More damage information from April 10th.  Calloway County was hit by a tornado.  Right by Joey’s parents.  We called and warned them.  They didn’t see the tornado.  Damage was a couple of miles from them.

PUBLIC INFORMATION STATEMENT

NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE PADUCAH KY

355 PM CDT SAT APR 11 2009

…DAMAGE SURVEY RESULTS FOR CALLOWAY COUNTY KENTUCKY…

THE FOLLOWING IS A PRELIMINARY DAMAGE ASSESSMENT FOR DAMAGE THAT OCCURRED IN NORTHERN CALLOWAY COUNTY ON FRIDAY APRIL 10TH 2009.

THE DAMAGE PATH INCLUDES A MICROBURST PATH AND WITHIN THAT PATH WAS INCLUDED A BRIEF EF0 TORNADO.

THE TORNADO PATH SURVEYED:
* EVENT TIME – ESTIMATED 1116 AM CDT TO 1118 AM CDT
* EVENT TYPE – EF0 TORNADO

* EVENT LOCATION – BEGAN 3.5 MILES SOUTHWEST OF DEXTER AND   LIFTED 3.25 MILES SOUTHWEST OF DEXTER. OR NEAR 2635 HIGHWAY 464
 AND LIFTED NEAR 2392 HIGHWAY 464.
* PEAK WIND – 85 MPH

* AVERAGE PATH WIDTH – 75 YARDS

* PATH LENGTH – ONE QUARTER OF A MILE

* INJURIES – NONE

* DAMAGE – SEVERAL HOMES WITH SHINGLES AND SIDING OFF AND SOME LIGHT STRUCTURAL DAMAGE. SEVERAL STORAGE BUILDINGS DESTROYED. DOZENS OF TREES UPROOTED OR BROKEN OFF.

DOWNBURST SURVEYED:

* EVENT TIME – ESTIMATED 1115 AM CDT TO 1120 AM CDT

* EVENT TYPE – MICROBURST

* EVENT LOCATION –  BEGAN 4 MILES SOUTHWEST OF DEXTER AND ENDED 2
 MILES SOUTHWEST OF DEXTER. THE DAMAGE STARTED AT 2913 HIGHWAY
 464 AND ENDED NEAR 531 HICKORY GROVE ROAD.

* PEAK WIND – 70 MPH

* AVERAGE WIDTH – 100 YARDS

* PATH LENGTH – 2 MILES

* INJURIES – NONE

* DAMAGE – DOZENS OF HOUSES WITH SHINGLE AND MINOR SIDING DAMAGE.
 MOBILE HOME BLOWN OVER ON ITS SIDE. HALF A DOZEN BARNS WITH ROOF
 DAMAGE. THE EF0 TORNADO ALSO OCCURRED IN THE PATH OF THIS
 DOWNBURST.

$$

MAP OF THE TORNADOE’S PATH – CALLOWAY COUNTY, KENTUCKY

Radar grabs from the storm – we were watching it when it hit and Joey was on the phone with his parents warning them.

Image from another chaser

 You can see Joey’s house on the radar screen – "Joey"

April 10, 2009

Massac County, Illinois – Approximately 3 miles south/southwest of Round Knob, Illinois.  Google map coordinates below each image.

Damage photos in order from southwest to northeast – the photos of the home with the trampoline in the tree is northeast of these damage areas.

Microsoft Streets and Trip – Map – the line indicates the approximate area of the photographs below.

The damage continues on to the northeast of this path and southwest

Photographs I took in Massac County, Illinois

Debris in a tree – approximate location is 37.19774 N and – 88.75793W

Garage door damaged – Debris in a tree – approximate location is 37.19774 N and -88.75793W

Trailer damaged – approximate location is 37.20815N and -88.74418

Garage destroyed – debris from barn was thrown hundreds of feet to the east/northeast (also to
the west/southwest of this location there was a field with debris – tin – and no visible barn
nearby.  Location of this barn is approximately 37.20876 and -88.73898

Location of this debris/barn is approximately 37.20876 and -88.73898

Location of this barn is approximately 37.20876 and -88.73898

The squall line as it approaches the region

The Massac County Storm moving across the Ohio River – damage was occurring

Storm near Franklin School and Round Knob – Massac County

Here is the tornado track – Joey’s parents house (upper right corner)

  The area was hit very hard this morning and again early this afternoon.  I thought maybe the storms would develop just east of us this morning – they did not.  They formed right over us.  Numerous reports of large hail were received from South Illinois, West Kentucky, and West Tennessee.  Numerous tornadoes have hit KY/TN/MS/AL/GA.  Some deadly.  Not sure on the death toll, yet.  More than 100 have been injured.  Not a good day for weather.  It was a long night and a long morning.  Glad it is over.

  A large hook echo and wall cloud moved across southern Graves County, KY.  No damage that I know of – it passed south of Mayfield.  The wall cloud passed, once again, near Joey’s parents.  Seems like they always get it. 

  This afternoon I met Jason and Jess up at the farm.  We ran conduit.  We have to bury all of the cables for the OEM antennas/radios.  Also the weather instrument wires – tower cam wires – and so on.  It was MUDDY.  VERY MUDDY.  It was actually the muddiest that it has been since we started this project.  Hopefully it will dry out a bit in the coming days.  Although, more heavy rain is likely Sunday night and Monday – more severe weather is possible.  Go figure.

  Some photos from today’s mud-fest

Jason and I – putting the anemometer on top of the big tower. 

All in the name of "meteorology"  🙂

And the tower cam 🙂

PROJECT COMPLETE!!!!

Running lots and lots and lots of wires.

Jason – checking out the size of the pipe.  Bobby came up to help put everything in place.  It was MUDDY.

MUDDDDDDDDDYYYYYYYYYYYYYYY – trenching wires!  Jason and Joey

  Here are some photos I took from the Round Knob area of Massac County – just south of my farm.

Trampoline blown into a tree – 2 miles south of Round Knob

HOOK ECHO PASSING INTO GRAVES COUNTY, KENTUCKY – TORNADO WARNING WAS ISSUED FOR THIS
INCLUDING THE CITY OF MAYFIELD.

 Hail storm in Reidland, Kentucky – earlier this morning (towards noon)

Photo by Justin Adams – Reidland Fire Department

 Tommy’s mom sent him this photo from West TN

  Long night.  Severe storms hit our county between 1 am and 2 am.  Some damage to power lines and poles – also one church had part of its roof blown off.  NWS measured 60 mph winds – Reidland, KY (our new weather station) measured 55-60 mph winds.  Tony had hail that covered the rooftops in Mayfield.  Said it was a loud hailstorm.

  Tony sent me this photo of the hail…

This cell here produced damage winds in McCracken County

Very high wind spike last night near Joppa – towards the Massac County High School

  Jason and Jess came up this evening and trenched the ground for all of the wires – weather instruments – OEM antennas – digital tv antenna – and other.  We are planning on running the wires tomorrow.

  Severe storms are moving into the region.  Long night ahead.

Jason and Jess arrive with the trencher

Jason starting to run the trencher

Jason and Jess helping to run the trench lines for the antenna wires – weather instruments!

Lines for the conduit – April 9, 2009

  Looks like rain will move in later today and that will be followed by strong to severe thunderstorms late tonight.  I think the biggest risk will be from 12 AM through 8 AM tomorrow morning.  We are close to the warm front so can’t rule out tornadoes.  Heavy rain, as well.

  Went to the farm this morning.  They measured for cabinets.  Rodney built me a box for my rain gauge – concrete base.  Looks like they are getting the house wrapped. 

This is where the big rain gauge will be placed.  Awaiting concrete.

Rodney cutting wood

The house is almost wrapped.  Getting there.

My forecast

  The weather is nice today, but don’t get used to it.  Heavy rain and storms will form late tomorrow and continue into Friday afternoon.  More heavy rain is possible Sunday night and Monday.  Rainfall totals of 1-3" appear likely across all of our counties in the next few days.  Rivers are already high and flooding is going to become a bigger and bigger problem.  The parade of storms continues.

  Severe weather – with tornadoes – will be possible late Thursday into Friday.  Will have to keep a close eye on the moisture return with this system.  Winds fields will be strong tomorrow night.

  They are wrapping the house today – trying to get it in the dry.  Moving along, but we need more nice weather.  Not sure we can pull that off, though.

  We picked out a color – we are going to go with the color my grandmother’s house on the farm was.  Sort of a dark reddish color.  Then white trim and a black roof.  Also picked out decking.  Still working on the color for that.  Everything is moving along, though.

  Looked at some apartments in Murray today but no decisions on any of that.  They were nice.

Wrapping the house

Tony’s GQ shot – 🙂  My brother in law.  Had to make sure he didn’t fall out of the window.

Tony and Rodney – working on stair issues

Conduit has arrived for the wires for the weather instruments – solar panels – OEM antennas – and so on! 
That is a lot of conduit.  🙂

Color we are going with on the house

Tony looking at siding at the store in Paducah

Day 2 severe weather outlook – concerned about a tornado threat tomorrow night and Friday morning.
Will have to keep an eye on it.

My friend David Brown sent me this photograph from Canada.  CRAZY 😛

  Looks like we are in a risk for severe thunderstorms on Thursday night and Friday.  Strong storm will approach the region.  There will be a tornado threat especially late Thursday night and Friday morning.  As always the details won’t be known until we get closer to the event.  The last few outbreaks have produced severe weather in and around Paducah.  So, we will just have to keep an eye on this storm.

  Busy day ahead – I need to take a bunch of gasoline to the farm for Jason – doing the trenching.  Also picking out siding today – roofing – and decks.  We picked out all the appliances yesterday.  So, things are moving along.  🙂  Lot’s to do – lot’s to do.

  My forecast:

April 8, 2009:

Strong to severe thunderstorms will be possible later on Thursday evening/night and into Friday.

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 today through Monday.

Call To Action:  Spotters may be needed on Thursday evening or Thursday night/Friday.  Listen to NOAA Weather Radio for possible watches and/or warnings.  Still a number of uncertainties as how this system unfolds.

A significant storm system will approach the region on Thursday.  It will slowly move into Missouri on Friday and eventually Illinois and Kentucky later on Friday morning.  The track of this low is important as to where the severe weather threat setups. 

Severe Weather Threat:

At this time it appears there will be some chance for showers and thunderstorms as early as Thursday evening and into the overnight hours on Thursday.  Some of these could be strong thunderstorms – especially over Missouri and Arkansas.  The bigger threat comes on Friday.  CAPE values on Friday are very high over our region – NAM (computer model) is showing readings over 2000 for the Paducah area.  These are significant readings.  Lift index values are below -5 to -8.  So, instability is not lacking for Friday.   Timing of the system is in question, though.  If it moves through the area during the morning hours then that might very well lower our severe weather threat.  I am going to have to watch the track.

Storm mode – supercells and lines of storms are likely to form Thursday evening and into Friday afternoon.
Storm motion – storms will move east/northeast at 25-30 mph.
Severe weather type – large hail, damaging winds, heavy rain, lightning, and isolated tornadoes are possible. 

Thunderstorms are once again possible on Sunday and Monday.  It is too early to determine how that event will unfold.  We will have to keep eye on the storm track.  Further updates on that system will be forthcoming. 

Emergency management and officials should pay attention to rapidly changing weather condition Thursday/Friday and listen for later updates and possible watches/warnings.  I should have a better grasp of the weather forecast by Wednesday morning.

Also those with river interests should pay close to attention to crest forecasts.  Rivers are rising.

Links of interest

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

  Here is some information on photographs from the storm that hit our region on Sunday.  I don’t believe an official survey will be released.  I pulled together these radar images and photographs (sent from two of our storm spotters and rescue members).  

 
http://www.stormreports.org/april_5_2009_storm.htm

  Some decent damage from that storm.  Twelve injuries, as well.

  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!  I stuck one of those cheap Wal-Mart thermometers in the back of it.  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…

Digging the hold for the instrument shelter.  It needs to go one foot down – then it is about 48 inches from the ground
to the base.  🙂 

Instrument shelter – WINDY today up on the farm.  Gusts over 30 mph.  Nothing new there!  It is always
windy up on the hill.

Working on getting it level.  Easier said than done!!!

Instrument shelter and tower.  I am going to put dirt over the concrete pad area – that way it shouldn’t
interfere with the thermometers in the shelter.

The guys are hard at work today!!!!  Taking advantage of the nice weather.

Lots of nice puffy clouds floating around – 🙂

Roof is going up on the garage

Joe took this photo from on top of the lift.  🙂  I will try to take a few more
from above in the coming days.

  Blah – what happened to the spring weather?  It has gone "BYE BYE".  We had snow, sleet, and rain today.  I was at the farm early this morning and it was RAW.  Cold winds blowing – 20-30 mph winds.  Then it started raining and sleeting – then snow and sleet/rain mix.  It was not pretty.  It was cold!!!!!

  We had heavy sleet showers at times.  I was in Paducah ordering the bathtub for the house and the wind was blowing the sleet against the windows at the store.  You could really hear it.  Crazy weather.  High winds and severe weather one day and snow the next.  Roller coast!!!!

  Cold weather tonight and Tuesday night – then we warm up a bit.  Heavy weather could move back in on Thursday night and Friday.  Severe storms and tornadoes are possible in or near the region.  Will have to keep an eye on the storm track.  As always.

  No storm survey yet, today from the Paducah, NWS.  Waiting to read their survey on the storm that hit our county yesterday.  Four businesses were damaged and two homes.

  Ballard County also had damage to at least one home.

  We worked on cabinets this evening.  I think we have them picked out, now.  I also worked on the weather instruments earlier today.  Trying to get the rain gauge in place and some other stuff.

  We are supposed to be trenching on Friday.  We will have to see if the weather holds.  Hope so, but is not looking good.

RAW day on the farm

Lining up the weather instruments – rain gauges and other.

  Tired and worn out from all of these back to back severe weather episodes.  I am ready for a break!

  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.

  I am going to review the event tomorrow night and see if I can figure out what was missed on radar this afternoon.

  WPSD posted these images of the church

WPSD TV Photograph

WPSD TV Photograph

WPSD TV Photograph

WPSD TV SIX PHOTOGRAPH

WPSD TV SIX PHOTOGRAPH  –  ROOF OF CHURCH

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:

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.

———————————
———————————

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

  It is always the little things in life 🙂

I ended up with the Goofy toy 🙂

 And then Daisy decided she wanted it…

  Bath-day for Daisy 🙂 

She is NOT very happy 🙂

  Well, the sun was out today.  Actually a beautiful sky with some fair weather cumulus clouds.  Perfect temperatures.  It is actually going to be cold tonight.  A FROST ADVISORY 🙂 – imagine that – has been issued by the National Weather Service.  No surprise – we have had cold springs for the last few years.  It looks like temperatures will fall into the 30s.  Storms are possible on Sunday – few strong ones – then more cold weather into next week.  We could even experience a light freeze at the beginning of the week. 

  Jason Darnall fixed up my car this morning.  He installed the new emergency management radios and put in a computer/laptop console.  Fits on the passenger side of the car.  Now I can put my computer there when I am out chasing or at the farm.  🙂

  Went by the farm today.  They had some high winds because I could see the wood scatterered around on top of the garage.  No damage, though.  Probably had gusts over 40 mph, though.

  Lot of water standing – so we swept all of that out of the house.  Everything is water proof, but I still don’t like to see the water standing there.  🙂  We got that cleaned up.

  Probably one of our "bigger" tasks is trying to get a T-line up on the farm.  I am holding my breath and crossing my fingers that this works out.  This is our best option for high speed internet.  We shall see!  Tony is working hard on that project.  Hope it works out.

  Otherwise – everything else looks good.  House is coming along.  The "weather room" – "media room" window cut-outs appear to provide a GREAT view of the southern/western/northern sky.  I should be able to see storms coming with no problem!!!!

  Some highlights from today -losing my keys for awhile at the farm and spending an hour getting the garage door shut because the wheels came off of it.  🙂

  Some photos from today…

"Easter" flowers are blooming

She is rising out of the ground 🙂

Looking south out of the weather room

Looking southwest out of the weather room

South view from the weather room

Looking west/northwest out of the weather room

Nice sky today 🙂  – some wind blown wood

Second floor

Water water water

WHAT THE HECK IS THIS???????????  SPRING?????

  Well, today was a very long day.  I didn’t fall asleep until around 4 am.  Guess my mind was on the house and storms.  I woke up around 8 am and put together the morning forecast.  Had updates through the day.  Can’t say the forecast didn’t pan out exactly as was expected.  I knew instability would be a concern and I figured the most severe weather would be south and east of the area.  However, I also went with some severe weather in our counties.  In the end golfball size hail fell in South IL and hail with tornado warnings were issued in Kentucky and Tennessee.  Thankfully I have not seen or heard of any major damage in our forecast area.

Brian Brush took this video of the storm – wall cloud as it passed near Joey’s house in Calloway County, Kentucky

Brian Brush video – screen capture – April 2, 2009 – Calloway County, Kentucky

  Areas south and east of us were not so lucky.  Nashville had tornado damage.  Many other towns did, as well.  Several tornadoes were reported by the NWS.  A wall cloud went over Joey’s house.  We watched it on radar and he called his dad.  Reports that the trees were bending hard.  So, winds were probably greater than 50 mph.

  The severe weather threat did not end until 9 PM.  So it was a very very very long day of covering radar and the radios.  It is more consuming that anything.  You have to watch a whole lot of data in a short amount of time.  Spotter reports, real data from weather stations, warnings, watches, OEM locations, concern over school districts and when they let out.  Lot riding on the forecast. 

  It is always hard to forecast severe weather, as well, because one county can have an EF4 tornado and then one county away will have no damage at all.  So, it makes it hard to convey the threat to everyone.  Especially when there are so many storm system.

  On that note…

  The next storm will approach the region on Sunday.  I am expecting thunderstorms to form near the region.  Once again there are questions remaining on how much moisture develops.  Can we get a good return flow off the Gulf of Mexico?  If so can we get a bit of CAPE or intability to work with?  Those are the questions.  I expect a slight risk for severe weather to be issued, once again, by the Storm Prediction Center.  Stay tuned – as always

  More severe weather is possible on Thursday.  Busy busy busy!

  Going to the farm tomorrow.  Jason is also working on my radios in the car – OEM radios – and computer equipment.

  I am tired…so that is it for me.  Time to go to bed!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

  We do it all over again on Sunday and next week.

Todays severe weather map

  Beau

Also, good new from Kristy and Lucy down in Florida!!!!

Lucy received honorable mention in a doggy contest (I know she knows she isn’t a dog – but she plays the part well).

  Well, it has been a long day!  I honestly don’t see how Tony does it everyday, because the last few days have been insane!  He does this stuff all the time.  I have to say that he must have some "elves" or something?????

  Arrived at the farm early this morning – the guys were already working hard.  The first wall was up on the second floor.  By the time the day was finished they had most of the walls up on the second floor!  Again, zoom zoom!  Julie keeps telling me that houses go fast at first and then everything will "appear" to progress slower.  🙂  So, I should enjoy the speed of the progress!

  I put down fertilizer for "tics" – they were horrible last year and I don’t want everyone up there have to deal with them.  We will see if the "tic" repellent works.  I have no idea and have never tried it before.

   I was greeted by a "friend" in the garage.  The skin of a friend at least.  I don’t think my dad likes snake.  He noticed it immediately this morning.  Speaking of my dad – he brought a picnic table up this morning and my big ladder.  So, I was glad to see that! 

  I have to say that I never – ever – ever thought putting something together could be so difficult.  Especially something that was supposed to be "easy" to put together.  Needless to say I am fairly certain that Joey will never volunteer to put anything together with me again.  🙂  It took us – umm awhile to get the weather instrument shelter put together.  It is a lot taller than I expected.  Part of the legs go into the ground.  So, I have to measure it all out and work on that project.

  Anyway, long story short – we got the weather instrument shelter put together.  Thermometers and a few other instruments will go inside of the shelter.  That will be down the road a bit.

  Bobby, Rodney, Don, and Joe were working hard today.  I think I got everyone – there are some new guys coming and going from time to time!  Hard to keep up with everyone.

  I noticed that the phone company came this afternoon and spray painted everything from our farm all the way down the lane and up the road to the next road.  I believe this is for the water company to come in and run their lines.  We are getting county water (currently it is well water).  So, we are excited about that.

  It was a beautiful day.  Some cirrus clouds arrived late in the afternoon.  This is the precurser to some severe weather for Thursday.  I am very concerned that there could be tornadoes across portions of our region.  Depending on storm track and moisture return – still a bit uncertain.  However, I think we have some risk tomorrow afternoon and evening.  Stay tuned.

  We met with the accountants today to work with our taxes.  Looks like another week until those will be ready.  Hopefully we won’t have too bad of news – lol.  I am sure I owe some money.  Taxes and death – two things for certain in life.  They will get you coming and going!!!!

  Tony and Deena are working on a bid for a house they want.  The house was built in 1909 and needs some work.  However, it will be beautiful if they can get going on it.  We shall see.

  Got four tests back today for school.  So far – so good – this semester.  One more semester to go!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  Woohoo.

  Have not heard from Sue lately.  I do see some new photos on her blog – so I know she is "clicking away".  Hoping she has good news soon on the sale of their house here in Paducah.  Sue is moving to Nashville to be closer to family. 

  Looks the "tracker" is working – Jason said he could see me coming and going from the farm today.  I think I finally figured it out.

  So – a long day – but all good.  Life is crazy right now!!!!!  But, I am loving it.  Everything is moving along.  I still can’t believe it is APRIL.  🙂  🙁   🙂

Photos from today – lots of photos

Weather instruments – stage 1 🙂

Weather instrument shelter – stage 2

Weather instrument shelter – stage 3

Stage 4

Putting the "legs" on

The finished product 🙂

Morning – first second floor wall is going up!!!!!!!!!!!!

Frist wall of the second floor

A friend in the garage???  EEEKKKKKKK

Bobby going up to the second floor

Late afternoon – walls going up

Weather room – windows will face north – west – south

Late afternoon

Media Room – weather room – big windows for that room

Walls are going up – fast!

The guys are building the walls today for the second floor 🙂

Joey looking down at the old house – it will be torn down and recycled when we are finished with the new house

Looking down at the old house from the media room window (looking north)

Working hard!!

Looking north/northwest

Looking west

Looking west/southwest

Looking southwest

Looking south

Looking south/southeast

Looking southeast