Invest 92L/Getting Hotter?/Air Quality Report

HURRICANES AND WEATHER
The Atlantic is quiet, but I am watching the area of low pressure off the west Mexican coastline...see figure at right. According to The National Hurricane Center, this area has a high chance of becoming an organized tropical system in the next couple of days. Models show it curving toward Mexico (instead of away from it). And it is not unprecedented to have this systems move over Mexico and sometimes into the US.

A couple days ago I was excited about an upcoming shift in the jet stream...well I have to say, the shift looks to be less to our benefit. In fact, it looks like over the next few days, the ridge of high pressure is going to dig in harder into the southern plains. And, that means more hot and dry weather. Meanwhile, there have been lots of storms over the plains and into the TN Valley. On Wed., look for some severe weather from Nebraska to Ohio to South Carolina. There will also be some thunderstorms over the Rockies, northern plains and Florida. Hot and steamy across the south, especially the southern plains. Cool to the west, north and east over this inverted u (or v) over the south central part of the country.

Houston hit 98 on Monday, just one degree shy of the record. As I write this, the report is not yet in for Wednesday. It is going to continue hot and dry through the weekend. Stay cool everyone. Remember, that heat is one of the most deadly weather threats and it has a way of sneaking up on you. Later this week, I'll tell you of my own personal experience on my 38th birthday.

SPANISH WORD OF THE DAY
Let's do regulation or regla, pronounced ray-glah. To learn about air quality and regla of air quality, check out the AND MORE section.

Speaking of complex, the mind of a child is an amazing thing...able to learn and sort through numerous languages starting at a very early age. Give the youngsters in your life the gift of language. Order our award winning DVD Let's Learn Spanish with Frank & Paco, Volume 1 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
I am on the Specialized Operations Committee of the National Weather Association. My "specialized" part is air quality and I created and maintain an article on the web site about that very topic.

http://www.nwas.org/committees/smos/articles/AQ-June09.pdf

Recently, I made some changes. It is hard keeping up as the rules and regulations keep changing. It is a highly complex topic. When the Obama administration came into office in January, one of their first actions was to inact a 60 day hold on all environmental rule promulgating and implementation. They needed time to get up to speed on the all various complexities of this vast topic. I can tell you...it is a lot just to check out all of the air regulations.

I encourage you to visit the National Weather Association web site. This is a 3000+ group of people who work in the world of weather. The web site is a plethora of weather news and information.
http://www.nwas.org/

I hope to have some more topics like Employee Trip Reduction and more in the coming weeks.

Have a wonderful Wednesday!
Cecilia Sinclair
Wonder Weather Woman

Weather Shift Coming/Three Cups of Tea/Cell Phone Charger

HURRICANES AND WEATHER
Looks like the jet stream is flattening a bit with the ridge still over the southern plains (especially Texas). By the end of the week, there will be a shift in the jet stream so that the southern plains are just west of the backside of a trough over the eastern US. This will allow some drier air to work southward. It will however, still be hot in the afternoons. Also, in this scenario, sometimes storms slide down the back side of the trough...so east Texas could get hit with southward moving storms starting this weekend.

Texas and the south will be in the hot seat again on Monday with 90+ temperatures. Elsewhere there will be mainly 70s for highs (60s in the northeast and western California). There can be severe storms from South Dakota southward to north Texas and eastward to Georgia. Thunderstorms are possible in the southeast including Florida and the Rockies.

Houston, the high on Saturday was 98 and on Sunday 97. The heat will be with us in full force through this week. There is a slight possibility for thunderstorms late in the week.

SPANISH WORD OF THE DAY
Let's do tea or té, pronounced TAY. I love to drink té. Guess what book I am reading which has the word tea in the title? To find out, see the AND MORE section.

Some of the words we cover in our award winning Let's Learn Frank & Paco, Volume 1 include eating and drinking. We don't do tea but we do give the Spanish words for milk and juice as well as drink. To illustrate, we show kids drinking these beverages. Kids love to watch other kids do things they themselves do. I think that is one of the reasons this DVD has been so well received. Order your copy(ies) 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
Here is something you definitely need for hurricane season...a battery powered charger for your cell phone. In our household, we have 2 different models of new phones this year...so I headed over to Radio Shack. Last year, I had something that would charge our phones, but it didn't do a very good job...only gave it a small boost. Radio Shack has something called the IGo Battery Extender. Now, here's the nifty part. You buy the attachment you need to go with the charger. And if you need more than one type of attachment (as I did) they throw in the 2nd one for free. The charger was $19.99 and each attachment was $9.99 (but again I got one of those free).

I was surprised that Three Cups of Tea was made available so quickly. I think there were 20 people in line ahead of me who had were on the waiting list at the library. But they set a time limit. So, if you don't pick if up in time, you lose your place in line. Well, I picked it up and oh my goodness, the book is great. What I love is that it is a true story and let me just say that I love stories about people who do things despite great odds...through perseverance. Of course, there is never enough time to read, but I am trying hard to read it as much as I can...it is just so good. I am sure this book will be made into a movie.

Have a wonderful week everyone!
Cecilia Sinclair
Wonder Weather Woman

Weekend Weather/Rain Deficit Increases/Energy Audit

HURRICANES AND WEATHER
It is sizzling across the south central US thanks to a ridge of high pressure. There won't be much change to this pattern over the next week (and a few days beyond). Highs will be in the 90s, even 100s in Texas. It will also be hot and steamy across the southeast. Look for 60s and 70s along the west coast, Rockies, midwest, Ohio Valley, northern states and northeast. There will be some severe storm from the Rockies to Texas to the Tennessee Valley.

Houston hit 97 on Friday (98 in Sugar Land). It will be just as hot over the weekend. There has only been a trace of rain so far this June (by now, there should have been more than 2 inches). Year to date, the deficit is more than 4 inches. Do your watering early morning or early evening for optimal results. There is little chance for rain for the next 10 days or so.

SPANISH WORD OF THE DAY
Let's do energy or energía, pronounced eh-ner-HEE-ah. To give your home an energía audit, check out the link in the AND MORE section.

Kids have boundless energy and ability to learn. Their minds are adept at acquiring new languages. Take advantage of this potential. Order 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
The following information comes from my brother Sam, who is a fabulous mortgage consultant in the Austin area.

Energy audits are a method you can use to find out how you can reduce your home's energy costs. In some cases, audits are being required. In Austin, for example, as of June 1, 2009, sellers of homes over 10 years old are required to obtain an energy audit and disclose the results of that audit as a part of the home sales process.

Professional audits are usually available locally. Or, if you are interested in doing some of the research on your own home yourself, you can take the Home Energy Saver Audit online at http://hes.lbl.gov/. There is a lot of detail required, so be prepared!

And now, it's me again...with the hot weather, it's a good time to see where we stand energy-wise.

Have a great weekend everyone!
Cecilia Sinclair
Wonder Weather Woman

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

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

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

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