KXAN.com Blogs

May Drought Update

May 23rd, 2013 at 2:53 pm by Natalie Stoll under Weather

Recent rain has had a positive influence on our drought situation. However, we still sit in the severe drought category and could use more wet weather in Central Texas. So far this May, we’re 1.64″ behind our normal rainfall total at Camp Mabry in Austin.

DROUGHT INFORMATION STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE AUSTIN/SAN ANTONIO TX
1230 PM CDT THU MAY 23 2013

...DROUGHT CONDITIONS IMPROVE SLIGHTLY ACROSS THE COASTAL PLAINS
AND CENTRAL PORTIONS OF SOUTH CENTRAL TEXAS...

SYNOPSIS...

AFTER A WET AND COOL START TO MAY THE MIDDLE OF THE MONTH HAS
TURNED HOT AND DRIER ACROSS MOST OF THE REGION. MAY IS NORMALLY
THE THIRD WETTEST MONTH OF THE YEAR AND MANY LOCATIONS WILL LIKELY
FALL SHORT. MAY HAS PRODUCED SEVERAL RAINFALL EVENTS...BUT MANY
LOCATIONS SAW LITTLE OR NO RAINFALL. SLIGHT SHORT TERM IMPROVEMENTS
HAVE BEEN NOTED WITH THE RAINFALL...BUT THE RECENT RETURN TO VERY
WARM TEMPERATURES HAS WIPED OUT MOST SHORT TERM IMPROVEMENTS.
RIVERS...LAKES AND RESERVOIRS REMAIN VERY LOW AND WILL CONTINUE
THAT WAY UNTIL A PROLONGED WET PERIOD DEVELOPS ACROSS THE REGION.
THE CURRENT LONGER RANGE OUTLOOK FOR THE NEXT 8 TO 14 IS SHOWING
STRONGER TRENDS FOR NEAR AVERAGE TEMPERATURES AND BELOW AVERAGE
RAINFALL.

THE CLIMATE PREDICTION CENTER (CPC) IS FORECASTING THE ENSO (EL
NINO SOUTHERN OSCILLATION) NEUTRAL PATTERN TO CONTINUE INTO THE
FALL. EVEN THOUGH LA NINA AND EL NINO EVENTS HAVE SIGNIFICANT
IMPACTS ACROSS THE REGION...OTHER CIRCULATIONS ACROSS THE GLOBE
HELP DRIVE WEATHER PATTERNS TOO...SO WE SHOULD NOT JUST BE LOOKING
AT ONE PATTERN...BUT OTHERS AS WELL TO POTENTIALLY PROVIDE
RAINFALL TO THE REGION.

THE US DROUGHT MONITOR (USDM) VALID MAY 21ST AND ISSUED ON MAY 23RD
INDICATED DROUGHT CONDITIONS HAVE IMPROVED SLIGHTLY ACROSS THE
CENTRAL AND EASTERN SECTIONS OF SOUTH CENTRAL TEXAS. MOST OF SOUTH
CENTRAL TEXAS IS CURRENTLY IN MODERATE (D1) TO SEVERE (D2) DROUGHT
STATUS. THE NORTHERN RIO GRANDE PLAINS AND WESTERN SECTIONS OF THE
HILL COUNTRY REMAIN IN EXTREME (D3) TO EXCEPTIONAL DROUGHT (D4)
STATUS.

CURRENTLY 90 PERCENT OF THE STATE IS IN MODERATE DROUGHT (D1) TO
EXCEPTIONAL DROUGHT (D4). EIGHTEEN PERCENT OF THE STATE IS NOW IN
EXCEPTIONAL (D4) DROUGHT STATUS.

 Read the rest of this entry »

Permalink No Comments

NOAA predicts active 2013 Atlantic hurricane season

May 23rd, 2013 at 2:46 pm by Natalie Stoll under Weather

From NOAA:

Era of high activity for Atlantic hurricanes continues

May 23, 2013

Hurricane Sandy as seen from NOAA’s GOES-13 satellite on October 28, 2012. (Credit:NOAA/NASA)

In its 2013 Atlantic hurricane season outlook issued today, NOAA’s Climate Prediction Center is forecasting an active or extremely active season this year.

For the six-month hurricane season, which begins June 1, NOAA’s Atlantic Hurricane Season Outlook says there is a 70 percent likelihood of 13 to 20 named storms (winds of 39 mph or higher), of which 7 to 11 could become hurricanes (winds of 74 mph or higher), including 3 to 6 major hurricanes (Category 3, 4 or 5; winds of 111 mph or higher).

These ranges are well above the seasonal average of 12 named storms, 6 hurricanes and 3 major hurricanes.

“With the devastation of Sandy fresh in our minds, and another active season predicted, everyone at NOAA is committed to providing life-saving forecasts in the face of these storms and ensuring that Americans are prepared and ready ahead of time.” said Kathryn Sullivan, Ph.D., NOAA acting administrator. “As we saw first-hand with Sandy, it’s important to remember that tropical storm and hurricane impacts are not limited to the coastline. Strong winds, torrential rain, flooding, and tornadoes often threaten inland areas far from where the storm first makes landfall.”

Three climate factors that strongly control Atlantic hurricane activity are expected to come together to produce an active or extremely active 2013 hurricane season. These are:

A continuation of the atmospheric climate pattern, which includes a strong west African monsoon, that is responsible for the ongoing era of high activity for Atlantic hurricanes that began in 1995;
Warmer-than-average water temperatures in the tropical Atlantic Ocean and Caribbean Sea; and
El Niño is not expected to develop and suppress hurricane formation.

“This year, oceanic and atmospheric conditions in the Atlantic basin are expected to produce more and stronger hurricanes,” said Gerry Bell, Ph.D., lead seasonal hurricane forecaster with NOAA’s Climate Prediction Center. “These conditions include weaker wind shear, warmer Atlantic waters and conducive winds patterns coming from Africa.”

Read the rest of this entry »

Permalink No Comments

Triple conjunction of planets this weekend

May 23rd, 2013 at 1:30 pm by Jim Spencer under Weather

Sunset is a special time of day. Low-hanging clouds glow vivid red and orange as the background sky turns cobalt blue. The first stars pop out in the heavenly dome overhead, eliciting wishes from backyard sky watchers.

The sunset of May 26th will be extra special. On that date, Venus, Jupiter and Mercury will gather in the fading twilight to form a bright triangle only three degrees wide.

A new ScienceCast video previews coming attractions in the sunset sky. Play it

Triple conjunctions of planets are fairly rare. The last time it happened was in May 2011, and it won’t happen again until October 2015. This triple is especially good because it involves the three brightest planets in May’s night sky: #1, Venus; #2, Jupiter; and #3, Mercury. The triangle will be visible even in places with heavy urban light pollution.

The best time to look is about 30 to 60 minutes after sunset. The three planets will be hugging the horizon, so a clear view of the western sky is essential.

Let Venus be your guide. It pops out of the fading twilight long before the others. As soon as you locate Venus, look in that direction using binoculars. If your binoculars are typical, all three planets will fit in the eyepiece simultaneously. As the twilight continues to fade, set the optics aside; eventually the triangle will become visible to the naked eye.

You don’t have to wait until May 26th to enjoy the show, however. The planets start gathering weeks earlier. Dates of special interest include:

May 11th through 13th, when the crescent Moon, Venus, and Jupiter form a long diagonal line jutting upward from the sunset;

The three planets to scale. More

May 23rd, when Jupiter and Venus converge to less than 5 degrees apart, close enough for simultaneous binocular viewing;

May 24th, when Mercury passes Venus less than 2 degrees away, giving shape to the triangle that reaches maximum compactness two nights later on May 26th.

The triangle begins to disperse on May 27th, but even then the show is not over. On May 28th, Venus passes Jupiter at a distance of 1 degree, forming a truly spectacular pair.

From beginning to end, the three naked-eye planets will be close enough to fit inside the field of ordinary binoculars from May 23rd until early June. May 26th is just the best among many very good nights.

Step outside, face west, and observe the planets. It’s a beautiful way to end the day.

Credits:

Author: Dr. Tony Phillips | Production editor: Dr. Tony Phillips | Credit: Science@NASA

Permalink No Comments

Top ten deadliest Texas tornadoes since 1900

May 22nd, 2013 at 4:30 pm by Jim Spencer under Weather

Source: National Weather Service

NUMBER ONE – THE WACO TORNADO – MAY 11, 1953 The deadliest tornado in Texas history struck shortly after 4 pm on the day after Mother’s Day in 1953. It touched down north of the town of Lorena and began moving North-Northeast toward Waco. On a radar screen at Texas A&M University, the tornadic storm developed a hook shaped echo. Nearly 1/3 of a mile wide, the massive F5 tornado crossed Waco on a path that ran almost south to north, killing 114 persons and injuring 597. It destroyed around 600 homes and other buildings and damaged over 1000, including 2000 vehicles. Some of the survivors had to wait up to 14 hours for rescue.

NUMBER TWO – THE GOLIAD TORNADO – MAY 18, 1902 The second deadliest tornado in Texas killed 114 persons,the same as Waco, but is rated number two since with 250 injuries, it injured fewer people. It is believed to have touched down just before 4 pm near Berclair, about 15 miles southwest of Goliad, and moved on a track toward the northeast. About 1/8 of a mile wide, the F4 tornado crossed the San Antonio River southwest of Goliad and moved into the town. Most of the deaths occurred in the west part of Goliad, where hundreds of buildings were destroyed.

NUMBER THREE – THE ROCKSPRINGS TORNADO – APRIL 12, 1927 The third deadliest tornado in Texas history, like the first and second, occurred well south of what is generally considered Tornado Alley. This F5 tornado touched down 3 miles to the northwest of Rocksprings, in Edwards County, and moved toward the southeast. Nearly 1 mile wide as it crossed Rocksprings, it destroyed 235 of the 247 buildings in the town. It killed 74 people and injured 205, almost 1/3 of the population. Clearing Rocksprings, it continued southeastward at least 35 miles and perhaps as far as 65 miles.

NUMBER FOUR – THE TRI-STATE TORNADO – APRIL 09, 1947 The fourth deadliest tornado in Texas history also moved through western Oklahoma and dissipated near St. Leo, Kansas. Part of a family of deadly twisters, it touched down 5 miles northwest of Pampa and crossed just northwest of Canadian, nearly parallel to US 60. It’s funnel was reported at times to be between 1 and 2 miles wide. Just before crossing into Oklahoma, it destroyed the town of Glazier and most of the town of Higgins. It killed 17 and injured 40 in Glazier and 51 persons were killed, 232 injured in Higgins. Final totals across three states were 181 killed and 970 injured.

NUMBER FIVE – THE WICHITA FALLS TORNADO – APRIL 10, 1979 One of the most infamous of Texas Tornadoes, this huge F4 first touched down about 3 miles northeast of Holliday, a town lying southwest of Wichita Falls, where it damaged homes and businesses. Crossing into Wichita Falls, it severely damaged Memorial Stadium, followed by Mc Neil Junior High, and then entered the residential part of the city. It damaged a shopping center and numerous vehicles, then proceeded across US 287 where it destroyed additional vehicles. At times it was a mile and a 1/2 wide. It continued northeast from Wichita Falls, past the Red River and into Oklahoma where it dissipated north of Waurika. It killed 42 people in Wichita Falls, 25 of those deaths were vehicle related. It caused over 1700 injuries, destroyed over 3000 homes and left 20,000 homeless.

NUMBER SIX – THE FROST TORNADO – MAY 06, 1930 This F4 tornado touched down near Bynum, in Hill County, crossed into Navarro County east of Mertens, struck the town of Frost, where it killed at least 25 persons. Continuing toward the northeast, it caused additional deaths south of Rankin, south of Bardwell. It then crossed into Ellis County and killed citizens of Ennis. Its total death toll was 41, with over 200 persons injured.

NUMBER SEVEN – THE KARNES-DEWITT TORNADO – MAY 06, 1930 Tornado number 7 occurred on the same day as the Frost tornado. It touched down 3 miles northwest of Kenedy in Karnes County. Moving to the east-northeast, it crossed 3 miles south of Runge and dissipated 3 miles south of Nordheim. Along its path, this F4 tornado encountered numerous weakly constructed homes and shelters that provided little safety. This is the reason for a death toll as high as 36 with 60 injuries.

NUMBER EIGHT – THE ZEPHYR TORNADO – MAY 30, 1909 Tornado number 8 formed somewhere close to the town of Zephyr, in Brown County, near midnight and destroyed large parts of the town during the early morning hours, leaving little to view except vacant lots. Not much is known of the tornado path, except that most deaths occurred in the residential areas on the south and east sides of the town. Rated an F4, the tornado damaged nearly 50 homes, 6 businesses, 2 churches, and a high school. It killed 34 and injured 70.

NUMBER NINE – THE SARAGOSA TORNADO – MAY 22, 1987 Tornado number 9 touched down 2 miles southwest of Saragosa in Reeves County, and moved northeastward for 3 miles. 1/2 mile wide as it crossed over Saragosa, the F4 tornado destroyed more than 80% of the town, killed 30 residents and injured 121. 22 of the deaths occurred at the Guadalupe Hall where a group had gathered for a children’s graduation ceremony. Most of these deaths were among the parents and grandparents who shielded children from the debris with their bodies.

TORNADO NUMBER TEN – THE JARRELL TORNADO – MAY 27, 1997 The Jarrell tornado is the last confirmed F5 tornado in the state of Texas. This tornado followed an unusual path, moving to the south-southwest and has revived studies on the role of gravity waves on thunderstorm initiation. This storm killed 27 persons (injuring 12 more) and hundreds of cattle. More than 40 homes were completely destroyed, some of which were completely removed from their foundations.

HONORABLE MENTION – THE LUBBOCK TORNADO – MAY 11, 1970 The Lubbock tornado formed over the southwest corner of the city and touched down just south of the downtown area. It tracked toward the northeast near US 87, just east of the Texas Tech campus, and continued for 8 miles before lifting. It destroyed over 1000 homes and apartment units, 10,000 vehicles and over 100 aircraft. It killed 26 persons and injured 500. This tornado was studied and mapped in detail by Professor Fujita, and was an important key in the development of his Fujita Scale. It was rated F5 on this scale.

Other Tornadoes Since 1900 that have caused more than a dozen deaths in Texas, according to ‘Significant Tornadoes’ are:

Date

Counties

Deaths

Injuries

F-rating

July 5, 1905	Montague	18	40	4
April 26, 1906	Clay,Montague	17	50	4
April 8, 1919	Collin,Fannin	18	60	4
April 9, 1919	Henderson,Van Zandt	17	60	4
April 9, 1919	Cook,Camp,Titus	24	100	4
April 8, 1922	Runnels,Coleman,Callahan	12	90	3
May 4, 1922	Travis	12	50	4
May 14, 1923	Howard,Mitchell	23	250	5
May 9, 1927	Collin	19	100	4
May 9, 1927	Dallas	15	40	4
March 30, 1933	Angelina,Nacogdoches, San Augustine	13	150	3
February 8, 1935	Leon, Houston	12	70	2
June 10, 1938	Callahan	14	40	5
January 4, 1946	Anderson	15	60	4
March 13, 1953	Haskill,Knox	17	60	4
May 11, 1953	Tom Green	13	159	4
May 15, 1957	Briscoe	20	80	4
April 18, 1970	Swisher,Briscoe,Armstrong,Donley,Gray	17	41	4

Permalink No Comments

Memorial Day Flood 32nd Anniversary

May 22nd, 2013 at 3:08 pm by Natalie Stoll under Weather

Next Monday is the 32nd Anniversary of the Memorial Day Flood. It was the weather event that sparked changes in how Austin thought about and prepared for flash flooding.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/austintexasgov/sets/72157626196677382/

From the City of Austin:

Flood Safety Transformed Since Historic Flood, but Austin Still at Risk

During the 1981 Memorial Day Flood, 13 people died – 11 in cars, businesses were ravaged and Austin woke up to the dangers of flooding.

Within the first year after the flood, the City of Austin created an Emergency Operations Center and began looking at other ways to improve our safety during a flood. In the thirty-two years since the flood, Austin has:

• Vastly improved training and equipment of first responders.

• Strengthened our partnerships with the National Weather Service and the U.S. Geological Survey.

• Developed an extensive Flood Early Warning System.

• Invested more than $200 million in flood control projects, including home buyouts, detention ponds, floodwalls and higher bridges.

• Developed new technologies like ATXfloods.com for real-time flood information and road closures in Austin and Travis County and FloodPro, a web-based map viewer with the City’s floodplain-related information.

While we are much more prepared to protect lives and property from flooding, we live in Central Texas’ Flash Flood Alley and must be on the lookout for flood dangers when it rains. Even though we are still in a drought, as recently as April 2, we received three inches of rain, and there were three swift water rescues by the Austin Fire Department because of vehicles stalling out on flooded roads.

Read the rest of this entry »

Permalink No Comments

Tomorrow Is National Heat Awareness Day…

May 22nd, 2013 at 9:27 am by markmonstrola under Weather

With that being said it is a perfect time to remind everyone why NOT to leave your children or pets unattended in a vehicle in the hot sun. Here are some facts from the Safe Kids Texas Heatstroke Task Force:

Highlighted during community events on Heat Awareness Day, May 24

In conjunction with the National Weather Service, Safe Kids Texas Heatstroke Task Force will be promoting heatstroke prevention throughout Texas with heat comparison displays and other activities on Heat Awareness Day, Friday, May 24.

Vehicle interiors can reach life-threatening temperatures very rapidly. In just ten minutes, a vehicle’s interior temperature can rise 19 degrees. In one to two hours it can rise 45-50 degrees.

“A car’s interior can reach deadly temperatures in minutes. Children’s small bodies heat up 3 to 5 times faster than an adult’s, “ said Johnny Humphreys, Safe Kids Texas Heatstroke Task Force chair. “It’s just never safe to leave a child unattended in a car, not even for a minute. “

Child heat deaths in cars

A total of 560 children have died from heat in cars in the U. S. since 1988, including 84 in Texas. A total of 32 children died of heatstroke in cars in 2012, including 5 deaths in Texas. Sadly, one confirmed child heatstroke death in a car has been confirmed this year in the U. S., and heatstroke is suspected in three other child deaths under investigation, including two in Texas.

An examination of media reports about the 559 child vehicular heatstroke deaths 1998 through 2012 shows the following circumstances:

52% – child forgotten by caregiver
29% – child playing in unattended vehicle
18% – child intentionally left in vehicle by adult
1% – circumstances unknown

ACT: preventing heatstroke deaths

Together we can cut down on the number of deaths and near misses by remembering to ACT:

Avoid heatstroke-related injury and death by never leaving your child alone in a car, not even for a minute. And make sure to keep your car and trunk locked when you’re not in it so kids don’t get in on their own.
Create reminders by putting something in the back of your car next to your child such as a briefcase, a purse or a cell phone that is needed at your final destination. This is especially important if you’re not following your normal routine, which often happens during summer months.
Take action. If you see a child alone in a car, call 911. Emergency personnel want you to call. They are trained to respond to children in unattended vehicles.

Badge of Courage awards

It is against Texas law to leave a child under age seven unattended in a vehicle for longer than five minutes. Last year, the Safe Kids Texas Heatstroke Task Force presented Badge of Courage Awards to a San Marcos woman and a Lubbock woman, each of whom called 911 to report an unattended child in a vehicle. In both cases, EMS arrived quickly and the children were rescued without injury.

Safe Kids Texas Heatstroke Task Force

The Safe Kids Texas Heatstroke Task Force is composed of 166 community safety professionals throughout Texas, including law enforcement officers, nurses, health educators, doctors, county extension agents, and child advocates. During Heat Awareness Day, task force members will be conducting a variety of activities to remind us of the dangers of leaving children in cars and to promote the practice of the three preventive measures of ACT.

Also, don’t forget about our 23rd annual Summer Fan Drive!!

KXAN and Family Eldercare are teaming up once again for the 23rd Annual Summer Fan Drive. With summers in Texas reaching dangerous temperatures, the Fan Drive provides needy Central Texans with relief from the life-threatening heat.

For over 20 years, the Summer Fan Drive has been serving low-income seniors, individuals with disabilities, and families with children. Funds raised during the Fan Drive go towards the purchase of fans and air conditioners to help individuals and families beat the heat.

The community is encouraged to donate to this great cause and can help in different ways. One great way to help is by donating funds online atsummerfandrive.org. A donation of $15 will be able to help someone in need with one fan.

Fan Fare Friday, the Fan Drive’s main event, is held every year at the end of June at Threadgill’s World Headquarters. It’s a day of celebration to donate fans or funds and listen to some live music. This year’s event is scheduled for Friday, June 21st.

Fans for Fans is another great way to donate to this worthy cause. Every year, KXAN and Family Eldercare team up with the Round Rock Express for the Fans for Fans event. Express fans are encouraged to bring a fan in exchange for a pair of tickets to that night’s game. The date for this year’s event is still to be determined.

Help KXAN and Family Eldercare keep Austin cool this summer.

Permalink No Comments

All F5 tornadoes since 1950

May 21st, 2013 at 8:19 pm by Jim Spencer under Weather

This is a map and list of tornadoes since 1950 which the National Weather Service has rated F5 (before 2007) or EF5 (equivalent, 2007 onward, the most intense damage category on the Fujita and Enhanced Fujita damage scales. The tornadoes are numbered in the order they happened since 1950; so the numbers run from the bottom up. Read the rest of this entry »

Permalink No Comments

Moore, OK tornado rating upgraded to EF-5

May 21st, 2013 at 4:36 pm by Jim Spencer under Weather

Damage survey teams are continue to survey the damage path of the Newcastle-Moore tornado that occurred on May 20, 2013. We will be adding more information to web pages for this event during the next few days.

Note: As of 2:50 PM CDT, the NWS survey conducted by several teams has now rated the Newcastle-Moore tornado as EF-5. The damage survey teams have also determined that the tornado began 4.4 miles west of Newcastle and ended 4.8 miles east of Moore, yielding an approximate tornado path length of 17 miles. The preliminary maximum damage path width is 1.3 miles. Crews will continue to sort through damage for a final intensity rating. The latest Public Information Statement issued by the NWS Norman forecast office can be found here.

Further updates and more detailed information of the tornado damage areas will be released later today and Wednesday. Below is a map with the preliminary damage path of the Newcastle-Moore-South OKC tornado.

Preliminary Tornado Track based on Initial Storm Survey Data

Fast Facts

A rating of EF-5 has been given to the tornado that affected the Newcastle, south OKC, and Moore areas in McClain and Cleveland Counties.
The tornado had.a path length of approximately 17 miles and was on the ground for approximately 40 minutes from 2:56 PM – 3.26 PM CDT.
The preliminary maximum path width is 1.3 miles.

Information Sources

Comprehensive list of tornadoes in Oklahoma City since 1890.

Tornadoes that have occurred in or near Moore, OK (1890-Present)

The October 4, 1998 Tornado Outbreak Twenty-eight tornadoes occurred in central and eastern Oklahoma, including an F2 tornado which damaged parts of Moore. It was the largest autumnal outbreak of tornadoes ever recorded in Oklahoma.
The May 3, 1999 Tornado Outbreak This outbreak included nearly 60 tornadoes in central Oklahoma. It was the largest tornado outbreak ever recorded in Oklahoma. The first F5 tornado ever to hit a the Oklahoma City metro area killed 36 people and tore through parts of Newcastle, south OKC and Moore, OK. The damage total was estimated at $1 billion. Two F4 tornadoes also ravaged parts of Kingfisher and Logan counties.
Oklahoma City Area Tornadoes of May 8, 2003 The central United States experienced a record-breaking week of tornadoes from May 4 through May 10, 2003, when nearly 400 tornadoes occurred in 19 states and caused 42 deaths during the seven days. Included in this total were the tornadoes which hit the southern Oklahoma City metropolitan area on May 8, 2003 including an F4 tornado which tore through parts of Moore, Oklahoma City and Choctaw.
The May 10, 2010 Tornado Outbreak This outbreak produced 35 tornadoes in the NWS Norman forecast area alone, and a total of 55 tornadoes in Oklahoma. Two EF4 tornadoes struck the Oklahoma City metro area including Moore, killing 3 people and injuring over 80 others.