December 30, 2008: On vacation
No updates. On vacation for a few days. I shall return on January 3rd.
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December 24, 2008: Thunderstorms!
Merry Christmas from Mother Nature. Thunderstorms and heavy rain have been moving through the area this morning. Rainfall totals of 1-3" have been reported across many counties. A well organized line of storms formed between 6 AM and 10 AM over West KY and West TN.
The SPC has us in a general thunderstorm risk for Christmas and a slight risk for Saturday. Looks active for the next few days. Flooding concerns might have to be addressed if this keeps up. I will be gone from the 25th through the 2nd. Murphy’s Law says there will be severe weather.
Paducah, KY Radar - earlier this morning
Morning line of storms
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December 23, 2008: Ice storm.
The forecast was pretty much on the money for this morning. We were hit by an ice storm. Light ice accumulations caused hundreds of wrecks across our counties. A freezing rain advisory has been in effect for most of the day.
Temperatures here in Lone Oak reached above freezing around 11 AM - 12 PM. Thankfully, this has helped melt the ice off the roads.
It looks like the rest of today will be wet. Rainfall totals by Wednesday afternoon should range between .25"-.50". Additional rain is possible later this week.
Radar - 3 PM - most of the freezing precip has moved north of our counties.
SPC Day 4-8 Severe Weather Outlook. Our counties are under a risk for strong/severe storms.
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December 22, 2008: A very cold morning.
Low temperatures this morning dipped into the single digits across most of our area. Here in Lone Oak, Kentucky we saw a low of around 8 degrees. Some areas were colder than that.
A mixture of sleet and freezing rain will be possible on Tuesday as the next storm system approaches. A winter weather advisory has been issued by the National Weather Service Office in Paducah, Kentucky.
The ice will turn to rain by tomorrow evening as warmer air ushers into the region.
There is a threat for strong to severe thunderstorms on Friday into Saturday. A bit early to make a forecast on this event. It does bear watching, however.
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December 21, 2008: Cold!
I woke up this morning to a chilly house. Temperatures fell into upper teens during the early morning hours. It was 19 degrees at 9 AM. It appears that we will be even colder by Monday morning. Low temperatures should fall into the single digits across most of the KPAH Region (West KY/South IL).
The next weather maker will bring us a mixture of sleet and freezing rain by Tuesday morning and rain by Tuesday afternoon into Wednesday. I couldn’t rule out a clap of thunder across the southern half of the region.
5 PM Temperatures
Very cold wind chills blanket the Ohio Valley
The storm can be seen entering the western United States
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December 20th, 2008: Upcoming winter threats - bitter cold air
Apparently, the Paducah Sun is going to run an article about my snow chasing and my fascination with winter weather. It will run on Christmas Day (next Thursday). They have a promo running in the paper each day. I will be curious to see what they write. That photo they used today was from Boulder, Colorado. Big wet snow chase!
Well, prepare for the roller coaster ride to continue. Temperatures today will reach into the lower 40s across most of our counties, but that won’t last long as an arctic front moves into the region later tonight. By Sunday temperatures will be falling through the 20s and into the teens. Portions of our region may see single digits my Monday morning.
First, though, we will have a chance for scattered showers and thunderstorms this afternoon ahead of a weak system pushing into the Tennessee Valley. Chilly rain, at that.
Not only do we have to be concerned about cold temperatures, but the wind is going to pick up. Winds could gust into the 20s and perhaps 30 mph range. This will cause bitterly cold wind chills for all of our counties.
Winds this afternoon are already picking up over the Northern Plains.
Temperatures are starting to fall quickly behind the arctic front.
Warmer temperatures can be found aross the southern United States. Images above from www.wright-weather.com
After the arctic air moves into the region we can expect an increase in clouds by Tuesday morning with frozen precipitation moving into the region. Right now the models do not have a good handle on the cold air. I believe the models are pushing the cold air out a bit too fast. This means a wintry mix for Tuesday - changing to rain by Tuesday night.
The exact path of this next winter storm will have to be monitored. As always we are on the border line of ice/snow/rain.
In addition to this threat there could be some snow or rain on Christmas Day. Thunderstorms are possible by next Saturday and Sunday. Come of these storms could be quite strong. Stay tuned as this storm unfolds.
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December 19, 2008: Windy morning over KPAH - Vault door arrives
Strong southerly winds have moved into our region as a low pressure area moves to our north. Showers and a few thunderstorms were showing up on the KPAH Radar. This line will push off to our east as the morning continues.
Winds have gusted between 40-50 mph over the area this morning. A bit windier than was forecast last night. A windy advisory has been issued for the rest of the morning hours. It will expire this afternoon.
A strong temperature gradient can be found on the weather map this morning. This map is centered on KPAH.
Morning Temperatures
The winter storm pulls away. We picked up .25" of rain since midnight. Ice and snow up north.
The next storm system will approach our region on Saturday. The big story with this system will be the bitterly cold air that pours in behind the cold front. Temperatures should dip into the teens across most of South IL and West KY by Monday morning.
We will then be watching a storm system that will push into our area by Tuesday. A mixture of precipitation is forecast with this event. Hopefully we will see a few snowflakes for Christmas Eve or Christmas Day.
The GFS and ensembles currently track this system over our region. If this ends up being the case then don’t expect a lot of frozen precipitation, but rather rain. Hard to believe we will be in the teens on Monday and then rain by Tuesday. That is how it looks, however. Right now I am leaning towards a wet storm - not white.
GFS forecast for the Tuesday event. Image from www.wright-weather.com
We are building a tornado shelter at the new house on the farm. The vault door arrived about three weeks ago, but they are just now getting it up there. This thing weighs 1200 pounds. It will go on the FEMA blueprint tornado shelter. Concrete walls - 10" thick.
Morning on the farm
Wagner moving company brought the 1200 pound door.
Ready to be hung. I think this will protect us from almost any tornado.
This is what it looks like outside of the box
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December 18, 2008: Rain and showers will wash our sleet away
A storm system approaching the region from the southwest will usher in warmer air through the overnight hours. The area of low pressure will move to our north - keeping us in the warm sector. Meanwhile, a major ice storm will develop across portions of Missouri, Illinois, Iowa, Wisconsin, and Indiana. Heavy snow will fall on the northern end of the storm.
The Storm Prediction Center has placed the entire winter storm area in a "general thunderstorm" risk. As of 6 PM tonight thunderstorms with freezing rain were being reported in Missouri, Iowa, and Illinois.
Unfortunately, I will not be able to chase this winter storm. I would love to, however. I have other commitments. Looks like I won’t be chasing until January. Will have to see how the house building is coming along. Not sure I can pull away.
Rainfall amounts across West Kentucky and South Illinois will likely be under 1/2". A few rumbles of thunder will be possible.
The next storm system will approach the region on Saturday. Although rainfall amount will be light across Paducah the big story will be the bitterly cold air the will rush into the region on Sunday. I wouldn’t be surprised to see temperatures dip into the lower teens or single digits by Monday morning across portions of the KPAH region.
As far as a white Christmas goes, it appears that a wintry mix will be possible on Tuesday night and Wednesday. The storm track for this third system has yet to be determined. If it goes south of our region then we will receive snow. If it goes north then we will experience a better chance for rain. Stay tuned!
Evening Satellite - 6 PM
6 PM National Winter Weather Radar
Lightning data from www.weathertap.com - thunderstorms with freezing rain across MO/IA/IL.
250 MB Map - Strong jetstream across America
A large area of the nation is covered in winter storm warnings, freezing rain warnings, and winter weather advisories.
0z NAM - Temperature forecast for Monday morning. BRRRR! Map provided by www.wright-weather.com
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December 18, 2008: First post on the new blog
A number of people have asked me to switch the blog over to WordPress. This way they can subscribe. It will take me a little bit of time to get it up and running. I need to change the header and sidebar links. But, here it is. The WordPress blog is active! Tony Crouch, my brother-in-law got it up and running! He is the internet guru.
For new people joining the blog - here is a little bit of background on my interest in emergency management and severe weather/chasing.
I have been studying weather since I was eight years old. It is a passion. It is in my blood. This passion is difficult to explain. The sound of thunder, the wind rustling the leaves in the trees, the first snowflakes of winter, the first rainbow of spring. Watching the billowing cumulus clouds on a warm summers day. Waiting for that first clap of thunder. The pitter patter of raindrops outside my window.
I love weather! It fascinates me. I am driven to try and understand what makes the atmosphere work.
Peoria, Illinois 2006 Storm Chase
I used to listen to NOAA Weather Radio on the school bus, at school, during recess, in my sleep. The principal at my high school welcomed me into his office, during my lunch break, to watch The Weather Channel. I was a geek. One hundred percent pure weather geek.
I can remember when the NWS had the old radar system. You could watch the sweep line move over precipitation and light it up for a few seconds…it would then fade away. One of the meteorologists, at our local office, gave me a lesson on how to view into storms (this was before Doppler Radar). He showed me how to find hail spikes coming out of the top of a thunderstorm using the old radar system. He would twirl this little knob and the radar beam would go up, higher and higher, into the storm. I was in weather heaven!
Kyoto, Japan - 2006
I still remember the smell of facsimile paper at the local flight service station. FRESH facsimile paper, as the machine would slowly spit out the latest day one severe weather outlook or surface map. I would have my fingers on it before the ink would dry! I used to pester the lady at the flight station, here in Paducah, Kentucky. We would dial up radars, through the telephone, and watch storms in Texas or Oklahoma (that was in the days when Texas and Oklahoma actually got storms) I think she enjoyed it as much as I did.
A near blizzard strikes Peoria, Illinois - December 2006.
Oh yeah and who can forget A.M. Weather? I was probably the only kid in my school that woke up at 6 a.m. for the morning aviation weather briefing. Yes, it gets no nerdier than that.
I have been chasing storms since I was a teenager. There is something about the overpowering, awe inspiring, and surreal feeling of being in the shadow of a Cumulonimbus Cloud. The towering white and gray clouds…overshooting tops…distant lightning bolts. Standing in the country, feeling the warm summer breeze, smell of distant rain, and listening to the rumble of thunder. It makes you feel so small. A reminder that something or someone else is in control. I know many of you reading this know exactly what I am talking about. It can’t be explained to those who fear the weather. It can’t be explained to those who have witnessed the terror that storms can bring. Perhaps it is a passion to want to understand that which we fear. To understand that which is bigger than anything man-kind can make or tame. Whether it is a snowstorm, a tropical storm, or a cyclone…it doesn’t matter. The passion remains the same. Chasing is just an extension of that passion. Photographing Mother Nature at her best and worst.
Tornadic Supercell near Waterloo, Ontario - July 2007.
Unfortunately, I also see the destructive side of weather. Having had friends lose loved ones because of tornadoes I know how lives can be forever changed by Mother Nature’s wrath.
I saw the complete devastation of my own community after the May 2003 tornado outbreaks. An event that forever changed my life and the lives of thousands of others.
I have witnessed first hand the destructive power of F5 tornadoes in Birmingham, Alabama, Andover, Kansas, and a number of F4 events as well. One will never forget the site of scorched earth. Wind so strong that even the grass is gone. The pavement from roads removed. Trees debarked. I will also never forget the Marion, Illinois tornado. We had golf ball size hail from that system at my house.
I have also witnessed the power of tropical weather. Having been through Hurricane Cindy and Dennis and then seeing the destruction from Hurricane Katrina and Rita I can say that I have no desire to live on the coastline of the Gulf Coast of America.
The Mississippi Gulf Coast was nearly destroyed by Katrina and Rita
Although Mother Nature can be beautiful she can also be destructive. It is the nature of the beast.
I also spend a lot of time covering severe weather for Ballard and McCracken Counties of Western Kentucky. I am the Severe Weather Tech and Meteorologist Specialists for the Paducah Emergency Management Team. I have a complete Severe Weather Center here in my house. I cover critical weather events using the latest radar technology and weather software available to the public and private sector. This is part of my passion…public safety and awareness. I like being able to share what I know about meteorology. I find myself totally immersed in extreme weather events once they enter our region. Unfortunately, sometimes this means trading my chaser hat for my emergency management hat.
This is where I monitor the weather for Emergency Management.
The new and improved center for 2007!
I volunteer some of my time to the American Red Cross as a Disaster Relief Volunteer. I am currently serving as the local Disaster Vice Chair for the Paducah Area Chapter of Western Kentucky. We cover four counties and service nearly 100,000 people. We have a large group of wonderful volunteers…prepared to take on any event that might impact our area.
Feeding volunteers afterHurricane Katrina.
I encourage everyone in the weather and chase community to take the time to give back something to those who find themselves at the mercy of severe weather. You won’t regret it. In 2005 I spent two months helping people pick up the pieces from Hurricane Katrina and Rita (or Karita as I like to call them). I can say that I have never witnessed destruction like what I saw on the Mississippi Coastline. Incredible, raw, and nothing less than pure devastation.
Hurricane Katrina and Rita -2005
At the Houston Astrodome I was able to make two special friends, Pedro and Helen (seen right). They had only been married for a few weeks when Hurricane Katrina destroyed their home. They were placed on a bus and driven out of New Orleans and brought to the arena in Houston. They still managed to smile through it all. They were an inspiration to me and left a fingerprint on my heart. Mother Nature may be strong but the human spirit is stronger.
My friends Pedro and Helen from New Orleans, LA.
I have, from time to time, also found myself at the mercy of the weather. Having to take shelter as Category 4 Hurricane Dennis approached the Gulf Coast during the 2005 Hurricane Season. This came right on the heals of Hurricane Cindy, which I felt first hand in Destin, Florida.
Waiting out a storm in Florida.
Outside of other business ventures I am currently a student of Mississippi State University. I am enrolled in the Broadcast Meteorology and Bachelor of Science Program. The program will take three years to complete.
I serve as President of the Shadow Angel Foundation. I am a strong believer in the philosophy of "Pay It Forward." I also run New Horizons Incorporated and I am second majority share-holder in RTC Health.
Obviously I also have a passion for photography. I also like to scuba dive, mountain climb, parasail, snowmobile, and cross country ski. I love to travel and I love adventure.
Mount Sinai - Egypt (left) and the Red Sea Scuba Diving (right)
I will try anything once. Life is short so enjoy it. Some of my photographs from around the world.
2006 award recipient of the "Caesar J. Fiamma Volunteer Service Award." This award was presented by my friend Sue Henry (right), Executive Director, of the American Red Cross -
My friend, Sue Henry, presents me with the "Caesar J. Fiamma" Award.
2005 Service Award Certificates from the American Red Cross. Given to volunteers who gave their time in helping others after Hurricane Katrina and Rita.
2006 award recipient, along with NBC-WPSD TV-6, of the Mark Trail Award. We were honored with this National Service Award for our efforts to promote the NOAA Weather Radio Program. WPSD TV has been responsible for more than 10.000 NOAA Weather Radios being distributed throughout the four state region. We started this program in response to the May 6th, 2003 Tri-County Tornado. The ripple effect of this program has even spread to other parts of the nation.
Mark Trail Award
2004 award recipient of the "Six Who Make A Difference." Awarded by NBC WPSD-TV 6 to six residents of the four state area who have served their community in extraordinary ways. The award was presented for the work the Shadow Angel Foundation did following the F4 Tri-County Tornado that struck on May 6, 2003.
Now you know a little more about me. I enjoy reading the biographies of other people, so I figured someone might want to know the person behind this camera and web-site.
All of that is good and well, but what is truly important in life is family, friendships, and LIFE itself. Spending time with those you care for and love. Following your dreams. Following your passions. Doing what you think you need to do…the pursuit of happiness!
Taking time out of your day to listen to the snowflakes falling outside your window. Listening to the trees crackle when the temperature is 5 degrees outside. Watching a spectacular sunset or sunrise. Nothing beats that! Oh and don’t forget the meteor showers.
Life is supposed to be a journey. We never arrive but rather we continue on. There isn’t an end goal. There are just new adventures. There will be pain. There will be tragedy. There will be beautiful sadness. In the end though have no regrets. Live life as it was meant to be lived. In its fullest.
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About Me
Welcome to my journal. I call it a journal because I started this before "blogs" existed. Within this site you will find pages and pages and pages of my journey over the last 10 years. An incredible story of triumph, sadness, happiness, and intense battles. I run several web-sites. Most of them dealing with weather and photography - my passion. You can visit the sites through the links below. If you would like to know more about me then please visit my biography page by clicking Here.
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