Will It Rain Thursday?/Toads are Back/Swine Flu

HURRICANES AND WEATHER
Really feeling like spring (with a hint of summer for many areas). One more day to get those April showers for those May flowers and there will be rain for the central and southern plains and the midwest. Some of this will be from severe storms. The coolest areas will be over the northern Rockies and northern plains with highs in the 30s and 40s. Highs in the 60s and 70s for much of the west coast, eastern seaboard (except the southern part), Great Lakes and northeast. Highs will be in the 80s and 90s over the southern states.

Jet stream is flattening and positioning itself over the northern third of the country. There will be dips from time to time (over the next week or so), mainly over the Rockies or northern plains. This will allow storms to travel a bit further south.

Today, Houston got that much needed respite from rain but I think there will be some thunderstorms Thursday afternoon. So, keep a watchful eye on those flood trouble spots and be ready to seek shelter if storms become intense. Otherwise it will be warm and muggy and that is the outlook through the weekend. Look for another round of rain on Sunday--although I don't expect a big rain event.

SPANISH WORD OF THE DAY
Let's do hunt or caza, pronunced CAH-zah. Sarah and I went on a caza for toads this evening. See AND MORE section to find out how we did.

You can expose your child to the wonderful world of language in a number of ways...watching programs in Spanish is one way. PBS offers some children's programming in Spanish. And some of your DVDs may have an option to switch the language. Also, don't forget, you can watch our award winning DVD, Let's Learn Spanish with Frank & Paco. Many of the libraries in Fort Bend County have donated copies. And of course, you can order your copy 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/. Volume 2 is almost ready for release and Volume 3 will follow soon thereafter!!! For our English as a Second Language (ESL) version, got to http://www.frankypaco.com/.

AND MORE
Well, the weather is warm and the toads are out. I sure hope they are in an eating mood..there have been so many mosquitos with this rain. We found two...we thought the first one was a girl and we named it Star from the Sprout Channel Goodnight Show. That one was very sluggish--hope that is because it had a tummy full of mosquitoes. The second one was big and tough looking. So, we named "him" Bruiser. He worked hard at trying to get away. Just so you know, the female toads, on average, are bigger than the males. You can learn more about toads by checking out Sarah and my www.youtube.com videos. Just do a search for 'TOAD HUNTERS". Make sure you capitalize those letters. Also, I have a link to one of them (in the links list at right).

Okay, here are my 2 cents on the Swine Flu. I grew up in the valley and we had a round of the swine flu in the 70s. It is another flu like any other--dangerous to the very young and old and sick. From what I have read, Tamiflu is effective in knocking it down if you start taking it within 24 hours. A friend of mine asked me if I would go to the Rio Grande Valley because a little girl who died from it recently, had just been in the valley. I most certainly will go to the valley and plan to soon for my niece's wedding. My sister who is a nurse practioner said practice good hygiene. Wash your hands frequently and don't touch your nose or eyes.

Have a healthy and toad filled Thursday everyone.

Cecilia Sinclair
Wonder Weather Woman

Prospects for Flood Relief/Rain Totals Houston Area

HURRICANES AND WEATHER
The focal point for storms in Texas early this evening has been north of Houston. One tornado was confirmed in Robertson, Texas.

On Wednesday, look for storms from Texas to Illinois. Some showers and/or thunderstorms are also possible around DC, New York, Norfolk, Boston and in South Dakota, the northern Rockies and the Pacific Northwest. It will be cool over the northern Rockies with highs in the 30s and 40s. It will be pleasantly cool in New England and along the west coast with highs in the 50s and 60s. Lots of 80s across the southern states and muggy conditions from Texas through the southeast.

Houston is cringing at the thought of more rain. Overnight, there was over 10 inches in Jersey Village (a suburb northwest of Houston)! Houston has lots of bayous and creeks and there are rivers east and west of the city. I can tell you from driving to the medical center this morning, that Brays Bayou was way up and looked quite angry. (Yes...it was Brays Bayou, not Buffalo Bayou as I mistakenly said in a previous post). Anyway, what a mess! The AND MORE section has a list of rain totals for the 24 hour period ending early this morning. But for those of you around Clear Creek to the southeast of Houston, I checked the total rain for the week, and you had about 9 inches! So, basically the entire area is quite saturated.

Jet stream will start to flatten on Thursday...that will help us get out of the line of fire for these disturbances. Still have to get through Wednesday and early Thursday as there is still some troughiness over W. Texas/New Mexico and Houston is downstream from that slingshot. There is lots of moisture in the air and leftover boundaries from previous storms could be just enough to create more heavy downpours. Still, I think we are in much better shape prospect wise than we were 24 hours ago. Jet stream dips a bit late in the weekend...enough that Sunday could bring another round of storms. Stay tuned!

SPANISH WORD OF THE DAY
Let's do warning or aviso, pronounced ah-VEE-soh. Be sure to pay attention to any aviso issued by the National Weather Service.

The key to safety is being aware and knowing what to do in dangerous situations. In our award winning DVD, Let's Learn Spanish with Frank & Paco, we teach the spanish word for stop and even go over safety tips for crossing the road. Order your copy 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/. Volume 2 is almost ready for release and Volume 3 will follow soon thereafter!!! For our English as a Second Language (ESL) version, got to http://www.frankypaco.com/.

AND MORE
To see rainfall totals from the Harris County Office of Emergency Management (and you can specify different time periods), click on this link:
http://www.hcoem.org/HCRainfall.aspx

The following information (issued at 9 am this Tuesday morning) was taken from the National Weather Service web site for Houston/Galveston:

SOME LOCATIONS IN AND AROUND THE HOUSTON AREA EXPERIENCED ANOTHER HEAVYRAIN EVENT OVERNIGHT...THE THIRD SUCH EVENT IN THE PAST TWELVE DAYS.BETWEEN 7 AND 11 INCHES HAVE FALLEN ACROSS A LARGE PORTION OF WESTERNHARRIS COUNTY. LOCATIONS ACROSS SOUTHEAST HOUSTON WERE NOT LEFT OUTOF THIS HEAVY RAIN EVENT AS HOUSTON HOBBY AIRPORT CONTINUES TO ADD TOTHEIR RECORD BREAKING MONTHLY RAINFALL TOTAL FOR APRIL. THROUGH THISMORNING...HOBBY AIRPORT`S APRIL RAINFALL TOTAL STANDS AT 15.57 INCHES.BEFORE 2009...THE WETTEST APRIL WAS IN 1973 WHEN 10.49 INCHES OF RAINWAS RECORDED.THE FOLLOWING ARE AREA 24 HOUR RAINFALL TOTALS ENDING ABOUT 700 AMCDT THIS MORNING.

JERSEY VILLAGE 6.2 W 10.13
BUNKER HILL VILL 3.6 NNW 9.74
HOU-BUFFALO BYU @ WEST BELT DR 9.41
HOU - SPRING BRANCH @ BINGLE 8.07
HOCKLEY-CYPRESS CK @ SHARP RD 7.96
HOU-BUFFALO BAYOU @ SAN FELIPE 7.67
TOMBALL 6.2 W 7.48
HOU - LITTLE CYPRESS @ KLUGE 7.44
HOCKLEY - CYPRESS CREEK 7.36
MISSION BEND 1.4 N 7.19
KATY 6.95
HOUSTON HEIGHTS 5.91
HOU-IH 10 @ UPRR BRIDGE 5.91
JERSEY VILLAGE-WHITE OAK BAYOU 5.63
BUFFALO BAYOU NEAR KATY 5.47
HOU-BRICKHOUSE @ COSTA RICA 5.35
HOU-KEEGANS BAYOU@KEEGANS RD 5.20
HOU - COLE CREEK AT DIEHL DR 5.11
HILSHIRE VILLAGE 1 SE 5.00
TOMBALL 0.6 W 4.90
CYPRESS-CYPRESS CK@STEUBNER RD 4.68
SOUTHSIDE PLACE 0.2 W 4.61
HOU-WHITE OAK BAYOU @ ELLA RD 4.60
HOU-IH 10 NR WASHINGTON AVE 4.45
HOU-BRAYS BAYOU @ RICE AVE 4.29
HOU - VOGEL CK @ GULF BANK RD 4.09
SPRING - PANTHER BRANCH 3.92
NEW CANEY 2 E 3.80
CONROE 3.78
THE WOODLANDS-PANTHER BRANCH 3.66
HOU-WHITE OAK BAYOU @ PINEMONT 3.58
HOU-BRAYS BAYOU @ STELLA LINK 3.54
KINGWOOD 1.8 E 3.33
HOUSTON 13 NE 3.33
WALLER-SPRING CK @ HEGAR RD 3.31
HOU-LITTLE MOUND CK@BETKA RD 3.31
BUFFALO BYU @ SHEPHERD DR-HOU 3.23
CLEVELAND 2 S 3.14
HOUSTON WESTBURY 3.13
PEARLAND-SIMS BAYOU @ SH 288 3.03
HOU - RELIANT PARK 2.99
MEYERLAND 1 SSE - WILLOWBEND 2.96
CLEVELAND 2.85
HOUSTON 5.8 SE 2.79
KINGWOOD 3.9 S 2.74
SUGARLAND 1 NW - OYSTER CREEK 2.64
HOU-BRAYS BAYOU @ MAIN ST 2.56
HOU-BRAYS BAYOU @ S MCGREGOR 2.52
BELLAIRE - METRO RAIL @ FANNIN 2.48
CONROE 2.47
HOU-BUFFALO BAYOU TURN BASIN 2.40
CLEVELAND 0.9 SW 2.39
HOU-KEEGANS BAYOU @ ROARK RD 2.35
CONROE - WEST FORK SAN JACINTO 2.33
SOUTH HOUSTON 4 SSW 2.25
HOU-SH 288 @ MCGOWEN 2.21
MONTGOMERY 2.12
MOSES LAKE TIDE GAGE 2.12
RICHMOND 5.6 ESE 2.10
CLEVELAND - E FK SAN JACINTO 2.06
DACUS 2.05
LEAGUE CITY 1.2 N 2.03
HOU-CLEAR CK @ BAY AREA BLVD 1.82
HOUSTON - SIMMS BAYOU AT SH 35 1.81
SUGARLAND 3 SSE 1.74
WEBSTER 0.4 NW 1.71
RICHMOND - BRAZOS RIVER 1.70
SUGARLAND 1 SSW - OYSTER CREEK 1.70
SUGARLAND 1.70
SUGARLAND 1 W 1.70
LEAGUE CITY 2.4 W 1.68
SUGARLAND 1 N - OYSTER CREEK 1.62
SUGARLAND 2 SE - WILLIAMS TR 1.54
SUGARLAND 3 SSW-BULLHEAD BAYOU 1.53

Have a safe Wednesday everyone!
Cecilia Sinclair
Wonder Weather Woman

River Flood Conditions/Flood Warning In Effect

Flood Warnings remain in effect across the Houston area...primarily because of ongoing river flooding. We were trying to get up to Texas Children's this morning (on Highway 90). It was deadlocked as we got in closer to the loop. So we took another route. I have a feeling Buffalo Bayou was causing some flooding, but it might have been street flooding. Anyway, we found another way to get there. We did cross Buffalo Bayou and it was high and running fast. Please go to this link for more information on river flooding.

http://forecast.weather.gov/showsigwx.php?warnzone=TXZ213&warncounty=TXC201&firewxzone=TXZ213&local_place1=5+Miles+NNW+Sheldon+TX&product1=Flood+Warning

One of our blog followers commented on CyFair School District. They were also closed today. Overnight there was very heavy rain over the Cypress Creek and White Oak Bayou Water Sheds. Piney Point Village and Highland Village were particularly hard hit.

Remember the rule of thumb to "Turn Around, Don't Drown" when encountering flooded roadways.

More rain is possible later tonight into early Wednesday with leftover boundaries and plenty of moisture. Will note that models are drying us out, but they didn't do a great job of catching what developed overnight. Will say there was an indication of more rain--just not 8 to 9 inches in a few hours.

Cecilia Sinclair
Wonder Weather Woman

Flash Flooding Prompts Closure of All Fort Bend ISD Schools

This was posted on the Fort Bend ISD web site:

"Fort Bend ISD is Closed Today, Tuesday, April 28, due to inclement weather conditions!Due to inclement weather conditions, all schools and support facilities in Fort Bend ISD are CLOSED today. Safety for students and staff is our main concern."

I did check the HISD inclement weather hotline (713-267-1704 ) and they are still open as of 7:11 am.

Cecilia Sinclair
Wonder Weather Woman

More Thunderstorms/Global Warming Poll Results/New Poll about Twilight

HURRICANES AND WEATHER
So far only one official severe weather report in the Houston area...high wind that took down a tree. Have to wonder after Hurricane Ike if this tree was not already weakened. Also, we've had a lot of rain and that makes it harder for the roots to stay in the ground (when the wind blows).

Disturbances traveling around the western trough and along the jet stream are helping to kick up storms. Look for thunderstorms on Tuesday from the southern plains into the Ohio Valley and lower Mississippi Valley. There will also be some showers and thunderstorms in the Pacific Northwest and northern Intermountain Region. Highs over the southern states and eastern seaboard will be in the 80s. It will be in the 30s to over the Pacific Northwest and northern Rockies.

In Houston, look for some more thunderstorms...starting in the morning. After that, looks like less of the wet stuff until a weak front approaches over the weekend. Well have better timing in a day or so. It will continue to be warm, muggy and breezy.

SPANISH WORD OF THE DAY
Let's do twilight or crepúsculo, pronounced cray-POOS-coo-low. Have you read or seen crepúsculo? See And More section for details.

Being entertained is fun...it's even better when you learn at the same time. That's a big reason why parents and children love our award winning DVD, Let's Learn Spanish with Frank & Paco. It is filled with inviting, entertaining details for children. Meanwhile they reap rewards from early language learning. Order your copy 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/. Volume 2 is almost ready for release and Volume 3 will follow soon thereafter!!! For our English as a Second Language (ESL) version, got to http://www.frankypaco.com/.

AND MORE
Our poll on global warming is closed. 30% think it is real and we need to respond now! 70% think it is a naturally occurring cycle of nature. 0% weren't sure if it is real or not. Only one answer was allowed. Thanks so much for responding!

Our new poll has to do with the Twilight craze (book and movie about forbidden love--vampires are a big part of the story line). Among girlfriends and family members, Twilight has been a big hit. I got a chance to watch the movie over the weekend when my stepdaughter brought it over. So what do you think? There is an answer or answers for any experience you may or may not have had. Multiple answers are allowed. Have fun!

Have a safe Tuesday everyone!
Cecilia Sinclair
Wonder Weather Woman

TORNADO THREAT!

Tornado Warnings are being issued in the Houston area. I was outside (near Meadows) as the first one was issued and it looked like the storm could produce a tornado. The line is bowing and folks in southern Harris County should be on the lookout until 7 pm. Also, check to right for other warnings being issued by the National Weather Service.
Cecilia Sinclair
Wonder Weather Woman

Severe Weather Threat/The "New" Houston Children's Museum

HURRICANES AND WEATHER
As I write this evening and at last check, there have been 151 reports nationwide of severe weather--10 of those tornadoes. It is going to be a busy night with a bullseye of high risk for severe weather over Oklahoma with moderate areas extending into Kansas and north Texas.

On Monday, there is a slight risk of severe storms from Texas to Illinois. It will be quite warm from the northeast to the southeast U.S. New York should hit 80 and D.C. might reach the low 90s. It will also be quite warm (80s and 90s) over the south and southwest. Highs will be in the 50s and 60s along the west coast and in the 30s, 40s and 50s over the northern Rockies and plains to western Great Lakes States.

Houston will be warm, muggy and windy with some storms as early as the morning. Some of the these storms could become severe and flooding is a possibility. Look for more warm and windy weather with isolated to scattered thunderstorms through Saturday.

SPANISH WORD FOR THE DAY
Let's do museum or museo, pronounced moo-SAY-oh. You should see what they have done to the Houston Children's museo. See the And More section for details.

We love our kids...taking them places like the Children's Museum and the John C. Freeman Weather Museum here in Houston--giving their minds stimulation. It's so neat to watch children enjoy learning. And they really enjoy learning languages while reaping the rewards--like improved cognitive development and memory. You can order our award winning DVD, Let's Learn Spanish with Frank & Paco, 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/. Volume 2 is almost ready for release and Volume 3 will follow soon thereafter!!! For our English as a Second Language (ESL) version, got to http://www.frankypaco.com/.

AND MORE
We finally made it to the recently remodeled Houston Children's Museum (open since March 14th). And I was very impressed. They added a wing that doubles the size of the space (in 2 stories!) and they have the outdoor waterworks and ecology centers as well. The new space has atm cards which you can use in a machine that works, museum money, a bank, a hospital, police department, city hall, restaurant, grocery store (completely different from the old one), vetsmart and art studio. Sarah's favorite place was the vetsmart which was more of a clinic. Megan, you would have been tickled. There is this amazing 3 story play structure and much, much more. You could easily spend an entire day there. We closed it down and Sarah definitely did not want to leave. We have been to wonderful children's museums in Austin, Portland, OR, Omaha, and Santa Fe. The Houston one is now the one to beat. Really cool!

Have a great week everyone!
Cecilia Sinclair
Wonder Weather Woman