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Severe Thunderstorms in the Central U.S.; Upper Level Low Over California

Scattered severe thunderstorms are possible today across central and eastern Minnesota, Iowa, and western Wisconsin. A few tornadoes, isolated very large hail, and damaging winds may occur. An upper level low will help trigger scattered thunderstorms over portions of central and southern California today along with a few inches of snow in the central Sierra Nevadas. Read More >

Webster Parish Explosion Caused by Explosion of Old Munitions at Camp Minden
On October 15th, 2012, at around 11:26pm, a large explosion occurred to the southwest of Dixie Inn, in Webster Parish, approximately 4 miles southwest of Minden, or 28 miles east of Shreveport. The initial event occurred at Latitude 32,578 N, Longitude 93.351 W, which is in the borders of the Camp Minden Army Ammunition Plant. A large flash was observed, citizens were shaken out of bed, and windows were shattered during the late night hours..
Above is a map of where the explosion occurred at Camp Minden.
The Shreveport, LA National Weather Service Doppler Radar captured some images of the plume caused by the explosion. The first image captured by the radar occurred at 11:28pm CDT, with subsequent images captured at 11:37, 11:47, 11:56 and ending at 12:06am CDT. Based on radar analysis, the plume was initially as high as almost 7200 feet above ground level. The sampled radar imagery is very similar to what is usually seen with smoke plumes associated with wildfires,  it was more vertical and concentrated as it traversed the area from southeast to northwest at approximately 10 mph. It slowly dissipated after approximately 34 minutes.