Tornado Safety and more watch detail from NWS and SPC

The NWS Storm Prediction Center has issued a
Tornado Watch for portions of

parts of southern Illinois
much of southern Indiana
much of western and central Kentucky
small part of southeast Missouri
parts of northwest Tennessee

Effective this Sunday morning and evening from 1145 am until 600
PM CDT.

Tornadoes... hail to 2 inches in diameter... thunderstorm wind
gusts to 80 mph... and dangerous lightning are possible in these
areas.

The Tornado Watch area is approximately along and 85 statute
miles east and west of a line from 20 miles north northeast of
Bloomington Indiana to 60 miles southwest of Clarksville
Tennessee. For a complete depiction of the watch see the
associated watch outline update (wous64 kwns wou7).

Remember... a Tornado Watch means conditions are favorable for
tornadoes and severe thunderstorms in and close to the watch
area. Persons in these areas should be on the lookout for
threatening weather conditions and listen for later statements
and possible warnings.

Discussion... strong S/WV trough and associated 100kt mid level jet
Max will be tracking into lower OH valley this afternoon. Deepening
surface low moves across central IL into ind with cold front
extending sswwd into central AR attm. Low level moisture increasing
in warm sector along with surface heating will raise MLCAPES to near
1000 j/kg. Severe thunderstorms including supercells will develop
ahead of surface low and cold front and track rapidly enewd across
the watch. In addition to damaging winds/hail... tornadoes will be
possible... particularly with any supercell that is able to develop
in warm sector.

Aviation... tornadoes and a few severe thunderstorms with hail
surface and aloft to 2 inches. Extreme turbulence and surface
wind gusts to 70 knots. A few cumulonimbi with maximum tops to
500. Mean storm motion vector 24050.


... Hales

... Safety rules for tornadoes...

Tornado Watch number 117 has been issued by the National Weather
Service... .effective until 6 PM CDT... for southwest Indiana... west
Kentucky and most of southern Illinois. The following safety tips
are being provided in hope that the broadcast media will frequently
broadcast these messages while the watch affects their area.

A Tornado Watch means conditions are favorable for the development
of severe thunderstorms which can produce tornadoes in and close
to the watch area. If you are in the watch area... keep informed
of the latest weather information. These storms can develop
rapidly so there may be occasions when advance warning is not
possible.

A Tornado Warning means a tornado has been spotted or indicated by
radar. If you are in the path or near the tornado... take
immediate action to protect life and property. Follow these
safety rules.

In open country... find a ditch... culvert or other low area and
lay down flat. Cover your head with your hands for protection.

In homes or small buildings... go to the basement or a small
interior room on the lowest floor like a Hall or bathroom closet.
Use heavy furniture for shelter or cover yourself with a mattress
or blanket.

In Mobile homes or vehicles... abandon it and go to a substantial
structure or place of safety. Never try to outrun a tornado in a
vehicle.

In schools... hospitals... factories or shopping centers... go to
designated shelter areas. Interior Halls on the lowest levels are
usually the best. Stay away from gymnasiums or auditoriums. Avoid
all outside walls and windows.

The key to tornado survival is to be prepared and take immediate
action when a warning is issued or when you feel threatened.
Remember... the actions you take during a tornado event may save
your life and the lives of those you are responsible for.