Thunderstorms

We've had thunderstorms of various strengths pass through this area almost everyday the past week or so. (If I could send some of it to Kansas, I would.) We even had some tornadoes in the general area this week. But in the almost four years I've lived here, I've noticed that tornadoes, storms, and weather in general are treated completely different in this area.

To start with, there is no radio station with anything close to KFDI's severe weather coverage with their storm chasers. When a weather warning is issued, initially it is made as a weather alert announcement, then it is no more than an extra announcement between songs. I understand that it is laregly because--unlike at home in KS--most people here are not as directly dependent on the weather for their livelyhood.

Another thing that is drastically different--lack of storm watching in general. People don't seem to be interested in storm-watching, probably for the obvious problem--between the hills and the trees, not much can be seen. I miss having the carport with it's protection from the rain and a relatively clear view of the incoming storm--the cloud formations, the lightning strikes, and the dust kicked up in a sudden shower.