NC Tornado Outbreak, April 2014

Fortunately the 3-year anniversary of the worst tornado outbreak in the history of North Carolina did not cause as much damage and not nearly as much loss of life. April 2011 was devastating.

Yesterday though, there were two confirmed EF-2 tornadoes which touched down in Pitt and Beaufort Counties, and there was a confirmed report of an EF-0 in Garner. Over 8 counties were under a tornado warning yesterday issued by the National Weather Service, and that many more were under the influence of a Severe Thunderstorm Warning. Storm specialists are observing the damages from the tornado in Beaufort County because it may have been an EF-3. This is significant because if it was, it would be the first EF-3 tornado of the year....NATIONWIDE. Yeah, that typically isn't the case. This is actually the longest the nation has gone without an EF-3 tornado reports say. For a video of the damage in Beaufort County, follow the link directly below:

http://www.wibw.com/home/headlines/Strong-Storms-Hit-North-Carolina--Reported-Tornado-Caught-On-Tape-256785191.html

http://www.wunderground.com/news/north-carolina-tornadoes-20140329

Today was far different. I hope all of you had a chance to go outside today because the weather was Glorious! The entire day I drove with the windows down and enjoyed the fresh air. Today my church had a baptism service at Lake Jordan so much time was spent outside (btw the baptism service was awesome!! We had 7 owners baptized!). Tomorrow is going to be almost identical to today, so there is still time to get outside!

Enjoy the time while you can though. Another wave of storms is going to be rolling through this week, and this one much larger (not necessarily stronger) than the front that moved through yesterday.

That area in the Midwest where severe thunderstorms are possible is moving out direction. There is a large warm air mass (hence the warm front moving north) pushing up from the Gulf of Mexico, and a very strong cold front moving east. As the cold air is coming down from the mountains, intense instability will occur causing violent movements of air allowing for rapidly rising and sinking motion. As the warm moist air rises, it will quickly cool and form billowing Cumulonimbus clouds which will turn into supercells. Fortunately, a good rain will likely quench the wild fires in this region as much of the southern Midwest is under a Red Flag Warning right now.