Early Evening Update SEVERE T-STORM WATCH through 10:00 PM

A series of waves of low pressure are impacting our area. The first slid through this morning, only to be followed by a more substantial wave this afternoon. This feature is passing through an environment that is extremely unstable. Check out the mass of clouds in the above satellite image just to the west of the Fort Smith area. This flattened appearance that you see is the tops of many strong and severe thunderstorms hitting the top of the tropopause, some 55,000 to 60,000 feet up. CAPE values are better than 3000 J/Kg with a bulls eye of 5500 J/Kg off to our southwest. Most of the heavy activity this morning was to our south and east so eastern OK is still very "ripe" and with the heat of the day we are seeing explosive growth of thunderstorms.

The threat of damaging wind gusts in excess of 60mph along with quarter sized hail and an isolated tornado looks to carry into the evening hours as this wave passes through our area. The third wave is visible in the Satellite shot that encompasses Kansas. This feature will likely ramp up tonight as it encounters a developing low level jet. This wave looks to bring the threat of gusty winds and hail to our area but more of concern will be the amount of rain associated with the event. Rain, heavy at times will continue to fall on areas that are already beyond saturated through tomorrow night. All of this water will flow eastward through various creeks, streams and rivers, emptying in the Arkansas River which is already high.

Flash Flood issues are likely and of a major concern. Flooding is the number one killer among weather related phenomena. Please do not try to cross flooded roadways or swiftly moving water. Just a foot and a half will float your car, truck or van. Please do not allow your children to play in or around flooded creeks or streams. Just a half foot of swiftly moving water can knock a grown man over. Above all remember to TURN AROUND, DON'T DROWN. The majority of flooding deaths occur in automobiles.

Posted by Ted Zarras at 5:30 PM