Some Spring Cleaning Around the Blog. New Features on the Way as Well!

Just a few house keeping items and related updates to start off the week...

You may have noticed a new widget box on the right hand side of the page, titled "Current Severe Weather Watches":

The map inside of the box is linked to the Storm Prediction Center (SPC)'s Severe Weather Watch page.  When active weather watches are in effect, the image will look something like this, with Severe Thunderstorm Watches shown in blue and Tornado Watches shown in red:

When watches are in effect, you can click on the map to obtain details on a specific watch area.  As shown in the example below, after you've selected a specific watch area on the SPC's Watch page, you can click on "Counties" (as shown within the red circle) and view the counties that are included in the watch, as well as the valid time, etc.:

I hope that you'll find the information useful, especially since it is updated in real time.

Now that we've dedicated a permanent location on the blog to the latest severe weather watch information, going forward you probably won't see me make individual posts regarding the issuance of a watch (like this one).  I still may do so in special situations, but not on a regular basis.  That way I'll be able to focus more on letting you know what is about to happen before a watch is issued, and what is taking place once the watch is in effect.

You may have also noticed that the "twitter widget" has been spruced-up a bit as well.  It is also located on the right hand side of the page, just after the "About Me" box:

Several more changes/new features are coming up soon, including an exclusive  offer that I hope you'll both enjoy and find useful.  Be sure to check back throughout the week for updates!

Are you new to the blog?  Welcome!  Please click on the icons below to "Like" my facebook page and/or follow me on twitter.  You'll find posts at these locations that aren't always on the blog, especially during rapidly changing weather situations...

 

Severe T-Storms Possible Northern Plains Later Today; Isolated Severe Storms Possible West Texas Late This Afternoon...

Above is the latest severe weather outlook for today from the Storm Prediction Center (SPC) in Norman, OK. Severe thunderstorms are possible within the yellow shaded area over the Dakotas and extreme western Minnesota, mainly from late this afternoon and evening.

At least scattered thunderstorms are forecast to develop over this region by late afternoon and into this evening as a surface low pressure center and cold front combine with energy from an upper-level weather disturbance.

Large hail and damaging wind gusts are the primary threats, however isolated tornado development also cannot be ruled out.

Further South, in West Texas and along the Texas/New Mexico border, isolated thunderstorms may form late this afternoon along a developing surface dryline.    There will not be support for widespread development, however any storm that does form could produce large hail and strong, gusty winds.  Any such development is likely to dissipate by sunset.

If you live in or near the severe weather threat areas mentioned above, please be on the lookout for changing weather conditions later today.  Listen to NOAA Weather Radio, local media, or another trusted source for later information, watches and possible warnings.  Make sure that you identify your best sheltering option at home, work or school, and be prepared to go there if threatening weather is observed or a warning is issued.

Please "Like" my facebook page and/or follow me on twitter.  You'll find posts at those locations that aren't always on the blog, especially during rapidly changing weather situations...

 

Severe T-Storms Possible eastern North Carolina Later Today...

Scattered strong to severe thunderstorms are forecast across eastern North Carolina later this afternoon and into this evening, as the atmosphere heats-up beneath an upper-level low pressure system.  The primary risk of severe weather is shown by the yellow shaded area on the above image.

Large hail and strong, gusty winds will be the primary severe weather threats, however an isolated tornado cannot be ruled out due to the presence of turning associated with the upper-level low pressure system.

Elsewhere, later tonight, there will also be a threat of isolated thunderstorms with hail to near severe limits over parts of the Dakotas and northern Nebraska, as shown by the wording "See Text" on the above image.  Isolated to widely scattered thunderstorms are forecast to develop across this region after 10pm or Midnight tonight, some of which could become strong enough to produce hail. 

The main threat of hail near severe limits over South Dakota and northeast Nebraska will be within the brown shaded area on the above image.  Again, this will not be a widespread threat, but rather isolated.

Those living in the severe weather threat areas for this afternoon and evening over North Carolina should remain alert today.  Listen to NOAA Weather Radio, local media, or another trusted source for later information, watches and possible warnings.  Make sure that you identify your best sheltering option at home, work or school, and be prepared to go there if threatening weather is observed or a warning is issued.

If you enjoy reading 'The Original Weather Blog', please be sure to "like" our facebook page!  

Severe T-Storm Watch for Portions of Georgia, South Carolina and North Carolina Until 2am EDT...

The above Severe Thunderstorm Watch has been issued by the SPC in Norman OK and is valid until 2am EDT. The severe thunderstorm watch includes the cities of Beaufort, Charleston, Columbia, Myrtle Beach and Florence.

Severe thunderstorms with large hail and damaging wind gusts are the primary threat in this area.  An isolated tornado cannot be ruled out.

If you live in these areas, please remain alert today.  Identify your sheltering location and be prepared to move there quickly if threatening weather is observed or a warning is issued.

Severe weather can be especially dangerous at night.  Please make sure that you have a way to receive severe weather warnings at night.

If you enjoy reading 'The Original Weather Blog', please be sure to "like" our facebook page! 

Tornado Watch for southcentral Virginia Until Midnight EDT...

The above Tornado Watch was just issued by the Storm Prediction Center (SPC) in Norman, OK. It is valid until Midnight EDT and includes the cities of Lynchburg, Danville and Richmond.

Severe thunderstorms capable of producing tornadoes, large hail and damaging wind gusts are possible in and close to the watch area.

If you live in these areas, please remain alert this afternoon and evening.  Identify your sheltering location and be prepared to move there quickly if threatening weather is observed or a warning is issued.

Severe weather can be particularly dangerous at night.  Please make sure that you have a way to receive severe weather warnings at night.

If you enjoy reading 'The Original Weather Blog', please be sure to "like" our facebook page! 

Tornado Watch Issued for Portions of southcentral Virginia / central North Carolina Until 11pm EDT...

The above Tornado Watch was just issued by the Storm Prediction Center (SPC) in Norman, OK. It is valid until 11pm EDT and includes the cities of Raleigh-Durham, Danville, Lynchburg, Winston-Salem and Fayetteville.


This Tornado Watch replaces that part of the Severe Thunderstorm Watch that was issued early for much of the same area.

Severe thunderstorms capable of producing tornadoes, large hail and damaging wind gusts are possible in and close to the watch area.

If you live in these areas, please remain alert this afternoon and evening.  Identify your sheltering location and be prepared to move there quickly if threatening weather is observed or a warning is issued.

Severe weather can be particularly dangerous at night.  Please make sure that you have a way to receive severe weather warnings at night.

If you enjoy reading 'The Original Weather Blog', please be sure to "like" our facebook page! 

Severe T-Storm Watch for Portions of West Virginia and Virginia Until 10pm EDT...

The above Severe Thunderstorm Watch has been issued by the SPC in Norman OK and is valid until 10pm EDT. The severe thunderstorm watch includes the cities of Elkins, Charlottesville and Beckley.

Thunderstorms are forecast to increase in number and intensity (generally from West to East) across the watch area this afternoon and evening.  Some of the storms are likely to become severe with large hail and damaging wind gusts the primary threat.  An isolated tornado or two also cannot be ruled out.

If you live in these areas, please remain alert today.  Identify your sheltering location and be prepared to move there quickly if threatening weather is observed or a warning is issued.

If you enjoy reading 'The Original Weather Blog', please be sure to "like" our facebook page!