MTWX's WunderBlog

Fishing Update/ Crazy Weather

Posted by: MTWX, 23. helmikuuta 2012 klo 21:50 (GMT)

Was able to get out on Columbus Lake for a few short hours this morning before the winds picked up to the point that I had to leave (have a 14' jon boat). Water is stained to muddy due to the frequent rains we have been having, but the water temps in the bay I was fishing were 53-54 degrees. Unfortunatly I have no catch to report.

Todays high temperature reached 84 degrees, which is about 25 degrees above average, and broke our record for the day by 15 degrees!! The winds picked up in the late morning to the 10-15 mph range and are now pushing 20-25 with gusts to 35 mph as I am typing this. Enjoy the warm weather today, because after this front passes tonight the temperatures will drop back to below our average for this time of year for the next few days. Chances of precipitation have dropped due to the dryness of the air, and a very strong cap in place preventing any storm formation. The largest risk of severe weather will likely occur north and east of us in the overnight hours, where instability is greatest. Main threat will be strong winds.

Categories:Extreme Weather Fishing

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Severe Weather Awareness Week 2012- Day 5

Posted by: MTWX, 17. helmikuuta 2012 klo 16:57 (GMT)

This is the final day of severe weather awareness week in
Mississippi. All week long we have provided educational
information that should help everyone to better understand severe
weather... and what to do if severe weather affected their area.

We hope everyone took the opportunity to exercise their preparedness
plans with the tornado drill on Wednesday. Everyone should know how
to receive severe weather information and know what to do when it
occurs. It can save your life.

Here is a review of some of the weeks topics.

Watches... means conditions are favorable for the formation of
tornadoes... severe thunderstorms... or flooding in or close to the
watch area. Watch for threatening weather and be prepared to seek safe
shelter if a warning is issued or threatening weather approaches.

Warnings... means a tornado... severe thunderstorm... or flash flooding has
been sighted or was detected by radar. Go to a safe place immediately.

Lightning... while no warnings are issued for lightning alone... all
thunderstorms contain lightning that can be deadly. Get inside a building
or inside an all metal vehicle.

We urge everyone to plan ahead. Conduct drills at home... at your
place of business... and at your school. Do not wait until a
tornado is at your doorstep before doing something that could
save your life.

For further information... please view our severe weather awareness week
web Page at http://www.Srh.NOAA.Gov/Jan/?N=swaw

Categories:Severe Weather

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Severe Weather Awareness Week 2012- Day 4

Posted by: MTWX, 16. helmikuuta 2012 klo 13:48 (GMT)

This is day four of severe weather awareness week. Today's topic
is lightning.

Lightning has often been called the underrated killer... since
during an average year more people die from lightning nationwide
than all the hurricanes and tornadoes combined. Numerous people
each year lose their lives because of lightning. In 2011... a
record low number of 26 lightning deaths occurred across the nation.

Lightning deaths are more common in the Summer months when more
people participate in outdoor activities. However... lightning
can and does occur in every month of the year.

Lightning is one of the most easily recognizable weather hazards
we have in Mississippi. Lightning is visible during the day and
night and is always accompanied by thunder. If you are close
enough to a storm to hear thunder... you are close enough to be
struck by lightning.

While lightning is dangerous... it is the easiest weather phenomenon
in which you can protect yourself. Normally moving into a
building or an all metal vehicle will provide protection.

Below are some safety rules for lightning.

Get off and away from open water or tractors and other farm
equipment.

Get off and away from motorcycles... scooters... Golf
carts... and bicycles. Put down Golf clubs and baseball bats.

Do not stand under isolated trees or in open fields.

Stay away from wire fences... clothes lines... metal pipes... rails
or other metallic paths which could carry lightning to you.

Avoid using a landline telephone and appliances except for emergencies.

If you are caught outside and you feel your hair stand on end...
this indicates that lightning is about to strike. Drop to your
knees and Bend forward putting your hands on your knees. Do not
lie flat on the ground.

For further information... please view our severe weather awareness week
web Page at http://www.Srh.NOAA.Gov/Jan/?N=swaw

Categories:Severe Weather

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Severe Weather Awareness Week 2012- Day 3

Posted by: MTWX, 15. helmikuuta 2012 klo 14:21 (GMT)

This is day three of severe weather awareness week. Today's topic is tornadoes.

A tornado is one of nature's most violent storms. It is a violently
rotating column of air in contact with the ground. Tornadoes vary
greatly in size... intensity and appearance. Tornado winds can
range from less than 100 mph to in excess of 200 mph with the stronger
tornadoes. The time tornadoes stay on the ground can also vary
from a quick touch down that does little or no damage to one that
stays on the ground for several hours and destroys nearly everything in
its path.

During 2011 there were a total of 97 tornadoes confirmed across
Mississippi. There were 68 tornadoes that were rated as EF0 or
EF1... which are considered to be weaker tornadoes. There were 15
tornadoes that were rated EF2 and 11 that were rated EF3. EF2 and EF3
tornadoes are considered to be strong. There was 1 EF4 tornado and 2 EF5
tornadoes in 2011. EF4 and EF5 tornadoes are considered to be violent.

The violent tornadoes all occurred on the afternoon of April 27. The
highest impact tornado... an EF5... hit the town of Smithville in Monroe County
causing extensive damage. A second EF5... moved through parts of Neshoba...
Kemper... Winston... and Noxubee counties. An EF4 tornado tracked from
Smith County across Jasper and Clarke counties and then continued into
Alabama.

When one looks at long term statistics for the number of tornadoes
... Strong to violent tornadoes... long track strong to violent tornadoes
and unfortunately tornado fatalities... Mississippi ranks at or near the
top in every category. This presents a preparedness problem to the residents
of the state.

Spotting tornadoes in Mississippi can be very difficult. Many of the tornadoes
are wrapped in rainfall... are hidden by trees... and have a forward motion up
to 60 mph. Also... many tornadoes in the state occur at night which makes it
very difficult to warn the public.

Tornadoes can and do occur in every month of the year. In a normal year
there is a high frequency of tornadoes in the Spring months from February
through may.

A Tornado Watch is issued when conditions are favorable for the
formation of both tornadoes and severe thunderstorms over a
particular area. During a watch... remain alert for signs of
threatening weather and make preliminary plans for action. People
who live in Mobile homes should have plans for seeking shelter in
a more sturdy structure.

A Tornado Warning is issued when a tornado has been sighted by
a spotter or detected on radar. When a warning is issued it is
time to take necessary action to save your life.

A tornado emergency is issued when environmental conditions
favor the development of a strong or violent tornado... radar
indicates very strong rotation in a storm... and storm spotters
report a large tornado. The tornado emergency will only be issued
in rare situation where these criteria are met.

The National Weather Service will conduct a tornado drill this
Wednesday morning using the routine weekly test on NOAA Weather
Radio. We encourage schools... business... hospitals and families to
participate in this drill. It is important to know what to do when
severe weather approaches. Do not wait until the tornado impact is
imminent to decide what actions you are going to take.

Tornado safety rules are listed below.

In homes or small buildings... go to the basement or to an
interior room... interior Hall... or to small rooms such as a
closet or bathroom on the lowest level. Get under something
sturdy like a heavy table or bed.

In schools... nursing homes... hospitals and shopping centers...
go to a predesignated shelter area. Interior hallways on
the lowest floor are usually best. Stay away from large windows
or glassed areas. Also... stay away from large rooms like dining Halls
or gymnasiums because they may have weakly supported roofs.

If you are in Mobile homes or vehicle... leave it and go to a
substantial structure. If there is no shelter nearby... lie flat
in the nearest ditch... ravine... Gully... or culvert with your
hands shielding your head. However... this may not be a good option
if heavy rain is falling.

Stay away from windows. Do not bother opening them. Opening windows
will not protect the structure but will in fact lead to more damage
if hit by a tornado. Also... you will just waste time and put yourself
and possibly others at greater risk. Use those valuable few seconds
to find safety.

Stay away from doors... windows... and outside walls.

Remember... tornadoes form very quickly and may occur with little
or no advanced warning. You may have only a few seconds to
find shelter. When a tornado threatens... your immediate action
can save your life.

Take the time this week to teach your children or your co-workers
about tornadoes. Show them the best shelter areas in your home
or business.

For further information... please view our severe weather awareness week
web Page at http://www.Srh.NOAA.Gov/Jan/?N=swaw

Categories:Severe Weather

Updated: 15. helmikuuta 2012 klo 14:21 (GMT)

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Severe Weather Awareness Week 2012- Day 2

Posted by: MTWX, 14. helmikuuta 2012 klo 14:26 (GMT)

Today is day two of severe weather awareness week. Our topic of
discussion today is flash flooding.

Flash flooding is a result of sudden... heavy rainfall
commonly produced from slow-moving intense thunderstorms.
Flash floods become raging torrents of water which rip
Through Creek beds... city streets... and areas of poor
drainage... sweeping away everything before them.

Significant flash flooding has occurred across parts of the
southeastern states over the last few years. Some examples include
flash flooding near Atlanta in August 2009 and in Nashville in may
2010. In each of these cases the rainfall rates overwhelmed the drainage
systems and flooding beyond the experience of local residents occurred.
These floods resulted in numerous fatalities... a large portion of which
were elderly people.

In September 2011... the remnants of Tropical Storm Lee produced rainfall
amounts from 10 to 13 inches across central Mississippi. This caused
extensive flooding of creeks and streams... but fortunately no loss
of life.

Most deaths from flash flooding occur when vehicle operators
drive their automobiles into flood waters of unknown depths only
to find the water is deeper than they thought. At this point... the
motor becomes inundated then stalls and the vehicle is soon swept
away... taking the passengers with it. A simple rule to remember is
turn around don't drown.

A Flash Flood Watch means it is possible that heavy rains will
cause flash flooding in the specified area. Stay alert to the
weather... and think about what you would do if water begins to rise
or if you receive a warning. Watch for development of heavy rain.

A Flash Flood Warning means flash flooding is occurring or
imminent in the specified area. Move to higher... safe ground
immediately!

A flash flood emergency means that extremely heavy rainfall has already
occurred... will continue to occur... and that emergency officials are
reporting life-threatening rises in water that are resulting in water
rescues and or evacuations.

Below are some flash flood safety rules.

If you are driving... look ahead and watch for flooding at Highway
dips... bridges... and low areas. Do not try to drive across water-
filled areas of unknown depth.

Be especially cautious at night when it is harder to recognize
flood dangers. Heavy rain events frequently and notoriously
occur at night.

Do not Camp or park your vehicle along streams or drainage areas
particularly during threatening conditions. Avoid already flooded
and high velocity flow areas. Do not attempt to cross a flowing
stream on foot where water is above your ankles.

For further information... please view our severe weather awareness week
web Page at http://www.Srh.NOAA.Gov/Jan/?N=swaw

Categories:Severe Weather

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Severe Weather Awareness Week 2012- Day 1

Posted by: MTWX, 13. helmikuuta 2012 klo 13:30 (GMT)

Today is the first day of severe weather awareness week in
Mississippi. The purpose of this week is to encourage everyone
to exercise their preparedness plans.

All this week we will discuss different types of severe weather and
some safety rules people can use to protect their lives and
property.

Today we will discuss severe thunderstorms.

Thunderstorms can produce cloud to ground lightning... large
hail... tornadoes... and flash flooding. All thunderstorms can cause
damage... but the National Weather Service reserves the term
severe thunderstorm for those that produce wind gusts 58 mph or
greater and or hail 1 inch or larger in diameter.

Straight line damaging winds are common across Mississippi
especially during the Spring and Summer months. These storms
can knock down trees and cause damage to structures. In early April
2011... a large complex of thunderstorms moved across the state and then
continued moving across the remainder of the southeastern states. This
complex of storms set a 24 hour record for total severe weather reports
including widespread damaging winds... large hail... and a few tornadoes.

Large hail can damage crops and property. In 2005 a hail storm in
Yazoo County produced tennis-Ball size hail. This hail was also wind
driven and did a significant amount of property damage to houses. In
several cases the hail penetrated the siding of houses or took the
paint off.

The National Weather Service encourages you to take severe thunderstorm
watches and warnings seriously. Winds from severe thunderstorms are at
times as strong as some tornadoes.

The best action to take if a severe thunderstorm approaches is to
find shelter in a strong sturdy building that will stand up to strong
winds. Stay away from windows. Remember tornadoes can and do form
rapidly from severe thunderstorms. So take the same precautions as
you would if a Tornado Warning was issued.

For further information... please view our severe weather awareness week
web Page at http://www.Srh.NOAA.Gov/Jan/?N=swaw

Categories:Severe Weather

Updated: 15. helmikuuta 2012 klo 14:22 (GMT)

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Warm winter finally dropping into a more seasonal pattern

Posted by: MTWX, 7. helmikuuta 2012 klo 19:13 (GMT)

Has been a while since my last blog post, but here we go. After having an unseasonbly warm winter this year (15-25 dgrees above average), it looks like through the rest of this week we will be looking at more average weather for this time of year. Mild to even below average temps will affect the area for the rest of the week. The precipitation forecast is finally letting up too, allowing us some time to dry out before the next rain maker will arrive the middle of next week.

Current garden forecast:
Now is the time to start planting those cool weather veggies. Lettuce, Carrots, Turnips, and radishes are all perfect! And, with the handful of frosts in the forecast, flavors of those will be greatly enhanced!
It is also time to start your seeds for your summer crops indoors in preparation for warmer weather! Get a start on your tomatoes and peppers

Fishing Reports:
Decent catches of Bass and Crappie are coming in off of the area lakes. Looking for the clearer water in the bays, and try to find the schools of Shad with sonar are your best bets. With all of the recent rains the rivers are all running high and muddy right now, they have also lowered the water temps a few degrees. Finish cleaning up those boats, and get your gear ready, cause March is just around the corner, and the Crappie bite will be on the upswing!

I will try and keep this updated more often.

Thank You for reading!

Categories:Gardening Fishing Extreme Weather

Updated: 7. helmikuuta 2012 klo 19:14 (GMT)

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