Photography Beyond The Weather

Of recent I have found that tornadoes and clouds or lightning or any weather phenomena don't have to be in my viewfinder to make for a picture that I am happy with. Last night I went for an evening walk around the lake and was able to capture a few cool pictures, and I just wanted to drop in and share them! These are just a few that I took..

My favorite!

University Of Oklahoma!

Just thought I would drop in and post some info about the University and the apartments I will probably be in!

The weather affects everyone. Meteorologists have the knowledge to warn people of severe weather such as tornados or hurricanes and possibly save hundreds of lives. Meteorologists observe, predict and study the weather. OU houses the nation's largest meteorology school and is the only U.S. school to offer a Professional Meteorology master's degree. The nationally ranked School of Meteorology gives students the opportunity to learn the skills needed to work in one the fastest-growing and most-influential career fields. 

 

Live like you mean it at University Greens, the best in Norman student living! At University Greens you will have the privacy and lifestyle you deserve in an off campus student community that is built specifically with you, the college student, in mind.

Take advantage of our convenient location and unmatched amenities—everything you want and need in one place makes University Greens the best in college apartments! University Greens is located within walking distance of The University of Oklahoma in Norman, OK, has a private shuttle to campus, and is within walking distance of the Campus Corner. You will also enjoy our amenities including a 24-hour fitness center, basketball court, sand volleyball court, swimming pool with hot tub and sun deck, and much more.

University Greens also offers fully furnished student apartments in a variety of floor plans to choose from, individual liability leases, and cable and internet are included. Electricity is also included up to a monthly cap.

Illinois Tornado Outbreak June 5th 2010 : An Analysis and Overview

June 5th, 2010 Tornadoes Across Illinois 

06/05/10 Storm Reports

The tornadoes of Saturday June 5th, 2010 came largely as a surprise to many chasers including myself. Although the lead time for any individual storm was immense, the overall evolution of the severe weather scenario differed from the expected course of events. The purpose of this article is to analyze the event in retrospect in an attempt to improve real time situational awareness.

The morning analysis featured a 1002mb low across southwest Kansas. Multiple boundaries were found across the upper Midwest. The first residual boundary was located across northern Iowa and draped across northern Illinois where convection developed and maintained itself. The main warm front was analyzed across the Missouri border and was reinforced by convection to the north of the boundary.

 

12z SFC Analysis

The ongoing convection in the morning would come to play a role in the afternoon convection location and intensity. The aforementioned boundaries were easily visible in the below Composite Reflectivity image. 

1310z Composite Reflectivity Image

The general upper air pattern featured a moderately strong western zonal flow. Seen below is the 500mb analysis featuring a 70-90kt jet core punching into central and northern Iowa. 

12z 500mb Heights, Temps and Wind (Kt)

The Storm Prediction Center had issued a Moderate Risk for Severe Thunderstorms across eastern Iowa and central Illinois eastward into Indiana into Ohio. Convective initiation was expected to become increasingly likely along and ahead of a cold front in central Iowa. The kinematic and thermodynamic profiles that would support this moderate risk will be mentioned later in this article. 

 

Morning SPC Overview

Model Guidance Before The Event 

The synoptic setup of the 5th featured a westerly zonal flow across the midwest. In these setups, West to East oriented fronts become the focal point for convection to ride eastward in the evening into the overnight hours. These convective systems become a crucial factor in the timing, location of development and intensity of convection the following days. Remnant boundaries and convective debris can play a significant role in the development of severe weather, and in many cases can act to minimize the threat. Due to the compelexities of model handling of convective evolution 20+ hours out from the event, the reliance on forecast models falls second to the importance of close analysis and short term forecasting the day of the event. For this reason only a general overview of various model guidance will be provided in this examination.

Synoptic Evolution

Below are images from 12z, 15z, 18z, 21z and 00z. To these images I have inserted fronts and other boundaries as I have interpreted them. These five images should help better show the evolution of the storm system.

12z Surface Analysis

15z Surface Analysis

18z Surface Analysis

21z Surface Analysis

0z Analysis