Extreme Heat in the Central US Expands to the East; Heavy Rains from the Southern Plains to the Great Lakes

Dangerous, long-lasting heat remains across the Mid-South to Mid-Mississippi Valley, while heat expands into the Northeast for a brief period on Friday. Strong to isolated severe thunderstorms and heavy rain pose a flash flooding threat from from the southern High Plains east to the Great Lakes. Tropical Depression 12W brings heavy rain to Guam & the Marianas through Saturday. Read More >

Van Wert County

Reflectivity
The oranges and reds signify heavy rainfall and possible hail.

These radar reflectivity pictures show the storm moving out of Adams County and across Van Wert County. Note that the storm never really displays a classic "hook echo", despite producing a tornado of F4 strength.

Example of classic hook echo, courtesy WFO Norman

Velocity
The reds depict air moving away from the radar (outbound), the greens depict air moving inbound toward the radar (in these pictures, the radar is to the upper left, out of the picture). Reds and greens right next to each other suggest circulation, since there are air currents flowing in opposite directions in close proximity to each other.

"Vr" is rotational velocity, which is simply the average of the maximum outbound wind speeds and maximum inbound wind speeds. It can be used to give an idea of the strength of the circulation. Note that the circulation peaks in intensity over the west side of Van Wert, which is where the F4 damage was found.

On to Paulding County...

Back to Adams County...

Back to Blackford County...

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Extreme Heat in the Central US Expands to the East; Heavy Rains from the Southern Plains to the Great Lakes

November 10 2002 Van Wert County Radar Imagery