Whacky Weather

Quick update I know, but I'm actually talking about the weather for once! Unless you've been in isolation, you know a powerful storm system moved across the southeast and turned into a Nor'easter that's affecting New England. The greatest severe potential across central NC was at first thought to be last night/early this morning. So when that band moved out, I thought all was done. Au contraire! Sunny conditions destabilized the low layers and the approaching upper low did the same upstairs (I'm guessing). At last check, the only tornado report came from Iredell County. However, there was a supercell with a nice looking hook that moved directly over Angier. As the storm moved through western Johnston County, I observed a clear flanking line trailing the main cell from my perch in west campus. A little later as another storm moved into the area, I noticed adjacent cloud layers moving in completely opposite directions at high speeds... 90 kt of 0-6km shear according to SPC! I wanted to see a meso so bad but had no luck. Overall, storms had little impact here (Beltline effect?), although some parts of Wake County saw hail and wind damage.

It gets weirder out in the Triad. At the same time Greensboro and Asheboro were under warnings for hail, snow was flying and sticking on the ground in Sparta and Boone. I watched some of WXII's streaming Wx+ coverage online... a very cool informal session with Lanie, Michelle, and Brian... although I'm sure their heads were spinning! Willie (weather producer) had a camera set up in Ennice, and it was just a winter wonderland. Here are links to viewer photos... how often are hail and snow in the same set?!
Set 1
Set 2

I could go into more detail, but I need to get to bed. It's going to be a long, hectic, no fun week.

It's Official

After much debating and talking to numerous professors, students, and friends, I have decided to go to the University of Utah for grad school. Dr. Steenburgh (although I should get used to calling him "Jim") said they were working under the assumption that I would be able to join the mountain met group, although I might be co-advised by Dr. Pu. Even so, SUNY-Albany just had too many negatives to overcome that little setback (I have a list if you're interested). So that's the next two years of my life, and I'm resigned to take on whatever they throw at me (hopefully more good than bad). As Dr. Lackmann said, don't look back.

As a follow-up from below, the CT scan showed that I have a deviated septum. And maybe allergies. But nothing serious enough to have surgery. So I basically have to put up with it and/or try to control the symptoms. Maybe Utah will cure all my ailments. Because I don't know how I'm going to afford medicine after I go off my parents' insurance. :P