Yesterday, I wrote about some of the considerations applicable to this year's "Vortex 2026" storm research program sponsored by NOAA.  At the same time The Wall Street Journal posted a video pertaining to drone research as it applies to tornado forecasting and warning. The screen capture above correctly points out the great distances between weather balloon stations is a significant impediment to having data on the scale needed to forecast tornadoes with more accuracy.  The video explains that NOAA is experimenting with drones (that cost up to $100,000+ per drone!) to measure the atmosphere up to 5,000 feet above the ground with a goal of getting measurements up to 10,000 feet in the future.  What is the problem? We had a perfectly good method of of taking these measurements -- at much less cost -- as recently as a dozen years ago! The map above displays (red) the location of NWS weather balloon sites as shown in the video (there are about 90 more in the U.S.A.). It also...

Preliminary Tornado and Hail Forecasts for Wednesday  The areas in brown have a significant risk of tornadoes (green has a very small risk). The hatching is where a strong tornado (≥EF-2) may occur.  In addition, there is an enhanced  risk of hail > 1" in diameter in red and a significant risk in the yellow area. Where you see hatching, hail larger than two inches in diameter are forecast to occur.  Please keep in mind that update these situations on Twitter/X   @usweatherexpert . 

One of the three new radar trucks NOAA is putting into the field for the 2026 Vortex Project.  Please note NOAA's photo caption.  So far in 2026, the meteorological community has been roiled by proposed cuts in atmospheric research as well as a proposal by the Trump Administration to disband the National Center for Atmospheric Research. We've written about these several times, the most recent article is here .  Yesterday, a new research program ("Vortex 2026") was announced by the National Severe Storms Laboratory. They are going to put three trucks with multiple mobile radars in the field. They plan to study, in real-time, tornadoes and severe thunderstorms and ... Beyond tornadoes and thunderstorms, the new radars will also support research into other high-impact hazards. In wildfire situations, mobile radars can help monitor smoke plumes, fire-induced winds, and changing weather conditions that affect fire behavior and firefighter safety. During flash-flooding even...

I've put together a map where severe thunderstorms are possible from this afternoon through Saturday evening.  It is important to have your tornado shelter ready to go as I believe there will be several opportunities for tornadoes to form between now and the end of the week.  Please take this time to evaluate your tornado sheltering options.  There continues to be the potential for heavy -- and in isolated locations, excessive -- rainfall. 

Forecast rainfall to 7pm CDT next Sunday. The orange is 5 to 7" over the Ozarks region of Missouri into the central part of the state.  Much needed rains will fall in other regions. I will update as the week progresses. 

For some of us "seasoned citizens," getting older has been tougher than we might have expected. Andy Huggins has perfected the art of "old age humor." For two minutes of big laughs, click here .  https://www.youtube.com/shorts/hhoKXEFWAuw