Tornado Threat Forecast: May 18-24, 2015

Another end-of-the-week system will provide the best tornado days, which are once again focused mainly on the central and southern Plains. That seems to be the recurring theme of this spring.

Abridged version because I need to maintain a sleep schedule that works best for when I/we go out storm chasing in just a couple of days! Daily blog posts will start appearing this Thursday, keeping you up to date with the latest happenings of the chase crew. Thursday’s post will also have all the information you need to follow us on social media.

1-3 Day

Monday

Western Texas, southeastern New Mexico — TORNADO RANGE: 0-3 — CONFIDENCE: Normal
Expected Tornado Hotspot: None

Tuesday

Southern High Plains — TORNADO RANGE: 1-4 — CONFIDENCE: Normal
Expected Tornado Hotspot: Texas Panhandle

Wednesday

Texas, southern Oklahoma, Arkansas — TORNADO RANGE: 2-6 — CONFIDENCE: Normal
Expected Tornado Hotspot: Texas

4-7 Day

Thursday

Southern High Plains — TORNADO RANGE: 0-3 — CONFIDENCE: Normal
Expected Tornado Hotspot: None

Friday

Southern Plains, central High Plains — TORNADO RANGE: 4-10 — CONFIDENCE: Normal
Expected Tornado Hotspot: Southwestern Kansas, western Oklahoma, Texas Panhandle

Saturday

Central and Southern Plains — TORNADO RANGE: 10-25 — CONFIDENCE: Low
Expected Tornado Hotspot: Southern Nebraska through northern Texas

Sunday

Central and Southern Plains, western Midwest — TORNADO RANGE: 7-18 — CONFIDENCE: Low
Expected Tornado Hotspot: None

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Operational Meteorologist at WeatherBug (Earth Networks). See full bio.

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Mark Ellinwood

Operational Meteorologist at WeatherBug (Earth Networks). See full bio.

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  • Mark: I read your "Tornado Threat Forecast" for the first time today and really liked it for several reasons:

    1. After completing my doctoral degree in educational research and spending 23 years as a professional researcher (Illinois State Board of Education), I am delighted to see your clear and concise geographic area Forecast accompanied by a numeric and verbal "confidence range".

    2. Having retired a few years ago I took a class last year in Weather and Climate at our community college using the textbook, "Extreme Weather and Climate" by Donald Ahrens & Perry Samson".

    3. I am preparing a talk, "Tornadoes in the United States" to give at "Toastmasters".

    4. My son is going to be driving from his home in Austin, Texas to Springfield, Illinois to visit me either tomorrow May 26 or early May 27 and I hope you will be coming out with a new Tornado Threat Forecast tonight, or tomorrow (May 26).

    5. Lastly, I will be driving from Springfield, Illinois to Wichita, Kansas to visit my sister this coming weekend (May 30 or May 31), and then on south to Austin, Texas through Oklahoma City and Ft. Worth, Texas on one day which could be either June 1, 2, 3, or 4 (Monday-Thursday). I look forward to reading your "Tornado Threat Forecast" before determining which day to drive from Wichita to Austin, Texas.

    I'd like to have a brief explanation of your numeric Tornado Range--what it means--and on what it is based.

    Thank you for applying your skills, taking the time, preparing your Forecast, and making it available to all.
    Your map of all the states showing the day and geographical area with the "Expected Tornado Hotspot is very creative and helpful. Please keep up your ingenious.

    G. Leighton Wasem
    wasem.leighton@gmail.com
    217-679-6987

    P.S. I would appreciate a brief explanation of the numeric Tornado Range and on what it is based. Thanks.

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