Life in Tornado Alley

I live in quite possibly the most bipolar state around. Oklahoma's known for it's crazy weather by all of the residents here. Let me break down the next 24 hours for you: Right now, it's creeping up to 80 degrees with the threat of a tornado outbreak hovering over us. Tomorrow? Oh, that high's going to be about 40 degrees, with a chance of wintery mix tonight while we're sleeping. Welcome to my life in Tornado Alley.

There's this feeling in the air during tornado season around here. When the weatherman start getting all jittery with the excitement of being able to cover such events, the entire state joins together in a massive groan of annoyance. We've all been through this before. My hometown is protected by an Indian legend that keeps us safe from tornado activity as within the city limits, so my entire childhood was spent worrying for nothing. Now that I'm older, I don't go running into Mom's closet in hopes of riding the storm out there. Instead, I usually open all the blinds and watch the sky do some pretty majestic things.

If you've never experienced the scientific wonder that is two fronts colliding, you're missing out. Somewhere in the sky, things are happening that even the least excited middle school science student can appreciate. The sky becomes electric, turning this shade of brown that reminds me of caramel. The clouds all turn grey and it's a pretty dark sight to see. You know the feeling you get when you jump off a diving board, before you hit the water, where it feels like your entire body is anticipating the impact? That's how the sky feels, and it's contagious. I find myself sitting, waiting, looking upwards for the first sign of a raindrop.

When it finally hits me, or my windshield, I am five years old again. I'd be lying if I claimed that I didn't dance in the storm every now and then. You don't get a lot of time before things turn nasty, the wind picking up and lightning crashing across the sky, but you get just enough to feel alive. It's easy to forget moments like this exist, tucked away in cities with underground passages to keep us safe from all sorts of weather. I'll never stop loving the way tornado season feels, never stop craving the electric buzz that it gives me.

"Stay weather alert." That's what everyone's saying, but I'm just hoping you stay alert to the magic that's all around us.