4/30/04 NOW: TX/OK

[Amos Magliocco]

A small storm is riding along a boundary near the Red River right now, and chasers are headed out for an early start to the action in north Texas today.

 

[Mike Peregrine]

Thanks for getting us started, Amos. First mesoscale discussion issued at 12:01 CDT.

SEVERE THREAT IS INCREASING ACROSS NORTHWEST TEXAS. WW COULD BECOME NECESSARY AS EARLY AS 18Z.

ISOLATED BRIEF TORNADOES APPEAR POSSIBLE WITH INITIAL ACTIVITY...BUT LARGE HAIL IS EXPECTED TO BE PRIMARY THREAT BEFORE LARGER CONVECTIVE CLUSTER EVOLVES BENEATH DIFLUENT/DIVERGENT UPPER FLOW REGIME.

Satellite shows nice clearing across target area with persistent CU fields. Radar shows two areas of convection now that have developed in the Wichita Falls area riding directly over the river. Another low reflectivity is also showing now in the Throckmorton area (naturally).

 

[Mike Peregrine]

BULLETIN - IMMEDIATE BROADCAST REQUESTED
SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE NORMAN OK
1225 PM CDT FRI APR 30 2004

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN NORMAN HAS ISSUED A

* SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING FOR...
WICHITA COUNTY IN NORTHERN TEXAS
COTTON COUNTY IN SOUTHWEST OKLAHOMA

* UNTIL 115 PM CDT

 

[Mike Peregrine]

The southern cell is expanding now. It is located in the NW corner of the same county Abilene sits in. Reflecting at 45DBz.

There is an unconfirmed meso showing up on the cell SE of Lawton (directly south of DUC over river). It is taking on some supercell characteristics already.

 

[Mike Peregrine]

For those of you interested in the atmospherics - here are the latest obs out of Wichita Falls -

KSPS
Wichita Falls, Sheppard Air Force Base
Observation at: 11:52 AM CDT (16:52 UTC)
Temp: 73 F - Dewpoint: 66 F
Pressure: 29.90 in Hg
Wind: 090 at 12.7 mph (11 kts)
Visibility: 10 Statute Miles
Relative Humidity: 78.7%
Clouds: Scattered at 2000 ft - Broken Cumulonimbus at 3000 ft

 

[Mike Peregrine]

The cell SE of Lawton is now showing a 3DC0. Movement is 248/9 kts. It is turning right - 63DBz, tops at 39.5. Starting to form a flying eagle on radar -

 

[Mike Peregrine]

THE NWS STORM PREDICTION CENTER HAS ISSUED A TORNADO WATCH FOR PORTIONS OF

SOUTHERN OKLAHOMA
NORTHWEST AND NORTH CENTRAL TEXAS

EFFECTIVE THIS FRIDAY AFTERNOON AND EVENING FROM 1245 PM UNTIL 900PM CDT.

TORNADOES...HAIL TO 3 INCHES IN DIAMETER...THUNDERSTORM WIND GUSTS TO 70 MPH...AND DANGEROUS LIGHTNING ARE POSSIBLE IN THESE AREAS.

THE TORNADO WATCH AREA IS ALONG AND 85 STATUTE MILES EAST AND WEST OF A LINE FROM ARDMORE OKLAHOMA TO 35 MILES SOUTHWEST OF MINERAL WELLS TEXAS.

 

[Mike Peregrine]

If you are looking for easily accessible storms, I recommend the storm just north of Wichita Falls sitting directly over the interstate between Lawton and Wichita Falls ... growing quite nicely.

 

[Mike Peregrine]

Both cells riding the river are now indicating unconf. mesos. Each is around 65DBz ... movement for each is quite slow - around 10-12 kts. Each of these is riding a visible boundary on satellite. The storm NW of ABI almost appears to be behind the boundary at this time.

A couplet just showed up again on the cell north of Wichita Falls (@1817z). This cell has also recently made a hard right turn -

 

[James Spicer]

Severe Thunderstorm Warning just issued for Jefferson County in OK, until 1930Z. If I'm readin' it right, Frederick radar is showing tops at around 45,000 on this cell.

 

[Mike Peregrine]

The convection NW of Abilene appears disjointed and like its trying to figure out what it wants to do - could just be organizing itself, but looks like it is spread too thin.

There is a new reflection directly west of GZV south of the Wichita Falls cell by two counties. Additional development on the south side of Wichita Falls itself as well.

The Wichita Falls cell is currently at Lat: 34.0365 by Long. -98.3892.
It is moving straight east at 15 kts and continues to show a meso. Best looking for now.

 

[Mike Peregrine]

The Wichita Falls cell is looking a bit hookish.

<img src=http://img47.photobucket.com/albums/v143/mikeperegrine/ICT_falls.gif>

Abilene is looking MUCH better now - starting to get going again now that it is on the juicy side of the boundary. Both Red River cells are indicating couplets again as of 1838z.

 

[Tony Laubach]

Wichita Falls storm looking very impressive on radar. I do see a very defined hook forming on that cell.. would imagine TORNADO WARNING will be issued for this cell shortly.

Developing storms trailing behind it southwest of Wichita Falls. May trail along outflow boundry from the other storms. Will be watching that storm as it develops.

 

[Mike Peregrine]

Need to keep an eye on what's going on west of Wichita Falls as well. It's small now but in a good spot for growth.

 

[Amos Magliocco]

The cell near ABI appears to be interacting with a boundary as its forward motion has slowed and propagation seems more southerly.