Very soon we will go from cold early spring to warmer spring days. We don't have much in between. While our last freeze date is mid-April, this year spring has come early. It will be interesting to see how the spring weather will play out. It has been a fairly mild winter. When a cold front meets up against a warm front - well, this is what happens where I live.
Tornado season is nigh. Though this one is only a Force one or two, it can still wreak havoc if one is in its path. A Force 5, or stovepipe tornado, literally takes up the grass and pavement along with everything else; it can be more than a mile wide and may stay on the ground for hundreds of miles. Nothing will be left standing.
The Choctaw Nation installed a free underground tornado shelter for us last year. I doubt it will get used, at least by me. Usually I am out scanning the skies, looking for them. If a Force 5 is coming though, I'll be down in the fraidy hole. I do have a little sense.
26 comments:
What an INCREDIBLE image.
Tornadoes are an alien concept to me. I suspect I would have a permanent spot in the fraidy hole reserved.
Stay safe.
We have tornadoes here, too, but now with your frequency, I think. I've personally had two affect me. The first I was in my basement. The second I was in my car, in the dark, and had no idea what to do, so I kept going forward. That one touched down less than five miles from my house, and took out half a dozen businesses. Awesome.
I love the delicate swaying dandelion but afterwards - help! I do understand your fascination though. I know you're no whimp, but Mother Nature commands respect!!
elemental forces of nature, nothing can stand against them. we don't usually get tornados but hurricanes instead. been a number of years since one came through here. I guess everyone just about had a mild winter from what I hear. spring is early here too which I don't mind but I hope it doesn't mean a long hot summer.
Oh, My. We used to live in TORNADO ALLEY---that corridor across Mississippi/ Arkansas where the climes and the country converge to make just the right spot for birthing those lethal little baby whirls which turn to catastrophe as they dance along.
On another note, as it were---I knew you'd use that song line someday. it's going to stick with me---I can just feel it, for no sooner than I'd finally ditched the obnoxious Pa-Rum-pa-pum-pum, than I got a brain-grab from "She played TAM-bour-ine, with a SIL-ver Jingle," which hummed in my head and blurted out at the oddest times, and it hung on til just this minute.
Oddly enough, we drove WAY across Tornado Alley once to see Gordon MacRae his own Curly self---delightful evening. This song is at least upbeat, I'm feeling that way today, and perhaps some Rodgers & Hammerstein are just the ticket for this GONNA GET IT DONE Day. When I tell you that we're going to take down and pack away the CHRISTMAS TREE, you'll probably think I must need some Sousa.
Stay safe,
r
Jeepers, Donna, I do hope that your area won't be part of this year's tornado season.
I was interested to learn about the shelter being installed. There has been so much televised coverage of tornadoes during recent years, I keep wondering if they are on the increase, or is the reporting just more intense. Maybe in the past folks took shelter rather than getting their cameras ready?
Pretty frightening I think. xo
Both images ..say it all..high winds worry me,,we have had 100 yr old white pines tumble:(
Always wondering..
Incredible images, I'm always the one standing on the porch scouting the sky, when tornados are a possibility.
Seventy degrees here today, I'm still confined to the rehab, so not much enjoyment of the sunshine.
Stay safe !
~Jo
I think it is like the people in California that aren't afraid of earthquakes. Now, those are scary.
Most people that die in tornadoes get caught out in their cars which become airborne.
I've seen several Gesbi. But, you are right about Mother Nature.
I'm with you Ellen. High heat and humidity are horrid. I melt and can do little outside when it's like that.
I'll not judge your tree up if you won't think my not decorating for Christmas is bad. Yes, Oklahoma where the wind comes ...
Actually, we are just southeast of that tornado alley window. We are also in a hilly terrain which seems to affect those large tornadoes that stay on the ground for hours. They do hit or miss around here though, but not the bigger ones. My husband and children are on the tribal rolls and that's why they put in the free shelter.
Hate the high winds too. We have a lot of wind around here. It is said that during The Dust Bowl, the wind and dust storms drove people crazy. Usually, when there is strong winds from the south, I know someone, somewhere up north is going to get a tornado.
Me too, Jo. Hope you get out soon!
I love your dandelion 'clocks' - our dandelions are not even in flower yet.
Wow...what a shot! We mostly see it on the news but don't have to go through it. Must make one want to think twice about spring. I would hate that...being my favorite season. Anyway, stay safe and keep us posted!
I've seen a few Pat.
My favorite season too Kirsten. Actually, tornadoes can occur even in autumn. The worst time for them though is in May. That's when the big ones happen.
Donna, these moving photos are too cool... We have tornadoes here in East Tn, which is surprising since we have a very hilly terrain.They scare me too, just hate them.
Yes, in the last couple of decades it seems tornadoes are occurring more often in the southeast. Legend has it that the terrain and formerly indian lands keep the bad ones away. Hope it is true. I do remember a force 3 that hit an hour south of us years ago.
I know that I'm forever moaning about the weather here in Blighty but I really should shut up because nothing so frightening as a tornado ever troubles us. A 'fraidy' hole isn't needed for endless damp and rain - but if it was then I'd be down it!
No, I can only imagine all the rain when it comes non-stop for days. More than that, I can't imagine. Like the people that live in the cold up north, I wonder how they can live with it, but I find they like it. Guess you bloom where you are planted.
Spring in all it's beauty....can be such a terror!Tornados are equivalent to alligators in murky water. Ya just never know! Good to "hear" from you!
Glad to hear from you too Linda. Your blog is one of the first I ever followed.
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