Medicine Lodge Visit

Millie and I were invited to Medicine Lodge for a weather presentation at the grade school on Tuesday. Not only did we talk weather, but I had a chance to eat a school lunch with the kids and Millie walked around and picked up the kids' crumbs. We really had a great time. I'm posting some of the pictures from Tuesday. The kids were just great and one of the students had a birthday, so we made sure he received his Channel 12 hot chocolate mug too.

I'm a country music fan, so I was fascinated to drive through Martina McBride's hometown of Sharon. Like so many other small towns in Kansas, if you blink on your way through, you'll miss it. The small convenience store in Sharon had a small list with the days birthdays posted in the front window. It's sad the small towns are having a hard time surviving in this economy, because each one has so much character and personality.

The next winter storm is on the way to Kansas and the heavier snow is going to fall south of Hwy 54/400 through Friday morning. This will be a case of 4-6 for Wichita, with maybe an inch around Newton, Hutch, St. John, etc. So the northern cutoff on snowfall will be very sharp. It makes forecasting these types of storms very difficult, but exciting.

Less Than 2 Months to Go!

We have less than 2 months to go until the start of spring, and I know some of you can hardly wait. We've had some bad winters, but I'm not sure this one fits into that category, unless you ask those in northcentral or northeast Kansas.

There is a storm system approaching later in the week. It will bring a chance for wintry weather to southern Kansas Wednesday night or Thursday. It may end up going south, which means less snow for Kansas, but the details won't be clear until Tuesday or Wednesday. I think we are transitioning back to the active, winter pattern that we had in December, so there will be more snow chances as we head into February. However, based on the way things have been going this winter, it looks like the heavier snows will stay north and east of our area.

Have a great week. I'll be in Medicine Lodge on Tuesday for a school presentation. Look for pictures and an update later in the week.

Warmer Week Ahead

This weather is a good cure for cabin fever. Temperatures in the 50s this week helped me fend off the winter blues and we're going to get more mild weather in the week ahead.

I'm taking this chance to post a picture from my family Christmas. My oldest nephew, Wade, is now 2, and Pate is nearly 7 months old. Wade discovered the excitement in unwrapping presents this year and it is fun to spoil the heck out of them.

We're already looking ahead to the spring severe weather season. Spotter talks will be starting in about 2-3 weeks and it's also a very busy time for school talks. My calendar is filling up fast, and in just a few weeks, Millie and I will be headed to Medicine Lodge to visit with the elementary kids. I'm sure there will be some fun pictures to post in the near future.

Have a good week.