Rukavina's Extreme Weather and Climate Blog

March 4th Update During the newscast at 10pm this evening, I showcased the final stats that will go into the record book for Winter 2014. The following video shows that the Paducah area ranked 10th in both "coldest and "snowiest". The winter of 1978 was the benchmark for both and has reminded many of this winter's brutal cold and active weather pattern. Thanks to Climate Central for the specialized graphics! February 13th Update Data collected by Jennifer Rukavina from the Paducah National Weather and the Kentucky Mesonet February 11th Update Meteorological Winter technically runs from Dec-Jan-Feb. We are closing in on the end of this season and wanted to give you a preliminary look at how December and January temperatures ranked across Western Kentucky. December temperatures averaged out to pretty close to normal (compared to Barkley Regional data). January temperatures finished up being well below normal. To track the differe...

Sat Afternoon Update:  New winter weather alerts that into effect tonight. Start wrapping up preparations!  Fri PM Update: Confidence continues to grow and point toward the winter storm threat of icing. Winter Storm WATCHES were issued by the National Weather Service this morning and afternoon including all of the Local 6 area now. The timing below still looks fairly in-line with the forecast that we have been showing for a couple of days. Here is a closer look at ice accumulation totals and the impact index of ice. Be sure to continue your preparations tomorrow before the winter storm really moves in on Sunday and look for additional updates here. There may be a few small changes but the weather models have been pretty locked in on the Ohio River counties for higher totals for several cycles now. In addition to ice accumulation, snow and sleet will also accumulate making for an icy mix on roadways. While sleet and snowfall will be a secondary concern to the i...

Did you know that the Floods are the #1 natural disaster in the Unites States and nearly 20% of all insurance claims due to flooding come from moderate to low risk areas? We've seen this happen in our own communities as recently as 2011 when collectively the Ohio, Mississippi, Cumberland, Tennessee, and Clarks Rivers experienced "100 yr" floods. Even areas that had never seen major flooding were inundated by an overly active winter rainy season that did not relent while transitioning into Spring. We are entering a delicate time of the year where Winter transitions to spring and several factors can play a part in our flooding risk. Snow melt, spring thaw, heavy rains, and even ice jams (rarely) can contribute to the cause. To evaluate exactly what your risks are where you live (here in the Local 6 area or elsewhere) check out this interactive panel below. In general the Local 6 area is prone to flooding from the Spring thaw and heavy thunderstorms. Snowfall becom...

THURSDAY is a Weather Authority Alert Day for the WPSD Local 6 Area. Thursday Morning Update: The Storm Prediction Center has elevated the area of Western Kentucky and NW Tennessee to a Moderate Risk of severe storms today. The information below remains the same.  Wednesday Evening Update: As of Midnight, the Storm Prediction Center has continued the slight risk area over our region but has highlighted the greatest potential for damaging winds and isolated tornadoes. See the map below.    An organized line of severe thunderstorms is expected to move across the Local 6 area starting sometime around Noon and exiting by about 6pm. There is a look at that timeline below with each yellow line representing what time we expect the squall line to be at those given locations. Our greatest risk for severe weather will be centered over Western Kentucky, Extreme Southern Illinois, and NW Tennessee. Destructive winds are a big concern with this particular storm system and with ...

  On the heels of a pretty feisty winter weather event on Sunday, the next round is already set to move in during the day on Tuesday and wrap up late Tuesday night. This time, ice/glazing will be more of a concern. To the right shows the breakdown of the different types of precipitation we are expecting from one end of the Local 6 area to the other. Areas along the Ohio River will see temperatures hover between 31-33 degrees all day/evening and any degree change will determine the difference between rain/sleet/freezing rain. Areas in the blue area will see a mix of sleet and snow and possible accumulations up to 4". The further south you move into the pink and green, the greater chance you will see an icy mixture to all rain into Middle TN and Southern Lakes area. The graphic below shows the impacts each will have on a given area. The following three maps are an idea of where the snow/sleet/freezing rain/rain will fall and how much will accumulate. Areas along and no...

Sunday Morning Update: A Winter Weather Advisory is in effect for much of the WPSD Local 6 area with a handful of counties just reaching Winter Storm criteria. Here is the latest map. They are in effect until early Monday. Snowfall totals have not changed much from last nights posting and I really feel this will still just be a road impact for Monday morning. Here is the projected snowfall total map: Sorry, TN. Looks like another near miss on the snow for you. :( Saturday Night Update: A Winter Storm Watch has been issued by the Paducah National Weather Service for most of the WPSD Local 6 area. Portions of NW TN and MO Bootheel have been placed under a Winter Weather Advisory all for winters weather on Sunday as colder air begins to arrive.   Rain will switch over to freezing rain, sleet, and snow during the day on Sunday eventually leading to accumulations in the watch/advisory areas. Initially any frozen precip will melt thanks to Saturday's mild temps and warmer pavement surfac...