Sunday, June 19, 2011

Severe Weather Update - This Afternoon & Evening

As expected, strong to severe thunderstorms are developing along the front range and foothills of the Rockies at late afternoon, into the Nebraska panhandle.  A Tornado Watch is in effect for this region until 10pm CDT:


Thunderstorms will continue to develop, organize and intensify across this region through the evening hours, with large hail, damaging winds and tornadoes possible as activity moves toward the East/Northeast.

Meanwhile, additional development is expected to take place further to the East along the Kansas/Nebraska border during the next 2-3 hours.  As you can see on the latest visible satellite image below, a broad field of cumulus clouds is flourishing along and South of the warm front, which is lifting Northward across the border area:


The atmosphere along and South of the warm front is extremely unstable, with explosive thunderstorm development likely across this region this evening.  Tornadoes, very large hail & damaging winds are all possible with this activity.  I would expect an additional Tornado Watch to be issued across this region within the next hour or two.


Meanwhile, further South, a line of cumulus clouds continues to billow-up across far northwest Texas and western Oklahoma, along and ahead of the dryline.  There is a very strong capping inversion in place in this region, however any thunderstorm that manages to break the cap and develop will become severe rapidly, with very large hail and wind damage the primary threats:



If you live in or near any of the above mentioned areas, please stay alert this evening and be prepared to seek shelter if threatening weather approaches your area.

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