***Official 2024 Weather Thread***

I don't doubt that but even then that seems like a relative explosion in derechos in just a few years.

There’s a reason for that, and it’s the Iowa mega-derecho. Now every Linear severe storm system is a “derecho” to a lot of people.
 
There’s just one thing that drives me away from damage assessments. And that is the “if a tree falls in the woods does it make a sound?” phenomenon. “If a tornado doesn’t hit a man-made object, was it even a tornado?”.
Thats a fair point, but when it does hit somewhere, damage assessments are the best way to get a wind speed estimate. If it just hits fields and grassland, then we just give thanks and give the best radar estimate.
 
Well, tornado damage assessments are the best way to estimate the max wind speed of a tornado at ground level. Nowadays, radar might be able to get you an estimated wind speed at elevation, but ground level wind gauges aren't going to give you that kind of data.

Tornado fajita levels are after the fact as well. Its not like you can forecast an individual tornado. Forecast do account for size by saying "large, damaging tornados" or "small spinup tornados" possible.

Hurricanes are slower, so you can forecast what they think it will be in the future.

A derecho could be forecast as well, although I think the VAST majority of Derecho's probably fall into the 58-80mph forecast. We saw one a week or so ago where as it was going and they got wind speed reports over 90, so the bumped up the warnings. But if they did do something like CAT 1=58-70, CAT2 =70-90, etc, it might be easier for people to understand.
Tell me more...
 
So, when are we expecting this to hit the DSM metro? Seems like it's right around our kids' bed times, so trying to plan ahead in case it gets dicey.
 
“Looks like damage. That looks like damage right there. I’m not familiar with this area, but if those are trees, we have some damage”

Nope…just those ugly ass “Odyssey” sculptures on I-80 in Council Bluffs.

I don’t know if this unpopular opinion but Omaha is the most overrated place in the Midwest. I’d rather live in Peoria.
 
80 mph winds. Let's hope it loses some steam by time it hits metro because if it picks up steam, oof...
 

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