Two active weather days are on tap in the central U.S., with the threat migrating south and east on Thursday. Today, it's double trouble: The 5% threshold is significant for tornadoes and there are two areas, one in New England and a second in the central Plains.  Hail 1" in diameter is possible in both areas with the hatched areas having the potential for ≥ 2"hail. Finally, the geographic extent of thunderstorm-generated damaging winds of 60 mph or higher is widespread. Tomorrow, we have an infrequent "moderate" risk of severe thunderstorms that affects Wichita, Oklahoma City, Tulsa, and Dallas-Ft. Worth. Tornadoes, very large hail and very damaging thunderstorm -generated winds are all possible. It will be important to keep up on the weather if you live in these areas. The preliminary forecast for Thursday is for the storm threat to move into the Southeast.

I have written a short book about the difficulties pertaining to the Joplin tornado warning. Now, we get news that there are financial improprieties at the National Weather Service. The National Weather Service is an essential agency for our nation and generally provides great value. I'm hoping the NWS works out these issues in short order.

We drove about 620 miles and saw some spectacular storms yesterday. The research community was out in force . The National Science Foundation wants to determine the effect of thunderstorms on earth's heat budget. We began in Great Bend and Russell and set personal records for visiting McDonald's three times in one day since they have great internet. The McD's in Russell was filled with storm chasers happily checking computers and chowing down. We decided to go north from Russell and, on the way to the storms, stopped at the bizarre "Garden of Eden" in Lucas. And, no, we did not stop at the world's largest public toilet, which is also located in Lucas. You have to admit, the citizens of that town have an, ahem, odd sense of humor.  The first storm was near Smith Center which produced a nice wall cloud and wonderful colors. A wall cloud is a rotating lowering from the thunderstorm's base. It is above the utility pole.   The entire s...

I'll have a report up after I get some sleep.

Storm chaser in McDonald's parking lot with a bumper sticker that reads, I Chase Storms If You Are Following Me, You Are Going the Wrong Way! Some "chaser convergence" here. This is a research mobile radar. At least four other chasers here at McD's.

... is not being monitored by me since I am storm chasing. However, you can get the latest at AccuWeather . The link will take you to our 1pm EDT story.

Chowing down and using the internet at McDonald's in Great Bend, KS. We will leave for Russell, KS shortly. Looks like storms will be developing in this area around 4pm then moving northeast. Experimental forecast radar for 7pm CDT