Another Severe Threat Late Saturday, Polar Vortex Next Week

The southern severe weather season typically begins in February and continues into April with the threat shifting more to the north & west as temperatures warm.  We had a severe threat earlier this week that turned out to be a "nothing burger" locally, but one tornado did touch down near Columbia, MS doing some damage.   The upper disturbance that clobbered California is over the Rockies today and will be approaching us by late Saturday into early Sunday.  SPC has already issued a PAT (Pay Attention Time) for almost the same area as earlier this week. Let's begin with the upper disturbance.

It appears IF we are to see any severe storms, they won't happen until after dark, perhaps after midnight Saturday.  The "hatched area" indicates the greater risk for damaging storms is well north of NOLA.  Still, we need to pay attention Saturday night and have your phone with the FOX 8 Weather App next to your bed in case warnings are issued.  The setup is similar to earlier this week as we jump into the warm air sector.

Note the 80s over at Tampa.  We'll jump close to that tomorrow as the warm front surges out of the Gulf.  The red-shaded area is where Tornado Watches are likely.  It will get us back above normal, but only for a day.  I grabbed this graphic off The Weather Channel that shows all of the Southern states very warm for the first 2 weeks of February. 

Zack had this graphic on his morning program that brings a lobe of the PV back over the Great Lakes for next week. Amber updated that on her noon program.

IF this forecast proves correct, we will have to deal with freezing temperatures on BOTH sides of Lake Pontchartrain late NEXT week.  Right now, the upper trough is over the Rockies.

The concern about next week is the building super cold (it was 40-45 below this AM) over western Canada.  We'll have to watch to see how far to the south the Polar Vortex dips.  We don't have to do anything this weekend.

Let's wait until we get closer before moving/covering any of our tender plants.  I'll welcome the coming rainfall tomorrow night into Sunday.  Let's just hope no severe weather develops.  Happy Valentine's Day Gang.  It was 22 years ago today that Brenda & I said "I do".  Stay tuned!