HOPKINSVILLE, KY (CHRISTIAN COUNTY NOW) – Budding meteorologists and weather enthusiasts in the Christian County Weather Spotters endure extensive training for the opportunity to keep the community safe and informed during severe weather all year long. These volunteers provide up to the minute updates to the National Weather Service and residents, with experienced meteorologist David Powell leading the team.
Powell’s passion and intrigue of weather is made clear by the literal storm he built in his office. Covering the majority of the ceiling above his desk are dense, fluffy clouds that transform into a vicious storm at the flip of a switch. Lighting flashes and loud thunder emanates from around the room as he sits back and enjoys the sights.
“I started doing weather when I was like 10 years old. I used to make up a forecast and give it to my parents,” Powell recalled. “I called it my Fearless Forecast. I’d pin it on the wall, and they would come in the evening after work and see it.”
His intrigue grew as he got older, taking a spotter class as a teenager, and eventually studying meteorology in college. He ended up in Hopkinsville, using his knowledge to work in local broadcasting for an extended time. After an EF-3 tornado struck the area in 2006, the Christian County Fiscal Court appointed Powell as the Weather Coordinator as part of Christian County Emergency Management. Weather operations are currently housed at a facility owned by the city and the county in Hopkinsville.
When severe weather strikes
Local spotters attend regular classes led by Powell while also completing NWS training and more in order to be certified. They are tasked with gathering and distributing data about storms before, during, and after weather hits. Beyond that, Christian County Weather Spotters even helped redesign the spotter training for NWS and created elite spotters.
“The people that I’ve got, they are the best that there is,” added Powell, also acknowledging his fellow meteorologist, Mark Booker. “He and I have been in this through thick and thin.”
Before joining the team, Booker studied meteorology for years including meteorological training at Fort Campbell. When heard about the group forming in Hopkinsville, he joined as the team meteorologist. “While they’re out there watching it and David is trying to coordinate everybody, I’m sitting here with in front of my bank of screens watching the radar and warning everyone what’s coming,” Booker told Christian County Now.
When weather is on the way, Booker explained that it is both exciting, fascinating, and frightening. That being said, Powell prioritizes the physical and mental well-being of all the spotters, noting his experience with PTSD after being on the scene among several tornadoes in 2011. The tight knit group looks out for the wellbeing of each other by debriefing and checking in.
Future vision, engaging with community
“We live and breathe weather, it’s for the good of the community,” Powell said after ending one of many live streams with fellow meteorologist Mark Booker about the anticipated path and impact of Hurricane Milton.
Powell hopes to eventually really push the limits in weather education by converting the empty salt dome on their property into a planetarium. This would include multiple rooms and a globe hanging from the ceiling with projections, similar to one at the National Weather Service Office in Charleston, West Virginia.
“You know, if you don’t have a dream, you’re not going to accomplish anything. You have to buy into the dream and that’s how this all got started, it was a dream,” said Powell while describing his vision.
While the spotters hold regular meetings, they are also often set up at events in and around Hopkinsville to educate people about local weather patterns and meet potential recruits. Whether it is Naturefest or Pembroke Fire Safety Day, the ever-expanding group has a wealth of knowledge to share. David and Mark’s weather live streams can be found on their YouTube channel Weather and Wisdom, and weather updates can be found on the Christian County Weather Spotter Facebook page.
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