Watches, Warnings & Advisories for Sunflower Co.

Sunday, February 27, 2011

Hazardous WX Outlook for Sunday PM 2/27/2011

HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE JACKSON MS
303 PM CST SUN FEB 27 2011

ARZ074-075-LAZ007>009-MSZ018-019-025>042-282115-
ASHLEY-CHICOT-MOREHOUSE-WEST CARROLL-EAST CARROLL-BOLIVAR-
SUNFLOWER-LEFLORE-GRENADA-CARROLL-MONTGOMERY-WEBSTER-CLAY-LOWNDES-
CHOCTAW-OKTIBBEHA-WASHINGTON-HUMPHREYS-HOLMES-ATTALA-WINSTON-
NOXUBEE-ISSAQUENA-SHARKEY-YAZOO-
303 PM CST SUN FEB 27 2011

THIS HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK IS FOR SOUTHEAST ARKANSAS...EXTREME
NORTHEAST LOUISIANA...AND PARTS OF NORTHERN MISSISSIPPI.

.DAY ONE...TONIGHT AND MONDAY

SCATTERED STRONG TO SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS ARE EXPECTED TO DEVELOP
BETWEEN 4 AND 7 AM ACROSS THE ARKLAMISS DELTA...AND SHIFT EAST ACROSS
NORTH CENTRAL AND NORTHEAST MISSISSIPPI DURING THE MORNING HOURS.
DAMAGING WIND GUSTS TO 75 MPH...A FEW TORNADOES...WHICH COULD BE
STRONG...AND HAIL TO THE SIZE OF GOLF BALLS ARE POSSIBLE WITH THE MOST
INTENSE STORMS. THE THREAT OF SEVERE WEATHER WILL END FROM WEST TO
EAST DURING THE LATE MORNING AND MIDDAY HOURS AS A COLD FRONT MOVES
ACROSS THE AREA.

IN ADDITION TO THE SEVERE WEATHER THREAT...STRONG WINDS WILL BE
EXPERIENCED AREA WIDE AHEAD OF AND JUST BEHIND THE COLD FRONT.
SUSTAINED WINDS OF 20 TO 25 MPH WITH GUSTS UP TO 45 MPH CAN BE
EXPECTED...WITH THE STRONGEST WINDS IN THE ARKLAMISS DELTA.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...MONDAY NIGHT THROUGH SATURDAY

THE PROBABILITY OF WIDESPREAD HAZARDOUS WEATHER IS LOW.

.SPOTTER CALL TO ACTION STATEMENT...
THE ACTIVATION OF STORM SPOTTERS...HAM RADIO OPERATORS...AND
EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT PERSONNEL IN SUPPORT OF SEVERE WEATHER
OPERATIONS...MAY BE NEEDED LATE TONIGHT THROUGH MIDDAY MONDAY.

$$

Multimedia WX Briefing for Sunday 2/27/2011

Hazardous WX Outlook for Sunday 2/27/11

HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE JACKSON MS
440 AM CST SUN FEB 27 2011

ARZ074-075-LAZ007>009-MSZ018-019-025>042-281045-
ASHLEY-CHICOT-MOREHOUSE-WEST CARROLL-EAST CARROLL-BOLIVAR-
SUNFLOWER-LEFLORE-GRENADA-CARROLL-MONTGOMERY-WEBSTER-CLAY-LOWNDES-
CHOCTAW-OKTIBBEHA-WASHINGTON-HUMPHREYS-HOLMES-ATTALA-WINSTON-
NOXUBEE-ISSAQUENA-SHARKEY-YAZOO-
440 AM CST SUN FEB 27 2011

THIS HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK IS FOR NORTH CENTRAL MISSISSIPPI...
PORTIONS OF NORTHEAST LOUISIANA AND EXTREME SOUTHEAST ARKANSAS.

.DAY ONE...TODAY AND TONIGHT

FOR TODAY WINDS WILL INCREASE FROM THE SOUTH MAINLY ACROSS THE
NORTHWEST DELTA REGION TO WIND ADVISORY LEVELS FOR THIS AFTERNOON
THROUGH TONIGHT. WINDS WILL BE 20 TO 25 MPH WITH GUSTS OF 35 TO 40
MPH IN THE NORTHWEST DELTA REGION.

FOR TONIGHT ISOLATED TO SCATTERED SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS CAPABLE OF
DAMAGING WINDS TO 75 MPH...QUARTER TO GOLFBALL SIZED HAIL AND
TORNADOES...SOME OF WHICH COULD BE STRONG. THIS ACTIVITY WILL BE
POSSIBLE FROM 3 AM THROUGH 6 AM EARLY MONDAY MORNING. A BROKEN LINE
OF STRONG TO SEVERE STORMS IS EXPECTED TO PUSH INTO THE NORTHEAST
DELTA REGION BY 3 AM AND WILL SWEEP SOUTHEAST ACROSS THE REGION.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...MONDAY THROUGH SATURDAY

THE BROKEN LINE OF STRONG TO SEVERE STORMS WILL CONTINUE TO SWEEP
ACROSS NORTH CENTRAL MISSISSIPPI UNTIL 2 PM EARLY MONDAY AFTERNOON.
THE SEVERE STORMS WILL BE ISOLATED TO SCATTERED IN NATURE WITH
DAMAGING WINDS OF 75 MPH...HAIL TO THE SIZE OF QUARTERS TO GOLF
BALLS AND SOME STRONG TORNADOES POSSIBLE.

.SPOTTER CALL TO ACTION STATEMENT...
THE ACTIVATION OF STORM SPOTTERS...HAM RADIO OPERATORS...AND
EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT PERSONNEL IN SUPPORT OF SEVERE WEATHER
OPERATIONS...WILL BE NEEDED FOR EARLY MONDAY MORNING THROUGH EARLY
MONDAY AFTERNOON.

$$

Friday, February 25, 2011

Around the shack...

I'm in a new house, and now have more room to dedicate to the amateur radio pursuits.  At the core of the station is a Yaesu FT-897D that provides for what I need in HF and VHF/UHF.  It's currently driving a home-made NVIS HF antenna and an MFJ-1522 dual-band antenna for VHF/UHF.  No amplifiers, no beams, just a basic station.  And I like it that way.

But...in the works:
1. 40ft tower to be acquired soon from another fellow amateur operator, and placement of the same.
2. Change from the NVIS HF antenna to a commercial inverted-V antenna.
3. Expansion of the house's wireless internet connection.  This comes in the form of giving an old Linksys WRT54G router a new life with DD-WRT firmware to enable it to behave as a repeater-bridge. 
4. Repair of a Yaesu FT-7800R for either mobile applications, or use as an Echolink station.
5. Establishing an Echolink station in a test configuration after I get the aforementioned internet issue resolved.
6. Installation of a 2-meter antenna for Echolink station, if I decide to leave it set up permanently.
7. Setting up an outdoor weather webcam.  Not much to do with amateur radio, but I like the idea.
8. Resuscitating one or more old computers for use as shack computers to run various systems like Echolink, and NBEMS for digital traffic and messaging.

There's more that is lingering out on the edges of the thought process, but it will have to wait a while.

In the meantime, if you'd like to monitor whats happening on the airwaves, tune to 3862 kHz most evenings to the Mississippi Section Phone Net, every weeknight to 147.285 or 444.975 MHz if you're in the Mississippi Delta for our local net, 147.420 MHz on Sunday nights for our emergency service net, or just listen in for local chatter on 146.520 and 146.550 MHz.

Thursday, February 24, 2011

Hazardous Weather Outlook Thursday PM 2/24/211

HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE JACKSON MS
323 PM CST THU FEB 24 2011

ARZ074-075-LAZ007>009-015-016-023-025-MSZ018-019-025>028-034>036-
040>042-047-252130-
ASHLEY-CHICOT-MOREHOUSE-WEST CARROLL-EAST CARROLL-RICHLAND-
MADISON LA-FRANKLIN LA-TENSAS-BOLIVAR-SUNFLOWER-LEFLORE-GRENADA-
CARROLL-MONTGOMERY-WASHINGTON-HUMPHREYS-HOLMES-ISSAQUENA-SHARKEY-
YAZOO-WARREN-
323 PM CST THU FEB 24 2011

THIS HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK IS FOR CENTRAL MISSISSIPPI...
NORTHEAST LOUISIANA...AND EXTREME SOUTHEAST ARKANSAS.

.DAY ONE...TONIGHT AND FRIDAY

A SQUALL LINE CONTAINING SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS IS EXPECTED TO CROSS
THE OUTLOOK AREA DURING THE EVENING HOURS. A FEW SEVERE
THUNDERSTORMS COULD DEVELOP AHEAD OF THE LINE. THE MAIN SEVERE
WEATHER RISKS WILL BE DAMAGING WIND GUSTS UP TO 75 MPH AND POSSIBLE
TORNADOES.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...FRIDAY NIGHT THROUGH WEDNESDAY

A SEVERE WEATHER EVENT IS STILL POSSIBLE SUNDAY NIGHT...ESPECIALLY
FOR AREAS NORTH OF INTERSTATE 20...AS A POTENT LOW PRESSURE SYSTEM
DEVELOPS OVER THE PLAINS STATES AND TRACKS NORTH OF THE ARKLAMISS
REGION. VERY STRONG WIND SHEAR IS EXPECTED TO COMBINE WITH AN
UNSTABLE AIRMASS TO BRING THE POTENTIAL FOR SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS.
PERSONS IN THE ARKLAMISS SHOULD KEEP UP TO DATE ON THE LATEST
OUTLOOKS AND FORECASTS CONCERNING THIS STORM SYSTEM.

.SPOTTER CALL TO ACTION STATEMENT...
THE ACTIVATION OF STORM SPOTTERS...HAM RADIO OPERATORS...AND
EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT PERSONNEL IN SUPPORT OF SEVERE WEATHER
OPERATIONS IS NOT EXPECTED THROUGH NEXT WEDNESDAY.


Hazardous Weather Outlook for Thursday 2/24/11

ARZ074-075-LAZ007>009-015-016-023-025-MSZ018-019-025>028-034>036-040>042-047-251030-
451 AM CST THU FEB 24 2011

THIS HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK IS FOR EXTREME SOUTHEAST ARKANSAS...
NORTHEAST LOUISIANA AND MUCH OF THE DELTA REGION.ASHLEY-CHICOT-MOREHOUSE-WEST CARROLL-EAST CARROLL-RICHLAND-MADISON LA-FRANKLIN LA-TENSAS-BOLIVAR-SUNFLOWER-LEFLORE-GRENADA-CARROLL-MONTGOMERY-WASHINGTON-HUMPHREYS-HOLMES-ISSAQUENA-SHARKEY-YAZOO-WARREN-

DAY ONE...TODAY AND TONIGHT

STRONG SOUTHERLY WINDS WILL INCREASE TO BETWEEN 25 AND 35 MPH THIS AFTERNOON INTO THE NIGHT AND WIND ADVISORIES WILL BE IN EFFECT.  NUMEROUS SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS ARE EXPECTED LATER THIS AFTERNOON INTO LATE TONIGHT AS A SQUALL LINE CROSSES THE AREA. THE MAIN RISK WILL BE DAMAGING WIND GUSTS UP TO 75 MPH...EMBEDDED TORNADOES IN THE LINE AND HAIL UP TO THE SIZE OF HALF DOLLARS. A STRONG STORM SYSTEM PASSING NORTH OF THE REGION WILL PULL IN THE COMBINATION OF MOIST...UNSTABLE AIR WITH FAVORABLE WIND SHEAR TO PRODUCE A SQUALL LINE OF THUNDERSTORMS THAT MARCHES QUICKLY EAST BY TONIGHT. THE GREATEST RISK FOR SEVERE WEATHER WILL EXIST MAINLY NORTH OF A LAKE PROVIDENCE TO MACON LINE.

DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...FRIDAY THROUGH WEDNESDAY

ANOTHER SEVERE WEATHER EVENT IS STILL LOOKING PROBABLE SUNDAY INTO SUNDAY NIGHT AS A POTENT LOW PRESSURE SYSTEM DEVELOPS OVER THE PLAINS STATES AND TRACKS JUST NORTH OF THE ARKLAMISS REGION. ONCE AGAIN...VERY STRONG WIND SHEAR IS EXPECTED TO COMBINE WITH AN UNSTABLE AIRMASS TO BRING THE POTENTIAL FOR SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS. PERSONS IN THE ARKLAMISS SHOULD KEEP UP TO DATE ON THE LATEST OUTLOOKS AND FORECASTS CONCERNING THIS STORM SYSTEM.

SPOTTER CALL TO ACTION STATEMENT
THE ACTIVATION OF STORM SPOTTERS...HAM RADIO OPERATORS...AND EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT PERSONNEL IN SUPPORT OF SEVERE WEATHER OPERATIONS...WILL LIKELY BE NEEDED FOR LATE THIS AFTERNOON INTO TONIGHT AND POSSIBLY AGAIN ON SUNDAY INTO SUNDAY NIGHT.


Wednesday, February 23, 2011

Update for Thursday 2/24/11


Severe Weather Awareness Week - Lightning

EVERY THUNDERSTORM CONTAINS LIGHTNING.

Nationwide in 2010, 30 people were killed by lightning. Since 1959 a staggering 3919 people have lost their lives as a direct result of being struck. In an average year around 25 million lightning strikes are recorded across the United State alone. Worldwide there are around 1800 thunderstorms ongoing at any given time. Lightning is an incredibly powerful electrical discharge, containing up to 100 million volts of electrical charge and capable of reaching 50000 degrees Fahrenheit. Cloud to Ground Lightning is the result of incredible differences in electrical charge which forms within thunderstorms…as well as between thunderstorms and the earth’s surface. Recent science suggests that ice in thunderstorms is key to creating the massive charge differences which lead to lightning. Thunderstorm updrafts and downdrafts work to separate smaller
ice particles from larger hail stones within the storm. As this happens many of the ice pieces collide resulting in a separation of electrical charge. The higher part of the storm contains primarily positively charged small ice crystals, with negative charged larger chunks of ice down low. As the storm moves across the earth a pool of positively charged particles gathers near the ground. Eventually a brief electrical circuit is created as a negatively charged “step leader” descends from the storm toward the ground and eventually connects to the positive charge on the ground. The extreme heating of the air with lightning causes a rapid expansion of the air around it, leading to thunder. The sound of thunder will travel away from lightning at a speed around 1 mile every 5 seconds. If you can see lightning and hear thunder at your location you are not safe, if you hear thunder within 30 seconds after seeing lightning your life is in immediate danger.

Lightning Safety Rules—Outdoors

Seek shelter inside a house, large building or an all metal vehicle with the windows rolled up (avoid convertibles).

If your hair stands on end and your skin tingles... lightning is about to strike. Take cover immediately!

When boating, head for shore and get into a shelter, or vehicle. If caught in a boat, lie down in the boat with cushions between you and the boat's side and bottom.

AVOID

Large trees, hilltops and other high places.

Chain link fences and any other metal fences like those around ball parks and play grounds.

Motorcycles, scooters, golf carts, small metal sheds, bicycles, tractors and farm equipment that does not have an enclosed metal cab.

Lightning Safety Rules - Indoors

Stay away from windows. Avoid telephones and electrical appliances (wires connecting to these devices run
outside of the home and act as lightning rods). Don’t wash dishes or take a shower. The pipes will conduct
electricity.

Unplug computers and other sensitive electrical devices (time permitting) since surge suppressors may not protectthese items if lightning hits close to the home.

Remember, there is no truth to the old myth that ―lightning never strikes twice.

Take time this week to learn or refresh your memory on lightning safety rules. That quick dash out in the open when athunderstorm is in progress may unnecessarily expose you to the possibility of being struck. It is not worth the risk.

If a person is struck by lightning, there is no residual charge left on the body. The quick application of CPR
may maintain vital body functions until medical help can be obtained.

Tornado safety information

Know what to do when Tornado Watches or Warnings are issued for your area. Go to http://fb.me/VA6VEusC to find out more.

Severe Storms possible Thursday and Sunday


Tuesday, February 22, 2011

Severe Weather Awareness Week - Tornadoes

What is a Tornado?

A tornado is a violently rotating column of air that extends from the base of a storm cloud to the ground.
Some conditions that are conducive for tornado formation include warm, moist, unstable air, strong atmospheric winds that increase in speed and change direction with height, and a forcing mechanism to lift the
air. When a combination of these factors comes together just right, tornadoes form. The most common time of year for tornado formation in Mississippi is during the spring months of March, April, and May, with a
Tornado - Robertson Co.- January 2010 secondary tornado season in November. Additionally, the afternoon and evening hours are the times of day at which most tornadoes occur, as they are the times at which the maximum heating takes place. However, tornadoes can occur at any time of day, and at any point during the year, given the right environment. Many tornadoes occur at night in Mississippi.

Nighttime Tornadoes Pose Greater Danger

The NWS would like to draw attention to nighttime tornadoes. These tornadoes pose a greater danger than those that occur during the daylight because once most people go to bed, they are no longer connected to the watches or warnings issued by the NWS. Also at night, visibility is reduced and observing a tornado is more difficult. This is elevated during the winter months because it is not the traditional tornado season. Research by Gagan et al. 2010 compared tornado statistics from the Great Plains in the classic “Tornado Alley” to tornadoes in the Deep South or “Dixie Alley.” Researchers found that Dixie Alley had far greater amounts of Killer Strong/Violent Tornadoes between 9pm-9am timeframe. Dixie Alley had nearly twice the number of strong/violent tornadoes from Midnight-Noon timeframe than Tornado Alley from 1950-2007.

Having an properly programmed All Hazards NOAA Weather Radio with S.A.M.E. County Coding technology will alarm individuals anytime of day when a severe thunderstorm warning or tornado warning is issued for their county. This device has been credited for saving numerous lives during nocturnal tornado events.

**Source: National Weather Service - Jackson, MS Forecast Office, Mississippi Severe Weather Awareness Week 2011 Brochure which can be viewed/downloaded by clicking the link. 

Severe Weather Awareness Week - Flash Floods

FLASH FLOODING: Flash floods can occur within a few minutes or up to 6 hours after excessive rainfall, a dam or levee failure, or a sudden release of water held by an ice jam or mud slide. Flash floods can wash out roads, destroy buildings an d bridges. Because flash floods happen in a short period of time (less than six hours after the causative event) they are more life threatening than other types of flooding. Areas most susceptible to flash flooding are mountainous streams and rivers, urban areas, low-lying areas, storm drains, and culverts.

A Flash Flood Warning is issued when flash flooding has been reported or is imminent.  It focuses on specific communities, creeks or streams, or other geographic areas where flooding is imminent or occurring.

RIVER FLOODING: This type of flooding is caused by an increased water level in established watercourses, such as a rivers, creeks, or streams. River flooding is slower to develop than flash flooding (more than 6 hours after the causative event), however, some smaller creeks and streams have a short lag time between the runoff from heavy rain and the onset of flooding. On the other hand, it may take several days for a flood crest to pass downstream points on major rivers such as the Lower Pearl, and Mississippi Rivers. The NWS issues River Flood Warnings when rivers are expected to rise above flood stage. Persons in the warned area are advised to take necessary precautions immediately. River stages and crest forecasts are given for selected forecast points along with known flood stages for each forecast point. While there is usually more advanced warning time with river floods than with flash floods, persons should be familiar with the flood prone areas they live and work in, and must know what action to take and where to go if a flood occurs. Advance planning and preparation is essential.

FLOOD SAFETY RULES: Follow these tips to stay safe during flood conditions…

When a warning is issued get out of areas subject to flooding. These may include dips, low spots, stream beds, drainage ditches and culverts. If caught in low areas during flooding, go to high ground immediately.

Avoid already flooded and high velocity flow areas. A rapidly flowing stream or ditch can sweep you off your feet or even carry your car or truck downstream. Never drive through a flooded area as the road bed may be washed away. Play it safe! If you encounter a flooded road - TURN AROUND, DON’T DROWN!
Be especially cautious at night when it is harder to recognize flood conditions, and never drive around a barricaded road.

Most flood deaths occur at night and when people become trapped in automobiles that stall in areas that are flooded. If your vehicle stalls, abandon it immediately and seek higher ground. The rising water may engulf the vehicle and the occupants inside. Do not camp or park your vehicle along streams or washes during threatening conditions.

When a FLOOD WARNING is issued for your area, act quickly to save yourself. You may only have seconds!

**Source: National Weather Service - Jackson, MS Forecast Office, Mississippi Severe Weather Awareness Week 2011 Brochure which can be viewed/downloaded by clicking the link. 

Monday, February 21, 2011

Severe Weather Awareness Week - Severe Thunderstorms

Each day this week, we'll post information on various aspects of severe weather for Severe Weather Awareness Week 2011.  Feel free copy, paste, or share this information.  Today, we discuss severe thunderstorms and hail.

What is a Severe Thunderstorm?
A severe thunderstorm is a thunderstorm that produces one or more of the following: hail that has a diameter of one inch (quarter size) or larger, winds greater than or equal to 58 mph, and tornadoes. About 10% of all thunderstorms in the U.S. meet severe criteria.

Severe thunderstorms can occur at any time of year, although the most common time of occurrence is during the spring months of March, April, and May. In addition, pulse-type thunderstorms during the summer months can produce high winds, frequent lightning, and torrential downpours.

There is also a secondary season of organized severe weather in Mississippi, in November and early December.

What is the Difference between a Watch and a Warning?
A severe thunderstorm watch means that conditions are favorable for severe thunderstorms to develop. These are issued by the Storm Prediction Center in Norman, OK, typically before severe weather is developing.

A severe thunderstorm warning means that a severe thunderstorm has either been indicated on radar or witnessed by storm spotters. Your local NWS Forecast Office issues severe thunderstorm warnings when severe weather is developing or occurring.

How Is Hail Formed?
Hail is formed when water droplets are drawn into an area of strong upward moving air, known as an up-
draft, of a storm. Once the water droplets are transported above the freezing level, they combine with tiny airborne particles, such as dirt, salt, volcanic ash, etc., and freeze on contact, forming tiny ice particles. These ice particles are light enough that they remain suspended in the cloud, where they undergo processes that allow them to combine with other supercooled water droplets and grow into hail stones. Once the hail stones are heavy enough to overcome the upward force of the updraft, they fall out of the cloud. By definition, hail stones are 5 millimeters or larger, and can inflict significant damage to automobiles, buildings, crops, and even people.

Mississippi's primary season for significant hail (1 inch or larger) runs from March to May, but hail is possible year-round.

As of January 5, 2010, the National Weather Service has changed the severe hail criteria from 3/4 inch to 1 inch. Why the change? There are a couple of reasons. Research has shown that significant damage caused by hail does not occur until the hail diameter reaches one inch (approximately quarter size) or larger. Requests from NWS partners such as emergency managers and the media further prompted the decision to increase the severe hail criteria due to the fact that more frequent severe thunderstorm warnings may act to desensitize the public from their meaningfulness. Such an effect could cause people not to take caution during such a warning, which could lead to unnecessary damage or injury. The change means that severe thunderstorm warnings for hail will be issued less frequently so that a greater emphasis can be placed on more substantial hail threats.

Hail Size Estimates
Pea - 1/4 inch
Penny - 3/4 inch
Quarter - 1 inch
Half Dollar - 1 1/4 inches
Golf Ball - 1 3/4 inches
Tennis Ball - 2 1/2 inches
Baseball - 2 3/4 inches
Grapefruit - 4 inches

**Source: National Weather Service - Jackson, MS Forecast Office, Mississippi Severe Weather Awareness Week 2011 Brochure which can be viewed/downloaded by clicking the link.

Tuesday, February 8, 2011

Winter Weather for Wednesday & Thursday

URGENT - WINTER WEATHER MESSAGE
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE JACKSON MS
345 PM CST TUE FEB 8 2011

...WINTER STORM WARNING NOW IN EFFECT FROM NOON WEDNESDAY THROUGH
WEDNESDAY NIGHT FOR EXTREME SOUTHEAST ARKANSAS...AND PORTIONS OF
NORTHEAST LOUISIANA AND CENTRAL MISSISSIPPI. WINTER STORM WATCH
IN EFFECT FROM NOON WEDNESDAY THROUGH WEDNESDAY NIGHT FOR MUCH OF
NORTHEAST LOUISIANA AND CENTRAL MISSISSIPPI...

.A DEEP COLD AIR MASS WILL BE IN PLACE AS A LOW PRESSURE SYSTEM
MOVES ACROSS THE ARKLAMISS WEDNESDAY AND WEDNESDAY NIGHT. THIS
WILL RESULT IN THE POTENTIAL FOR ACCUMULATING SNOW FOR MUCH OF
THE AREA ALONG AND NORTH OF A WINNSOBORO LOUISIANA TO JACKSON AND
DEKALB MISSISSIPPI LINE.
* TIMING: SNOW MAY BEGIN TO FALL AND ACCUMULATE UP TO 2 INCHES
  BY MID AFTERNOON WEDNESDAY. SNOW MAY THEN INCREASE IN COVERAGE
  AND INTENSITY LATE WEDNESDAY AFTERNOON AND CONTINUE INTO THE
  EVENING.

* MAIN IMPACT: SNOW ACCUMULATIONS OF 3 TO 5 INCHES WITH LOCALLY
  HIGHER AMOUNTS WILL BE POSSIBLE.

* OTHER IMPACTS: AS TEMPERATURES DROP BELOW FREEZING WEDNESDAY
  AFTERNOON...HAZARDOUS TRAVEL CONDITIONS COULD DEVELOP...
  ESPECIALLY ON BRIDGES AND ELEVATED ROAD SURFACES.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

A WINTER STORM WARNING FOR HEAVY SNOW MEANS THAT A WINTER STORM
SYSTEM IS EXPECTED TO IMPACT THE AREA WITH SIGNIFICANT AMOUNTS OF
SNOW POSSIBLE. THIS WILL MAKE TRAVEL VERY HAZARDOUS TO
IMPOSSIBLE.



Monday, February 7, 2011

Winter Weather this week

NOTE:  As always, it's difficult to accurately predict winter weather,
especially in the South.  The information outlined below may change before
Wednesday. 
 
URGENT - WINTER WEATHER MESSAGE
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE JACKSON MS
321 PM CST MON FEB 7 2011

...WINTER STORM WATCH IN EFFECT FROM WEDNESDAY NOON THROUGH WEDNESDAY
NIGHT FOR NORTHEAST LOUISIANA...SOUTHEAST ARKANSAS AND NORTHWEST MISSISSIPPI...

.A COLD AIR MASS WILL MOVE IN BEHIND THE COLD FRONT THAT TRACKED
ACROSS THE AREA TODAY. THIS COLD AIR MASS WILL REMAIN IN PLACE WHEN
THE NEXT WEATHER SYSTEM MOVES IN DURING THE WEDNESDAY TO WEDNESDAY
NIGHT TIME FRAME. THIS WILL RESULT IN THE POTENTIAL FOR SNOW FOR
MUCH OF THE AREA WITH THE BEST POTENTIAL FOR ACCUMULATING SNOWFALL
OVER NORTHEAST LOUISIANA...SOUTHEAST ARKANSAS AND NORTHWEST
MISSISSIPPI THROUGH SUNRISE THURSDAY.
 
...WINTER STORM WATCH IN EFFECT FROM WEDNESDAY AFTERNOON THROUGH
LATE WEDNESDAY NIGHT...

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN JACKSON HAS ISSUED A WINTER STORM
WATCH...WHICH IS IN EFFECT FROM WEDNESDAY AFTERNOON THROUGH LATE
WEDNESDAY NIGHT.

* TIMING: SNOW WILL BEGIN TO ACCUMULATE OVER THE WATCH AREA
  WEDNESDAY AFTERNOON. SNOW FALL WILL INCREASE IN COVERAGE AND
  INTENSITY WEDNESDAY EVENING AND CONTINUE OVERNIGHT.

* MAIN IMPACT: SNOW ACCUMULATIONS OF 2 TO 4 INCHES ARE EXPECTED OVER
  THE AREA BY SUNRISE THURSDAY WITH HIGHER AMOUNTS POSSIBLE.

* OTHER IMPACTS: HAZARDOUS TRAVEL CONDITIONS ARE EXPECTED TO
  DEVELOP...ESPECIALLY ON BRIDGES AND ELEVATED ROAD SURFACES.
 
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

A WINTER STORM WATCH MEANS THERE IS A POTENTIAL FOR SIGNIFICANT
SNOW ACCUMULATIONS THAT MAY IMPACT TRAVEL. CONTINUE TO MONITOR THE
LATEST FORECASTS.


Friday, February 4, 2011

For Tonight 2/4/2011

All winter weather advisories, watches, and warnings have expired for our area.  Here's the last graphic for this storm.

Bragging Rights


I recently discovered this audio clip of Col. Doug Wheelock aboard the International Space Station, recognizing my call sign (K5JAW) during an overpass of the United States on November 7, 2010.  The ISS maintains an amateur radio station, and is on the air frequently.  It's a challenge to have relatively weak earth-based signals heard aboard the ISS, orbiting about 200 miles above the surface of the earth.  Of course, being that high, it's relatively easy to hear their signals.  I've heard them on a number of previous passes, but this was my first confirmed contact.

Winter Weather Update - 7:15am 2/4/2011

Roads & Bridges in some areas are being reported as iced and slick.  Use extreme caution when driving this morning.

**********

...WINTER STORM WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL NOON CST TODAY...

A WINTER STORM WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL NOON CST TODAY.

* TIMING: NOW UNTIL NOON TODAY

* MAIN IMPACT: FREEZING RAIN MIXED WITH SOME SLEET WILL CONTINUE TO
  DEVELOP THIS MORNING...AND WILL CONTINUE THROUGH THE MORNING UNTIL
  MIDDAY TODAY. SOME SNOW IS POSSIBLE...ESPECIALLY WEST OF THE
  MISSISSIPPI RIVER. THE PRECIPITATION WILL DIMINISH AND TEMPERATURES
  WILL RISE SLIGHTLY ABOVE FREEZING BY NOON TODAY. UP TO ONE HALF
  INCH OF ACCUMULATION OF ICE AND SLEET IS EXPECTED. LIGHT SNOW
  ACCUMULATION MAY ALSO BE POSSIBLE.

* OTHER IMPACTS: WHERE THE HIGHEST ICE ACCUMULATIONS OCCUR...
  SOME POWER ISSUES MAY OCCUR AS ICE ACCUMULATES ON TREES AND
  POWER LINES. TRAVEL WILL ALSO LIKELY BECOME HAZARDOUS.
  TEMPERATURES ARE NOT EXPECTED TO RISE ABOVE FREEZING UNTIL THE
  AFTERNOON.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

A WINTER STORM WARNING FOR SLEET AND FREEZING RAIN MEANS THAT A
WINTER STORM SYSTEM IS IMPACTING THE AREA WITH SIGNIFICANT
AMOUNTS OF ICE. TRAVEL IS LIKELY TO BE SEVERELY IMPACTED.

Thursday, February 3, 2011

Latest Graphic - 9:00pm 2/3/2011

Winter Weather Briefing - MultiMedia

Winter Storm Warning, 2/3/2011 through 2/4/2011

...WINTER STORM WARNING IN EFFECT UNTIL NOON CST FRIDAY...

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN JACKSON HAS ISSUED A WINTER STORM
WARNING FOR SNOW...SLEET AND FREEZING RAIN...WHICH IS IN EFFECT UNTIL
NOON CST FRIDAY. THE WINTER STORM WATCH IS NO LONGER IN EFFECT.

* TIMING: NOW UNTIL NOON FRIDAY

* MAIN IMPACT: A MIXTURE OF SNOW...SLEET...AND FREEZING RAIN WILL
  DEVELOP THIS EVENING...WITH THE GREATEST PRECIPITATION AMOUNTS
  EXPECTED TO DEVELOP AFTER MIDNIGHT. THIS MIXED PRECIPITATION WILL
  CONTINUE THROUGH THE MORNING HOURS FRIDAY. THE PRECIPITATION SHOULD
  GRADUALLY DIMINISH AND TEMPERATURES WILL RISE SLIGHTLY ABOVE
  FREEZING BY NOON FRIDAY. 1 TO 2 INCHES OF SNOW ALONG WITH NEAR ONE
  QUARTER OF ACCUMULATION OF ICE AND SLEET ARE POSSIBLE.

* OTHER IMPACTS: WHERE THE HIGHEST ICE ACCUMULATIONS OCCUR...
  SOME POWER ISSUES MAY OCCUR AS ICE ACCUMULATES ON TREES AND
  POWER LINES. TRAVEL WILL ALSO LIKELY BECOME HAZARDOUS

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

A WINTER STORM WARNING MEANS SIGNIFICANT AMOUNTS OF SNOW...
SLEET...AND ICE ARE EXPECTED OR OCCURRING. STRONG WINDS ARE ALSO
POSSIBLE.  THIS WILL MAKE TRAVEL VERY HAZARDOUS OR IMPOSSIBLE.

A WINTER STORM WARNING FOR SNOW...SLEET...AND FREEZING RAIN MEANS THAT
A WINTER STORM SYSTEM IS IMPACTING THE AREA WITH SIGNIFICANT AMOUNTS
OF SNOW AND ICE. TRAVEL IS LIKELY TO BE SEVERELY IMPACTED.


Winter Weather Graphics for Feb 3-4, 2011

General overview:


Anticipated events for the remainder of today:
























Anticipated events for overnight:
























Projected event precipitation totals:

Winter Weather Update, 845am 2/3/11

SPECIAL WEATHER STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE JACKSON MS
837 AM CST THU FEB 3 2011 
...WINTRY PRECIPITATION BEGINNING TO AFFECT THE REGION THIS MORNING...

AT 830 AM...NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE RADAR WAS INDICATING PATCHES OF
MIXED WINTRY PRECIPITATION DEVELOPING ACROSS THE AREA. ALONG THE
INTERSTATE 20 CORRIDOR...PATCHES OF A MIXTURE OF SLEET AND SNOW WERE
OCCURRING. THIS PRECIPITATION IS EXPECTED TO REMAIN LIGHT THROUGH
THE MORNING HOURS...BUT A FEW SLICK SPOTS COULD OCCUR ON ROADS GIVEN
THAT TEMPERATURES ARE IN THE MID 20S. THIS PRECIPITATION WILL
CONTINUE TO LIFT NORTH INTO THE HIGHWAY 82 CORRIDOR...BUT SHOULD
MAINLY FALL AS FLURRIES. MORE SIGNIFICANT PRECIPITATION IS NOT
EXPECTED IN NORTHERN SECTIONS OF THE AREA UNTIL TONIGHT.

FARTHER SOUTH...RADAR INDICATED THAT A MIXTURE OF FREEZING RAIN AND
SLEET WAS EXPANDING FROM JUST SOUTH OF HATTIESBURG TO SOUTH OF BATON
ROUGE. THIS PRECIPITATION WILL BE LIFTING NORTHEAST THIS MORNING AND
AFFECTING THE HIGHWAY 98 CORRIDOR BETWEEN 9 AM AND NOON. THIS WILL
RESULT IN DETERIORATING TRAVEL CONDITIONS AS ICY PATCHES
DEVELOP...ESPECIALLY ON BRIDGES AND OVERPASSES. 

AS THE DAY GOES ON...THE PRECIPITATION IS EXPECTED TO CONTINUE TO
GRADUALLY INCREASE IN COVERAGE AND INTENSITY ACROSS AREAS SOUTH OF
INTERSTATE 20. THIS WILL LIKELY RESULT IN DETERIORATING CONDITIONS
THIS AFTERNOON AND INTO THE EVENING.

STAY TUNED TO NOAA WEATHER RADIO FOR UPDATES ON THIS WINTER WEATHER
SITUATION.
 
 

Wednesday, February 2, 2011

Winter Weather for Thursday & Friday

WINTER WEATHER MESSAGE
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE JACKSON MS
354 PM CST WED FEB 2 2011

...MIXED WINTRY PRECIPITATION LIKELY TO AFFECT THE REGION THURSDAY
INTO FRIDAY MORNING...

.LOW PRESSURE DEVELOPING OVER THE GULF OF MEXICO WILL SPREAD A WINTRY
MIX OF PRECIPITATION ACROSS THE AREA THURSDAY INTO FRIDAY. A MIXTURE
OF SLEET...RAIN AND FREEZING RAIN IS EXPECTED TO DEVELOP FROM
SOUTHEAST TO NORTHWEST ACROSS MISSISSIPPI AND EAST CENTRAL LOUISIANA
THURSDAY. BY THURSDAY NIGHT...MIXED PRECIPITATION WILL OVERSPREAD THE
ENTIRE ARKLAMISS AREA. SLIGHTLY WARMER TEMPERATURES WILL THEN SPREAD
INTO THE REGION FROM THE EAST THURSDAY NIGHT...CAUSING
IMPROVING CONDITIONS OVER EASTERN MISSISSIPPI. THIS SLIGHTLY WARMER
AIR WILL BRING TEMPERATURES ABOVE FREEZING OVER MOST OF MISSISSIPPI
BY MID TO LATE MORNING FRIDAY...AND OVER THE ENTIRE REGION BY FRIDAY
AFTERNOON.
...WINTER STORM WATCH IN EFFECT FROM THURSDAY EVENING THROUGH
FRIDAY MORNING...

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN JACKSON HAS ISSUED A WINTER STORM
WATCH...WHICH IS IN EFFECT FROM THURSDAY EVENING THROUGH FRIDAY
MORNING.

* TIMING: 6 PM THURSDAY TIL NOON FRIDAY

* MAIN IMPACT: SNOW WILL LIKELY DEVELOP FROM THE SOUTH THURSDAY
  EVENING...AND GRADUALLY BECOME MIXED WITH SLEET AND FREEZING RAIN
  OVERNIGHT. THIS MIXED PRECIPITATION WILL CONTINUE THROUGH THE
  MORNING HOURS FRIDAY. THE PRECIPITATION SHOULD GRADUALLY DIMINISH AND
  TEMPERATURES WILL RISE SLIGHTLY ABOVE FREEZING BY FRIDAY. 1 TO 3
  INCHES OF SNOW ALONG WITH SOME ACCUMULATIONS OF ICE AND SLEET ARE
  POSSIBLE.

* OTHER IMPACTS: WHERE THE HIGHEST ICE ACCUMULATIONS OCCUR...SOME
  POWER ISSUES MAY OCCUR AS ICE ACCUMULATES ON TREES AND POWERLINES.
  TRAVEL WILL ALSO LIKELY BECOME HAZARDOUS