I recently returned from a visit to Birmingham. This visit really opened my eyes to how much things have changed back home. My friends have made some major headway in their personal lives. I couldn’t be happier for them, and this quick visit has made me miss them even more. Some major changes are happening with my family too. I’m slowly losing my relationship with my mom, but I’m making huge strides with my relationship with my step-mom.
I love my job so much, and even though I was so tired from the 5 hours drive back I couldn’t wait to get back to the station and get to work. I knew I’d be coming home to the potential of severe weather. Not only that mean active weather, but I was also able to get into work at 2 pm instead of 9 am!
Well, Friday was a bust. We didn’t get a single warning so Chief sent me home at 10:30. I knew I would have an early day Saturday because the threat of severe weather was expected yet again, but I didn’t think I’d be getting a phone call at 7:30 AM! I can’t complain, Chief stayed all night long so I was happy to drag myself out of bed, throw a baseball hat over my terrible hair, brush my teeth, and make my way to the station to babysit the weather for a few hours. Thankfully I was able to head home for lunch and to get ready for my normal shows. However, before I left for my break the NWS issued a PDS (particularly dangerous situation) tornado watch for my viewing area. This added an extra risk to the severe weather potential.
After the 6 pm show we had several tornado warnings come out for southern Arkansas (which is in our viewing area). Chief had stepped out for a quick dinner break which meant I was flying solo! At one point we had three different Tornado Warnings. This was intense because I’m still new at doing cut-ins. It is nothing like a doing a regular show for the 5 or 6 pm newscast. During a cut-in the, pressure is on! This really could come down to saving lives, and if the information is incorrect it could mean life or death. Not to mention, trying to get the warnings out while trying not cut-in to Parenthood on NBC or Nascar on Fox(believe me, folks get really mad when you mess with there shows). It was crazy for awhile, but things calmed down quickly with no tornadoes. This is good news, thankfully no one was hurt and no property was lost.
In the end the forecast was a bust!
I love my job so much, and even though I was so tired from the 5 hours drive back I couldn’t wait to get back to the station and get to work. I knew I’d be coming home to the potential of severe weather. Not only that mean active weather, but I was also able to get into work at 2 pm instead of 9 am!
Well, Friday was a bust. We didn’t get a single warning so Chief sent me home at 10:30. I knew I would have an early day Saturday because the threat of severe weather was expected yet again, but I didn’t think I’d be getting a phone call at 7:30 AM! I can’t complain, Chief stayed all night long so I was happy to drag myself out of bed, throw a baseball hat over my terrible hair, brush my teeth, and make my way to the station to babysit the weather for a few hours. Thankfully I was able to head home for lunch and to get ready for my normal shows. However, before I left for my break the NWS issued a PDS (particularly dangerous situation) tornado watch for my viewing area. This added an extra risk to the severe weather potential.
After the 6 pm show we had several tornado warnings come out for southern Arkansas (which is in our viewing area). Chief had stepped out for a quick dinner break which meant I was flying solo! At one point we had three different Tornado Warnings. This was intense because I’m still new at doing cut-ins. It is nothing like a doing a regular show for the 5 or 6 pm newscast. During a cut-in the, pressure is on! This really could come down to saving lives, and if the information is incorrect it could mean life or death. Not to mention, trying to get the warnings out while trying not cut-in to Parenthood on NBC or Nascar on Fox(believe me, folks get really mad when you mess with there shows). It was crazy for awhile, but things calmed down quickly with no tornadoes. This is good news, thankfully no one was hurt and no property was lost.
In the end the forecast was a bust!
Hey Kayleigh,
ReplyDeleteGreat blog post. It was a pretty crazy few days but all in all...everything turned out more benign than anticipated. I've heard the same things about broadcasters when they cut into shows, people get really upset. Wish you luck over there in Monroe and keep in touch!
Jared Allen
I'm so glad you've started a blog! Now I can know more about what's going on with you :) Sorry I'm so late checking it out. I still am in awe when I watch your clips and see you as a meteorologist! You're the first of our friend group who has actually gone out and achieved exactly what you set out to do, career wise. You rock!
ReplyDelete~Stephanie G