Two tropical systems active in the Atlantic

Again, I'm sorry for not posting in the past few days. The last week and a half has been extremely hectic and busy.

Anyway, Tropical Storm Debby is currently located in the North Central Atlantic, and poses no threat to land in the immediate future. As of 4 PM CDT, maximum sustained winds were up to 50 mph, with higher gusts. It was moving toward the WNW at 20 mph. In the coming days, Debby is expected to curve toward the north, thus avoiding all land.

Though Debby will (likely) not harm land, the newly formed Tropical Depression Five might. As of 4 PM CDT, TD 5 was located 155 miles SW of Martinque. It was moving toward the west at 22 mph. Max sustained winds were 35 mph, and the winds are expected to strengthen to tropical storm status in the immediate future. As of right now, TD 5 is not headed for any land, but rain/wind bands could affect the Windward Islands, and Trindad and Tobago.

Use the links above for the latest information direct from the National Hurricane Center and the National Weather Service.

First case of West Nile reported in Shelby County

According to a press release from the TN Department of Health, the first case of the West Nile Virus in Tennessee has been reported right here in Shelby County. According to the release, "the patient (who according to WREG's story, is over 50) is hospitalized and expected to make a full recovery." WREG says that the victim first realized something was wrong when they started having headaches and memory loss.

Here are a few reminders from the Dept. of Health on how to protect yourself from this disease:

• Use a mosquito repellent containing DEET, Picaridin or oil of lemon eucalyptus whenever outdoors. Even spending a short time outdoors can be long enough to get a mosquito bite. Follow use instructions on the product.
  
• Wearing the right clothing can help reduce mosquito bites. When possible, wear long-sleeves, long pants and socks when outdoors.
  
• Be aware of peak mosquito hours. Peak mosquito biting times are between dusk and dawn for many species of mosquitoes.
  
• Limit the number of places around your home for mosquitoes to breed by getting rid of items that collect water, including toys, bird baths, old tires, buckets and other items that might hold standing water.
  
• Make sure doors and windows are screened if you keep them open and repair any damage to screens.

Severe weather rolling through this evening

UPDATE #5: SVR just issued for Chester Co until 11 PM. I'm going to bed now. Good night, everyone.

UPDATE #4 (9:50 PM): SVR for Fayette Co is cancelled, Hardeman's warning still continues. Significant Weather Advisory was just issued for Madison Co; this storm could become severe soon. Watch this one.

UPDATE #3 (9:37 PM): Severe T'storm Watch is cancelled.

UPDATE #2 (9:32 PM): SVR just issued for Fayette and Hardeman Counties until 10:15. Also, the SPC has cleared out all of the counties in the Severe T'storm Watch except for the MEG counties (expires at 10 PM CDT). I wonder if a new watch will be issued soon? Probably not - thanks to the loss of daytime heating, we have lost a lot of the energy in these storms, so they will likely weaken. But, some redevelopment is possible. Just have to wait and see.

UPDATE (8:59 PM): LSRs issued a few minutes ago...here's what it said:

(20:51:21) iembot: 4 S Annieville [Lawrence Co, AR] fire dept/rescue reports TSTM WND DMG at 05:47 PM CDT -- trees down
(20:51:21) iembot: Bono [Craighead Co, AR] broadcast media reports TSTM WND DMG at 06:20 PM CDT -- roof damage to home and cars blown off road
(20:51:21) iembot: Jonesboro [Craighead Co, AR] law enforcement reports TSTM WND DMG at 06:50 PM CDT -- trees down along hwy 141
(20:51:22) iembot: Corning [Clay Co, AR] trained spotter reports TSTM WND GST of E65.00 MPH at 07:10 PM CDT -- estimated wind gusts 65 to 70 mph
(20:51:22) iembot: Trumann [Poinsett Co, AR] law enforcement reports HAIL of penny size (E0.75 INCH) at 07:36 PM CDT --
(20:51:22) iembot: Harrisburg [Poinsett Co, AR] law enforcement reports TSTM WND DMG at 07:58 PM CDT -- trees down on hwy 163
(20:51:22) iembot: Joiner [Mississippi Co, AR] fire dept/rescue reports TSTM WND GST of E60.00 MPH at 08:00 PM CDT --
(20:51:22) iembot: Harrisburg [Poinsett Co, AR] law enforcement reports TSTM WND DMG at 08:00 PM CDT -- powerlines down on rayburn road
(20:51:22) iembot: Keiser [Mississippi Co, AR] nws employee reports TSTM WND GST of E60.00 MPH at 08:10 PM CDT --

ORIGINAL POST (7:59 PM): Lots to talk about, so little time...

There is a Severe Thunderstorm Watch in effect for the MEG counties of Dyer, Lake, Obion, Dunklin, Pemiscot, Greene, Mississippi, Craighead, Poinsett, Clay, Randolph, and Lawrence until 10 PM CDT.

Additionally, there are Severe Thunderstorm Warnings in effect for Mississippi Co. (until 8:30 PM), Greene and Clay Co. (8:15 PM), Dunklin (8:15 PM), and Pemiscot (8:45 PM). Refer to local media or the NWS website for the latest.

Stay with us for the latest.

Working on major changes for blog!

Howdy everyone...sorry I haven't posted recently.

This morning, as I lay in bed, I got a brilliant idea to incorporate live weather data into this blog. So, 12 hours later, after spending about 10 at the computer, I have a little work to show for it.

Some people around here may have heard of HamWeather, a great thing for websites to add for weather info. Plus, it's ABSOLUTELY FREE!!!!!!!!! I have been working on this, and hope to have it up and running before the end of the coming week.

You can see my work so far by clicking here. Do remember, however, that this software is in the alpha stages, so a lot of it doesn't work (especially the images). If you know of any obvious bugs, please post about it here.

Heat Advisory in effect today and Monday

The NWS has issued yet another Heat Advisory for all of North MS, Shelby County, and the following counties in AR: Crittenden, Cross, St. Francis, Lee, and Phillips. This advisory is in effect until 7 PM Monday.

Additionally, a Code Orange ozone air forecast is in effect today. This means that "active children and adults, and people with lung disease, such as asthma, should reduce prolonged or heavy exertion outdoors." (Airnow.gov)

Please take many water breaks if you have to be outside and stay cool if you are indoors. Refer to previous posts about what to do during a heat wave.

Tropical Storm Chris poses a threat

I have been watching this system for a while (at least 5 days). I have seen the NHC say that it was possible that it could form, then say that it was unlikely to form, and then watch them declare it a tropical depression. All along, I secretely thought that this may become something big. And, it is slowly becoming that way. At 5 PM AST, the NHC put out an advisory saying that Chris had maximum sustained winds of 45 mph. Five minutes later, they put out an update saying that based on recon data, "the maximum sustained winds in Chris have increased to near 60 mph" and that a special advisory reflecting these changes would be released. Keep an eye out for this storm.