WORST DECEMBER TORNADO OUTBREAK IN ILLINOIS HISTORY...
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HISTORIC DECEMBER TORNADO OUTBREAK
One year ago today, just one week after a record breaking November blizzard, 29 tornadoes skipped through parts of WC Illinois. The record setting tornado outbreak began in the afternoon and continued into the early evening across Central and Southwest Illinois.Three local National Weather Service offices concluded that there was a total of 29 tornadoes with ratings on the Enhanced Fujita Scale ranging from EF-0 all the way up to EF-3.
There were 11 EF-0 tornadoes confirmed and 14 rated an EF-1, including a storm near Beardstown, in Bluff City, and near Staunton, IL.3 storms were even stronger, classified as EF-2, including the tornado that moved through the town of Litchfield, IL.
Unusual instability in place.
The strongest storm of the day happened near nightfall: an EF-3 which devastated the town of Taylorville, IL.“They had over 500 homes that had some level of damage and about 100 that were destroyed or major damage,” said Chris Miller, the Warning Coordination Meteorologist for the NWS Lincoln.The Taylorville tornado was a half a mile wide, which equates to the length of almost NINE football fields lined up back to back. Here it is. The second picture is of damage in its wake in Taylorville.
Other tornado images taken that day.
Despite many towns waking up to heartbreaking scenes the next day, there were only 23 injuries reported and no fatalities from the storms.
JOIN THIS YEAR'S TORNADO CHASE WITH TSwails.
One of the chasers that day who witnessed the twisters was Kholby Martin. Kholby is the lead chaser for the annual TSwails storm chase. Last year he took us within a mile of the EF4 twister which struck near Lawrence, Kansas in late May. It was the strongest tornado reported this year and boy did we get an eyeful!
This year the chase will take place in May and we have seats available at unbeatable prices.To find out more about the adventure or reserve a spot with myself and my team of meteorologists, please contact carolynswettstone@yahoo.com If you want to get our of the box and experience natures most spectacular storms, this is the trip of a lifetime!
SANTA CALLING! Christmas is less than a month away. Are you looking for something special for that hard to buy for person? Maybe you just want to treat yourself for being on the nice list! Well, here's an idea that can "give" any weather enthusiast a lifetime of pleasure. It's called WEATHER SCHOOL. What a person experiences and learns here will open up the world of forecasting for years of enjoyment to come. Consider giving the gift of weather. Better hurry, only 13 desks still open. You can get all the details below.
TSwails.com is offering a very special and unique opportunity to learn first-hand the ins and outs of weather forecasting with one of the best meteorologists in the Midwest along with his team of expert meteorologists.
That’s right… You want to forecast right along with Terry Swails, well now you can. He’s teaching weather with TSwails newest program called WEATHER SCHOOL. The opening bell rings this January and you can be a member of the very first graduating class. The one-day forecasting seminar for weather enthusiasts will be held at his home in January. It’s not your typical run-of-the-mill school. There will be no tests, but Terry, Rebecca, and Nick will cram your head with so much knowledge, it’ll be spinning like a tornado before the day is over.
You want to know the essential online sites to use for models, radar, and the basic weather tools? DONE! You want to understand the structure of models and the role they play? DONE! You want to be able to construct forecasts from the ground up? DONE!
WEATHER SCHOOL will be presented in a seminar-type format where you'll have the ability to ask questions and dig deep. You’ll get the scoop on data acquisition, model analysis, severe weather, and actual forecasting from the big dog himself, T. Swails. With 43 years of experience and an uncanny ability to break the science down, you’ll open the door to forecasting like never before.
Along with the head master T. Swails himself, meteorologists Rebecca Kopelman and Nick Stewart of KGAN TV will be there to lend their knowledge and experience to the discussion. It will be fun, informative, and factual! This is the day for you to see, feel, and experience what it’s like to be in the hot seat of a meteorologist.
The seminar will be held January 25th and will last from noon until 5:00pm. We have limited seating and the cost is $99 dollars per person. A catered lunch will be provided. Again..not a lot of seats so reservations with a pre-payment are required. Sorry, no refunds. If there’s enough interest, a second session will be added in early February. To register or get additional information send an email to carolynswettstone@yahoo.com
GIVE THE GIFT OF WEATHER. This might be the perfect gift for that hard to buy for person this Christmas. Along with a WEATHER SCHOOL admittance voucher, TSwails will send a special holiday greeting to your weather enthusiast if you give the gift of weather with the TSwails touch!
WEATHER SCHOOL AGENDA:
WELCOME AND INTRODUCTION
Purpose: To help weather enthusiasts understand the basics of forecasting and apply the knowledge and techniques learned to construct personal forecasts.
Session 1: DATA ACQUISITION
The essential on-line sites for models, observations, satellite and radar images, and general weather data.
Session 2: ANALYSIS:
Determining your objective goals. Short term, intermediate, or long-term. Understanding the process of analysis and its relationship to forecasting.
Model options and choices. What to use and when!
The GFS, EURO, NAM 3k, NAM 12K, Canadian, HRRR, MJO, ensembles, teleconnections, etc.
Locating, learning, and knowing what’s essential to make a reliable forecast.
The art and science of model interpretation: Using and understanding model output. Its called guidance for a reason!
Learn how to analyze key parameters such as:
Surface and upper air data
Vorticity and energy
Precipitation output
Wind and pressure
Session 3: MAKING A FORECAST FROM MODEL GUIDANCE
A simulation of the basic process using model output.
BREAK: A 25-30 minute recess to enjoy a catered lunch…
Session 4: SEVERE WEATHER:
Thunderstorms, tornadoes, derechoes, and squall lines.
Soundings. What are they and why should I care?
Instability (CAPE) vs (CIN) Critical interaction involving moisture, heating, and forcing.
Uncovering the ingredients of a severe weather set-up.
TVS signatures. What to look for on radar.
Role of SPC vs NWS, and your local TV station regarding the warning process.
Simulated model driven forecast of a severe weather event/tornado outbreak
Session 5: WINTER STORMS:
The key ingredients required for significant winter storm:
How to forecast the rain snow line.
How to forecast snow totals from QPF
Determining totals from snow ratios.
What to look for at the surface and at upper levels (500 and 850mb)
Model bias and determining the storm track
Simulated model driven forecast of a significant Midwest winter storm
QUESTION AND ANSWER SESSION
An open period for attendees to ask questions regarding relevant topics or issues discussed during the day.
CONCLUSION:
Some final words of inspiration from the events headliners
Once again, to reserve a spot or ask questions send an email to carolynswettstone@yahoo.com See you when the bell rings! Roll weather...T. Swails
