Meteorologist-in-Charge, NWS Dallas/Fort Worth, proudly serving North Central Texas. Chicken wrangler. Would-be Ansel Adams armed with an iphone. Sooner/Nole.
What do you say when you walk up the driveway to speak to a resident standing amid the shattered remains of his or her home? Meteorology School doesn’t quite prepare you for this. This is life.
Over the past 72 hours, hundreds of NWS employees, private sector Mets, EMs & first responders across the Plains/Midwest have been working incredibly hard to keep their communities as safe as possible from this major severe weather episode. An institution we can all be proud of.
About 24 hours from now, thousands of North Texans will choose to drive while severe thunderstorms are in the area. If that's you, your future correct decision NOT to park beneath an underpass during a hailstorm may save your life, and others behind you. IT'S YOUR CHOICE.
Two grainy pics that capture just A FEW of the 13 folks who helped with severe weather operations today at WFO Dallas/Fort Worth. We have an awesome team, and I’m extremely proud to work with all of them.
Warning Coordination Meteorologist (WCM). One of THE most important jobs at a local NWS office. Today, our office is saying goodbye to a GREAT ONE - Mark Fox - but he's moving on to new accomplishments in Amarillo. Godspeed Mark!
@FTWMet
My experiences over the past 72 hrs could fill a dozen tweets. For now, I just want to thank God no one died in this tornado event, and injuries were few. Our EM/first response and media partners: you SAVED LIVES and truly made a difference in your community Sun night.
A very long day surveying tragic tornado damage across N Texas. Words cannot express how much I love and value the 27 men and women of
@NWSFortWorth
. Many of them worked incredibly long and hard yesterday and today…before, during and after this event. You. Are. AWESOME! /1
We always try to document/rate tornadoes to the very best of our ability. The recent event in Lamar County was challenging because we weren’t able to reach some key damage sites until today. Once we got on-site, careful analysis resulted in a slight upgrade to low-end EF-4.
On 95% of the days in N TX, you can ignore the weather and it doesn’t amount to a hill of beans. Tomorrow falls in that “other special 5%” category. The threat will be real, so PAY ATTENTION. Plan ahead, have a way to get warnings, and know what to do if one’s issued for you.
Severe weather is expected Friday afternoon/evening.
Yes, it's January. No, Mother Nature doesn't care to read a calendar. Severe weather is possible whenever the ingredients come together. They will come together tomorrow.
Be prepared and monitor the weather.
#dfwwx
#ctxwx
Damage pics abound, but there’s one scene I wish EVERYONE could see: a couple dozen first responders, law enforcement, EMs in the Robertson County EOC in
#Franklin
last night. Giving it all they’ve got to protect life/property & serve victims. True Texas dedication.
We have a great group of meteorologists here at
@NWSFortWorth
providing decision support and preparing for warning operations. We have a plan - DO YOU??
Some pictures from
@NWSFortWorth
prior to and during our latest round of severe weather. We’re not perfect, but our team is wonderful and they’re extremely dedicated. I love them very much and I’m really proud to work with them.
Spent the morning surveying tornado damage with our great Denton and Argyle/Northlake EM/FD partners. This pic in Denton illustrates why it’s usually a safer decision to avoid windows and seek an interior location during ANY severe storm. Fortunately, no one was hurt.
Really proud of Meteorologist Patricia Sanchez of
@NWSFortWorth
, who conducted her first survey of a major tornado yesterday. She’s deftly gathering data points in our DAT app while dodging power lines, nails and sheet metal. Awesome job
@patysnchez
!
Fascinating drive home today. Ran into some localized areas of significant tree/line icing today in SE Wise County - including this homestead. Largely a function of where showers were heaviest (below freezing) this morning.
Great moment with
@NWSFortWorth
Meteorologist Sarah Barnes sharing her insights on forecast tools with one of our summer student volunteers. Fine example of a
@TAMUMeteorology
grad paying it forward with a fellow Aggie and future professional meteorologist. 😊
A busy 36 hours for
@NWSFortWorth
. Last night’s brief survey in Franklin, TX, in the chilly gathering gloom of dusk, revealed sobering destruction. Yet, we were encouraged by the lack of fatalities or major injuries. Many folks got our warnings and took safe action.
We had a terrific recognition lunch today at
@NWSFortWorth
and
@NWSWGRFC
in honor of Meteorologist Juan Hernandez, who’s donating one of his kidneys to his 7-year old brother Adrian next Monday. Juan: you’re TRULY
@juanderfulwx
. 😎
Pretty popular to post
@NOAANSSL
MRMS rotation tracks after tornado events, so now it's my turn. Here are the tracks from today's activity across North Central TX. Our survey activities tomorrow will be focused along much of these tracks. Stay tuned.
@NOAA
Might be too late to stay up for the Perseids, but at least this evening’s sunset offered up some nifty crepuscular rays. These “rays” are actually parallel, not convergent.
#opticalillusion
Quick fun fact to chew on while picking up more tree branches in your yard tomorrow - The
@NWSFortWorth
office has issued more severe weather warnings in June 2019 (84 thru 6/23) than in any June since 2009. Today is the third Sunday in a row with severe weather.
Our newest summer student volunteer, Texas Aggie Malik Hall (on R), got a great chance to see some warning operations on his first day today. He’s watching WCM Jen Dunn issue warnings for the Dallas area, while SOO Ted Ryan provides insight. Welcome aboard, Malik!
Today the blue-eyed grass returned. A great Texas spring wildflower, and one of my favorites. We’re not past the worst of this crisis yet, but we’re definitely ONE DAY CLOSER to the end of it, and to better times. Keep strong and keep faith, everyone.
I am so incredibly proud of our
@NWSFortWorth
team. Staff continue to brave the elements to serve the public and partners with forecasts, warnings and decision support throughout this historic event. I’m damn lucky to have them as colleagues.
It was an emotional day yesterday at
@NWSFortWorth
as we formally celebrated our SOO Ted Ryan’s transition to a scientist position at NWS Southern Region. He leaves behind a 20-yr legacy of service to N TX that will be impossible to top. Thank you
@wxmanted
…and
@patysnchez
too!
Our forecast office issued 194 tornado, severe t-storm and flash flood warnings for N&Cntl TX during Apr and May. Not a record, but quite active. Our media/EM partners have been busy along with us. I’m very proud of our staff and the entire Integrated Warning Team.
Geek alert. Just clocked a gust of 46 mph here west of Justin, on my Davis anemometer mounted just 7’ off the ground. Equates to a higher speed at standard observation height (33’). Highest gradient wind gust seen here in years.
#breezy
Texas Rule
#274
: don’t ever ask the rain to stop, unless you’re prepared for the drought that inevitably follows it. And yet, this is our absolutely saturated pasture right now after another 1.68” today. So maybe, it could just ease up A LITTLE? Please?
Most of our staff got a brief chance to observe the total eclipse before heading back in to work the upcoming severe weather event. A few of us stayed inside to answer phones/chat messages and to monitor the weather.
If you live in a mobile home, manufactured home or RV, please imagine that the debris on the left is your home. It WAS someone’s home - before an EF-2 tornado demolished it Saturday. Your LIFE and those of your family may depend on how well you plan for severe weather TODAY.
I’d venture to guess that the productivity level of most members of the U.S. Meteorological Community is not high today. EXCEPT: those folks right in and near Ian’s path. They’re still working their tails off while under considerable duress.
At the risk of beating the "Arctic invasion" thing to death, here's an illustration of just how anomalous the temps in DFW have been over the past week. While we've had "blips" of below normal air this winter, these pale in comparison to what we've just experienced.
#txwx
We bid a fond and misty-eyed farewell to “Goofy” Lee Carlaw today, as he moves on to his new role as a Lead Forecaster at WFO Chicago. Lee - all of us at
@NWSFortWorth
will miss your smile, infectiously positive attitude and relentless professionalism. Godspeed sir!
@LCarlaw
I snapped off several pictures of my colleagues from
@NWSFortWorth
and
@NWSWGRFC
who were outside during the eclipse totality. This is one of my favorites, mainly for the looks on their faces. Btw, it was pitch dark at this time, even though it looks “twilighty”.
We're more confident than usual that some of the storms in North Texas will produce large hail Wednesday afternoon/evening. Please STAY UP with the weather, and STAY OFF the roads during severe storms. Hail usually doesn't kill, but sudden traffic jams DUE TO HAIL CAN!
The environment for Wednesday afternoon is favorable for very large hail, which generally is baseball size or larger. Take a look at hail frequencies across our region. Make sure you have a plan & multiple ways to receive severe weather warnings!
#dfwwx
#ctxwx
#txwx
#texomawx
We’re surprised - yet realistic - about how the event turned out today. Getting skilled at predicting the future bulk state of the atmosphere, which strongly suggested severe weather. However, there’s much we STILL don’t know about storm-scale processes, AND inhibiting factors.
There's nothing like inky dark blue to send a shiver up your spine. :-) We're definitely going to be seeing MUCH below normal temperatures in the 6-10 day timeframe. Stay tuned and don't put the coats away yet.
28 years in the NWS, & today I finally did something
@FTWMet
has done hundreds of times. (No, NOT watch their college football team lose a game). Did my first
#Skywarn
talk - up in beautiful Montague, TX. Great (and patient) audience. Thankful!
.
@NWSFortWorth
warning, forecast and IDSS operations today. As an aside, this is a veritable job poster for
@tamu_atmo
; 7 Aggies in the picture executing the mission.
.
@NWSFortWorth
Warning Coordination Meteorologist (WCM) Jennifer Dunn pursuing her craft at today’s Ft Wort/Tarrant County Skywarn session. WCMs are some of the hardest working individuals at an NWS office (
@StillwaterMet
was a one-off), and
@JenLDunn
is one of the best there is.
Public rarely sees it, but there's a gigantic emergency management/homeland security structure that surrounds each Super Bowl. WFO, regional and national NWS folks (and private sector colleagues) support their EM partners in this huge effort. Great job, Dave and
@NWSAtlanta
!
Last fog/frost snapshot of the morning. A rare North Texas hunting terrier (aka “mutt”) patrolling his domain out here in the hustings of western Denton County. 27 degrees this morning.
With the help of our close emergency management and law enforcement partners, we’re working a good damage survey today in Navarro County. The NWS simply CANOT conduct these ground surveys without the huge logistical and organizational help of our local partners. It’s a team.
Today’s my 30th anniversary in the NWS. Nine of the best years of my career were spent at
@NWSBirmingham
. I’m staggered by all the damage in Shelby County - very, VERY near where my wife and I lived, any by the impacts elsewhere in AL. Great warnings and service, BMX.
My hat's off to our great colleagues at
@NWSNorman
. They've had a heckuva week, issuing approximately 126 warnings, doing numerous storm surveys, and providing massive amounts of IDSS to their partners and the public. Fantastic job
@StillwaterMet
,
@ounwcm
and Todd Lindley!
I was in beautiful Copperas Cove, TX today, on my 11th storm/flood survey of the spring. Note the “creatively repositioned” roof joist. Tornadoes never fail to amaze me.
Today was a big day for our fantastic WX5FWD Skywarn ham radio team. Using portions of the team’s ARDC grant money, tower climbers began installing a comprehensive set of ham radio antennas on WFO FWD’s 100’ tower. Much greater reach now into the corners of our CWA!
I am so DAMN proud of the colleagues I work with at WFO Fort Worth! Our folks are blowing the doors off on the challenging forecasting and IDSS for the upcoming eclipse, plus the near-simultaneous severe weather event we’re probably going to have later on Monday.
#Awesome
Since I’m an MIC, this is the obligatory picture to prove that I get off my lofty management perch and get my hands dirty with upper air flights on the weekends. 🤡
We all have high expectations for weather forecasts, & none of them are perfect. However, it’s important to recognize how FAR WE’VE COME with modeling and meteorological expertise in 20 years. These totals are close to those predicted. So proud of my colleagues at
@NWSFortWorth
!
To every single NWS colleague out there right now - especially if you work at
@NWSNorman
or
@NWSOmaha
and you’ve recently dealt with warning ops, surveys…AND/OR… communicating survey results - I’m PROUD to work with you! All of you are awesome. Tough times bring out the best.
Unfreakin’-believable. Out here in the wilds of western Denton County, we mustered 32 degrees this morning (& a good frost). Meteorology is still amazing to me. Tell me 2 weeks ago we’re going to freeze on OU-Texas game day? You’re crazy!
We still write Forecast Discussions in the NWS, because they remain a vehicle for sharing technical thinking about the forecast. Not to beat a dead horse, but I’m proud of the effort & expertise our meteorologists at
@NWSFortWorth
put into their craft.
.
@NWSFortWorth
was VERY privileged to host an awesome group of Texas A&M meteorology students affiliated with
@TAMSCAMSNWA
today. Thank you for coming to visit us! The future of the Weather Enterprise is bright!
Roughly a dozen times each spring we ask folks to put weather on their daily “to do” lists. Tomorrow is just such a day across N TX. The threat of tornadoes, damaging winds and hail is real. Give weather messaging the attention it deserves. Have a plan - and execute it.
Pro secret: when forecasting winter precipitation AND impacts in 28-33 deg range, it gets tricky and we’re FAR from perfect. Solar radiation, heat conduction thru soil/concrete, latent heat release of precip, traffic effects, etc. - all play a role. It’s tough; always learning.
Can't stress enough: the official NHC forecast - found
@NHC_atlantic
- is THE authoritative (and trusted) source for Dorian. Beware of tweets highlighting selected model tracks and suggesting diminished threat for FL. Intense storm; still LOTS of uncertainty at Days 4-5.
.
@NWSFortWorth
has just launched our latest contribution to
#vortexse
. Our awesome WCM
@JenLDunn
is at the controls. These upper air soundings support research toward improved prediction of tornadoes in the Southeast - and nationwide!
What a pleasant morning out here in the sticks! 65 degrees with a steady north breeze making for a distinctly cool experience for the chickens and me. Life in rural
#Justin
Today's severe thunderstorms produced at least several tornadoes and damage scattered across North Central Texas. I'm so glad the injury count was low. We'll survey multiple locations tomorrow, and talk to those impacted by the storms.
Our
@NWSFortWorth
office greatly benefits from our partnerships with major atmospheric science programs - none more so than
@tamu_atmo
at Texas A&M.
@JenLDunn
and I were privileged to meet w/our colleague Dr Don Conlee & many Aggie met students today. Awesome visit!
With yet another rain here in Justin today (0.64”), we’ve exceeded 30” for the year so far. Much of our pasture is literally several inches deep in water. Virtually all of the rain that fell today, was converted to runoff. Remarkable conditions for N TX!
Any day that the anemometers in North Texas are pointing north in July is a GREAT DAY! 😃. Slightly cooler and drier air advecting in. Enjoy! (Bonus question: find the mockingbird in the picture).