Turbulent Weather Bumps Through

Thanks this morning to Paula Shell for sending this beautiful picture of the Fall foliage in Tellico Plains. Her mother's home is in the picture which Paula says is over 100 years old. It's a great picture and I'm glad she was willing to share it with everyone.
The big storm in the middle of the country is a monster, effecting everyone from the Canadian border to the Gulf of Mexico. Snow is flying in the Dakotas with the threat of more severe weather east of the Mississippi River. Yesterday the Storm Prediction Center logged 27 tornado reports, 60 severe wind events, and another 67 reports of hail 3/4" or larger. An incredible 154 severe weather reports!
We have already seen some pockets of heavy rainfall move through the area this morning, and more is on the way. And there is still some potential to see some strong to severe storms today into tonight. Average rainfall amounts look like between 1" to 2" in the next 24 hours with some locally heavier amounts.
We still need rainfall. As of this morning these are the numbers compared to average:

• Since Nov. 1st - 1.75" below average.
• Since Sept. 1st - 6.55" below average.
• Since Jan. 1st - 7.63" below average.

Most of this past Saturday was spent on leaf patrol for what looks like the final time in 2005. Up on the roof as well to get the gutters cleaned one more time. So I'm ready for the rain.