Early Winter Storm

Friday, October 4^th 2013:  This last week we have been experiencing one of the strongest early fall storms on record in the US.  From violent wedge tornadoes to feet of snow driven by tropical storm force winds, this storm runs the gambit of weather.  What makes this particular storm all that more devastating is that it is barely moving.  Temps on the front side are into the 80s, whole on the backside, wind chills are below zero.

Late last weekend, this storm plowed into the NW coast with high winds, record rainfall totals, and even a rare tornado near Seattle WA.   High winds throughout the western mountain ranges  were experienced, as well as severe storms.  As usually happens, the mountains kind of broke up the storm to some degree.



The Low then reorganized itself in the Colorado/Wyoming border areas and quickly strengthened.  Ample amounts of moisture from the gulf of Mexico began feeding into the low pressure and throwing it onto the back cold side of the low.  With ample juice from the gulf, and strong winds aloft, the ingredients were in place for severe weather.  On the backside, the rising landscape approaching the rockies is wringing out the moisture on the cold side where snow is being measured in feet, not inches.  Places from Bismark ND to Cheyenne WY are completely shut down by feet of snow with drifts two stories high.  Some towns in Nebraska and now NW Iowa have been devastated by tornadoes with a number of injuries.



As of the writing of this, we still have not come close to the end of the storm.  As the low slides ENE, severe weather is expected in places like IL, IN. WI, KY, TN and MO with OH and MI to follow.  I have not even mentioned the flooding in MN and WI either.



Sat Oct 5^th:  The Low pressure system, having not moved much, was still snowing in areas of the western plains leaving totals as high as 4 feet.  The cold front, having pushed well out ahead of the low did not have the same energy as Friday and thus there were only sporadic reports of severe weather.  Heavy rains and flooding have been the main issues Saturday.  We do have frost advisories as far south as Lubbock Texas, which is highly unusual for early October.




Meanwhile we have had Tropical Storm Karen out in the Gulf making its way toward the coast.  The inland low is the dominant feature though.  Karen has weakened to a tropical depression and is getting caught up in the cold front generated by the inland low I have been talking about, causing it t make a sharp right, hugging the coast heading back towards Florida and could make landfall anywhere from Tallahassee, to  Tampa.  Ample moisture and lift from the front will allow for copious amounts of rain to fall along the gulf and into Florida, but the wind shear should keep Karen at bay.





Sunday the system is expected to continue moving east, bringing the possibility for severe weather to the Detroit area and Ohio.  There is also a small chance for severe storms where Karen interacts with the cold front along the gulf coast.  It is not unusual to see tornadoes with tropical systems also, but Karen would have to pick up a little strength I think.  We may finally be rid of this system by Tuesday.

With this system, many have been without power in freezing conditions, have had their homes damaged or destroyed by tornaodes, winds, and flooding, been delayed and stranded.  We should always be prepared for major weather systems to strike and send us back into the 1800s without all the modern conveniences we take for granted today.  Having a plan and having made preparations can make quite a difference in surviving weather related disasters.

Update Oct 6, 5:30am:  A nearly stationary line of heavy rains has formed as gulf moisture is meeting up with the slow moving cold front causing flash flooding to occur.  The current main areas of the flash flooding appears to be in Kentucky where Lousiville and Owensboro areas are under flash flood warnings.  As of midnight over 5 inches of rain had fallen in Louisville, and that total has only increased, and the next slow moving line of heavy rain is at the doorstep.  Reports have come out of people stranded on the roofs of their cars.  Southern Indiana is experiencing flooding as well and rain totals are piling up in other states also.