www.mc200.com

As well as moving, I’ve been upgrading my computer systems and started writing more of the code for the website backend.  Some of that is stuff that you will never see, like a paging interface to contact our local RACES paging systems.  However (just to prove that I have been doing something), I will show you my upgraded computer and net control setup here at home.  Enjoy!

Overview: 

Desks Detail:    

Microphone, Audio Rack, & Radio Control Head:     

The tornado was rated EF3 on the Enhanced Fujita Scale with maximum winds of 136-165 MPH.  The tornado had a path length of 13.2 miles and a maximum width of around 100 yards.  The tornado started at 3:30 PM CST about 1.2 miles north of Poplar Grove in Boone County and ended at 3:48 PM CST about 3.2 miles north northeast of Harvard in McHenry County.  There were four injuries in Boone County and one in McHenry County.  Included is a path map.

The survey’s for the two tornadoes that occurred in Kenosha County WI will be posted here once the NWS in Milwaukee completes their official survey.  Their preliminary survey, along with some great (well, maybe not so great) pictures of the damage can be found here: http://www.crh.noaa.gov/crnews/display_story.php?wfo=mkx&storyid=12112&source=0

Damaging ice accumulations and strong winds are likely late this afternoon and evening.

Snow and sleet mixed at times with freezing rain will overspread northern Illinois during the early to mid-afternoon.  Precipitation will likely transition to all freezing rain by evening.  Freezing rain will fall rather heavily at times resulting in rapid accumulations of ice on trees, powerlines, and untreated roadways.

Snow and sleet accumulations of 1-3″ are possible this afternoon particularly along the Wisconsin border.  However of much greater concern is expected damaging ice accumulations.  Once the precipitation changes to freezing rain ice accumulations of 1/4″ to 1/2″ will be common with some locations picking up one 1/2″ to 1″ of ice accumulation before temperatures rise above freezing.

Southeast winds will increase to 20-30 MPH with some gusts approaching 40 MPH this evening.  Ice accumulations on trees and powerlines will weigh them down making them extremely vulnerable to the strong winds and likely resulting in power outages.  This is a potentially dangerous situation; the potential exists for widespread and prolonged power outages across the warning area.

It only takes a small amount of ice accumulation on untreated roadways to make travel nearly impossible.  The storm is quickly approaching and preparations for this winter storm should be rushed to completion.  Persons in the warning area should be prepared for the possibility of several days without power.  Stock up on non-perishable foods, flashlights, batteries, and medications in the event of prolonged power outages.

A Winter Storm Warning means significant amounts of snow, sleet, and ice are expected or occurring.  Strong winds are also possible.  This will make travel very hazardous or impossible.

The National Weather Service in Chicago has upgraded the Winter Storm Watch to a Winter Storm Warning, which is in effect from 2:00 PM Saturday to midnight CST Saturday night.

Snow or sleet will develop late Saturday afternoon and increase in intensity by sunset.  Some snow or sleet accumulations are likely before the precipitation changes to freezing rain Saturday evening.  Once the freezing rain begins the potential exists for several hours of freezing rain which could result in ice accumulations in excess of a quarter inch.

Potentially complicating the situation will be the increasingly strong southeast winds late Saturday afternoon and Saturday evening.  Southeast winds will increase to 20-30 MPH with gusts to 40 MPH Saturday evening.  Where ice does accumulate on trees and powerlines, the strong winds will greatly increase the potential for significant tree and powerline damage.

Now is the time to prepare.  Persons in the Warning area should stock up on non-perishable foods, candles, and medications in the event of a prolonged power outage.  Only a small amount of ice accumulation on untreated roadways can make travel nearly impossible.  Do not wait until the storm to begin to prepare!

Temperatures will rise above freezing by late Saturday night with ice melting and improving conditions expected by Sunday morning.

A Winter Storm Warning means significant amounts of snow, sleet, and ice are expected or occurring.  Strong winds are also possible.  The will make travel very hazardous or impossible.

The National Weather Service in Chicago has issued a Winter Storm Watch, which is in effect from noon to midnight Saturday afternoon and evening.

Snow, possibly mixing with sleet is expected to develop across northern Illinois by late Saturday morning.  As warmer air aloft moves north, the precipitation will transition to freezing rain later Saturday afternoon into Saturday evening.  Ice accumulations of 1/4″ with locally higher amounts are possible by Saturday night.  In addition to ice, areas across far northern Illinois near the Wisconsin border may receive 2-4″ of snow.  All precipitation is expected to change over to light rain or drizzle by early Sunday morning.

A Winter Storm Watch means there is a potential for significant snow, sleet, or ice accumulations that may impact travel.  Anyone with travel plans Saturday and Saturday night, including travel through Chicago O’hare and Chicago Midway airports, should continue to monitor the latest forecasts.

… DISCUSSION …

A significant winter storm is expected to affect northern Illinois.  High pressure will move across the region Friday night, bringing a surge of cold air to the Great Lakes region.  Developing low pressure over the Plains will move northeast across the western Great Lakes Saturday night.  As precipitation develops Saturday, it will fall into the colder air at the surface, resulting in a period of freezing rain.  A warm front will lift north early Sunday morning, changing the wintry precipitation to all rain.

A forecast specific to Lake County will be posted here tomorrow, along with maps of precipitation amounts.  Stay tuned for further developments.

Saffir created a scale in 1969 that rates the strength of a hurricane from Categories 1-5.  This scale was then improved and fine tuned by then NHC Director Robert Simpson, becoming known as the Saffir/Simpson scale.  The scale is invaluable in communicating to the public the intensity and danger of approaching hurricanes.

See the original Associated Press article for more details.

So, the big question that’s on everyone’s mind - just how much snow are we going to get out of this?  Well, that all depends on just how long we maintain that period of mixed rain/snow.  The sooner we switch to snow, the more we get and vice versa.  On an average across the county, I would say 1-3″ total.  Areas in the far northwest portion of the county and along the McHenry County border will see the highest totals, hitting a bit under 3″ to possible (but unlikely) isolated 4″ totals.  The total accumulation will decrease steadily as you move eastward, with areas directly along the lakeshore possibly not even breaking 1″.  Here’s a map of probable snowfall totals:

So, when you wake up tomorrow morning, there’s a very good chance you’ll be greeted with a White Thanksgiving!

 A reminder, a Snow Advisory is in effect until 3:00 AM Thursday morning.  Please drive carefully!

… SNOW ADVISORY IN EFFECT FROM 5 PM WEDNESDAY TO 3 AM THURSDAY …

The National Weather Service in Chicago has issued a Snow Advisory, which is in effect from 5:00 PM CST Wednesday to 3:00 AM CST Thursday.

Two to three inches of snow is expected to fall across northern Illinois with the heaviest snow falling between 6:00 PM Wednesday and 12:00 AM Thursday.

This will be the first accumulating snowfall of the season and will cause hazardous travel conditions on the busiest travel day of the year.  This snow is also expected to extend into southern Wisconsin and eastern Iowa, so keep up to date on the latest weather information before departing on your trip.

A Snow Advisory means that periods of snow will cause primarily travel difficulties.  Be prepared for snow covered roads and limited visibilities, and use caution while driving.

… DISCUSSION …

An area of low pressure will develop in southern Indiana on Wednesday along a slow moving cold front stretching from the eastern Great Lakes down to this low.  Light to moderate snow will develop across northern Illinois in the afternoon on Wednesday as air temperatures begin falling to around freezing.  The heaviest snowfall is expected to occur between 6:00 PM Wednesday and 12:00 AM Thursday with about two to three inches of snow possible.  Amounts will be slightly lower in areas close to Lake Michigan as winds off of the lake keep the air temperature up a little higher.

DEFINITIONS

• Winter Storm Watch - Conditions are favorable for hazardous winter weather conditions including heavy snow, blizzard conditions, or significant accumulations of freezing rain or sleet.  These watches are usually issued 12-36 hours in advance of the event.
• Winter Storm Warning - Hazardous winter weather conditions that pose a threat to life and/or property are occurring, imminent or likely.  The generic term, Winter Storm Warning, is used for a combination of two or more of the following winter weather events: heavy snow, freezing rain, sleet, and strong winds.  The following event-specific warnings are issued for a single weather hazard:
• Blizzard Warning - Sustained winds or frequent gusts of 35 MPH or greater, considerable falling and/or blowing snow reducing visibility frequently to 1/4 mile or less for a period of three hours or more.  There are no temperature criteria in the definition of a blizzard, but freezing temperatures and 35 MPH winds will create single digit wind chills.
• Heavy Snow Warning - Snowfall of 6 inches or more in 12 hours or less, or 8 inches or more in 24 hours or less.
• Ice Storm Warning - Accumulations of 1/4 inch or more of freezing rain.
• Heavy Sleet Warning - Accumulations of 1/2 inch or more of sleet.
• Winter Weather Advisory - Hazardous winter weather conditions are occurring, imminent, or likely.  Conditions will cause a significant inconvenience and if caution is not exercised, will result in a potential threat to life and/or property.  The generic term, Winter Weather Advisory, is used for a combination or two or more of the following events: snow, freezing rain or drizzle, sleet, and blowing snow.
• Wind Chill Advisory - Dangerous wind chill values of -20 to -30 degrees Farenheit.
• Wind Chill Warning - Extreme wind chill values of -30 degrees Farenheit and below.

WIND CHILL TEMPERATURE CHART