Weather Concerns for 04/04/2023
Dear River Bend Families,
I receive National Weather Service updates each time impactful weather comes to Fulton. Tonight through Wednesday's weather could impact our school day tomorrow. At today's NWS briefing, the timing of the severe weather coming to Fulton was placed in windows of times. At this point we hope to have a regular full day but do need to have contingency plans in place if weather does not cooperate. Options for tomorrow include:
- Full day no change to schedule
- Bad weather at the end of the day: stage bus students in gyms prior to loading buses.
- Based on weather at the end of the day, keep students in school until dangerous weather passes and it is safe to release.
- Early release between 1-2:30 based on when the dangerous weather arrives.
- Any modifications to the school day will be announced as soon as possible.
National Weather Service predictions:
Round 1: Tuesday 2-6 PM
1. South of the warm front a cap is in place that will limit thunderstorm development.
2. If storms form, they will be isolated in nature. They will be capable of producing large hail, damaging winds and tornadoes.
3. If one of these storms gets close to the warm front there is a potential for a stronger tornado.
4. Know where the warm front is!
5. Also storm speeds will be 35 to 40 MPH in the afternoon.
Round 2: Tuesday 6 PM to midnight
1. Supercells will increase in coverage.
2. Better chance for stronger tornadoes as they move through our area.
3. Storms speed will be 50-60 mph at this time once again.
Round 3: Midnight to Wednesday 6 AM
1. Models have been less confident in this occurring.
2. Strong cold front should catch up to the supercells with a line of storms similar to Friday.
3. Tornadoes and damaging winds are possible once again.
Here is what we know:
1. The environment is good for severe thunderstorms.
2. The better chance for severe thunderstorms will be in the early evening to early overnight as a cold front moves through.
3. The environment will support long track supercells and potentially strong tornadoes again.
What is uncertain:
1. If any thunderstorms develop in the afternoon.
2. Where the actual warm front will be, some models have it near Highway 20, others closer to I-80.
3. If rain earlier in the day will limit severe weather chances.
Thank you for your patience,
Darryl Hogue