Beautiful day - best day we have had so far this spring. One of the few 70 degree days we have had this spring. It has been chilly! See map from yesterday. BRRRR - for April. Dry today - for once. More rain is moving into the region, however, from the west/southwest. We may see 1/2-1" between now and Monday. Just what we don’t need.
Spent the entire day at the farm - fixed some weather instruments - pulled some wires - got everything ready for the rain. We met Jason Hart, from MAAPS, at 11:30 AM. He brought the pipe for the solar panels. It is talled and bigger than I imaged! They concreted it into the ground this afternoon.
I am pretty sure I got a little bit of sunburn today - not much shade up on top of the hill!
Qwest called and it looks like they may have the internet up and running in a couple of weeks. We shall see. They did deliver the router today - so it appears we are looking good for internet.
The guys put the floor down in the kids play-room today. Perhaps by the end of next week the whole house will be in the dry? If we can get some good weather then that could very well be the case. We shall see - it is moving right along, though. Next up will be plumbing and electrical. A couple of weeks until they do that.
I have finals in the coming days - ton of studying to do - homework - study guides. :)
Some photos from today…
THe guys were hard at work today - putting the floor in the kids playroom.
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Joe took this photo from on top of the lift
Way up high :) Anemometer.
Joe took this photo - Bobby lifted him up with the lift.
Looking west - southwest
We found this date on the old cistern over where grandmother’s house used to be. Says "1943"
Jason Hark and Joe (another Joe from St Louis) - moving the solar pipe
Bobby and Joe bringing the big pipe for the solar panels
Solar company - MAAPS
Time to dig the hole for the pole
Digging the hole for the pipe
The pipe for the solar panels
Bobby bringing the pipe for the solar
Jason with the pipe in the ground
Here comes the concrete
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Bringing in the concrete
Concrete is ready to pour 
Pouring the concrete for the solar panel pipe
Finished product
Solar hot water heater arrives
Here come the solar hot water heater
April 17th, 2009
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It has been a long 24 hours. Numerous severe thunderstorms struck southeast MO, South IL, West KY, West TN (and many other areas). McCracken County had winds of 80+ mph and Massac County did as well. Lot of damage to structures.
Numerous counties had hailstorms. We had several hailstorms in McCracken County. Graves County had a large supercell with a hook echo pass south of Mayfield. A wall cloud was reported.
Rough 24 hours. Glad it is over.
Spent a lot of time over the last few days at the farm. Jason and Jess Darnall helped put weather instruments up and trench some ditches. Looks like everything is moving along!
Some photos and images from the last few days…
Putting the anemometer on top of the big tower
Jason Darnall and myself - going higher!
In the rain even - and wind!!!!!
And the tower cam!
Trenching the wires for the weather instruments.
Damage in Massac County - storm hit at 1:15 AM in the morning. Lady said it sounded like a freight train.
Concrete brick wall was destroyed.
Tornadic supercell that passed in Graves County, Kentucky - just south of Mayfield, Kentucky (where my sister and mom lives)
Hail in Reidland. Photo sent from Reidland Fire Department. Photo by Justin Adams
Tony Crouch photograph - hailstorm in Mayfield, KY - photo sent at 2 AM
This was the storm that hit us at 1-2 AM in the morning. Widespread winds of 50-70 mph were reported across our counties.
Squall line hitting our counties at 1-2 AM
April 11th, 2009
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Looks like there will be a chance for severe weather on Thursday night into Friday morning. The SPC has placed us in a slight risk for strong weather. Will have to keep an eye on the location of the warm front and the track of the low. NAM actually shows LI readings of -8 and CAPE over 2000 on Friday.
April 8th, 2009
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I put the instrument shelter up today. My friend David Brown, from Canada, is giving me some tips on how to place the thermometers and other. What is funny is that when I was a little kid I built a little weather shelter out of some broken plywood - nailed together - four pieces or so lol - it didn’t have a door or anything like that. It was just a little wooden box! Who would have thought that I would eventually have some real weather instruments up on my old family farm. For that matter who would have thought I would get the family farm back!!!
Hoping to get the shelter legs in concrete soon - I have it tied down with some wire and trailer "tie downs" - pretty deep into the ground. Unfortunately, the weather is going downhill, again. It appears that supercells and/or severe thunderstorms will be possible late Thursday night and Friday morning. Some of the latest data indicates high CAPE values (instability) betwee 6 AM and 4 PM on Friday. There could be tornadoes. Stay tuned.
More heavy weather is possible on Easter Sunday into Monday. Heavy rain could be the biggest threat. The rivers are starting to rise. That is becoming a bigger concern with each passing storm system. The wild weather continues.
It looks like they have the roof going up on the second floor of the house - over the garage today. They will likely start on the rest in the coming days. Hopefully they can get everything in the dry fairly soon. The wet weather is not going to help anyone.
Some photos from today…
April 7th, 2009
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I have put together a page concerning the high wind event that injured 12 people on Sunday. Some radar grabs and photographs sent from some of our rescue volunteers.
http://www.stormreports.org/april_5_2009_storm.htm
Storm damage in Paducah, Kentucky - April 5, 2009 Photograph
April 7th, 2009
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Public reports of a possible tornado on the south side of Paducah this afternoon. A line of severe thunderstorms moved through the county with winds in excess of 70 mph. Awaiting a storm survey for more information.
Southland Baptist Church had much of its roof removed - Lowes had outbuildings flipped over - 12 people were injured in a bus accident after high winds pushed a car into a truck and then hit the bus. Also six residences had damage.
A meso-cyclone moved through Pulaski County, Illinois and Northern Ballard County, Kentucky. Damage was reported to one home. Siding and roof damage. No warnings were issued with either storm, unfortunately. Sometimes that happens.
WPSD posted these images of the church
WPSD TV SIX PHOTOGRAPH
WPSD TV SIX PHOTOGRAPH
WPSD TV SIX PHOTOGRAPH
April 5th, 2009
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April 5, 2009: Morning update - 2 AM
(trying a new lay-out) - Call to action will be at the top - summary for those who want a quick "hit and run" summary - analysis for those wanted more information - and links for live data at the bottom of the email.
This forecast was issued by - Beau Dodson
Meteorological Specialist for the Paducah/McCracken County Office of Emergency Management
This outlook is issued for portions of southeast Missouri, South Illinois, southwest Indiana, State of Kentucky, West Tennessee, and northeast Arkansas.
Effective April 5 through April 14th.
Call To Action: Spotters may be needed later today. Listen to NOAA Weather Radio for possible watches and/or warnings.
SUMMARY OF EVENT FORECAST:
1. The entire area has been placed in a slight risk (remember there are three risk levels slight/moderate/high) for severe thunderstorms on Sunday, by the Storm Prediction Center
2. Storm mode - low topped supercells and lines of storms are possible on Sunday. If instability can be realized the risk for severe weather will increase a bit.
3. Storm motion - storms will move towards the east/northeast at 45-55 mph.
4. Severe weather type - large hail, damaging winds, heavy rain, lightning, and isolated tornadoes are possible Sunday.
5. Time - most likely time for severe weather will be between 11 AM and 7 PM. (Some storms possible in the morning - esp in MO/IL). The severe weather risk should diminish after sunset as the storms move further east.
ANALYSIS:
Remember that severe weather is isolated in nature. Unless a major squall line pushes through a particular region the damage generally varies from county county. A few counties may sustain large hail, damaging winds, or tornadoes and the majority of counties may not receive any severe weather. It is nearly impossible to predict ahead of time which county will receive the worst weather. Unlike snowstorms, severe thunderstorms can be isolated or scattered.
I say that only because the last few events have produced little damage in Massac, McCracken, Ballard, and Graves Counties. Other counties have not been so fortunate. It is the luck of the draw when it comes to these event as to who get hits and who does not.
This also makes it difficult it trying to keep the public vigilant during spring severe weather season. It is "always" someone else’s county that is impacted, however we know that is now always the case. All of our local counties have taken a beating over the last few years. So, it is important to take each event on its own merit.
Strong low pressure area is advancing through Kansas and Missouri this morning. It will continue to push eastward and southeastward through this afternoon. Temperatures and dew points will increase across our region through the morning and early afternoon hours. They should reach at least the 50s and some dew points could rise into the 60s. This will provide enough moisture for severe thunderstorms to form.
Thunderstorms - supercells will likely develop later this morning and during the afternoon hours over portions of Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky and Tennessee. The greatest risk for tornadoes will likely be over Illinois and Indiana. Tornadoes can not be ruled out over the rest of our counties, as well. The main threat will likely be large hail and high winds.
A few thunderstorms will also move into the region this morning (before noon). The main threat for these storms would be locally heavy downpours and hail. You can see them forming on radar out in Missouri and Oklahoma, at this hour. Lightning, of course, will also be a threat for those outdoors.
Very windy conditions (west/northwest winds) will also spread over the region later on Sunday and continue into Monday. Wind gusts over 30 mph are likely - with gusts over 40 mph possible in open fields and on hilltops. Cold weather will also spread over the region. A rain/snow mixture is even possible on Monday as the colder air moves into the region. No accumulation is expected. A set-back for spring lovers. Freezing temperatures will be possible on Tuesday morning, unfortunately.
Another storm will approach the region on Thursday. A bit early to determine what if any severe weather threat will occur with this system. Another storm system will approach the region next Sunday into Monday. Timing of this system is very uncertain, however, severe weather will also be possible with it.
Active weather pattern. Stay tuned…
Again, in summary:
Some strong/severe storms are possible today - we are in a slight risk zone.
Windy conditions (west/northwest winds) on Sunday afternoon into Monday - gusts over 30 mph likely.
Cold weather returns on Sunday night and Monday. Rain/snow mix is possible on Monday - windy, as well. Cold Tuesday morning.
Some strong storms are possible next Thursday - uncertainty on track and instability surrounds that system.
Another storm system is possible for Easter and the following Monday/Tuesday time period.
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LINKS FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION/RADAR/LIVE WEATHER:
New weather stations are up in McCracken County (see links below)
We have placed two weather instruments systems up in McCracken County - the links are below:
http://www.wunderground.com/weatherstation/WXDailyHistory.asp?ID=KKYKEVIL2
Western part of McCracken County (near Kevil in Ballard County)
http://www.wunderground.com/swf/Rapid_Fire.swf?units=english&station=KKYKEVIL2
Live streaming data of the above
http://www.wunderground.com/weatherstation/WXDailyHistory.asp?ID=KKYPADUC9
Reidland area
http://www.wunderground.com/swf/Rapid_Fire.swf?units=english&station=KKYPADUC9
Live streaming data from Reidland
You can find more stations on the Wunderground site (just put in your zip code). Eventually I will have my system up and running in the Round Knob area of Massac County. Will be a few more months, though.
Some links that might be useful:
Storm Prediction Web-Site
http://www.spc.noaa.gov/
Regional Radar
http://wxweb.meteostar.com/radar/radar_link.shtml?map=SCR_BASE_REFL.gif
Large Regional Radar
http://radar.weather.gov/Conus/full.php
National Weather Service Paducah - watches/warnings
http://www.crh.noaa.gov/pah/
National Weather Service Memphis, Tennessee - watches/warnings
http://www.srh.noaa.gov/meg/
All NWS Sites
http://www.weather.gov/organization.php#maps
Beau Dodson
Meteorological Specialist for the Paducah/McCracken County Office of Emergency Management
April 5th, 2009
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It has been a very busy week. A series of storm systems have brought rounds of rain and thunderstorms to our region. Several severe weather events over the last week - including an EF3 tornado in West KY. Yesterday’s storms produced golfball size hail in South IL and at least one one wall south of Benton, Kentucky. No damage reported.
I have been busy covering the severe weather for OEM and trying to get my house built. We have been working on the towers for the weather instruments and the weather instrument shelter. Should start putting more antennas up next week.
Yesterday we had a low track through the area - Jason Darnall recorded a pressure reading of 29.17". IMPRESSIVE.
Some images from the last few days…
Deep low pressure area moves over the KPAH region
The weather instruments shelter - for max/min thermometer
Putting together the weather instruments shelter
Coming along nicely now
Putting the legs onto the shelter body
The finished product (needs to go in the ground now)
Weather instruments for the small tower
Time to put the weather instruments onto the shelter
Anemometer installation
Anemometer and wind vane
ALMOST there!!!!
Putting up the thermometer and humidity sensor
Finished - it won’t capture the north wind because of the house. I will have some other
instruments to help with that.
The finished product
The house is coming along. Can’t wait to move in!!!!
April 3rd, 2009
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