"White Death is coming."
That was the quote from a local radio talk show host - fully tongue in cheek (I hope) - regarding the projected winter storm that may hit Oklahoma later this week.
Is the coming storm another projection like one almost a year ago when we were going to get 6-8 inches of snow in OKC and only got a a very light dusting? Is it similar to last month's projections that the Christmas Eve storm would leave a little snow in OKC but it shouldn't be anything too big?
Last week I posted to my Facebook page a question regarding weather forecasting and the constant interuptions to regular programming for a weather update. Who decides when programming should be interupted? How bad should a storm be before we put a map in the corner of the TV? Last week's "heavy storms" as indicated by one TV station had a little bit of lightning, but almost nothing that was severe - and I don't mean severe by my definition. The National Weather Service didn't call most of the storms severe.
Today, if there is a storm cloud anywhere in the state, we get a little map in the corner of the TV screen blocking our view and telling us that it might be raining somewhere.
When I was a kid and the TV played that obnoxious tone telling us there was a weather alert coming, you stopped what you were doing and paid attention to see where the storm was. Today, you just kind of shake your head and wish they'd stop interupting your favorite show.
I remember clearly what I saw on TV on May 3, 1999. The visuals of the storms were simply indescribable. The destruction and awesome power of that storm almost defied words. There is no question that TV and radio coverage saved lives that day. Perhaps that's what has prompted what we get today.
I recognize the weather in Oklahoma is very unpredictable and that severe weather can appear out of nowhere. That should make it all the more imperative that when we get a weather alert that it really be for severe weather. Did you ever hear of the boy who cried wolf?
I don't know what the storm later this week will hold for Oklahoma. It may a major winter storm event with ice, freezing rain, sleet, and inches of snow before it leaves. It might also be a rain cloud with cold north breeze behind it. We won't know until it gets here.
One thing I can tell you with absolute certainty. Between now and Thursday's expected arrival our TV weathermen will be telling us over and over and over and over how bad this storm will be. And who knows, they might be right.
