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Gary, can you please re-post the pictures?  I don't see them.

Doesnt Tuesday Look like a Large Hail Event Simalar to todays event is Possible?

Can you put a link somewhere or is it on video, cuz I don't want to watch T.V. right now like I was all morning, MAJOR HEADACHE!

Ohh, and about when do you think this will develop?

Gary, were these hail pictures in Leavenworth or Douglas County?  Amazing.  The second time we've seen four-inch hail in the area since Friday.  That's impressive.

Those are some pretty big headache makers! LOL.  Thx for the pics Gary!

what's going on to the south of KC??  I have heard north of Springfiled there has been serious damage from these storms, with the sun out do you think they will intensify tonight to the south of us??  or can we xpect storms to rebuild over us?

Softball sized hail was reported with those storms near Manhattan. The hail signatures with those were insane. Max hail calculations hit 5 inches many times as they progressed southeast. Wind gusts of 80mph in Foster (NW of Rich Hill).

Another MCS possible late tonight into tomorrow morning as well. Granted, it's early into the season, but I wonder if we going to get into a pattern of nocturnal MCS's like what we saw in 1993?

Softball sized hail was reported with those storms near Manhattan. The hail signatures with those were insane. Max hail calculations hit 5 inches many times as they progressed southeast. Wind gusts of 80mph in Foster (NW of Rich Hill).

Another MCS possible late tonight into tomorrow morning as well. Granted, it's early into the season, but I wonder if we going to get into a pattern of nocturnal MCS's like what we saw in 1993.

Gary- I know you are preparing for the 5PM show- I was looking at Surf Obs trying to figure out where the warm front was- not having much luck...any help appreciated...

JP

The first pic is from Pleasanton KS.  

The pic with the 4-inch hail has to be somewhere that received big time hail.

The last pic looks like golf ball size hail.

Kristi

Ha, that last picture looks more like something you would see on the driving range right next to a tee.

I am curious to see what develops later tonight!

Thursday is going to be interesting because I will be at work and Tornadoes can only happen on days I'm at work (WED/THU/FRI/SAT). Mother nature will not let a tornado touch down anywhere near Kansas City on a SUN/MON/TUE

Or so it seems so far this year...

Hopefully no tornadoes touch down at all!

Drexel rainfall total- 1.3

i hope tonight isnt too bad, i really could use some uninterrupted sleep now that my child is feeling better.

Hello everyone. Can anyone tell me what time we should expect redevelopment and are they expected to be severe?

Thanks.

Thats what I have been wondering!

There is a chance of damaging winds and large hail tonight, with the storms coming in again to the metro after seven, most likely much later on tonight.

KCK near N 18th and State:  12 hundredths.

Small twigs about on the ground.  One significant tree branch seen down seen near N 18th and Parallel.  Otherwise, pretty much missed except for some lightning and gusty winds along with the rest of the immediate metro area.  

LOL. Hopefully simplykristi is on, she usually answers my question. She is very helpful.

Chieffan,
This evening looks OK.  The closest storms to us are in NW KS.  They look like they are weakening.  (The storms in southern Iowa and northeast MO are moving away for us.)  I am going to see if anything develops in Nebraska this evening that might turn this way.  I should have a more clear cut answer for you by 10.  :)

Kristi

119th and ridgeview in Olathe .70, no hail and not much wind. I work with a guy from Gardner, he called me after he got home and said he had 2.50, wow that was close! I'm not quite buying into redevelopment tonight, didn't today kinda suck a lot the juice out of the atmosphere?

Kristi, just wanted to thank you for helping track the storms.  Its so nice to have that, when the weather team is too busy to respond.  hope your parents are doing ok, been thinking about them.  Kristy

I am also thinking we will not have another MCS tonight- I think our chances are better tomorrow evening late- the W Kansas Storms have fallen apart. The warm front will move N of KC this evening - so if anything developed it would be in N Missouri.

--------------------

I agree, it appears the cap is building in very strongly.

Gary

By the way that Gary was talking, I, or we, should be VERY worried on thursday...

gary, the satelite of the MCS was awesome! I have never seen anything like it before.

Thanks Simplykristi, you truly are very helpful. Even when I don't post on here I almost always keep up with the blog and always read at least your comments. When I don't get a chance to watch the news I know this is a place I can come and stay informed by people like you. I will be checking back from time to time. Hopefully we don't have anything severe tonight, or ever for that matter. LOL.

Thanks again

I have a question, it is safer to go under the stairs in a basement or in sw corner?  I have heard both and don't know what it better.

.25 in Shoal Creek.  Though there was just .11 inches on the Plaza, how much of was that due to the fact that the rain was being blown horizontally and not vertically to drop into the rain gauge?

Hi Bewild,
It used to be that the SW corner was the best place to go.  Now it is go under something sturdy like a workbench.

Hi All,
I walked out a little bit ago...  It is humid.  But the air is stable due to the earlier storms.

Kristi

bewild79: It doesn't matter where in your basement you go as long as you are under something sturdy. If you have weak wooden stairs, don't go under them, ore if you are near windows under your stairs. THE best place to be is in a bathroom in your basement without windows. You should be covered b something heavy, like a matress, or, at the very least, pillows. The 2nd choice place would be under a sturdy workbench or something else that offers lots of protection. I guess THE THE best place would be under a workbench in your bathtub, but I wouldn't spend time putting one there! :). The pipes in a bathrom help insulate the room from debris and wind. I hope I could help.

Thank you Kristy.  And yes Roberto that is a help...the only prob is there is no bathroom in the basement I would be in. ( I dont have one )  I am hoping there is something sturdy I can get under though.  I have to look.  By the way...my name is Becky :)

Bewild's question made me think of a question I have had for a while..

Lately when I have been reading up on tornado injuries/fatalities it follows up with the fact that many who were hurt or killed were in basements.  Is there anything BAD to be said about being in a basement during a tornado or is this more likely because of the direct hit from the tornado that was so strong it wouldn't even matter where in the house someone was?

Hi all, I just want to thank everyone for the info today.  I was at work and really couldn't do more than sneak peeks at the blog, so it's sure nice to be able to keep up with everything that's going on by all your reports and info.

Bewild I have the same problem you do, my basement has no workbench or bathroom.  In fact I think there's more hazards down there than safe spots, lol.  Even worse, 2 of my old dogs refuse to go down the stairs.  :(

bewild -

It is all preparation.  Something sturdy would be nice, but if you don't have anything, make sure you have some blankets or an old mattress and a flashlight.  If something horrible happened and you are trapped, a flashlight will help with the shock.  Instead of wondering what you can't see, at least you can see and start making rational decisions until help arrives.

Robertos stuff is spot on.  I've built my own tornado room complete with a workbench on top of a bathtub with bike helmets nearby. :)

I, too, have been hearing about the SW corner not being the "it spot" anymore.  I imagine this has to do with not all tornados come straight from the SW and folks don't have any idea what the SW corner is, if they even have a SW corner.  In many cases, not all houses are built on square NESW foundations and many don't even have a SW corner.  

Well another prob is my parents basement is FULL of crap from over the years of 6 kids and 7 grandkids.  My bro is too much of a bump on a log to help keep it up and my dad can't do that kind of stuff anymore ( He is not in the best of health ) The few small places to go, like in the laundry chute from my parents room down to the basement, is too small for me and 3 kids.  Under the desk they have down there, not enough room again, and under the stairs, well we won't talk about how much stuff is under there lol.
Becky

auromamama -

The basement is the best spot.  No guarantees on complete safety, but it is the safest.  

--

I think the best thing in all this is to be prepared ahead of time.  You know how folks on the Gulf Coast have hurricane kits?  At our house, I keep a couple flashlights, bottled water, and first aid stuff near where I would imagine I would want to be if the highly unlikely event a tornado hit my house.   In the aforementioned fictional tornado room, of course.  Just kidding, I've already got a spot picked out and our tornado "kit" is there as well.  

Actually, the best thing is to keep your head and I'm sort of worried about some posters today.  If you are freaking out crazy over a hail storm, then I worry about what would happen if a tornado was five minutes from your house.   Be calm, be ready, be educated, be calm, be prepared.  Thunderstorms have been happening here forever.  We just have better technology to predict and track storms.  Unfortunatly, this added information causes stress.  It's ok.  20 years ago, I bet we all went through bad storms and didn't have time to get worried.  This added technology nowadays is here to help, not scare.

Luthur,
You are right....I am one of the worriers.  I can sit here and think of how prepared I can be but when the storm is actually close, I freeze and then panic.  I have tried not to do that espeically because of the kids but the phobia takes over and I can't help it.  I usually go to my parents house if its going to be bad but they are out of town this week....

Becky

bewild79, chill, there are many other things in day to day life now days that pose a far greater threat to you and your kids than tornadoes, use the technology to help you, but don't let it consume you or scare you. Enjoy the summer with your family!

Greg,
Not flipping out yet..lol.  I just have questions about things.  My hubby is also out of town so that just sucks too.  I am enjoying everyday that I have to live and making everyday as enjoyable as I can for the kids :)

I live in a third floor apartment and I have some pretty weird neighbors so there is no way I'm knocking on their door to see if I can hide out in their first floor apartment. =) So I get my dog and I into the bathtub and cover us with pillows and hope for the best.

BTW Greg,
that is easier said than done...

seems like storms are forming out over western Kansas and heading this way. Will they continue to grow and if so, will they hold across the state to KC?

http://www.spc.noaa.gov/products/md/md1164.html
mesoscale discussion out for a severe thunderstorm watch just north of kc by 9 or 10 pm.

Are MCS systems going to be a potential problem on Thursday morning? It seems we are in a favorable environment where we have these things firing nightly - if we have one roll in Thursday morning that may stabilize us for the afternoon reducing the tornadic threat.

There is a MCS forming, yup, its pretty pathetic batch of closley sct'd showers.

Becky,
  I guess if there is not much room in your basement, find a wall, a corner at best (less sides that debris can come from) and cover your kids with your body and put blankets on top of you. I would hope that you have enough room to do that!

Becky/bwild -

Once again, I agree with Roberto.  Have an area in the basement that is your tornado safe zone.  No christmas decorations, fishing gear, etc... just a spot you can get to.  A corner is best.

Becky,
Luthur has some great ideas!  I have3 the luxury of having a basement and my room is down there.  I can dive under my bed or go around into the old laundry room and get under the workbench if I needed to.  I would probably fit under the workbench easier since my bed sits kind of low. :)

Kristi

Reporting in with 1.46" of rain in southwest Lawrence.   Noticed lots of water standing in the fields near Lawrence. Sounds like going to be a very interesting weather week.

Perry

---------------

Perry,

Wow!  That was a wet thunderstorm.

Gary

Juba,
I don't see any MCS forming close by.  Yes, there is a  current mesoscale discussion off to our north and east.  However, it does NOT include KC.  

Kristi

I have heard that under the stairs IS a good place to go.  Good point though, if they are old and rickety, disregard, but if they are well built, and no closet or bathroom in the basement, they would be a good choice.

I have a bathroom, but I worry because our basement is a walk-out, with the open area facing south.  I just imagine a tornado coming from the south into the open area, and we wouldn't have a chance, even in the bathroom.

If it came from the north, we'd be good, because the bathroom is on the underground side, on the north wall.

Roberto has some excellent ideas too.  We need a place to put some frequently asked questions and tips.

Kristi

As long as the stairs are sturdy, there is no problem.

Kristi

Got an enclosed area in your basement?  You need to be on the lowest level of your home.

Kristi

I figured the basement was still the safest bet (wish I had one, haha).

I agree with both points on the technology thing.  I think I got more freaked out today than I normally would have because even though all we had was a severe thunderstorm warning because I was watching the Underground radar and seeing the tornado vortexes show up on the map.  On the other hand I (and probably many others) have experienced a tornado firsthand (was caught outdoors actually!) and I'll admit it made me develop a little bit of phobia after seeing their frightening power.  That's why I'm here, trying to learn...I figure being educated is the best thing to combat a phobia. :)

Yes it is definately something I need to go over there and look at.  My brother is still home....well he didn't go with my parents....so I just have to catch him when he is home.  I know that if a tornado is going to come, its just going to come and I just need to do my best to protect myself and my kids and pray for the best.  Hopefully that will be enough.  I really appreciate all of the imput I am getting from all of you.  Thank you so much!!

Auroramama,
You have an interior hallway, closet, or bathroom (no windows)?

Kristi

Auroramama,
I have not been caught outside in one (thank God) but I have had some VERY close calls with them touching down 1/2 mi away and having one go over top of Sonic Drive In in Riverside some years ago messing things up then touching down on N Oak.  The worst is just seeing the destruction in your neighborhood and thinking "Oh my gosh!  I am very lucky today."  They are just reality checks on what mother nature can do.

Becky,
 I just had another thought: If there is a lot of clutter in your basement, then that could turn into debris in a tornado. You might want to be pretty far away from the clutter or well covered in a torando event.

Auroroama: A bathroom would be the next safest place after a basement, as long as there are no windows.

Roberto,
Yea I have thought alot about that too, but there is so much down there, there is no way for me to do anything with it. ( especially since its not my house )  It is safer than my townhouse with no basement so I will just have to make do and get lots of stuff to cover us up.  I would go to my sisters but their basement isnt big enough for them and us.
Becky

SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WATCH OUTLINE UPDATE FOR WS 427
NWS STORM PREDICTION CENTER NORMAN OK
915 PM CDT MON JUN 2 2008

SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WATCH 427 IS IN EFFECT UNTIL 500 AM CDT
FOR THE FOLLOWING LOCATIONS

MOC001-007-041-045-061-075-079-081-103-111-113-115-117-121-127-
129-137-163-171-173-175-183-189-197-199-205-211-227-510-
031000-
/O.NEW.KWNS.SV.A.0427.080603T0215Z-080603T1000Z/

MO
.    MISSOURI COUNTIES INCLUDED ARE

ADAIR                AUDRAIN             CHARITON
CLARK                DAVIESS             GENTRY
GRUNDY               HARRISON            KNOX
LEWIS                LINCOLN             LINN
LIVINGSTON           MACON               MARION
MERCER               MONROE              PIKE
PUTNAM               RALLS               RANDOLPH
SCHUYLER             SCOTLAND            SHELBY
ST. CHARLES          ST. LOUIS           SULLIVAN
WORTH


MISSOURI INDEPENDENT CITIES INCLUDED ARE

ST. LOUIS CITY
$$


ATTN...WFO...DMX...EAX...LSX...DVN...ILX...

NEW BLOG

Speaking of clutter in the basement - when I was about ten, we had a tornado warning -  I went into panic mode and spent the entire warning hauling the contents of my upstairs closet down to the SW corner of the basement, along with all my stuffed animals. If a tornado had actually touched down, I'm sure I would have been blown away with all my stuff.

In sharp contrast, when the sirens went off, my mom decided to get in the car and get donuts. She figured the line would be short.