Twin States Weather Blog

Early Next Week...

* Still closely watching early next week for the potential for severe weather. It looks like a classic severe weather setup for Mississippi and Alabama: a negatively tilted trough, developing low pressure northwest of us, strong wind fields aloft. We'll continue to monitor the latest model data throughout the weekend, but it sure looks like we could see some rough weather by late Monday into early Tuesday.

?? What is a negatively tilted trough ??

It's a trough that is tilted to the west. If you start at the southernmost (bottom) part of the trough, and go up the trough axis, it tilts towards the west (left). This allows the coldest air aloft to move directly over the warmest air below -- greatly enhancing instability. It also creates better vertical wind shear.

* NOW is the time to review your severe weather safety plans! If you don't have a plan, develop one today. This is also the time to make sure your weather radio is working, check the batteries, etc. Here's a review:

The first step is getting a NOAA Weather Radio. They are available at almost any electronics store. If you never hear the warning, the rest of the plan is worthless.

Secondly, meet with your family and develop a plan of action for when tornado warnings are issued. Each family situation is different, I can't give you one plan that works for everyone. But, here are some basics that work anywhere:

- Get low! Get as low as you can, a basement if you have one. If not, lowest floor of your home.

- Get in! Get as far "in" your house as you can. Put as many walls between you and the outside as possible.

- Evacuate mobile homes. They make great homes in calm weather, but simply aren't designed to withstand tornado winds. The best option is to find a friend or relative who lives in a house and spend the day (or night) with them. If that's not an option, find the nearest ditch and get in it while covering your head.

- Stay out of the car! Cars are the worst places to be in tornadoes. Again, find a nearby ditch and cover your head. DO NOT go under an overpass; winds there are actually stronger.

If you have any questions about YOUR severe weather plan, now is the time to ask! Leave a comment here or write me an email and I'll answer as best I can.

posted by WTOK Weather Staff @ 10:04 AM