This morning's "altocu" (altocumulus) clouds were a good clue about today's (Wed.) storms. Altocumulus clouds -- especially during the spring, summer & early fall -- are good indicators of instability & moisture in the upper levels of the atmosphere (altocu clouds are midlevel clouds usually at about 6,000-16,000 feet or so). There were numerous bands & patches of altocumulus clouds Wed. morning. In fact, a few weak showers developed at mid morning near Gainesville. But the deep & strong convection waited until it got warmer & then we were "off to the races" with widespread storms going strong by 1pm or so. Click here for some good examples of altocumulus clouds.......
The photo below is a tree down due to a lightning strike in Julington Creek Plantation -- Tue. afternoon sent in by Jenny.
The weak upper low continues to provide good thunderstorm coverage. We'll have one more day -- Thu. -- of pretty widespread heavy storms with help from what's left of the upper low. The system will be weakening & "stretching out" with little or no effect by Fri. & Sat. when storms will still fire but will be more widely scattered & primarily inland. Looks like storms pick up again by Sun. into early next week. The next 4 months or so, by the way, typically account for half our annual rainfall (26" of a yearly avg. of about 52").
Massive & record flooding continue across the Midwest with some of the worst of it now in Wisconsin & Iowa. One more big weather system will move into thea area through Thu. with severe storms & heavy rain. But then a pattern change that will finally bring some relief. The upper level flow will become northwest -- not completely dry but storm systems will be fewer & much more progressive. Could be a pattern change that lasts at least a week or so & will also have some implications on First Coast weather. The northwest flow could push a cool front into the S.E. U.S. enhancing our afternoon storms by Sun. into the middle of next week. Check out the 500mb (about 18,000 feet) GFS forecast model below which is the valid for early Tue., June 17.
Word Wed. evening that a boy scout camp in extreme Western Iowa north of Omaha, NE. was essentially destroyed by a fast-moving tornado. There are confirmed reports of deaths & injuries at a camp where nearly 100 teenagers were staying along with nearly a couple dozen adults. More info. at CNN.com.....
This from "Earth Gauge":
June is Great Outdoors Month, an event that began with a presidential proclamation in June 2004 to promote our nation's shared legacy of parks and forests, environmental protection, and enjoyment of the great outdoors.
Click here for more........
