This is The Toughest Lamb
in My Experience...

Thursday, 3/31/2011 8:00 PM EDT

The “Water Train” from the Pacific Northwest has traveled to The Plains, and will bring precip to the middle of the country. Meanwhile, the PNW will continue with rain, winds, floods, and avalanche warnings.

A Mid-Atlantic Low will deepen this afternoon as it moves to the Northeast, bringing more moisture over the cold air there. This will produce widespread 3 inch+ snowfalls, with 12”+ possible in the mountains.

Unsettled weather will continue in the South, with Tornado Watches and Warnings already posted this morning in Florida.

Red Flag Warnings continue in Colorado, Kansas, and Florida.

Advisor Lear

The Energy moves East?

Wednesday, 3/30/2011 11 PM EDT

Rain along the coast and scattered rain and snow inland will continue In the Pacific Northwest for another 36 hours. The precip and winds are moving East, though. Wyoming, for example, has, at one time, Winter Weather Advisories, Winter Storm Watches, Winter Storm Warnings, High Wind Watches, and High Wind warnings.

The Gulf Coast and Tennessee Valley will continue to see heavy rain and thunderstorms across early today from he combination of moist Gulf air and an upper Low. Severe thunderstorms from the Gulf Coast to Georgia and Florida may pop up today. These disturbances storms will move eastward, stretching from Tidewater Virginia to Florida by mid-day.

The northern edge of the rain event will have areas of snow and ice will be possible today. Areas in the higher terrain of the Appalachians will likely see light snow.

Cold air from the north may bring more snowfall to the east of the mountains and as far south as The Potomac this afternoon and evening.

The Low will strengthen as it moves up The Atlantic, wrapping around on the New England coast as a nor’easter. Much of New York and New England are under Winter Weather Statements at this time.

Advisor Lear

16.7
Number of inches of rain reported at one Seattle rain gauge for the last two weeks...
...HPC predicts another inch or more for today...

TORNADO WATCHES UNTIL 5 AM CDT FOR PARTS OF LOUISIANA, MISSISSIPPI, AND ALABAMA

Tuesday, 3/29/2011

The Pacific Northwest stays wet as the upper-level “Water Train” continues to provide moisture inland. Predicted warm rain in some areas has Avalanche Watches posted in Washington State. The higher elevations will see more snow.

Very cold Air is dominant East of the Mississippi, bringing frost and freeze warnings this morning, and much-below-normal temps for many areas. A stationary warm front is setting up in the Southeast, which will be the agent for showers and thunderstorms, perhaps severe, today. Freezing rain will slick roadways in the Great Plains, and Red Flag Warnings are still posted in the East. An inch+ of liquid between now and Sunday should drop the fire danger significantly.

Advisor Lear

...lather, rinse, repeat...

Monday, 3/28/2011, 12:45 PM EDT

Once again, another Pacific impulse in the onshore jet will move onto the Pacific Northwest, bringing precip, then cross The Intermountain area tonight, bringing snow to the Rockies as well as the Northern Plains. Colorado should receive the greatest snowfall from this, while parts of South Dakota and Nebraska may get up to 4 inches of snow. There is an Avalanche Watch in the Pacific Northwest. A snowboarder has already perished.

The front over the southeastern United States will hang around for the next few days, while very cold air stays over much of the central and eastern United States, bringing double-digit temps below normal to these areas.

Thunderstorms, rain, and snow showers will be present in the Southeast and the southern Mid-Atlantic this morning. They should be gone by this evening.

There is a slight risk of severe thunderstorms across parts of the West. There were over 150 reports of wind and hail yesterday from The Deep South. Florida should see persistent showers and thunderstorms all day today. (Advisor Lear)

...on and on...

Stephen Bishop, 1977

Sunday, 3/27/2011 9:45 AM EDT

The upper level trough from yesterday will weaken over the Western Mountains as it hits the strong Arctic air mass in place over Plains States.

Yet another system will then move into Pacific Northwest tomorrow and then inland into the Northern Rockies Monday morning, bringing another round of moderate to heavy snowfall.

California and Oregon could possibly see snowfall of 8 to 12 inches. 4 to 8 could fall in the Rocky Mountain and associated areas.

They will both bring rain and mountain snow to the Pacific Northwest and the Intermountain West through Monday.

Snow showers will continue through tomorrow night across the High Plains.

Cold air in place north of a strong front in the southeastern United States will bring temps as much as 25 degrees below normal across much of the Central and Eastern US tomorrow. The Southeast will continue to be affected by showers and thunderstorms through Monday morning. Some if these storms could be severe over portions of The South.

"...and the beat goes on..."

Sonny and Cher, 1967

0340- 27 March, 2011

TORNADO WATCHES: GEORGIA UNTIL 11 AM EDT, ALABAMA UNTIL 3AM CDT

A series of storms from The Pacific continues to impact the Northwest, generating bands of snow across that area and continuing inland into the Great Basin and the Northern Rockies. Rain will continue in the lower elevations. The first system will reach the Central Rockies by early Sunday.

Snowfall in the California Mountains could exceed 10 inches with some areas receiving 12. Parts of Idaho has a high risk of four inches, with perhaps 8 inches in some regions.

Thunderstorms will occur over the Lower Mississippi and Tennessee Valleys, and continue all day today. This front will see snow developing moving across the Mid-Mississippi Valley, into the Ohio Valley, then the Central Appalachians.

By tonight the thunderstorms will continue through Tennessee Valley and into eastward to the Atlantic Coast. Snow will begin to fall North of the front along the northern edge of the precip as it moves Eastward. In the area of the Virginia/North Carolina/Tennessee borders, rain, will begin, but change to freezing rain as the surface temperatures drop.

There is a slight risk of severe thunderstorms over portions of the Deep South, where hail was reported yesterday in a number of areas.

(Advisor Lear)

"..and Still They Come..."

Friday, 3/25/2011, 8:45 AM EDT

A series of storm systems will push ashore in the Northwestern U.S. over the next couple of days. The first system has arrived and will move into the central Great Basin this morning and will send Pacific moisture from the coast into the Rockies.

Snow totals of 2 to 4 inches will be possible across the region while areas in the California Mountains, a foot or more may fall.

The next storm system will come inland tomorrow, bringing heavy snow into the higher elevations of northern California and Oregon early Saturday. Wintry weather with strong winds will affect the Northern Plains and northern Central Plains early Saturday, as the moisture will over-run the cold air mass already in place.

Snow will fall from Montana into South Dakota and Nebraska, where depths could exceed 8 inches.

Lighter amounts will likely spread into Iowa and northern Missouri.

Weak scattered showers and thunderstorms may be possible in the Lower Mississippi Valley by tomorrow morning.

Advisor Lear

"In the spring I have counted one hundred and thirty-six different kinds of weather inside of four and twenty hours. "

~ Mark Twain

Thursday, 3/24/2011 6 PM EDT

Maybe you won't 136 different kinds of weather today, but there sure are a lot.

West Coast disturbances will continue and eventually emerge into the Plains. Heavy rain will fall on the coastal ranges and heavy mountain snow into the Mountain Ranges of California. The strongest of the series of storms arriving during the day today.

The remains of a yesterday's Eastern storm will quickly move out to sea this morning with some light showers hanging around for a while. Light snow is expected until the weekend along a surface trough located in New England, but there are two scenarios developing. One has any additional accumulations to be light, the other has the trough deepening off of Maine, producing a significant snowfall there. Stay tuned.

Snowfall will occur from east central Montana into the north central Plains.

There will be conditions over The Great Lakes to produce heavy lake-effect snows in some areas. The cold will be record-breaking, and the Northwest winds perfect for this phenomena.

Flood Statements are still a concern throughout the Mississippi, as well as many other saturated areas of the country.

There are frost and freeze watches and warnings throughout the South, while vast areas of the Southwest and Southeast are under Red Flag Warnings. Warm, sunny weather in the Deep South and Lower Mid-Atlantic is on tap for today, but Small Craft Statements have been posted on both Ocean Coasts, and some tribs.

(Advisor Lear)

"The Red Badge of.....Weather"

Red is the color today across the National Hazards Map.

Tuesday, 3/22/2011, 9:00 PM EDT

THERE ARE TORNADO WATCHES UNTIL 9PM CDT IN THE FOLLOWING STATES: IOWA, and MISSOURI.

A Major Winter Storm stretches across the North from Idaho through The Great Lakes. Bright red (Blizzard Warnings) can be found in North Dakota, Minnesota, and Wisconsin. Areas in the Northern Plains can expect over a foot of snow before it ends. Winter Storm Warnings are also posted in Utah and California.

Red Flag Warnings cover thousands of square miles in the West over a six-state area. Eight, when you add Florida, and Georgia.

South of the Winter weather, the danger color will be green, for Flood Statements as possible severe rain storms for parts of Iowa, Missouri, and Illinois will overwhelm already swollen streams with additional run-off from still-frozen ground.

This massive system is expected to move eastward into the Northern Mid-Atlantic and The Northeast, where icing could be a problem. (Advisor Lear)

"The Vernal Equinox was upon us..."

9:50 AM EDT Monday 3/21/2011

Spring arrived last evening, March 20, at 2321Z (7:21 PM EDT), but, once again, Mother Nature ain't looking at the calendar!

A low pressure system is approaching the Northeast with mostly rain but a strong High in place will provide cold air over northern New York and New England which will bring snow, with some possible ice mixing in. Areas of 3 to 6 inch snowfalls are forecast in the higher, more northern elevations, including Maine, with lower amounts further South into New York State.

Yet another low is moving through California and Nevada with more, sometimes heavy, coastal rain and mountain snow. Much of the energy of this storm should hold together as it arrives in the Central and Northern Plains tonight and tomorrow. There will be increasing showers and thunderstorms this afternoon and evening from the eastern of the to the Midwest into the lower Plains.

High elevation snowfalls are forecast across the Southwest, and moderate to heavy snowfall will drift north and east through Nevada and into the Northern Rockies.

Fire hazards are very high today, especially in parts of the West and Southwest.

(Advisor Lear)

"Happy Last Day of Winter"

10:00 AM EDT Sunday 3/20/2011

Spring arrives this evening, March 20, at 2321Z (7:21 PM EDT), but you might not know it, based on the National map.

California will see moderate to heavy rain and snow in much of the state due to a strong system coming in from the Pacific. Wintry conditions could exist as far east as Nevada, while much of the Southwest is under Red Flag Warnings.

Warm temperatures will be felt well into the Plains and Ohio Valley from a warm southerly flow ahead of this trough. A mixture of rain, ice, and snow will fall through the upper Midwest and Great Lakes from another low tracking through the Northern Plains.

A cold front will be likely produce showers and thunderstorms ahead of it during the day today in the middle of the country, while in the Southeast, high pressure will stay in control through Tuesday.

Snow will move into Oregon, southern Washington and Idaho, with generally 4+ inches expected in some areas, another system poses a slight risk of 4+ inches along the shores of Lake Superior. (Advisor Lear)

"Happy Last Full Day of Winter"

11:00 AM EDT Saturday 3/19/2011

With Spring (finally) arriving tomorrow, March 20, at 7:21PM EDT, we here at Foot's Forecast would like to thank each and every one of our readers for following us during this past season. Here in Ratioland, we received 28.5” of snow this Winter…but that doesn’t count the ice!

We hope that you continue to access our sites as we grow. We plan on bringing you more and even better forecasts and information as the seasons pass. (The Forecast Team)

A large upper low off of the Pacific Northwest coast will travel southeastward through the weekend. Storms will continue in The West, especially in California as a surface low will deepen bringing a round of very heavy rain and strong winds, with mountain snow.

Scattered rain and snow showers will be found in The Rockies, while showers and thunderstorms are expected from Texas, into Oklahoma, spreading into the Midwest later this evening.

Red Flag warnings are in effect in Colorado, New Mexico, and parts of Southern Florida, and floods remain a hazard in The Mississippi Valley and the The Northern Plains.

(Advisor Lear)

9:00 AM EDT Friday 3/18/2011

Another Pacific storm will slowly move from the Pacific Northwest coast to the western U.S. over the next 24 hours, bringing cold and rain for the coast of northern California and snow for the higher elevations, with the possibility of a foot, or more, above 4,000 feet. Heavy snowfall in Idaho and western Montana Friday and Saturday is expected from a series of mid-level shortwaves. Up to 2.5 feet will fall in The Oregon Cascades, and The High Sierras could see new snow amounts exceeding 4 feet.
Above-average temps will exist today from the Northeast to the Southern Plains ahead of a cold front that may produce showers and thunderstorms this evening in the Southern Plains into the Mississippi Valley.
Floods may plague the Northern Plains and Mississippi River states, while dense fog blankets the Gulf Coast this morning.

(Advisor Lear)

The Wearin' of The Green...

9:30 AM EDT Thursday 3/17/2011

While it's certainly not in honor of St. Patrick, but half of the country is wearin' green today on the National Weather Hazards Map. This color, of course, indicates a Flood Statement for that area.

The Pacific jet stream will carry a number of stormy systems from the West into the interior of the country. The initial trough is currently producing snow for the Mountain West.

Snowfall amounts of a foot to two feet are expected across the northern California, with Oregon getting lighter amounts.
Heavy snowfall from Utah through northern/central Colorado and southern Wyoming. Even western Nebraska will receive a 4 to 12 inch heavy snow.

Mild conditions in the Mississippi River Valley will allow temps in the 70s far into the north. Warm temperatures will reach the East Coast allowing for mild conditions for Friday. A strong cold front surges across the region, dropping temps for the weekend. (Advisor Lear)

Continue monitoring your NWS forecast offices for the latest advisories.

The Japanese Geo-Environmental crisis: 

A scientific view from Foot's Forecast

by Team Advisors Mr. Foot, Mr. Lear. Contributor: Greg Jackson


 Overview of today's severe storm risk / U.S. weather this week 
in development. Please check back this morning for additional details. 

6:35 AM EDT Mon 3/14/2011  We all share in the anguish and feelings of helplessness that residents of Japan face almost every few hours as aftershocks continue across the island nation. Our concerns lie with the unpredictable potential for additional quakes and subsequent tsunamis which may further enhance suffering of those whose lives were ripped away in a matter of seconds. 

There are two actions all of us can take to support the recovery and learn from the catastrophe: (1) Lend your help via the International Red Cross or the World Health Organization; and (2) Gain an accurate understanding into the science behind the disaster. After extensive review of what has been reported in the news since the earthquake, our advisory team felt a more thorough look at the scientific details was warranted to address misconceptions being presented by some news organizations.

(English video news feed from NHK Network in Japan)

Basic diagram of a Boiling Water Reactor

NEWS SUMMARY: Since Friday's earthquake concerns have understandably grown  over a possible loss of  containment  at one or more power generating plants within the  Fukushima nuclear facility in northeastern Japan. The new situation is that aftershocks totaling over 275 place rescue attempts and interventions at nuclear facilities in jeopardy. Following explosions this weekend at the facility. Early Friday morning, a loss of power at several reactors caused by the 8.9 Earthquake  (USGS link) and subsequent aftershocks was identified as the reason for a failure of water-based cooling systems at the Fukushima facility. Yesterday and today, it has been stated that  "radioactive steam" containing cesium was released to reduce pressure within one or more of the Boiling Water Reactors (NRC.gov link). 

According to a press release from the US Nuclear Regulatory Commission, two officials with expertise in Boiling Water Reactors have been dispatched to Japan.The Maryland-based NRC Operations Center readiness level has been increased due to the on-going nuclear incident. 

(image above from  teacher lesson plan materials from the US Nuclear Regulatory Commission).

FROM AN OCEANOGRAPHY PERSPECTIVE 

Misconception # 1: Radioactive water reaching the U.S. In addition to concerns of radiation release into the atmosphere, reports on the internet also warn of radioactivity reaching the U.S. west coast via  Kuroshio Current across the Pacific. The chart above, from NOAA, shows currents of the North Pacific Ocean. First, the Kuroshio Current is among the strongest known ocean currents. A parcel of water  within the  current  travels approximately 75 miles per day. Given that the U.S. west coast is over 4,470 nautical miles from the Japanese coast, any substance introduced into water off Japan coast would, at that velocity, require at least 75 days to traverse the Pacific, if it could.

Misconception # 2: Meltdown. The term "meltdown" is being used by news organizations and utility officials to describe a possible over-heating of fuel rods within the containment facility of a Boiling Water Reactor. There is a much greater danger to the nearby population, as explosion of materials containing radiation, or a breach of the containment facility poses much more immediate risk than a supposed "meltdown." 

One could argue that the release of steam containing cesium particles is necessary to avert a wider problem. At this point, with word of multiple reactor cooling systems having failed and an on-going attempt to pump seawater in to reactor cores, it is more appropriate to surmise that despite a different type of meltdown is in progress. Despite the best efforts of multiple nations including the U.S. a true "meltdown" is underway  in our ability to prevent the physics of nuclear fission and the resulting heat of this process from becoming a third catastrophe on top of the existing two. 

According to the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission and the International Atomic Energy Agency, (IAEA) "meltdown" is not recognized by either agency as a defined scientific term. The term came into popular use following the 1979 US film China Syndrome in which a nuclear accident similar to the Three Mile Island incident in the same year, could theoretically cause the over-heating fuel rods within the reactor core to "melt down" into the Earth's crust. Modern design specifications of a nuclear containment facility around the reactor require a sub-surface dispersal-type apron with multiple layers of reinforced concrete, were a reactor core to melt through the containment shell. Dictionary.com states: "Meltdown–noun: the melting of a significant portion of a nuclear-reactor core due to inadequate cooling of the fuel elements, a condition that could lead to the escape of radiation."

Though the 1986 Chernobyl nuclear disaster was a catastrophic event caused by operator error, faulty construction and a resulting an explosion dispersed radiation over thousands of square miles. This eventually claimed the lives of possibly hundreds or thousands of people and remains the world's worst nuclear disaster. However it does not qualify as a theoretical "meltdown." You can compare the IAEA's reports on both accidents in this short summary.

FROM A METEOROLOGY PERSPECTIVE

Misconception # 3 "Radioactive steam" 

UPDATE: An explosion from within a reactor core which exposes the fuel rods to the atmosphere would be a highly catastrophic event. This differs entirely from release of steam in cooling towers or planned release of pressure. 

Boiling Water Reactors are constructed with  cooling towers, through which  water used to cool fuel rods is allowed to safely undergo a change in phase  from liquid to vapor. This process results in the release of harmless steam, while any potentially high risk radioactive material remains within the containment facility. A New York Times article states: "The plant was preparing to release vapor to ease pressure from the reactor so the water could be injected, said Naoki Tsunoda, a spokesman for the operator, Tokyo Electric Power. The vapor could contain trace amounts of radiation, the Japanese Nuclear and Industrial Safety Agency has warned." "Radioactivity" according to accepted definitions by the Physics community, "refers to the particles which are emitted from nuclei as a result of nuclear instability." (source: Georgia State University [references] ). Believe it or not, but there is trace radiation in many  substances into which every person on Earth comes into contact. (source: EPA.gov report on sources of background radiation.) 

Misconception # 4: Widespread dispersal of radioactive material onto other countries. Atmospheric venting in the area of the facility is a concern, but only within a 12-mile radius. A question has been raised over the possibility of Pacific winds carrying the radioactivity to North America. The winds over Japan, called the Prevailing Westerlies, do not resemble winds near the Poles or  the Equator, which are generally closed systems. The Westerlies are known as the "Zone of Mixing," which would disperse any potentially radioactive material introduced into the air over Japan, greatly reducing its atmospheric density after a 5,000 mile journey. Though we are deeply concerned about the unparalleled catastrophic impact on Japan and East Asia were there to be a loss of containment, the radiation release would be confined to a small region and would disperse into the atmosphere  

Furthermore, in an ironic twist of history, it is the work of a Japanese meteorologist named Wasaburo Ooishi which may help save the country from itself regarding risks of radioactive venting. Mr. Ooishi pioneered research in upper-air patterns long before World War II, and is widely credited with the initial observations which led to discovery of the "Jet Stream." It is this same jet stream driving a cold front to  sweep across northeast Japan by tomorrow. This will drive the parcel of air over the nuclear power plant, and any potential contamination, well out to sea and away from land.  

Yes, there are valid public safety concerns from Japanese officials about cooling and pressure levels within the Fukushima facility reactor cores. We urge you not to fall victim to the panic, doomsday scenarios that are being generated by some of the media. Get the facts, research the subject and do as the U.S. Geological Survey says: Start with science.

Background on the authors: Mr. Brad Lear is a retired Science Teacher from the Baltimore County Public Schools, having taught Oceanography, Earth Science, Physical Science and Chemistry for 39 years. Mr. Rich Foot is a Teacher-in-Residence with the Baltimore Partnership for Environmental Science Literacy and taught Earth & Environmental Science in the Baltimore County Schools for nine years. 

UNREAL

9:00 PM EST Friday 3/11/2011 - Even the most sweeping of descriptions can never truly convey the absolute terror felt by the people of Japan in the moments during the Earthquake, and then the horrific tsunami which followed. The simple but powerful force of subduction by one of several tectonic plates which interface under the island nation of Japan created the wrath which played out on live television, in Twitter, Facebook and on blogs across the planet. It has been nearly seven years since many of us recall scenes of devastation so stunning, as in the December 26, 2004 Indonesian magnitude 9.1 earthquake which claimed over 250,000 lives.

Our prayers for safety and survival are with those facing the herculean task of reclaiming their country from the havoc wrought by nature. (Forecaster Foot and the Eastern U.S. Team)

Springing forward at last

3:35 PM EDT Sunday 3/13/2011 Another step toward Spring arrives with daylight savings. Thankfully this first day of the time change features relatively calm weather for most of the country. Significant river flooding is still in progress over numerous states, as evidenced by areas of bright green on the NWS advisory map. Major flooding is still expected in the Tri-State region of New York City. 


Today, a low crossing the Great Lakes into the Northeast will follow a cold front that is expected to linger from The Ozarks (where fire hazards remains high until the rain arrives) to the Carolinas, where scattered precip is expected later this weekend. Another round of strong systems moving across the Pacific are expected to bring precipitation, some wintry, to the Pacific Northwest and Northern California. (Advisor Lear)

TSUNAMICAST ZONE: PACIFIC STRUCK BY TSUNAMI

8:8:30 PM EST FRI 3.11.2011

While Tsunami Warnings have been downgraded for Hawaii and the U.S. West Coast, Tsunami Advisories are still in effect for the West Coast. Observations from earlier today confirmed some damage occurred in California from the tsunami.

 W
1:16 PM EST FRI 3.11.2011
Waves have already reached portions of the United States West Coast in association with the tsunami that has propagated across the Pacific Ocean.

9:25 AM EST FRI 3.11.2011

TSUNAMI affecting HAWAII, with TSUNAMI WARNINGS for United States West Coast.

DATA & REPORTS 

Follow latest developments on CNN, track data at the NOAA Pacific Tsunami Warning Center and the U.S. Geological Survey. For residents of the U.S. West Coast, please visit NOAA's West Coast and Alaska Tsunami Warning Center. Monitor ocean wave heights from the University of Hawaii's Sea Level Center buoy reports.

And then there was more...

MAJOR FLOODING FORECASTED IN NYC TRI-STATE AREA

INCREASED TORNADO RISK IN MID-ATLANTIC

LINE OF STORMS CROSSING NORTH CAROLINA

Current radar image from NOAA Storm Prediction Center

FLASH FLOOD WARNINGS- Northern Pa/Southern NY until 12:15 AM EST

11:00 AM Thursday 3/10/2011

As we relay a warm welcome to thousands of science educators gathering in relatively calm San Francisco for the annual convention of the National Science Teachers' Association, we are mindful the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic face another round of torrential rain on top of last week's widespread flooding. A line of heavy rain and embedded thunderstorms associated with a slow-moving cold front is crawling toward the coast. The advisory map of the NWS Eastern Regional Headquarters is the most colorful mosaic we have seen in recent memory, replete with Flood Warnings (bright green), Flood Watches (dark green), Coastal Flood Advisories (gray-green) and Winter Weather Advisories (purple).

We urge all readers to remain alert to rapidly changing road conditions, not to drive through submerged underpasses or ANY water-covered surface, no matter how "shallow" the water may appear. Our best wishes to those in the east whom have to brave the elements today regardless, including students walking to school, utility crews and public safety workers.

PLEASE read the FLOOD SAFETY PAGE!

Help is on the way for all of us, however. The NOAA Climate Prediction Center notes that above normal temperatures are anticipated for much of the country in the 6-10 day period starting early next week, as show in the temperature probability outlook below.

(Forecaster Foot/Advisor Lear - Baltimore/Fallston, MD)

"It's Gonna Rain Like 
Noah's Coming Back..."
- Mr. Grant, Teacher-in-Residence  
from the Cary Institute of Ecosystem Studies

3/8/2011- New Weather University Lesson

5:55 PM  Wed 3/9/2011 

In the Northeast, a widespread rainbow of Flood Watches, Warnings and Winter Weather Advisories intermixed blanket the Mid-Atlantic as a strong, moisture laden cold front is moving east toward the coast. Although severe weather is not anticipated in this system, extremely heavy rainfall and dangerous flash floods are expected along with tides several feet above normal in coastal areas. We urge all drivers to heed warnings by local officials and make the only safe choice there can be in a flooding situation: TURN AROUND, DON'T DROWN. 

5:15 PM 3/9 A stormy, severe-weather day in much of the East and South. In addition to Tornado Watches, High Wind Warnings and Coastal Flood Advisories, there is a dearth of Winter Weather risks in progress. Please visit our Winter Stormcast page for more details. Additional updates are pending early this evening. 

(The Forecast Advisors and Eastern U.S. Severe Weather Team) 

5:00 PM EST Tue 3/8/2011

Mississippi and Ohio River valleys to the Northeast. A storm system having impacted the Colorado Rockies will by Wednesday move into the southeast, producing severe weather including high winds, hail and tornadoes. To the north, Winter Storm Watches and Advisories bisect the Great Plains toward the Great Lakes By Thursday widespread heavy rain and more flooding is expected in the Northeast.

Tornado Watches are in effect for the Texarkana region, most of Louisiana and southern Alabama. The Storm Prediction Center has indicated an increased risk of tornadoes in the Deep South by tomorrow , extending to a large portion of the Southeast into Thursday as the cold front associated with this system swings toward the east coast. Continue monitoring your local NWS forecast offices for the latest advisories on this rising threat of high impact flooding.

As for the west, conditions have become calm, as indicated by the general absences of high-risk advisories from the Western Regional Headquarters advisory page of the NWS below.

Our multi-state student team continues to post their updates daily in facebook forecast centers. Those details are reposted in the regional tabs in the menu bar above when time permits. Our empathy is extended to those readers who are under the scourge of flooding and we hope you have a chance to regroup before the next round later this week.

(Forecast Advisors Mr. Foot and Mr. Lear)