Gray Skies, Sunshine, Gray Skies, Sunshine Please!
Sunday, June 17, 2007NOWCAST -
Hey what can I say? Clouds continue to blanket the area with spotty showers or drizzle and a few sun breaks at times. That will continue today and Monday before a couple of sunny and warm days arrive to greet us. If we do get couple of sunny days this coming week it will not turn into a marathon that is for sure as more marine clouds are in the extended forecast.
OUTCAST -
One week from now the National Weather Service will be conducting a week long nationwide Lightning Safety Awareness Campaign. Lightning is a major cause of weather related deaths in the
Lightning Safety Awareness Campaign June 24-30, 2007. From the NWS - "The National Weather Service will be conducting a nationwide Lightning Safety Awareness Campaign during the week of June 24-30, 2007. We invite you to participate in this awareness campaign to help educate the public about the dangers of Lightning and promote Lightning Safety. Our slogan for this year's campaign is "When Thunder Roars, Go Indoors!".
During the last 30 years, lightning has killed an average of 73 people per year in the U.S. This is more than the 68 people that are killed by tornadoes. Since March 1st, 2007, lightning has already killed eight people in the U.S. Almost all lightning-related casualties can be prevented through education and personal responsibility. Many people simply don't know lightning safety rules and unknowingly put themselves in danger. Our collaborative efforts can help save lives through simple outreach and education.
The NWS has a great website with lots of information on lightning safety at: www.lightningsafety.noaa.gov. There's also a section on this website tailored to the media, where you can download lots of information. You can view this information at: www.lightningsafety.noaa.gov/media.
Struckbylightning.org keeps a database of all lighting deaths/injuries throughout the world. It's a great resource and is updated daily. You can view the database at:
http://www.struckbylightning.org/news/dispIncidentdb.cfm
-- posted by Pat Timm @ 6:40 AM,
Friday Already?
Friday, June 08, 2007
NOWCAST - One day of some sun and back to showers over the weekend. So what else is new? Wait until after the Rose Festival is over and it will be summer-like gain!
OUTCAST - I like this reflection by Dr. Jay S. Cohen, MD, associate professor (voluntary) of family and preventive medicine, University of California, San Diego. He is referring to the science of medicine but it could also parallel global warming and climate change as well. Today's facts may be toast tomorrow.
"When I was growing up, people drank milk to heal their ulcers, my mother fed me a healthy breakfast of scrambled eggs, and teachers asked me to memorize the nine planets, starting with Mercury and ending with Pluto. All this was based on what we knew as science -- and the facts were the facts. Or were they? As time went on, scientists learned that ulcers were often caused by helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) bacteria and that dairy could aggravate digestive disorders. Eggs lost favor because they were a source of cholesterol, and now Pluto is not considered an official planet after all. Today, coming full circle, eggs are back on the menu, considered healthy once again.
So-called "facts" change quickly, as science is replaced by newer science. Though we are encouraged to believe that medicine is an exact science, truth be told all medical knowledge -- for that matter, all scientific knowledge -- is only the experts' best "educated guess" based on what they know today and the scientific data they currently have. As we learn more, new questions arise -- and we discover unanticipated new answers, too."
Local Rainfall for May -
Vancouver Pearson field measured 1.26 inches and I recorded 1.44 inches here in north Salmon Creek;
-- posted by Pat Timm @ 12:18 AM,
Will It Rain on Your Parade?
Wednesday, June 06, 2007
GOES 8 Weather satellite in orbit, just one of the weather eyes from space launched over the years!NOWCAST - Skies should slowly clear somewhat on Thursday and Friday with warming temperatures. The threat of showers is over for the most part for a couple of days but still could be one here or there. Another weather system will approach by Saturday and may drop some moisture on Portland's Grand Floral Parade. However, the exact timing is a ways off, it may hold off until afternoon. The last big washout was in 2000.
OUTCAST - I haven't posted for a few days as I was out of town enjoying a little R & R and have been rather busy with things since. Anyways, no excuse I know so I will try harder to express a few words each day. June has gotten off to a damp start to say the least. And that trend looks like it will continue with more showers this weekend.
Everyone talks about the weather, but who does something about it? It used to be a safe topic for small talk and general discussion but don't go to far beyond the immediate forecast. Even blaming the past weather can get you into trouble. Read Here.
Jack Hayes, a World Meteorological Organization official, was named on Wednesday to lead the National Weather Service. Read Here
From NOAA : June 1 through November 30 are the official beginning and end dates for the Atlantic hurricane season. These dates are not magical but encompass more than 97 percent of tropical activity. The Atlantic Basin which includes the Atlantic Ocean, Gulf of Mexico and Caribbean Sea peaks from late August through October, when 78 percent of the tropical storm days, 87 percent of the minor (Category 1 and 2) hurricane days, and 96 percent of the major (Category 3, 4 and 5) hurricane days occur. Maximum activity is in early to mid September. Once every a few years, there may be a tropical cyclone occurring out of season primarily in May, as was seen this year with Subtropical Storm Andrea, or as was the case in December 2005 with Tropical Storm Zeta.
Check out current Space Weather Here
As the world turns so do the days of our lives from a Canadian perspective. Read Here.
Will the space shuttle get off it launch pad Friday evening? Maybe. Thunderstorms will be in the area but should die down by the evening hours so a 60-70 percent chance for takeoff.
What you don't see won't hurt you? Or out of sight, out of mind? Read Here.
OFF TOPIC - Okay, have you noticed the price of milk lately? Going up as fast as the gas was last month. Why? Shortages of corn to feed the milk cows due to the increased usage in bio-diesel. Increased energy costs getting the milk to the market and increased demand for milk products in China. After all, most things we purchase here in the USA are made over there and of course they have to eat too. So, I hear today milk may rise to $4.50 a gallon by the end of summer. And then may settle in at $3.50 a gallon. Don't think for a minute that the dairy farmers are making a bundle on this one. The milk I buy at Fred Meyer was at $1.98 a few weeks ago, and then went to $2.29 for a gallon of skim is now at $2.89 but on sale for 2/$5.00.And tonight I hear the price of cereal is going up. Same reason especially for corn products. To make the impact slightly less, manufactures will reduce the size of the packages.
Pet Peeve of the day - Why can't drivers read the sign along NE 134th Street just prior to the traffic signal at NE 10th Ave that says, "DO NOT BLOCK THE INTERSECTION" Hey you, it says that because it is the outlet for Fire District Six firetrucks. Blocking them in an emergency means a slow response when seconds count! Stay back when that light is red and leave an opening. That goes for you in both westbound lanes.
-- posted by Pat Timm @ 9:01 PM,
Rose Festival Low Approaching?
Friday, June 01, 2007
NOWCAST - What a week we have had weather wise! fair skies and sunshine and hot temperatures actually. It took a little while to get going Tuesday, but nice since. A few morning clouds today and then sunshine and cooler but hot Saturday with highs near 90 degrees again. A good chance of thunderstorms Saturday or early Sunday then next week is, umm, well, a typical Rose Festival week.
OUTCAST -The Rose Festival Low, is always one of the weather forecaster's biggest nightmare. This is a time when the
The actual weather during the Grand Floral Parade has fared a bit better than some of the other rose events with the usual morning clouds and afternoon sunshine. According to the National Weather Service office in 
The average parade start temperature is 64 degrees with light northwest winds. The chance of precipitation stands at 36 percent.
Oh well, I guess every event has its highs and lows. In this case we will look past the low part. Think sun!!
Summer Begins! Today is the first day of summer for us weather and climate folks. We consider the months of Jane, July, and August as summer. Forget the calendar. It is also the start of the fire season on private and state lands so be very careful with campfires and off road activities! It could be a wild summer.
-- posted by Pat Timm @ 12:01 AM,
