Dr. Jeff Masters' WunderBlog

Tornadoes, floods, and fires assault the nation

Posted by: Dr. Jeff Masters, 2:43 PM GMT en Abril 26, 2011

A 1/2 mile-wide tornado smashed through Vilonia, Arkansas last night, killing four and destroying 50 - 80 houses. Vilonia is a small town of 3,800 north of Little Rock. The storm system responsible produced 38 suspected tornadoes yesterday, and also dumped 10 - 15 inches of rain over portions of Arkansas and southern Missouri. Flash flooding from the heavy rains killed four people in Arkansas last night. The heavy rains have also resulted in overtopping of the Black River levee near Poplar Bluff, Missouri, and over 500 homes have been evacuated in the town due to fears that the levee might fail. Poplar Bluff has received 12.86" of rain over the past three days, as of 11am EDT this morning. The greatest rain gauge-measured precipitation from the storm occurred in Springdale, Arkansas, where 17.09" inches has fallen.

Figure 1. Animation of a supercell thunderstorm 45 minutes after it produced the Viloni, Arkansas tornado at 7:25 pm CDT.

Figure 2. Radar-estimated precipitation from last night's storms.

Dangerous tornado outbreak expected today
Yesterday's tornado outbreak was merely a warm-up for today's onslaught, as NOAA's Storm Prediction Center has issued their highest level of severe weather potential, a "High Risk" forecast, for Northeast Texas and Southern Arkansas. This is just the second time this year that SPC has issued a "High Risk" forecast--the other was for the devastating North Carolina tornado outbreak of April 16, which generated 52 tornadoes that killed 26 people. Severe thunderstorms have already rumbled across Louisiana and Mississippi this morning, but today's main action is expected to erupt late this afternoon and early this evening in the "high risk" area. The tornado and severe weather outbreak will continue on Wednesday, when severe weather is expected to be concentrated in Tennessee and Kentucky, with a "moderate risk" of tornadoes. Preliminary tornado reports for the year 2011 show that this year is probably the busiest tornado season on record for this point in the season.

Figure 3. Severe weather threat for Tuesday, April 26, 2011.

Figure 4.
Chaser video of the Viloni, Arkansas tornado of April 25, 2011.

Extremely critical fire danger in Texas and New Mexico today
Spring storms commonly bring high winds to the Midwest this time of year, but today's storm will bring exceptionally high winds--and no precipitation--to the drought-stricken regions of West Texas and eastern New Mexico. As a result, an "extremely critical" fire weather day has been declared by the National Weather Service for the region, where high temperatures, low humidities, and powerful winds gusting to 60 mph will occur. The 24,000 acre Last Chance fire burning 33 miles southwest of Carlsbad, New Mexico near the Texas border is a particular concern, since it is currently 0% contained and is threatening many structures. This fire is expected to rage out of control today, thanks to humidities near 5%, temperatures in the low 90s, sustained winds near 40 mph, and gusts to 60 mph.

Figure 5. Fire weather forecast for today from NOAA's Storm Prediction Center.

2011 sets record for most acreage burned for April
According to the Interagency Fire Center, wildfires in 2011 have already burned nearly 2.3 million acres in the U.S. This is the greatest acreage on record so early in the year, and is more area than burned all of last year. The largest U.S. acreage to burn since 1960 was the 9.9 million acres that burned in 2007, so we area already 25% of the way to the all-time record fire year--with summer still more than a month away. Last night, a line of thunderstorms brought heavy rains of 2 - 3 inches from Dallas southeastwards through Louisiana, providing precious rains to a portion of Texas that was under their worst drought since 1925. However, the portion of Texas that has seen the worst wildfires (the black spots in the image below), received no rain.

Figure 6. Perimeters of the major wildfires in Texas during 2011 as of April 25. Image credit: GEOMAC Wildland Fire Support.

For those who want to lend a helping hand to those impacted by the widespread destruction this month's severe weather has brought, stop by the portlight.org blog.

Jeff Masters

Lambert St. Louis Tornado Damage (WindyCityBob)

Taken after the good friday tornado at Lambert Field St.Louis, MO

Super fat rainbow! (murphymom)

I watched as an anvil formed and as it apprached my house, it rained a bit and passed over, I thought to myself, that looks like there will be a rainbow with it, and voila!

Categories: Flood Tornado

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551. aquak9 1:14 AM GMT en Abril 27, 2011
sorry goose- I mean Moorefield not Moorehead Member Since: Agosto 13, 2005 Posts: 163 Comments: 25009

552. TomTaylor 1:15 AM GMT en Abril 27, 2011
aquak, there's a storm right now with 90 VIL F2 Member Since: Agosto 24, 2010 Posts: 18 Comments: 3906

553. Skyepony (Mod) 1:15 AM GMT en Abril 27, 2011
VA is taking damage..trees down, power outages, lot of hail reports. 0654 PM TSTM WND DMG 1 NW MONTICELLO 38.02N 78.47W 04/26/2011 CITY OF CHARLOTTES VA TRAINED SPOTTER * 1 INJ * PINE TREE DOWN ON AUTOMOBILE WITH ONE INJURY. TREE DOWN DUE TO WIND GUST. Member Since: Agosto 10, 2005 Posts: 144 Comments: 29374

554. aquak9 1:16 AM GMT en Abril 27, 2011
actually I think GetReal caught it better, it is(was) B2 in his post Thanks GR I missed the tail on that one Member Since: Agosto 13, 2005 Posts: 163 Comments: 25009

555. sfranz 1:18 AM GMT en Abril 27, 2011
Ameister - thanks for the historical update. I was in Oklahoma the day the 1991 Andover outbreak occured. On a lark I had decided to spend an extra day visiting with the folks instead of starting a 22 hour drive home. I saw the lace-curtain horizon-to-horizon lightening as the line passed over us and drove past a half-dozen locations the following day where tornadoes had crossed the highway in Oklahoma and Kansas. Take care everyone who is in harm's way tonight. These are nothing to fool around with. Member Since: Septiembre 4, 2005 Posts: 0 Comments: 149

556. Skyepony (Mod) 1:18 AM GMT en Abril 27, 2011
0412 PM TSTM WND DMG 1 ESE SOUTH BAY 43.16N 75.75W 04/26/2011 MADISON NY TRAINED SPOTTER NEAR ONEIDA LAKE...ROOF BLOWN OFF AND LANDED 1 MILE AWAY... 3 - 4 FOOT DIAMETER TREES SNAPPED Member Since: Agosto 10, 2005 Posts: 144 Comments: 29374

557. EYEStoSEA 1:19 AM GMT en Abril 27, 2011
Member Since: Septiembre 16, 2010 Posts: 0 Comments: 1491

558. aquak9 1:20 AM GMT en Abril 27, 2011
TT- those are some NASTY lookin' cells, north of and NE of Waco amazes me how they get so heavy like that out there in Texas (caicos if you're lurking- I is clean, I clean drain, all's good) Member Since: Agosto 13, 2005 Posts: 163 Comments: 25009

559. AllyBama 1:20 AM GMT en Abril 27, 2011
O.K..folks...my daughter and her family live in Thurmont, MD up near the PA border - please help me watch this area as the stormline approaches. Tks! Member Since: Agosto 3, 2006 Posts: 131 Comments: 20499

561. goosegirl1 1:23 AM GMT en Abril 27, 2011
Quoting aquak9: sorry goose- I mean Moorefield not Moorehead Whew, I think we're in the clear- Moorefield is south and east, and it's heading away. I'll cancel the run for the bunker for right now, but the poor dog is still pacing and panting because the EBS signal startled her. I'll keep watching...thanks! Member Since: Diciembre 17, 2009 Posts: 0 Comments: 860

562. spathy 1:23 AM GMT en Abril 27, 2011
Stay safe folks heed the warnings. There is a to of bad weather out there. I am going back into lurk mode and leaving this to the experts. Speaking of experts. Water Puppies take quick showers it seems. Dont forget to eat :O) Member Since: Junio 8, 2008 Posts: 65 Comments: 10490

563. KEEPEROFTHEGATE (Mod) 1:23 AM GMT en Abril 27, 2011
Member Since: Julio 15, 2006 Posts: 144 Comments: 40659

564. PcolaDan 1:24 AM GMT en Abril 27, 2011
Quoting goosegirl1: OK, I'm finally worried- there's a tornado warning for Frostburg, MD about 20 miles away. This area hasn't seen a tornado since 1998, and I'm not ready for another one yet :) Can one of you radar gurus check it out, and tell me if I need to run for the basement?? We are east and south of Frostburg. Member Since: Agosto 22, 2008 Posts: 12 Comments: 6008

565. CaicosRetiredSailor 1:24 AM GMT en Abril 27, 2011
caicos if you're lurking- I is clean, I clean drain, all's good woof woof wag wag wag! Member Since: Julio 12, 2007 Posts: 0 Comments: 5139

566. TomTaylor 1:24 AM GMT en Abril 27, 2011
Quoting aquak9: TT- those are some NASTY lookin' cells, north of and NE of Waco amazes me how they get so heavy like that out there in Texas (caicos if you're lurking- I is clean, I clean drain, all's good) yea storm chart below the radar showed > 4.00 in hail Scary stuff Member Since: Agosto 24, 2010 Posts: 18 Comments: 3906

568. washingtonian115 1:27 AM GMT en Abril 27, 2011
Let's see what this hurricane season will be all about.And why the....why the hell does everyone dissapear when I get on. Member Since: Agosto 14, 2010 Posts: 5 Comments: 10682

569. RitaEvac 1:27 AM GMT en Abril 27, 2011
Between Houston/Galveston recording an air pressure of 996mb was 995mb hr or two ago. Massive smoke plumes heading eastbound from west and westcentral Texas. TX is on fire and gonna get worse tomm. Member Since: Julio 14, 2008 Posts: 1 Comments: 8912

570. aquak9 1:27 AM GMT en Abril 27, 2011
alley- looking at all the cells in the line that's headed that way- I see no high VILS, nothing over 30 really. One over forty but that was not a worry. I see no winds swapping directions. Maybe some small hail, winds not over 35. I hope that helps. Member Since: Agosto 13, 2005 Posts: 163 Comments: 25009

571. PcolaDan 1:28 AM GMT en Abril 27, 2011
000 WFUS51 KLWX 270101 TORLWX VAC069-171-WVC027-031-270130- /O.NEW.KLWX.TO.W.0021.110427T0101Z-110427T0130Z/ BULLETIN - EAS ACTIVATION REQUESTED TORNADO WARNING NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE BALTIMORE MD/WASHINGTON DC 901 PM EDT TUE APR 26 2011 THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN STERLING VIRGINIA HAS ISSUED A * TORNADO WARNING FOR... SHENANDOAH COUNTY IN NORTHWEST VIRGINIA... HARDY COUNTY IN EASTERN WEST VIRGINIA... HAMPSHIRE COUNTY IN EASTERN WEST VIRGINIA... FREDERICK COUNTY IN NORTHWEST VIRGINIA... * UNTIL 930 PM EDT * AT 901 PM EDT...NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DOPPLER RADAR INDICATED A SEVERE THUNDERSTORM CAPABLE OF PRODUCING A TORNADO OVER CENTRAL HARDY COUNTY...OR 9 MILES EAST OF MOOREFIELD...MOVING EAST AT 30 MPH. * LOCATIONS IMPACTED INCLUDE... KIRBY... RIO... WARDENSVILLE... DELRAY... CAPON SPRINGS... YELLOW SPRING... LEHEW... WILDE ACRES... Member Since: Agosto 22, 2008 Posts: 12 Comments: 6008

572. emcf30 1:29 AM GMT en Abril 27, 2011
Sherveport 3D radar image Member Since: Agosto 7, 2010 Posts: 0 Comments: 1926

575. aquak9 1:31 AM GMT en Abril 27, 2011
actually ally I think that line is gonna miss thurmont to the west she may see the tail of it, see lightning hear thunder, get some gusts I guess there's a reason that so much of Texas is open and not heavily populated, geeeezz hi spathy Member Since: Agosto 13, 2005 Posts: 163 Comments: 25009

577. emcf30 1:32 AM GMT en Abril 27, 2011
Reed Timmer: Meteorologist and Extreme Storm Chaser Just intercepted in the Dominator. Debris slamming right side of the vehicle. Member Since: Agosto 7, 2010 Posts: 0 Comments: 1926

579. EYEStoSEA 1:32 AM GMT en Abril 27, 2011
Quoting emcf30: Sherveport 3D radar image Super Visual !! Member Since: Septiembre 16, 2010 Posts: 0 Comments: 1491

580. aquak9 1:32 AM GMT en Abril 27, 2011
* AT 901 PM EDT...NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DOPPLER RADAR INDICATED A SEVERE THUNDERSTORM CAPABLE OF PRODUCING A TORNADO OVER CENTRAL HARDY COUNTY...OR 9 MILES EAST OF MOOREFIELD...MOVING EAST AT 30 MPH. there ya go, goose Member Since: Agosto 13, 2005 Posts: 163 Comments: 25009

581. KEEPEROFTHEGATE (Mod) 1:33 AM GMT en Abril 27, 2011
Member Since: Julio 15, 2006 Posts: 144 Comments: 40659

582. IFuSAYso 1:33 AM GMT en Abril 27, 2011
Quoting DestinJeff: TWC music alone will make storms rotate at least sit and spin. Member Since: Marzo 8, 2011 Posts: 0 Comments: 127

583. KEEPEROFTHEGATE (Mod) 1:33 AM GMT en Abril 27, 2011
Member Since: Julio 15, 2006 Posts: 144 Comments: 40659

584. aquak9 1:34 AM GMT en Abril 27, 2011
Quoting RandomText: Just to put that in perspective. It is off the color code scale on the radar by 15 points, or 3 "extra" color codes beyond the scale... I love extrapolation, I really really do, it's like linearity, only imaginified. Member Since: Agosto 13, 2005 Posts: 163 Comments: 25009

585. KEEPEROFTHEGATE (Mod) 1:34 AM GMT en Abril 27, 2011
Member Since: Julio 15, 2006 Posts: 144 Comments: 40659

586. IFuSAYso 1:34 AM GMT en Abril 27, 2011
Quoting DestinJeff: more than can be said for some FAA controllers. Ya gotta wake them up 1st. Member Since: Marzo 8, 2011 Posts: 0 Comments: 127

587. IFuSAYso 1:36 AM GMT en Abril 27, 2011
Quoting aquak9: that's tunica, mississippi, not tennessee ya bonehead So, is that a tunadic event? Member Since: Marzo 8, 2011 Posts: 0 Comments: 127

588. aquak9 1:36 AM GMT en Abril 27, 2011
Quoting IFuSAYso: So, is that a tunadic event? if you say so... Member Since: Agosto 13, 2005 Posts: 163 Comments: 25009

589. RitaEvac 1:37 AM GMT en Abril 27, 2011
Tornado in the torrential rain, rain wrapped tornado in the middle of the cell! Member Since: Julio 14, 2008 Posts: 1 Comments: 8912

590. AllyBama 1:37 AM GMT en Abril 27, 2011
Thanks Aqua.. Member Since: Agosto 3, 2006 Posts: 131 Comments: 20499

591. 7080734 1:38 AM GMT en Abril 27, 2011
Does Reed Timmer have a stream out? Member Since: Enero 25, 2011 Posts: 0 Comments: 81

592. emcf30 1:38 AM GMT en Abril 27, 2011
Eyes, Don't know if you saw this one earlier I posted. It is the Vilonia Tornado last night Member Since: Agosto 7, 2010 Posts: 0 Comments: 1926

593. EYEStoSEA 1:39 AM GMT en Abril 27, 2011
Member Since: Septiembre 16, 2010 Posts: 0 Comments: 1491

594. goosegirl1 1:40 AM GMT en Abril 27, 2011
Nights like these, I'm thankful to live in the mountains and not the plains- until winter, of course. We do usually get a few storms, but severe storms and tornadoes are vanishingly rare and remembered for a very long time. Please be safe everyone! Member Since: Diciembre 17, 2009 Posts: 0 Comments: 860

595. aquak9 1:40 AM GMT en Abril 27, 2011
Recoon was watching that vortex last night, too. (apologies) Member Since: Agosto 13, 2005 Posts: 163 Comments: 25009

596. EYEStoSEA 1:41 AM GMT en Abril 27, 2011
Quoting emcf30: Eyes, Don't know if you saw this one earlier I posted. It is the Vilonia Tornado last night Amazing technology.....TY for sharing Member Since: Septiembre 16, 2010 Posts: 0 Comments: 1491

597. washingtonian115 1:41 AM GMT en Abril 27, 2011
Quoting cat5hurricane: Because nobody likes you. Can't you get the clue :-) Lol.But I could generally careless if they did.Anyway I think that their is a little just a tinsy whinsy little correlation between an active tornado season,and an active hurricane season.And I have serval years to back up my statement.Now watch them all dissapear as I wave my magical wond.Ha ha. Member Since: Agosto 14, 2010 Posts: 5 Comments: 10682

598. RitaEvac 1:41 AM GMT en Abril 27, 2011
Curly cue in there Member Since: Julio 14, 2008 Posts: 1 Comments: 8912

600. aquak9 1:42 AM GMT en Abril 27, 2011
ally ♥ goose - take care of your family and the animals, ya'll will be alright :) Member Since: Agosto 13, 2005 Posts: 163 Comments: 25009

601. emcf30 1:43 AM GMT en Abril 27, 2011
Quoting EYEStoSEA: Amazing technology.....TY for sharing Trying to get ahold of the storm slicing technology. That is cool. Can really view the storms good Member Since: Agosto 7, 2010 Posts: 0 Comments: 1926

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