Breezers,
   Well lots to talk about but I think everyone in the Midwest is ready for this long awaited warm-up.  This had been shaping up for a while in the forecast, but it was almost too good to be true so didn't want to bite off on it too abruptly.  Temperatures gradually climbing through the weekend and likely sticking above normal in much of the Midwest into next week.  Now we have to be careful what we wish for.  Remember, too warm of air this time of year is going to cause problems.  Snow melt will be the first.  My colleagues at the River Forecast Center up here are already watching the Illinois and its tributaries closely to potentially have some quick rises going into next week.  Second problem, more ice and snow for Minnesota.  While we've been quiet the past couple weeks up here, there are signs that next week could be active, which includes ice up here instead of snow.  That's a bit of a rarity here, but it appears more possible.  And finally, severe weather in the south.  It has been quiet for many a month, but Sunday and especially Monday look to be active in the southern and possibly the central Plains states, with the potential for tornadoes.  So again, be careful what we wish for!  But in the meantime, let's just enjoy the 30s, 40s, and for you folks further south 50s!
   On the note of 'naders, today sadly marks one year since the deadliest tornado outbreak in most of our lifetimes.  Over 100 tornadoes touched down on "Super Tuesday" last year across the lower Mississippi Valley.  There were 60 fatalities, many of which occurred in Tennessee.  A look back at those in central Tennessee can be seen here.  Such fatal outbreaks are unlikely these days because of the advent of better technology and expertise and research in tornado forecasting.  And in that event, all of the deadly tornadoes were preceded by warnings.  But whether it be most occurred at night or in February or that many were very powerful or a lack of basements in the south or a combination of all of that, they just caused lots of tragedy.  And that's a lead in for...
    A look back at weather and the Bush Administration.  A change in leader means potentially a change in weather and climate approach by the government.  Tough for me to say or even comment on that.  But just to look back...in the past eight years there were several significant weather impacts to this country...from major hurricanes hitting the gulf coast in '04, '05, and '08, to the aforementioned tornado outbreak, record flooding in IA, IL, and WI in 2008, crippling snows in the northeast, and much more.  A couple things I really remember were the President flying to Van Wert, OH after an F4 tornado ripped through the town on Nov 10, 2002.  He recognized the preparedness that that community and county had done with the NWS which in turned saved many lives that day.  A couple days after the May 6, 2007 F5 Greensburg, KS tornado, he called the meteorologist on the warning desk that night, and thanked him and the NWS office for their service, and visited what was left of the town and its families.  Now the President cannot go to every place after a weather disaster.  For instance, after the Utica, IL tornado in '04 the former IL Governor and former FEMA director visited in his place.  Wow, maybe he didn't send the right people thinking about how they panned out?  Whatever the case, when communities are just leveled and federal funding is of no ease in the immediate aftermath, I think it can be a motivator to officials and residents no matter what affiliation when the President comes and talks to them.  And one of my colleagues, while meeting the former President days after the I-35W bridge collapse here in Minneapolis, had the President comment to him seeing the NWS logo on his shirt ... "I listen to you guys all the time".   Well we hope he continues too.
    President Obama has already had a major test as the worst weather in recorded Kentucky history struck last week in the form of ice.  When I saw Jim Cantori of the Weather Channel broadcast live from downtown Paducah in front of Jeremiah's, I knew there was going to be heck to pay.  After the storm, my former office in Paducah was off-line for a week, being backed up by offices in Springfield, MO and Louisville, KY.  There are still thousands without power in that area.  Ugly.  And take it from me, that area cannot handle any form of winter weather.  Also, when all that snow melts into the Illinois and into the Mississippi and more into the Wabash and Ohio ... where does it all go?  Yeah, the Paducah area.  So more problems are likely on the way this month.
    On other notes ... tomorrow I'll try to post the Top 10 or 15 Breeze Users.  Maybe not until Monday to help Vujea scramble for that 10 spot.  (My sis presently holds it)  I've received a few e-mails crying foul to wedding couples being considered together in VIP page visits.  Mind you these are from guys who are only likely to get married in Vegas, so credibility is an issue there.

You know how we do it ... Space Pounds from the 'Sota to the 'Dota,
MTF