National Weather Service United States Department of Commerce

Storm Systems to Impact the Central and Eastern U.S. Through the Weekend

Two storm systems will track through the central and eastern U.S. today through this weekend with areas of gusty winds, rain and heavy snow. Severe thunderstorms and heavy to excessive rainfall is forecast today from the Lower Mississippi River Valley to the Tennessee Valley. Damaging winds, a few tornadoes, and areas of flooding are possible. Read More >

Below are some very rare lake effect Waterspouts. Chris Westcott took these pictures in the vicinity of Lower Brule. The waterspouts are formed from the instability that is created when the air that is associated with the relatively warm open waters of the Missour River interact with the extremely cold air located just above the surface. These type of waterspouts have a very short lifespan and generally dissipate just as quick as they form. Chris said that at one time there were 6 of them.

Wintertime Waterspout