Thankfully things have calmed down for us for quite some time....sure seems as if parts of January and February have been more like the middle of spring instead of winter though.  Going into yesterday, we knew that conditions were very favorable for a major outbreak of severe weather, but I don't know if there is any amount of time that can prepare you for seeing the worst that mother nature has to offer. 

As a meteorologist, it can be exciting in a scientific way to see conditions come together to and cause significant weather events, but there is always that human side of the matter that puts things in perspective and reminds us why our job is so important.  That human side of the story hit me pretty hard last night when we were tracking these storms and I truly realized the power that nature can generate and how that can impact and possibly harm our lives.  And not to discount any of the damage that occurred in our area (and we were very fortunate that there wasn't much more), but a part of me is with the people of Jackson, TN, today. 

 If you have watched any of the coverage of the storms, you know that Union University and north Jackson took a direct hit from a major tornado and that extensive damage was suffered there.  Union is my alma mater, having attended there from 1998-2002.  That is where I made many friendships and met my wife.  It was difficult last night to watch as the storm took aim on that area, and then this morning to turn on the tv and see the very dorms that I spent 4 years in completely destroyed.  Even though that's been several years ago, I still carry an attachment to that area, and this now marks the 4th major tornado to strike the city in the last 10 years. 

So as we move back into a calmer weather pattern and as some of us clean up, let's all make sure we keep those affected by these storms in our prayers and let this be another reminder to have those weather radios ready to go and know what to do the next time severe weather hits.

-Meteorologist Trent Okerson