Ticker for April 16, 2003

                
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April 16, 2003     April 16, 2003     April 16, 2003     April 16, 2003



Severe Winds Rake Oklahoma

A push of substantially cooler air filtered across most of the state
this morning, in the wake of a couple of surface troughs and
associated convection.  In the 24 hours between noon yesterday and
noon today, the Oklahoma Mesonet recorded:

101 wind observations that exceed severe limits
227 wind observations that exceed 55 mph
694 wind observations that exceed 50 mph
1791 wind observations that exceed 45 mph
3992 wind observations that exceed 40 mph
8316 wind observations that exceed 35 mph

Most of these observations are straight-line winds behind drylines
and cold-fronts.  However, more than a few are associated with last
night's (this morning's) convection.

The stiff winds continue at this hour.  In fact, as of 1:00 pm,
the day's average wind speed (average!) at Hooker is 40 mph!

Some much-needed rain fell across the most of the state.  Amounts
were generally modest, but a few locations picked an inch or more
as the "silver lining" of last night's storm clouds.  Here are
some selected Mesonet totals:

Beaver   1.34"   Camargo 1.21"   Ardmore .94"
Cheyenne 1.26"   Guthrie 1.18"   Norman  .89"
Hobart   1.25"   Slapout  .97"   Newkirk .83"


Dust Plume Blankets Parts of South Plains

Blowing dust has caused many problems for folks in eastern New Mexico
and West Texas in the last 24 hours.  At 7:15 pm last night, a huge
dust plume was clearly visible in regional satellite imagery.  It
shows up as the milky-colored plume stretching from near El Paso
up the Texas panhandle all the way to the western edge of last night's
convection: