Mark Diggins, co-ordinator of the Scottish Avalanche Information Service, said weather conditions were fairly dry and there had been little snow over the last four days.

BBC: Glencoe avalanche: Three victims named

Many of them contributed useful information to the National Weather Service in the form of eyewitness accounts of the tornado formation, that were not able to be detected by the weather service radars in the Oklahoma City area.

CNN: Why we chase storms

The National Weather Service and the National Hurricane Service are also providing new severe weather watches and warnings as they gather new information.

WHITEHOUSE: Share This Post

The service provides news, weather information and details of farming-related government policies.

ECONOMIST: Beyond voice

During his demonstration, Gates showed how people who book flights using the Expedia online travel service will automatically receive updated flight and weather information cellular phones enabled with wireless applications protocol.

CNN: Gates aims for wireless blue yonder

Using another outstanding U.S. Government Service, NOAA, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, there is unending weather information available these days for farmers and seafarers, offshore drillers, construction workers and all the rest of us living our daily lives.

FORBES: HMS Bounty Rescue: The U.S. Coast Guard is Amazing

One more handy feature: the unit is expected to take advantage of the TomTom plus traffic service via your phone's GPRS connection, providing real time traffic information as well as weather, news, and additional features.

ENGADGET: TomTom go 700 SatNav unit boasts Bluetooth, hard drive