Having severe weather this time of year is not unusual at all.  The amount of it, though, is running way ahead of normal levels.

So far this month, 886 tornadoes have been reported in the United States.  Surveys and studies are still being conducted on confirming how many reports were actual tornadoes.

Last April, the number of actual tornadoes was 139 (226 in 2009 and 189 in 2008).  The “normal” amount of April tornadoes runs around 185.

The number of reported tornadoes for the year thus far is 1078.  For this period, the normal value is around 378.  (Again, “reported” tornadoes does not mean officially confirmed–since multiple reports of the same tornado can be included).

So far this year, 45 people have died in 15 tornadoes.  This represents the same amount killed in ALL of 2010 in 21 tornadoes.

May, June & July are very active months, with June being the statistical high point of tornado occurrence.  So, the severe season has a long way to go.

Here are links to the latest river levels and forecasts from the National Weather Service.  Please continue to check the links if you live near a river, as the forecasts will be updated every few hours. 

Northwest Ohio River Levels

Northwest Ohio (closer to Indiana border)

Southeast Michigan

From the National Weather Service’s St Louis office:   http://www.crh.noaa.gov/lsx/?n=04_22_2011

SURVEY TEAM RATE DAMAGE AT LAMBERT ST. LOUIS INT’L AIRPORT AS EF 2

The National Weather Service damage survey team at Lambert St. Louis International Airport has found EF-2 damage.  Nearly 80% of the windows in the easternmost part of the terminal were blown out…and the roof was torn off of Terminal C.    EF-2 damage indicates winds of 111 to 135 mph.

 INITIAL DAMAGE SURVEY INDICATES EF 4 DAMAGE IN NORTH ST LOUIS COUNTY

 The National Weather Service damage survey team in north St Louis county has found EF-4 damage in the Bridgeton area…near old St Charles Rock Road and Harmon Estates.   EF-4 damage indicates winds of 166 to 200 mph.

A cold front will pass through our area Monday with some showers and storms.  While a few storms may be strong and gusty, the risk of severe weather will be low due to the timing of the day, and the strongest energy staying out of our area.

However, a severe weather outbreak will occur in the western Great Lakes through the Mississippi Valley.  Areas west & northwest of Chicago have a moderate risk of t0rnadoes Sunday into Sunday night.

An outbreak of severe weather is possible on Monday across the Mississippi River Valley. Storms may extend far enough north to impact parts of our area. It is likely that strong tornadoes, large hail and strong damaging winds will impact several states from the Great Lakes south to the Gulf Coast. It’s a reminder that we are in severe weather season right now. In fact, one of the worst tornado outbreaks ever occurred on April 3-4 of 1974 which is now know as “The Super Tornado Outbreak of 1974″. Over 148 tornadoes were reported across 13 states.

Click Here for More Details

This is from the New York Times.  It features multiple hires images of Japan, with a slider bar…allowing you to switch to before and after.

http://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2011/03/13/world/asia/satellite-photos-japan-before-and-after-tsunami.html

Many area rivers will reach minor or moderate flood stage, but the worst flooding is expected on the Blanchard River where major flooding is expected. The Blanchard River in Findlay is expected to crest Tuesday morning at 16.5′ with is well beyond the 13′ mark for major flood stage and 2′ below the record crest in August of 2007.

TUESDAY MORNING POST:

Forecast is still on track.  Snow will turn steady this afternoon into this evening, making for increasing travel problems.  A winter weather advisory is in effect through Wednesday morning.  Additional lake-effect snow will occur in Erie/Huron counties Wednesday afternoon.

MONDAY EVENING POST:

We continue to track a major winter storm moving towards the area.

Snow will begin  Tuesday morning or midday, but should not cause a significant problem for the morning rush hour.  Snow will turn steady and possibly heavy at times during the mid/late afternoon into the evening.  Accumulations of a few inches will be likely by the evening rush hour, with additional snow Tuesday evening into Wednesday morning.

Final accumulations by midday Wednesday will be at least 4 inches across the entire area, but could reach as high as 8 inches in spots.

Stay tuned for additional updates at  www.wtol.com/weather

A huge clash between unseasonably warm temperatures and bitter cold set the stage for a severe weather outbreak on Friday.  The first wave hit parts of Missouri and Illinois around midday and early afternoon.  A second wave hit the far south during the evening.  Both sets of tornadoes caused fatalities.

Detailed tornado path and damage surveys:   Missouri/Illinois   Southern states

(This same system, although in a much weaker state, brought us the steady rain on New Year’s Eve into Saturday morning.)

A full tally about all the severe weather items can be found here.

A cold front caused some thunderstorms to track through our area between 2 & 4 pm today.  Most of the activity was just thunderstorms with heavy downpours, but some isolated severe weather was reported.

Strong winds caused downed power lines in Jerusalem township, 1″ hail was reported in Arlington & Clyde, and 1.25″ hail was reported in Cygnet.