Friday, December 31, 2010

Top 10 Events for the West KY/Middle TN area.

TOP 10 Weather Events!!(For West KY,South Central KY,Middle TN) 2010 was the year for those who love variety in their weather. January, February, and December were well below average, and featured winter storms. June, July, August were months, that featured at times endless heat. There was an historic flood event, along with a drought. Tornadoes weren't as prolific as previous years, and there were pretty much 3 severe wx events, along with a few minor ones. The number 1 event was easy to pick out. Sources used are personal experiences, NCDC, News Outlets in the area, NWS Summaries.

1) Early May Historic Flooding, and Tornado Outbreak- Historic Flooding occurred, both flash flooding, and rivers and streams. Widespread heavy rains started on the evening of the 30th, and didn't move out to the 2nd of May. 10 to 19 inches of rain fell across South Central Kentucky and Middle Tennessee. Nashville had over 1.5 billion dollars of damage alone, along with 12 fatalities in this event in Nashville alone. The Cumberland River crested at record level in Clarksville, causing damage in the riverfront area, Perry County was at one time 40% under water, Hickman County was stranded from the outside world due to the severe flooding. Also severe flooding occurred in the Lakes area of Western KY, as dams released due to the pressure from swollen rivers in Middle Tennessee. Also tornadoes several occurring in the areas with the worst flooding, formed on the early morning of May 1st, a few during the day of May 1st, but most after midnight on May 2nd. 12 tornadoes occurred in this outbreak, Including an Ef2 tornado in Hard Hit Hickman County, in the Coble TN area. EF2 Tornadoes also occurred in Hickman/Fulton counties, and in North Christian counties. An EF1 tornado caused 950K dollars of damage in the Rivergate area of Davidson/Sumner County. Many Middle Tennessee counties, and even some Western and South Central Kentucky counties were declared disaster areas, and could receive possible federal funding.

2) Summer Heat Wave- The opposite of the winter months, was the excessive heat. Heat picked up in Late June, and stayed from July, before the peak in Early August. In which temperatures jumped well into the triple digits, with dewpoints in the 75 to 80 range, producing Heat Index values of 110 to 120 degrees. All 3 months were well above average, and the Summer of 2010 was ranked as the 1st to 3rd warmest summer on record, depending on the station.

3) August 18th-19th Cumberland Plateau/Mid TN Flooding- Flooding returned to the Middle Tennessee landscape in August of 2010. With another downpour again, but this time Mid TN was prepared, as no fatalities occurred. 5 to 8 inches of rain fall, with over 13 inches in Putnam County. Over 50 million dollars of damage occurred in the area, and for Eastern areas it was almost as bad, if not worse than the May event. Structures, roads, homes, were all heavily damaged in the worst areas.

4) January 29th-30th Winter Storm- A Potent Winter Storm struck Western Kentucky, and Middle Tennessee during the day of the 29th, and into the 30th. In Western and South Central Kentucky an upper level system moved through and dumped 4 to 6 inches of heavy snow in the area. 1 foot drifts occurred in Hopkinsville. In Middle Tennessee the Plateau and Northern Mid TN reported anywhere from 3 to 10 inches of snow, in Southwest, and Southern Middle TN, Ice and Sleet mixed in, with up to an 1/2 inch of ice, on top of 1 to 5 inches of snow and sleet reported. This was a very disruptive storm, as hundred of accidents occurred in the region

5) February 8th-9th Winter Storm- The city of Hopkinsville called it one of the prettiest snows ever. This was a storm that wasn't supposed to happen, but the cold air hung out enough for a all snow event in Western Kentucky, and a good snow event in South Central KY, and Middle TN before a change to rain. Western Mid TN, and Western Kentucky received from 3 to 8 inches of wet snow. Areas south and east of Nashville, and Nashville itself managed at least an inch of snow, before a change to rain. The cold weather that followed, allowed the snow to stay on the ground for over a week in most areas.

6) Drought 2010- After the wet May, things dried out considerably in June-September. Moderate to Extreme Drought resulted in crop damages, and a very dry Summer and Fall. Wildfires, Blowing Dust, low ponds, all occurred in this dry period.

7) October 26th Wind Storm- A sub 960 mb, system almost as strong as a CAT 3 hurricane formed in the Plains and exploded across Minnesota. A Serial Derecho also appeared across the area starting in West KY around 7am, and the line, and supercells that formed out ahead of it cleared out by 4pm. Several reports of funnel Clouds occurred, along with a few tornadoes. 4 tornadoes occurred in Christian,Todd,Muhlenberg County, including an Ef-1 tornado that caused some damage in the north side of Hopkinsville KY. Non-Thunderstorms up to 50MPH occurred as well, the Marshall County EM office, reported power-outages with the Non-Thuderstorm winds. An EF1 tornado occurred in Moore County TN on the 24th, just before this storm.

8) December 12th-13th 2010 Snow Storm- A nice December snow began on this day. 1 to 4 inches fall across most of Middle TN/Western Kentucky. This was somewhat of a rare event, being a NW Flow/Wraparound snow event. The Cumberland Plateau cashed in greatly from this event, getting anywhere from 4 to 8 inches of snow, Jamestown TN was the winner, the city the sits on top of the Northern Cumberland Plateau received a foot of snow, with snow drifts 6 feet deep.

9) April 24th Storms- A line of storms, and a few supercell produced severe weather across the area. An Ef-1 Tornado was the biggest storm of the day in Parsons TN(Decatur County). Also 2 injuries occurred in Northeast Montgomery County due to a microburst. 3 tornadoes occurred in Middle TN, and 1 in Western Kentucky on this day.

10) White Christmas 2010- The whole area of Western Kentucky and Middle Tennessee received a White Christmas, that brought out memories of the old days, as a half inch to 7 inches fall from a snow event that started the night of Christmas Eve, and for the Plateau area of Middle Tennessee continued until the 26th, as a Upper Level system, combined with a gulf low turned nor'easter made for a white and snowy Christmas Holiday.

The Severe Threat is over, but locally heavy rain and lightning are still threats.

Happy New Year.

New Years Update

Tornado Watch #770

http://w1.spc.woc.noaa.gov/products/watch/ww0770.html

770 Watch for McCracken, Fulton, Carlisle, Hickman, Ballard counties till 7pm.

New Years Dash

Severe storms are possible, timing should be around 3ish around the Miss. River, and the threat should be over for West KY, and West Mid TN by the time the ball drops for 2011.

Possible Tornado Watch

http://w1.spc.woc.noaa.gov/products/md/md2165.html

A Tornado Watch is coming for the Jackson Purchase area of Western Kentucky.

New Years overview

Thursday, December 30, 2010

New Years outlook

For New Years: Cloudy today, with temperatures from 48 to 50 across West KY. New Years eve to see temps. rise to the 60's even flirt with 70 in SW Mid TN.


Rain and even some thunderstorms could fire New Years Eve night, as everyone is celebrating. These storms will probably not be severe, but some of the strongest storms could contain some dangerous lightning, and locally heavy rains. Temperatures cool down as we go into New Years Day, and fall to average.

Sunday, December 26, 2010

Minor Snow Accumulations and Slow Traffic

http://forecast.weather.gov/showsigwx.php?warnzone=KYZ012&warncounty=KYC221&firewxzone=KYZ012&local_place1=9+Miles+SW+Cadiz+KY&product1=Special+Weather+Statement
Minor Snow Accumulations and slow traffic across parts of West KY today.

Some potential for a dusting to 3/4 inch of snow in strongest bands today.

Saturday, December 25, 2010

Merry Christmas


Click to enlarge this picture.

Merry Merry Christmas

Merry Christmas Western Kentucky, for those dreaming of a White Christmas, it is not a dream it, is a reality.

So say hello to the first White Christmas since 2004, and Merry Merry Christmas :)

Snow Amounts across PAH County Warning area

000
NWUS53 KPAH 251055
LSRPAH

PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE PADUCAH KY
455 AM CST SAT DEC 25 2010

..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..

0423 PM SNOW MOUNT ERIE 38.51N 88.23W
12/24/2010 M2.5 INCH WAYNE IL TRAINED SPOTTER

SNOW BEGAN AT NOON WITH HEAVY SNOWFALL AT TIME OF
OBSERVATION.

0428 PM SNOW DEXTER 36.79N 89.96W
12/24/2010 M0.2 INCH STODDARD MO TRAINED SPOTTER

ROADS COVERED WITH SLEET AND SNOW AND ARE BECOMING SLICK.


0536 PM SNOW MOUNT CARMEL 38.42N 87.77W
12/24/2010 M2.2 INCH WABASH IL TRAINED SPOTTER

0536 PM SLEET 10 S POPLAR BLUFF 36.62N 90.41W
12/24/2010 E0.00 INCH BUTLER MO TRAINED SPOTTER

SLICK COATING ON CARS AND GRASS.

0638 PM SNOW NEWBURGH 37.95N 87.40W
12/24/2010 M1.3 INCH WARRICK IN TRAINED SPOTTER

STREETS IN NEWBURGH WERE SNOW COVERD AND SLUSHY...MAKING
THEM SLICK AND HAZARDOUS. THIS INCLUDED ROUTES 261, OUTER
LINCOLN, HIGHWAY 662 AND SECONDARY STREETS IN TOWN AND
SURROUDING SUBDIVISIONS.

0652 PM SNOW BEECH CREEK 37.18N 87.06W
12/24/2010 M3.2 INCH MUHLENBERG KY TRAINED SPOTTER

SEVERAL VEHICLES STUCK ON HILLS AND SOME VEHICLES RUNNING
OFF ROADS.

0659 PM FREEZING RAIN 7 NW POPLAR BLUFF 36.84N 90.50W
12/24/2010 E0.00 INCH BUTLER MO TRAINED SPOTTER

FREEZING DRIZZLE MIXED WITH OCCASIONAL VERY LIGHT SNOW.
DECKS GLAZED OVER. SOME ICE SPOTS ON ROADS. DUSTING OF
SLEET AND LIGHT SNOW IN POPLAR BLUFF.

0903 PM SNOW SESSER 38.09N 89.05W
12/24/2010 M5.0 INCH FRANKLIN IL TRAINED SPOTTER

1026 PM SNOW HOPKINSVILLE 36.85N 87.49W
12/24/2010 M3.5 INCH CHRISTIAN KY TRAINED SPOTTER

SNOW STILL FALLING AND ROADS ARE EXTREMELY DANGEROUS.

1030 PM SNOW CARRIER MILLS 37.69N 88.63W
12/24/2010 M2.1 INCH SALINE IL FIRE DEPT/RESCUE

REPORT FROM SALINE COUNTY E-911.

1030 PM SNOW HARRISBURG 37.74N 88.55W
12/24/2010 M2.2 INCH SALINE IL FIRE DEPT/RESCUE

REPORT FROM SALINE COUNTY E-911.

1036 PM SNOW 5 SE BENTON 37.05N 89.50W
12/24/2010 M1.0 INCH SCOTT MO TRAINED SPOTTER

1050 PM SNOW FORT BRANCH 38.25N 87.57W
12/24/2010 M3.0 INCH GIBSON IN TRAINED SPOTTER

APPROXIMATELY 1.4 INCHES OF NEW SNOW FELL IN THE LAST TWO
HOURS.

1104 PM SNOW 8 SE GREENVILLE 37.12N 87.08W
12/24/2010 M4.5 INCH MUHLENBERG KY TRAINED SPOTTER

SNOWFALL REPORT LOCATED 4 MILES WEST OF PENROD KENTUCKY.

1112 PM SNOW KEVIL 37.08N 88.89W
12/24/2010 M3.0 INCH BALLARD KY NWS EMPLOYEE

REPORT FROM OFF DUTY NWS EMPLOYEE.

1116 PM SNOW GRACEY 36.88N 87.66W
12/24/2010 M3.5 INCH CHRISTIAN KY TRAINED SPOTTER

SPOTTER REPORTED THAT TRAFFICE ON ROUTE 68 WAS MOVING
AROUND 45 MPH. SOME SLICK SPOTS ON AREA ROADS AND SOME
ROADS WERE COMPLETELY SNOW COVERED.

1130 PM SNOW 8 ESE GREENVILLE 37.16N 87.04W
12/24/2010 M4.8 INCH MUHLENBERG KY TRAINED SPOTTER

SNOWFALL REPORT FROM SPOTTER IN BEECHMONT KENTUCKY AND
REPRESENTS A 11 1/2 HOUR STORM TOTAL SINCE NOON. AIR
TEMPERATURE WAS 33 DEGREES.

1144 PM SNOW KELLY 36.95N 87.48W
12/24/2010 M4.0 INCH CHRISTIAN KY FIRE DEPT/RESCUE

STORM TOTAL DURING THE PAST EIGHT HOURS. LIGHT SNOW WAS
STILL FALLING. NUMEROUS ACCIDENTS REPORTED SINCE
NOON...WITH AT ONE INJURY REPORTED AT THE TIME OF THE
REPORT.

1159 PM SNOW EVANSVILLE 37.98N 87.54W
12/24/2010 M3.0 INCH VANDERBURGH IN OFFICIAL NWS OBS

CALENDAR DAY SNOWFALL FOR EVANSVILLE FOR DECEMBER
24...2010. OBSERVATION TAKEN AT FIRE STATION AT
EVANSVILLE REGIONAL AIRPORT. THIS SNOWFALL ALSO
REPRESENTS A NEW RECORD SNOWFALL FOR THIS DATE.

1159 PM SNOW PADUCAH 37.07N 88.64W
12/24/2010 M3.2 INCH MCCRACKEN KY OFFICIAL NWS OBS

CALENDAR DAY SNOWFALL FOR DECEMBER 24...2010. ALSO
REPRESENTS A RECORD SNOWFALL FOR THAT DATE FOR PADUCAH.

1203 AM SNOW NEWBURGH 37.95N 87.40W
12/25/2010 M3.2 INCH WARRICK IN TRAINED SPOTTER

STORM TOTAL SNOWFALL. ROADS SLUSHY AND SNOW COVERED.
TEMPERATURE 28 DEGREES AT TIME OF REPORT.

1212 AM SNOW 2 NE MADISONVILLE 37.36N 87.48W
12/25/2010 M2.2 INCH HOPKINS KY TRAINED SPOTTER

MAJOR ROADS PASSABLE. SIDE ROADS SLICK AND SNOW COVERED.

1222 AM SNOW OWENSBORO 37.76N 87.12W
12/25/2010 M2.2 INCH DAVIESS KY TRAINED SPOTTER

SNOWFALL TOTAL SINCE 6 PM CST.

0208 AM SNOW NEW HARMONY 38.13N 87.93W
12/25/2010 M6.0 INCH POSEY IN TRAINED SPOTTER

0208 AM SNOW POSEYVILLE 38.17N 87.78W
12/25/2010 M6.0 INCH POSEY IN TRAINED SPOTTER

SNOWFALL TOTAL SINCE THE SNOW STARTED AT 1130 AM ON
12/24/2010.

0436 AM SNOW EVANSVILLE 37.98N 87.54W
12/25/2010 M3.0 INCH VANDERBURGH IN TRAINED SPOTTER

REPORT FROM SPOTTER IN THE ANGEL MOUNDS AREA.

0444 AM SNOW MOUNT ERIE 38.51N 88.23W
12/25/2010 M5.0 INCH WAYNE IL TRAINED SPOTTER

APPROXIMATELY 2.5 INCHES FELL IN THE LAST 10 HOURS. ROADS
ARE SNOW COVERED AND SLICK.


&&

$$

K SMITH


Friday, December 24, 2010

Update: Snow continues across Western Kentucky with several areas received 2+ inches, and some with a good deal more than that. There is a band moving across Western and South Central KY now, and another one in MO/IL associated with the upper level low. Total Snow Accumulations of 2 to 6 inches seem to be plausible to wake up to tomorrow.

Heavier amounts in the local bands.
Winter WX Advisory for Murray,Hopkinsville, Elkton for this event. Around 2 inches total expected.
WPSD-TV
Jhibbs: The McCracken County Sheriff's Department asks drivers to stay off the roads unless it's an emergency. Due to snow accumulation, they are responding to an extremely high number of automobile accidents.

Merry Christmas, snow amounts look on track, some may get a little more than expected in the bands. Merry White Christmas the first since 2004 for most of West KY.

Update from the land of Christmas

The event is really starting to kick off. Snow/Sleet/Rain has all been reported across Western Kentucky. Most areas along and north of the West KY Parkway are still, or about to be snow. Areas south of that are sleet, or a rain/sleet mix, in which a change to all sleet, snow/sleet mix, and snow is likely in the next few hours.
1-3 north of the West KY Parkway, and 0.5 to 1.5 inches south of the West KY Parkway.

Band in Union/Webster County area.

Nice little band in Union/Webster county area, there could be some heavy snow in that area, so beware if your traveling around there through midday.

NWS PAH Update

.UPDATE...
THE WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY FOR PORTIONS OF SOUTHERN ILLINOIS...
SOUTHEAST MISSOURI AND SOUTHWEST INDIANA IS NOW IN EFFECT VS.
NOT GOING INTO EFFECT AT NOON. SNOW IS SPREADING EAST MUCH MORE
RAPIDLY THAN MODEL DEPICTIONS. THE RUC IS THE CLOSEST...BUT ALL
MODEL GUIDANCE HAS FAILED MISERABLY AT CATCHING ON TO THIS LEAD
WAVE OF PRECIPITATION.
1 TO 2 INCH ACCUMULATIONS HAVE ALREADY
BEEN REPORTED WEST OF THE FARMINGTON AREA...AND THE PRECIPITATION
CONTINUES TO PUSH RAPIDLY EAST INTO PORTIONS OF SOUTHEAST
MISSOURI AND SOUTHERN ILLINOIS. THE REST OF THE FORECAST MAY
STILL BE SUBJECT TO ADDITIONAL UPDATES...GIVEN THE MUCH FASTER
PROGRESSION OF PRECIPITATION WITH THIS LEAD WAVE.

- Precipitation is depicted on radar in NW KY, and should begin to fall, if it hasn't already.

Merry Christmas Eve

This is Christmas Eve, and here are the latest thoughts. The area in the light blue is under a Winter Weather Advisory by the NWS of Paducah.

Thursday, December 23, 2010

Let it Snow, Let it Snow, Let it Snow


- Snow starts on Christmas Eve, later in the afternoon into the evening. By Midnight everyone in Western Kentucky should start to see snow, this should continue on and off at least on Christmas Day.
- Model's are having a hard time, so I just combined what I have seen into a call map.
- Hoping for a White Christmas, and even if we don't have one Merry Christmas Anyway.

Wednesday, December 22, 2010

The Night before the Night before the Night.

Since the low has trended southward, we are going to be impacted by northern stream energy. As of now a band of 1 to 3 inches is possible across Western Kentucky, with better chances in NW KY, if the EURO is right then all of the energy will go to our south. Confidence is not high in any situation as of now.

Travel issues could occur on Christmas Eve Night, Christmas Day, and if there is enough snow, maybe even the morning of the 26th. Stay Tuned.

Dreaming of a White Christmas

1 to 2 inches across all of West KY, NW Mid TN, Nashville Metro possible during Christmas. Could be even more along the Alabama border, and the Cumberland Plateau depending on how models trend, whether storms phase and how close they are to phasing, and amount of precipitation.

This could change as we are a few days away. Be careful traveling from Christmas Eve to Dec 26th period. Another update by tonight on the system

Tuesday, December 21, 2010

Christmas Special update

For our Christmas Special the low has trended southward. There are concerns about dry-slotting, how much moisture will be available, and low track. Right now looks like rain changing to sleet to snow, too early for any accumulation forecast. Holiday Travelers beware, of any potential hazards that could occur from Dec 24th-26th. Only a few days till Christmas :)

Monday, December 20, 2010

Christmas System?

For the Christmas storm, I wish I had no idea was an option. Latest models have really trended south(Middle TN friends will love this), with the heaviest precip-possible snow in Middle TN. This was quite a reversal, from previous thoughts, and throws a big wrench into everything.

- Some show potential in West KY, while others to the south. So It will be interesting to watch for sure.

Thursday, December 16, 2010

morning update

Precipitation is back to rain for most everyone in West KY and Mid TN. The only exception is around Henderson/Owensboro where a little freezing rain is occurring, and mixing with rain. Most precipitation of any-type should end by 10am

Wednesday, December 15, 2010

NW KY Winter Storm Warning

Locally Heavier Ice Accumulations of around (0.25 inch) could occur in Henderson, Daviess, and Mclean Counties so a Winter Storm Warning is in effect, 0.05 to 0.15 inch of ice is possible for the rest of Western Kentucky.

URGENT - WINTER WEATHER MESSAGE
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE PADUCAH KY
139 PM CST WED DEC 15 2010

INZ081-082-086>088-KYZ018>020-160345-
/O.UPG.KPAH.WW.Y.0010.101215T2100Z-101216T1500Z/
/O.NEW.KPAH.WS.W.0005.101215T2100Z-101216T1500Z/
GIBSON-PIKE-VANDERBURGH-WARRICK-SPENCER-HENDERSON-DAVIESS-MCLEAN-
INCLUDING THE CITIES OF...FORT BRANCH...PETERSBURG...EVANSVILLE...
BOONVILLE...ROCKPORT...HENDERSON...OWENSBORO...CALHOUN
139 PM CST WED DEC 15 2010

...WINTER STORM WARNING IN EFFECT UNTIL 9 AM CST THURSDAY...

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN PADUCAH HAS ISSUED A WINTER STORM
WARNING FOR FREEZING RAIN AND SLEET...WHICH IS IN EFFECT UNTIL
9 AM CST THURSDAY FOR PORTIONS OF SOUTHWEST INDIANA AND NORTHWEST
KENTUCKY. THE WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY IS NO LONGER IN EFFECT.

* TIMING...AREAS OF SLEET AND FREEZING RAIN WILL DEVELOP BY THE
END OF THE DAY. TONIGHT...MAINLY FREEZING RAIN IS EXPECTED WITH
SOME SLEET POSSIBLE AS WELL.

* MAIN IMPACT...AROUND ONE QUARTER INCH OF ICE ACCUMULATION IS
EXPECTED ACROSS THE WARNING AREA...WITH SLIGHTLY GREATER AMOUNTS
OF ICING POSSIBLE FROM PETERSBURG TO ROCKPORT INDIANA. SOME
SLEET WILL BE POSSIBLE AS WELL.

* OTHER IMPACTS...IMPACT TO TREES AND POWER LINES IS EXPECTED TO
BE FAIRLY LOW...BUT SPORADIC POWER OUTAGES CANNOT BE RULED OUT.
TRAVEL IMPACTS COULD BE SIGNIFICANT...ESPECIALLY ON SECONDARY OR
LESSER TRAVELED ROADS...AND ON UNTREATED SURFACES.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

A WINTER STORM WARNING IS ISSUED WHEN ONE QUARTER INCH OF ICE IS
POSSIBLE...ALONG WITH EITHER SLEET OR SNOW. TONIGHTS EVENT SHOULD
BE MAINLY FREEZING RAIN...BUT OCCASIONAL SLEET MAY OCCUR AS WELL.
IF YOU MUST TRAVEL TONIGHT...USE EXTREME CAUTION. ROAD CONDITIONS
COULD BECOME VERY DANGEROUS.

&&

$$

update

Like many overrunning events in this part of the nation, we are on the fence. I think you should start to see a trend towards West TN, West Mid TN, and West KY of increasing precipitation with that Arkansas low. It may take another hour or two to saturate the atmosphere, so it may not begin till 4 to 5 for some people. At about 9 to 10pm for Southern portions of TN, and Midnight, 1am-3am for portions of Central Kentucky, and NE Mid TN, but it is hard to pindown the changeover. This will determine whether you have areas of .15 to .30 of ice, or just a few hundredths of ice before changing to rain.