From the web site of the Kansas City Star :     That was one wicked storm that wasn't supposed to happen Here we go again: Blaming meteorologists for being unprepared for a storm that was very well forecast. The severe thunderstorm watch -- for 80 mph winds and 3" hail -- was posted on this web site yesterday evening and widely broadcast throughout the media and social media (I saw dozens of postings about it).  Posted on this blog at 8:30 yesterday evening.  The storm caused extensive  damage. Stories here and here . Well over 50,000 people lost power. Now, compare the reports of high winds (60 mph or higher) and large hail (1" in diameter or larger). White symbol = large hail; amber symbols = destructive winds. If you compare, you'll see that almost every report was within the severe thunderstorm watch issued 8:20pm and valid until 3am. At the Smith House, we bring in lawn furniture, put the car in the garage, etc., when one of these w...

If Dad enjoys a good book, may I suggest you pick up a copy of Warnings ? By the way, the B&N at Bradley Fair in Wichita, Watermark Books in Wichita, and the B&N at Ladue Crossing in St. Louis have autographed copies in stock. Here is a new review plus a contest where you could win a copy!

The red areas are high probabilities of thunderstorm-related damaging winds forecast between now and 7am Sunday morning. The hatching indicates areas where the winds may exceed 75mph. For the western of the two wind zones, the threat is very late this afternoon and tonight. Here is an experimental forecast of what the radar will look like at 4pm: Things get more active at 7pm: The cell predicted in northwest Kansas will likely evolve into a strong wind system. And, at 9pm, the system over Kansas starts to grow while strong thunderstorms develop in Missouri. The Kansas system may turn into another strong wind producer overnight. There is a threat for more severe weather on Father's Day (below) as well as Monday and Tuesday (not shown). In total, heavy rains over the next five days will worsen the flooding situation in many areas. The corn belt continues to see excessive rainfalls that will continue to worsen the quality of the 2011 crops.

You'll recall the International Panel on Climate Change was created to be an independent body to assess the effects of 'climate change.' Note: Climate change is assumed in their charter. They never question that global warming is real and a problem. The job of the IPCC is to cull the scientific literature to explain global warming and its effects.  Except when its not. You may recall reading on this blog (Jan. 23, 2010) the story of how the IPCC cut and pasted a ridiculous claim that the ice would melt in the Himalayas by 2035 from a fundraising document from the World Wildlife Federation.  One would think they would have been more careful in the future. Except they have done it again. The IPCC's recent claim that, by 2050, 80% of the world's energy could be provided by renewables ( not  including nuclear) came straight from Greenpeace. As usual, the mainstream media printed the IPCC's claim without question (an excellent essay on that topic here ). It to...

80 mph winds have been reported at Inman, KS. The blue is the area of highest winds. THIS IS MY LAST POSTING OF THE NIGHT.

Radar continues to indicate the potential for 80 mph and hail of golfball size or a little above. Just got a report of a vehicle blown off the road on I-135. The storm is moving to the southeast but is also building to the southwest. Light blue line (arrows) is a "gust front" -- high winds blowing ahead of the thunderstorm. It isn't even raining near the gust front. In Wichita, there is a good chance that very high winds will occur sometime after 10:15pm.

From the Smith House. On radar, And, on satellite. Note the shadows being cast by the storm with the sun setting in the northwest sky. This storm has produced 1.5" hail and 75 mph winds. A tornado warning is for the purple polygon.  The second "tower" farther east has produced golfball-sized hail near Herrington.