WWTBAM Bored

Rotating storm systems and smaller tornados are bouncing around central Oklahoma tonight. This is what happens when we get beautiful, warm spring days in March. Those of you who aren't yet ready to put away the snow shovels don't have to be jealous any more.

My town doesn't appear to be any any danger from tornados, but the light show in the sky is making the dogs nuts.

I hope that your town stays safe!

Those two words sound way less horrifying than they really are.

My town was completely unscathed and, in fact, didn't even get much rain overnight. (We're making up for part of that right now.) Farther north had many frightening moments, with dozens (perhaps hundreds) of homes damaged, but no structures were flattened, and no major injuries have been reported. Hail of up to two inches in diameter threw it's own temper tantrum on cars in other areas.

I stayed up until about 2:30 a.m. watching the weather radar, which actually turned into interesting and sometimes dramatic television. For example, the reporting storm chasers couldn't see anything except horizontal rain at one point, but clearly were directly below a scary-looking circulation. The station I was watching has invested in some new kind of radar that provides much faster scans. As a result, you could see hook echoes form and curl up in almost real time. I also learned a new term -- "That's a classic hammerhead echo!" said the meteorologist. It looked like neither the top of a tool nor a shark to me, but more like fingers that curled into a giant fist. I was happy it wasn't in position to hit me. Many hooks appeared, but fortunately, most of the rotations didn't touch down.

I'm hoping we don't get any weirdness. We're not supposed to today or the next few days, but it's horribly muggy, totally still--that creepy still or like you're inside a box of cement and just waiting for the mixer to turn on and you'll get dumped inside it. Gray and mucrky outside.

Plus, it's hotter than Hades in the office. Sweat hot. Stupid sweat hot.

Stay safe. I need to drive over (i think) four major mountain passes on Thursday, and woke up to snow and icy roads this a.m. Send warming thoughts my way, and I'll send wind-calming thoughts yours, 'kay?


t.

I saw the weather report for OK, AR and MO while waiting for the doctor this afternoon. It looked super nasty!

I hope all in BBland are safe.

I saw coverage of the damage on the TV this morning. My heart goes out to all those affected.