Severe Weather
May 9, 2009

A strong low pressure system approached the area from Great Lakes region Saturday, May 9th. The system's cold front moved across the local area during the late afternoon and evening hours. There were strong upper level dynamics associated with the system: 500 mb winds of 60 to 80 knots and 300 mb winds of 120 to 130 knots. The limiting factor for the day was atmospheric instability: extensive cloud cover early in the day limited sunshine and there was somewhat limited low level moisture. The main threat of the day was damaging winds, however there was directional wind shear and wind speed shear in lowest levels of the atmosphere so there was an additional concern for rotating thunderstorms and isolated tornadoes.