WEATHER SERVICE RADAR READY FOR SEVERE WEATHER

The National Weather Service at Paducah might not be issuing any warnings for the region today, but they offer some good advice.

"Tornadoes can -- and do -- happen in this area at any time and with little or no notice," said meteorologist Beverly Poole of the weather service at Paducah.

The Cape Girardeau area can expect severe thunderstorms and possible tornadic activity this spring, especially in April, she said.

"There is no such thing as a tornado season because they can happen at any time," said Poole. "But the highest frequency of severe weather and tornadoes is during April."

Ironically, the Paducah service area, which covers 58 counties in Southeast Missouri, Southern Illinois, southwest Indiana, and western Kentucky, had 14 tornadoes in January.

The weather service currently uses a highly technical and sophisticated radar system known as WSR-88D -- weather surveillance radar 1988 Doppler.

WSR-88D radar is far more efficient than previous radar technology in that it allows the meteorologist to see wind velocities to and from radar.

"We can now see wind fields in mid-atmosphere which is a big plus in determining severe weather," said Poole. "Old radar made it very difficult to pick up tornadoes."

The weather service at Paducah has about 15 minutes advance knowledge on tornado and severe thunderstorms, Poole said.

Although sophisticated radar often detects tornadic activity, many of the tornadoes in the area are too small for the radar systems to see.

Poole said some tornadoes are so small and short-lived that detection comes only from people on the ground.

"You can see the rotation of a tornado on radar, but the small ones are only on the ground for a very short time -- that is why spotters are so important to us," said Poole.

Weather spotters help detect small tornadoes for the national weather service. The next weather service spotter class is May 25 at 6:30 p.m. at the Frohna Fire Department office. Contact Jack Lakenan at (573) 547-4000 for more information.

Poole said with new radar and advances in technology, the probability of detecting a severe thunderstorm in advance is 76 percent, which is very good compared to regional and national statistics.

Last year Missouri ranked high in severe weather statistics -- including wind damage and hail. Two deadly tornadoes hit along the southeast border.

"Missouri sits in a geographic area with lots of warm and moist Gulf of Mexico air that combines with cold, northern air," explained Poole.

Poole, a 21 year veteran of the weather service, noted that moisture inflow (humidity) and a good heat source will combine with a cold front (the trigger) to cause tornadoes.

"If you look at the weather history of the Cape area over many years," said Poole, "it shows that the probability of having a tornado is high."

The most important thing to remember, Poole said, is to be prepared and have a plan of action before the weather intensifies.

The weather service office at Paducah will host an open house May 8, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at 8250 U.S. Highway 60 near the airport.

Weather spotter class

A weather service spotter class will be held May 25 at 6:30 p.m. at the Frohna Fire Department. Call Jack Lakenan at (573) 547-4000 for more information.