The Tornado Outbreak that ripped through the Tennessee/Ohio Valley and Gulf Coast this past Friday and Saturday effected as many as 15 states, and killed 39 people, 13 in Indiana. There were 128 tornado reports, 47 confirmed as of 3pm today. Here's a chart from the Washington Post that shows where the confirmed tornado touchdowns and their EF rating. As you can the see the one that ripped through Southern Indiana Friday was the only one rated EF-4. Kentucky had 5 EF-3. Their death toll was over a dozen as well, 21 fatalities. Also as more tornadoes are continuing to be confirmed, its looking like this outbreak trumps the 1990 outbreak of 59 tornadoes, recording more this month of March in one single day than any other March day in history.
The National Weather Service did a tremendous job! Watches and Warnings were placed in advance giving Americans notice to prepare for the worse. Had this not have happened, the death toll number would have been even more higher. Sometimes we do get that heads up. What can you do to prepare for the worse?
1. Emergency Plan-Get with all the members of your household and come up with plan as to where everyone will go when either a Severe T'Storm or Tornado Watches or Warnings are issued. This could also mean evacuation. It could be possible that your living conditions may not make suitable for a safe location. Its not best to be on the roads during these times but may be a relative with lets say a basement could make better conditions to keep your family safe. Gather up over there, and make sure everyone is accounted for. This is one way that help save you and/or your family's life.
2. Weather Radio-It is recommended that you get a radio that will sound off an alarm is severe weather is in the area. You will be able to take heed of watches and warnings and quickly respond by initiating your Emergency Plan you and your family have in place. You can buy these from stores, online, or even download apps on iPhone from iTunes or on your Android smartphone devices via Android Market. (Click Link That Applies to you).
3. If you are on the Road Driving, it is a MUST, YOU NEVER PARK UNDER A OVERPASS OR BRIDGE!If a Tornado is present DO NOT TRY TO OUTDRIVE IT! The best you can do is pull over and take shelter in a nearby building or lie down in ditch, or a low lying area.
4. Gather up a Severe Weather Emergency Kit. You can use this in case of a power outage. Batteries, Flashlighs, Clean Clothes, Blankets, Dry Food & Water are a few things you can put in there. If you do not have a car charger, GET ONE! You can use your car's cigarette lighter to recharge your phone's battery. Some cases could leave your homes power out for days or weeks. Make sure you have what you need to get you through this time.
Following these simple tips can save your life. There are other tips that are available, not included above, that you can follow. Stay away from glass windows and remain calm helps. For other tips on survival or tips how you can help during a severe weather crisis click HERE!
Well a Winter Chill settled in Indiana this weekend driving temps 25-30 degrees cooler from Fridays High in low to mid 60s. We recorded a high temperature of 38 Saturday and 40 Sunday. The Avg Temp is 47. An Alberta Clipper System (from Alberta, Canada) dropped South into Indiana that brung some well needed snowfall to the state, nearly half an inch in Indianapolis. Melted Snow and Refreezing thus creating Black Ice gave way for a perfect combination to accidents. On a typical day, ISP logs 20-30 accidents but this morning, double. Just have to keep in mind, roads might not be dry as you think. If you see a sparkle in the road, that part of the road is icy and you need to slow down and drive cautiously. Follow Safe Driving Practices during this time. Not going to go through Safe Driving Tips during Winter Weather. I covered that back in December.
Well this 3 Day weekend cool down is one of the longest stretch of below normal days in nearly 3 weeks since Valentines Day, which was the last time we received measureable snowfall. This snowfall event last night now puts our seasons snow total to 9.5". Thats now good for the 10th Least Snowiest Winter. 0.2" ties the spot. Anything greater bumps us out, but this is the #1 least snowiest winter season in the 21st century. Even though Meteorological Winter has ended, we still have another 15 days left on the calendar until Winter officially ends. No chance of snow looks to be present within atleast the next 10 days, actually not even for the month at this point so chance of adding to our seasons total looks slim.
Here's whats in store this week. (Courtesy of Accuweather)
We have a warm up coming as we shift to a southerly wind flow. We'll remain dry for Tuesday and Wednesday. A Non Severe T'Storm System will develop in Texas and along Tennessee Valley mid week which will push through Indianapolis bringing us our next rain chance for Thursday and also Friday. I think we should just expect some showers and breezy conditions. Originally I was thinking a cooler than average weekend but for now I'll keep it average.
Looking Ahead, starting Mid Month, could we be talking Record High Temps in March across the U.S.? Will some of this warmth move into Indianapolis? Being that its still more than 10 days away its too premature to speak on these terms. I've read it and saw the maps. I don't want to make promises but a few days ago I was looking at possibly 70s for Indianapolis. Last year in March we recorded 4 days in the 70s, 3 consecutively. High Temps in the 70s is more typical for May 5th. Here's a list of the 70 degree temps last March:
- Thursday, March 17---74°
- Tuesday, March 21----78°
- Wednesday, March 22--74°
- Thursday, March 23---75°
I don't want to tease you, just simply inform you that its possible. Note 78° on March 21st. Thats just one day after Winter had changed to Spring. That kind of temp is more typical after Memorial Day, around the First of June. Also keep in the mind the days will continue to lengthen. Daylight hours increase an hour and 17 mins. Daylight Savings Time occurs in less than 7 days. You'll "Spring" your clocks forward an hour from 2am to 3am. Mark your calendars, this occurs during the early morning hours of Sunday, March 11th.
Here we go! My blog is winding down. Here's my 10 Day Forecast and our updated City's Current Rainfall & Snowfall Data:
Tonight:
Partly Cloudy. Low 27.
Tomorrow:
Bright Sunny Skies. Mild & Warmer. Breezy. High 57. S Winds 15-25 MPH. GUSTS 35 MPH.
Tomorrow Night:
Mostly clear. Breezy. Not as cool. Low 42. S Winds 10-20 MPH. GUSTS 30 MPH.
Wednesday:
Mostly sunny and Breezy. Chance of Evening Rain. High 62. S Winds 15-25 MPH.
Wednesday Night:
Mostly cloudy. Showers possible. Mild. Low 47. S Winds 10-20 MPH.
Thursday:
AM Showers-Periods of Heavy Rain. Mostly Cloudy. Mild. High 54.
Thursday Night:
Mostly cloudy. Low 38.
Friday:
Mixed Sun & Clouds. Chance of Rain. Mild. High 51.
Friday Night:
Partly Cloudy. Colder. Low 32.
Saturday:
Bright Sunny Skies. Mild. High 47.
Saturday Night:
Partly Cloudy. Not as cool. Low 40.
Sunday:
Overcast Skies. PM Rain. High 59.
Sunday Night:
Periods of Heavy Rain. Low 43
Monday:
Periods of Heavy Rain. Showers becoming Scattered in Afternoon.
Mostly Cloudy. Mild. High 62
Monday Night:
Chance of Scattered Showers, otherwise Cloudy. Low 45
Tuesday:
Partial Clearing. Mostly Cloudy, little sunshine. High 65
Tuesday Night:
Clearing Skies. Mild. Low 44
Wednesday:
Partly Sunny. Mild. High 66.
Wednesday Night:
Partly Cloudy. Mild. Low 47.
Thursday:
Bright Sunny Skies. Mild. Warmer. High 71.
Precip
Since March 1st---0.83"
Sice January 1st---5.69"
Since Dec. 1st-----10.79"
Snowfall
Since March 1st----0.4"
Since Jan 1st---- 7.2"
Since Nov. 1st-- 9.5"
Currently 30.2% of U.S. ground covered in snow. Map below shows snowfall precip within past 24 hrs.
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