Thursday, November 25, 2010

Cold front as of now is just east of Mayfield to Dixon to Owensboro. Owensboro is under a Severe Thunderstorm Warning. Mayfield and Paducah are already in the 40's.

HAPPY THANKSGIVING

Thunderstorm Warning for West KY

SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING
KYC033-055-107-139-233-252000-
/O.NEW.KPAH.SV.W.0176.101125T1914Z-101125T2000Z/

BULLETIN - EAS ACTIVATION REQUESTED
SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE PADUCAH KY
114 PM CST THU NOV 25 2010

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN PADUCAH HAS ISSUED A

* SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING FOR...
HOPKINS COUNTY IN NORTHWEST KENTUCKY...
SOUTHERN WEBSTER COUNTY IN NORTHWEST KENTUCKY...
NORTHERN CALDWELL COUNTY IN WESTERN KENTUCKY...
SOUTHEASTERN CRITTENDEN COUNTY IN WESTERN KENTUCKY...
EAST CENTRAL LIVINGSTON COUNTY IN WESTERN KENTUCKY...

* UNTIL 200 PM CST.

* AT 110 PM CST...NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DOPPLER RADAR INDICATED A
SEVERE THUNDERSTORM CAPABLE OF PRODUCING DAMAGING WINDS IN EXCESS
OF 60 MPH. THIS STORM WAS LOCATED NEAR MARION..AND MOVING EAST AT
50 MPH.

* LOCATIONS IN THE WARNING INCLUDE...
MARION...
CRESWELL...
FARMERSVILLE...
OLNEY...
PROVIDENCE...
MADISONVILLE...
EARLINGTON...
MORTONS GAP...

THIS INCLUDES THE PENNYRILE PARKWAY BETWEEN EXITS 40 AND 54.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

DOPPLER RADAR HAS INDICATED SOME WEAK ROTATION WITHIN THIS STORM. BE
PREPARED TO TAKE IMMEDIATE ACTION SHOULD A TORNADO BE SPOTTED OR A
WARNING ISSUED.

THIS IS A VERY DANGEROUS STORM CAPABLE OF BLOWING DOWN TREES AND
POWER POLES. MOVE INDOORS TO A SUBSTANTIAL SHELTER SUCH AS A BASEMENT
OR INTERIOR ROOM OR HALLWAY.

&&

LAT...LON 3751 8743 3720 8746 3719 8822 3738 8813
TIME...MOT...LOC 1914Z 258DEG 45KT 3728 8801
WIND...HAIL 60MPH 0.88IN

$$

SMITH

Wednesday, November 24, 2010

Pre Turkey Run Down



Rainy Turkeys

http://forecast.weather.gov/showsigwx.php?warnzone=KYZ017&warncounty=KYC047&firewxzone=KYZ017&local_place1=Hopkinsville+KY&product1=Flood+Watch

Flood Watch for Western Kentucky for tonight and Thursday. Not a major flood event, but due to increase Holiday Travel, and leaves clogging drainage system, there could be some ponding of roads, and minor flooding. This could cause hydroplaning, and minor flooding issues for holiday travel. An additional 1 to 3 inches of rain locally 4 is possible with the second part of this event, on top of the 1 inch to inch and a half already received.

Tuesday, November 23, 2010

Turkey Day Weather

Rain clears out then a break in the action. Then showers and storms are back for Wednesday, and Thanksgiving. Should be mostly non-severe, but an isolated severe storm cannot be ruled out. Temperatures will be in the 60's in this time-frame, but a sharp cold front moves through Thanksgiving evening/night, if you are lucky you may get a microscopic flurry or sleet pellet late Thanksgiving night.

Monday, November 22, 2010

Through early in the morning showers and thunderstorms are expected, some may be strong to severe, a major event isn't expected. Watch out for locally heavy rain and strong to severe storms. Keep a NOAA WX Radio, or a News Source ready just in case things happen.

Tornado Watch 749 till 4AM

TORNADO WATCH OUTLINE UPDATE FOR WT 749
NWS STORM PREDICTION CENTER NORMAN OK
825 PM CST MON NOV 22 2010

TORNADO WATCH 749 IS IN EFFECT UNTIL 400 AM CST FOR THE
FOLLOWING LOCATIONS

KYC007-033-035-039-055-059-075-083-101-105-107-139-143-145-149-
157-221-225-233-231000-
/O.NEW.KWNS.TO.A.0749.101123T0225Z-101123T1000Z/

KY
. KENTUCKY COUNTIES INCLUDED ARE

BALLARD CALDWELL CALLOWAY
CARLISLE CRITTENDEN DAVIESS
FULTON GRAVES HENDERSON
HICKMAN HOPKINS LIVINGSTON
LYON MARSHALL MCCRACKEN
MCLEAN TRIGG UNION
WEBSTER
$$

Sunday, November 21, 2010

Updated Winter Overview.

Click on the link for more details.

Update about the Winter

Since Winter Awareness Week has passed, there is some updates to winter to address.

* The La Nina is still raging, but has warmed a bit. This is interesting, because this may not be the super-strong La Nina we thought it to be. Still a -1.3C to -1.6C seems to be a reasonable forecast, so a moderate, or low end strong.

* This means that La Nina will have a big impact, but may not dominate the pattern. Also there has been evidence of a somewhat stronger than normal subtropical jet then normal for a La Nina. If this continues it could link up with an active Northern Jet, and form strong storms.

* There will be a Pacific Firehouse at times this winter. Times of zonal flow, and boring weather will be common, but also spurts of extreme weather, over a short period of time seems reasonable. The type of pattern where you can get thunderstorms, snow, and flood events in a span of a week.

* The NAO could average slightly negative, this will show up at times and prevent a very warm winter, despite the La Nina, and Pacific Firehose.

* The best chances for Winter Weather in West KY, are during December(not totally sold on this), and from Valentines Day to Saint Patrick's day(a blockbuster storm is possible here).

* Severe Storms/Tornadoes watch out for these things, even during the winter. Don't be surprised if we have a severe weather outbreak or two during the Dec-Feb period.

Thursday, November 18, 2010

WPSD Winter Thoughts

http://www.wpsdlocal6.com/weather/blog/Todays-Weather-Discussion.html

Wednesday, November 17, 2010

Past from the past last winter


Winter Weather can be beautiful, but also dangerous. This is a picture from the February 8th-9th 2010 Winter Storm in Hopkinsville Kentucky.

Winter Weather Safety and Travel tips

http://www.srh.noaa.gov/meg/?n=winterwxawarewed

Monday, November 15, 2010

5 years ago he November 15th 2005 tornado outbreak.

http://www.crh.noaa.gov/pah/?n=nov1505f4

On the heels of November 5th-6th event. Over 6 tornadoes touched down across Western Kentucky, including a deadly one near Benton KY that was an F3. A F4 hit Earlington KY on this day, and was the only violent(F4-F5 tornado in the nation in the year of 2005)

Cool Season Convective Weather

http://www.crh.noaa.gov/lmk/?n=cool_season_severe_weather

Remember that cool season convective weather can occur. Outbreaks like 1/17 and 1/21-22/1999, 1/3/2000, 2/5/2008, can occur during the winter season.

Severe Weather can occur anytime, any month, and anyplace in Western Kentucky, if the conditions are right, so be prepared for that as well.

Sunday, November 14, 2010

Today is Ice Storm Day


^^ From NWS Paducah in Jan 2009, after a Historic Ice Storm. ^^

Beware of the threat from Ice Storms. Ice Storms present both a travel threat, and a threat to life and property. Ice Storms are typically caused when a layer of warm air exists over a shallow cold air mass. Precipitation will change to rain in the warmer air, and then as it hits the surface(which is below freezing) it will freeze on contact creating a glaze.

Some Facts
  • Ice as little as trace amounts can cause travel issues(for example over 100 accidents have occurred during events were as little as a 1/10th of ice has fallen)
  • Ice can cause widespread tree/powerline damage. Some areas during the January 26th-28th Ice Storm were without power for 2 months. Some areas of Middle Tennessee and south Central Kentucky during the February Ice Storm of 1994 were without power for anywhere from a day to 2 months.
  • In Bad Ice Storms communication and modern technology is spotty at best, and could fail.
  • It is important that you prepare for any possible Ice Event that could head our way.
  • Hypothermia, and house fires, Carbon Monoxide poison, are also concerns during extended power outages.
  • Don't leave candles unattended, keep a battery supply for flashlights, keep space heaters away from flammable items, and keep any grills away from your home.
  • Stay informed if there is a threat of Ice or any Winter Event for your area.
  • Bridges/Overpasses freeze first, and are the most hazardous.


Tips from the NWS are below.

At home or at work - Make sure you have:

  • Extra flashlights and batteries
  • A battery-powered NOAA Weather Radio or AM/FM portable radio
  • Extra food and water (2-3 day supply)
  • Extra medicine and baby items
  • First Aid supplies
  • Emergency Heating source**
  • Carbon Monoxide Detector

TRAVELLING - Avoid doing so if possible. If you must travel:

  • Watch for low-hanging or downed power lines and tree limbs.
  • Keep in mind that road conditions may be extremely variable. Bridges become icy first.
  • Carry a winter survival kit in your vehicle in case you become stuck. The contents of a winter survival kit include...
    • Extra blankets or sleeping bag
    • Flashlight with extra batteries
    • First Aid kit with pocket knife
    • Booster cables
    • A rope
    • A small shovel
    • A bag of sand or cat litter for traction
    • Plastic bags (for sanitation)
    • Extra gloves, hat, and socks
    • Non-perishable food items and bottled water
    • Road maps (for alternative routes)

Winter Awareness Week

http://www.crh.noaa.gov/news/display_cmsstory.php?wfo=pah&storyid=37311&source=0

This is the NWS Paducah Link.

Thursday, November 11, 2010

Happy Veterans Day

Happy Veterans Day !!!

Thank you to all the Armed forces of the past, present, and future.

Enjoy the Mid to Upper 70's today and tomorrow.

Wednesday, November 10, 2010

Warm almost hot days through Friday. Cool and drizzly November days afterward. then in the long range, a good cold shot could enter the picture.

Sunday, November 7, 2010

A old facebook post hightlighting November 5th-6th 2005

My overview of November 5th-6th 2005 from a one year ago facebook post I posted back in 2006.


Nov 6th 2005 a day that changed many people;s thoughts on Tornado Safety and Night time and fall Tornadoes.

* This is one of the four Tornado Outbreaks I will discuss.
* This is more than just a really bad fall outbreak and is probably the worst Tornado Outbreak to hit Western Ky/Southern Indiana since the Lower Ohio River Valley Tornado Outbreak of 1990.

The Setup- The atmosphere set up was typical for some type of severe weather to occur generally speaking. But generally across West Ky the storm prediction center convective outlook listed a slight risk across all of western ky and parts of western and northwestern portions of Middle Tennessee. A powerful strongly sheared low was moving though around the quad cities area with a powerful cold front moving along. A cap held throughout the day across Western Ky till finally on the morning of Nov 6th just after midnight the cap broke. Despite it being in the late night/early morning hours the capped warm sector finally was realized and a squall line full of very damaging supercells and bow echos formed. Despite the night time CAPE values and Instability were greater than forecasted around 1500 j/kg there was a local area where shear and the instability were greater across Northwest Ky and Southwest IN this is where the mos destructive Tornadoes occurred.

The Effects- In an enhanced zone of shear and instability around 1:30am supported the development of two supercells which I will refer to as the Northern One( Evansville/Henderson) and the Southern One ( Crittenden/Webster County Ky) Around 1:30am the NWS Paduach issued Tornado Warnings for both these supercells. The problem was many people were asleep because it was 1:30am and didn't have a noaa weather radio to wake them up, and to add to the unfolding drama some of these people were in Mobile homes very unsafe places to be in an effect of a tornado or damaging straight line wind event. The Northern Supercell started it;s destruction in a small community in Henderson County called Smith mills where it damaged a house and left it;s tracks on floodplains in the area. This Tornado then broke a common myth by crossing the Ohio River into Indiana, Then it crossed back into Northern Henderson County were it had it;s site on Ellis Park which will become the first Horse Racing stadium to be damaged by a tornado. 8 injuries occurred here and several horses died because of there injury. The most destructive part of the Tornado was Southeast of Evansville the tornado caught many people in their sleep despite the lead time, and the Tornado became one of the deadliest in the region in many years, then it went through Newburgh IN and across several more miles. In the end a tragedy was revealed 8 million dollars worth of damage in Henderson County Ky and across Southern Indiana 25 people lost their life as they went to sleep and never got back up. Think about this the next time severe weather hits always have a NOAA Weather Radio encourage your friends to get one. I feel sorry for all the victims in this tragedy and i hope we all learned from it. The southern Supercell went though Crittenden and Webster County Ky luckily no deaths but several injuries and homes damaged in this event. Also winds up to 120 mph were observed in Paris Tennessee causing a few injuries and heavily damaged homes and businesses

- Significance
* People in the region and Nationwide started to understand Fall Outbreaks
* I learned it doesn't take a bunch of instability to start a wicked Tornado outbreak with good shear and all the other factors marginal to moderate shear could be all you need
* The Importance of NOAA Weather Radio's was known this led to me getting one and also Indiana passing the groundbreaking CJ's Law
* In these events you learn not to take life for granted live each moment like it is your last.

Resources
http://www.crh.noaa.gov/pah/?n=top10of2005
http://www.spc.noaa.gov/climo/reports/051105_rpts.html
http://www.spc.noaa.gov/products/outlook/archive/2005/day1otlk_20051105_2000.html
http://www.spc.noaa.gov/products/watch/2005/ww0844.html- T-storm Watch
http://www.spc.noaa.gov/products/watch/2005/ww0845.html Tornado Watch
This is from Crittenden/Webster County KY F-3 Tornado which hit around between 1:30 and 2am on Nov 6th 2005 taken By the NWS Paducah storm survey team.
This is the deadly F-3 Tornado that caused the 25 fatalities this Tornado was 40+ miles long and went From Henderson County Ky through southwestern Indiana counties of Vanderburgh, Warrick, and Spencer. Taken by the Deaconess Women;s hospital in Evansville IN

Friday, November 5, 2010

KY Drought Monitor

http://www.drought.unl.edu/dm/DM_state.htm?KY,MW

All of Western Kentucky is at least under D1 Moderate Drought, With up to D3 Extreme Drought in Owensboro and Far Western Kentucky. D1 and D2 for the rest of Western Kentucky.

Thursday, November 4, 2010

5 years ago from Saturday

http://www.crh.noaa.gov/pah/?n=evansvilletornado-nov.6%2C2005

5 years ago the devastating Evansville IN/Henderson KY area tornado. This is the NWS Paducah link to it.

More details over the weekend, as we remember and review this tragic event.

Tuesday, November 2, 2010

Storms of October 26th

http://www.crh.noaa.gov/news/display_cmsstory.php?wfo=pah&storyid=59388&source=0
http://www.crh.noaa.gov/pah/?n=spottertraining

Spotter Training at Hopkinsville KY, at 9am.