Strong Storms Mooooooooove East

Today's picture looks like it could come from the Midwest, but was actually taken on Countyline Road on Signal Mountain. A fresh snow like this will cling to the slimmest of lines and wires if there isn't too much wind and make for some nice pictures.
This image reminds me of Winters past where I grew up in Illinois. We were sandwiched right between "America's Dairyland" to the North and the endless cornfields that begin in Northern Illinois and stretch out west until I-80 nearly bumps into the Rockies. After you've been away for a while, it seems like a sea of green. I think we were lucky to have farmers and farms in our family. It gave us kids experiences others miss out on. Like being around the animals, crops, and seasonal cycles that drive daily life. A thunderstorm in the city is one, detached experience. A thunderstorm on the farm is felt in a more connected manner. Rain that rushes down the driveway and into flooded gutters runs down the drain and away. But flooded fields can spell disaster. Small hail and brief wind gusts are curiosities in town. In the country, they can flatten wheat or shred corn or soybean fields. My brothers, sister and I also laugh about the family gathering on a farm in Eastern Nebraska when tornadoes were swirling in the area and we were all herded into the basement. (Secretly I wanted to sneak back up a take a look. Too many viewings of "The Wizard of Oz" I guess.)
From the plains to the Midwest strong to severe storms will be triggered by a storm complex that will create breezy conditions here today, and windy conditions tomorrow. After a rather pleasant day in the upper 60s today, we should hit the low 70s tomorrow. But hang onto yer hats pardner. South winds will start to howl across the area tomorrow afternoon at least 15 to 25 mph, but mountains will be buffeted by gusts over 40 mph! Rain and storms will likely form a squall line in Western Tennessee by tomorrow afternoon and evening. This line will move towards us tomorrow night. Quite a bit of the punch will be gone by then, but a few strong to severe storms could still have strong winds with them. So we'll be watching the VIPIR very closely. The rest of Friday will be dry and warm. Then scattered storms will be possible both Saturday and Sunday. Weekend readings will still be in the lower 70s.