4Warn Weather BLOG

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Recently by Matt Chambers


October Gone... But Not Forgotten

8:23 AM Mon, Nov 02, 2009 |

This blog entry is a two-parter.

First, I'll give you a final October report card. We'll see what sorts of records were broken, and then, in part 2, we'll deal with the lingering effects of all that October rain... river flooding!

Part 1. Don't let the door hit you on your way out, October!

12.38 inches. That's the grand total for October of 2009, 12.38 inches! This number is significant for a few r...



Rewriting Some Records...

7:16 AM Wed, Oct 14, 2009 |

Meteorologists keep detailed statistics on just about every weather-related variable you can imagine. On that note, I wanted to draw your attention to a couple of record or near-record numbers that we've experienced recently or will see soon.

First, Tuesday, October 13, 2009, turned out to be the wettest October 13 on record for St. Louis. We recorded 0.80 inches of rain Tuesday, breaking the old record for that date of 0.79 inches s...



More Than Six Inches of Rain Last Week!!!

5:46 AM Mon, Oct 12, 2009 |

Several waves of rain marched across Missouri and Illinois from October 7th through the 10th, and the rain totals tell the tale...

Rain_Totals_10-12-09.png
Courtesy of the National Weather Service<...



'Tis The Season... For Seasonal Allergies

8:20 AM Tue, Aug 25, 2009 |

Check out this morning's edition of "Mornin' Matt" here on KMOV.com. It's a daily web video feature that we shoot somewhere in or around KMOV, usually at about 8:15 AM. It's normally posted to our website sometime in the mid- to late-morning hours.

Today, we talked about seasonal allergies. Have you been dealing with watery eyes, a runny nose, sneezing, or even a scratchy throat? If so, and you think it might be related to seasonal...



Wet & Cool 4th -- Did We Set Any Records?

3:33 AM Mon, Jul 06, 2009 |

With a high temperature of only 77 degrees, and an official rainfall total of 1.78", July 4th of 2009 goes into the books as the 10th coolest Independence Day in recorded St. Louis history, and the 2nd wettest too! Reliable records date back to the mid 1870s, by the way.

St. Louis received a little additional rainfall on Sunday as well, bringing the total for the holiday weekend to 1.86". Some areas to the west and south were quite a...



Storm Damage A Result of Downbursts AND Tornadoes

3:23 AM Fri, May 15, 2009 |

The local National Weather Service office is still reviewing the damage produced by the severe squall line that rumbled through our area Tuesday night and Wednesday morning.

Preliminary results of their damage surveys have revealed that it was actually a combination of downburst winds and brief tornadoes that caused extensive damage in Bismarck, MO (St. Francois County) and Gillespie, IL (Maco...



It's Gonna' Do WHAT On Opening Day?!?

10:24 AM Fri, Apr 03, 2009 |

From warmer weather Saturday, to scattered showers and storms Sunday, to the chance of... well, you know what... on opening day for the Cardinals, our local weather will take some wild twists and turns over the next four days.

Check out Friday morning's edition of "Mornin' Matt" for an update on the forecast through Monday. It looks like t...



Snow Totals From the Weekend

5:53 AM Mon, Mar 30, 2009 |

St. Louis tied a 108-year-old record over the weekend when we received 2.0 inches of snow early Sunday morning. That ties the previous record for March 29 snowfall set in 1901!

Total snow accumulations varied around the St. Louis metropolitan area from less than an inch in Festus, to 2.5 inches in Belleville, to more than 3 inches in Valley Park.

Bowling Green, MO, takes the gold star this time with 4.5 inches in central Pike ...



Storms & Wind - Must Be Spring!

9:00 AM Tue, Mar 24, 2009 |

We're less than a full week into Spring, but a whopper of an early spring storm has fully developed across the middle of the country. Take a look by clicking here.

Ahead of this storm, winds could gust into the 40-50 mile-per-hour range. A wind advisory is in effect today until 7 PM. It's time to make sure the patio furniture, the grill, and the trash can are a...



How To Forecast The Weather (in 857 easy steps)

9:12 AM Wed, Feb 25, 2009 |

Hi everybody! Matt Chambers here in the 4Warn Storm Center on Wednesday morning, February 25th, 2009.

As part of my daily duties here at News4, I record a video segment every weekday morning for KMOV.com called "Mornin' Matt". Basically, it gives me a chance to goof off and have some fun, and to cover interesting topics that we can't always get to on our morning newscast, News4 Thi...



Two Rounds Of Rain On The Way

6:32 AM Mon, Feb 09, 2009 |

We're closely watching a storm system to our west that is gaining strength and heading this way. Because of this storm's large size, we're expecting two rounds of wet weather as it moves across the Midwest. Round 1 will arrive this (Monday) afternoon, with a heavier round 2 late Tuesday night into Wednesday.

Let's take this day by day...

Today
Warm and gusty winds out of the south will push temperatures...



Need a good laugh?

8:28 AM Fri, Jan 30, 2009 |

Warmer weather is on the way just in time for the weekend. As things finally settle down after a very busy week here in the 4Warn Storm Center, I figured we might have a little fun.

One of my fellow morning warriors here on KMOV's News4 This Morning crew sent this to me. I thought some of you might enjoy it as well.

Have a great weekend, and enjoy these children's science exam answers...

-4Warn Meteorologist Matt Cham...



Accumulating Snow & Sleet On The Way

8:33 AM Mon, Jan 26, 2009 |

The St. Louis area is abuzz over what will almost certainly be our most significant winter storm of the season so far. We're closely monitoring a storm system as it develops to our southwest. So, how will this play out in your area?

Let's look at this in stages...

*This Afternoon
Cloudy skies and cool weather will dominate, but most of us will still be waiting for the snow through the afternoon. Expect...



Arctic Blast On The Way

9:16 AM Mon, Jan 12, 2009 |

Two fronts will slide across Missouri and Illinois this week, and that means two separate shots of very cold Canadian air. The second front will usher in the coldest air of the season so far, possibly the coldest air in several years.

Front #1 arrives Monday evening. It looks like it will be blowing through between 7:00 PM and Midnight. Temperatures will climb into the 40s ahead of the front, but highs behind the front will only be ...



If Dan Rather Had To Give This Forecast...

10:06 AM Thu, Jan 08, 2009 |

He'd say something like "This seven-day forecast has more twists and turns that the Tilt-A-Whirl at the State Fair!"

The progressive weather pattern setting up across the United States will throw some fast-paced ups and downs in our direction over the next seven days. The rapid changes can be hard to keep up with, so let's break down the week ahead...

Today (Thursday)
Cool weather continues, but at least...



A Year To Remember (Or To Forget)

12:37 PM Wed, Dec 31, 2008 |

I can't recall a year that brought such an amazing array of dazzling but dangerous weather to Missouri and Illinois. 2008 will go down in the books as a year of wild, wet, and tumultuous weather in and around St. Louis.

The year was bookended by severe thunderstorms, getting off to an early start with a round of hail, wind damage, and a couple of tornadoes on January 7th. At the other end of the calendar, flash flooding and severe we...



Severe Saturday -- At Least One Tornado Touches Down!

7:04 AM Mon, Dec 29, 2008 |

Needless to say, the week between Christmas and New Year's Day is not historically known for severe thunderstorms and tornadoes... snow and ice, maybe, but not thunderstorms. Well, history-shmistory! Residents of eastern Missouri and western Illinois will remember the end of 2008 as stormy, not snowy. Strong thunderstorms producing hail, damaging winds, and even tornadoes marched across the Mississippi River valley Saturday, December 27. W...



What are those bright lights in the sky?

10:16 AM Fri, Dec 05, 2008 |

Attention skywatchers!

I've fielded a few phone calls and e-mails this week asking about a couple of bright "stars" in the early evening sky. If you haven't noticed them, head outside about an hour after sunset this evening (sunset time is 4:40 PM today) and look to the southwest.

Venus_Jupiter.jpg >> Continue reading: What are those bright lights in the sky?



Winter Weather Awareness Day

3:19 AM Wed, Nov 19, 2008 |

Ready or not, winter is on the way!

Today has been designated Winter Weather Awareness Day in Missouri by a long list of state and federal agencies, including the National Weather Service, the Missouri State Emergency Management Agency, the Department of Health and Senior Services, the Winter Weather Awareness Day



Halloween History -- How's the Weather?

9:13 AM Tue, Oct 28, 2008 |

Think back to your own trick-or-treating days, or back to the days when you pounded the pavement alongside your little ones, begging for candy. Now, think about the weather through the years on those late October evenings. Chances are, your Halloween memories are probably riddled with thoughts of gusty winds, wet weather, and chilly temperatures.

Contrary to what your memory might tell you, we do manage to squeeze in a nice Halloween...



Fall Colors and our First Frost

9:27 AM Tue, Sep 30, 2008 |

Fall officially began more than a week ago, but for the first time this this season, we're actually starting to feel that transition out of summer and into Autumn!

Matt here in the 4Warn Storm Center, and I am ecstatic to finally see a more typical Fall weather pattern setting up, at least for a few days, across much of the Midwest. After 13 straight days of high temperatures in the 70s and 80s, and only two days so far this month wit...



Don't Like Ike!

6:09 AM Mon, Sep 15, 2008 |

The remnants of Hurricane Ike went on a wet rampage as they rolled through our area Sunday morning. The storm, at that point a tropical depression, brought heavy rain and gusty winds to a wide swath of real estate. Flash flooding was a major problem.

Now, with Ike out of our hair, and with dry weather on the way for at least the next five days, our attention in the 4Warn Storm Center turns to river flooding. Water from Sunday's heav...



Severe Storms Leave Trail of Damage

8:35 AM Fri, Aug 29, 2008 |

Strong thunderstorms rumbled through Missouri Thursday evening, weakening as they pressed into Illinois and southern Missouri. Given the tranquil weather we've enjoyed for most of this August, it had been quite some time since damaging storms impacted our area.

The trouble began a little after 7:30 PM Thursday when a funnel cloud was reported by law enforcement in Montgomery City, MO, west of the St. Louis metropolitan area. Just min...



August -- 2007 vs. 2008

9:50 AM Fri, Aug 15, 2008 |

It's the middle of August, and in a typical year, we would be busy in the 4Warn Storm Center calculating the heat index and keeping up with the latest heat advisories. But, this year has been anything but typical.

An unusual weather pattern over the mid-section of the country has kept the worst of the heat and humidity to our west and south so far this August, keeping us on the cool side of the averages for this time of year. Since t...



Longest Dry Stretch of the Year?!?

9:01 AM Mon, Jul 14, 2008 |

July is known for its hot and humid days in the St. Louis area. It's unusual to see a cold front push this far southward during the mid-summer... unusual, but not unheard of.

It actually happened over the weekend. A few strong to severe thunderstorms developed ahead of a front Friday and Saturday, but then, bucking the usual summer trend, a cold front passed through our entire viewing area, leaving cooler and less humid air in its wa...



Light at the End of this Flooded Tunnel

9:33 AM Tue, Jul 01, 2008 |

Could it be? Might we finally be nearing the end of the Great Flood of '08?

As of the time of this post (Tuesday morning, July 1), the Mississippi River level is falling from Louisiana downstream to Alton. The level in St. Louis is holding steady, with a slow drop expected in the coming days. We'll have to wait until this evening (and into Wednesday) to finally see a crest in Chester.

What about flooding off the Mississippi?...



Major Flooding Continues, But Focus Is Changing

8:13 AM Tue, Jun 24, 2008 |

Now that the Mississippi River is cresting (or nearly cresting) in our area, our focus in the 4Warn Storm Center is changing. You'll hear less and less now about crest times and heights, and more about the duration of the crest.

Unfortunately, in a major river flooding event like this one, water levels don't typically drop quickly after cresting. Many locations up and down the Mississippi River will spend two or thre...



Worse than 1993?!?

9:08 AM Tue, Jun 17, 2008 |

***UPDATED THURSDAY, JUNE 19***

Can that possibly be?

Indeed, the latest river level forecasts indicate that this episode of flooding on the Mississippi River may actually approach (if not surpass) those record levels set in the Great Flood of 1993, at least upstream from Grafton (north of St. Louis).

To keep this as simple as possible, let's start north and work our way south.

Louisiana...



River Flooding Update

9:36 AM Thu, Jun 12, 2008 |

Is there a state in the Union that isn't dealing with some sort of wild weather? The national news has certainly been painting an ugly picture recently -- wild fires in the west, extreme heat in the east, and of course, strong thunderstorms and flooding in the nation's midsection.

This river flooding issue is a complicated one, mainly because different local rivers will be impacted in dramatically different ways. For example, while m...



Feeling the Heat -- New Heat Advisory & Heat Warning Criteria

10:13 AM Wed, May 21, 2008 |

Severe thunderstorm warnings, flash flood watches, wind advisories...

Anytime the National Weather Service issues a watch, warning, or advisory, they do so becuase certain pre-determined criteria have been met, or will be met soon.

For example, consider a severe thunderstorm warning. Meteorologists at the National Weather Service don't just see a strong storm on radar and decide to issue a warning. It's much more complicated ...



Time for a May Report Card

9:00 AM Fri, May 16, 2008 |

Unless you've been living under a rock since the start of the year, you know that our weather has been unusually wet of late. If you have been living under a rock, you've probably been flooded out of your home more than once over the last three months.

Nevertheless, the statistics are remarkable...


Mamma Mia -- What a Mother's Day Weekend!

9:39 AM Mon, May 12, 2008 |

Mother's Day of 2008 won't exactly be remembered for its picnic-prime weather in the St. Louis area. From severe thunderstorms Saturday evening to remarkable winds Sunday, the weekend weather was just plain ugly -- sorry Mom!

Saturday started with some promise. Sunshine was breaking through the clouds, and temperatures were fairly mild, but by mid-afternoon, rain and thunderstorms had moved into eastern Missouri and western Illinois....



Air Conditioner or Furnace? From 80s to Frost!

9:02 AM Mon, Apr 28, 2008 |

That's the debate in the Chambers household these days, and I doubt we're the only ones!

Let's do a quick review of our recent rollercoaster ride. High temperatures averaged 78 degrees from Monday through Friday of last week. Factored into that number were our first two 80-degree-plus days of the year (Wednesday, April 23 at 81 and Friday, April 25 at 80). A cold front swept across the bi-state area Friday, bringing a round of stron...



Spotting A Different Kind of Mercury

9:01 AM Wed, Apr 23, 2008 |

No, not the silver-colored goo in thermometers... the planet!

Mercury, named for the swift-footed messenger of the Roman gods, is the planet closest to the Sun. It also happens to be the fastest-moving planet in our solar system, averaging about 30 miles per second as it makes its orbit around the Sun.

Of the five planest that can be seen with the naked eye, Mercury is typically considered to be the most diffi...



March Madness, Weather-style... A Soggy Record

7:17 AM Tue, Apr 01, 2008 |

When the sun came up on the last day of March, we were sitting at spot #7 on the list of wettest Marches in recorded St. Louis history. But, with more rain in the forecast, and with less than an inch between our monthly rain total and the all-time March record, it was clear that we had a shot at rewriting the record books.

Sure enough, with Monday's total of 1.22 inches at Lambert International Airport, March of 2008 became the wettes...



Great Weather, Terrible Flooding

7:07 AM Thu, Mar 20, 2008 |

Spring officially began at 12:48 this (Thursday) morning, and the good news is that the first few days of the new season look fairly tranquil.

That good news has been vastly overshadowed by the moderate to major river flooding that is occuring across much ot the southern half of our viewing area. Let's consider those areas where moderate to major flooding is either occurring now or will be within 24 hours.

Moderate Flo...



Severe Weather Awareness Week

9:06 AM Tue, Mar 11, 2008 |

Tornado sirens will sound across Missouri today as part of the National Weather Service's 2008 Severe Weather Awareness Week. Here is your chance to put your severe weather action plan into practice. A statewide tornado drill is scheduled for this afternoon at 1:30 PM.

Sirens all around the Show Me State will blare, weather radios will be triggered, and equipment in the 4Warn Storm Center will light up as a test tornado warning is is...



The Great "Daylight Saving Time" Debate

7:12 AM Mon, Mar 10, 2008 |

They say that a house divided cannot stand, but in the Chambers household, we've managed to prove that theory wrong a time or two.

My wife and I look at the longer daylight hours of spring and summer in very different ways.

We both work odd, and often long, hours. But, those hours don't typically match. My alarm goes off at 1:00 AM each weekday morning. As a result, if I'm behaving myself, I'm heading to bed sometime between...



Another Round of Snow Friday!

7:21 AM Thu, Mar 06, 2008 |

After Tuesday's 10" snow dump at Lambert International Airport, I was hoping for at least a bit of a break from the active winter weather pattern...

But it just wasn't meant to be.

By the time you woke up this morning (Thursday morning), a winter storm watch had already been posted for Reynolds and Iron counties in Missouri. Those are the two southern-most counties in the News4 viewing area, and home to the towns of Centervill...



Saturday Night/Sunday Morning Snow Totals

8:38 AM Mon, Feb 25, 2008 |

Predicting the future is no easy task but, let's face it, that's basically the duty of a meteorologist. When we create our forecasts, we do so with the understanding that a small change in the short-term weather could result in larger misses down the road in our extended forecast. We saw evidence of that over the weekend.

If you were watching our forecasts late last week to get a sense for your weekend weather, you probably noticed t...



Another Chance to View Tonight's Eclipse

7:39 AM Wed, Feb 20, 2008 |

I intended to blog this morning about tonight's total lunar eclipse, but hard-working Kristen Cornett beat me to the punch. Her posting from Tuesday does a great job of breaking down the astronomical event, so check out her entry just below this one.

I do have one addition to make. Kristen's blog entry mentions tonight's events at the McDonnell Planetarium in Forest Park, but we've been made aware of another eclipse-related event. A...



Illinois Damage Attributed to Straight-Line Winds

7:22 AM Thu, Feb 07, 2008 |

February 5th of 2008 will be remembered as a dark day in weather history across middle-America and the South. The death toll from an outbreak of strong tornadoes is already in the mid 50s, and may continue to rise in the coming days.

This is a map from the Storm Prediction Center (SPC) showing reports of severe weather across the country from Tuesday, February 5.
Feb_5_08_Storm_Reports >> Continue reading: Illinois Damage Attributed to Straight-Line Winds



Freakishly Warm, But Will We Pay the Price?

9:00 AM Mon, Jan 07, 2008 |

What a weekend! We didn't just break the record high temperature Sunday -- we obliterated it!

Sunday afternoon's high temperature of 73 degrees far surpassed the previous record of 67! That benchmark temperature had been in place since 1907. In other words, on Sunday, we shattered a record high that had stood for over one hundred years!

Garnering less attention, but still just as impressive, is the fact that we also set a "r...



Where Does 2007 Rank in St. Louis Weather History?

9:04 AM Thu, Jan 03, 2008 |

From a January ice storm, to oppresive August heat, to a big December snow, 2007 was literally a year of ups and downs! Now that the year is over, our friends at the National Weather Service office in Weldon Spring have done some number crunching. When all the numbers are tallied, 2007 comes in as relatively warm and dry.

Official temperature and precipitation records run all the way back to 1870 in St. Louis, and 2007 is tie...



What a Weekend for a Weather Guy!!!

6:19 AM Wed, Dec 26, 2007 |

I hope you all had a wonderful Christmas Holiday!

I've been out of the storm center since Thursday of last week, fortunate enough to have some time off around Christmas. So, my family and I did the same thing that many of you did. We hit the road, headed for our native territory of northwest Missouri -- St. Joseph, MO, to be exact.

Of course, it was wonderful to be in the midst of family and friends for the Holiday, but the t...



What a Weekend -- A Look at the Final Snow Numbers

8:03 AM Mon, Dec 17, 2007 |

Two waves of wintery weather rolled through the bi-state area over the weekend. Round one arrived early Saturday morning, December 15, bringing a mix of rain, freezing rain, sleet, and snow. The second round developed to our west and southwest Saturday afternoon, intensifying as it moved into the St. Louis metropolitan area.

Thundersnow (a snow storm producing lightning and thunder) was reported for a brief time in p...



FIRST ACCUMULATING SNOW OF THE SEASON ON THE WAY!!!!! (maybe)

9:16 AM Thu, Dec 13, 2007 |

How's that for wishy-washy?

Forecasting the weather in and around St. Louis at any time of the year is difficult at best, but there is no more challenging time than late fall and winter. The last few days have been evidence enough of that, as merely a few miles meant the difference between freezing rain and rain, between losing power and keeping the lights on, between icy roads and wet roads.

Now comes our next challenge -- Sa...



Snow and Ice Totals - "Who got what???"

7:49 AM Fri, Dec 07, 2007 |

They say there are three things that really count in the real estate business...

Location, location, location.

The same is true in the world of weather, and Thursday's winter-style storm system is proof of that. The line is fairly sharp between those who woke up Friday morning to snow on the ground and those that were left with more of a sleet/snow/freezing rain mix accumulation. That line basically runs from Columbia, MO to ...



Accumulating Snow on the Way!

8:58 AM Thu, Dec 06, 2007 |

Much of our area is now (or soon will be) under either a snow advisory or a winter weather advisory. Check out the main page of KMOV.com, and take a look at the weather alert text scrolling near the top of the page. This will tell you if your area is included in either of these advisories.

So, when does the wintery weather arrive, and is accumulating snow or ice really going to be a problem?

...



Wednesday Weather Update

7:17 AM Wed, Nov 21, 2007 |

A day of big change across the Midwest, and the 4Warn forecast appears right on track. Kent's blog below still holds true.

After such beautiful weather yesterday, today is a complete 180-degree turnaround. Temperatures drop, and occasional showers and thunderstorms roll through our area.

It still appears as though there is a brief window of time late tonight and early Thursday when lingering rain could mix with and change to ...



Wacky Winter Stats on Winter Weather Awareness Day

9:19 AM Wed, Nov 14, 2007 |

If you've been living in a state of denial, trying to convince yourself that winter just won't come this year, then you probably shouldn't read on...

Today is Winter Weather Awareness Day, a day set aside each year by the National Weather Service to raise public awareness about the coming winter storm season. That's right -- it will be here before you know it!

The newest member of the 4Warn Storm Team, >> Continue reading: Wacky Winter Stats on Winter Weather Awareness Day



Cold but Colorful

9:11 AM Tue, Nov 06, 2007 |

Think back to last April...

Eckert's Peaches Hit Hard by Late Freeze

A late season freeze had those with agricultural interests sweating in the cold. A powerful cold front sent temperatures plunging from a high of 83 on April 2nd to a high of only 36 on April 6th. Overnight readings dropped into the lower 20s.

Beli...



UPDATE to Steve's "Fire Watch" Entry Below

9:01 AM Tue, Nov 06, 2007 |

Just a quick update to Steve's blog entry from yesterday...

The "fire weather watch" that was in effect for the southern tip of our viewing area has been upgraded to a "red flag warning", set to expire at 5:00 PM. The combination of gusty winds, low relative humidity, and dry vegetation is creating explosive fire growth potential.

While only St. Francois, Ste. Genevieve, Madison, and Perry counties (all in Mis...



Wind Chill?!? Are you kidding me?

8:23 AM Tue, Oct 23, 2007 |

This morning's low temperatures were not the coolest of the season so far, but factor in a stiff breeze out of the north, and what do you get? The coolest-feeling morning of the season so far.

Huh?

This morning's low temperature of 47 degrees at Lambert International Airport was the 4th coolest since the start of September (the unofficial start to autumn). Here are the top 3...

October 11: 4...



Falling Back Into Fall

9:55 AM Mon, Oct 22, 2007 |

Have you seen our 5-day forecast lately?

Here is a rough draft of a graphic that I'm working on for today's edition of News4 at Noon.
5day_10_22_07

That's quite a change from this past weekend's weather. Saturday, we hit 83 degrees, and warm south winds pushed the mercury to 84 Sunday afternoon.

The unusuall...



Two Days of Active Weather

9:32 AM Fri, Oct 19, 2007 |

October is not exactly synonomous with severe weather in Missouri and Illinois, but strong storms can and do happen in the fall. The last two days serve as evidence of that.

Here is a map from the Storm Prediction Center showing reports of severe weather (large hail, strong winds, and possible tornadoes) from Wednesday, October 17.
Wed_Storm_Reps >> Continue reading: Two Days of Active Weather



Short but Sweet -- Fall Preview Has Come and Gone, Now SUMMER Returns!

9:09 AM Mon, Sep 17, 2007 |

What an incredible weekend! Let's review some of the stats...

Saturday
Low: 45
High: 65

Sunday
Low: 57
High: 71

There hasn't been a high temperature in St. Louis cooler than Saturday's 65 since April 19th of this year, when we hit a high of only 62. In other words, it had been about five months since we'd seen temperatures as cool as those of the p...



Is Summer Gone For Good?!?

9:35 AM Tue, Sep 11, 2007 |

We're more than 10 days away from the official end of summer. Despite what the seasonal calendar might tell us, this week's parade of cold fronts, marching across our area, has many wondering if the hot and humid days of summer are a thing of the past.

As a huge fan of the Autumn season in Missouri and Illinois, I, like many of you no doubt, would love to think that the sweaty and oppressive days of summer are behind us. But, let's n...



Feast or Famine -- Rainfall Totals

6:50 AM Mon, Sep 10, 2007 |

We managed to take a big bite out of our rainfall deficit last week, and even into the weekend. After several days of rain and occasional thunderstorms across our area, green has returned to many local lawns. Unfortunately, for those with agricultural interests, this rain came a bit too late to do much good for certain crops still in the ground.

The multiple days of on-and-off rain, heavy at times, resulted in some impressive rainfal...



Action in the Tropics

10:41 AM Fri, Aug 31, 2007 |

As far as the United States is concerned, this has been a fairly quiet hurricane season... so far. However, it may come as a surprise to you that September is actually the peak of the Atlantic hurricane season.

While we're certainly not in the clear just yet, only one hurricane (Dean) has formed in the Atlantic this year, in addition to four tropical storms. Meanwhile, in the Pacific Ocean, there have been e...



Clouds Make or Break Today's Forecast

10:43 AM Thu, Aug 30, 2007 |

Want to be a meteorologist? You might change your mind once you realize what's involved in the process. If you want to earn a college degree in meteorology, or, as some universities call it, atmospheric science, get ready to devote a great deal of your college life to the study study of math. We take courses that range from simple statistics, algebra, and trigonometry to much more complex topics like calculus, differential equations, and ma...



Excessive Heat Warning, Excessive Heat Watch, Heat Advisory... Are You Confused Yet?!?

11:03 AM Fri, Aug 10, 2007 |

Hi everybody -- Matt here in the 4Warn Weather Center.

This past week has easily been the hottest of 2007 so far. There were even two triple-digit days (Tuesday and Wednesday), our first 100 degree days of the year. We spent much of the week under an excessive heat warning, which the National Weather Service issues when it appears as though the heat index will reach at least 105 for at least three consecutive days. >> Continue reading: Excessive Heat Warning, Excessive Heat Watch, Heat Advisory... Are You Confused Yet?!?



One Anniversary We Wouldn't Mind Forgetting

1:09 PM Wed, Jul 18, 2007 |

On July 19 of 2006, after a hot and humid afternoon with highs near 100, a cluster of thunderstorms tore a path through the St. Louis metropolitan area, leaving in its wake incredible wind damage and hundreds of thousands of residential electricity customers in the dark. Based on the damage left behind, and data from sensors across the region, wind speeds in the metro likely ranged between 70 and 80 miles per hour, with some spots in Illinois...



4th of July Forecast

8:45 AM Tue, Jul 03, 2007 |

Hi everyone -- Matt here in the 4Warn Weather Center...

Is it just me, or is the local forecast for the 4th of July always bascially the same? Year in and year out, it seems as though the Independence Day outlook calls for humid weather with a chance of showers and thunderstorms.

As one who doesn't often break with tradition, I'm calling for humid weather with a chance of showers and thunderstorms. Original,...



What in the World is a Solstice?!?

8:59 AM Thu, Jun 21, 2007 |

Hi everybody -- Matt here in the 4Warn Weather Center, counting down the last few hours of Spring. In fact, by the time many of you read this, summer will have already arrived.

The summer solstice occurs today (June 21, 2007) at precisely 1:06 PM local time. First of all, what is a solstice, and secondly, how could we possibly know that it occurs at such a specific time?

The word solstice has Latin o...



Alright Skywatchers... Listen (& Look) Up!

9:27 AM Mon, Jun 04, 2007 |

What an age in which we live! Not only do we have a man-made marvel of scientific ingenuity in orbit right now around our home planet, but we also have the ability to accurately predict when that home-spun "satellite" will be visible in our local sky!

iss.jpg
Photo courtesy NASA.gov

The International Spa...



Weekend Sky Show

7:51 AM Mon, May 21, 2007 |

The beautiful weekend weather brought a lot of bi-state residents outside to enjoy the comfortble conditions. If you were out and about after sunset, you might have notcied something interesting, and a bit unusual, in the sky.

When the two brightest objects in the night sky move close to one another, it's tough to miss. A few of our viewers not only noticed, but took the time to snap a few pictures and send them our way.

This...



River Flooding Update

8:39 AM Mon, May 07, 2007 |

***UPDATED WEDNESDAY, MAY 9, 2007***

While we were enjoying a pleasant weekend here, heavy rain, strong thunderstorms, and even deadly tornadoes were marching across parts of the Midwest -- Texas, Oklahoma, Kansas, and Nebraska were hardest hit. Take a look at these severe weather reports... just from Saturday alone!

Storm_reps_050507 >> Continue reading: River Flooding Update



Severe Storms This Week?!?

11:25 AM Mon, Apr 23, 2007 |

Matt here in the weather center,

On a quiet weather day, I usually leave my house between 2:30 and 3:00 AM to head for the studio and prepare for News4This Morning. On my way out, before I hit the road, I'll often pause for a few seconds on my driveway looking skyward and "feeling" the early morning weather.

This morning (Monday, April 23), during my typical driveway ritual, I heard a sound that I've not experienced for quite ...



Weekend Meteor Shower

10:38 AM Fri, Apr 20, 2007 |

Hi weather fans! Matt here in the weather center...

My typical work schedule allows me the luxury of "sleeping in" most weekends. Of course, waking up at 5:00 AM would be sleeping in for me! But, I digress. I'll be looking skyward in the pre-dawn hours this weekend -- not for the typical reasons that might come to mind.

Each year in April, the Earth passes through the debris-filled tail of Comet Thatcher. As bits...



So What's Bothering Matt Now?

9:35 AM Wed, Mar 28, 2007 |

Hi everybody. Matt here in the weather center...

My wife will tell you, I'm a chronic worrier. I'm on of those people that just doesn't feel comfortable unless I have something to worry about. If I'm not worried about something, I must be getting lazy, or forgetting something about which I should be worried. That probably explains why I'm always carrying around a to-do list, along with my Pocket PC -- I've got to have my calendar w...



Today's Severe Weather Outlook

9:15 AM Wed, Mar 14, 2007 |

Hi everyone. Matt here in the weather center.

I'll be spending a lot of time today trying to figure out when and where thunderstorms might develop in our area over the next 24 hours. I just received an updated forecast from the Storm Prediction Center (they are responsible for issuing thunderstorm and tornado watches across the country)...

ConvDay1.gif >> Continue reading: Today's Severe Weather Outlook



Tornado Sirens Sounding Today

6:23 AM Tue, Mar 06, 2007 |

siren.jpg

This is "Severe Weather Awareness Week" in Illinois. Not to worry Missouri, your turn comes next week.

As part of the preparations for the Spring severe weather season, Illinois holds its statewide tornado drill today at 10:00 AM. Outdoor sirens will sound in many Illinois communities.

THIS IS ONLY ...



Viewer Photos from Weekend Eclipse

8:41 AM Mon, Mar 05, 2007 |

Hi everybody -- Matt here in the weather center...

Steve's blog entry below offers details on the total lunar eclipse that we experienced here over the weekend. There was some concern that the clouds may not clear in time for a good viewing.

But, photos sent in by some of our viewers show that the clouds cleared just in time to snap a few good shots. Here are some samples...

Douglass_Eclipse_1 >> Continue reading: Viewer Photos from Weekend Eclipse



It's Been a Long Time...

9:44 AM Thu, Feb 22, 2007 |

Hi everyone... Matt here in the weather center Thursday morning preparing for today's Noon newscast.

It's been a long time since we've had to think about severe thunderstorms, but spring (which is our peak season for strong thunder-boomers) begins in less than a month! In fact, now might be a good time to brush up on your severe weather safety plans at home, school, work, and everywhere inbetween.

Here's why...

>> Continue reading: It's Been a Long Time...



Snowfall Totals

8:09 AM Wed, Feb 14, 2007 |

Happy Valentine's Day!!!

Warm hearts -- cold air... that's today's forecast in a nutshell. Afternoon temperatures will struggle to climb after a very chilly start this morning, but at least our snow storm is a thing of the past.

As usual, Tuesday's snowfall accumulations varied quite a bit depending on your specific location.

Here are just some of the snowfall totals from across our area...

White H...



Pulling Hair Out Already

7:48 AM Mon, Feb 12, 2007 |

UPDATE ON THE APPROACHING STORM
(Monday Morning)

It's Matt here in the 4Warn Weather Center, steadily losing hair as our next winter storm approaches. This is always a very un-nerving time for those who make a living predicting the weather -- the "calm before the storm".

It's interesting to read the blog entries below to see how our thinking has changed with time as this storm system has moved closer. A...



A Tale of Three Storms

7:36 AM Fri, Feb 09, 2007 |

Hi everybody... Matt here in the weather center.

Anyone who is personally aquainted with a meteorologist has likely come to the realization that we tend to be odd ducks. We spend the majority of our work-day pouring over maps, numbers, figures, forecast models... any kind of data we can get our hands on. We pull our hair out over issues as simple as a degree or two when forecasting a high temperature, and issues as complex as forecas...



Strange Lights in the Sky Sunday Night

7:53 AM Mon, Feb 05, 2007 |

Reports ranged from "bright lights" to "something burning with a flaming tail". So, what were those objects in the sky Sunday night?!?

While most eyes were glued to the soggy SuperBowl right here on News4, some skywacthers and drivers were treated to a rare astronomical display. Apparently, a meteor (or perhaps several) streaked across the sky over the bi-state area Sunday evening. There are some reports that pieces of thes...



So... What's With the Groundhog?

7:01 AM Fri, Feb 02, 2007 |

Happy Groundhog Day!!!

But... honestly...

How on Earth did it come to this? Who decided that the best way to create a late winter prognostication was be to pull a groundhog out of a tree stump in Pennsylvania?

punx.gif

You've got questions, and we've got answers. If you've ever wondered about the age-old tra...



25th Anniversary of the Great "Non-Blizzard" of St. Louis

7:45 AM Mon, Jan 29, 2007 |

If you were a school-aged child in the St. Louis area in the early 1980s, you likely remember the 30th and 31st of January, 1982. A snowstorm, the likes of which only comes along once in 70 years (on average), crippled a stretch of real estate from the eastern Ozarks to central Illinois.

carburried.gif

Let's set the scen...



Remembering a Killer Storm

12:40 PM Wed, Jan 24, 2007 |

January isn't exactly synonomous with severe thunderstorms in the St. Louis area, but they can and do happen. Forty years ago today, a violent tornado ripped a 21-mile-long gash in the fabric of the St. Louis metropolitan area. By the time the tornado lifted off the ground, 3 people were dead and more than 200 had been injured.

Chesterfield.gif >> Continue reading: Remembering a Killer Storm



Who Got What This Weekend?

3:46 AM Mon, Jan 22, 2007 |

From our friends at the National Weather Service Office in the St. Louis area, here is a quick snapshot of how our weekend weather-maker played out.

StormTotalSnow_20070121.jpeg

And, if you're interested in more specific snowfall accumulation numbers for specific areas, take a look at this list of >> Continue reading: Who Got What This Weekend?



Here We "Snow" Again!

7:48 AM Fri, Jan 19, 2007 |

Hi everyone -- it's Matt here in the weather center. Thanks to the quiet and straight-forward forecast across the bi-state area Friday, I've had some time to really delve into the latest forecast models, all in an effort to determine exactly how this weekend's storm system will impact our area.

The closer this storm gets, the clearer the forecast becomes. We'll continue to update and tweak the forecast today and Saturday both on New...



Weekend Winter Storm Winds Down

8:40 AM Mon, Jan 15, 2007 |

Daniels_Greenhouse.jpg

Photo Taken By: Jeff Violet
January 13, 2007

Hi all. Matt here in the weather center.

As always, our viewers came through for us over the weekend by submitting tons of incredible weather photos like the one you see above. This photo was taken at Daniels Farm...



Three Seasons in One Day!

7:40 AM Fri, Jan 12, 2007 |

Why is it that small talk between complete strangers always seems to turn to the topic of weather? How many times have you been standing in line at the bank, riding in an elevator, picking up some groceries, when someone turns to you and says something like...

"Boy, I sure hope I can get home before the freezing rain gets here."

...or...

"Sounds like we're in for some snow, huh?"

Our chats so often revolve arou...



Wacky Weekend Weather Woes

6:32 AM Thu, Jan 11, 2007 |

How's that for alliteration?!?

It has been the topic of conversation around many office water coolers in the News4 viewing area for the last few days. Winter weather! Is it really coming? When will it arrive? How will this impact travel?

Trust me when I tell you that we're devoting nearly all of our efforts in the 4Warn Weather Center to answering these questions. As we get closer to the weekend, the track of this approach...