MikJournal Monday 06/19/2017...Tropics and Other Topics

Welcome to another installment of MM, where I try to jumpstart your work week with some thoughts about our regional weather, throw in some trivia or weather history, and other significant findings nationally that could be related to weather or not.

First, I want to mention our recent weekend of stormy weather for some of us.

In western Kentucky, near Draffenville in Marshall county, a microburst caused extensive damage to homes, trees, and other personal property with wind speed up to 85 mph. Also in western Kentucky, near Benton, trees were uprooted. The Mesonet site registered a 56 mph gust.

Frankfort had an official wind gust of 51 mph and recorded 1.77" rainfall for the day. Also, areas near Georgetown and the northern 'burbs of Lexington reported numerous trees blocking area roadways. Additional damage came in from nearby Madison.

Still, only scattered statewide damage reports upheld claims by analogs and the SPC that yesterday's storms were not going to be a widespread event.

Speaking of wind gusts and rainfall amounts, I wanted to know who lays claim to the highest wind gust this month and year, and who has seen the most and least amount of rainfall this month and year.

This list includes official NWS reporting stations and Mesonet sites statewide....

For the month of June so far...
Wettest....5.75" Bowling Green official
Driest...0.30" Henderson
Windiest...56 mph near Benton (not include NWS estimate of 85 mph also in Marshall county)

For the year....
Wettest...well, it's a toss up thus far, but 2 places in eastern Kentucky have recorded over 32" for the year: in Harlan and McCreary counties
Driest...16.73" Henderson
Windiest...79 mph Carrollton

The tropics are garnering attention recently. An area of disorganized storms affiliated with a broad area of low pressure is expected to emerge into the Gulf of Mexico in a couple of days or so. Gradual development continues to look likely.

Here is the thing. If it strengthens slowly, perhaps a depression or low end storm, movement would take it west northwest toward southern Texas or southeast Texas. But, if it should strengthen into a decent tropical storm, movement would be more northwest almost north northwest toward eastern Texas and Louisiana.

I say let's wait and see what it looks like once it is in the Gulf.

Nationally, the preliminary tornado count has surpassed 2016's actual number. Although we are still on track to record the 3rd most tornadoes for the 13-year run dating back to 2005, the trend has been decreasing.

Finally, I am not ready to make any determination whether this will be a below normal month for any of the official NWS reporting stations. But, it looks possible for some. Give me another week or so, and I'll start playing with the numbers to see if it's more likely or not.

Have a good week. I'm actually harvesting some firstfruits of my yellow squash and maybe zucchini this week. My tomatoes are still small, but I hope to pick some by the July 4 holiday, especially if they are just right for fried green tomatoes. Mmmmm.

MS