Watches, Warnings & Advisories for Sunflower Co.

Tuesday, January 31, 2012

Operating Notes, 31 Jan 2012

On The Air:
National & Regional
I participated briefly in the ARRL RTTY Roundup on January 7.  I don't really get into contests, but will give participants a reply to improve their scores. Fifty-two contacts were logged in about 2.5 hours of operations.  The most distant contact was S53M, the Murska radio club in Murska, Slovenia, 5282 miles away.

Local
The Central Mississippi Skywarn HF net ran its first formal net on January 5, 2012, and gathered a host of check-ins from across the state.  The purpose of the net is to expand the reporting area for the Jackson National Weather Service office.  Weather reports for the 40 or so miles around Jackson are relayed in using local repeaters, but reports from further away were few and far between.  The Skywarn HF net will meet on the first Thursday of each month at 7:00pm.

Be sure to mark your calendars for March 3, 2012.  The kids at the Olde Towne Middle School's Amateur Radio & Technology Club in Ridgeland, MS will launch their second high-altitude balloon project, and would appreciate you monitoring their HF telemetry beacon and sending them the data.  I monitored their launch last year, and it is really neat to see them put their science lessons into practice.  In addition to telemetry, they're considering adding an experiment to test the viability of microbes grown on petri dishes for exposure to the deep cold and high ultraviolet environment of near-space.  Visit their website for mission planning updates, and a link to download the proper telemetry reporting software.  They also have a Twitter account that you can follow.  Good luck, Titans!

Here's their QSL card for the 2011 mission.


Around the Station:
Working on these Operating Notes for the past couple of months has brought to my attention the fact that operating an amateur radio station entails far more than being on the air.  Maintenance of station logs and documentation, management of QSL cards and Logbook of The World, general equipment/antenna maintenance...all of those things that take place off-the-air.  Not only do those activities need attention for obvious purposes, spending time on each one makes for a better operator.  One of my goals for 2012 was to bring my logbook up to 1000 contacts.  That won't be easy if I don't keep a close eye on my logbook and the data it contains.  In future Operating Notes, I'll briefly explore some of the various ancillary functions of good station operations.

An experimental Echolink node under my callsign is being tried on 147.420 MHz simplex.  I've not convinced myself that it will be a permanent addition to the station, but the possibility exists.  It would be useful to link into other portions of the state for weather nets.  I picked up an Icom IC-2350H for a great price at the Jackson, MS Hamfest this month.  It was bought with the intention of being the Echolink radio, but the dual-band and crossband capabilities means it might find a home in my truck instead.  I also picked up a Blue Star Antennas dual-band aluminum J-pole to go with it at the shack.

Speaking of weather nets, January saw our first severe weather outbreak of 2012, which is highly unusual for a winter month.  We opened a weather net that ran for about 6 hours on January 22, with twelve stations in five counties participating.  Initial forecasts called for a moderate severe weather event.  Not much rain fell, but at least one EF-2 tornado affected the far northern portion of Bolivar County, resulting in one injury.  For a short time during this net, we linked a series of repeaters but technical issues required us to break the links.

My primary goal for 2012, bringing my logbook up to 1000 contacts means I'll need to log around 435 contacts this year.  For January, 97 contacts have been recorded....338 left to go!  I've plotted various state QSO parties on my calendar, as well as a few contests to help in reaching my goal.

On the subject of contacts and QSL/logbook records...my local logbook shows I've got a contact in each state, but my Logbook of The World needs just two states confirmed to gain the Worked All States basic award.  Oklahoma and Montana....anyone out there reading this?  While we're on awards, I'm waiting on a couple of QSL cards to come in so I can complete the paperwork for Worked All Continents.

I recently read some articles about "lx-peditions", the local variant of DXpeditions - operating from remote geographic locations.  K4WK has a quick description of what an LxPedition is.  Basically it's operating portable from a nearby location of you choosing, purely for the experience of remote operations.  On the weekend of January 14, I had a chance to do an LxPedition.  Friday evening was spent packing up the transmitter, antenna, generator, paper logs, and other miscellaneous things that would be useful while working outdoors.  I planned to operate from Grid Square EM53bl, on some land my family owns.  All went well until the generator refused to crank.  Note to self: test ALL equipment before taking off for a remote spot!  The power issue was quickly resolved though, pulling 12 volts from my truck.  The morning's weather started out cool but bearable.  But within a couple of hours' time, increasing winds made the cold less than bearable for a quick field-portable setup.  Having made no contacts (more on that next), I rolled up the wire and called it a day.  My first LxPedition yielded no contacts.  I stayed around 20 meters, calling CQ for a while, then dialing around to see if anyone else was hunting for contacts.  What I did find, though, were a lot of nets.  Nets calling for early check-ins for an hour before their net time, or nets with four or five participants going on for an hour or more.  I have nothing against nets, and routinely participate in several around Mississippi.  But I'm used to nets that convene, take care of business, and close down.  We don't tie up the bands for extended amounts of time praying for the ether to give us check-ins for an hour before the nets starts, nor going around the table again and again for another comment from the half-dozen folks on the net.  Maybe I'm used to quick, concise nets.  Or maybe it's that most of my on-air time is late afternoon and evening and I miss out on the morning nets.  Either way, Amateur Radio has lots of different aspects to enjoy, and these nets were filling their niche.  I'll just plan my future LxPeditions better.  I'm not sure when I'll try another, but I'll definitely do one or two before summertime.  Grid EM54bl will be back on the target list, and EM53eg will be too.  I mentioned that I didn't make any contacts, but it wasn't a total loss.  Here's the view I had (let the sweet sounds of Beethoven's 9th - Ode to Joy fill your thoughts):

QSL Cards Received
WB2NHQ
KD0BIK
KQ0J
AK4AT
K2CDP
N3AO
K0DSP
KD2AIP
AB9QU
W1WAB
WA8RPK
ZL3NB (New Zealand)
KD0NZY
W2RON
KD8JSP
KD5VMV
KC5NXD-11

QSL Cards Going Out
N3AO

Thursday, January 26, 2012

Hazardous Weather Outlook, 1/26/2012

HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE JACKSON MS
425 AM CST THU JAN 26 2012

THIS HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK IS FOR EXTREME SOUTHEASTERN ARKANSAS
AND PORTIONS OF CENTRAL AND NORTHERN MISSISSIPPI.

.DAY ONE...TODAY AND TONIGHT

ISOLATED SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS ARE POSSIBLE FROM MIDDAY THROUGH
AFTERNOON...GENERALLY NORTH OF A DE KALB...TO MADISON...TO CROSSETT
ARKANSAS LINE AS A STRONG UPPER LEVEL LOW PRESSURE SYSTEM MOVES
OVERHEAD. THE MAIN RISK WITH ANY SEVERE STORMS WILL BE DAMAGING
WIND GUSTS AND HAIL UP TO THE SIZE OF QUARTERS.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...FRIDAY THROUGH WEDNESDAY

THE PROBABILITY FOR 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 LATER TODAY...BUT IS OTHERWISE NOT
ANTICIPATED THROUGH NEXT WEDNESDAY.
 
 


***DO NOT USE THIS WEBSITE AS YOUR SOLE SOURCE OF WEATHER INFORMATION, ESPECIALLY WATCHES AND WARNINGS. THIS WEBSITE DELIVERS FOCUSED INFORMATION FOR A SPECIFIC GEOGRAPHIC AREA AND IS NOT INTENDED TO PROVIDE TIMELY WEATHER WARNING INFORMATION***

Wednesday, January 25, 2012

Hazardous Weather Outlook, January 25, 2012

HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE JACKSON MS
128 PM CST WED JAN 25 2012

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

.DAY ONE...TONIGHT AND THURSDAY

STRONG AND SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS WILL BE POSSIBLE LATE THIS AFTERNOON
THROUGH THE OVERNIGHT HOURS AND INTO THURSDAY MORNING ALONG AND WEST
OF I-55 CORRIDOR. THE PRIMARY HAZARDS WILL BE DAMAGING STRAIGHT LINE
WINDS BUT QUARTER SIZED HAIL AND A FEW TORNADOES WILL ALSO BE
POSSIBLE.

A FEW THUNDERSTORMS WILL BE POSSIBLE THIS AFTERNOON AHEAD OF A
SQUALL LINE. THE BEST CHANCE FOR SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS WILL BE WITH
THE SQUALL LINE AS IT PUSHES INTO THE AREA THIS EVENING AND MOVES
EASTWARD ACROSS THE REGION OVERNIGHT.

STRONG...POSSIBLY SEVERE...STORMS WILL BE POSSIBLE AGAIN THURSDAY
MORNING AND AFTERNOON WITH THE MAIN RISK BEING LARGE HAIL AND STRONG
WIND GUSTS. THE RISK WILL DIMINISH THROUGH THE EVENING HOURS THURSDAY
AS THE LOW PRESSURE SYSTEM PUSHES THROUGH THE REGION.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...THURSDAY NIGHT THROUGH TUESDAY

THE PROBABILITY FOR 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 TODAY AND THURSDAY.
 
 
 


***DO NOT USE THIS WEBSITE AS YOUR SOLE SOURCE OF WEATHER INFORMATION, ESPECIALLY WATCHES AND WARNINGS. THIS WEBSITE DELIVERS FOCUSED INFORMATION FOR A SPECIFIC GEOGRAPHIC AREA AND IS NOT INTENDED TO PROVIDE TIMELY WEATHER WARNING INFORMATION***

Tuesday, January 24, 2012

Storms possible Thursday

HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE JACKSON MS
245 PM CST TUE JAN 24 2012

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

.DAY ONE...TONIGHT AND WEDNESDAY

THE PROBABILITY FOR WIDESPREAD HAZARDOUS WEATHER IS LOW.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...WEDNESDAY NIGHT THROUGH MONDAY

STRONG TO SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS WILL BE POSSIBLE THURSDAY WITH THE
PRIMARY HAZARD BEING DAMAGING WINDS. HOWEVER...A TORNADO CANNOT BE
RULED OUT. THIS COMES AS A LOW PRESSURE SYSTEM WILL MOVE THROUGH THE
REGION...PROVIDING INCREASING LIFT AND WIND SHEAR THAT WILL COMBINE
WITH ENOUGH MOISTURE IN PLACE OVER THE REGION.

.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 THURSDAY.
 
 

***DO NOT USE THIS WEBSITE AS YOUR SOLE SOURCE OF WEATHER INFORMATION, ESPECIALLY WATCHES AND WARNINGS. THIS WEBSITE DELIVERS FOCUSED INFORMATION FOR A SPECIFIC GEOGRAPHIC AREA AND IS NOT INTENDED TO PROVIDE TIMELY WEATHER WARNING INFORMATION***

Sunday, January 22, 2012

Tornado Watch #7




















 
URGENT - IMMEDIATE BROADCAST REQUESTED
   TORNADO WATCH NUMBER 7
   NWS STORM PREDICTION CENTER NORMAN OK
   1100 PM CST SUN JAN 22 2012
   
   THE NWS STORM PREDICTION CENTER HAS ISSUED A
   TORNADO WATCH FOR PORTIONS OF 
   
          NORTHWEST ALABAMA
          EXTREME SOUTHEAST ARKANSAS
          NORTHEAST LOUISIANA
          CENTRAL AND NORTHERN MISSISSIPPI
          WESTERN AND MIDDLE TENNESSEE
   
   EFFECTIVE THIS SUNDAY NIGHT AND MONDAY MORNING FROM 1100 PM UNTIL
   600 AM CST.
   
   SEVERAL TORNADOES
   ISOLATED INTENSE TORNADOES POSSIBLE
   SCATTERED DAMAGING WINDS
   ISOLATED WIND GUSTS TO 70 MPH POSSIBLE
   SCATTERED LARGE HAIL TO 1.5 INCHES IN DIAMETER
   
   THE TORNADO WATCH AREA IS APPROXIMATELY ALONG AND 90 STATUTE
   MILES EAST AND WEST OF A LINE FROM 15 MILES EAST NORTHEAST OF
   CLARKSVILLE TENNESSEE TO 50 MILES SOUTH SOUTHWEST OF JACKSON
   MISSISSIPPI.  FOR A COMPLETE DEPICTION OF THE WATCH SEE THE
   ASSOCIATED WATCH OUTLINE UPDATE (WOUS64 KWNS WOU7).
   
   REMEMBER...A TORNADO WATCH MEANS CONDITIONS ARE FAVORABLE FOR
   TORNADOES AND SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS IN AND CLOSE TO THE WATCH
   AREA. PERSONS IN THESE AREAS SHOULD BE ON THE LOOKOUT FOR
   THREATENING WEATHER CONDITIONS AND LISTEN FOR LATER STATEMENTS
   AND POSSIBLE WARNINGS.
   
   OTHER WATCH INFORMATION...THIS TORNADO WATCH REPLACES TORNADO
   WATCH NUMBER 5. WATCH NUMBER 5 WILL NOT BE IN EFFECT AFTER 1100
   PM CST. CONTINUE...WW 6...
   
   DISCUSSION...PRE-FRONTAL SQUALL LINE WILL CONTINUE TO SURGE EWD
   OVERNIGHT FROM NW MS/WRN TN TO MIDDLE TN AND NW AL...WHILE
   ADDITIONAL STORM DEVELOPMENT WILL BE POSSIBLE ACROSS CENTRAL/NE MS
   ALONG THE MOIST AXIS/CONFLUENCE BAND.  A VERY STRONG SHEAR
   ENVIRONMENT REMAINS IN PLACE ACROSS THE WATCH AREA...WITH AN
   ATTENDANT RISK OF BOTH SUPERCELL AND QLCS TORNADOES WHERE
   SURFACE-BASED INSTABILITY EXISTS.  EVENTUALLY...THE NE EXTENT OF THE
   TORNADO/WIND DAMAGE THREAT WILL BECOME LIMITED BY THE RESIDUAL
   COOL/STABLE AIR MASS THAT HAS BEEN SLOW TO ERODE FROM NE AL/NW GA
   INTO ERN TN.
   
   AVIATION...TORNADOES AND A FEW SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS WITH HAIL
   SURFACE AND ALOFT TO 1.5 INCHES. EXTREME TURBULENCE AND SURFACE
   WIND GUSTS TO 60 KNOTS. A FEW CUMULONIMBI WITH MAXIMUM TOPS TO
   500. MEAN STORM MOTION VECTOR 24050.


***DO NOT USE THIS WEBSITE AS YOUR SOLE SOURCE OF WEATHER INFORMATION, ESPECIALLY WATCHES AND WARNINGS. THIS WEBSITE DELIVERS FOCUSED INFORMATION FOR A SPECIFIC GEOGRAPHIC AREA AND IS NOT INTENDED TO PROVIDE TIMELY WEATHER WARNING INFORMATION***

Tornado Watch #5 until Midnight 1/23/2012




















 
URGENT - IMMEDIATE BROADCAST REQUESTED
   TORNADO WATCH NUMBER 5
   NWS STORM PREDICTION CENTER NORMAN OK
   520 PM CST SUN JAN 22 2012
   
   THE NWS STORM PREDICTION CENTER HAS ISSUED A
   TORNADO WATCH FOR PORTIONS OF 
   
          EASTERN ARKANSAS
          THE MISSOURI BOOTHEEL
          NORTHWEST MISSISSIPPI
          WESTERN TENNESSEE
   
   EFFECTIVE THIS SUNDAY AFTERNOON FROM 520 PM UNTIL MIDNIGHT CST.
   
   ...THIS IS A PARTICULARLY DANGEROUS SITUATION...
   
   DESTRUCTIVE TORNADOES...LARGE HAIL TO 2 INCHES IN DIAMETER...
   THUNDERSTORM WIND GUSTS TO 80 MPH...AND DANGEROUS LIGHTNING ARE
   POSSIBLE IN THESE AREAS.
   
   THE TORNADO WATCH AREA IS APPROXIMATELY ALONG AND 85 STATUTE
   MILES EAST AND WEST OF A LINE FROM 35 MILES NORTH NORTHWEST OF
   DYERSBURG TENNESSEE TO 25 MILES WEST SOUTHWEST OF GREENVILLE
   MISSISSIPPI.  FOR A COMPLETE DEPICTION OF THE WATCH SEE THE
   ASSOCIATED WATCH OUTLINE UPDATE (WOUS64 KWNS WOU5).
   
   REMEMBER...A TORNADO WATCH MEANS CONDITIONS ARE FAVORABLE FOR
   TORNADOES AND SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS IN AND CLOSE TO THE WATCH
   AREA. PERSONS IN THESE AREAS SHOULD BE ON THE LOOKOUT FOR
   THREATENING WEATHER CONDITIONS AND LISTEN FOR LATER STATEMENTS
   AND POSSIBLE WARNINGS.
   
   DISCUSSION...THUNDERSTORMS WILL INCREASE IN COVERAGE/INTENSITY THE
   NEXT FEW HOURS ACROSS CENTRAL/ERN AR AS THE LOW LEVELS DESTABILIZE
   AND ASCENT OVERSPREADS THE AREA FROM W TO E...IN ADVANCE OF A STRONG
   SHORTWAVE TROUGH NOW OVER ERN OK.  LOW-LEVEL SHEAR AND MOISTURE WILL
   INCREASES THROUGH THE EVENING ACROSS NE AR/WRN TN...AND STORMS ARE
   EXPECTED TO EVOLVE INTO A BROKEN BAND WITH BOTH EMBEDDED SUPERCELLS
   AND EMBEDDED BOWING SEGMENTS.  VERTICAL SHEAR...MOISTURE...AND THE
   MIXED STORM MODES WILL FAVOR A RISK OF A FEW STRONG
   TORNADOES...ALONG WITH DAMAGING WINDS AND LARGE HAIL THROUGH
   TONIGHT.
   
   AVIATION...TORNADOES AND A FEW SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS WITH HAIL
   SURFACE AND ALOFT TO 2 INCHES. EXTREME TURBULENCE AND SURFACE
   WIND GUSTS TO 70 KNOTS. A FEW CUMULONIMBI WITH MAXIMUM TOPS TO
   500. MEAN STORM MOTION VECTOR 24045.
   

***DO NOT USE THIS WEBSITE AS YOUR SOLE SOURCE OF WEATHER INFORMATION, ESPECIALLY WATCHES AND WARNINGS. THIS WEBSITE DELIVERS FOCUSED INFORMATION FOR A SPECIFIC GEOGRAPHIC AREA AND IS NOT INTENDED TO PROVIDE TIMELY WEATHER WARNING INFORMATION***

Hazardous Weather Outlook, Jan 22, 2012

Please refer to the earlier post from today for more information from the Storm Prediction Center.  This post is an update, to include the most current Hazardous Weather Outlook.

A low-pressure system currently over North Texas and Oklahoma will move northeast this evening, bringing Gulf moisture north to meet the cold front.  Western portions of Mississippi will likely see storm development around 7pm through 11pm.  Areas along and east of the Interstate 55 corridor will see storms overnight between 9pm and 4am Monday morning.  Development of a broken line of strong thunderstorms is expected for Western Mississippi, including the possibility of the formation of discreet supercell storms.  Damaging winds up to 80 MPH and golfball size hail are also possible with these storms. All of North Mississippi is in an enhanced-risk area for damaging tornadoes of EF-2 strength and greater.

This is a significant risk, and highly unusual for this time of year.  If you have a NOAA Weather Radio, please take time now to make sure it is working properly.  Do not wait for visual confirmation of severe weather or tornadoes before taking action during warnings.  Know your weather safety plans, and be prepared to act on them quickly.

HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE JACKSON MS
113 PM CST SUN JAN 22 2012

THIS HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK IS FOR A LARGE PORTION OF CENTRAL
MISSISSIPPI...SOME OF NORTHEAST LOUISIANA...AND EXTREME SOUTHEAST
ARKANSAS.

.DAY ONE...TONIGHT AND MONDAY

A SIGNIFICANT EPISODE OF SEVERE STORMS IS EXPECTED TONIGHT AS A
POWERFUL SYSTEM MOVES OUT OF THE SOUTHERN PLAINS. SUFFICIENT LEVELS
OF INSTABILITY WILL BUILD OVER THE REGION THIS AFTERNOON AND EVENING
AND COMBINE WITH VERY STRONG WIND SHEAR TO SUPPORT SUPERCELL STORMS
AND EVEN A BROKEN LINE OF STORMS. LOCATIONS NORTH OF A RAYVILLE TO
HAZLEHURST TO LAUREL LINE HAVE THE GREATEST RISK FOR SEVERE WEATHER.
THE MAIN THREATS WILL BE TORNADOES...SOME STRONG...DAMAGING WINDS OF
60 TO 80 MPH AND HAIL UP TO GOLF BALL SIZE. STORMS WILL DEVELOP TO
OUR WEST BY 6 PM...THEN STEADILY EVOLVE ACROSS OUR REGION DURING THE
EVENING AND PRE DAWN HOURS. LOCATIONS ALONG AND WEST OF A PORT GIBSON
TO GRENADA LINE WILL SEE STORMS BETWEEN 7 AND 11 PM. LOCATIONS EAST
OF THAT LINE WILL HAVE ACTIVITY OCCUR BETWEEN 10 PM AND 4 AM.
EVERYONE IS URGED TO CONTINUE TO MONITOR UPDATES AND OUTLOOKS
CONCERNING THIS POTENTIAL SIGNIFICANT WEATHER EVENT.

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

THE PROBABILITY FOR 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 WILL BE NEEDED TONIGHT.
 
 

***DO NOT USE THIS WEBSITE AS YOUR SOLE SOURCE OF WEATHER INFORMATION, ESPECIALLY WATCHES AND WARNINGS. THIS WEBSITE DELIVERS FOCUSED INFORMATION FOR A SPECIFIC GEOGRAPHIC AREA AND IS NOT INTENDED TO PROVIDE TIMELY WEATHER WARNING INFORMATION***

Special Weather Statement for Jan 22, 2012

We are looking at the possibility of a significant weather event later today.  I'll post more information
following a 2:00pm Conference Call this afternoon.  Please pay special attention to weather information
throughout the day. 

SPECIAL WEATHER STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE JACKSON MS
920 AM CST SUN JAN 22 2012

...MODERATE RISK FOR SEVERE WEATHER OVER NORTH CENTRAL MISSISSIPPI
AND PORTIONS OF SOUTHEAST ARKANSAS TONIGHT...

SEVERE WEATHER IS LIKELY TONIGHT ACROSS THE ARKLAMISS REGION AS A 
STRONG STORM SYSTEM COMBINES WITH ABUNDANT GULF MOISTURE AND STRONG 
WIND SHEAR. SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS WILL ERUPT TO OUR WEST AS 
EARLY AS 5 PM THEN PUSH EAST THROUGH THE REGION THIS EVENING AND
PREDAWN HOURS MONDAY. THE MOST ACTIVE PERIOD OF TIME FOR OUR SERVICE
AREA LOOKS TO BE BETWEEN 7 PM AND 3 AM. ALL SEVERE WEATHER HAZARDS
WILL BE POSSIBLE...WHICH INCLUDE TORNADOES...SOME POSSIBLY
STRONG...DAMAGING STRAIGHT LINE WINDS OF 60 TO 80 MPH AND LARGE HAIL
UP TO GOLFBALL SIZE. THE WORST OF THIS ACTIVITY WILL OCCUR AFTER
SUNSET...MAKING THIS EVENT MORE LIFE THREATENING. IN ADDITION...THIS
SYSTEM WILL MOVE RAPIDLY LEAVING LITTLE TIME FOR VISUAL VERIFICATION
OF IMPENDING STORMS.

NOW IS THE TIME TO REVIEW YOUR SEVERE WEATHER SAFETY PLAN. DO NOT 
WAIT FOR A WARNING TO BE ISSUED TO FIGURE OUT WHERE TO GO...KNOW IN 
ADVANCE! KNOW WHERE YOUR SAFE SHELTER IS LOCATED AND HOW YOU ARE 
GOING TO RECEIVE WARNINGS IF ONE IS ISSUED FOR YOUR AREA. IF YOU DO 
NOT OWN A NOAA ALL HAZARDS WEATHER RADIO...NOW WOULD BE A GOOD TIME 
TO PURCHASE ONE. IF YOU OWN A NOAA WEATHER RADIO...MAKE SURE IT IS 
TURNED ON AND HAS FRESH BATTERIES. IF A TORNADO WARNING IS 
ISSUED...GET INTO THE INTERIOR ROOM ON THE LOWEST FLOOR. BRING A 
HELMET OR SOME PADDING TO PROTECT YOUR HEAD. DO NOT WAIT FOR VISUAL 
CONFIRMATION OF A TORNADO AS THE COMBINATION OF DARKNESS AND VERY 
FAST STORM MOTIONS WILL MAKE THIS NEXT TO IMPOSSIBLE.

SOME UNCERTAINTY STILL EXISTS WITH THE EXACT TIMING AND LOCATION OF
THIS SEVERE WEATHER THREAT...SO BE SURE TO CONTINUE TO MONITOR NWS 
JACKSON UPDATES FOR THE LATEST INFORMATION VIA OUR WEB PAGE AT 
WWW.SRH.NOAA.GOV/JAN OR ON FACEBOOK.

This graphic is from the Storm Prediction Center.  It depicts the relative probability for severe weather.


This graphic depicts the probability of TORNADOES within 25 miles of any given point.  The hatched area means there is a 10% chance of a damaging EF2-EF5 tornado within 25 miles of a point.

This graphic depicts the probability of DAMAGING WINDS within 25 miles of any given point.  Hatched areas indicate a 10% probability of damaging winds in excess of 75 MPH within 25 miles of any point.

This graphic depicts the probability of HAIL within 25 miles of any given point.

***DO NOT USE THIS WEBSITE AS YOUR SOLE SOURCE OF WEATHER INFORMATION, ESPECIALLY WATCHES AND WARNINGS. THIS WEBSITE DELIVERS FOCUSED INFORMATION FOR A SPECIFIC GEOGRAPHIC AREA AND IS NOT INTENDED TO PROVIDE TIMELY WEATHER WARNING INFORMATION***

Saturday, January 21, 2012

Storms possible Sunday evening/night

A storm system developing over the Western U.S. will cross the Plains states tomorrow, and could negatively affect our weather Sunday evening into Monday morning.  The Storm Prediction Center says "an appreciable severe event is possible" for late Sunday.

This graphic depicts the possibility of severe weather for Sunday.  Colors correspond to probability for severe storms within 25 miles of any given point.   The hatched area indicates a 10% or greater probability of a significant severe weather event within 25 miles of a point.

As you can see, all of North Mississippi falls within the 30% probability area for severe storms.  Additionally, the same area has the additional 10% chance for significant severe weather events.


The graphic below is prepared by the National Weather Service Jackson, MS office, and represents a more local version of the information shown above.


We'll provide more up-to-date information as it becomes available on Sunday.
 
***DO NOT USE THIS WEBSITE AS YOUR SOLE SOURCE OF WEATHER INFORMATION, ESPECIALLY WATCHES AND WARNINGS. THIS WEBSITE DELIVERS FOCUSED INFORMATION FOR A SPECIFIC GEOGRAPHIC AREA AND IS NOT INTENDED TO PROVIDE TIMELY WEATHER WARNING INFORMATION***

Friday, January 20, 2012

Severe Weather this Weekend

Two weather systems are expected to affect Mississippi over the January 20-22, 2012, weekend.

Strong to severe thunderstorms are expected to develop after midnight Friday (January 20)and into early Saturday morning for the Mississippi Delta as a cold front passes the area.  The risk for severe weather increases throughout the day Saturday for areas in central, eastern and southern Mississippi.  Here is an illustration of the anticipated timeline and weather conditions for Friday night and Saturday.

Sunday will see a return of potentially severe weather, with a more significant risk for areas along and north of Interstate 20.  Storms should develop over the Delta in the early evening hours on Sunday, and move across the state overnight into Monday morning.  The graphic below depicts the anticipated weather for Sunday night.


Finally, weather models indicate a chance for more rain or storms around mid-week next week.

***DO NOT USE THIS WEBSITE AS YOUR SOLE SOURCE OF WEATHER INFORMATION, ESPECIALLY WATCHES AND WARNINGS. THIS WEBSITE DELIVERS FOCUSED INFORMATION FOR A SPECIFIC GEOGRAPHIC AREA AND IS NOT INTENDED TO PROVIDE TIMELY WEATHER WARNING INFORMATION***

Thursday, January 19, 2012

Weekend Storms Possible

We could see severe weather over the weekend, both Saturday morning and Sunday afternoon/evening.  Here's a early look, and we'll update as conditions change.


***DO NOT USE THIS WEBSITE AS YOUR SOLE SOURCE OF WEATHER INFORMATION, ESPECIALLY WATCHES AND WARNINGS. THIS WEBSITE DELIVERS FOCUSED INFORMATION FOR A SPECIFIC GEOGRAPHIC AREA AND IS NOT INTENDED TO PROVIDE TIMELY WEATHER WARNING INFORMATION***

Tuesday, January 17, 2012

Severe Weather Possible, January 17, 2012

An approaching cold front will bring the possibility of sever weather to Mississippi on January 17, 2012.  While the primary risk areas appear to be south and east of the main Delta area, damaging winds and hail cannot be ruled out.  Below are several graphics that illustrate risk areas, and estimated timing of storm development.  As of this post, no severe weather watches are in effect.  Forecasters expect a watch to be issued for Central Mississippi, generally along the Interstate 20 corridor.

You're encouraged to keep up with changing weather conditions by visiting the Jackson, MS National Weather Service Office's website.

This graphic shows the areas of concern:


This graphic illustrates estimated timing of storms:


This graphic illustrates primary risk areas for damaging winds:


This graphic illustrates primary risk areas for damaging hail:
***DO NOT USE THIS WEBSITE AS YOUR SOLE SOURCE OF WEATHER INFORMATION, ESPECIALLY WATCHES AND WARNINGS. THIS WEBSITE DELIVERS FOCUSED INFORMATION FOR A SPECIFIC GEOGRAPHIC AREA AND IS NOT INTENDED TO PROVIDE TIMELY WEATHER WARNING INFORMATION***

Friday, January 13, 2012

Going Portable...

I'm planning to take my HF gear and operate portable from Grid EM53bl in Carroll County, Mississippi on Saturday, January 14, 2012.

The plans are fluid, and may be cancelled outright depending on family and weather factors.  Generally, here's my idea:

1. HF portable operation for 4-6 hours.  Operation site will be static, not mobile.
2. Power will be supplied by generator.  Plan to operate at 50-100 watts, SSB.  No digital or CW.
3. Antenna will be of the "hamstick" variety, vertical.
4. Operating hours haven't been set, but expect to be generally between 1500 and 2100 UTC. (9am - 3pm Central time)
5.  Frequencies will be +/- 3.901, 7.188, 14.336, 18.136, 21.336, 24.936, and 28.336.  Those are the "county hunter" frequencies.  I'll move up or down based on nets, QRN and QSB.  Expect most activity to be on 20 meters.

Logs will be added to Logbook of The World and www.eqsl.cc at a later date, as I will be keeping a manual log for this trip.  Once contacts are entered in my electronic logbook, they will be uploaded.

Inclimate weather cancels.  Conditions are expected to be cool but fair, with some wind.  Highs in the mid-50s with 5-10 mph winds and occasionally higher gusts.

Updates will be posted on my Twitter account.

Tuesday, January 10, 2012

Hazardous Weather Outlook, January 10, 2012

HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE JACKSON MS
601 AM CST TUE JAN 10 2012

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

.DAY ONE...TODAY AND TONIGHT...

A FEW STRONG TO SEVERE STORMS CAPABLE OF PRODUCING DAMAGING WINDS OF
60 MPH AND QUARTER SIZE HAIL WILL BE POSSIBLE THIS AFTERNOON INTO
EARLY THIS EVENING AS A STRENGTHENING STORM SYSTEM LIFTS NORTHEAST
ACROSS THE OUTLOOK AREA. LOCALLY HEAVY RAINFALL LEADING TO THE
PONDING OF WATER ON AREA ROADS...AS WELL AS IN LOW LYING AND POOR
DRAINAGE AREAS IS ALSO POSSIBLE THIS AFTERNOON AND EVENING.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...WEDNESDAY THROUGH MONDAY...

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 THIS AFTERNOON INTO EARLY THIS EVENING.




***DO NOT USE THIS WEBSITE AS YOUR SOLE SOURCE OF WEATHER INFORMATION, ESPECIALLY WATCHES AND WARNINGS. THIS WEBSITE DELIVERS FOCUSED INFORMATION FOR A SPECIFIC GEOGRAPHIC AREA AND IS NOT INTENDED TO PROVIDE TIMELY WEATHER WARNING INFORMATION***