Up Next in the Tropics/Positively Houston/Saving Money at Grocery

HURRICANES AND WEATHER
Hurricane Bill is weaker this evening (than it was last evening at this time). It is going through a cycle of reorganizing and possibly restrengthening (but not for long) as it heads to cooler waters. It is looking very likely that Bermuda will be spared a hit.

Meanwhile, a new tropical wave in the eastern Atlantic becomes the new focus of scrutiny. So far, it is not very impressive and conditions are not exactly hospitable. But that could change in a couple days. So, I'll keep you posted.

In the Pacific, there are 3 areas being watched. The most western one will probably become a tropical depression soon. Right now, it looks like it will travel south of southern Hawaii. But I'll keep watching it.

Trough/Ridge/Trough pattern will keep things cooler west and east and hot in the central part of the country. On Saturday and Sunday, highs will be in the 90s in Texas and th desert Southwest. It will be mild along the west coast of California, the Pacific Northwest and the northeast. There will be thunderstorms in many places but right not the Storm Prediction Center is not specifying any severe risk areas.

Houston hit 100 on Friday. The combination of heat and humidity and a shortwave traveling southward in the upper flow, ignited some severe storms in the Houston area Friday evening. Heat advisory is in effect through 8 pm Saturday. Look for some scattered storms Saturday and some isolated ones on Sunday--hot and humid it will be through the weekend.

SPANISH WORD OF THE DAY
Let's do grocery store or tienda, pronounced tee-EHN-dah. How do you save money at the tienda? Answer our new poll. For details, see the AND MORE section.

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AND MORE
I am super excited because I have been invited to help make a pilot for a show called Positively Houston. A good friend, Christina Maxwell, has been working on this project for 4 years. The idea is to create a show that highlights the good news about Houston. If it all works out, this could become a weekly offering. Will keep you posted.

Our poll on the best aspect of children going back to school is closed. 57% said it is the more steady routine. 14% said they are tired of keeping the kids busy, 14% said the kids will be able to reconnect with friends and 14% said that the kids are bored. 0% said they will spend less money because of it and 0% said it will make their work schedule easier. Thanks to all who participated.

Our new poll is about saving money at the grocery store. How do you try to save money or do you even try? More than one answer is allowed. Thanks in advance for participating.

By the way, HEB a delicious store brand of fig newtons that is close to $1 a package. Regular few newtons are about 3 times the cost, and I don't think they taste as good.

Have a wonderful weekend!
Cecilia Sinclair
Wonder Weather Woman

Hurricane Bill Amazing but not too threatening

Hello all -
I'm super late with this blog...so I am going to just update you on the weather. On my next post, I'll have a new poll and more.

First of all, its good that it doesn't look like Hurricane Bill will directly strike any land area at it's current intensity. Sure has made a pretty satellite picture! It will probably graze Nova Scotia and New Brunswick in about 3 days with reduced intensity. In the meantime, all of the eastern seaboard will have to deal with rough surf--dangerous rip currents.

Otherwise, there is nothing else in the Atlantic tropics. Ana remnants essentially gone. Long range models show something developing in western Atlantic next week. Most threatened location will be Bermuda. In the Pacific, there is one little area that has less than a 30% chance to develop.

In the continental US, the pattern looks fairly steady for about a week. Ridge over central part of country with troughiness west and east. On Friday, the eastern trough is not quite to the east coast (thus the likelihood of severe storms in the northeast). Highs will be in the 90s and 100s over the southern plains and southwest and there will be some 90s along the east coast. Highs will be in the 60s and 70s west coast, northern states and Great Lakes.

Houston will continue to be like a sauna with mainly afternoon and early evening showers and thunderstorms. There will be at least a slight chance for rain until Sunday.

Happy TGIF!
Cecilia Sinclair
Wonder Weather Woman