Time is fickle. Einstein taught us that. Though, most of us already realized that by the time we learned about Einstein’s Theories of Relativity. While it seems limitless when we are young, it becomes more and more finite as we age. Until we reach a point where it feels limitless again.
I’m in that middle section.
It is almost as if responsibility and time are inversely related. The more responsibility the less time. I don’t need Einstein for that, though. I just need to look at my daily to-do list.
But it is interesting that time, in another sense, isn’t always relished for what it is. An experience. And the more things on a to-do list, the quick time can seem to go. So quickly, that the experience is lost.
I missed out
There were many things I never got the chance to do in South Mississippi. These were “Mississippi bucket list” type things. And now that I’m leaving, I’m disappointed to say I didn’t take the time to do those things.
I wanted to buy a canoe and go fishing more often. I like to fish. I’m terrible at it, but – like golfing in way – I really enjoy just being out in nature, failing. When I moved to Hattiesburg, I set a goal to buy a canoe during my first Summer and head out on one fishing trip per month. Seven years later, I never bought a canoe. Didn’t go fishing once. I was invited a handful of times to head out with friends and co-workers, too. Time, never afforded me the luxury.
I wanted to get season tickets to USM baseball. Go on the weekends. Never did. Priorities shift, I suppose. I went to a lot of games, sure. But I never took the time to be a season ticket holder. Disappointing, but explainable. Baseball Season is also Severe Weather Season for South Mississippi. Most weekends were spent forecasting for, or recovering from severe weather. Or getting out of town with my girlfriend to ‘clean the mental slate’ from the most recent round of storms.
I wanted to make a difference in my community. Time didn’t allow me much time to get involved with the Boys and Girls Club, or visit as many schools as I wanted, or teach my weather series at the local library. And, honestly, if you would’ve asked me a few weeks ago, “Nick, do you think you made a difference in your community during your seven years?” I would’ve said, “I don’t think so. Not really.”
It turns out, though, that time – the passage-of and experience-living it – helped me there. Osmosis, it seems, has been my friend. Through my daily ramblings talking about the different types of weather phenomena, about the science behind the forecast, and explaining how meteorologists use math and probabilities to communicate the possibilities seems to have done something.
When I announced I was leaving I thought I might hear from a few dozen folks saying, “Good luck!” and another few dozen saying, “Don’t let the door hit’ya on the way out!”
But that isn’t what happened. Many of your reached out saying you truly enjoyed all of my rambling, my random science nuggets, and the extra background behind the forecast.
That is truly heartwarming. For many reasons. Topping the list is knowing that I won’t be forgotten. Because, as Cal Ripken Jr. once said, “To be remembered at all is pretty special.”
But it means something to be on a deeper level, too.
Why I chose South Mississippi at first
You know, not too many people know this story. But I’d like to make it public. Seems like I should’ve opened with this back in 2014, though. Then again, I don’t think anyone would’ve cared at that point. And they may have thought it was phony-bologna.
Back when I was working at KAMR in Amarillo, Texas I would forecast for the morning show and storm chase in the afternoon and evenings during severe weather. It was great experience. I had the time of my life.
On May 31, 2013, I went out to western Oklahoma to chase. I ended up in Altus, Oklahoma. I wanted to make sure I was far enough south to get the southernmost storm. But I was too far south. I would end up having to drive all the way back north to nearly I-20 to catch the storm that would eventually produce the biggest tornado in recorded history. I ended up in El Reno.
But that isn’t what this story is about. This story is about preventable deaths.
During that tornado, according to Associated Press reports, “many of those who died in Oklahoma City were drowning victims … swept away while taking shelter from the tornado in storm drainage ditches.”
Often times people ask, “What do I do if a tornado is coming and I’m in a car?” Most people would follow up the question by saying, “I’ve heard I need to get in a ditch.”
But that isn’t always correct. In fact, there is no “right” answer. It depends. This is where understanding how weather works matters.
In El Reno, this was an example of people doing what they thought was best. And they were dead. Why? Because those people didn’t get the chance to get educated about severe weather.
So, I looked on a map and asked myself, “Where is the severity of weather, and education-level about how to handle that severity the most disproportional?”
The place I needed to go was Mississippi or Alabama. A place in the country that was constantly fighting with Mother Nature – tornadoes, hurricanes, floods – and where the general education level about how to respond to that threat wasn’t as ubiquitous as it should be given the severity of the threat.
Time, as it turns out, would be kind to me. I spent the next year compiling good clips of my on-air work, researching tornado forecasting, and preparing myself for my next endeavour. And about one year later, on May 16, 2014, I took my first trip to Mississippi.
South Mississippi is no stranger to severe weather. But, from what I was told, WDAM was accustomed to having a Meteorologist in the “Chief” role. I was told I was likely the first.
This seemed to fit right in with my goals. Go to a place that deals with the most severe weather (Smith and Jones counties are two of the Top 5 most tornado-warned counties in the country) working at a station that was, itself, undereducated about severe weather.
I couldn’t say no to the job offer. And the rest is history.
It means more
So when I get letters, messages, DMs, posts, and tweets telling me that you enjoyed learning about the science and that learning about the weather has been fun and helped you during severe weather… it means that much more to me.
Because that is exactly why I came here.
Weather can feel scary in many places. But weather in Mississippi can kill you. And my goal was to make the weather less scary and help more people survive the onslaught of constant severe weather.
Knowledge is power. School House Rock was on to something.
The more you know the way weather patterns evolve and storms move, the less likely you are to be unnecessarily concerned when storms move through. And conversely, the more you know about reading the radar and having an – even a surface level – ability to pick out a tornado on the radar, the more likely you are to recognize when action is needed and to take action when it is necessary.
That was my goal when I took this job in 2014. And based on the feedback from many of you, I succeeded in that mission. So, thank you.
I couldn’t have done it without your willingness to learn. And your interest in understanding.
Even those of you who watched, kicking and screaming about all the extra information I was providing, you still watched. And you still listened. And for that, I am grateful.
Six more days
And now here I am, humbled, grateful, and six days from saying “Goodnight” to everyone on-air for the last time. Though my last day will be April 23rd, I have a few days off-air between now and then. I will be doing some work behind-the-scenes on some things as well as getting my life in order to make the move.
It is with a heavy heart that I leave. It is my time to go. And, Time, often has its own agenda. It is fickle. And constantly messing with me. Some days, it feels like I just got here. Other days, I realize I’ve never lived anywhere else as long as I’ve lived here (seriously, that’s not an exaggeration).
But know I’m not going far. I’ll still have my facebook page and my blog. I will continue to do my best to keep you informed about the weather, the science, and how to prepare for when Mother Nature wakes up on the wrong side of the bed.
That is something I will do my best to make time to do.
My weather anxiety started when I was young due to a tornado and I thought it had somewhat abated… until I read that you were leaving WDAM. I write this to let you know that you have made such a positive, profound difference in so many lives which, despite being something we should all aspire to, is so much more than many people can claim. I wish you everything that you deserve in your future endeavors and please know that your knowledge, dedication to our community, and willingness to keep us informed will be greatly missed.
Time ‘is’ fickle … use it to the best of your ability while you have it. Just keep this in mind, when you’re trying to determine if you’ve made a difference … there are MANY people today that are still able to read your blog because they listened to the warning YOU gave when a line of storms or tornadoes were bearing down on us. Even though you may only have (as you count it) 6 days left, just remember one important thing about the mind … it ‘can’ be changed. I know you seem ‘set’ on going to your new job, and you ‘do’ have to do what’s best for you but (I know I’m being selfish) I really do wish you would stay. Like I said, though, you have to do what’s best for you … not me … not us.
Hi Nick,
Sorry to here you go, your weather presentation was always the best and captured my attention. Good luck on your future adventures, go Packers.
You will be truly miss. You have bless me in so many way and taught me a lot about the weather.. I know you will do the same thing anywhere you go. We will miss you.
Nick, I first became aware of you when my son told me about a meteorologist on WDAM who had an insane, quirky sense of humor, not to mention was incredibly knowledgeable and prolific in explaining the weather. I came to love you, your sense of humor, and admire your knowledge and dedication to teaching us about weather. I feel as if a huge hole is being left for us in the Pine Belt community in the weather department. I sure hope your replacement is 1/2 as knowledgeable and funny as you. Fair winds and following seas to you in your new chapter of life.
Nick, it has been wonderful having you prepare us for all the “riff raff” that is always coming our way. A Very Big THANK YOU. South Mississippi is going to miss you.
Hi Nick, I’m a resident of Soso; yes the Easter Sunday 2020 Tornado. My satellite went out on that day and I didn’t have the weather alert app at that time so I never got a chance to hear your warnings on that day although I was warned by others and our weather siren. Thank God I was blessed to make it through it with only minor damage. I finally got a chance to hear your warnings this week as you played the Replay from that day. . Great job Nick! I too have enjoyed your teachings on the weather and must say I have learned a lot. Tell your replacement that he/she has some big shoes to fill. I wish you much success in your new endeavor.
My weather history experience has given me a deep appreciation for knowledgeable meteorologists. In my 66 years I was in Louisiana for Hurricane Betsy. (I remember how HOT the weather was in the weeks after Betsy when we had no electricity). I was flying into New Orleans as Camille was approaching the coast. I was in Picayune when the eye of Katrina passed over our house. Then we moved to Central Alabama and I experienced my first major tornado outbreak in Aprll 2011. (James Spann was telling us the day before to expect long tracking tornadoes) Our friends invited us to stay in their under ground tornado shelter. (Let me tell you that is the ONLY place you want to be when a tornado is coming!) Not long after that we purchased our own storm shelter. Now we are back in south Mississippi.
Weather doesn’t frighten me. It fascinates me, but I do repect and appreciate its danger. Being prepared is the remedy for weather anxiety.
From Nash Roberts to Bob Breck to James Spann to Nick Lilja I appreciate all that truly dedicated meteorologists do for us.
Thank you Nick. Best wishes for your next chapter.
Thank you Nick! The December 2019 tornado in Jones County destroyed my in-laws home (where we were taking shelter). I will never forget hearing your voice calling out specific road names as our frightened family took cover. You nailed it! I had hoped to be able to shake your hand one day and say thank you in person. Our family will always be thankful for you! May God bless you in all you do!
Will we get another “real” meteorologist and not just a weather broadcaster?
I will miss your true dedication in alerting the people of South Mississippi to approaching severe weather. Your added explanation about the weather was very interesting. May God bless and keep you!
My husband and I have watched you every day and while I often laughed at some of your silly comments, we always listened to your storm predictions, your temperature predictions, everything you told us to expect. I hope the next person who stands in front of that camera is as good as you, but I tend to doubt they will be. Knowledgeable AND funny? I wonder. Good luck on your next endeavors and remember us kindly!
You act like it’s the end of the world that you are leaving WDAM. But the fact of the matter is it will be the best thing to happen to WDAM’s TV News Rating that you are now leaving. You and Your forecasting skills were a disaster in itself. You were almost NEVER RIGHT. I recall when you got to Mississippi we have a Huge Storm Storm and you said we would just get a few flakes of snow. Hell, we got over 6″ of snow and other got up to 8″. You made fun of a few weather Media Facebook weather geeks for forecast that much snow but you know what they WON out and was right on target. You on the other hand tried to pull the wool over our eyes even when you got the forecast wrong watch was MOST of the time. You would take down you weather videos so other would not go back and call you our on your forecast. So, it’s NOT the end of the World after all MR NICK it’s a chance for WDAM to do better and get someone that knows how to forecast Tropical Weather and has lived a lifetime here in Mississippi. Don’t let the Door hit you in the back, Sir.
Thank you for giving us a sense of security with your forecast, but not embellishing with drama and fear-mongering. You were able to give the facts and let us know what was going on and what we needed to do in a very professional manor. I have felt you have been the best weatherman we have ever had. Like Mike Reader from WLOX you didn’t say duck till time to duck, but be prepared and laid out what could happen. Best of blessings in your new venture and may God Bless you throughout your future. Please make sure Patrick has a great person to continue learning from. He has had an excellent teacher.
Nick, you will truly be missed. My husband and I always look forward to your weather reports, even your “quirky” sense of humor. We really hate to see you go, but you are too good a meteorologist to stay in a small area. May God bless you in your endeavors.