Thursday, June 11, 2009

Severe Weather Possibility

Good morning all...some severe storms skirted well to the northeast of Houston early this am. There is a possibility of redevelopment along the leftover boundaries later this afternoon. Storm Prediction Center has Houston area within slight risk through early Friday.

Very hot weather in Houston...up to 95 on Wednesday. Look for it to continue hot through the weekend.

There were 15 tornadoes in the US on Wednesday. Looks like most of those were fairly small and short lived.

Have a great day and stay cool!
Cecilia Sinclair
Wonder Weather Woman

Wednesday, June 10, 2009

Where's the Rain?/Polls/Important Museum Info./White Deer

HURRICANES AND WEATHER
Tropics are quiet in the Atlantic Basin and although there is an area of disturbed weather in the eastern Pacific, it does not pose any immediate threat to land.

On Tuesday, there were 7 documented tornadoes. Unfortunately, most of them were short-lived and/or small. So I don't know if the VORTEX2 team was able to collect any good data. It doesn't look very promising for the rest of the week. The study wraps up on the 13th.

Severe storms are possible from Texas and Colorado all the way to the eastern seaboard. There will also be a few storms over the Rockies and the southeast (including Florida). Very hot and sticky across the south and southeast. Pleasantly cool over the northwestern half of the country (draw a diagonal line from southeast to northeast).

Houston, it is a sauna out there. Thank goodness for air conditioning. You'll need to keep watering for at least a week. There just aren't any big rain events on the horizon.

SPANISH WORD OF THE DAY
Let's do deer or ciervo, pronounced see-AIR-voh. Find out about some rare pure white ciervo in the AND MORE section.

Unfortunately, in the United States, it is often rare to find children who are multi-lingual. And yet, research study after research study shows that children benefit tremendously from being able to speak more than one language. Give them the love of language by ordering our award winning Let's Learn Frank & Paco, Volume 1. It makes a great gift for youngsters. Order today from www.frankandpaco.com/. You can also order from http://www.venturaes.com/, http://www.dololanguages.com/, http://www.carlexonline.com,www.thecuriousmindstore.com/, http://www.amazon.com/,http://www.bestbuy.com/, and http://www.barnesandnoble.com/. For our English as a Second Language (ESL) version, got to http://www.frankypaco.com/.

AND MORE
Now that we are in Hurricane Season, I am going to keep the tropical satellite imagery and info. up a little higher. You can see that on the right. I will continue to maintain a poll and have it fairly close to the top. When there is important weather, I will move the appropriate graphics to the top. Next, is the section of photos. And then if you go to the bottom, you'll find an automated Spanish Word of the Day, a followers list (please sign up), a place to subscribe so you can get my updates automatically every time I blog--this is important because in urgent weather situations I may update frequently and I won't be able to email you each time--then my favorite blogs and links. Please feel free to pass on this blog to your friends and family. According to Google Analytics, there are people all over the world checking out this blog.

Speaking of hurricane season, I was checking out the lists of names and there are 12 naming entities around the world. Also interesting is that in the Atlantic Basin (Atlantic, Caribbean, Gulf of Mexico) 68 storm names have been retired since the modern naming convention began. The names are reused every 6 years (unless they are retired). By the way, men's names were added starting in 1973 because the men wanted to be included too. Tee hee! This year's first 3 names (Atlantic Basin) will be Ana, Bill and Claudette. I flew through the last storm named Claudette on a Hurricane Hunter WC-130. That was 6 years ago. To learn more about names, check out this link:

http://www.aoml.noaa.gov/hrd/tcfaq/B7.html

If you would like to share your love of weather with other Houston area weather buffs, I encourage you to join the Houston Chapter of the AMS. You do not have to be a meteorologist to join. Here is the web site:

http://www.amshouston.net/

And speaking of weather fans, there will be a fun even at the The John C. Freeman Weather Museum on Fri. June 26th and Sat. June 27th--The Weather Pioneers Event. I and other local meteorologists will be on hand on Friday, June 26th at about 10 am to talk about weather pioneers who inspired us. The museum will be FREE and open from 10 am to 4 pm on Saturday, the 27th. To learn more:

http://www.wxresearch.com/wxpioneers.pdf

Don't forget the weather museum has wonderful camps for your youngsters!!!

For those living in the Sugar Land area, some bad news...the Houston Children's Museum discovery center in Sugar Land will not be offered this summer. Bummer!!! The good news is that they are planning to come back again (hopefully next summer). And the newly remodeled Houston's Children's Museum (on Binz street in the Houston museum district) is something you can do for a whole day.

With the weather being so hot and humid again, I thought this video was very refreshing and fascinating. Thanks so much Tom Ryan for sending me the link. It's about rare white deer.

http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/video/flv/generic.html?s=inwi10s22a3q81f

Our poll about feelings about the Air France crash is closed. More than one answer was allowed. 83% said they still feel safe flying. 33% said they are okay with flying as long as there are no storms along the way. 0% said they did not want to fly overseas and 0% said they are not wanting to fly as much anymore. Thanks to all who participated.

Our new poll is about phone technology. I was inspired to do this one as Gordy and I are looking at getting rid of some of our plethora of communication/media expenses. More than one answer will be allowed. Enjoy!

Please keep my stepdad Gerry in your prayers. Today he begins a 2 month proton radiation treatment for prostate cancer. The good news is that he is doing it at MD Andersen, one of 2 locations in the world which has the proton radiation machine.

Have a wonderful Wednesday!
Cecilia Sinclair
Wonder Weather Woman

Tuesday, June 9, 2009

Stuck in Summer/VORTEX2/Texas -- The Show to See

HURRICANES AND WEATHER
A low pressure trough in the western Caribbean has very little chance of developing due to wind shear. Will keep an eye on the tropics for you.

Meanwhile, the US is stuck in a pattern of troughiness over the western US and hot and humid weather over the southeast. I see very little change for the next week or so. This means that the stormy areas will be from Texas through the Midwest into the Ohio Valley. It will stay cool and comfortable behind this line and hot and sticky to the south. Today there could be some severe weather from Texas to the Ohio Valley.

Houston, here it is...we know the drill. Stay in the a/c as much as you can. Drink those cool drinks. Turn on those fans. And wear the comfortable summer clothes. Summer is here!!!

SPANISH WORD OF THE DAY
Let's do tornado or tornado, pronounced tore-NAH-doh. Spelled the same but pronounced differently. Do you find tornadoes fascinating--check out the VORTEX2 links in the And More section.

Children love to learn about tornadoes and language. This summer, give them a gift that will entertain, enthrall and teach them at the same time....our award winning Let's Learn Frank & Paco, Volume 1. It makes a great gift for youngsters. Order today from www.frankandpaco.com/. You can also order from http://www.venturaes.com/, http://www.dololanguages.com/, http://www.carlexonline.com,www.thecuriousmindstore.com/, http://www.amazon.com/,http://www.bestbuy.com/, and http://www.barnesandnoble.com/. For our English as a Second Language (ESL) version, got to http://www.frankypaco.com/.

AND MORE
Talking about your staycations...I have a new term...closecations. Well, this one isn't super close to Houston, but it is within driving distance and with all the specials on Southwest (which goes to Amarillo), this might be something to consider. We are going to check out the musical called Texas this summer. I saw it as a teenager and it was an amazing show. Set in the 2nd biggest canyon in the US (Palo Duro Canyon), the backdrop is breathtaking for this musical. But what I remember most is that they simulate lightning onto the stage. It really looked like a lightning bolt had come out of the sky and hit the stage. We'll see how it looks when I see it again this summer. Check it out:
http://www.texas-show.com/

The first phase of VORTEX 2 ends this week. There will be a second phase from May to June in 2010.
VORTEX stands for
Verification of the Origins of Rotation in Tornadoes Experiment.

It is called VORTEX2 because the original research was done during VORTEX in the 90s. I had the opportunity to interview Dr. Lou Wicker, the leader, back in 2000 or so. He was working at Texas A & M. They had almost run out of funds when in the last week, they were fortunate to have an amazing outbreak of tornadoes (including one F5). As a result of that research, warning lead times were reduced and the understanding of the physics of tornadoes was improved tremendously. Now with better equipment, VORTEX2 hopes to enlighten us even more.

Today might be a good day for VORTEX2 with the moderate risk of severe storms in southern Kansas, extreme northern Oklahoma. According to the Storm Prediction Center, there is a good chance for supercell storms which could produce strong long-lived tornadoes. Good luck VORTEX2 team! By the way, Dr. Lou Wicker is leading the research again. Here is the link to the official site (photo of Dr. Wicker to the right).

http://www.nssl.noaa.gov/vortex2/

And here is the Facebook site...you too can become a fan!
http://www.facebook.com/pages/VORTEX2/57534205998

Have a terrific Tuesday everyone!
Cecilia Sinclair
Wonder Weather Woman

Sunday, June 7, 2009

Week's Weather/Star Trek Reviewed/Twins Update

HURRICANES AND WEATHER
Keeping an eye on the area of low pressure in the western Caribbean...there is a lot of wind shear over it--that prevents or inhibits development. At the very least, it will bring some heavy rains to Central America. More to come.
On Monday, some severe weather is possible from the plains to Tennessee. There will also be a few thunderstorms over the Rockies and the southeast. The cool spots will be the northern states and the California coast with highs in the 50s and 60s (only 60s CA coast). Plenty of 80s and 90s across the southeast and south.
Houston, the high dewpoints are back. So, it will be hot and sticky on Monday. And there is no change in sight for the next week with very low rain chances.
SPANISH WORD OF THE DAY
Let's do movie or película, pronounced peh-LEE-coo-lah. Guess which película I got to see today...check out the AND MORE section to find out.
Speaking of movies, have we got a video for you...our award winning Let's Learn Frank & Paco, Volume 1. It makes a great gift for youngsters. Order today from www.frankandpaco.com/. You can also order from http://www.venturaes.com/, http://www.dololanguages.com/, http://www.carlexonline.com,www.thecuriousmindstore.com/, http://www.amazon.com/,http://www.bestbuy.com/, and http://www.barnesandnoble.com/. For our English as a Second Language (ESL) version, got to http://www.frankypaco.com/.
AND MORE
Finally got to see Star Trek...I enjoyed it although in the original series, the only time Spock every got lovey-dovey was when he was under some kind of mind-alterating influence. Oh well...it was fun to watch. I've heard that is not satisfactory to "purists" and one purist friend of mine said that it definitely was an ordeal for him to watch the movie. But, he also admitted that he saw it a second time, relaxed and actually began to enjoy it.
The twins had their first outing to the pool this weekend. Michael and Alexander are doing great! And big brother Teddy is enjoying them too. They are now 6 weeks old.
Have a great week everyone!
Cecilia Sinclair
Wonder Weather Woman

Friday, June 5, 2009

Weekend Weather/Tropical Storm Anniversary

HURRICANES AND WEATHER
The long range models are suggesting something developing in the Caribbean middle of the coming week...then crossing Cuba and the Bahamas. Will let you know how that goes.

Meanwhile, a big contrast in conditions over the nation this weekend...cold air in the northern Rockies and the higher elevations of the Sierra will bring some wintry precipitation. High in Cut Bank, Montana will be just above freezing. Hot and steamy over the southeast with thunderstorms. Highs in the 90s over Texas and the southwest. Pleasant along the west coast. Some severe storms possible in the central plains and midwest.

Houston, the lower humidity will last through Saturday...more 60s Saturday am. Highs will be in in the low 90s both days. Enjoy the water if you can.

SPANISH WORD OF THE DAY
Let's do record or registro, pronounced reh-GEESE-troh. Read about a storm that broke two registros in the "And More" section.

We got a call today from a private school wanting to order our award winning Let's Learn Frank & Paco, Volume 1. They recognize the importance of language learning. We were happy to donate one because we know they have a tight budget. Don't miss out on providing this gift to your child. Order your copy today from www.frankandpaco.com/. You can also order from http://www.venturaes.com/, http://www.dololanguages.com/, http://www.carlexonline.com,www.thecuriousmindstore.com/, http://www.amazon.com/,http://www.bestbuy.com/, and http://www.barnesandnoble.com/. For our English as a Second Language (ESL) version, got to http://www.frankypaco.com/.

AND MORE
Today is the anniversary of the most expensive tropical storm (not hurricane) in US history. Tropical Storm Allison made landfall on June 5, 2001 and then meandered over southeast TX bringing 4 rounds of heavy rain, the worst being on the night of June 8th when Houston went under water. 20 inches of rain fell in 10 hours and there were rainfall rates close to 6 inches in an hour at one point. The total cost was $5 billion. It also went down in the record books as the earliest tropical storm to hit the Texas coast.

Gordy and I worked a 24 hour shift during Allison. With a skeleton crew, we did "phoners" by my holding the receiver part of my phone to my mike so all could hear. We zoomed in on the radar screen to show people what was happening. It was quite a night!!! To get video into the station, one of our guys went out back and a photographer threw a tape wrapped in plastic over the fence. That was the closest he could get as flood waters prevented him from driving onto the property.

Have a nice dry weekend everyone!
Cecilia Sinclair
Wonder Weather Woman

Wednesday, June 3, 2009

More Tolerable Humidity/Poll Results/New Poll

HURRICANES AND WEATHER
Invest 92L is still being watched but it is now over cold enough water that it can't become tropical. Still, I will watch it as it heads toward Portugal/Spain or even France. Could be a "fun" storm for them.

On Thursday, very tropical across the extreme southeast but some less humid air moving into the southern plains and much of the eastern US. Lots of highs in the 70s with the coolest spots being the northeast and much of the Great Lakes and California with highs in the 60s. 100+ for Phoenix with plenty of 90s in south Texas and the southwest. Look for thunderstorms in the southeast and over the Intermountain Region and Rockies.

Some heavy downpours today in exteme southeast Harris County today...more than 2 inches just south of Baytown. "Cold" front will arrive early Thursday and dry air will filter into the Houston area during the day. Much more pleasant on Friday as many kids enjoy their first full day of summer. Morning temps Friday will be in the middle 60s with highs reaching about 90. More humid...back to heat and humidity for the weekend but no rain expected. Make plans to hit the pool.

SPANISH WORD OF THE DAY
Let's do expert or experto, pronounced ehx-PAIR-tow. Guess which hurricane expert will come to Houston for the 2nd annual Groundhog Day gala? See And More section for the details.

We all love experts, and we used several of them while making our award winning Let's Learn Frank & Paco, Volume 1--thus the awards. Order your copy today from www.frankandpaco.com/. You can also order from http://www.venturaes.com/, http://www.dololanguages.com/, http://www.carlexonline.com,www.thecuriousmindstore.com/, http://www.amazon.com/,http://www.bestbuy.com/, and http://www.barnesandnoble.com/. For our English as a Second Language (ESL) version, got to http://www.frankypaco.com/.

AND MORE
Our hurricane season poll has closed. 20% said they now know everything they need to know about hurricanes. 30% said they will prepare more this year. 10% said they will prepare less. 40% said they will evacuate if an Ike like storm approaches. 40% said they will not evacuate if an Ike like storm approaches. 10% said they are afraid. 30% said they are not afraid. 20% said they wish they could move. 10% think they still have much to learn. More than one answer was allowed. Thanks to all who participated.

Our new poll is about how you feel about flying in the aftermath of the AirFrance crash in the Atlantic. More than one answer is allowed.

The 2nd annual Groundhog Day Gala benefitting the education programs offered by the John C. Freeman weather museum will be held on Feb. 2, 2010. Several Houston weather celebrities have agreed to attend and just tonight, Dr. Steve Lyons, hurricane expert from the Weather Channel has agreed to come. Yay!!! The gala will be held at the Rice Hotel. If you are interested in going, send me an email to cecilia_sinclair@yahoo.com.

Happy Thursday everyone!
Cecilia Sinclair
Wonder Weather Woman

Heavy Downpours Developing

Check figure at right for latest radar and advisories. Have a safe afternoon/evening. Remember...turn around, don't drown.

Cecilia Sinclair
Wonder Weather Woman