WBKR » Weather

Watch the Moore, Oklahoma Tornado Form [VIDEO]

Dave Spencer — Fri, 24 May 2013 06:41:50 +0000

Earlier this week, you saw astonishing video of the Moore, Oklahoma tornado captured by Basehunters Chasing. Well, it should come as no surprise to anyone that they were among hundreds who were able to get footage of that devastating twister. Justin Cox and Chance Coldiron, who call themselves Fast Unit 70′s, managed to catch the [...]

Toby Keith Audibly Shaken By Destruction in His Hometown of Moore, Oklahoma [VIDEO]

Dave Spencer — Wed, 22 May 2013 04:09:33 +0000

Many of country music’s biggest stars–many of them Oklahoma natives–sent their best wishes, thoughts, and prayers via Twitter to those affected by the massive EF-5 tornado that tore through Moore, Oklahoma on Monday, killing 24. One country superstar, in particular, was audibly shaken as he shared his thoughts about the devastation. Here’s what Moore, Oklahoma [...]

You Can Help the Victims of the Oklahoma Tornado with Donations to the American Red Cross

Jon Prell — Tue, 21 May 2013 20:35:00 +0000

The devastation in Moore, Oklahoma goes beyond comprehension and the death toll, unfortunately, continues to rise after yesterday's massive tornado that all but leveled the town of Moore. All of us in the Tri-State want to do anything we can to help and the best way to help is by making donations to the American Red Cross by calling 812-471-7200 or online at redcross.org/tristate.

Horrifying Footage of Moore, Oklahoma Tornado [Video]

Chadwick Benefield — Tue, 21 May 2013 10:16:10 +0000

Tons of footage is surfacing from yesterday's devastating tornado in Moore, Oklahoma. But it's this video, by Basehunters Chasing, that truly captures the fury of Mother Nature.

More Than Two Dozen Tornadoes Rip Through the Midwest on a Violent Sunday [VIDEO]

Dave Spencer — Mon, 20 May 2013 20:50:04 +0000

I couldn’t take my eyes off the television. New reports and new video of violent tornadoes were continuously being reported throughout the afternoon and into the evening on Sunday. Oklahoma, Kansas, and Iowa were devastated by more than two dozen tornadoes. Two men died in Shawnee, Oklahoma. No sooner would the news of one twister [...]

Approaching Tornadoes Force On Air Meteorologist to Evacuate, Seek Shelter [VIDEO]

Dave Spencer — Mon, 20 May 2013 18:03:52 +0000

Sunday’s midwest tornado outbreak in Oklahoma, Kansas, and Iowa involved more than two dozen twisters. Video of these dangerous storms has been popping up all over the Internet. One, in particular, is quite chilling as it shows KSN-Wichita’s meteorologist updating viewers on the paths of these tornadoes just as he is alerted that one is [...]

'Ice Tsunami' Damaging Homes in Minnesota [VIDEO-LANGUAGE WARNING]

Dave Spencer — Tue, 14 May 2013 00:00:29 +0000

And you just thought that a reason NOT to live in Minnesota was that it was cold all the time. Well, how about “ice tsunamis?” Actually, I don’t know if that should be plural because I don’t know if this has ever happened before. But it’s happening now. They’re calling it an ice tsunami–an ice [...]

Moderate Risk for Severe Weather Today

Chadwick Benefield — Thu, 18 Apr 2013 10:10:50 +0000

It’s week three of severe weather season in the tri-state and, today, we face our first substantial threat of the spring. This afternoon and evening variables are expected to line up for an event with damaging straight line winds and possible tornadoes embedded in a squall line. Get full details here at WBKR.com! From the [...]

Could It Finally Be Spring?

Jordan Winders — Fri, 05 Apr 2013 03:01:18 +0000

I am very excited about a text message I received this morning. I get weather alerts and commentary sent to my phone and I always enjoy reading the information, but the one this morning was especially interesting. The message said that for the first time in 123 days, we will hit 70 degrees on Saturday. [...]

Inaccessible Internet Is the 21st Century Equivalent of the 'Rainy Day' [VIDEO]

Dave Spencer — Wed, 27 Mar 2013 22:38:24 +0000

When you’re at work, and a lot of the work you do is on the Internet, and the Internet goes down, well you’re pretty much left with making coffee, chatting with colleagues, or wondering what the color of the hallway carpet COULD be. Such at outage occurred here on Wednesday. Now, if you’re at home [...]

Winter Weather Advisory in Effect for Parts of WBKR Listening Area

Chadwick Benefield — Sun, 24 Mar 2013 15:16:18 +0000

Is this a joke? A big old nasty, slushy, snowy, cosmic joke? The National Weather Service in Paducah has issued a Winter Storm Warning for the extreme northern parts of the tri-state and a Winter Weather Advisory for areas along the Ohio River. The reason . . . Winter Storm Virgil. That's the name The Weather Channel gave him, though I have a few other choice names we could christen him with!! So how much snow can we expect?

Evening Weather – Wednesday, March 20, 2013

Ashley Sollars — Wed, 20 Mar 2013 21:18:41 +0000

EVENING: Clearing Skies. Very Cold. Temperatures between 25-30. OVERNIGHT: Mostly Clear. Very Cold. Record Low of 18 (Record: 21 – 1986). THURSDAY: Partly Cloudy. Very Cold. High 35. THURSDAY NIGHT: Variable Clouds. Few Flurries. Very Cold. Low 23. FRIDAY: Partly Sunny. Few Rain Showers. Warmer. High 47. -Meteorologist David Heckard

National Weather Service to Conduct Tornado Test Message as Part of National Severe Weather Prep Week

Dave Spencer — Mon, 04 Mar 2013 14:00:47 +0000

Day two of National Severe Weather Prep Week is underway. Tomorrow, March 5th, the National Weather Service, in conjunction with Kentucky Emergency Management and the Kentucky Broadcasters Association, will conduct a tornado test message at 9:07AM CST. The test message will activate NOAA weather radios and broadcast media, meaning you will hear an alert just [...]

The West Liberty Tornado: One Year Ago Today [Video]

Chadwick Benefield — Sat, 02 Mar 2013 19:00:11 +0000

What a difference a year makes. While things are snowy, chilly and calm today, the same can't be said for March 2nd of 2012. Exactly one year ago today severe weather threats surrounded us and tornadoes pounded parts of the tristate. Remember this twister that hit West Liberty, Kentucky? The footage that came from that storm was mind-blowing. Take a look . . .

Winter Weather – Snow, Freezing Rain and Ice – on the Way for Evansville and Owensboro 2/20/13

Ashley Sollars — Tue, 19 Feb 2013 21:17:57 +0000

Local Highway Crews plan to pre-treat area highways to prepare for a threat of freezing rain and sleet that is expected to sweep across the region in the early morning hours on Thursday. Temperatures on Wednesday night are expected in the mid-20’s. This wintry mix is expected to blast across the area in just a [...]

National Weather Service Warns of Severe Weather Threat Tonight

Chadwick Benefield — Tue, 29 Jan 2013 20:22:28 +0000

Anytime it's 70 degrees one day in January and snow is scheduled for the following day, you know that can't be good. That's not typically how Mother Nature rolls and you know that the hours sandwiched in between the warm front and the cold front could spell trouble. And the National Weather Service says we could be in some trouble overnight. Here's the latest special weather statement issued by the NWS office in Paducah.

Kentucky Crews Prepare for Ice

Moon Mullins — Wed, 23 Jan 2013 17:57:08 +0000

From the hardest working man in Kentucky, Keith Todd at the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet, he reports District 2 Highway Crews plan to pre-treat area highways to prepare for a threat of freezing rain, sleet, and/or snow that is expected to sweep through the region on Thursday night into Friday morning. Keity told WBKR, “This system [...]

Complete List of Kentucky School Closings for Wednesday, January 16th

Ryan O'Bryan — Wed, 16 Jan 2013 04:55:47 +0000

Due to a wintry mix that fell across Western Kentucky on Tuesday afternoon, the following schools and businesses are either closed or on a two-hour delay. CLOSED Henderson County Schools Crittenden Co. Schools Grace Baptist School Hancock County Schools McLean County Schools Ohio County Schools – No preschool Union County Schools Webster County Schools Daviess [...]

New Movie "The Impossible" Chronicles Deadly 2004 Tsunami [Video]

Chadwick Benefield — Tue, 08 Jan 2013 11:00:38 +0000

I remember waking up and hearing the news about 2004's deadly tsunami in the Far East. It seemed that for months raw video footage of that event surfaced as did harrowing accounts of survival. I vividly remember an episode of Oprah in which Oprah staff member Nate Berkus shared a voicemail he left for his mother shortly after the disaster struck. Nate was there vacationing with his partner Fernando, who was swept away by the waves and never found. Hundreds, thousands of similar stories surfaced and all were terrifying. Now, a new film called The Impossible recounts that tragic day and focuses on one family's attempt to survive. Take a look at the trailer. This looks unbelievable!

Revisit Owensboro's 2000 F-3 Tornado [Video]

Chadwick Benefield — Thu, 03 Jan 2013 11:27:58 +0000

I remember January 3rd, 2000 very well. It was a holiday here at WBKR studios and I had worked for a couple of hours early that morning. By that afternoon, it was sunny. Our temperatures were hovering near 80 degrees and I was ready for a big afternoon nap. That nap was cut short. Cut short by blaring emergency alert sirens ringing through Owensboro-Daviess County. I jumped out of bed and headed for the station. I knew if a storm was going to hit, that's where I needed to be. Boy, did it hit. And Wayne Hart, like he is always, was in his studio with the play-by-play. Check this out!