes may occur. Based on late data, I am especially concerned about northeast Kansas and the counties that contain I-70 north to the border.  The yellow are has an enhanced risk of tornadoes. The hatching means that any tornado that occurs may be s...