Storms and Cooler Weather In Forecast/3 Month Temperature and Precipitation Outlooks

HURRICANES AND WEATHER
Tomas is weakening in the eastern Caribbean. The National Hurricane Center has it moving basically westward and then turning toward the northeast in about 4 to 5 days. This would take it over the Dominican Republic and Haiti.

On Monday, the coolest area of the country will be the northeast with highs in the 40s The rest of the northern 2/3rds of the country will have highs in the 50s and 60s. The west coast will have highs in the 50s, 60s and 70s. The southwest, south and southeast will have highs mainly in the 70s and 80s. There is a slight risk of severe storms in eastern Texas.

Houston, Monday will be warm and humid with a slight risk of severe storms (mainly in the late afternoon and evening). Cold front moves through early Tuesday, bringing less humid weather and cooler temperatures. The rest of the week into the weekend will be delightful with cool morning and mild sunny and dry afternoons.

SPANISH WORD OF THE DAY
Let's do palm tree or palmera, pronounced pahl-MAIR-ah. Could growing palmeras be the key to your retirement? See my idea in the AND MORE section.

Volume 3 of our award winning DVD for children is really close to being finished. Our editor just gave us the complete final draft (with all chaptes!!!). So, now we just have to put on the finishing touches and then it is off to the editor. Woohoo!!! In the meantime, you can find my award winning education series, Let's Learn Spanish with Frank & Paco, Volumes 1 and 2, on the shelf (in the education section) at Barnes & Noble stores or you can order them from http://www.frankandpaco.com, http://www.amazon.com, http://www.bn.com, http://www.bestbuy.com, or http://www.ebay.com/. Our ESL (English as a Second Language) version can be found at http://www.frankypaco.com.

AND MORE

Palm Trees as An Investment
So I'm running on the treadmill and partaking of one of my guilty pleasures...watching HGTV when whom do I see? Why it's Vanilla Ice with his own show. Yes, that's right Vanilla Ice--remember "Ice, Ice Baby". Well apparently he is an expert on landscaping and that his is daytime job. He has this crew working on fixing up the landscaping on the property of a very expensive house which has been vacant for 2 years. He points out a rare palm tree...he says it takes a long time to grow and would cost thousands of dollars. So, I'm thinking. Wow! You could just grow a few of those bad boys, sell them and retire. Unfortunately, I did not catch the name of that particular palm. So, I did some research. Come to find out there are many rare and slow growing palms. One is the Canary Island Date palm. I found a smaller one on one web site for $1000. Another web site had a bunch of different palms for sale. Most of the starting prices were $300 or $400. Well, I have a 4 palms in my backyard that are getting big. If anyone wants to buy them for $300 or $400, let me know. Ha! Don't think our's are that rare. Anyway, here are the links, if you want to check it out.
http://www.horizontreeservices.com.au/gallery.html

http://www.junglemusic.net/Box%20Palms.htm

http://trees-for-sale.net/Trees/Palm-Trees

3 Month Temperature and Precipitation Outlooks
Just now getting these outlooks out to you. Looks like a warmer and drier than normal November through January on the way for the Houston area. In fact much of the southeast is supposed to be warmer than normal while the west coast and much of Alaska is supposed to be cooler than normal. There is a pocket of above normal precipitation chance for the Ohio Valley, but just to the south it looks drier than normal. That leads me to the drought situation. Eastern Texas is not in a drought again...with conditions expected to become even drier through January. See all figures at right.

New Poll
Gordy and I made the early voting by the skin of our teeth--on Friday. The polling place was busy and we actually waited in line a couple minutes. My poll on whether you will vote or not is closed. 83% said they will vote and the rest said they wouldn't. Thanks to all who participated.

My new poll is about the upcoming holiday season. Does it feel like it is coming fast? Thanks in advance for participating.

Have a safe Monday everyone.

Cecilia Sinclair
Wonder Weather Woman

Next Cold Front/Tropical Storm Richard/No Fire at this McDonald's

Good Morning All -
Attending the First Annual Flood Workshop in Houston...so I need to post and get going.

First of all, Richard has been downgraded to a tropical storm and is now weakening over Guatemala. It was a hurricane yesterday. National Hurricane Center forecast back takes it into the Gulf this week and has it decaying. Will keep an eye on it for you.

There is another area of disturbed weather way out in the Atlantic with only a minimal chance of developing in the next 48 hours. The Pacific is quiet this Monday.

There is a slight risk for severe storms this Monday from northeast Texas northward to Illinois and southward to the northern Gulf coast all the way eastward to Alabama. On Tuesday, there will be two slight risk areas, one over the Midwest and the other over the southeastern states. See figures at right.

Back to the National Flood Workshop being held here in Houston. I attended the short course on storm surge flooding yesterday. Some of the other course attendees including Houston Channel 11's Chief Meteorologist Gene Norman and Meteorologist Mario Gomez. Also in attendance was Meteorologist Anthony Yanez from Channel 2. There were 2 other short course being held at the same time, one on Hurricane Impacts for Inland Communities and one on Floodplain Management. The storm surge course I attended was given by Jamie Rhome of the National Hurricane Center. He works closely with National Hurricane Center director Bill Read. At the end of the course, we had an opportunity to discuss some of the problems with presenting storm surge information to the public. Jamie said that they are working closely with social sciences to learn how to better convey vital safety information to the public. Having been a broadcast meteorologist for years, I know this is a constant effort. Psychology plays a huge role in how the public responds. We also talked about how to most effectively disseminate the information. One of the attendees mentioned reverse 911...where people in critical areas are called via and automated system when they are threatened. We noted that the poor often don't have phones. So, reaching the poor continues to be a big problem. Jamie Rhome gave a fantastic talk--the 4 hours just flew by. By the way, he is the one who came up with the Graphical Tropical Weather Outlook (see figure at top right). He said it is probably the most popular figure provided on the National Hurricane Center's web site.

The remodeled McDonald's in Sugar Land opened this last week. But, I was a little disappointed. It did not have a faux fireplace like the one we saw last week in Round Rock (near Austin). We were there about a week ago visited my brother's family. We went to the McDonald's there and they had an electric fireplace...see photo of Gordy at right as he pretend warms his hands. I told my brother Sam that it was the fanciest McDonald's I had ever seen.

Houston, a cold front will arrive early Thursday, bringing the humidity down and the morning temperatures down into the 50s. It will be shortlived as higher humidity levels return on Saturday and into Sunday. Halloween will be mild with lows in the 60s and highs in the 80s. Only a slight chance for rain through early Thursday. Then, sunny and dry for the end of the week. And then only a slight chance for rain over the weekend.

Have a great week everyone!
Cecilia Sinclair
Wonder Weather Woman

Tropical Storm Richard Update/Weekend Forecast

Good Morning All -
Just a quick update this am as Tropical Storm Richard has formed in the western Caribbean. Latest forecast path from the National Hurricane Center takes the storm across the Yucatan late in the weekend and into early in the coming week.

For southeast Texas, approaching upper trough mid-week will probably push the storm northeastward in into the southeast US. Will of course keep an eye on this!

Weekend will be warm and muggy for Houston area with a few showers or thunderstorms mainly west.

Please keep my sister-in-law Wanda in your prayers as she is having her thyroid removed today.

Have a great weekend everyone!
Cecilia Sinclair
Wonder Weather Woman

Mild and Sometimes Muggy/Too Tall for Honda Civic?

HURRICANES AND WEATHER
Just a couple of disturbed areas--western Caribbean and central Atlantic...according to National Hurricane Center, not much chance for development of either in the next 48 hours.

Tropical Pacific is quiet.

Meanwhile in the US, trough is digging in the Rockies and bringing some cooler weather ane rain from Reno to Vegas and Salt Lake City to Denver. This trough will spin off a cut off low which will hang out over the southwest for several days before lifting northeastward. On Monday, a cool area will extend from the Northwest and across Rockies across the northern plains and Great Lakes into New England with highs in the 40s and 50s and 60s. Look for rain in Chicago and Detroit. The west coast will also be pleasantly cool. Southeast and southern US will be mild to warm with highs in the 80s.

Houston will be on the muggy side this week with lows in the 60s and highs in the 80s. Look for a few showers end of the week and into the early part of the coming week. Next cool snap arrives early to middle of the coming week (not this week).



SPANISH WORD OF THE DAY
Let's do tall or alto, pronounced AHL-toe. One of my nephews is so alto, he almost didn't fit into my car. Find out in the AND MORE section.

I have a lot of nephews and nieces. One is especially lucky as he is enrolled in kindergarten at a dual language learning school. I am super excited for him due to all of the cognitive development enhancements that will provide. For those of you who don't have a dual language option, here is something you can do at home. You can watch my award winning education series, Let's Learn Spanish with Frank & Paco. Volumes 1 and 2 on the shelf (in the education section) at Barnes & Noble stores or you can order them from http://www.frankandpaco.com, http://www.amazon.com, http://www.bn.com, http://www.bestbuy.com, or http://www.ebay.com/. Our ESL (English as a Second Language) version can be found at http://www.frankypaco.com.

AND MORE
I have a nephew who is 6'10". Last week, I had to pick him up from the airport in my Honda Civic. I have to admit I was a bit concerned as to whether or not he would fit. But he did! However, I know it was not comfortable for him. His knees were up against the dash with the seat all the way back and tilted back. And his head was against the ceiling of the car. He never complains about his height. And he is infinitely patient about comments which are a constant. He went to watch Sarah at her cheerleading class and afterward, we took a friend of Sarah's along with us to dinner. Right from the beginning, she looked up at him and stated -- You're tall. He good naturedly replied...I've been told that. I asked him how it is when he flies. He said that he tries to sit on the emergency exit row. But, if that is full, he just squeezes into a seat and deals. He said he is very embarassed when the flight attendants demand that someone in the emergency exit row give him their seat. I asked him what is the longest flight he ever took and he said to Hawaii. When I asked how that was, he replied, "pretty uncomfortable". But he admits that the hardest part is being able to rest well if he is not sleeping on his own bed. Most beds are just too small. Yep. Us short people sure have it made!!!

My poll on the favorite scenes from the Sound of Music is closed. The following scenes got 20% of the vote each: the panoramic open, Maria singing "My Favorite Things" to the kids, the puppet show, the kids performing "So Long, Farewell" at the party, and Marie and Captain Von Trapp singing Something Good. Only one answer was allowed. Thanks to all who participated.

My new poll is about the upcoming elections. Are you planning to vote? Only one answer is allowed--yes or no. Thanks in advance for participating.

Have a wonderful week everyone!

Cecilia Sinclair
Wonder Weather Woman

Hurricane Paula Forms in Western Caribbean

Hurricane Paula has formed in the western Caribbean. The National Hurricane Center is forecasting that it will move in a clockwise circle...staying in the western Caribbean. Most long range models suggest this. But, I will keep an eye on it.

Cecilia Sinclair
Wonder Weather Woman

Storms and Cold Front Coming/Secretariat Review/Breaking Glass with Newspaper

HURRICANES AND WEATHER
The National Hurricane Center is no longer issuing advisories on Otto, the remnants of which are moving across the northern Atlantic.

Meanwhile, the National Hurricane Center is giving a disturbance in the western Caribbean a 50% chance of becoming a tropical storm in the next 48 hours. Models suggest it will either get lifted northward and then over Florida or that it will track westward across Mexico.

The last Hurricane to hit Texas was Jerry on October 15, 1989. So statistically, the Texas hurricane season should be coming to an end. Remember, the official end of the Atlantic hurricane season is Nov. 30th.

The tropical Pacific is quiet.

Monday, there will be some severe storms in east Texas including the Dallas area. There will also be a few storms across the midwest into the Great Lakes and over the northern Intermountain Region. Highs will be in the 70s and 80s for most of the country (90s desert Southwest) and 50s northern Rockies and Intermountain Region.

Houston, the humidity has been slowly rising. Next cold front arrives Tuesday morning, dropping humidity for the rest of the week through the coming weekend (lows in the 50s and low 60s and highs in the low 80s). Look for some thunderstorms Monday and Monday night. Can't rule out some of these being severe.

SPANISH WORD OF THE DAY

Let's do sing or cantar, pronounced cahn-TAR. If you like cantar, you probably like The Sound of Music...you might learn something new about it if you read my AND MORE section.

Volume 3 DVD of my award winning education series, Let's Learn Spanish with Frank & Paco, will be released soon. A CD of music from volumes 1 through 3 will be released at the same time. Volume 3 will cover the alphabet (with words beginning with those letters), numbers 1 through 20 and colors. Until it's ready for release, Let's Learn Spanish with Frank & Paco Volumes 1 and 2 on the shelf (in the education section) at Barnes & Noble stores or you can order them from http://www.frankandpaco.com, http://www.amazon.com, http://www.bn.com, http://www.bestbuy.com, or http://www.ebay.com/. Our ESL (English as a Second Language) version can be found at http://www.frankypaco.com.

AND MORE
How to Break a Window with Newspaper
Well, it's not that hard...at least it looked easy when my Dad did it. Sarah and I were talking about an episode of ICarly where there was no fly swatter to kill a fly and that brought back a memory from my childhood--funny when I look back on it, but not so funny at the time. There was a nagging fly in our kitchen, and my Dad got frustrated and looked for the first weapon. He decided upon a newspaper, rolling it up and smacking it hard on the kitchen window...so hard, he broke the window. Did he kill the fly? I think so...my Mom might remember. But, of course, there was a lot of upset because we would have to replace the glass. So, don't try that at home.

Congratulations Taylor and Our Empty Nest
It has been a bit empty in our house this week. You see, a week ago, my nephew Taylor graduated from Universal Technical Institute new Bush Airport. He had been with us since last January and was like the big brother Sarah has never had (he's her cousin). We liked having him around late in the evening...I say late because this was his schedule for the first half of his stay. Up at 4:45 am and in class on the other side of town at 6:30 am...ending at 12:45 pm and then heading to work as a valet in the med center until 7:30 pm and then coming home...eating dinner and hitting the hay. Then, he decided to double up his schooling so he could graduate sooner and that meant, he did a 2nd shift of classtime from 2:00 pm until 8:15 pm which means he did not get home until at least 9 pm. It was a grueling schedule, and we are all so proud of him for finishing!!! He is gone now...staying with friends and looking for a job. Congratulations Taylor, and we miss you!!!

Galveston Didn't Get Much Help Recovering from Ike
I have enjoyed reading Infinite Monster by Leigh Jones and Rhiannon Meyers. It is about how Hurricane Ike affected Galveston Island. According to the book, there were 2 things working against financial help after Ike. While Presidents Clinton and Bush managed to raise $130 million of relief in the wake of Katrina. They were only able to raise $2.2 million after Ike. Some of it they attribute to hurricane relief burnout. But also, the financial collapse occurred just 2 days after Ike...and the entire nation's focus was on the collapse and fear of financial ruin. Galveston has really been alone in it's attempts to recover.

According to the National Hurricane Center, Katrina is the most expensive hurricane in modern times with $81 billion in damage. Andrew is 2nd with $26.5 billion. But Ike is third at $25 billion. Please note these numbers are not adjusted for inflation. Taking all storm data into account, a 1926 storm that pummeled Florida and Alabama would be #1 with $165 Billion (2006 dollars normalized for inflation, population and wealth), the Great Galveston hurricane of 1900 would be 2nd at $104 billion and Katrina would be 3rd at $85 billion.

Also from the National Hurricane Center, the 1900 storm was the most deadly with a death toll from 8,000 to 12,000. The 1928 Florida/Lake Okeechobee storm is 2nd with 2550 to 3000 and Katrina is 3rd with 1500. Ike's death toll was 41.

Happy 45th Anniversary Sound of Music, the movie
Sarah and I have rediscovered the Sound of Music and I was interested to learn according to the following article:

http://cinematreasures.org/print/23149_0_1_0/

that it was the 1st motion picture to gross $100 million. It was first released in 1965. Then, it was re-released in 1973 (that's when My Grandma Yuba Whitworth took me to see it). It made it's TV debut in 1976 and had another cinema release in 1978. Adjusted for inflation, it was the 3rd highest grossing box office performance after #1 Star Wars and #2 Gone with the Wind.

I also looked up some Wikipedia info. on the Von Trapp family. Maria and Captain Von Trapp married in 1927 and had a child in 1928 (most likely...there are some discrepancies in the records). They also had two more children later...these 3 were in addition to the 7 children he had. In 1935, he lost nearly all of his wealth after loaning money to a friend in the banking industry. They started performing in 1935 to make a living. Most likely, they left in 1938 due to the changing political environment. Eventually, they ended up in the United States. To learn more, see the following link:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maria_von_Trapp

Polls
My poll on what used to be the planet Pluto is closed. 100% of respondents felt that it should be reinstated as the 9th planet. Thanks to all who participated. My new poll is about the Sound of Music. What is your favorite scene? Only one answer is allowed. Thanks in advance for participating.

Saw Secretariat
I enjoyed this movie...although I don't know how Penny Tweedy could leave her children so much. That would kill me. I did love her line about "Running At the Future". I agree...that is how you get things done!

Groundhog Gala Kickoff
I enjoyed attending the Kickoff party for the upcoming Groundhog Gala which will be held Feb. 2, 2011 at the Rice Hotel. Special attendess included well known public speaker and author John Bradshaw and his lovely wife Karen. Gala Committee Chairwoman Carol Barndollar shared the good news that the Gala is much further along this year than last year at this time. So, we are all very excited. The gala will benefit the Education Programs provided by the John C. Freeman Weather Museum and Weather Research Center. There are still tables left, but they are going fast. So, let me know if you want to attend.

May you enjoy all your "favorite things" in the coming week.
Cecilia Sinclair
Wonder Weather Woman

Awesome weather!/Comparing Hot Summers/My Experience--Internet Scam

HURRICANES AND WEATHER
The tropical Atlantic is fairly quiet with only 2 areas in the Atlantic with a 10% chance of developing in the next 48 hours.

Tropical Pacific has no disturbances.

Hot spot in the country with be the desert southwest with some highs in the 80s. There will be showers and thunderstorms over the Rockies and in the northeast and Mid-Atlantic. A thunderstorm or two for Miami. Most of the country will have highs in the 50s, 60s, 70s and 80s with low humidity...enjoy!

Houston, this will be the coolest week yet with lows in the 50s and highs in the upper 70s to low 80s most of the week--and low humidity...yay!!! Dry weather should last into at least the early part of next week.

SPANISH WORD OF THE DAY
Let's do scam or estafa, pronounced ehs-TAH-fah. Find out about my personal experience with a common estafa in the AND MORE section.

Volume 3 DVD of my award winning education series, Let's Learn Spanish with Frank & Paco, will be released soon. A CD of music from volumes 1 through 3 will be released at the same time. Volume 3 will cover the alphabet (with words beginning with those letters), numbers 1 through 20 and colors. Until it's ready for release, Let's Learn Spanish with Frank & Paco Volumes 1 and 2 on the shelf (in the education section) at Barnes & Noble stores or you can order them from http://www.frankandpaco.com, http://www.amazon.com, http://www.bn.com, http://www.bestbuy.com, or http://www.ebay.com/. Our ESL (English as a Second Language) version can be found at http://www.frankypaco.com.

AND MORE
COMPARISON OF HOT SUMMERS
So, now that cooler weather has descended on most of the country (including Houston), I thought it would be interesting to compare Houston's summer to previous summers. This year's summer seemed particularly hot to me.

Well, August was very hot in Houston--in fact it was the hottest month ever on record. Now, this means that if you average all of the highs and lows for the month, that average was higher than that found in any other month. It was 87.7 degrees. In comparison, 1980 had the 6th hottest August with an average of 86.6 and 2009 (just last year) was the 8th hottest with an average of 86.2.

Those 2 years, 1980 amd 2009 show up again in the top 10 July's and June's. 1980 had the hottest July with an average of 87.5. Notice that is below this year's hottest ever month (August) with the average of 87.7. 2009 had the second hottest July ever with an average of 87.4. 2010's July did not make the top 10 hottest list.

For Junes, 2009 had the 2nd hottest June with an average of 85.6. 1980 had the 4th hottest June with and average of 85.1 and this year, 2010, had the 6th hottest June with an average of 84.7.

MY PERSONAL INTERNET SELLING SCAM EXPERIENCE
I am trying to sell a wedding dress either on Craig's List of Yesbride.com for $100. Don't worry--it's not the dress for Gordy and me. Anyway, the original price was $600. Well, I got a couple of earnest replies. One was not very suspicious at first as the guy asked lots of detailed questions about the dress...looked like he was very interested. But then, he talked about wiring money--immediate red flags. I had worked at a bank years ago as a teller, and I am aware of lots of tricks that people try to pull.

But a 2nd lady had me a bit more convinced as she never mentioned wiring money. In fact, she talked about her upcoming wedding and how she would send me a check and I could make sure it cleared and then she would have someone pick it up. Check out this email stream:

I was checking through Yesbride and i saw the wedding dress posted for sale. please i will like to know if its still available, its present condition and the last asking price you re willing to let go of it. Email me if its still available and also a new pictures of it, if you have any.

(So I thought well errors in her grammar but ok...maybe this is a prospect. Here is her next message).

Sorry for the late response, i have been very busy with shopping and planning for my wedding but anyway thanks for the response I am okay with the condition and price of it. I want you to know that i am really interested in wedding dress and I would really not want to lose the sale. I want you to remove the advert from web and consider it sold to me, I'll have my secretary send you a Bank Certified Check and the check payment will deliver to you as soon as possible via Courier service. I will need you to send the following information needed below in other to make/send payment ASAP.

1. Name to be on the check
2. Contact Address(street,apt #,City,State,Zip code):
3. Contact telephone number:(home,cell or work...)

***Note*** I want you to know that i would be responsible for the pickup. When you confirm that you received, cleared and cashed the Check, I will have my someone or my shipping agent come for the pickup at your location. I'm out of town right now but do not worry I'll handle things myself,I will be waiting to read from you as soon as possible so that the payment can be issued out and this transaction can come to an end.

(So I'm thinking she must be a foreigner but that's not a problem and as long as I can make sure the check is cleared, then no problem. So here's the next message).

How are you doing? I have sent out the payment i think the delay is from the UPS ..i will try and find out, why the payment hasn't gotten to your place yet. i will get back to you. enjoy your weekend.

(so at this point, it had been a couple weeks. I saw a red flag with UPS...why not just mail it? Here is her next message).

I think it might have gotten lost in the mail. because the tracking information given to me did not track am confused at the moment . please bear with me. am very much interested in buying the dress from you. I have resend the payment again. kindly bear with me.

Thanks for your time and understanding.

(okay...she's a busy bride. here is her next message).
Hello Cecilia,

How are you today? I want you to know that the check will be delivered to you today via Ups , Am very sorry for the delay .

Here is the Ups tracking number for the Payment: J-174-992-815-5

Upon receipt of the payment today you are to take it to your bank for cashing, after cashing at your bank you deduct your own money from the fund cashed and proceed to the nearest western union agent location close to you and have the excess of the fund sent to my shipping agent using the information below.

Name: Paula Scapicchio
Address: 3150 Plaza Blanca,
Santa Fe, NM 87507

After you have sent the money for shipment through western union , i will require the following details from you :

1. Sender's name and address (your full name and address used in wiring the funds )
2. Receiver's name (Paula Scapicchio)
3. MTCN ( money transfer control number ).
4. Test question and answer(E.g : THE WORLDS GREATEST ).Answer ( AMERICA )
5. Total Amount sent..........
6. A scanned copy of the western union receipt..............

Note: I want you to know that there will be some charges for getting the funds transferred by western union to the shipper , that should be deducted from the funds you will be sending down to her, So the western union charges should be deducted from the excess funds that you will be sending to her.

I await your soonest response, this is because my shipper has to be in your location for the pickup in the next 24 hours upon the receipt of the funds via western union.

I look forward to your email as soon as you have sent the funds today.

Thank you.

Okay, it's me again. I immediately knew this was trouble. You never ever cash a check on your account and then immediately send money. And get this, the check that arrived was $1830 via UPS worldwide overnight express.

So, I would be wiring about $1700 back to her with the fund in my checking account the backup in case the check bounced. No way!!! Run, run like the wind. She has sent a couple more emails which of course I am not responding to.

So, be careful everyone!!! If you ever take a check...always, always make sure it clears first.

Have a great week everyone!
Cecilia Sinclair
Wonder Weather Woman