Are Computer Models Getting Better with Snow Forecasts?

I've been tweeting off and on for the last few days about the upcoming snow event for Chicago this morning (photo above courtesy CBS Chicago, shows slick road conditions in Bolingbrook - a Southern suburb of Chicago).This was the second snow event in the last 10 days (the first was in Minneapolis last week) where nearly all of the short to medium range computer forecast models were very consistent in their snowfall forecasts from a relatively lengthy...

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Rare "High Risk" for Tornadoes/Severe Storms Midwest & OH Valley Today...

A rarely issued (especially for November) "High Risk" of tornadoes and severe thunderstorms has been issued by the SPC for today in the Midwest and Ohio Valley region.As we mentioned yesterday, please stay very alert in this region today.  Storms will be fast moving, and due to the threat of extensive and intense wind damage with any severe storm, I highly recommend that you treat a Severe Thunderstorm Warning just as you would normally treat...

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Regional Severe Weather Episode Likely for N. MO, S.E. IA and W. IL Tonight....

For good reason, a lot of attention is being paid to the expected severe weather episode across the Tennessee and Ohio Valley region for tomorrow.  As I mentioned in a post earlier this morning, that event has the potential to impact a large number of people with widespread, damaging winds and a few tornadoes.With all of the attention being paid to tomorrow, I'm afraid that another event that appears to be taking shape for late this evening...

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Significant Severe Weather Episode Likely Sunday Across the OH/TN Valley Region...

Late fall is known for an occasional outbreak of severe weather, and unfortunately it looks like tomorrow will be just such a case.  While the threat of severe weather will exist generally along and East of the Mississippi River, the most widespread and potentially dangerous situation appears to be taking shape for much of the Ohio and Tennessee Valley region, as indicated in yellow on the above image.By far, wind damage will be the primary...

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Potent Round of Severe Weather Likely Later Today/Tonight...

After a preview yesterday evening in southeast Nebraska, severe weather activity has waned a bit over the last several hours.  However, folks in the upper Mississippi Valley and portions of the Midwest should not let their guards down - an even more potent threat of severe weather is on tap later this afternoon into this evening and tonight.Above is the latest severe weather outlook for today and tonight, and is the portion that specifically...

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Tropical System Forming Near Cuba Bears Watching...

The tropical system forming just Southwest of the Western tip of Cuba (as shown in the visible satellite image above) is becoming much better organized as of early afternoon today.I fully expect this system to be named a Depression or Tropical Storm later today.This system could eventually impact portions of the U.S. Gulf Coast, most likely from Mississippi on Eastward:There are many variables still at play here, but at this time it appears the most...

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Spring-Like Severe Weather Threat Later Today...

A spring-like severe weather situation is expected to take shape later this afternoon and this evening across the Plains, including a threat for tornadoes.Large hail and damaging winds can be expected with severe storms that fire from western Kansas into the Oklahoma and Texas panhandle region later today, and a few tornadoes are possible, especially within the green and brown shaded areas on the image above.This is a situation where the highest...

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