Welcome back to Meteorology Matters, everybody.
We've got some serious weather brewing this week,
and we're talking a massive multi -day severe
weather event with a huge chunk of the U .S.
in its sights. Over 150 million people. And this
isn't your average spring storm, folks. We're
talking about possible long -tracked, intense
tornadoes, winds topping 100 miles per hour,
hails the size of baseballs. Really the whole
shebang. And if you want to stay up to date on
all things weather, don't forget to follow meteorologist
Rob Jones. You can find him on Instagram at Meteorologist,
catch his quick takes on TikTok at TVMeteorologist,
or delves deeper into hurricane happenings on
YouTube at Rob Jones the Hurricane. That's also
where you'll find the Meteorology Matters playlist,
so you never miss an episode. And I'm here to
help us navigate this meteorological mayhem.
You know, what makes this storm so concerning
is that the National Oceanic Atmosphere Administration
Storm Prediction Center has issued some of its
highest level severe weather risk warnings. We're
even looking at a rare high risk level five out
of five, only the second time in their history
they've issued one for tomorrow. OK, so this
is the real deal, not just a run of the mill
storm. Yeah. Let's break it down. Where is the
system headed and what kind of impact are we
looking at? over the next few days. Well, this
system is set to impact a large swath of the
country. But let's start with Friday evening.
The heartland places like Missouri and Iowa will
be the first to see action. Imagine a powerful
line of storms packing hail, damaging winds and
even a few tornadoes. So it kicks off in the
heartland. Then what does this line just keep
moving eastward? Yeah, you got it. It'll charge
through the Mississippi Valley overnight. setting
the stage for what could be a very intense Saturday.
Saturday sounds like the day to really watch
out for that. It is. As the system moves east
on Saturday, it's expected to intensify significantly.
We're looking at a potential tornado outbreak
across the central Gulf Coast states and the
deep south extending into the Tennessee Valley.
And we're not talking about just any tornadoes.
We could see significant long track tornadoes
with the potential to cause major damage. OK,
long track tornadoes. So these aren't just quick
spin ups. They can stay on the ground for while
increasing the potential for destruction. Are
there any specific areas that are particularly
at risk on Saturday? Yes. Unfortunately, some
major cities are right in the path of this high
risk zone. Think Birmingham Jackson, Tuscaloosa
Hoover in Alabama, Hattiesburg in Mississippi.
They need to be on high alert. So Saturday is
definitely a day to be extra vigilant for those
folks. Then what? Does the system finally start
to wind down on Sunday? Well, it does move on,
but not without impacting the East Coast Sunday.
That storm system continues east, hitting the
entire I -95 corridor from Florida all the way
up to the northeast. So the whole East Coast
is in play on Sunday. What should folks be prepared
for in that region? While tornadoes are still
possible, especially along the Virginia coast
and into the Carolinas, the focus shifts a bit
on Sunday. The main threats become those damaging
winds and hail we talked about earlier. Okay,
so this storm is really packing a one -two punch.
or maybe a one, two, three punch with the hail.
We've heard you mentioned a hundred mile per
hour winds, which sounds terrifying enough on
its own. But let's unpack the specific dangers
of each of these threats. What kind of damage
can those winds really do? We're not talking
just a few downed branches here, are we? Not
at all. These winds have the force to snap power
lines, uproot trees, send debris flying. Think
about weak roofs, poorly constructed buildings.
They could be in real danger. It's unsettling
to think those kinds of winds can be as destructive
as a tornado. And speaking of destruction, what
about that baseball -sized hail you mentioned?
I can't imagine that's something you want to
get caught in. You definitely don't. Hail that
big can, dent cars, shatter windows, and even
damage roofs. Imagine those hailstones pelting
down at high speeds. It's a recipe for disaster,
particularly for agriculture and crops. OK, wind
hail. But let's be honest. When most people think
about severe weather, what's the first thing
that pops into their minds? Tornadoes, without
a doubt. Exactly. And you mentioned the possibility
of these long -track tornadoes. Can you remind
our listeners about the difference between a
tornado watch and a tornado warning? It's important
to know what to do when you hear those terms.
Absolutely. A tornado watch means conditions
are favorable for tornadoes to form. So be prepared.
Know where your safe place is. But a tornado
warning means a tornado has actually been sighted
or indicated on radar. That's when you need to
take immediate action and seek shelter. Right.
A watch is like a heads up. But a warning means
it's time to take cover immediately. Exactly.
And if a tornado is heading your way, an interior
room on the lowest level of your home is your
best bet. Stay away from windows and exterior
walls. You know, you mentioned flooding earlier.
And while it might not be the main story with
the storm system, it's still a serious threat
that we shouldn't overlook. You're right. Heavy
rain is expected with the system, and that always
raises the risk of flooding, especially in areas
with poor drainage or near rivers and streams.
So even though we're focusing on wind hail and
tornadoes, folks don't let your guard down when
it comes to flooding. All right. We've talked
about the timeline and the potential impacts,
but can we get even more specific about the areas
to watch? I know you mentioned a few cities,
but what states are really in the crosshairs
each day? Well, on Friday, as we said, the focus
is on the Heartland, Missouri, Iowa, those areas.
Then as the system moves east, Saturday becomes
the day of highest concern. That's when the central
Gulf Coast states and the deep south are most
at risk. We're talking Alabama, Mississippi,
parts of Tennessee, even dipping into Louisiana
and Georgia. And you mentioned those major cities
earlier like Birmingham and Jackson. Yes, unfortunately,
they're right in the thick of that high risk
area. And then Sunday. By Sunday, the threat
shifts to the East Coast, impacting the entire
I -95 corridor. So Florida to Georgia, the Carolinas
all the way up to the Northeast will need to
be prepared. Wow. So this system is really making
a cross -country trek. Are there any specific
geographical features in the path of this storm
that could make this situation even more volatile?
I'm thinking about how mountains or valleys can
influence weather patterns. That's an excellent
question. Take the Mississippi River Valley,
for example. It acts as a natural funnel for
moisture. And that moisture fuels these storm
systems, potentially making them even more powerful
and destructive. So it's not just about the flat
terrain, but the geography the river system plays
a role, too. Fascinating. Exactly. Geography
can significantly influence how these storms
develop and where they track. OK, so we've covered
the what, the where and the when. Now let's talk
about the most important part, staying safe.
We can't stress this enough. Heed those warnings,
folks. This is serious stuff. Absolutely. And
preparedness is key. Before the storm hits, make
sure you have an emergency kit ready to go. Water
and non -perishable food flashlights batteries.
A first aid kit, medications, important documents.
Yes. Have a plan in place for your family and
pets. Know where your safe place is in your home
and practice getting there quickly. These are
simple things, but they can truly be life -saving
in a severe weather event. Absolutely. And stay
informed. Monitor weather reports have a NOAA
weather radio handy and make sure your phone
is charged and you're signed up for wireless
emergency alerts. You know, as we're talking
about all this, I keep thinking about those stories
we've read about the destructive power of these
types of storms. The images are haunting. I agree.
They really highlight the force of nature we're
dealing with. I was particularly struck by the
account of that shopping center collapsing in
Trenton, Missouri because of the wind. Can you
imagine going about your day and suddenly the
roof is ripped off? It's a stark reminder of
how quickly things can turn dangerous. And those
images of overturned semis on the highways, it's
mind -goggling how wind can toss a massive truck
like it's a toy. It really puts the power of
these storms into perspective. And those power
outages, reading about entire communities plunged
into darkness, sometimes for days, really drives
home the disruption these storms can cause. You
can feel like life just comes to a standstill.
It's true. These storms can have a cascading
impact, affecting everything from transportation
to communication to basic necessities. It's clear
this is an event we all need to take seriously.
So let's talk about why this particular storm
system is so powerful. What's going on in the
atmosphere to create such a wide range of threats?
Is this just a random occurrence or is there
something bigger at play here? It's definitely
not random. This storm is fueled by a perfect
mix of atmospheric ingredients. We have a strong
low pressure system moving across the country
drawing in warm moist air from the Gulf of Mexico
and clashing it with cold dry air from the north.
So it's like a battleground of air masses. Exactly.
And when these air masses collide, it creates
instability in the atmosphere, leading to the
formation of those powerful thunderstorms we've
been talking about. And within those thunderstorms,
you have the potential for all those different
hazards, the tornadoes, the hail, the wind. Precisely.
Wind shear, which is the change in wind speed
and direction with height, plays a crucial role
in this process. OK. Wind shear. I've heard that
term before, but I'm not sure I fully understand
what it means or how it contributes to severe
weather. Can you break it down for us? Imagine
a layer cake of wind with each layer moving at
a different speed and direction. That's essentially
what wind shear is. Interesting. So how does
this wind cake, as you put it, contribute to
severe weather? Well, as those different layers
of wind interact, they can cause the air within
a thunderstorm to start rotating horizontally.
So it's like those winds are whipping up The
thunderstorm creating a spin. Exactly. And as
that horizontal rotation gets tilted upward by
updrafts within the storm. Updrafts. Think of
updrafts like powerful elevators within the storm
pulling warm moist air up into the cloud. As
those updrafts lift the rotating air, it can
become the starting point for a tornado. So the
wind shear provides the initial spin, and the
updrafts lift it up like a figure skater pulling
their arms in for a faster spin. That's a great
analogy. And the stronger the wind shear, the
faster those winds are changing with height,
the more potential there is for violent tornadoes.
Wow. So it's like wind shear is a key ingredient
in this severe weather recipe. It takes a regular
thunderstorm and turns it into a potential tornado
factory. You're saying we have particularly strong
wind shear with this storm system. We do. It's
the kind of wind shear that makes meteorologists
pay close attention and the kind that should
make everyone in the path of the storm be extra
vigilant. Okay, so we've got this powerful storm
system fueled by wind shear moisture and clashing
air masses. But then there's this looming question
of climate change, which always seems to come
up when we talk about extreme weather events.
It's hard to ignore when we're seeing more and
more of these intense storms happening. It's
a crucial piece of the conversation. While we
can't definitively say that climate change caused
this specific storm, we know that a warming climate
is increasing the likelihood of more extreme
weather events in general. So it's less about
a direct cause and effect and more about climate
change loading the dice, so to speak, making
these kinds of events more likely. That's a good
way to put it. Think of it like this. Imagine
a baseball player on steroids. The steroids don't
guarantee that the player will hit a home run
every time they're at bat. But they do increase
the odds of hitting it further. Exactly. And
that's kind of what climate change is doing with
extreme weather. It's tilting the odds in favor
of more intense storms, heavier rainfall, and
more severe droughts. So in a sense, climate
change is acting like those steroids for our
weather patterns, amplifying the extremes. That's
a good way to think about it. And with severe
weather events, even a small increase in intensity
or frequency can have significant consequences.
It's like turning up the volume on a speaker.
Even a small increase can make a big difference
in how it sounds. Exactly. A small increase in
temperature can lead to a much greater increase
in atmospheric moisture, which can fuel more
powerful storms. And with sea levels rising,
coastal areas are even more vulnerable to the
impacts of those storms, like storm surge and
flooding. So we're not just talking about more
storms, but potentially stronger, more destructive
storms as well. Right. And that's why understanding
the connection between climate change and extreme
weather is so important. It's not just an abstract
concept. It's impacting our lives here and now.
And it's going to continue to do so in the future.
So what can we do about it? It can feel pretty
overwhelming to think about tackling something
as big as climate change. I understand that feeling.
It's a global issue that requires a collective
effort. But that doesn't mean individual actions
are meaningless. Every bit counts. So what are
some things we can do both individually and as
a society to try to mitigate the impacts of climate
change and build resilience against these extreme
weather events? Well, on an individual level,
reducing our carbon footprint is key. That means
things like driving less, using energy efficient
appliances, and supporting renewable energy sources.
And making sustainable choices in our daily lives,
right? Like reducing our consumption, recycling,
and being mindful of the products we buy. Exactly.
But individual actions can only take us so far.
We need systemic change, which means advocating
for policies that promote clean energy, reduce
greenhouse gas emissions, and invest in climate
adaptation and resilience. So things like carbon
pricing, investing in public transportation,
and making our infrastructure more resilient
to extreme weather events. Right. It's about
creating a world where sustainability is not
just an option. It's the norm. You know, it's
interesting to think about how this storm system
we're discussing is almost like a microcosm of
the larger climate change issue. the complex
event with multiple factors contributing to its
intensity and it's impacting millions of people
across a vast area. I see the connection. And
just like with this storm, we need to be prepared,
informed, and ready to act to mitigate the impacts
of climate change. We'll be right back with more
Meteorology Matters. Welcome back to Meteorology
Matters. We're picking up right where we left
off, folks, with this monster storm system barreling
across the country. The more we delve into the
science behind this thing, the more it becomes
clear that we're dealing with a meteorological
masterpiece, albeit... dangerous one. Yeah, it
is fascinating, isn't it, to see how all these
atmospheric forces come together to create such
a powerful and complex event. It's like a delicate
dance, except instead of graceful moves, you
have clashing air masses, swirling winds, and
unfortunately, the potential for destruction.
Before the break, we talked about how this storm
is fueled by a perfect mix of ingredients, a
strong low pressure system, warm, moist air from
the Gulf or cold, dry air from the north. and
that all -important wind shear. Let's go back
for a second and unpack that wind shear concept
a bit more. I'm still a little fuzzy in exactly
how it contributes to the formation of severe
thunderstorms and tornadoes. Sure, wind shear
is a bit of a tricky concept to grasp, but it's
really the key to understanding why some storms
become so severe. To visualize it, imagine a
layer cake of wind with each layer moving at
a different speed and direction. Okay, I'm picturing
it. So how does this wind cake, if you will,
contribute to severe weather? What's the connection?
Well, as those different layers of wind interact,
they can cause the air within a thunderstorm
to start rotating horizontally. Think of it like
a spinning top. So it's like those winds are
whipping up the thunderstorm, creating that initial
spin. Precisely. And then those powerful updrafts
we talked about, those elevators of warm moist
air within the storm lift, that rotating air
upward. And just like a figure skater pulling
their arms in for a faster spin, that upward
lift intensifies the rotation. So the wind shear
provides the initial spin and the updrafts take
it to the next level, potentially turning that
rotation into a full blown tornado. So it's really
the combination of wind shear and updrafts that
makes a storm ripe for tornado development. You
got it. And with this particular storm system,
we have a very favorable environment for strong
wind shear, which is why the tornado threat is
so high. This isn't just any old wind shear then.
We're talking about the premium extra strength
kind, right? The kind that gets meteorologists
like you really concerned. Yeah, it is. It's
the kind of wind shear that makes us sit up and
take notice. And the kind that should make everyone
in the path of this storm take extra precautions.
It's incredible to think that all this is happening
miles above us, invisible to the naked eye. It's
a whole other world up there in the atmosphere
full of these powerful forces at play. It really
is. And that's what makes studying weather so
captivating. It's like piecing together a giant
puzzle using all the data we have. from radar
satellites, weather balloons, and surface observations
to try to understand and predict what these forces
will do next. And one of the pieces of that puzzle
that keeps coming up, especially when we're talking
about events like this one, is climate change.
We talked earlier about how it's difficult to
directly link any single weather event to climate
change, but it's hard to ignore the trend of
increasingly intense storms. It feels like these
extreme events are becoming more frequent and
more severe. Is that just our perception or is
there real evidence to back that up? It's not
just perception. Scientists are observing a definite
trend toward more extreme weather events, including
more intense storms, heavier rainfall and more
severe droughts. And while we can't say with
absolute certainty that climate change caused
this particular storm, we do know that a warming
climate increases the likelihood of these types
of events in general. So it's less about a direct
cause and effect and more about climate change
influencing the overall background conditions,
making these extreme events more likely. Like
you said earlier, it's like loading the dice.
Exactly. Think about it this way. If you roll
a pair of dice, there's always a chance you'll
roll double sixes. But if you load the dice,
the odds of rolling double sixes go way up. So
climate change is loading the dice, making it
more likely that we'll experience those double
sixes of extreme weather. Precisely. And even
a small increase in the odds of extreme weather
can have huge consequences, especially when you
consider that we're talking about powerful forces
of nature. Right. Even a seemingly small shift
in those odds can translate to a lot more damage
disruption and, unfortunately, even loss of life.
Yeah, it's a sobering thought and one that underscores
the importance of understanding climate change
and its impact on our world. Absolutely. It feels
like sometimes these big global issues can feel
so overwhelming. But like you said earlier, we
can all do our part to mitigate the effects.
Can you remind us what some of those individual
actions are? It's easy to feel helpless in the
face of something as large as climate change.
But I think it's important to remember that we're
not powerless. I completely agree. Individual
actions may seem small, but they absolutely add
up. And collectively, they send a powerful message.
Simple things like reducing our reliance on cars,
opting for energy efficient appliances, and supporting
renewable energy can make a real difference.
and making conscious choices in our daily lives,
reducing consumption recycling, and really thinking
about the products we buy. Yeah, you've got it.
Every little bit helps. But to really tackle
this issue, we need big systemic change as well.
That means advocating for policies that promote
clean energy, reduce greenhouse gas emissions,
and invest in making our communities more resilient
to the impacts of climate change. So things like
carbon pricing, investing in public transportation,
updating building codes to make structures more
resistant to extreme weather, and improving early
warning systems to give people more time to repair.
Exactly. It's about creating a future where sustainability
isn't just a nice idea. It's built into the very
fabric of our society. It's fascinating to think
about how this storm system we're discussing
is almost like a microcosm of the larger climate
change issue. We've got a complex event with
multiple contributing factors impacting millions
of people across a vast area. And just like with
this storm, we need to be prepared, informed,
and ready to act. to address climate change and
its impacts. I couldn't agree more. We need to
approach climate change with the same level of
seriousness and urgency as we approach this storm.
We need to heed the warnings, understand the
risks, and take action to protect ourselves and
our communities. Well said. We'll be back shortly
with more on Meteorology Matters. Stay tuned.
Welcome back to Meteorology Matters. And we're
back for the final part of our deep dive into
this major severe weather event. We've talked
about the science behind it, the role of climate
change. But now let's shift gears and focus on
what you can do to stay safe. Knowledge is power.
So let's empower ourselves with some actionable
advice. Absolutely. And it all starts with being
weather aware. Stay informed about forecasts
and warnings, and make sure you understand the
difference between a watch and a warning. Right.
We touched on that earlier, but it's definitely
worth repeating. A watch means the conditions
are ripe for severe weather. So be alert. and
have a plan in place. But a warning means severe
weather is happening now. It's time to take immediate
action and seek shelter. Right. And don't rely
on just one source of information. Tune in to
your local news check weather apps, have a NOAA
weather radio on hand, and make sure you're signed
up for those wireless emergency alerts on your
phone. It's all about having multiple layers
of information, so you're not caught off guard.
You can never be too prepared when it comes to
severe weather. Speaking of preparedness... What
are some practical things people can do to get
ready for this storm or any severe weather event
for that matter? Having a plan is crucial. Know
where your safe place is in your home. Ideally,
that's an interior room on the lowest level away
from any windows. And it's a good idea to practice
getting to that safe place quickly, especially
if you have kids or pets. They get a family drill
just like you would for a fire drill. Exactly.
And of course, have an emergency kit ready to
go. Water, non -perishable food, flashlights,
batteries, first aid kit, any medications you
need, important documents. Don't forget to charge
it for your phone. It's easy to overlook that,
but staying connected is so important during
an emergency. Absolutely. And if you live in
a mobile home, it's especially crucial to know
where the nearest sturdy shelter is and have
a plan to get there quickly if a tornado warning
is issued. Mobile homes are extremely vulnerable
to high winds. So we've covered the do's. What
about the don'ts? What are some common misconceptions
about severe weather safety that we should clear
up? One big one is the idea that you should open
windows during a tornado to equalize pressure.
That's a myth. Opening windows won't help, and
it could actually make things worse by allowing
debris to fly into your home. And what about
sheltering under an overpass? I've heard that's
a bad idea, too. It's a terrible idea. Overpasses
can actually create wind tunnels, making the
wind speeds even more dangerous. So the bottom
line is stay indoors in your designated safe
place and ride out the storm. Don't try to outrun
it or seek shelter in a place that could actually
put you at greater risk. Right. And remember,
even after the storm has passed, there's still
hazards to be aware of. Downed power lines, flooded
roads, debris. Stay alert and proceed with caution.
Okay, so we've talked about how individuals can
prepare and stay safe, but what about on a larger
scale? How can we build more resilient communities
that can better withstand these severe weather
events, especially as we face the growing threat
of climate change? That's a great question and
a crucial one. Building community resilience
involves a multifaceted approach. It starts with
strengthening our infrastructure. We need building
codes that can withstand stronger winds and heavier
rainfall improved drainage systems to reduce
flooding, and we need to consider burying power
lines to prevent those widespread outages. Those
are great ideas. But resilience also goes beyond
physical infrastructure, right? It's about having
robust early warning systems so people have ample
time to prepare and seek shelter. And it's about
strong communication networks so that information
can flow quickly and efficiently during an emergency.
You're absolutely right. It's about creating
a culture of preparedness where individuals and
communities are empowered to take action to protect
themselves and minimize the impact of these events.
It's about understanding that severe weather
is a part of life, but that we can take steps
to lessen its impact and build a more resilient
future. You know, when we think back to that
question we posed earlier about building resilience,
it really strikes me that it's not just about
physical infrastructure and emergency preparedness.
It's also about community. I couldn't agree more.
It's about neighbors helping neighbors checking
in on the elderly and vulnerable and working
together to rebuild and recover after the storm
has passed. It's about having that sense of shared
responsibility and support that helps communities
get through tough times. Because ultimately,
it's not just about surviving the storm, it's
about thriving in its aftermath. Beautifully
said. Well folks, we've covered a lot of ground
today in our discussion on this major severe
weather event. We hope you found it informative
and empowering. Remember, knowledge is power
and being prepared is the best way to stay safe
during any severe weather event. And don't forget
to follow Meteorologist Rob Jones on social media
for more weather insights. You can find him on
Instagram at Meteorologist, on TikTok at TVMeteorologist,
and on YouTube at Rob Jones Hurricane, where
you can also find the Meteorology Matters playlist.
Stay safe, everyone. And until next time, remember
Meteorology Matters.