Rukavina's Extreme Weather and Climate Blog

Credit: Midwest Regional Climate Center. Click for larger view. Tuesday PM Update: The heaviest rain has come and left it's mark over the past weekend bringing flooded out roads and forcing people from their homes in parts of Missouri and Illinois. The slow, steady rain is starting to wind down and a break in the weather is expected for a day or two. Epic rainfall totals have made headlines for the past few days and record-breaking numbers are becoming more likely as we wrap up Meteorological Summer and the month of August. a fairly large swath of more than 6" of rain has been measured from Southern Indians down through Southern Illinois and into Southeast Missouri just over the past 7 days as see in the graphic above. Even a few specks of white appear in IL/MO which indicates more than 10" or rain during that 7-day period of time (mainly Sat-Tue). Here are a few official 4-Day totals listed by the National Weather Service in Paducah, KY and weatherunderground.com. ...

Friday AM Update Heavy rain still appears to be our greatest concern as the remnants of Tropical Storm Bill pass directly over the Local 6 area throughout the day today. A Flash Flood WATCH continues for Southern Illinois, SE Missouri, and the Ohio River counties in Western Kentucky through Saturday. Here is a look at today's forecast concerning rainfall totals from the Weather/Hydrological Prediction Center. In any given area, 2-4 inches of rain will be possible. Low-lying areas are most prone to flash flooding. Showers and storms will increase in coverage and intensity during the day on Friday.  Keep preparedness and awareness in mind as heavy rain moves in. Locate areas of higher ground in the event you need to retreat there. Never drive across flooded roadways. Keep children from playing in flood waters. Water depth and swiftness is difficult to determine. Below is the latest Flash Flooding Potential Briefing from the Paducah National Weather Service.

The National Weather Service in Paducah has recorded these record snowfalls in the past. I also found a possible snow event back in March of 1960 that measured 9" but will have to verify with the NWS after this event wraps up.  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 (Unofficial total from March 4-5, 2015: 12.1") Noon Thursday Highest Snow Totals  (NWS Paducah/Memphis) 11:00 PM Highest Snow Totals  (NWS Paducah/Memphis) 9:30 Highest Snow Totals  (NWS Paducah/Memphis) 7:30 Highest Snow Totals 6:30 Highest Snow Totals   From the Paducah and Memphis National Weather Service Offices

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

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 ...

The chill in the air is rather brisk and a light dusting of snow covered the ground this morning....Winter's grip is still holding tight despite being the end of March.....but isn't this what March used to be like? We've gotten so used to an early Spring that now when an "average" Winter/Spring comes along, it stings a little. :) Last March we were basking in record warmth with multiple 80+ degree days and farmers were planting earlier than ever hoping for a bumper crop. This March, a weak La Nina weather pattern along with a strongly negative Arctic Oscillation signal has kept up much colder than the average. The Arctic Oscillation (AO) means this: The negative phase allows cold air to plunge into the Midwestern United States The positive phase brings the opposite conditions, steering ocean storms farther north and bringing wetter weather to Alaska Courtesy: Climate Prediction Center - March 26, 2013 The climate models project the above forecast and...

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 ...