WELCOME

Big Tornado Country provides free, fast, and very convenient access to many of the highest quality and most reliable sources of information about the current threat of severe convective weather in North America.

Since 2007, Big Tornado Country has been professionally produced, developed and maintained by Quest Internet. Although completely independent of and lacking the resources of corporations, and although in fact mostly produced by one person, Quest Internet nevertheless provides a very carefully selected mix of high quality content that is definitely not available in one place elsewhere. Furthermore, Quest Internet supplies a large amount of quality control and reliability control to the Big Tornado Country and the Big Snow Country projects.

Big Tornado Country is dedicated to all people who live in areas hit by tornadoes. Big Tornado Country is especially dedicated to the people of Kansas and Oklahoma.

123

2007 GREENSBURG KS BIG TWISTER

NOTE: AN ARTICLE FOLLOWS THE VIDEO



GREENSBURG, KS - The people of Greensburg are scattered to the four winds. Some are in shelters in Haviland or are staying with family and friends.

Their homes, their businesses, their town have all been destroyed. Eight of their neighbors are dead and dozens are injured from a monster tornado that relentlessly made its way across the entire city of 1,400 on Friday night and smashed Greensburg to bits.

Homes, businesses, churches, schools, hospital, law enforcement, infrastructure were all severely damaged or destroyed in just a couple of minutes leaving Greensburg in the dark and needing massive amounts of help.

The tornado that hit Greensburg had its start in Comanche County near Protection then moved northeast into Kiowa County and took direct aim at Greensburg. Homes south of town were the first to feel the wrath of the storm. They were leveled and then the tornado moved into Greensburg.

The National Weather Service had issued severe thunderstorm and tornado watches for the area. When storm spotters confirmed the storm and direction of travel, a tornado warning was issued and tornado sirens began to sound in Greensburg about 9:25 p.m. giving Greensburg 20 minutes of lead-time, said Jeff Johnson, meteorologist for the National Weather Service out of Dodge City.

Many residents had been watching the news and knew it was coming. The sirens alerted the town to take action and head underground. The tornado arrived at 9:45 p.m.

The exact center of tornado was on the west side of town. Storm spotters had pictures of the wedge shaped tornado that was a mile and a half wide at its widest. It was an F5 tornado, said Dan McCarthy of the National Severe Storms Prediction Center in Norman, Okla.

For the next couple of minutes Greensburg residents hung on as their town came down around them. Several survivors said the tornado just went on and on and on.

Houses exploded, brick buildings collapsed in a heap, trees were stripped bare and some were pulled out of the ground. Cars were thrown about like toys. Loaded semis were tossed on top of each other. The familiar Big Well water town crumpled to the ground in a pile of twisted metal.

The John Deer Greensburg Tractor and Implement building was shredded and twisted metal along with other debris was wrapped around $250,000 combines.

Then it was gone and people began coming out of what was left of their houses. The impact was stark and immediate.

“You wont believe what our town looks like,” said Judy McIntosh, whose house was severely damaged. “It looks like a bomb exploded.”

People began helping themselves and each other. Electricity, water, cell phone towers, all utilities were gone. Greensburg couldn’t even call for help. But help was already on the way from all over Kansas. Pratt emergency services had been watching the storm and immediately headed for Greensburg. The first reports were that the town had 60 percent damage but that was later updated to 90 percent. The call went out and ambulances came from counties all over Kansas. Other emergency equipment from all over the state headed for Greensburg as fast they could get there. Emergency units from Miami County by Kansas City were offered if necessary.

Emergency units including police and sheriff’s departments, state troopers, firefighters, rescue crews, linemen, all headed to Greensburg.

Command posts were set up and the injured were placed in ambulances and sent to hospitals.

Pratt Regional Medical Center prepared for numerous causalities and didn’t have long to wait. The highway between Pratt and Greensburg was closed to everything but emergency vehicles. It became a speedway for ambulances that raced to Pratt with injured then turned around and headed back to Greensburg. Some patients were transferred to Wichita.

To the west, Mullinville and Dodge City took in the homeless and injured.
Rescue efforts continued all night and into the next day. School busses were brought into shelters were set up in Haviland at the high school and Barclay College.

On Saturday the town was evacuated of all but emergency personnel. Survivors went to shelters or found other places to live with family or friends. Every business and house was searched. Eight had died in Greensburg and one in Pratt County. Dozens were injured. All were displaced and face an uncertain future.

The tornado moved on and traveled a total distance of 22 miles finally dissipated but not before brushing the northwest corner of Pratt County at 10:45 p.m. where it destroyed or severely damaged several homes in the Hopewell area. One home was completely destroyed and a man was killed. It was the only fatality in Pratt County from the tornado.

The storm produced three tornados. It was on the ground for about two hours. It was a unique tornado because of its strength and the length of time it lasted. Johnson said. The tornado continued on a northeast path, hitting Ellinwood and finally dissipating near Ellsworth, a distance of well over 100 miles.

The storm system that spawned the tornado didn’t move and on Saturday set off a lot of small funnels in Pratt and other counties that were weaker including one that hit Trousdale. Damage in Trousdale is still being assessed. On Sunday, the system dumped copious amounts of rain on Pratt and Stafford Counties causing flooding and several more funnel clouds were sited in Pratt County.

McIntosh, husband Gene and son Tyler, were all uninjured. Daughter Katarina was out of town at a state forensics tournament as were several other students. They come home the next day to homes that weren’t there.
CURRENT ACTIVE TORNADO AND SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNINGS AND WATCHES ARE SHOWN ON THE FOLLOWING SIX MAPS AND FOLLOWING EACH MAP ARE LINKS THAT WILL TAKE YOU TO THE DETAILS FOR ANY WARNING OR WATCH

ON THE SEVERE ALERT MAPS >>>

--COUNTIES COLORED IN RED HAVE A CURRENT, ACTIVE TORNADO WARNING IN EFFECT.

--Counties colored in yellow have a SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING in effect.

--Tornado Watch areas are outlined in red.

--Severe Thunderstorm Watch areas are outlined in yellow.

--See the color code keys on any of the six maps for other warnings and advisories that might be in effect.

Under each severe alerts map are links that will take you straight to the details about any warning or watch. These links are organized by state. In these three steps you get to the particular warning.

INSTRUCTIONS FOR GETTING TO WARNING AND WATCH DETAILS

(1) Find the map that is for your state (out of the six maps). Use the list of states below each map rather than the map itself to do this.

(2) Under the map there are links under each state to all National Weather Service (NWS) offices that cover one or more counties in that state. Click the applicable link. To verify you have the correct one, make sure the county you are checking shows up on the interactive forecast map at the NWS office Site you have arrived at.

(3) Either click your spot on the NWS forecast map OR you can click "Tornado Warnings" that is to the right of the interactive forecast map. However, when there are a lot of warnings it is better to click on the map itself.

OR WHEN THERE IS NO TORNADO OUTBREAK AND ONLY A FEW WARNINGS AT ONCE you can see all current tornado warnings in effect anywhere by clicking the link just below. BUT DURING A MAJOR TORNADO OUTBREAK THE LINK IMMEDIATELY FOLLOWING WILL BE NEAR USELESS because during an outbreak there will be so many warnings that it will be near impossible to find the particular warnings that apply to you! Therefore, during a tornado outbreak when there are numerous warnings at once follow the three steps above.

For details on ALL current tornado warnings in effect ANYWHERE in the US CLICK HERE

For details on ALL current severe thunderstorm warnings n effect ANYWHERE in the US CLICK HERE

SOUTH CENTRAL AREA SEVERE WEATHER ALERTS

SOUTH CENTRAL AREA SEVERE WEATHER ALERTS
For details about any warning or watch click the most appropriate link below
THE ABOVE MAP IS SEVERE ALERTS MAP ONE OF SIX
SOUTH CENTRAL AREA SEVERE WEATHER ALERTS
This map shows current severe weather alerts including tornado warnings and severe thunderstorm warnings for

--NEW MEXICO
--OKLAHOMA
--ARKANSAS
--TEXAS
--LOUISIANA

Below are links that take you to the details for all severe weather alerts including tornado warnings and severe thunderstorm warnings for the above states. For other states including ones shown on the map but not listed above proceed to another map to find the links to the current tornado and severe thunderstorm warnings. (There are six severe weather alert maps and to minimize confusion each state is assigned to just one map by Big Tornado Country. Each state is assigned to the map that is the most appropriate from a tornado and severe storm tracking perspective.)

ALL National Weather Service Offices that cover any part of a state (even just one county) are linked to under each state. All counties are covered by at least one office; for a very small number of counties the most applicable office is in the state next door. Click on the most applicable one.

LINKS TO DETAILS FOR TORNADO WARNINGS, SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNINGS AND ALL OTHER SEVERE WEATHER ALERTS

NEW MEXICO WARNING AND WATCH DETAILS
--Albuquerque Region
--El Paso Region
--Midland-Odessa Region

OKLAHOMA WARNING AND WATCH DETAILS
--Amarillo Region
--Norman-Oklahoma City Region
--Tulsa Region
--Shreveport Region

ARKANSAS WARNING AND WATCH DETAILS
--Tulsa Region
--Little Rock Region
--Memphis Region
--Shreveport Region
--Jackson Region

TEXAS WARNING AND WATCH DETAILS
--Amarillo Region
--Lubbock Region
--Oklahoma City-Norman Region
--El Paso Region
--Midland-Odessa Region
--San Angelo Region
--Dallas-Fort Worth Region
--Shreveport Region
--San Antonio Region
--Houston Region
--Lake Charles Region
--Corpus Christi Region
--Brownsville Region


LOUISIANA WARNING AND WATCH DETAILS
--Shreveport Region
--Jackson Region
--Lake Charles Region
--New Orleans Region

CENTRAL AREA SEVERE WEATHER ALERTS

CENTRAL AREA SEVERE WEATHER ALERTS
For details about any warning or watch click the most appropriate link below.
THE ABOVE MAP IS SEVERE ALERTS MAP TWO OF SIX
CENTRAL AREA SEVERE WEATHER ALERTS
This map shows current severe weather alerts including tornado warnings and severe thunderstorm warnings for

--NEBRASKA
--IOWA
--ILLINOIS
--COLORADO
--KANSAS
--MISSOURI

Below are links that take you to the details for all severe weather alerts including tornado warnings and severe thunderstorm warnings for the above states. For other states including ones shown on the map but not listed above proceed to another map to find the links to the current tornado and severe thunderstorm warnings. (There are six severe weather alert maps and to minimize confusion each state is assigned to just one map by Big Tornado Country. Each state is assigned to the map that is the most appropriate from a tornado and severe storm tracking perspective.)

ALL National Weather Service Offices that cover any part of a state (even just one county) are linked to under each state. All counties are covered by at least one office; for a very small number of counties the most applicable office is in the state next door. Click on the most applicable one.

LINKS TO DETAILS FOR TORNADO WARNINGS, SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNINGS AND ALL OTHER SEVERE WEATHER ALERTS

NEBRASKA WARNING AND WATCH DETAILS
--Cheyenne Region
--North Platte Region
--Goodland Region
--Hastings Region
--Omaha Region
--Sioux Falls Region

IOWA WARNING AND WATCH DETAILS
--Sioux Falls Region
--Omaha Region
--Des Moines Region
--La Crosse Region
--Quad Cities Region

ILLINOIS WARNING AND WATCH DETAILS
--Quad Cities Region
--Chicago Region
--Lincoln-Peoria-Springfield Region
--St. Louis Region
--Paducah Region

COLORADO WARNING AND WATCH DETAILS
--Goodland Region
--Denver-Boulder Region
--Pueblo Region
--Grand Junction Region

KANSAS WARNING AND WATCH DETAILS
--Goodland Region
--Hastings Region
--Dodge City Region
--Wichita Region
--Topeka Region

MISSOURI WARNING AND WATCH DETAILS
--Kansas City Region
--Springfield Region
--Quad Cities Region
--St. Louis Region
--Paducah Region
--Memphis Region

NORTH CENTRAL AREA SEVERE WEATHER ALERTS

NORTH CENTRAL AREA SEVERE WEATHER ALERTS
For details about any warning or watch click the most appropriate link below.
THE ABOVE MAP IS SEVERE ALERTS MAP THREE OF SIX
NORTH CENTRAL AREA SEVERE WEATHER ALERTS

This map shows current severe weather alerts including tornado warnings and severe thunderstorm warnings for

--MONTANA
--NORTH DAKOTA
--WYOMING
--SOUTH DAKOTA
--MINNESOTA
--WISCONSIN
--MICHIGAN

Note: Western Montana and Western Wyoming are not covered by Big Tornado Country due to the lack of tornadoes there.

Below are links that take you to the details for all severe weather alerts including tornado warnings and severe thunderstorm warnings for the above states. For other states including ones shown on the map but not listed above proceed to another map to find the links to the current tornado and severe thunderstorm warnings. (There are six severe weather alert maps and to minimize confusion each state is assigned to just one map by Big Tornado Country. Each state is assigned to the map that is the most appropriate from a tornado and severe storm tracking perspective.)

ALL National Weather Service Offices that cover any part of a state (even just one county) are linked to under each state. All counties are covered by at least one office; for a very small number of counties the most applicable office is in the state next door. Click on the most applicable one.

LINKS TO DETAILS FOR TORNADO WARNINGS, SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNINGS AND ALL OTHER SEVERE WEATHER ALERTS

MONTANA WARNING AND WATCH DETAILS
--Glasgow Region
--Billings Region

NORTH DAKOTA WARNING AND WATCH DETAILS
--Bismarck Region
--Grand Forks / Fargo Region

WYOMING WARNING AND WATCH DETAILS
--Rapid City Region
--Cheyenne Region

SOUTH DAKOTA WARNING AND WATCH DETAILS
--Rapid City Region
--Aberdeen Region
--Sioux Falls Region

MINNESOTA WARNING AND WATCH DETAILS
--Grand Forks / Fargo Region
--Duluth Region
--Minneapolis-St. Paul Region
--Sioux Falls Region
--La Crosse Region

WISCONSIN WARNING AND WATCH DETAILS
--Duluth Region
--Minneapolis-St. Paul Region
--Green Bay Region
--La Crosse Region
--Milwaukee Region

MICHIGAN WARNING AND WATCH DETAILS
--Marquette Region
--Traverse City / Alpena Region
--Grand Rapids Region
--Detroit Region
--South Bend / Fort Wayne Region

SOUTHEAST AREA SEVERE WEATHER ALERTS

SOUTHEAST AREA SEVERE WEATHER ALERTS
For details about any warning or watch click the most appropriate link below.
THE ABOVE MAP IS SEVERE ALERTS MAP FOUR OF SIX
SOUTHEAST AREA SEVERE WEATHER ALERTS

This map shows current severe weather alerts including tornado warnings and severe thunderstorm warnings for

--TENNESSEE
--NORTH CAROLINA
--MISSISSIPPI
--ALABAMA
--GEORGIA
--SOUTH CAROLINA
--FLORIDA

Below are links that take you to the details for all severe weather alerts including tornado warnings and severe thunderstorm warnings for the above states. For other states including ones shown on the map but not listed above proceed to another map to find the links to the current tornado and severe thunderstorm warnings. (There are six severe weather alert maps and to minimize confusion each state is assigned to just one map by Big Tornado Country. Each state is assigned to the map that is the most appropriate from a tornado and severe storm tracking perspective.)

ALL National Weather Service Offices that cover any part of a state (even just one county) are linked to under each state. All counties are covered by at least one office; for a very small number of counties the most applicable office is in the state next door. Click on the most applicable one.

LINKS TO DETAILS FOR TORNADO WARNINGS, SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNINGS AND ALL OTHER SEVERE WEATHER ALERTS

TENNESSEE WARNING AND WATCH DETAILS
--Memphis Region
--Nashville Region
--Huntsville Region
--Knoxville-Morristown Region

NORTH CAROLINA WARNING AND WATCH DETAILS
--Blacksburg-Roanoke-Lynchburg Region
--Greenville-Spartanburg Region
--Knoxville-Morristown Region
--Raleigh Region

--Wilmington Region

MISSISSIPPI WARNING AND WATCH DETAILS
--Memphis Region
--Jackson Region
--New Orleans Region
--Mobile Region

ALABAMA WARNING AND WATCH DETAILS
--Huntsville Region
--Birmingham Region
--Mobile Region
--Tallahassee Region

GEORGIA WARNING AND WATCH DETAILS
--Atlanta Region
--Greenville-Spartanburg Region
--Columbia Region
--Charleston Region
--Tallahassee Region
--Jacksonville Region

SOUTH CAROLINA WARNING AND WATCH DETAILS
--Greenville-Spartanburg Region
--Columbia Region
--Wilmington Region
--Charleston Region

FLORIDA WARNING AND WATCH DETAILS
--Mobile Region
--Tallahassee Region
--Jacksonville Region
--Tampa Region
--Orlando-Melbourne Region
--Miami Region
--Key West Region

EASTERN AREA SEVERE WEATHER ALERTS

EASTERN AREA SEVERE WEATHER ALERTS
For details about any warning or watch click the most appropriate link below.
THE ABOVE MAP IS SEVERE ALERTS MAP FIVE OF SIX EASTERN AREA SEVERE WEATHER ALERTS

This map shows current severe weather alerts including tornado warnings and severe thunderstorm warnings for

--INDIANA
--OHIO
--PENNSYLVANIA
--NEW JERSEY
--KENTUCKY
--WEST VIRGINIA
--VIRGINIA
--MARYLAND
--DELAWARE
--TENNESSEE
--NORTH CAROLINA

Below are links that take you to the details for all severe weather alerts including tornado warnings and severe thunderstorm warnings for the above states. For other states including ones shown on the map but not listed above proceed to another map to find the links to the current tornado and severe thunderstorm warnings. (There are six severe weather alert maps and to minimize confusion each state is assigned to just one map by Big Tornado Country. Each state is assigned to the map that is the most appropriate from a tornado and severe storm tracking perspective.)

ALL National Weather Service Offices that cover any part of a state (even just one county) are linked to under each state. All counties are covered by at least one office; for a very small number of counties the most applicable office is in the state next door. Click on the most applicable one.

LINKS TO DETAILS FOR TORNADO WARNINGS, SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNINGS AND ALL OTHER SEVERE WEATHER ALERTS

INDIANA WARNING AND WATCH DETAILS
--Chicago Region
--South Bend--Fort Wayne Region
--Indianapolis Region
--Cincinnati-Columbus Region
--Paducah Region
--Louisville Region

OHIO WARNING AND WATCH DETAILS
--South Bend--Fort Wayne Region
--Cleveland Region
--Pittsburgh Region
--Cincinnati-Columbus Region
--Charleston Region

PENNSYLVANIA WARNING AND WATCH DETAILS
--Cleveland Region
--Pittsburgh Region
--State College Region
--Binghamton Region
--Philadelphia Region

NEW JERSEY WARNING AND WATCH DETAILS
--Philadelphia Region

KENTUCKY WARNING AND WATCH DETAILS
--Paducah Region
--Louisville Region
--Cincinnati Region
--Charleston Regon
--Morehead / Jackson / Hazard Region
--Knoxville-Morristown Region

WEST VIRGINIA WARNING AND WATCH DETAILS
--Pittsburgh Region
--Baltimore-Washington Region
--Charleston Region

VIRGINIA WARNING AND WATCH DETAILS
--Baltimore-Washington Region
--Knoxville-Morristown Region
--Blacksburg-Roanoke-Lynchburg Region
--Richmond-Norfolk Region

DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA WARNING AND WATCH DETAILS
--Baltimore-Washington Region

MARYLAND WARNING AND WATCH DETAILS
--Pittsburgh Region
--Baltimore-Washington Region
--Philadelphia Region

DELAWARE WARNING AND WATCH DETAILS
--Philadelphia Region

TENNESSEE WARNING AND WATCH DETAILS
--Memphis Region
--Nashville Region
--Huntsville Region
--Knoxville-Morristown Region

NORTH CAROLINA WARNING AND WATCH DETAILS
--Blacksburg-Roanoke-Lynchburg Region
--Greenville-Spartanburg Region
--Knoxville-Morristown Region
--Raleigh Region
--Wilmington Region

NORTHEAST AREA SEVERE WEATHER ALERTS

NORTHEAST AREA SEVERE WEATHER ALERTS
THE ABOVE MAP IS SEVERE ALERTS MAP SIX OF SIX
EASTERN AREA SEVERE WEATHER ALERTS

This map shows current severe weather alerts including tornado warnings and severe thunderstorm warnings for

--NEW YORK
--CONNECTICUT
--RHODE ISLAND
--MASSACHUSETTS
--VERMONT
--NEW HAMPSHIRE
--MAINE

Below are links that take you to the details for all severe weather alerts including tornado warnings and severe thunderstorm warnings for the above states. For other states including ones shown on the map but not listed above proceed to another map to find the links to the current tornado and severe thunderstorm warnings. (There are six severe weather alert maps and to minimize confusion each state is assigned to just one map by Big Tornado Country. Each state is assigned to the map that is the most appropriate from a tornado and severe storm tracking perspective.)

ALL National Weather Service Offices that cover any part of a state (even just one county) are linked to under each state. All counties are covered by at least one office; for a very small number of counties the most applicable office is in the state next door. Click on the most applicable one.

LINKS TO DETAILS FOR TORNADO WARNINGS, SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNINGS AND ALL OTHER SEVERE WEATHER ALERTS

NEW YORK WARNING AND WATCH DETAILS
--Buffalo Region
--Binghamton Region
--Burlington Region
--Albany Region
--New York City Region

CONNECTICUT WARNING AND WATCH DETAILS
--Albany Region
--Boston Region
--New York City Region

RHODE ISLAND WARNING AND WATCH DETAILS
--Boston Region

MASSACHUSETTS WARNING AND WATCH DETAILS
--Albany Region
--Boston Region

VERMONT WARNING AND WATCH DETAILS
--Burlington Region
--Albany Region

NEW HAMPSHIRE WARNING AND WATCH DETAILS
--Portland Region
--Boston Region

MAINE WARNING AND WATCH DETAILS
--Portland Region
--Caribou Region

CURRENT PROBABILITY OF TORNADOES WITHIN 25 MILES

CURRENT PROBABILITY OF TORNADOES WITHIN 25 MILES
PROBABILITES FOR A PARTICULAR POINT ARE FAR LESS; The probabilities shown are those for whether a tornado will occur ANYWHERE WITHIN 25 MILES of a point on the map
THE ABOVE MAP IS ALWAYS THE CURRENT AND THE LATEST AVAILABLE TORNADO PROBABILITY MAP.
Every morning at about 8 AM Eastern Daylight Time the one and only 24 hour tornado probability map is issued by the Storm Prediction Center in Norman, Oklahoma. There are four more update maps issued during the day that reflect the latest probabilities based on the latest information.

Each day the five tornado probability maps are issued according to the following schedule:

EASTERN DAYLIGHT TIME: 8 AM, 12:30 PM, 4 PM and 9 PM and 2 AM

CENTRAL DAYLIGHT TIME: 7 AM, 11:30 AM, 3 PM, 8 PM and 1 AM

MOUNTAIN DAYLIGHT TIME: 6 AM, 10:30 AM, 2 PM, 7 PM and 12 Midnight

PACIFIC DAYLIGHT TIME: 5 AM, 9:30 AM, 1 PM, 6 PM and 11 PM

The map above will always be the latest, current map. To verify this for yourself, you can check the time stamped on the map. In the lower left box look for the word "VALID". To the right of this is a one or two digit number, a forward slash, and four more digits followed by the letter Z. This combination is the start time for when the map is valid.

After a dash there is another similar combination and this of course is the end time for when the map is valid.

For both the start and the end time codes, the first number is the date (of the month). Note that neither the month nor the year is shown in any way. Only the date of whatever month it is is shown.

After the date and the forward slash you will see the time, which is given as "Z Time," which is the standard time (without regard to daylight savings time in London, England. The time numeric uses the 24 hour clock convention also known as military time. Under this format, 1500 is 3 PM, 2100 is 9 PM, 0300 or 300 is 3 AM, 1200 is 12 Noon and so on.

Using Z times and using the 24 hour clock (military time) the maps are issued according to the following schedule: 1200Z, 1630Z, 2000Z, 0100Z and 0600Z. All five maps are technically valid until 1200Z time the next day.

The corresponding US times when maps are issued were already given above.

One final thing to help you cut through all of the confusion regarding times: here is how US time zones differ from Z times:

--Eastern Daylight Time Zone is 4 hours behind Z time.
--Central Daylight Time Zone is 5 hours behind Z time.
--Mountain Daylight Time Zone is 6 hours behind Z Time.
--Pacific Daylight Time Zone is 7 hours behind Z Time.

Remember, the above map is always the current and most up to date tornado probability map.

CURRENT PROBABILITY OF LARGE HAIL >3/4 INCH WITHIN 25 MILES

CURRENT PROBABILITY OF LARGE HAIL >3/4 INCH WITHIN 25 MILES
PROBABILITES FOR A PARTICULAR POINT ARE SUBSTANTIALLY LOWER; The probabilities shown are those for whether large hail > 3/4 inch will occur ANYWHERE WITHIN 25 MILES of a point on the map
THE ABOVE MAP IS ALWAYS THE CURRENT AND THE LATEST AVAILABLE LARGE HAIL PROBABILITY MAP.
Every morning at about 8 AM Eastern Daylight Time the one and only 24 hour large hail probability map is issued by the Storm Prediction Center in Norman, Oklahoma. There are four more update maps issued during the day that reflect the latest probabilities based on the latest information.

Large hail is defined as hail whose diameter is 3/4 inch or greater. Hail has to be about that size or greater before substantial property damage begins to occur.

Each day the five large hail probability maps are issued according to the following schedule:

EASTERN DAYLIGHT TIME: 8 AM, 12:30 PM, 4 PM, 9 PM and 2 AM

CENTRAL DAYLIGHT TIME: 7 AM, 11:30 AM, 3 PM, 8 PM and 1 AM

MOUNTAIN DAYLIGHT TIME: 6 AM, 10:30 AM, 2 PM, 7 PM and 12 Midnight

PACIFIC DAYLIGHT TIME: 5 AM, 9:30 AM, 1 PM, 6 PM and 11 PM

The map above will always be the latest, current map. To verify this for yourself, you can check the time stamped on the map. In the lower left box look for the word "VALID". To the right of this is a one or two digit number, a forward slash, and four more digits followed by the letter Z. This combination is the start time for when the map is valid.

After a dash there is another similar combination and this of course is the end time for when the map is valid.

For both the start and the end time codes, the first number is the date (of the month). Note that neither the month nor the year is shown in any way. Only the date of whatever month it is is shown.

After the date and the forward slash you will see the time, which is given as "Z Time," which is the standard time (without regard to daylight savings time in London, England. The time numeric uses the 24 hour clock convention also known as military time. Under this format, 1500 is 3 PM, 2100 is 9 PM, 0300 or 300 is 3 AM, 1200 is 12 Noon and so on.

Using Z times and using the 24 hour clock (military time) the maps are issued according to the following schedule: 1200Z, 1630Z and 2000Z, 0100Z and 0600Z. All four maps are technically valid until 1200Z time the next day.

The corresponding US times when maps are issued were already given above.

One final thing to help you cut through all of the confusion regarding times: here is how US time zones differ from Z times:

--Eastern Daylight Time Zone is 4 hours behind Z time.
--Central Daylight Time Zone is 5 hours behind Z time.
--Mountain Daylight Time Zone is 6 hours behind Z Time.
--Pacific Daylight Time Zone is 7 hours behind Z Time.

Remember, the above map is always the current and most up to date large hail probability map.

CURRENT PROBABILITY OF DAMAGING WIND GUSTS > 75 MPH WITHIN 25 MILES

CURRENT PROBABILITY OF DAMAGING WIND GUSTS > 75 MPH WITHIN 25 MILES
PROBABILITES FOR A PARTICULAR POINT ARE SUBSTANTIALLY LOWER; The probabilities shown are those for whether wind gusts will be > 75 mph ANYWHERE WITHIN 25 MILES of a point on the map
THE ABOVE MAP IS ALWAYS THE CURRENT AND THE LATEST AVAILABLE HIGH / DAMAGING WINDS PROBABILITY MAP.
Every morning at about 8 AM Eastern Daylight Time the one and only 24 hour high, damaging winds probability map is issued by the Storm Prediction Center in Norman, Oklahoma. There are four more update maps issued during the day that reflect the latest probabilities based on the latest information.

High winds are defined as winds producing wind gusts greater than 75 mph. Gusts have to be at about that speed or greater before most property damage begins to occur. However, in much of the US power outages can easily occur with wind gusts of just 50-60 mph or more. So when the National Weather Service thinks of damage they are thinking of something more than power outages.

Each day the five high, damaging winds probability maps are issued according to the following schedule:

EASTERN DAYLIGHT TIME: 8 AM, 12:30 PM, 4 PM, 9 PM and 2 AM

CENTRAL DAYLIGHT TIME: 7 AM, 11:30 AM, 3 PM, 8 PM and 1 AM

MOUNTAIN DAYLIGHT TIME: 6 AM, 10:30 AM, 2 PM, 7 PM and 12 Midnight

PACIFIC DAYLIGHT TIME: 5 AM, 9:30 AM, 1 PM, 6 PM and 11 PM

The map above will always be the latest, current map. To verify this for yourself, you can check the time stamped on the map. In the lower left box look for the word "VALID". To the right of this is a one or two digit number, a forward slash, and four more digits followed by the letter Z. This combination is the start time for when the map is valid.

After a dash there is another similar combination and this of course is the end time for when the map is valid.

For both the start and the end time codes, the first number is the date (of the month). Note that neither the month nor the year is shown in any way. Only the date of whatever month it is is shown.

After the date and the forward slash you will see the time, which is given as "Z Time," which is the standard time (without regard to daylight savings time in London, England. The time numeric uses the 24 hour clock convention also known as military time. Under this format, 1500 is 3 PM, 2100 is 9 PM, 0300 or 300 is 3 AM, 1200 is 12 Noon and so on.

Using Z times and using the 24 hour clock (military time) the maps are issued according to the following schedule: 1200Z, 1630Z, 2000Z, 0100Z and 0600Z. All five maps are technically valid until 1200Z time the next day.

The corresponding US times when maps are issued were already given above.

One final thing to help you cut through all of the confusion regarding times: here is how US time zones differ from Z times:

--Eastern Daylight Time Zone is 4 hours behind Z time.
--Central Daylight Time Zone is 5 hours behind Z time.
--Mountain Daylight Time Zone is 6 hours behind Z Time.
--Pacific Daylight Time Zone is 7 hours behind Z Time.

Remember, the above map is always the current and most up to date high, damaging winds probability map.

SOUTH CENTRAL AREA THUNDERSTORM FORECAST

SOUTH CENTRAL AREA THUNDERSTORM FORECAST
Remember: severe thunderstorms can develop into tornadoes.

CENTRAL AREA THUNDERSTORM FORECAST

CENTRAL AREA THUNDERSTORM FORECAST
Remember: severe thunderstorms can develop into tornadoes.

NORTH CENTRAL AREA THUNDERSTORM FORECAST

NORTH CENTRAL AREA THUNDERSTORM FORECAST

SOUTHEAST AREA THUNDERSTORM FORECAST

SOUTHEAST AREA THUNDERSTORM FORECAST

EASTERN AREA THUNDERSTORM FORECAST

EASTERN AREA THUNDERSTORM FORECAST
Remember: severe thunderstorms can develop into tornadoes

SEVERE WEATHER PROBABILITIES FOR TOMORROW (DAY 2) AND FOR THE DAY AFTER TOMORROW (DAY 3)

ALL OF THE ABOVE GRAPHICS ARE FOR CURRENTLY/TODAY. THE TWO MAPS BELOW SHOW THE PROBABILITIES FOR TORNADOES, BIG HAIL, AND DAMAGING HIGH WINDS WITHIN 25 MILES FOR TOMORROW AND FOR THE DAY AFTER TOMORROW; FOR EXACT TIMING DETAILS SEE THE TIMING NOTES BELOW EACH MAP

SEVERE WEATHER OUTLOOK PROBABILITIES MAP FOR TOMORROW (DAY 2)

SEVERE WEATHER OUTLOOK PROBABILITIES MAP FOR TOMORROW (DAY 2)
TOMORROW'S Probability of Severe Weather Within 25 Miles of a Point. *****SEE TIMING INFORMATION ABOVE THE MAP*****
NOTES ABOUT THE TIMING OF THE DAY 2 MAP ABOVE
Note 1
: The severe storms probability outlook map for tomorrow is updated once a day. When daylight savings time is in effect, the time of the update is approximately:

1:30 PM EASTERN DAYLIGHT TIME
12:30 PM CENTRAL DAYLIGHT TIME
11:30 AM MOUNTAIN DAYLIGHT TIME
10:30 AM PACIFIC DAYLIGHT TIME

In late fall and in winter, when standard time is in effect, the approximate timing of the update is:

12:30 PM EASTERN STANDARD TIME
11:30 AM CENTRAL STANDARD TIME
10:30 AM MOUNTAIN STANDARD TIME
9:30 AM PACIFIC STANDARD TIME

Note 2: During daylight savings time, the severe storms outlook probability map for the day after tomorrow covers the following 24 hours period:

EASTERN DAYLIGHT TIME: 8 AM tomorrow until 8 AM the day after tomorrow
CENTRAL DAYLIGHT TIME: 7 AM tomorrow until 7 AM the day after tomorrow
MOUNTAIN DAYLIGHT TIME: 6 AM tomorrow until 6 AM the day after tomorrow
PACIFIC DAYLIGHT TIME: 5 AM tomorrow until 5 AM the day after tomorrow

During standard time, which is in effect during late fall and in winter, the severe storms outlook probability map for tomorrow covers the following 24 hours period:

EASTERN DAYLIGHT TIME: 7 AM tomorrow until 7 AM the day after tomorrow
CENTRAL DAYLIGHT TIME: 6 AM tomorrow until 6 AM the day after tomorrow
MOUNTAIN DAYLIGHT TIME: 5 AM tomorrow until 5 AM the day after tomorrow
PACIFIC DAYLIGHT TIME: 4 AM tomorrow until 4 AM the day after tomorrow

SEVERE WEATHER OUTLOOK PROBABILITIES MAP FOR THE DAY AFTER TOMORROW (DAY 3)

SEVERE WEATHER OUTLOOK PROBABILITIES MAP FOR THE DAY AFTER TOMORROW (DAY 3)
TOMORROW'S Probability of Severe Weather Within 25 Miles of a Point. *****SEE TIMING INFORMATION ABOVE THE MAP*****
NOTES ABOUT THE TIMING OF THE DAY 3 MAP ABOVE
Note 1
: The severe storms probability outlook map for the day after tomorrow is updated once a day. When daylight savings time is in effect, the time of the update is approximately:

1:30 PM EASTERN DAYLIGHT TIME
12:30 PM CENTRAL DAYLIGHT TIME
11:30 AM MOUNTAIN DAYLIGHT TIME
10:30 AM PACIFIC DAYLIGHT TIME

In Winter, when standard time is in effect, the approximate timing of the update is:

12:30 PM EASTERN STANDARD TIME
11:30 AM CENTRAL STANDARD TIME
10:30 AM MOUNTAIN STANDARD TIME
9:30 AM PACIFIC STANDARD TIME

Note 2: During daylight savings time, the outlook map for the day after tomorrow covers the following 24 hours period:

EASTERN DAYLIGHT TIME: 8 AM the day after tomorrow until 8 AM the day after the day after tomorrow
CENTRAL DAYLIGHT TIME: 7 AM the day after tomorrow until 7 AM the day after the day after tomorrow
MOUNTAIN DAYLIGHT TIME: 6 AM the day after tomorrow until 6 AM the day after the day after tomorrow
PACIFIC DAYLIGHT TIME: 5 AM the day after tomorrow until 5 AM the day after the day after tomorrow

During standard time, which is in effect during late fall and in winter, the severe storms outlook map for the day after tomorrow covers the following 24 hours period:

EASTERN DAYLIGHT TIME: 7 AM the day after tomorrow until 7 AM the day after the day after tomorrow
CENTRAL DAYLIGHT TIME: 6 AM the day after tomorrow until 6 AM the day after the day after tomorrow
MOUNTAIN DAYLIGHT TIME: 5 AM the day after tomorrow until 5 AM the day after the day after tomorrow
PACIFIC DAYLIGHT TIME: 4 AM the day after tomorrow until 4 AM the day after the day after tomorrow

SOUTH CENTRAL AREA PRECIPITATION FORECAST

SOUTH CENTRAL AREA PRECIPITATION FORECAST

CENTRAL AREA PRECIPITATION FORECAST

CENTRAL AREA PRECIPITATION FORECAST

NORTH CENTRAL AREA PRECIPITATION FORECAST

NORTH CENTRAL AREA PRECIPITATION FORECAST

SOUTHEAST AREA PRECIPITATION FORECAST

SOUTHEAST AREA PRECIPITATION FORECAST

EASTERN AREA PRECIPITATION FORECAST

EASTERN AREA PRECIPITATION FORECAST

CENTRAL AREA CURRENT TEMPERATURES

CENTRAL AREA CURRENT TEMPERATURES

BEAUFORT WIND SCALE FOR WINDS MEASURED IN MPH

Beaufort Wind Scale
Windspeed
in MPH
Description - Visible Condition
0 Calm smoke rises vertically
1 - 4 Light air direction of wind shown by smoke but not by wind vanes
4 - 7 Light breeze wind felt on face; leaves rustle; ordinary wind vane moved by wind
8 - 12 Gentle breeze leaves and small twigs in constant motion; wind extends light flag
13 - 18 Moderate breeze raises dust and loose paper; small branches are moved
19 - 24 Fresh breeze small trees in leaf begin to sway; crested wavelets form on inland water
25 - 31 Strong breeze large branches in motion; telephone wires whistle; umbrellas used with difficulty
32 - 38 Moderate gale whole trees in motion; inconvenience in walking against wind
39 - 46 Fresh gale breaks twigs off trees; generally impedes progress
47 - 54 Strong gale slight structural damage occurs; chimney pots and slates removed
55 - 63 Whole gale trees uprooted; considerable structural damage occurs
64 - 72 Storm very rarely experienced; accompanied by widespread damage
73+ Hurricane devastation occurs

CURRENT NATIONAL WIND SPEEDS MAP 1 OF 3

CURRENT NATIONAL WIND SPEEDS MAP 1 OF 3
THE MAP ABOVE SHOWS THE CURRENT NATIONAL WIND SPEEDS IN MPH

CURRENT NATIONAL WIND SPEEDS MAP 2 OF 3

CURRENT NATIONAL WIND SPEEDS MAP 2 OF 3
THE MAP ABOVE SHOWS THE CURRENT NATIONAL WIND SPEEDS IN MPH

CURRENT NATIONAL WIND SPEEDS MAP 3 OF 3

CURRENT NATIONAL WIND SPEEDS MAP 3 OF 3
THE ABOVE MAP SHOWS THE CURRENT NATIONAL WINDS SPEEDS IN KNOTS

FOR USE WITH THE CURRENT NATIONAL WIND SPEEDS MAP ABOVE - CONVERSION OF KNOTS TO MPH

KTS to MPH
5
Knots
=
5.8
MPH
10
Knots
=
11.5
MPH
15
Knots
=
17.3
MPH
20
Knots
=
23.0
MPH
25
Knots
=
28.8
MPH
30
Knots
=
34.6
MPH
35
Knots
=
40.3
MPH
40
Knots
=
46.1
MPH
45
Knots
=
51.8
MPH
50
Knots
=
57.6
MPH
55
Knots
=
63.4
MPH
60
Knots
=
69.1
MPH
65
Knots
=
74.9
MPH
70
Knots
=
80.6
MPH
75
Knots
=
86.4
MPH
80
Knots
=
92.2
MPH
85
Knots
=
97.9
MPH
90
Knots
=
103.7
MPH
95
Knots
=
109.4
MPH
100
Knots
=
115.2
MPH
105
Knots
=
121.0
MPH
110
Knots
=
126.7
MPH
115
Knots
=
132.5
MPH
120
Knots
=
138.2
MPH
125
Knots
=
144.0
MPH
130
Knots
=
149.8
MPH
135
Knots
=
155.5
MPH
140
Knots
=
161.3
MPH
145
Knots
=
167.0
MPH
150
Knots
=
172.8
MPH

CURRENT REGIONAL WIND SPEED MAPS FOR GREAT PLAINS, MIDWEST, SOUTH, AND EASTERN U.S.

Current Wind Speed Map Centered Around Eastern Montana
Current Wind Speed Map Centered Around Casper, Wyoming
Current Wind Speed Map Centered Around Denver, Colorado
Current Wind Speed Map Centered Around Lubbock, Texas
Current Wind Speed Map Centered Around Del Rio, Texas
Current Wind Speed Map Centered Around Houston, Texas
Current Wind Speed Map Centered Around Tyler, Texas
Current Wind Speed Map Centered Around Tulsa, Oklahoma
Current Wind Speed Map Centered Around Dodge City, Kansas
Current Wind Speed Map Centered Around Topeka, Kansas
Current Wind Speed Map Centered Around Kansas City, Missouri
Current Wind Speed Map Centered Around Grand Island, Nebraska
Current Wind Speeds Map Centered Around Pierre, South Dakota
Current Wind Speed Map Centered Around Bismarck, North Dakota
Current Wind Speed Map Centered Around Central Minnesota
Current Wind Speed Map Centered Around Des Moines, Iowa
Current Wind Speed Map Centered Around Green Bay, Wisconsin
Current Wind Speed Map Centered Around Chicago, Illinois
Current Wind Speed Map Centered Around St. Louis, Missouri
Current Wind Speed Map Centered Around Memphis, Tennessee
Current Wind Speed Map Centered Around New Orleans, Louisiana
Current Wind Speed Map Centered Around Meridian, Mississippi
Current Wind Speed Map Centered Around Cincinnati, Ohio
Current Wind Speed Map Centered Around Detroit, Michigan
Current Wind Speed Map Centered Around Toronto, Canada
Current Wind Speed Map Centered Around Rochester, New York
Current Wind Speed Map for Eastern Canada and for New England
Current Wind Speed Map Centered Around Maine
Current Wind Speed Map Centered Around Vermont
Current Wind Speed Map Centered Around Connecticut
Current Wind Speed Map Centered Around Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Current Wind Speed Map Centered Around Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania / Morgantown, West Virginia
Current Wind Speed Map Centered Around Richmond, Virginia
Current Wind Speed Map Centered Around Knoxville, Tennessee
Current Wind Speed Map Centered Around Wilmington, North Carolina
Current Wind Speed Map Centered Around Atlanta, Georgia
Current Wind Speed Map Centered Around Central Georgia Coast

HOW TO INTERPRET THE BIG RADAR VIEWS

WARNING: THESE RADAR VIEWS OFTEN MAKE IT APPEAR THAT IT IS SNOWING OR RAINING IN MORE AREAS THAN IT ACTUALLY IS. OFTEN, IT IS SNOWING ONLY IN THE MEDIUM BLUE AND THE DARKER BLUE AREAS, AND IT IS RAINING ONLY IN THE MEDIUM GREEN, DARK GREEN, YELLOW, RED, PINK, AND PINK-PURPLE AREAS.

LIGHT BLUE (IN BELOW FREEZING TEMPERATURES), LIGHT PINK (IN TEMPERATURES NEAR FREEZING) AND LIGHT BLUE-GREEN (IN ABOVE FREEZING TEMPERATURES) MEANS THAT THERE IS VERY LIGHT PRECIPITATION, OR THAT IT IS SIMPLY VERY CLOUDY.

COLOR KEY FOR ABOVE FREEZING TEMPERATURES
PINK OR PURPLE: (Can appear to be pink or more of a pink-purple mix) Extremely severe thunderstorm and hailstorm activity at a minimum with a high probability that one or more tornadoes are present as well. TAKE COVER IMMEDIATELY IF THIS IS COMING AT YOU.

DARK RED: Very severe thunderstorm and hailstorm activity at a minimum with a possibility that one or more tornadoes are present as well. Although tornadoes are more likely in the pink or pink-purple they can very possibly be embedded in a dark red area as well. TAKE COVER IMMEDIATELY ESPECIALLY IF THERE IS A TORNADO WARNING FOR YOUR LOCATION.

MEDIUM RED: Very heavy rain at a minimum; Generally also indicates severe thunderstorm activity including a the potential for hail and even for tornado activity. The darker the red, the more severe the thunderstorm, the higher the probability that there is hail, the bigger any hail stones will be, and the higher the probability that one or more tornadoes are present as well.

LIGHT RED: Moderate to heavy rain at a minimum; generally also indicates moderate thunderstorm activity. With the light red there will not usually be any hail. and if there is hail, it will be small hail that can not damage property.

YELLOW: Moderate but not heavy rain; Sometimes also indicates light thunderstorm activity.

DARK GREEN: Moderate rain, generally no thunderstorm activity

MEDIUM GREEN: Light rain; no thunderstorm activity

LIGHT GREEN: Cloudy, perhaps a little drizzle at the most

NO COLOR: Sunny (day) or clear (night)

===========================================
COLOR KEY FOR TEMPERATURES CLOSE TO FREEZING
LIGHT PINK: Cloudy, light freezing drizzle or sleet at the most.

MEDIUM PINK: Light freezing rain or sleet

DARK PINK: Moderate freezing rain or sleet

VERY DARK PINK: Heavy freezing rain or sleet

===========================================
COLOR KEY FOR BELOW FREEZING TEMPERATURES
VERY DARK BLUE: Heavy snow

DARK BLUE: Moderate snow

MEDIUM BLUE: Light snow

LIGHT GREEN-BLUE: Cloudy, perhaps some light snow flurries. The coloring appears to be more light green-blue than light blue.

NO COLOR: Sunny (day) or clear (night)

IF ANY RADAR MAP DOES NOT OPEN ALL THE WAY, REFRESH THIS PAGE; IT SHOULD EVENTUALLY OPEN UNLESS YOUR COMPUTER SYSTEM IS DAMAGED.

TEXAS / OKLAHOMA AND VICINITY CURRENT RADAR

TEXAS / OKLAHOMA AND VICINITY CURRENT RADAR

OKLAHOMA AND VICINITY CURRENT RADAR

OKLAHOMA AND VICINITY CURRENT RADAR

KANSAS AND VICINITY CURRENT RADAR

KANSAS AND VICINITY CURRENT RADAR

NEBRASKA, KANSAS, AND VICINITY CURRENT RADAR

NEBRASKA, KANSAS, AND VICINITY CURRENT RADAR

MONTANA AND VICINITY CURRENT RADAR

MONTANA AND VICINITY CURRENT RADAR

MINNESOTA AND VICINITY CURRENT RADAR

MINNESOTA AND VICINITY CURRENT RADAR

MICHIGAN AND VICINITY CURRENT RADAR

MICHIGAN AND VICINITY CURRENT RADAR

ILLINOIS, INDIANA, AND VICINITY CURRENT RADAR

ILLINOIS, INDIANA, AND VICINITY CURRENT RADAR

MISSOURI AND VICINITY CURRENT RADAR

MISSOURI AND VICINITY CURRENT RADAR

ARKANSAS AND VICINITY CURRENT RADAR

ARKANSAS AND VICINITY CURRENT RADAR

KENTUCKY, TENNESSEE, AND VICINITY CURRENT RADAR

KENTUCKY, TENNESSEE, AND VICINITY CURRENT RADAR

WESTERN DEEP SOUTH CURRENT RADAR

WESTERN DEEP SOUTH CURRENT RADAR

EASTERN DEEP SOUTH CURRENT RADAR

EASTERN DEEP SOUTH CURRENT RADAR

VIRGINIA TO GEORGIA CURRENT RADAR

VIRGINIA TO GEORGIA CURRENT RADAR

NORTHEASTERN AREA CURRENT RADAR

NORTHEASTERN AREA CURRENT RADAR

NEW ENGLAND AREA CURRENT RADAR

NEW ENGLAND AREA CURRENT RADAR

BIG HURRICANE AREA CURRENT RADAR

BIG HURRICANE AREA CURRENT RADAR