The Grinch won't steal Christmas this year... if anyone has a part in that it will be Mother Nature.

With thousands of eastern Kentuckians still without power it may not be as Merry of a Christmas as we are used to. At this time of year I think a lot about my mother and things she said and done around this time of year. She always made sure we had what we needed or wanted. By no means did I come from a wealthy family. Just as middle class as you can get. I don't ever remember the power being out at Christmas, but I do remember one instance when dad was away from home working. He couldn't come home due to work or weather... I still don't know because mom had a way of sugar coating things. She surely didn't want us to think that he had picked work over time with the family. I was old enough to understand... but still I don't know why he missed! Anyway, that Christmas wasn't a downer... I think it pulled us closer together. 

At the time I didn't have a job. Not because I was lazy, but because I was too young. Mom only had a few gifts from her sisters, my brother & sister. (Who are both older...LOL) Here all of us had these big piles of gifts and mom only had a small pile. More like an ant hill... not even a pile! We discussed things after all the ripping & tearing was over and all of the gifts had been exposed. Being the young and naive kid that I was I asked her if this Christmas was bad since she didn't have as many gifts. "These presents don't matter, it's the time you have with family that makes a person truly happy," she said. There was still something off about her so I pressed her for more. Finally, she said that the only thing missing was dad. She was right... he wasn't there cutting up and making fun like he always does. I missed that! Luckily, he was there each year after that.

The lesson I leanred that very year was one that I have yet to forget. It's not the superficial things that are asociated with Christmas that makes it great. It's things like family, friends, and the true reason for the season. Even though those folks don't have power and it makes the holidays harder... just remember that you have each other and when you have that you have a present that keeps giving every single day of the year.

We lost mom in 2006 and Chrostmas lost that feel for me that same year. Things changed, but we managed to pick it back up and keep it a happy time of year. I did get a taste of it again in 2007. That true family feel and I have been drinking from that same cup ever since that time. Each year it gets a little better! I know it will never be like it was, but I do know that I can make it similar or even better in a completely different way. Thank you Terri... you have helped me out tremendously!

When I sat down here I was only going to be brief about my personal feelings and I eneded up writing a novel! If you read it all... thank you!

Now let's talk more about the weather!

The next big storm system is headed our way and it will bring rain, warmer temps, wind, and then some colder temps. It all depends which side of the system that you are on. We'll get the nice mild push of air on Thursday & Friday. Daytime highs will likely soar into the 50s each day. This storm will also bring some decent rainfall and strong winds.

The winds could be rather strong at times. Sustained winds 15-25mph and wind gusts up 50 for the highest elevations. This will cause some travel issues fro folks driving high profile vehicles and small lightweight cars. With the recent snowfall weighing heavily on some trees... this could also force more trees down and cause a whole new world of problems. More power outages? Certainly a possibility!

To cap it all off... maybe some snow on the back side.

     GFS Christmas Night                                                                      WRF Christmas Night

WOW... this isn't the 1st time these two haven't agreed and I am sure it won't be the last. Heres the Canadian... I don't have a precip type run of it, but if you know where one is please share that with me!

        Canadian Christmas Night

This has some moisture trying to change over late in the day, but it quickly gets out of here.

It's the same thing for the day on Saturday. The snow sticks around in some runs, but is out in the others. I have decided, after reviewing a couple of things, that I will keep the snow chances alive for the weekend. I even think that some light accumulations will be possible.

I'll have another post on Christmas Day! I am off on Christmas Eve and I will be out and about that day.

Now for the fun and games... NORAD Santa Tracker You can see where he is at nearly every moment of his journey!

Have a very Merry Christmas!

C-Ya Bye