NEKS streamed live video and provided an in the field phone interview on Saturday the 19th for over an hour as numerous Tornado Warnings were issued in the KTKA viewing area.

Chief Meteorologist Matt Miller joined by meteorologists Ed Bloodsworth and Ashley Meenen provided almost 2 hours of wall to wall coverage of the severe weather outbreak.

Justin and I are currently working on a write-up and trying to get a copy of the severe weather coverage.

April 6th was officially the first chase of my 2010 season. Checking radar around 2PM revealed explosive initiation just NW of Emporia. Literally within minutes, SEV warnings had been issued on these storms as they began their track almost directly NE. Managed to get out on the chase around 3:30 PM with storms firing to my southwest and racing up the 335 Emporia-Topeka corridor. Unfortunately, supercell structure wasn’t apparent in any of these storms though a healthy MCS formed.

Initially, I headed for a target of Osage City down 75 Highway with storms firing to my West. Definitely an interesting drive with an awesome view of the squall line pushing quickly to the NE. Almost the entire squall was severe warned with textbook squall structure, a nice ease into the 2010 season. We continued on our Southern course but ditched the Osage City idea and headed for Carbondale grabbing a great eastern view of the approaching squall. We continue to stay east of the squall providing a bit of live video for Channel 49.

Eventually the storms exploded into a large squall with severe warnings scattered about northeast Kansas. We slowly worked our way east to stay just in front of the squall. Ending up in Douglas county, we sat for a bit as the storms began to fall apart and move

off to the east. Managed to get some initiation just before we were going to call it quits which went severe warned just in time for a quick intercept on the eastern edge of Clinton Lake. Nothing special, small pea sized hail, elevated winds and heavy rain is about all we noted out of the intercept. The large squall continued to push off to the east dumping heavy rain and some elevated winds along the way.

The Storm Prediction Center in Norman Oklahoma has issued a HIGH RISK for today for portions of extreme S KS and C Oklahoma for today.

Justin and I will both be out chasing this severe weather outbreak, my initial target as of 10AM is Coffeyville KS and we’ll probably head further south into Northern Oklahoma.

NWS SPC OUTLOOK

Categorical Graphic
Probabilistic Tornado Graphic
Probabilistic Damaging Wind Graphic
Probabilistic Large Hail Graphic

   SPC AC 101233

   DAY 1 CONVECTIVE OUTLOOK
   NWS STORM PREDICTION CENTER NORMAN OK
   0733 AM CDT MON MAY 10 2010

   VALID 101300Z - 111200Z

   ...THERE IS A HIGH RISK OF SVR TSTMS LATE THIS AFTERNOON/EVENING FOR
   CENTRAL/NE OK AND SE KS...

   ...THERE IS A MDT RISK OF SVR TSTMS SURROUNDING THE HIGH RISK IN
   KS...OK...SW MO...AND NW AR...

   ...THERE IS A SLGT RISK OF SVR TSTMS FROM CENTRAL/NW TX TO THE
   CENTRAL PLAINS AND MID MS VALLEY THROUGH TONIGHT...

   ...A FEW STRONG/LONG-TRACK TORNADOES...ALONG WITH VERY LARGE HAIL
   AND DAMAGING WINDS...WILL BE POSSIBLE THIS AFTERNOON/EVENING ACROSS
   CENTRAL/NE OK AND EXTREME S CENTRAL/SE KS...

   ...SRN/CENTRAL PLAINS THIS AFTERNOON TO MO OVERNIGHT...
   RAPID CHANGES ARE EXPECTED TODAY ACROSS THE SRN/CENTRAL PLAINS AS A
   PRONOUNCED SHORTWAVE TROUGH NEAR THE FOUR CORNERS MOVES QUICKLY EWD
   TO CENTRAL KS/NRN OK BY THIS EVENING...AND CONTINUES ENEWD TO THE
   MID MS VALLEY OVERNIGHT.  A SURFACE WARM FRONT AND ASSOCIATED MOIST
   AIR MASS /BOUNDARY LAYER DEWPOINTS OF 65-70 F/ WILL SURGE NWD FROM
   NW/N CENTRAL TX TO CENTRAL AND NRN OK BY MID-LATE AFTERNOON.  THIS
   MOISTENING WILL OCCUR BENEATH A PLUME OF STEEP MIDLEVEL LAPSE RATES
   AND IN RESPONSE TO EWD DEVELOPMENT OF THE SURFACE CYCLONE ACROSS
   SW/S CENTRAL KS.  THE MOST FAVORABLE PHASING OF THE UNSTABLE WARM
   SECTOR AND STRONG VERTICAL SHEAR ENVIRONMENT WILL OCCUR LATE THIS
   AFTERNOON/EVENING ACROSS CENTRAL/N CENTRAL/NE OK...AND THE ADJACENT
   BORDER COUNTIES IN KS.  OVERNIGHT...THE BELT OF STRONGER FORCING FOR
   ASCENT WILL ACCELERATE ENEWD OVER MO AT A FASTER RATE THAN THE LOW
   LEVELS WILL BE ABLE TO MOISTEN/DESTABILIZE...RESULTING IN A DECREASE
   IN THE SEVERE STORM/TORNADO RISK LATER TONIGHT.

   DISCRETE THUNDERSTORM INITIATION IS EXPECTED BY 18-20Z IN SW KS NEAR
   THE SURFACE LOW AND LEFT EXIT REGION OF THE MID-UPPER JET.
   ADDITIONAL DEVELOPMENT WILL OCCUR FARTHER SE ALONG THE SRN KS/NRN OK
   DRYLINE AROUND 21-22Z...WITH ISOLATED STORMS POSSIBLE SWD INTO
   CENTRAL OK AND NW TX CLOSER TO 22-00Z.  THE STRONG DEEP-LAYER SHEAR
   ENVIRONMENT NEAR THE MID-UPPER JET CORE SUGGESTS THAT STORMS MAY
   TAKE UP TO AN HOUR OR SO TO MATURE.  HOWEVER...EFFECTIVE SRH OF
   400-600 M2/S2...BOUNDARY LAYER DEWPOINTS OF 65-70 F AND MLCAPE OF
   2000-3500 J/KG ALL FAVOR THE POTENTIAL FOR STRONG/LONG-TRACK
   TORNADOES IN THE MDT-HIGH RISK AREAS.  THE TORNADO AND LARGE HAIL
   THREAT SHOULD MAXIMIZE FROM ABOUT 22-02Z IN OK/SE KS...WITH A
   GRADUAL EVOLUTION TO A MORE LINEAR CONVECTIVE MODE WITH DAMAGING
   WINDS/LARGE HAIL OVERNIGHT ACROSS MO.

   POTENTIAL CONCERNS WILL BE THE LATE ARRIVAL AND NARROW WIDTH OF THE
   WARM SECTOR COMPARED TO THE STRONG VERTICAL SHEAR PROFILES AND FAST
   STORM MOTIONS.  A COMPARISON OF EXPECTED 45-50 KT STORM MOTIONS WITH
   WARM SECTOR WIDTH/PROGRESSION SUGGESTS A 2-3 HOUR WINDOW FOR
   SUPERCELLS TO MATURE AND REMAIN WITHIN THE CORRIDOR OF STRONGER
   INSTABILITY ACROSS EXTREME SRN/SERN KS AND NRN/NERN OK THIS EVENING.
   STILL...IT APPEARS THIS WINDOW OF OPPORTUNITY WILL BE SUFFICIENTLY
   LONG TO SUPPORT A SIGNIFICANT SUPERCELL/TORNADO RISK FOR A FEW HOURS
   LATE THIS AFTERNOON/EVENING...INCLUDING THE WICHITA...TULSA...AND
   OKLAHOMA CITY METROPOLITAN AREAS.

   ..THOMPSON/HURLBUT.. 05/10/2010

   NOTE: THE NEXT DAY 1 OUTLOOK IS SCHEDULED BY 1630Z
   CURRENT UTC TIME: 1443Z (9:43AM), RELOAD THIS PAGE TO UPDATE THE TIME

Justin and I are happy to announce that we’re officially a part of the Channel 49 KTKA Storm Team along with 6 News of Lawrence.

This season, we’ll be working very closely with Channel 49 providing groundbreaking severe weather coverage with in the field phone conferences, warning confirmation, streaming video, etc.

Alongside the National Weather Service, the Media plays a vital role in alerting the public, our goal is to speed up warnings and provide critical observations where necessary. Chasers dedicated to one media outlet will enable Channel 49 to become the premier severe weather station.

For full video visit KTKA.com

The Topeka has revealed their schedule of 2010 spotter classes! This is a great way for anyone interested in weather to get a start in severe weather. These classes are also where many chasers start! The schedule is as follows:

February, 2010

17 Holton, KS
(Jackson County) 7:00pm CST Senior Citizens Building 312 Pennsylvania

18 Council Grove, KS
(Morris County) 6:30pm CST Courthouse 501 W. Main

18 Seneca, KS
(Nemaha County) 7:00pm CST Community Building 1500 Community Drive

22 Minneapolis, KS
(Ottawa County) 7:00pm CST Courthouse Basement 307 N. Concord St.

23 Emporia, KS
(Lyon County) 6:30pm CST Anderson Building Fairgrounds West Highway 50 and Industrial Road

24 Oskaloosa, KS
(Jefferson County) 7:00pm CDT Oskaloosa High School Auditorium 404 Park

25 Ottawa, KS
(Franklin County) 6:30pm CST Celebration Hall 1701 S. Elm

25 Carbondale, KS
(Osage County) 7:00pm CST Santa Fe High School (Commons Area) 15701 S. California Rd.

March, 2010

01 Junction City, KS
(Geary County) 7:00pm CST 4H Senior Center 1025 S. Spring Valley Road

01 Herington, KS
(Dickinson County) 7:00pm CST Hilltop Building 2 South A Street

02 Olpe, KS
(Lyon County) 6:30pm CST Knights of Columbus 212 Iowa St.

03 Burlington, KS
(Coffey County) 7:00pm CST Coffey County Fairgrounds 4H Building 601 S. Third

04 Clay Center, KS
(Clay County) 7:00pm CST Baptist Church Meeting Hall corner of 5th and Dexter

08 Topeka, KS
(Shawnee County) 7:00pm CST Washburn University Memorial Union

08 Axtell, KS
(Marshall County) 7:00pm CST American Legion Club 207 South 5th Street

09 Manhattan, KS
(Riley County) 7:00pm CST Pottorf Hall Riley County Fairgrounds Avery Ave & Robinson Dr in CICO Park

10 Concordia, KS
(Cloud County) 7:00pm CST Cloud County Community College

11 Lawrence, KS
(Douglas County) 7:00pm CST South Junior High School 2734 Louisiana St

15 Garnett, KS
(Anderson County) 7:00pm CDT North Lake community building in Garnett

16 Abilene, KS
(Dickinson County) 7:00pm CDT Community Center 1020 NW 8th St.

17 Perry, KS
(Jefferson County) 7:00pm CST American Legion Post 142 410 Perry Place, Perry, KS

18 Belleville, KS
(Republic County) 7:00pm CDT 4H Building Fairgrounds 901 O Street

24 Alma, KS
(Wabaunsee County) 6:30pm CDT Wabaunsee High School 912 Missouri St Alma, KS 66401

25 Washington, KS
(Washington County) 7:00pm CDT Emergency Services Building 900 D Street

29 Westmoreland, KS
(Pottawatomie County) 7:00pm CDT Westmoreland Fire Department

April, 2010

05 Mayetta, KS
(Jackson County) 6:30pm CDT ***Hosted by the Pottawatomie Tribal Fire Dept.*** Stone Building 16283 Q Rd. Adjacent to the Prairie Band Pottawatomi Tribal Government Center

For the most up to date information visit http://www.crh.noaa.gov/top/?n=talks

Topeka has issued a snow emergency, dozens of churches have cancelled their Christmas Eve services, thousands are without power and the wind continues to howl. Topeka has been brought to it’s knees as emergency vehicles get stuck, numerous vehicles are stranded due to snow drifts and road crews are struggling to keep up.

Justin and I streamed portions of this blizzard last night and I was out again in the early morning once we lost power.

Currently working on getting video edited and a synopsis of this storm up.

I headed out to check road conditions a few minutes ago as snow began to fall here in the Capital City. Heading out initially, only around 1/2″ had fallen thus far yet none has been cleared, making for some interesting conditions. While certainly slick, roads are manageable at the right speed and in 4WD. Emergency services such as AMR have began to divert routes and declare delays due to road conditions.

A Winter Storm Warning remains in effect until 6AM Wednesday morning.

21st and Wanamaker.

41st and Wanamaker.

45th, beteween Wanamaker and Fairlawn.

Radar as of 0027 HRS 12/8/09.

URGENT - WINTER WEATHER MESSAGE
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE TOPEKA KS
301 PM CST MON DEC 7 2009

...HEAVY SNOW POSSIBLE ON TUESDAY AND TUESDAY NIGHT...

.A STRONG STORM SYSTEM WILL MOVE ACROSS THE GREAT BASIN AND INTO
KANSAS BY LATE DAY TUESDAY. A PROLONGED PERIOD OF SNOW IS
EXPECTED TO DEVELOP EARLY TUESDAY MORNING AND CONTINUE INTO
TUESDAY NIGHT.

Roads have been treated and warnings issued in Northeastern Kansas as a strong winter storm nears. The Winter Storm Warning will be in effect until 6AM Wednesday morning as the system pushes off to the east.

Accumulation is expected to range from 11+ inches near the Nebraska border, 6+ inches in East Central Kansas, 3+ inches in Southeastern Kansas and 0-3 inches in extreme Southeastern Kansas.

(Pictures © TOP-NWS.)

Warning Dialogue

MARSHALL-NEMAHA-BROWN-RILEY-POTTAWATOMIE-JACKSON-JEFFERSON-GEARY-
WABAUNSEE-SHAWNEE-
INCLUDING THE CITIES OF...MARYSVILLE...HIAWATHA...MANHATTAN...
JUNCTION CITY...TOPEKA
301 PM CST MON DEC 7 2009

...WINTER STORM WARNING IN EFFECT FROM MIDNIGHT TONIGHT TO 6 AM
CST WEDNESDAY...

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN TOPEKA HAS ISSUED A WINTER STORM
WARNING FOR HEAVY SNOW...WHICH IS IN EFFECT FROM MIDNIGHT TONIGHT
TO 6 AM CST WEDNESDAY. THE WINTER STORM WATCH IS NO LONGER IN
EFFECT.

* TIMING: SNOW IS EXPECTED TO DEVELOP IN CENTRAL KANSAS AFTER
  MIDNIGHT EARLY TUESDAY MORNING AND SPREAD EASTWARD. PERIODS OF
  MODERATE SNOWFALL ARE EXPECTED TO CONTINUE THROUGH TUESDAY
  NIGHT.

* ACCUMULATIONS: PRELIMINARY ESTIMATED ACCUMULATIONS OF 6 TO 9
  INCHES NEAR INTERSTATE 70...AND UP TO 9 TO 13 INCHES FOR
  COUNTIES ALONG THE NEBRASKA BORDER.

* WINDS WILL INCREASE AND BECOME NORTHERLY AT 20 TO 30 MPH ON
  TUESDAY NIGHT AND WILL CAUSE BLOWING SNOW IN THE OVERNIGHT
  HOURS.

* IMPACTS: SNOWFALL RATES MAY BECOME HEAVY TUESDAY AFTERNOON AND
  EVENING...WITH QUICK ACCUMULATIONS MAKING TRAVEL MORE
  TREACHEROUS. STRONG NORTH WINDS IN SNOW MAY ALSO EXACERBATE
  TRAVEL CONDITIONS OVERNIGHT TUESDAY NIGHT.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

CONDITIONS CAN DETERIORATE RAPIDLY IN WINTER WEATHER SITUATIONS...
SLOW DOWN AND ALLOW EXTRA TIME WHEN TRAVELING. PRACTICE YOUR
WINTER SAFETY RULES...KEEP AN EXTRA FLASHLIGHT...FOOD...AND WATER
IN YOUR CAR IN CASE OF AN EMERGENCY.

National Weather Service in Topeka is forecasting a possible winter storm with moderate snow accumulation possible. Currently the location of surface warm air is in question, this will be the deciding factor in snow amounts.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...MONDAY THROUGH SATURDAY

SIGNIFICANT SNOW ACCUMULATION REMAINS A POSSIBILITY TUESDAY INTO
WEDNESDAY MORNING...WITH HIGHER AMOUNTS POSSIBLE NORTH OF
INTERSTATE 70. A WINTER STORM WATCH IS NOW IN EFFECT FOR THIS
AREA. STAY TUNED TO THE LATEST FORECAST INFORMATION FOR ANY
UPDATES TO THE STRENGTH AND TRACK OF THIS STORM.