Dear Oklahoma weather,
Thank you for always keeping me on my toes. As if working three jobs and attending classes wasn’t difficult enough, I love having to be on guard for whatever craziness might come sweeping down the plains. Even though I’ve had the pleasure of living in many different states with very different climates and thus weather patterns, I can definitely say that Oklahoma has given me some of the greatest and worst experiences. Regarding the weather that is.
Let’s be honest, spring in Oklahoma is one of the best seasons. Why? Well because April showers bring May flowers. Or better March, April, and May I mean tornado season! Yes tornadoes are super dangerous and no one ever wants them to touch the ground, but they are extremely fascinating to watch in person and on TV and listen to on the radio. Tornado season = ecstatic weathermen, which is just pure enjoyment. If you don’t know anything about Oklahoma, all you need to know is that in the spring you need to have your TV queued to channels four and five, a.k.a. Mike Morgan and Damon Lane. Why? Because those two men love themselves some weather, especially tornadoes and thunderstorms. I mean Mike Morgan even has a special tie for the occasion. You know its ‘nader season when the sparkly red comes out! On the other hand, Damon Lane acts like tornado season is Christmas. Watching the weathermen get excited over severe weather is what makes Oklahoma weather something special.
But, it’s not all laughs and excitement and fun ties. Oklahoma weather is dangerous and it only ramps up more as spring turns into summer. For example, I can still remember the May 20, 2013 tornado in Moore. And that was two years ago! I was working at the restaurant and it was empty except for a few guests and all the employees. The TVs were tuned to all the major weather stations as they reported on the movement of this soon-to-be dangerous storm. I knew what it looked like and what would happen before it even touched the ground; the storm was gonna be huge and the damage would be even worse. I vividly remember my mom texting me at work to see if I could come early (I wasn’t allowed to), and I remember watching (on KOCO5) the funnel turn into a wedge turn into an even bigger wedge that became several miles wide and blended into the sky. The footage of the storm was breathtaking even though I knew it was beyond dangerous. There’s just something about watching an Oklahoma tornado that leaves me speechless. But, every time tornado season comes I am always thankful that my friends, family and pets have remained safe and unharmed each and every time.
Even though Oklahoma weather can be dangerous, it is still something else. You never know what you will get. It could be sunny and 75 degrees at 10 a.m. and then by 3 p.m. be 40 degrees and raining cats and dogs. Or it could be 70 degrees one day and then be close to freezing the next day. If you live in Oklahoma, you should be prepared for anything and always expect the unexpected. You won’t be looked down upon for wearing snowshoes, carrying an umbrella, wearing shorts, and a large jacket. Everyone else will just be jealous of your preparedness.
So thank you, Oklahoma weather. You have taught me how to prepare for the unexpected, and at times for the worst of the worst situations. I have learned all about the difficulties of being a meteorologist as well as a storm chaser. I have had the opportunity to take many great storm photos, and have many times spent on the porch watching it all go down. Thank you for giving me the excitement and desire to continue to pursue meteorology. But most importantly thank you for giving me the experience of a lifetime that I never would have had had my family not chosen Oklahoma as our most recent place to live.
Sincerely,
An Okie Weather Junkie
