Busted Chase=Photographic Opportunity

Wednesday looked like the best chance for our area to see severe weather.  So as soon as it was 4pm, I picked up and headed out to see what I could see.

Initially, I was going to creep over into AL around Ft. Payne, but I got distracted by a few cells that popped to the north of Chattanooga.  It looked like a nice little line was going to form and so I considered going over to around South Pittsburg to await initiation.

I pulled into about 5 different parking lots and kept checking radar.  The storms just couldn't keep it together.  The cap was strong over the Chattanooga area.  It was too late to try to get to the party in AL, but nothing really happened there, either, so I didn't miss anything. :)

I decided to head up to one of my favorite places in Chattanooga to take some photos and maybe see some of the storms that were fading off in the distance.  So all was not lost!

Point Park is absolutely gorgeous and one of the battlefields in the Civil War. 

Miles traveled: Approx. 30 (mostly driving in circles trying to figure out what to do!)
What did I see: No storms, but a gorgeous view! :D

Severe Weather on Thursday!!!

Disclaimer:  I'm a bit rusty on the forecasting so forgive me and correct me for any mistakes or anything I've missed!

The SPC has given credence to what the NAM was eluding to yesterday.  Thursday has the potential for a significant severe weather event in Dixie Alley (W TN, MS, AL, GA).

This morning the SPC gave a 30% hatched probability!

Right now, it looks like the area will remained capped for a good part of the day.

Skew-T for around Memphis TN @ 18z on Thursday:

But around 21z, the cap should erode and the atmosphere should be ripe for severe weather development.


CAPE at 00z:

Unfortunately, a lot of this will be happening overnight in areas that have been hard hit before. 

Stay tuned.. I'll post more as we get closer to the event!

Another AMAZING Show in Athens GA!

Friday night, Stacey and I made another pilgrimage down to the beautiful city of Athens, GA for another memorable show.

We spent so much time stuck in traffic..  haha.. But as always, we listened to awesome music and danced (well... I danced) and acted a fool most of the way down there, so the time passed quickly. 

On our way to get dinner, we bumped into Matt, Rachel, and made a new friend, Chris, right before the show.  We walked over to Ted's Most Best where we had seen Los Meesfits at the PopFest in October.  The food was amazing, and I had a Terrapin Rye Ale, which was..... FABULOUS!  Hooray for local breweries!

Friday night reminded me of why music means so much to me.  I had an unbelievable experience with Stacey and some great friends, Matt, Rachel, Brad, Joel, and Chris.  Jeff Mangum played the most amazing set.  When he started off with Oh Comely, I really thought I wouldn't be able to stop crying the entire show.  That was pretty much the case.  I can only think of a few songs where I WASN'T moved to tears.  It was absolutely one of the most amazing music experiences I have ever had in my life!!!  Laura, Andrew, and Scott even joined Jeff on the stage for a few of the songs.  It was absolutely amazing.  The whole crowd sung along with Jeff, and there was so much love in that room! It was just..... gahh.. chillbumps.  It is one of those shows I totally wish I could relive over and over again!

Afterwards, all of us headed over to the Flicker Bar for some drinks and laughs.  Yesterday morning was a rough one, but hey.. it was COMPLETELY worth it!!!!! 

Tonight one more night of music where we will go see They Might Be Giants at Track 29!  What an amazing weekend!!!!

RIP Andy G

So, I never met Andy Gabrielson. 

That being said.. I know who he is.  I have watched and drooled over his videos.  He chased anything and everything.  He had an obvious passion for this thing that so many of us love... the weather.

I just think again this puts things into perspective.  Every day you have on this planet is a gift, and you never know when you might get taken away or when the ones you love will be taken from you.  It is so important to let those you love know how you feel about them.

Don't let fear get in the way of your dreams or goals.  This is the only chance we have on planet earth, so do with your time what you can.

RIP Andy... My thoughts and prayers go out to his family and friends.