From the Lee Side

Quoting tgmail:
Hi Lee,

I knew that you and Jon were very close and his help in the Penn State Forecasting Certificate program really enhanced already stellar content. I think it was back during two summer's ago Mesoscale class did things really start turning for the worse for Jon and I can remember the difficulties you had with it in our class. Hopefully now Jon rests peacefully without pain.

I am very sorry for your loss and hope that his impact on your life will continue to impact us with your writings and postings here on WU and for future Certificate students back with Steve's teachings.

Best regards friend.

Tyler

Quoting originalLT:
May he rest in peace, I am truely sorry for the loss of your dear friend.

Quoting JNCali:
Condolences Prof. Lee.. I read the website you linked to and it is a tragedy to lose such a high quality person with such potential, so young. Recently lost a sister-in-law to this cancer and her battle with it lasted about a year. I'm John is being missed by many and my deepest sympathies go out to you.

Jeff

Quoting unclemush:
RIP Sorry for your loss!

Quoting Barefootontherocks:
This is sad news, Lee. Please accept my condolences for the loss of your friend and colleague.

Also much sympathy to his family members and his "SPC family" whom I know will miss him.

Thank you, Jon Racy.
Even though we may have only seen your name on a watch or MCD or outlook, many here in Oklahoma will miss you as well.

Quoting ChillinInTheKeys:
Far too young. My sympathy for you Lee and to all who were his friends, colleagues and family.

Quoting Proserpina:
So sorry for the loss of your friend. May he RIP.

Quoting angelafritz:
The thoughts of everyone here at Wunderground are with Jon's friends and family, and his family at the Storm Prediction Center.

Quoting beell:
Thanks for putting this blog up, Lee.

From your link up top:

...The last watch he issued was shortly before noon on 29 June 2012 (WW435) as storms formed over northern Illinois. These storms eventually organized to produce the damaging derecho event that affected the Washington, DC area that evening...

And here it is-for old time's sake. A good one to end on.



URGENT - IMMEDIATE BROADCAST REQUESTED
SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WATCH NUMBER 435
NWS STORM PREDICTION CENTER NORMAN OK
1150 AM EDT FRI JUN 29 2012

THE NWS STORM PREDICTION CENTER HAS ISSUED A
SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WATCH FOR PORTIONS OF

EXTREME NORTHEASTERN ILLINOIS
NORTHERN AND CENTRAL INDIANA
LAKE MICHIGAN

EFFECTIVE THIS FRIDAY MORNING AND EVENING FROM 1150 AM UNTIL 700
PM EDT.

HAIL TO 2.5 INCHES IN DIAMETER...THUNDERSTORM WIND GUSTS TO 70
MPH...AND DANGEROUS LIGHTNING ARE POSSIBLE IN THESE AREAS.

THE SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WATCH AREA IS APPROXIMATELY ALONG AND 60
STATUTE MILES NORTH AND SOUTH OF A LINE FROM 15 MILES NORTH OF
MARSEILLES ILLINOIS TO 35 MILES EAST NORTHEAST OF MUNCIE INDIANA.
FOR A COMPLETE DEPICTION OF THE WATCH SEE THE ASSOCIATED WATCH
OUTLINE UPDATE (WOUS64 KWNS WOU5).

REMEMBER...A SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WATCH MEANS CONDITIONS ARE
FAVORABLE FOR SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS IN AND CLOSE TO THE WATCH
AREA. PERSONS IN THESE AREAS SHOULD BE ON THE LOOKOUT FOR
THREATENING WEATHER CONDITIONS AND LISTEN FOR LATER STATEMENTS
AND POSSIBLE WARNINGS. SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS CAN AND OCCASIONALLY
DO PRODUCE TORNADOES.

DISCUSSION...CLUSTER OF TSTMS OVER NCNTRL IL HAS BECOME MORE N-S
ORIENTED WITH RESPECT TO THE DEEP LAYER MEAN FLOW AND WILL LIKELY
EVOLVE INTO SFC-BASED STORMS EARLY THIS AFTN IN SRN CHICAGO METRO
AREA. STORMS WILL THEN PROPAGATE ESE INTO NRN/CNTRL IND THROUGH THE
AFTN WHERE MLCAPES WILL BE IN EXCESS OF 5000 J/KG. VERY STEEP LAPSE
RATES AND AT LEAST 35-40 KTS OF MID-LVL FLOW WILL BE FAVORABLE FOR
VERY LARGE HAIL AND DMGG WIND GUSTS.

AVIATION...A FEW SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS WITH HAIL SURFACE AND ALOFT
TO 2.5 INCHES. EXTREME TURBULENCE AND SURFACE WIND GUSTS TO 60
KNOTS. A FEW CUMULONIMBI WITH MAXIMUM TOPS TO 500. MEAN STORM
MOTION VECTOR 29040.


...RACY