Wednesday, July 23, 2008

Cotton Candy Clouds & Great Fair Weather Today!

North winds in July? This is the total opposite of what we normally see this time of year and is the big reason we will not have any heat or humidity to worry about today! Missy Marquess sent in those awesome pictures of the wind mills near Earl Park. Since our weather story is all about refreshing breezes this really works and it is good to see us producing new energy resources here at home. This picture above is a sign of hope that the days of being at the mercy of gas prices are coming to an end. It may take awhile, but you have to start somewhere. The ship is now sailing in the right direction. There are many good ideas out there and I think we should use as many new energy resources as possible until we get it right. It is something we can control and we do have the people and technology to get it done. Nature is a different story. We will always be at its mercy. Notice the incredible pictures below sent in by Mary Sheiko near Beck Lane and 9th Street!




A lot of folks were talking about lightning strikes down in Indianapolis but we had our own issues here at home. You are looking at a tree that exploded and was also stripped of its bark. We also had reports of at least 2 lightning strikes in Clinton County striking powerlines a telephone pole. This caused plenty of power outages. At one point there were 20,000 lightning bolts across Illinois and Indiana on Monday night which is the highest total I have seen in a long time. This picture sent in really shows nature's fury!
Attached is a photo I took late Monday night (7/21/08) on the east side of Lafayette. The building in the foreground is the new Clarian Arnett Hospital with the lighting in the distance. -Dennis Strohmeyer

We did not have any weather warnings, but the lightning was so vivid and prolific it would have warrented at least a lightning warning. Like the wind mills hopefully this is in the future of weather warnings. A lot of folks were caught off-guard and it would have certainly kept people from going out on their porches to watch the storms. Remember all storms are dangerous even when there are no warnings. When the thunder roars head indoors, you are in danger of being struck by lightning.



Today those cumulonimbus clouds that brought that incredible light show have been replace by fair weather cumulus or "cotton candy" clouds. This means today we can stay outdoors when the ferris wheel roars and do not forget all the good food! I am live at the fair tonight and we will show some horses, swine, and have a few surprises for you. Don't worry I have also been busy working on your weekend forecast and if anything it looks even better! Tune in to find out why and I will blog with you this evening and update everything, including the latest on Dolly. Do you remember the crazy fair weather back in 2005? We will have more on this here on the blog tomorrow.

15 comments:

Anonymous said...

Did anyone else see the front page of The Star today with that home destroyed by lightening in Fishers? That is really scary. Is the usual advice for a severe thunderstorm to get to a downstairs room just in case? That was some terrible lightening. Mike, we are heading east Friday morning before 6am, what do we have good odds on beating the expected thunderstorms out of the area? We have a 12 hour drive ahead of us and are hoping for clear weather on I-70.

ML

Anonymous said...

Wow..I have grandkids in Fisher, better check that out! WHAT a GORGEOUS morning!!! I hope all of you enjoy this wonderful, clear, LOW humidity, day!!! Nice fair weather! Newton County, and I believe, Benton County fairs are going on. Benton might start the end of this week, not sure.

MA in REM

Anonymous said...

Hey Mary anne thanks for telling me about that WTHR site I love the maps. It is just like you said (neater then all get out) Thanks!!!

Justin in Lafayette.

Anonymous said...

Morning All! Nice to have the windows open this beautiful morning!

ML, I saw a news report regarding house fires in Fishers, Scary!
One home that caught fire, lightning struck directly above the bed of a 15 year old boy who was sleeping, There was a 5-by-5-foot hole where lightning had struck and a fire started.

The home you are referring to was completely gutted, awful, those poor folks, my heart goes out to them! Amazing no one was hurt!



From what I heard there were 10 fires in Fishers from midnight through 2:00 am Tues. 5 of those started fires!

We were very lucky in this area!

All enjoy this beautiful day:)

Teri in Laf.

Anonymous said...

0h, and ML, some of the reasons for being on the lowest level of your home during a Severe T-storm,are due to high winds 58mph or greater and large hail.

Warnings are not issued for storms with vivid lightning:( But I always play it safe and stay down stairs during any strong storm. I am really scared of those bolts!

Teri in Laf.

Anonymous said...

What I meant to write:

I heard there were 10 lightinig strikes reported to the Fire Dept in Fishers,from midnight through 2:00 am Tues. 5 of those started fires! Opps typo error!

Anonymous said...

Hey everyone look's like early Friday morning we could see some more storms as of now look's like they could start to pop up in I'LL by 4:00am and we in the WLFI viewing area could see them by
6:00am Friday. Now this has already changed once today so I will keep you posted on this so we all can be ready. Right now this is a 50% chance. Now don't let this bum your day :) LOL... It is very nice out.

Justin in LAF.

Anonymous said...

Thanks Justin and Teri. We will enjoy today and tomorrow. Will our Friday storm streak start up once again??!!

ML

Anonymous said...

MA,

Just go to Indystar.com, the storm story is on the front page.

ML

Anonymous said...

Hi bloggers, Hope you guys did not make the same mistake I did. Was out in the sun with no sunscreen and got a a badsun burn! ouch! The cool temps and breeze felt good, now i am paying for it!

Watching the hurricane could it effect our weather??

Ray

Anonymous said...

Bloggers count your blessings! Hurricane Dolly is hitting hard, if you want to see a wild looking radar check out Texas and the southern states!

Anonymous said...

Come on folks. Let's not predict what time storms will hit Friday. We can't tell hour to hour what a storm will do. If we are that good Mike may be out of a job. LOL Enjoy the great day!

Anonymous said...

Bloggers if you are really into weather watching, please check out Hurricane Dolly!!!
Sure will give you an adernaline rush! Say a prayer for those folks that are in her eye!!!!

REALLY, WATCH DOLLY SHE MADE LAND FALL AMAZING!!! SHE IS WEAKING NOW BUT SHE IS PACKING POWER,

Anonymous said...

Everyone enjoy this fabulous day?
Perfect wx for the 4-H fair! Many
talented young Ladies and Gents in our community participating! Nice to see!

I have been watching Hurricane Dolly as well. WOW some great live footage!

All enjoy this summer night! Its porch swing night for me!

Teri in Laf.

Anonymous said...

Oh ya dolly has a lot of power I have been watching it from last monday because I have a friend in LA, I think dolly really caught a lot of people off guard this just go's to show that even a cat 1 and or 2 is not someing you should stay and ride out!!!

I did not get out to the fair today for we was out at the store and then had a cook out. However we did make it out to armstrong park this morning for a jog.

I do hope everyone stays safe in TEX, all enjoy this great weather.

Justin in LAF.