Tuesday, April 29, 2014

More Storms Today

Don't let the sunshine fool you this morning. In fact, it's the sunshine that is going to help destabilize the atmosphere later this afternoon. That will lead to another round of potentially strong to severe thunderstorms for parts of the Commonwealth.

Latest indications place the highest probabilities for severe weather across the Lake Cumberland region. However, any locations along and east of I-65 in Kentucky should keep an eye to the sky. This should not be a widespread severe event, however.

Storm-weary residents of Alabama and Mississippi will be bracing for the possibility of more tornadoes today.

These are the areas I believe stand the highest chances for tornadic weather this afternoon...

Meridian MS
Heidelberg MS
Laurel MS
Waynesboro MS
Tuscaloosa AL
Birmingham AL
Demopolis AL

Adjacent communities of the above locations are included....

MS

Friday, April 4, 2014

Select Rain Totals

Valley Station (home) 2.42"
Valley Station (MSD gauge) 2.73"
St Matthews MSD 2.81"
Hite Creek ne jeff co MSD 3.08"
Mt St Francis IN MSD 3.29"
IVY Tech IN MSD 4.51"

Louisville Int'l 2.69"

MS

Thursday, April 3, 2014

Nowcast - Severe Weather Updates

From the Storm Prediction Center:
There is the potential for a widespread severe weather episode from the Ozark plateau eastward into the middle and lower Mississippi and Ohio Valleys.

At this time, the primary mode of severe weather appears to be damaging wind for much of central and western Kentucky late this afternoon into the overnight. However, depending on how quickly the cells merge into a squall line, tornadoes cannot be ruled out, especially across far west Kentucky.

As of this writing, a Tornado Watch is in effect for much of western and central Arkansas and southern Missouri. It's what I call a mid-level tiered Watch box, which means it is a standard Tornado Watch that includes at least a 50% chance for tornadoes, hail, and/or high winds within the Watch box.

Later watches may include the risk for long-track tornadoes which may necessitate a changing of language to a PDS, or Particularly Dangerous Situation, tornado watch. However, SPC is not quite ready to jump on that idea as we await how current storms and cloud cover will affect areas downstream.

I'll be posting updates below throughout the day, or follow the scrolling message above.
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1:55pm
Tornado Watch for far west KY. Analyzing the language from the SPC, a mid-level tiered Watch or standard watch box with at least 50% chance for tornadoes in the watch box. However, less than 50% chance for wind and hail but still considered moderate.

Next severe weather outlook and risk between 4 and 4:30 eastern time.
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8:15pm
Severe weather is ongoing way out west of our region. For the most part, just severe thunderstorm warnings are in effect. Tornado warnings are expected to increase in Arkansas. What will our weather be like in a few hours? We will have to monitor how the line holds together, whether another line develops ahead of the main line, and whether the current rain shield will disrupt the severe potential for parts of our region.\


MS

Wednesday, April 2, 2014

More Basketball and Snowballs

During the Sweet Sixteen of the men's NCAA basketball tournament in Indianapolis, the state of Kentucky put on a show for the national scene, none more so than those who were actually present at the game.

While Louisville held on for most of the game, the vaulted freshmen of UK finally overcame UL's lead in the waning moments of their matchup.

If you've ever read my blog posts, at times you will notice how I find little anecdotes that seem to always have some relationship to weather.

Well, what does the game have to with weather you may ask?

Louisville and Lexington recorded their seasonal heaviest snowfalls in years. Although snowfall may still accumulate, the odds are quite slim of snowfall amounts greater than a couple of inches at one time in April.

Early in the winter season, Louisville received much more snowfall than Lexington. However, as the season progressed, Lexington began receiving more snow than Louisville and gradually closed the gap. Finally, here at the end of the season, Lexington has eclipsed Louisville in the snowfall department.

Lexington  26.8"
Louisville 25.9"

Game over. Again....

MS

Tornadoes on Easter Sunday

This is a worse case scenario. Tornadoes and flooded, blocked roadways making for great difficulties reaching residences affecting hard hit ...