The Folly of Naming Winter Storms
As I write this, a blizzard of potentially historic proportions is bearing down on the Northeast United States. While we are seeing only some light rain here in the metro D.C. area, I do sympathize with all my Connecticut friends who will be digging out from this storm tomorrow evening and into Sunday morning. I could say "wish I were there," but as a child, I was taught not to lie.
In any event, I am once again struck by the "naming" of these storms by various, and completely unofficial, weather-related businesses. As I watch TV and sit by my computer, here's what I find.
The Weather Channel, which was bought out last year by NBC-Universal, decided to jump on the bandwagon and began naming winter storms this season. They have named this major blizzard "Nemo," for reasons I'm not completely familiar with. While this may seem insignificant for most, if you are living in the Hartford, CT area, and watching a certain local TV weather outlet, you'll find that they have named this storm "Blizzard Charlotte." This particular TV station has been naming winter storms for well over 20 years. In fact, this past Wednesday, Feb. 6th, was the 35th anniversary of "Storm Larry," which dumped well over a foot of snow in Connecticut and prompted then-Gov. Ella Grasso to completely shut down the state and ban all road travel. Both of the other major TV networks in the Hartford/New Haven market are just referring to this storm as "Blizzard (of) 2013."
So, how are we to refer to this blizzard when it becomes a thing of the past? Some will call it Nemo. Others will call it Charlotte. Others will talk about the February Blizzard of 2013. All of us will be confused when no one knows exactly which storm is being referred to. Are they the same storm? Are they different? Which storm are you talking about?
There is, of course, no such confusion when talking about hurricanes and tropical storms. Only the National Weather Service gives such storms their names, and they've been doing so since the 1950s. When one refers to Hurricane Katrina, or Hurricane Sandy, we all know what storm is being talked about.
What is important is to remember that these winter storm names are not official. They are provided by the various TV stations and networks as a form of "entertainment," done solely to improve ratings. In fact, it wasn't until The Weather Channel became more of an "entertainment" network than an "information" network that this practice started there.
Maybe in the future, the National Weather Service will begin naming winter storms just as they do with hurricanes and tropical storms. Only then will the confusion of what storm was named by what TV meteorologist finally come to an end. That day can't come soon enough for me.
Monday, October 15, 2012
Four Months In and Going Strong
Hi Friends,
It's been four months since my retirement from CCSU and our move to the Metro DC area in Maryland. In that time we've experienced an incredibly hot summer, a "derecho," (a strong line of thunderstorms with gusty winds in excess of 75 mph), a four day power failure in the midst of a 95 degree plus heat wave, and any number of adventures associated with finding ones way around a new area after 34 years in Connecticut.
But it's been fun, and we are getting used to the weather and climate of the Maryland-DC area. One thing's for sure--the humidity never quits and it's not unusual to experience October days in the 70's followed by days where we don't make 60. But there have been some beautiful days as well.
It's been four months since my retirement from CCSU and our move to the Metro DC area in Maryland. In that time we've experienced an incredibly hot summer, a "derecho," (a strong line of thunderstorms with gusty winds in excess of 75 mph), a four day power failure in the midst of a 95 degree plus heat wave, and any number of adventures associated with finding ones way around a new area after 34 years in Connecticut.
But it's been fun, and we are getting used to the weather and climate of the Maryland-DC area. One thing's for sure--the humidity never quits and it's not unusual to experience October days in the 70's followed by days where we don't make 60. But there have been some beautiful days as well.
Wednesday, May 30, 2012
One Chapter Ends...Another Begins
I've been posting, on and off, at this blog for a few years. Mostly, I've posted when something catches my interest, whether it be related to atmosphere and climate, or politics, or anything else that seems out of the ordinary.
Today is different. This is my last blog as a member of the faculty at Central Connecticut State University. I will be retiring from CCSU on June 1st, after 34 years as a Professor of Physics & Earth Sciences, specializing in Meteorology. I finish my CCSU career as Acting Chairperson of the department, a position I accepted after our previous Chair retired last August.
Overall, it's been a great run here in Connecticut. I got to work with many local broadcast meteorologists, some of whom are still working in the Hartford area. I got to work as an off-camera forecaster for WFSB-TV, and on radio, as a broadcast meteorologist myself for WRCH-FM/WRCQ-AM in the late 1980s and early 1990s, and I earned the American Meteorological Society (AMS) Seal of Approval for Radio Meteorologists during that period. My involvement with the AMS led to my service on numerous national AMS Boards, as well as a stint as Chairperson of the AMS Board for Continuing Education. It was that board, under my leadership, and along with John Toohey-Morales of Univision and Todd Glickman of the AMS, that spearheaded the new, more rigorous AMS Certificate of Broadcast Meteorology, which has become the gold standard for certification of TV and Radio Weathercasters. As part of the AMS Professional Affairs Commission, the Board for Continuing Education oversees the continuing education requirements for re-certification of all Broadcast Meteorologists and Certified Consulting Meteorologists within the AMS.
I got to see a number of my students go on to professional careers in the Atmospheric and Environmental Scientists. Some are still employed by the Connecticut Department of Environmental Protection. Others went on to become professional airline pilots. And some are working in the private sector, designing and testing new meteorological equipment used by the National Weather Service. I am proud of these former students, and pleased to have been a part of their professional development.
My wife and I are relocating to the Baltimore/D.C. area. I hope to be able to continue to teach meterorology on a part-time basis. I also hope to volunteer my time and energy to any of a number of museums in the Washington, D.C. area that can make use of my expertise. I'll continue to blog from time to time, and will share those blog entries on Facebook for those who are my friends or who wish to check in every so often.
So while some doors are closing for me, new ones are opening. I'm excited to walk through them and see what awaits me on the other side.
Today is different. This is my last blog as a member of the faculty at Central Connecticut State University. I will be retiring from CCSU on June 1st, after 34 years as a Professor of Physics & Earth Sciences, specializing in Meteorology. I finish my CCSU career as Acting Chairperson of the department, a position I accepted after our previous Chair retired last August.
Overall, it's been a great run here in Connecticut. I got to work with many local broadcast meteorologists, some of whom are still working in the Hartford area. I got to work as an off-camera forecaster for WFSB-TV, and on radio, as a broadcast meteorologist myself for WRCH-FM/WRCQ-AM in the late 1980s and early 1990s, and I earned the American Meteorological Society (AMS) Seal of Approval for Radio Meteorologists during that period. My involvement with the AMS led to my service on numerous national AMS Boards, as well as a stint as Chairperson of the AMS Board for Continuing Education. It was that board, under my leadership, and along with John Toohey-Morales of Univision and Todd Glickman of the AMS, that spearheaded the new, more rigorous AMS Certificate of Broadcast Meteorology, which has become the gold standard for certification of TV and Radio Weathercasters. As part of the AMS Professional Affairs Commission, the Board for Continuing Education oversees the continuing education requirements for re-certification of all Broadcast Meteorologists and Certified Consulting Meteorologists within the AMS.
I got to see a number of my students go on to professional careers in the Atmospheric and Environmental Scientists. Some are still employed by the Connecticut Department of Environmental Protection. Others went on to become professional airline pilots. And some are working in the private sector, designing and testing new meteorological equipment used by the National Weather Service. I am proud of these former students, and pleased to have been a part of their professional development.
My wife and I are relocating to the Baltimore/D.C. area. I hope to be able to continue to teach meterorology on a part-time basis. I also hope to volunteer my time and energy to any of a number of museums in the Washington, D.C. area that can make use of my expertise. I'll continue to blog from time to time, and will share those blog entries on Facebook for those who are my friends or who wish to check in every so often.
So while some doors are closing for me, new ones are opening. I'm excited to walk through them and see what awaits me on the other side.
Monday, February 6, 2012
Of Football, Baseball, and the Absence of Winter in Connecticut
Finally, the National Football League season is over. And congratulations to my beloved New York Football Giants, whose exciting victory in last night's Superbowl XLVI pretty much guarantees Hall of Fame status for both quarterback Eli Manning and Head Coach Tom Coughlin. It's not a pretty day for Patriots fans, and believe me, here in Connecticut, I'm surrounded by them.
And, as I look at the calendar, I see that in less than two weeks, all Major League baseball spring training camps will be underway. Thanks again to the Giants for making the time without baseball go a lot quicker this year. Seems like only yesterday, the Cardinals were raising the World Series trophy.
So, where did the winter of 2011-2012 go? Much of it seems to have landed in Europe, where Arctic cold and snow have been in the headlines for the past week. As I mentioned in my previous blog, the worst winter weather we had here in Connecticut was on Halloween weekend (almost two months before winter actually started), when 12 inches of snow fell in the interior part of the state. In January of 2011, we had 54.3 inches of snow (a record for ANY single month in Connecticut recorded weather history) at Bradley International Airport. In January of this year, we had only 6.8 inches of snow, and the month averaged 5.5 degrees F warmer than normal. The midpoint of winter came on February 4th. The climatologically coldest day of the year was January 31st. Yet here we are, on February 6th, with the mercury standing at 52 degrees as I write this. Incredible!
Just four days ago, Punxatawney Phil came out of his hole on Gobbler's Knob and saw his shadow, guaranteeing six more weeks of winter. I don't know about you, but I'd gladly take six more weeks of the kind of winter we've been having so far. And looking two weeks out, there does not seem to be any real significant winter weather on the horizon. With the sun getting higher each day, and the daylight hours getting longer, winter may have a tough time making a comeback. Famous last words....
And, as I look at the calendar, I see that in less than two weeks, all Major League baseball spring training camps will be underway. Thanks again to the Giants for making the time without baseball go a lot quicker this year. Seems like only yesterday, the Cardinals were raising the World Series trophy.
So, where did the winter of 2011-2012 go? Much of it seems to have landed in Europe, where Arctic cold and snow have been in the headlines for the past week. As I mentioned in my previous blog, the worst winter weather we had here in Connecticut was on Halloween weekend (almost two months before winter actually started), when 12 inches of snow fell in the interior part of the state. In January of 2011, we had 54.3 inches of snow (a record for ANY single month in Connecticut recorded weather history) at Bradley International Airport. In January of this year, we had only 6.8 inches of snow, and the month averaged 5.5 degrees F warmer than normal. The midpoint of winter came on February 4th. The climatologically coldest day of the year was January 31st. Yet here we are, on February 6th, with the mercury standing at 52 degrees as I write this. Incredible!
Just four days ago, Punxatawney Phil came out of his hole on Gobbler's Knob and saw his shadow, guaranteeing six more weeks of winter. I don't know about you, but I'd gladly take six more weeks of the kind of winter we've been having so far. And looking two weeks out, there does not seem to be any real significant winter weather on the horizon. With the sun getting higher each day, and the daylight hours getting longer, winter may have a tough time making a comeback. Famous last words....
Tuesday, January 17, 2012
Finally, a Taste of Winter
After wondering when winter would finally arrive in Connecticut, we finally got a small taste of winter weather with last night's snowfall. Much of the interior part of the state picked up 2-3 inches of snow, but as I write this, temperatures are hovering around 40 degrees, rain is moving in from the west, and much of the snow will be gone by tomorrow morning. There might be a few chances for flurries or a light accumulation over the next 3-4 days, but nothing of any significance is expected, nor is there much in the way of truly cold air on the horizon for the next week or so.
So far, the biggest snowfall we've had was the 12-inch storm on October 28th that left much of the interior of the state without electricity for up to 10 days. But that was truly a freak storm, that occurred in the middle of Autumn. We haven't really seen any significant snow since then.
It's easy to blame global warming as the culprit behind the unusually mild and snow-free winter, but other parts of the country are certainly seeing their fair share of the white stuff, especially in the midwest. All I can say is that nature eventually returns to the average, and as we have been so far below average in snowfall for the winter season up to now, we can only cringe in horror at what the remainder of winter might bring us if nature decides to play catch-up.
So far, the biggest snowfall we've had was the 12-inch storm on October 28th that left much of the interior of the state without electricity for up to 10 days. But that was truly a freak storm, that occurred in the middle of Autumn. We haven't really seen any significant snow since then.
It's easy to blame global warming as the culprit behind the unusually mild and snow-free winter, but other parts of the country are certainly seeing their fair share of the white stuff, especially in the midwest. All I can say is that nature eventually returns to the average, and as we have been so far below average in snowfall for the winter season up to now, we can only cringe in horror at what the remainder of winter might bring us if nature decides to play catch-up.
Monday, November 28, 2011
Wild and Crazy Weather Around Here
As we approach the end of Autumn in southern New England, one can look back and see that this has been a rather crazy three months, especially here in Connecticut.
First, as detailed in my previous blog entry, we had an earthquake. While the quake was centered in Virginia, it was clearly felt throughout much of the northeast. Less than a week later, Hurricane Irene came barreling up the east coast, passing just to the west of central Connecticut. The storm weakened to tropical storm strength just before reaching us, but the winds downed trees and power lines throughout the state. My home was without electricity for four days, and the beginning of the Fall semester at CCSU was delayed. It was an unpleasant experience to say the least, but at least it was warm enough, and the days were long enough to make sitting in a house with no power not as bad as it could have been.
Little did we know that just two months later, a freak Halloween weekend snowstorm would hit the state. With many of the trees still in full leaf, the weight of the heavy, wet snow (which accumulated nearly a foot in my neighborhood) brought even more trees down than in the August tropical storm. Much of the interior of Connecticut was in the dark once again, and with so many towns without any power, the restoration took a lot longer. This time, my home was without electricity for nearly a week. Others in the state spent up to 12 days in the dark. And, as we had just turned the clocks back that weekend, the nights came earlier, and the temperatures were considerably colder. There was more tree debris to clear, and even now, there are lots of piles of cut branches that have yet to be picked up and disposed of.
Finally, as I write this, it is 64 degrees outside. Incredibly warm for late November. And by midweek, temperatures will drop back into the 40s. As I said, it's a bit crazy out there.
First, as detailed in my previous blog entry, we had an earthquake. While the quake was centered in Virginia, it was clearly felt throughout much of the northeast. Less than a week later, Hurricane Irene came barreling up the east coast, passing just to the west of central Connecticut. The storm weakened to tropical storm strength just before reaching us, but the winds downed trees and power lines throughout the state. My home was without electricity for four days, and the beginning of the Fall semester at CCSU was delayed. It was an unpleasant experience to say the least, but at least it was warm enough, and the days were long enough to make sitting in a house with no power not as bad as it could have been.
Little did we know that just two months later, a freak Halloween weekend snowstorm would hit the state. With many of the trees still in full leaf, the weight of the heavy, wet snow (which accumulated nearly a foot in my neighborhood) brought even more trees down than in the August tropical storm. Much of the interior of Connecticut was in the dark once again, and with so many towns without any power, the restoration took a lot longer. This time, my home was without electricity for nearly a week. Others in the state spent up to 12 days in the dark. And, as we had just turned the clocks back that weekend, the nights came earlier, and the temperatures were considerably colder. There was more tree debris to clear, and even now, there are lots of piles of cut branches that have yet to be picked up and disposed of.
Finally, as I write this, it is 64 degrees outside. Incredibly warm for late November. And by midweek, temperatures will drop back into the 40s. As I said, it's a bit crazy out there.
Thursday, August 25, 2011
Earthquakes, Hurricanes, What's Next?
As I write this, Hurricane Irene is working its way up the east coast, heading for New York City. This just two days after a magnitude 5.8 earthquake struck in Mineral, Virginia, rattling buildings from Atlanta to Toronto. For me, this was the first time I had ever felt an earthquake. I was sitting in my office when my chair started moving, and then I realized the whole building was swaying. I looked at my secretary (who also noticed her chair moving from side to side) and said "we're having an earthquake." By the time I could decide whether or not to leave the building, the swaying had stopped. It didn't take long to confirm that we had, indeed, experienced a rare east coast earthquake. What could top that?
How about a hurricane? Hurricane Irene is expected to strike Connecticut late Saturday night and Sunday with 75-80 mph winds, a storm surge of up to 10 feet along the shoreline and rainfall that could be in the 5-10 inch range. How much damage it causes, and how it will affect everyone's daily routine here on campus remains to be seen. But no doubt, these are interesting times....
How about a hurricane? Hurricane Irene is expected to strike Connecticut late Saturday night and Sunday with 75-80 mph winds, a storm surge of up to 10 feet along the shoreline and rainfall that could be in the 5-10 inch range. How much damage it causes, and how it will affect everyone's daily routine here on campus remains to be seen. But no doubt, these are interesting times....
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