Rukavina's Extreme Weather and Climate Blog

Heavy downpours and flash flooding events continue to increase in different areas of the United States. These specific type of events have increased between 10-40% in the Mid South since 1958. (Kentucky 16%, Tennessee 14%, Missouri 38% and Illinois 12%.) We don't have to look back too far in the records for our last event. Local businesses and homes were damaged from rushing flood waters when when over 6" of rain fell in 2-3 hours over parts of Paducah, KY. The heavy rain and storms began around 3AM and came to an end just before sunrise. Streams and creeks were overwhelmed along with an inundated urban development area. Flood zones were filled several inches, even feet deep, and only took a few short hours to dry out. The damage was already done to hundreds of homes/businesses. Many factors came together for this event to become a disaster for many. Most people were asleep when the event began to unfold. There were very few eyes to report the magnitude of the flooding t...

*See live streaming schedule at bottom of post* Broadcast live streaming video on Ustream Join Chief Meteorologist Jennifer Rukavina as she travels to this year's Glen Gerberg Weather and Climate Summit at Breckenridge, Colorado.   Starting Monday January 12th watch for her live reports at 5 and 6 pm on WPSD Local 6. She will be talking with today's leading meteorologists and scientists about the latest technology and forecasting tools plus the status of today's climate.  You can interact with Jennifer in a chat area of the live stream when you take it full if you have questions for her or the speakers/scientists. You can also send your questions to: rukavin88@gmail.com . Post by Jennifer Rukavina - WPSD Local 6 . Live Streaming Schedule MONDAY, January 12th 8:00-8:25am       Weather Briefing - Dale Eck, Director-Global Forecast Center, The Weather Channel 8:30-10:00am     SESS...

Wind-driven lake-effect snow slammed the metro Buffalo area Thursday, as snow fall at a rate of up to two inches per hour and howling winds gusted through the region.The snow and wind came with subfreezing temperatures that have left homeless shelters full. The overnight low was close to z... - The…... READ MORE http://ift.tt/1HW6ViA View Jennifer Rukavina's story posts on her Facebook Fan Page: http://ift.tt/1BEUS7s View WPSD's Webchannel for Weather: http://ift.tt/1HW6Xac

SATURDAY AM UPDATE: TODAY IS A WEATHER AUTHORITY ALERT DAY! The Storm Prediction Center has upgraded most of Western Kentucky and NW Tennessee to the Moderate Risk outlook for severe weather, including the threat for damaging winds and tornadoes. Here is the latest map from SPC: Storm Prediction Center Outlook for Severe Storms on Saturday The National Weather Service in Paducah, KY has posted this very informative web video discussing the timing and threats associated with storms headed our way this afternoon along with flooding details. FRIDAY PM UPDATE: A WEATHER AUTHORITY ALERT DAY has been declared starting Friday night running through Sunday Morning.   Projected rainfall totals are holding pretty tight and havent changes a whole lot since yesterday. Below is a little more refined map updated Fri evening concerning total rainfall expected from Friday night ending Sunday morning. Isolated areas of 5-6" will be possible, especially...

It seems as though we are literally just scratching the surface when making strides recovering from Drought 2012. The latest drought monitor shows us in the clear from a classified drought but long term problem runs deeper. As of February 13, 2013, 2,333 primary counties within the United States were designated for 2012 Crop Disaster Losses through the USDA with another 423 contiguous counties following last year's historic drought. New research was released this week from the University of Missouri School of Natural Resources It showed the soils of the Midwest that suffered exceptional drought may take up to two years to fully recover.   At the Paducah National Weather Service, January precipitation was well above normal and ended up being the wettest on record. Much of the Midwest has also seen an uptick in frequency of precipitation but Randall Miles (MU Soil Science Associate Professor) says, "What we may be sinking into the soil now may not get down to the, l...

2012 brought a year of extremes across the Local 6 area and also took with it the precious lives of 8 community members and devastated a river/agricultural industry. Here is a preview & list of events that rank as the Top 6 weather stories of 2012 on WPSD Local 6: Graphic Produced by WPSD Meteorologist Kyle Mounce 1. Leap Day Tornadoes - Harrisburg EF-4 Tornado: I felt my stomach drop the moment I saw the EF4 tornado damage as I pulled into Harrisburg the following day. I knew it was going to be bad and I couldnt imagine going through the terror of waking up in the middle of the night as a powerful tornado raced my way. Daylight brough a scene of devastation to the south side of Harrisburg and disbelief spread across this close-knit town. Eight of their residents lost their lives to the storm.   News quickly traveled to the national media and hundreds of volunteers converged on the heartbroken town to assist those ...

Update (4PM Christmas Eve): A BLIZZARD WATCH has now been issued for much of the Local 6 area beginning Tuesday night and continuing through Wednesday morning. Along with significant snowfall totals, blowing and drifting of snow will make travel and being outdoors very difficult within the WATCH area. Please make preparations if you are in the WATCH area for this winter storm as many places will be closed on Christmas Day and may have a tough time opening on Wednesday. Here is the latest snowfall projection map and a look at the counties included in the Blizzard Watch. 18Z RPM Computer Forecast Model 48-hr Snowfall   Watches/Warnings Map (National Weather Service)   If you live in or near the BLIZZARD WATCH area, please be prepared for high-impact winter weather. Conditions will deteriorate quickly Tuesday (Christmas) night. Any shift in the forecast line of heaviest snow is possible as the storm continues to develop to our SW. CLICK HERE FOR WINTER WEATHER P...