If you just received a text alert, or maybe your weather radio went off, you are probably wondering what’s going on.   First off, a t-storm watch has been issued until 5AM for the counties highlighted in pink in the map above.  This watch was issued because there is a line of storms moving out of Illinois into northwestern Indiana.  (Remember, you can track the storms here with our interactive radar.)  The main concern is going to be damaging winds up to 60 mph.

Severe weather risk for Tuesday

After this line of storms moves through early Tuesday morning (between 2-5AM) look for another round of storms into Tuesday afternoon.  If there is enough heating between the morning storms and the second round that is possible into the afternoon, we may see another round of severe storms.   As of now, the main risk will also be damaging winds up to 65 mph, but there is a low tornado risk also.  Stay tuned for more weather information.

Moore Tornado damage path courtesy the NWS of Norman Oklahoma.

I usually don’t get too emotional about weather coverage, but having lived in OKC, worked in OKC and married and OKC native, my heart goes out for the families of Moore Oklahoma.

Do me a favor after you are done reading this blog post.  Go to your wife, you husband, your son, your daughter, give them a hug and let them know how much you love them.

After you do that, take a moment and say a prayer for the families of Moore.  I don’t want to go into all the details here, but as I type this blog post and watch live coverage there, there was obviously going to be a significant loss of life.

Now that you have done that, ask yourself if your family has a severe weather plan.  Where will you go if a tornado warning is issued?   To your basement?  What happens if you don’t have one?  Maybe the most internal room of your house, in a bathroom without windows, or under a stair chase?  Do you have a weather radio?  Have you signed up for WANE text alerts?

We don’t see many tornadoes here, but we know we can have big ones.  Now is the time to get prepared.

Safe Boating Week (NOAA)

Weather seems like the last thing you need to check when you head out on a nice sunny day. But, I can tell you as an experience boater that a thunderstorm can change that outlook in a hurry. It can also put you in danger pretty quickly. The National Weather Service has several sites for you to check on. You may even want to consider purchasing a portable NOAA Weather Radio . These are also on sale on Walgreens with the desk top models. Also check out the safe boating link for Indiana.

It’s going to feel and look like an August day across the viewing area tomorrow afternoon. Expect partly to mostly cloudy skies much of the day with a warm start in the middle 60s. Here’s the trickiness to the forecast of the 90° heat for tomorrow. If we see any storm or shower development before 5 pm in the area, it will kill our chances of hitting 90°. Latest data suggests any storm development will hold off until the evening, so it seems like a good shot. Winds will also be gusty out of the south 10-20 MPH. There is currently a slight risk for severe weather both Monday and Tuesday. This outlook is issued by the Storm Prediction Center.

Data suggests the main threats in the viewing area will be damaging wind gusts and some hail embedded within a few thunderstorms. At this time, we are not anticipating a widespread severe weather outbreak, but just scattered showers and storms a few of which could be on the strong side. Because of the history of the storm system responsible for the severe threat, and the history of severe storms occasionally spawning isolated tornadoes, we cannot rule out the possibility of an isolated tornado or two in the area. Monday morning, Greg will have the latest forecast of the severe threat for both Monday and Tuesday. Monday evening, Jonathan will likely be tracking storm development, and if needed, we will deploy FuryTracker to monitor what these storms are producing in “real life.” The NewsChannel 15 Weather Team has you covered; we will continue to monitor the event and bring you the most accurate forecast.

Sunday Event Forecast

An annual event that is a sure sign of spring in Fort Wayne takes place today out at the Allen County Public Library’s Main Branch downtown.  I’m talking about the Cherry Blossom Festival, celebrating Fort Wayne’s first “sister city”, Takaoka, Japan.  Events will be held both inside and outside, so if today’s scattered rain/storms do develop (only a 20% chance), you will still have plenty to enjoy inside.  Outside, it will be hot with highs around 85°.

To learn all about what’s happening out at the festival today, watch this segment from First News Weekend.

The Storm Prediction Center has the entire viewing area under a slight risk for severe weather on Monday. As of now, we are not anticipating a widespread severe weather outbreak in our area, but we will continue to track the potential and analyze the latest data as it becomes available. Current indications are,  damaging winds and large hail will be the main threats with thunderstorms that develop later in the day Monday. Temperatures on Monday are forecasted in the upper 80s to around 90. This will give good fuel to storms that fire. We cannot rule out the potential for an isolated tornado in the area though the chances aren’t good at this point. The NewsChannel 15 Weather Team will continue to monitor the potential for severe weather to start the workweek.

Saturday Event Forecast

This weekend will be filled with moments when it won’t be raining. Unfortunately, the potential exists for some scattered rain to be around, at times, through these next couple of days.  Isolated storms are not out of the question, but severe weather is not expected as of the time of this posting.  By Monday, though, strong storms and even severe weather have the potential to track across the region.

So, if you’re headed out today for all the historical activities they have going on at the Old Fort through 7 PM, just know that you’ll be dodging some scattered rain.  If you end up getting caught in any rain…there’s always tomorrow.  The “Muster on the St. Mary’s” runs on Sunday from 10 AM – 4 PM.

Hail reporting chart, courtesy the National Weather Service

So far, our spring has been very quiet with no severe weather, but we know this won’t last for ever.  While the weather is quiet, I though I bring up this hail chart for measuring hail stones.   First off, never use the term “marbles” to report hail.   Why you ask?  Have you played a game of marbles lately?   If you have, or even if you haven’t, marbles come in different sizes and therefor, are not a accurate way to report exact hail size.

If possible, try to use something that has a standard size, like a golf ball, a tennis ball, or a softball.  Above is a chart correlating hail size to an object and a known diameter.

Drought Monitor (NOAA)

Last year we were bringing almost daily updates to you about the drought. We are hoping this year we will not have to do the same thing. A wet April has led to a fairly dry May so far but that will most like change next week with more showers and storms expected Tuesday and Wednesday. There are many tools that the National Weather Service and its parent agency NOAA use to monitor the drought.

NOAA has introduced a web site which has all the tools in one place necessary to monitor drought conditions.  At the web site you can access precipitation and climatological reports which include The Palmer Drought Index.

Thanks to all of you who have come out and participated in our Weather Radio Programming Events, either getting a weather radio programmed or just stopping by to say hello to members of our Live Doppler 15 Fury Weather Team.  Tonight, we’re at the Ruler Foods in Van Wert (until 7 PM) and then, on Friday, we’ll be at the Fort Wayne Kroger Marketplace Store on Dupont Rd. from 4-7 PM.