Bonnie just texted saying that Oklahoma and meteorology legend Gary England had passed away. Gary was a calm voice to everyone who saw his coverage of the biggest storms that moved through Oklahoma. He inspired so many people in the meteorology world. He will be missed. @garyeOK
Former News 9 meteorologist Gary England – the Severe Weather God of Oklahoma – has passed away at the age of 85.
He was a pioneer in his field, and guided untold numbers of Oklahomans – this one included – through countless weather emergencies over the decades. RIP to a legend.
Today is the first level 4 out of 5 "moderate" #severe forecast from @NWSSPC anywhere in the U.S. in over 5 months (July 15).
Only 12th day this year with at least a level 4 risk.
Take this threat seriously if you're in the Deep South.
SIGNIFICANT SEVERE WEATHER THREAT AHEAD: A dynamic storm system will bring the threat of severe thunderstorms and tornadoes to parts of LA/MS/AL later today and tonight.
In Alabama, there is a "moderate risk" (level 4/5) defined for parts of Sumter, Choctaw, and Washington counties in West Alabama. An "enhanced risk" (level 3/5) extends over to Fayette, Selma, and Mobile. Most of the rest of the state is in a "slight risk" (level 2/5).
TIMING: A few isolated severe storms are possible in the 3 to 9 p.m. time frame, but high resolution models are suggesting these storms will be isolated. The "main show" will come late tonight from 9:00 p.m. through the pre-dawn hours Sunday. All storms should be out of Southeast Alabama by 8:00 a.m. tomorrow.
THREATS: Any isolated storms this evening and tonight will have to be watched for severe potential, but with the "main show" late tonight the highest concern is widespread straight line winds that could feature gusts to 70 mph in spots. This mass of storms will have potential to produce a good bit of tree and power line damage tonight.
Storms could also produce hail and a few tornadoes. The highest threat of long track tornadoes (EF-3+) is in the "moderate risk" area across LA/MS and extreme West Alabama.
GRADIENT WIND: Ahead of the line of storms tonight, gradient winds (not related to thunderstorms) will ramp up, gusting to 40 mph in spots.
RAIN: Additional rain amounts of 1-2 inches are expected for much of Alabama through early tomorrow morning; for now major flooding issues are not expected.
CALL TO ACTION: Be sure you have a reliable way of getting warnings later today and tonight; a NOAA Weather Radio is the baseline for any home or business. On your phone, be sure and have emergency alerts enabled. Know the safe place in your home (small room, lowest floor, away from windows, and near the center of the house), and have a helmet for everyone (including adults)
If you live in a mobile home, know the location of the nearest shelter (or business that can serve as a shelter), and how to get there quickly. Have transportation available.
BE A HERO: If you are reading this, you pay attention to the weather. Take the time to share important weather information (especially tornado warnings) with family and friends with a text or phone call. You could be the only warning they get.
REMEMBER: Having a severe weather threat in Alabama in late December is nothing unusual. Our tornado season runs from November through May. No need to be alarmed or anxious; just pay attention to warnings, have a plan, and we will get through the this just fine together.
Having a state attorney general looking into it will not produce an optimum result. We need a National Disaster Review Board: https://t.co/l3GfnbLFCl
Democratic Rep. Jill Tokuda admits they 'underestimated' Maui fire https://t.co/fXlaa0qlM0 via @MailOnline
After today's announcement from the @WMO, the most often retired #hurricane names since 1954 are:
- "I" storms: 13 times (not counting Iota 2020)
- "F" storms: 10 times
2022's retirees: #Ian and #Fiona.
Our slideshow of all 96 retirees since 1954: https://t.co/9UR0XcNymR
One of the Oklahoma Mesonet's weather stations recorded the fifth highest wind gust since 1994 in Idabel as a tornado ripped through the small town. If rated an EF-3, it will be the first EF-3+ tornado in OK since 2019
University of FL program by Dr. Forrest Masters, in collaboration with WeatherFlow-Tempest. Placed right in the path of Hurricane Ian. Expected to get hammered soon....stay tuned.
[2:45 PM 7/23] An organizing area of thunderstorms is expected to track across parts of N. IL this evening and has the potential to deliver all severe hazards to the region, including damaging straight line winds and a few brief tornadoes. #ILwx#INwx