Welcome to the home page for the Christian County Weather Spotters Network where we are "Living at the Edge of the Storm" to keep you warned in the time of severe weather. This site is not in any way intended to be used to make life or death decisions, nor may all data be up to date. Spotters and Public should use this website to keep updated on the latest hazardous weather outlook straight from the National Weather Service forecast office in Paducah KY. Please see the Update Page for the latest update information and news on weather topics pertaining to the Western Kentucky area.

This sub-site was designed by Robert Stites, Hopkinsville KY.

Group History

Prior to the 2006 F-3 tornado, the spotters in Christian County were a loosely organized group made up of mostly volunteer firemen, Rescue team members, and law enforcement officers. The Rescue members had come to rely on the radar observations of David Powell to keep them out of harms way leading up to the days before the tornado. After the tornado, Christian County Emergency Management Director, Matt Snorton, named David as the Weather Coordinator for his agency. David began the task of re-organizing the Spotters into a cohesive unit with the sole purpose of giving as much advance warning to the citizens as possible when severe weather threatens the area. He began work on the spotter standard operating procedures which was incorporated into the Christian Co. Emergency Operations plan. On behalf of Christian County, he applied for and received the coveted "Storm Ready" designation from the National Weather Service.in November 2006. He scheduled Basic and Advanced Spotter training with the National Weather Service which brought in new recruits to the newly formed Christian County Weather Spotter Network. Members of the Spotter Network continue their training on a monthly basis in order for their skills in storm spotting to be as sharp as possible. David also began to research the apparent historical similarities in past tornado paths in the county. The National Weather Service's, Rick Shanklin assisted in the research. They found that certain "tornado corridors" exists in the county which indicates some areas are much more prone to tornadoes than others. The research continues today.

Last fall, David was notified that the Kentucky Mesonet, run by the Kentucky Climate Center, was going to put six climate monitoring stations in the nine county Pennyrile region. He immediately began looking for a location in Christian County that would meet all the criteria. Once a suitable spot was found, he filed an application to obtain the monitoring station for Christian County. It appears that the Kentucky Climate Center agrees with David and is in the process of signing a long term lease for the location in the county just north of Hopkinsville. As the roster and benefits of the Christian Co. Weather Spotter Network continue to grow, focus has turned toward education. While the purpose of the organization will never change, requests for seminars on weather have increased dramatically from government agencies, factories, and civic groups. Future plans for the group include a facility they can call home in order to more efficiently get out information important to the community. The facility will someday be equipped with weather instruments, computers, radios, telephones, and access to weather cams strategically placed throughout the area. School field trips will be welcome so that students can learn more about the weather. Today's Christian County Weather Spotter Network is made up of Meterologists, experienced Spotters and Storm Chasers, Volunteer Firemen, Law Enforcement Officers, Rescue Personnel, Students, Ham Radio Operators, and regular Citizens. The group has adopted the motto "Living at the Edge of the Storm" and is becoming a model for other counties. All this has been accomplished in less than a year. As the skills and experience of the group continue to grow, it is hoped that through education, and advance warning, in cooperation with the National Weather Service, the effects of severe weather on the community in the future will be minimized.

Front Row left to right: David Powell/Weather Cordinator:CCEM , Dee Hopper/Dispatch director , Michael Pape/Cong. Ed Whitfield's Field Rep. , Rick Shanklin/WCM-NWS/PAH   Back Row left to right:  Matt Snorton/DES Director , Billy Gloyd/Sheriff , Steve Tribble/County Judge Exec. , Dan Nicholason/CCDES , Beverly Poole/MIC-NWS/PAH

Network Officers

 Weather Coordinator-David Powell

 Asst. Weather Coordinator/Staff Meterologist-Mark Booker

 Senior Spotter Chief - J.D. Smith

 Asst. Spotter Chief/Webmaster- Robert Stites

 Second Asst. Spotter Chief/Asst. Webmaster- Art Griffey

 Administrator-Patsy Bell

 Asst, Administrator-TBD

 Field Training Officer-Brian Diamond

 Chief Radar Analysist- Janet Diamond

 Amateur Radio Communications Chief-Kennith Buster

Alert Status

 The Christian County Weather Spotter Network has a Four Level Alert system that it uses these are:

GREEN: No watch’s or warning’s expected normal weather in the area lots of sunshine or fair weather clouds are seen in this stage.

YELLOW: No Watches or warnings but there are indications one could be issued soon stay close to the radio.

ORANGE: Watch has been issued alertness needs to be at its fullest this could also be a point that the spotter will start to keep his or her eyes to the sky.

RED:  “Time to go play” This is where things are serious and spotters are activated and should be in their spotting areas warnings have been issued for your county and all reports should be relayed to “Weather Control” aka David Powell.

These are not a Alert status that is used by the NWS these are a local group thing and aren’t meant to make life or death decisions.