March 19, 2011: Hail and BBQ?

(ABOVE: The Staab family in Bartlesville didn't let a hail storm prevent them from a cooking out.)

A few severe thunderstorms developed in the KJRH/Tulsa viewing area on the morning of March 19, 2011. Enjoy the "best of" pics emailed to weather@kjrh.com by our viewers. A few of these made me smile for the creativity!

(ABOVE: Sam Triebel received hailstones about 2" thick! From the Old Parker area, 3 miles east of Coffeyville, KS. I notified the NWS of this, and the NWS and SPC quickly conferenced. A Severe Thunderstorm Watch was issued.)


(ABOVE: Nic Pranger in Bartlesville could keep drinks cold with Mother Nature's finest! He scooped up this mostly dime-size hail.

BELOW: The size of hail is best represented by taking its picture next to other objects-- but this was the first time I've seen "peppermint size" hail! Picture courtesy: Kim Jones)



(ABOVE: We of course want our viewers to be safe during the storms, so a quick snapshot out of the backdoor works great too. This pic from Vivian Frost of Coffeyville shows mostly "small" hail everywhere.

BELOW: Oh, what about the Staab family bbq? If you are wondering, the hail storm obviously didn't stop supper time! Here's the end result...)

Gracie dog :)

(ABOVE: Gracie is a West Highland White Terrier, a "Westie". Vicious attack dog, eh?!)

I love my job! But one of the joys of getting off work is spending time with my family. Wifey took this picture of Gracie dog curled on top of her. Daddy can't wait to get home to see all of his girls!

Boston Terrier rescue on bike

(ABOVE: I aborted my bike ride at mile 39 when Roxie dog wanted to play in traffic.)

The bicyclists vs barking dogs game is played nearly every ride into the country with my friends. Often, big barking dogs are left unleashed by their owners. The dogs then charge out of their yards to run, chase or attempt to eat us.

But sometimes a lost-looking doggie wants to join too. That's what happened today riding in Tulsa near the Creek Turnpike at Memorial Drive.

(ABOVE: This puppy finally caught up to me, but she didn't know what to do next!)

I crossed Memorial Drive as usual and pedaled eastward up a large hill toward Mingo. A small dog found me at the top of the hill. She barked and started chasing me... and chasing and chasing!

The "vicious" barking thing appeared harmless! I stopped to make friends with her. She was a puppy!-- a Boston Terrier with new looking teeth, probably 6 months to 12 months old. I scratched her head; she closed her eyes; then splatted into the grass for a tummy rub! Thankfully she had a collar with ID: "Roxie". I took out my cell phone and called the owner. The owner answered but told me she was 30 minutes away.

(ABOVE: She melted in my hand while getting a head rub.)

Roxie dog tried to run out into Mingo, but I got her off the street in time. She then bolted toward the highway! I left my bike on the ground, scooped her up and held her into her owner arrived. I had fun taking pics of us! Moral of the story: name tags for doggies work!

(ABOVE PICS: The owner came to the rescue in record time! In the middle picture, I guess that my nose must taste good...)

State Record: -31°... Coldest temperature in Oklahoma

(ABOVE: Channel 2 photographer Thomas Berger and I visit the location where a record -31° was measured.)

Click HERE for the video on KJRH.

During the first two weeks of February 2011, nearly every major snow and all-time low temperature records were broken.

In addition to record lows and highs being set within a week, the following records fell in Tulsa: Most snow in 24 hours (14.0") , most snow in one month (22.5") , most snow in one season (26.1") . A new state record was also set for most snow in 24 hours: 27" near Spavinaw.

(ABOVE: Meteorologist Phil Browder chats with me about the all-time state record. Phil used to work in TV before he got smart and earned a job with OCS.)

The snow slowly evaporated, and the evaporational cooling helped create record cold conditions in Tulsa and eastern Oklahoma. With the snow piled high, Tulsa dropped to -12° on the morning of February 9, 2011-- that's the coldest in Tulsa in 80 years. The long-standing state record of -27° was shattered too, as the temperature plunged to -31° near Nowata. The temperatures in Pryor and Bartlesville dropped to -30° and -28°. This area experienced unrivaled cold after a narrow swath of 15-25" of snow fell north and northeast of Tulsa.

(ABOVE: The old thermometer was removed for testing and a new thermometer is installed)

To verify the new records, weather officials (Oklahoma Climate Survey) maintaining the Oklahoma Mesonet traveled to Nowata. (Click here for the video) I witnessed history: we met up with the crew at the exact location where the record -31° occurred. It felt awesome to stand on that snow-covered farm as OCS removed and swapped out the record measuring thermometer.
(I took this picture at River West Park in Tulsa on March 2, 2011. More than three weeks after the blizzard, this 10 feet high pile of snow remains! The city dumped snow here when clearing streets.)

2010... and 1980: First Snow

(ABOVE: My first snow! That's me at home in Orange, TX in 1980. I had never seen this picture until Mother found it in a drawer recently. This was the first time I ever saw snow. My smile proves it!)

Snow isn't unusual in eastern Oklahoma, but the first snow of the season seems to be a big deal. Lots of memories are made, especially for the kids!

I grew up in Orange, TX, and any snow was unusual and a big deal. On average, measurable snow is observed about once every 10 years along the Southeast Texas Gulf Coast.

Every single kid in Orange remembers the snow of 1980. The snow fell during the night on Friday, and kids woke up early Saturday morning to white stuff in the yard. Probably 1'-2" fell. It was enough snow to build my first snowman in the front yard! (Frosty melted the next day...)

The Tulsa area averages 9" of snow a year, and the 1" of snow which fell last week wasn't quite enough to make a snowman, but it probably provided smile to the kids. Maybe their parents too!

(ABOVE: My camera dude Kyle is stoked. He's excited for my live shot in the light snow)



(ABOVE: 1" of snow fell at our house. The snow was a bit powdery and 100% beautiful)

January 9-10 Snow: Fun Viewer Pictures

These are a few of the pics shared by KJRH viewers. These really made me smile!



(ABOVE: Jada Pingleton from Hartshorne and her cat Marley. And a hula snow girl!)




(ABOVE: Eddie and Rhonda Boback near Claremore show us that their puppies love the snow. )




(ABOVE: Joyce McCoy sent in this picture of her grand daughter. This is Maybree Moore of Warner and her tiny snowman. Cute!)



(ABOVE: I smile when Carolyn Canida sends us pictures of her West Highland White Terrier. "Stuart" was a foster dog of ours.)




(ABOVE: and this is Carolyn's snow mouse! There wasn't enough snow to make a snow man.)




(ABOVE: Blake Cates saw this parked near KJRH. His caption, "Don't let your dog drive in the snow.")

Snow-- so what's REALLY gonna happen?

(ABOVE: "So, is it really gonna snow on Monday?!" )

This makes me laugh when I hear this. Our weather staff is often asked what we "really think" will happen with the weather just after finishing a newscast.

So, I'm including an email. This is what I sent to KJRH employees after the 9am Sunday "2NEWS Weekend Mornings" newscast. Hopefully this closely resembles what actually came out of my mouth on TV!


email: "The first snow of the season is on the way. For today, light snow and flurries are possible in Tulsa and our viewing area. No accumulation expected. Most folks won’t receive any measurable snow today. Monday is our snow day. 1-3" totals are likely in our viewing area including Tulsa. As I type this Tulsa is not under any weather advisories, but am guessing that a "Winter Weather Advisory" will be issued for Monday.

Light snow is possible as early as sunrise on Monday, but most of the snow will fall during the afternoon and evening. Snow gradually ending toward and after midnight. Enjoy!

What could be bigger story is the cold. We will likely stay below freezing for over 100 straight hours!! Highs temperautures in the 20s and low 30s are expected thru Thursday.

Working for you,

George"


note: you can always check kjrh.com for the latest forecast. :)