Heat Continues for the East and South-Central U.S.; Strong to Severe Storms Across the Mid-Atlantic and Northeast

The extremely dangerous heat wave continues across the East Coast and much of the South-Central U.S. today. Record high temperatures are expected for some areas especially across the Mid-Atlantic where extreme heat risk conditions reside. There is a Slight Risk (level 2 of 5) of severe thunderstorms today for the northern Mid-Atlantic into portions of southern New England. Read More >

Overview

A storm developed near La Junta shortly after 6 PM. At 6:06 PM, a tornado warning was issued for this storm as it was developing northwest of La Junta near Swink. Wind speeds over 60 mph were clocked at the La Junta Airport, north of town, as the storm intensified. As it approached Cheraw, rotation was clearly evident by the hook shaped echo in the reflectivity image below. Rotation was quite strong in the velocity image (lower image), as bright green colors, signifying strong wind flow towards the radar, were immediately adjacent to the bright red colors, indicating strong winds flowing away from the radar.

Trained spotters reported a tornado touched down at 7:21PM MDT several miles northeast of Eads. Further investigation revealed minor damage from County Road W to County Road 50. An old power pole was snapped off at the base on County Road W. The tornado propagated north-northeast, twisting and overturning a center pivot irrigation system. The tornado then crossed Country Road 50, ripping tree limbs from trees.

Radar Reflectivity Volume Scan of the Storm near La Junta, CO.


HP Supercell Associated with the Tornado	Funnel Cloud That Later Spawned the Tornado

Radar

Radar:

Header


Radar Velocity Volume Scan of the Event	Radar Reflectivity Volume Scan of the Event

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Heat Continues for the East and South-Central U.S.; Strong to Severe Storms Across the Mid-Atlantic and Northeast

Kiowa County EF0 Tornado May 18th 2010