Showers and thunderstorms will impact the Deep South and Lower Mississippi Valley and portions of the eastern Great Lakes and Northeast through today. Excessive rainfall could lead to flash flooding from eastern Texas into the lower Mississippi Valley alongside the threat of severe thunderstorms. Some of these storms may contain large hail and tornadoes. Meanwhile, heavy snow expected for Rockies Read More >
You may also view recent 24-hour local storm reports that have been issued by the NWS.
Tornado
Tornado: A violently rotating column of air extending from a thunderstorm cloud to the ground. The Enhanced Fujita Tornado Intensity Scale is used to categorize tornadoes
Funnel Cloud: A condensation funnel extending from the base of a towering cumulus or cumulonimbus, associated with a rotating column of air that is not in contact with the ground (and hence different from a tornado). A condensation funnel is a tornado, not a funnel cloud, if either a) it is in contact with the ground or b) a debris cloud or dust whirl is visible beneath it.
Wind Damage:
What kind of damage did the wind cause?
Hail:
What size hail did you see?
Flooding:
What kind of flooding was observed?
Heavy Rain:
Snow:
Freezing Rain/Icing:
Strong Winds:
We are generally interested in wind speeds of 40-50 mph or higher. Here is some info on how to estimate wind speeds:
39-54 mph: Twigs break off trees; wind generally impedes progress.
55-72 mph: Damage to chimneys and TV antennas; pushes over shallow rooted trees.
73-112 mph: Peels surfaces off roofs; windows broken; light mobile homes pushed or overturned; moving cars pushed off road.
Dense Fog:
We are mainly interested in visibility reports of a half mile or less.