Spring is in full bloom here in Tennessee, and along with that comes our strongest storms of the year. Last night we had a particularly bad storm sweep across the state, which left a lot of damage in some areas.
You can see the full news story, and some pretty intense photos at our local news site:
Tornadoes, Hail, Strong Storms Leave Trail of Destruction Across Middle Tennessee
“The destructive storms swept across middle Tennessee Friday afternoon, claiming 11 lives. It was our area’s worst tornado day in eight years, and on Saturday, Governor Bredesen will tour the devastation.”
Apparently our weather made worldwide news, as I received quite a few messages and phonecalls from concerned friends all over the world. The kids and I faired just fine in our little area, but it was really kind of you guys to take the time to let me know you were keeping an eye on it!
Actually, during the worst of it, we were out playing in the hail storm 
. We didnt get hail as large as some places in the state, but it was big enough to leave a sting - and brought some good laughs at each other!
I’m surprised the children arent more afraid of storms than they are, especially given our experience 3 years ago - we were barely missed in a horrific storm that uprooted trees and destroyed homes all the way around us. See: Storm 2003. I guess they take after me in that respect… because I absolutely love a good storm, and count “Twister” as one of my favorite movies of all time!
So all is well on this end. The worst thing we had to ‘weather’ was intermittent internet access. The boys (my son and his cousin) finally gave up and unplugged… and asked me if I had any “bored games” (yes, that’s how it was said lol). They asked specifically for Monopoly, which I couldnt find - so I suggested Life.
“Life is fun”, I said (trying to talk them into playing that one, and saving me from hunting down Monopoloy). I got ‘the look’ and then my son replied, “Life is only fun when we’re connected” - LOL. They finally decided to settle for stone-age entertainment: PS2 and X-Box.
They’re cool kids. They run their own game server, along with a few other boys, and are both heavy into programming. Gosh, when I was their age I was playing Frogger and Centipede - and only if I was at Pizza Hut or the skating rink at that! (How did we ever entertain ourselves growing up??)
Ahh well. The storms have moved off to our east now, and we have just a bit of rain and slightly cooler weather. Everything here is blooming and beautiful, and the ocassional storms that slide through are just a little part of the whole experience of Spring here in Tennessee…
Speaking of which, the “who is going to mow first?” debate is finally over. I’ve kept a close eye on all those neighbors for the last week or so, placing my bets silently, as everything turned green and the grass began to grow again. Surprisingly it was the lady next door - I was betting on the lady across the street. Ahh well - now we ALL have to mow (her yard is making ours look bad!).
4 responses so far ↓
Ralph Ruckman // Apr 11, 2006 at 6:17 pm
Hi Lynn,
First would like to say Congratulations on your Wordpress Blog. Looks wonderful:)
I just wanted to say that I personally followed these storms you are describing. Did you see where they started? They began in central Oklahoma, and with that upper level low pressure, it pushed the warm air up through Kansas and caused it to collide with the cool front that was coming down from Nebraska. When you have fronts running into each other like that, that is where you get unstable atmosphere. I got a pretty good hail storm, and 7 tornadoes broke out in eastern Kansas.
Did you ever notice that when these storms come up from Oklahoma, they move northeast through the bottom and middle parts of eastern Kansas. They then turn and head straight east. Usually with a couple of days, Missouri and Tennesse usually get pounded pretty hard.
These storms tend to get worse after they enter Missouri and start shooting eastward instead of northeast. So to say, it looks to me like in the last couple of years Tennesse really gets the worst of it. My wife as family in western Tennesse so we really keep up with what’s going on there.
Glad to see that all is well for you though. BTW, I am researching on possible atmospheric conditions that seem to cause these storms to change direction when they hit Kansas. There also has to be some type of explanation as to why they seem to “worsen” as they head east. More on that when I get some solid information. In the meantime, take care.
Best Regards,
Ralph Ruckman
Lynn Terry // Apr 11, 2006 at 6:39 pm
Hi Ralph,
Those are certainly some interesting observations! I would be interested to hear more. Though I have to admit that I dont watch television, or even keep up with the weather (until it’s overhead).
I suppose that comes from the couple of years I spent in the remote cabin, where we barely had radio access (and only to one small station). I just got used to taking it as it came.
Which would explain why we got caught unaware in 2003, while everyone else in the area evacuated - LOL. I’m guessing they were either higher up and had satellite (I couldnt get it on my hill) or they had connections in the city that called in a warning.
I used to get the weather via email every morning from my local television station. I’m not sure what happened to that… hmm - will have to check it out and perhaps sign up again. That was convenient!
Best,
Lynn Terry
Ralph Ruckman // Apr 11, 2006 at 6:49 pm
Lynn,
I went to college for awhile on a basketball scholarship, and was studying basic weather information applications. I am a volunteer firefighter in Le Roy and also a registered storm spotter in Coffey County, Kansas. I actually make a little money when called out to track storms. I have seen over fifty tornadoes since starting in 2001.
That has really peeked my curiosity in researching on how storms develop. What I said earlier about forming in Oklahoma is factual information I have researched. As to why they tend to get worse I have yet to totally figure out. I do know that with all the hills and valleys in Missouri this has something to do with it.
Another point is that Arkansas gets some really bad storms. When they form in southern Arkansas, I notice they develop into a type of spiraling upper level low. This causes them to spiral towards your STATE in a northeastern pattern Over the last couple of years, these types of storms tend to be more of a “soaker” type storm. More rain and less destructive conditions.
I would like to say how unique this entry was in your blog. Since I am just starting out on my “business journal” I try to not post comments on those subjects in other people’s blogs. I do not want to give a misrepresentation of any sort. But I seen this and could not resist. Hope you don’t mind.
Sincerely,
Ralph Ruckman
Lynn Terry // Apr 11, 2006 at 6:57 pm
No, not at all! In fact, I found it quite interesting
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