Rukavina's Extreme Weather and Climate Blog

This is such a wonderful piece of nature to be able to witness. This pair of eagles takes turns keeping their eggs warm and will soon be greeted by hatchlings! While the weather is yucky over the next couple of weeks, it's highly worth the effort to watch them off and on to see how things work in and around their nest. Technology can be a wonderful thing! This particular nest is located in Decorah, Iowa and streams 24 hours a day. Broadcast live streaming video on Ustream

As we wrap up the month of February and the end of Meteorological Winter, we won't soon forget the Siberian Express that brought record cold temperatures and a double shot of snow during President's Day week. Here is how we stand if the month ended today....likely going to hold. Compared to February 1978, it will be fairly difficult to break into the #1 spot. Just for number's sake, February of 1978 averaged 24.4 degrees compared February of 2015 at 28.6 (as of the 24th). Do you remember 1978 and the extended period of cold temperatures and a lot of snow? I'd love to hear your story by posting in the comment section below! Top 5 Paducah Snowstorms 1. 14.2" on December 22-23, 2004 2. 12.2" on January 16-17, 1978 3. 10.8" on February 16, 2015 4. 8.2" on February 27-28, 1984 5. 8.0" on March 6, 1967

SATURDAY IS A WEATHER AUTHORITY ALERT DAY! Friday PM Update: Sleet and freezing rain continues to fall across much of the area and will switch between freezing rain and rain throughout the day on Saturday. A FLOOD WATCH is now in effect through Saturday evening. Ice covered snow will make it difficult for rain to soak into the soil below leaving us vulnerable to flash flooding and flooding of low lying areas. Here are the latest projected rainfall and ice accumulation totals: Post by Jennifer Rukavina - WPSD Local 6 . Thursday PM Update: With the potential for ice accumulation, we may also want to be prepared for some sporadic power outages across our area. Here is an exclusive look at the Power Outage Risk Map for our area: The time period for this map is Friday 11 PM to Saturday 10 PM Thursday Afternoon Update: New winter weather advisories will be going into effect tonight. Here is the latest advisory map: In addition to wintry weather w

This was taken in the WPSD Local 6 Weather Garden just as sleet and freezing rain began and was active through 5AM. This is the view we have everyday while sitting in the Breaking Weather Center. If you have creative photos or timelapse video you want to share with us, post a link in the comment section below or be sure to post to our Facebook Fan Page !

Final snow reports from last 36hrs. Looks like the Eddyville's take the cake! Monday Evening Snowfall Reports: Once the storm wraps up, I will compile all the final totals and post them here too. If you are measuring in your backyard, take 3-5 measurements in different spots and average, then post. You guys have been tremendously helpful with your updates and photos! Monday Noon Snowfall Reports: Monday 10:00 AM Snowfall Reports Monday Morning Reports Sandy Inman Feb 16, 7:48 AM Karnak, IL...this is on 169 @ 7:40 this a.m. You can't see the road :) Josh Johnson Feb 16, 8:29 AM This is in Smithland. 8 inches. Terry Knight Feb 16, 7:11 AM 5 inches so far this morning at 7:00 AM in Princeton. Vickie Owen Hodges Feb 16, 8:52 AM 8" so far on my sidewalk in Marion KY and falling heavy. rickie_bazzell Feb 16, 8:10 AM   via  Twitter for Android @JRukavinaWPSD @WPSDLocal6  Pretty close to 6 inches in Marble Hill

SUNDAY AND MONDAY ARE WEATHER AUTHORITY ALERT DAYS FOR WINTER WEATHER  LIVE STREAM LINK Sunday PM Update:   WINTER STORM WARNINGS IN EFFECT UNTIL MONDAY 6PM FOR LOCAL 6 AREA. The Weather Authority will be streaming live weather updates at 6/7/8/9/10pm Sunday evening as the storm approaches on our web channel and on Digital 6.2/6.3. Hopefully your preps are coming to completion as snow begins to move in tonight. Snow totals continue to look very heavy for most of the area with sleet accumulation also possible over NW Tennessee. Light snow will be possible this evening but the heavier snow will likely begin overnight for most of the area. Snow accumulation still matched the forecast graphic just below. Once the heavier snow begins, road conditions will deteriorate quickly, even on treated roadways, due to cold temperatures.  Sunday Update:  WINTER STORM WARNINGS ARE NOW IN EFFECT FOR THE ENTIRE LOCAL 6 AREA. Preparations should be complete today before snow moves in late

Global Temperature Anomaly 2014 (Map 1) Weatherbell Frigid air is about to infiltrate the eastern US again bringing the feel of Winter back to the Local 6 area starting this week.  Since the end of 2013, a La Nina-Neutral influenced weather pattern has left the eastern Lower 48 under a trof of colder than normal temperatures. (See Map 1) Only recently (past few months) the La Nina-Neutral pattern has transitioned to El Nino-Neutral allowing for a loosening of that grip on some of the central states. (See Map 2) Global Temperature Anomaly January 1 - February 9, 2015 (Map 2) Weatherbell With warm, dry weather continuing to supply the positive feedback mechanism in the West, slight changes in the overall weather pattern are not likely to break that cycle, especially headed into the warm seasons.....and this is just one way to look at it. We may consider that the seasonal transitions may help "wobble" the dividing line and break the consistent nature of this

As a cold front drops south across the area on Wednesday, moisture in the form of snow will follow behind the leading edge of colder air. This will result in a light snow event but also the possibility of that snow freezing on roadways that are not pre-treated Wednesday night. While impacts and accumulations appear to be minor at this point, preparing by allowing yourself some extra commute time Thursday morning is likely to be necessary. Here are the latest forecast graphics below:  Temperatures will drop quickly as the snow arrives north to south and expected overnight lows will reach into the teens for most. Be sure to carry with you a winter weather kit for your car/truck and keep the kiddos bundled up. Keep in mind that even a light snowfall amount can cause area road problems, much like we experienced in mid-January. Even quick preps can ensure a safe Thursday morning commute!

We are officially in the heart of winter. February can bring flooding, winter storms, severe weather....are you keeping your guard up? ARE YOU PREPARED? I made it a resolution of mine a year ago to participate in Weather Ready Nation (a partnership with the National Weather Service) and to get our community involved in the process. It's been a great start and now it's time to grow forward! WPSD Local 6 was honored with the title of Ambassador for the Weather Ready Program almost a year ago. The National Weather Service recognized us as one of the first TV stations in the nation and the only in the WPSD area....something I am truly proud to share with you, our viewers. Your commitment to "A community prepared, is a community strong" has given us stronger defenses for future natural disasters. Share with me YOUR story! I want to hear how you prepare yourself and your family/co-workers in the event of dangerous weather. We all have a story.....sharing helps