One thing that weather people have to deal with on a daily basis is how to convey their message without over-hyping an event or over-blowing an event. This can be difficult in our region - mainly because we have a lot of extreme weather.
Who among us have not been impacted by winter storms, ice storms, tornadoes, floods, wind events and other. Most of us. Many of us even know someone that has been killed in a weather disaster in our region. So - how do we as meteorologists convey the forecast message to you - the readers and listeners - without causing fear.
I read something online the other day that makes sense - Be Prepared - Not Scared. I like that motto. It sounds like a nice way to encourage people to respect weather.
We all know what weather can do in our region. This is a topic that I have struggled with for years. Over time I have tried to find some balance between the "OH MY GOSH - A SEVERE WEATHER OUTBREAK IS COMING - RUN FOR THE HILLS" - type tone :) - and the "We may have a few severe thunderstorms today - listen to NOAA Weather Radio for updates" - tone. Which is better? Well, I think we know which one is better.
Meteorology is one of those careers that causes a lot of inner conflict. Most meteorologists have a passion for weather - they have a passion for covering extreme events. That does not mean that we love tornadoes or hurricanes. It does not mean that we all want to rush out and chase tornadoes in our spare time. It simply means that we have a passion for covering weather events that impact all of our lives. We have a passion for public safety and we have a hefty respect for what mother nature can cause in the way of disruptions in our lives and the lives of those around us.
I hope that I continue to find that balance and tone in covering weather events in our region. I have the motto on the Paducah Sun Web-site that says "When Weather Becomes Personal" and that is how I feel about weather. I may also adopt the "Be Prepared - Not Scared" slogan. I like it!
Here is my ad space on the Paducah Sun
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You can find more updates on my Facebook (under Beau Dodson) - Twitter, as well.
If you would like to be added to my email list then please email me and request to be added - I usually send out an email when something significant is occurring or forecast to occur. Email me at beaudodson@usawx.com
Bottom line it for me Beau...
For southern Illinois and far western Kentucky...
The forecast for severe or extreme weather risk for today, tonight, and tomorrow: 0%.
The forecast for freezing rain, sleet, or snow today, tonight, and tomorrow: 0%.
Forecast:
Today - Partly cloudy. Cold. High near 35 degrees. North winds at 5 mph.
Tonight - Partly cloudy and cold. Low temperatures in the lower 20s. Light winds.
Sunday - Partly sunny. Cold. High near 38 degrees.
Sunday night - Some clouds. Low temperatures around 25 degrees. Light winds.
Monday - Partly sunny with increasing clouds. High near 43.
A small chance for light rain Monday night and Tuesday - will have to monitor the system in the coming days. Appears we will be warm enough for mostly rain in our local counties. Some snow is expected in Indiana and Ohio - parts of central or eastern Kentucky, as well. Still some questions on exact track.
The last few days it appeared this next system might produce some snow - however, everything is pointing more and more towards light rain.
Remember yesterday we posted the GFS snowfall map - well here is the one from this morning (you can see there was a shift northward with the snowfall). Again - these are the type of maps we monitor in the winter to look for threats.
Your up to the minute National Weather Service seven day forecast for southern Illinois and western Kentucky can be viewed by clicking here.
Your regional and local radars - including precipitation type radar - click here.
Barometer reading this morning is in the 29.90-30.20" range. Last 24 hours of data - click here.
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The Paducah, Kentucky NWS Office posted this graphic earlier this morning. Sums everything up nicely for our region!
You can view current conditions - weather radar and more information by clicking here
December has been a cold one! But questions remain as to how January and February turn out. Some signals of a shift in the pattern as we grow closer to the new year. Our region may ride the boundary of the warm/cold air.
For those interested in hearing a little bit more about what goes into a forecast - what goes right - what can go wrong - Meteorologist Jim Rasor from WSIL has put together some pod-casts. I have been listening to them over the last few months. I love them! You can hear them by clicking on this link.
There will be a lunar eclipse on Tuesday morning (very early) - clouds may interfere with those wanting to watch the show. Click here for more information.
Check out these temperatures in Alaska using GR-Earth - yes those are some -50 readings.
A look ahead - still appears that below normal temperatures will be the rule. There are several "potential" systems down the road. One around Christmas Eve and another around the 28th. But - these are just too far out to make accurate predictions on. So - for the time being we will just monitor and update accordingly.
Here is what the ensembles (the GFS model tweaked slightly differently and comes up with a bunch of solutions) are showing for the December 24th storm. Something travelers will want to keep an eye on.
- Meteorologist Beau Dodson
McCracken County Office of Emergency Management
Please visit Chris Bailey's weather blog if you live in central and eastern Kentucky http://www.kyweathercenter.com/
For the latest watches and warnings please visit your local National Weather Service Office http://www.weather.gov/organization.php
To view all watches and warnings in Kentucky - Click here
To view all watches and warnings in Illinois - Click here
Other States - Click Here
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