A strong, long distance runner

"Tonight, a hunker and bunker night. I will have battened things down as much as possible outside. Then, get this storm over with, who we can go back to prepping for Christmas, instead of a May-like thunderstorm."

Today is December 15th. Christmas is next week. So far, things look more white than brown outside. And, so? The so is this. We are in a severe storm risk for early evening. High winds, maybe thunderstorms, and believe it or not, a small chance for a tornado. A tornado? In December? Sure. Just ask those good folks down in Kentucky. They not only had a tornado last week, it was the worst tornado in Kentucky state history.

Now imagine if you will, if a similar tornado hit Minnesota. Tornados are either very strong, or "long runners" - seldom both. The tornado which hit Kentucky was both. If we had a similar tornado, and it touched down in Blaine, Minnesota, it would tear a path of destruction all the way up to (ready for this?) - Grand Marias, Minnesota. 

To further complicate the aftermath of the Kentucky twister, the NWS is having a very tough time determining the strength of the wind. Many think it was an F5. However, there are metrics which the NWS use to confirm that speed. So far - no conclusions. Why? It is suspected it might have been a "multi-vortexed" twister. That makes the final conclusion of wind speed difficult to determine. However, looking at how the town of Mayfield, and how it was "scoured" by the tornado, it is hard to image anything but an F5.

One more point of interest concerning the Kentucky tornado. Meteorologists have determined from radar, the debris field from the twister reached an altitude of over 30,000 feet! It is for that reason, that some belongings of citizens, ended up 100 miles away. Again, this is December. To have an epic tornado this time of year ANYPLACE in our country, is a wonder.

This evening should prove to be interesting in the Twin Cities. One of our favorite weather guessers, thinks we could have wind gusts of 70 mph. That could really do a number on outside decorations. Another weather guesser on YouTube said if the dew points were 10 degrees higher on this side of the incoming dry line, we could be in for a very dangerous time tonight. 

Once the wind and rain stops tonight, the quick freeze settles in. By tomorrow morning, the entire area could be one big ice rink. It has been a while since we have had a good old fashioned ice storm in these parts. They are the worst for driving in. 

Tonight, a hunker and bunker night. I will have battened things down as much as possible outside. Then, get this storm over with, who we can go back to prepping for Christmas, instead of a May-like thunderstorm. So - how is your weather? Don't ask. Please - don't ask.