Al Roker's Blog

Hi, all.

It’s hard to believe we’re already at the end of another year. What can be said about the weather in 2006? We had a little bit of everything, but the year won’t be remembered by one huge story. Compared to the Tsunami in ’04 or our disastrous 2005 hurricane season, ’06 was relatively calm.

That’s not to say it will slip quietly into the history books. We started the year by ending an historic hurricane season. Believe it or not, January saw the 27th named storm of the 2005 Atlantic Hurricane season. Tropical Storm Zeta was an insignificant storm in terms of its impact, but certainly signaled the end of an exceptional season.

By February, old man winter had his grip firmly on New York City. The Blizzard of ’06 saw a record breaking 26.9 inches of snow in Central Park.

The next few months were marked by drought across the Desert Southwest, eastward through the Southern Plains and into Deep South Texas. In fact, May brought an end to 8 months of the driest weather in 111 years of record keeping!

Speaking of records, we’ve also had a record-breaking fire season. No surprise considering the drought. As of December 1st, more than 9.5 million acres had burned across the country.

A May storm brought historic flooding to New England, described as the worst in 70 years in some areas. But it didn’t stop there. The next month brought more flooding throughout the greater Washington, DC area, northward through parts of Pennsylvania and New York. Damage was estimated at more than $100 million.

Despite expecting the worst, the 2006 Atlantic Hurricane season came and went without much fanfare. No hurricanes made landfall on the U.S. In fact, only two storms touched down, Tropical Storm Alberto in Florida and Hurricane Ernesto (as a tropical storm) in Florida and North Carolina.

Now we are done with fall and the cold temperatures are back. We’ve already had a major snowstorm in the Midwest that knocked out power to tens of thousands of people for days. Now Denver has been hit with a double whammy. Two blizzards in two weeks!

Although this is the end of 2006, it’s just the beginning of winter…who knows what else is ahead.

Happy New Year!

Posted by Al Roker at 09:47 AM | Permalink

Hey Gang,

Well, it’s about that time again. Winter is finally upon us – offically and unofficially. How do I know? Just ask the good people of Denver! A recent early-season snowstorm blanketed the city with two feet of the white stuff, and another winter doozy scheduled to hit the Front Range today.

So folks, now that winter has arrived, it’s time to start thinking about safety. Winter can be a very dangerous time of the year for all of us if we’re not careful, especially on the roadways. The last thing you want is to be slipping and sliding all over place during a nasty snowstorm. More auto accidents occur during the wintertime than in any other season so it is extremely important to use caution and good judgment while driving.

A big reason for all the prevalance of accidents during winter is black ice. Black ice is very tricky because you can’t see it. The only indication you may have that black ice is on the road is that the road may look a little slick and shiny. So beware.

Here are a few winter driving tips that’ll hopefully keep you safely on the road and out of small claims court. You should keep these few things in mind when driving during wintry weather:

Slow Down! Drive according to road and weather conditions. Remember, the posted speed limits are for dry pavement. Just because the sign says 65 doesn’t mean you should go that fast in icy conditions.

Clear snow and ice from all windows and lights - even the hood and roof - before driving.

Leave plenty of room for stopping and brake early. It takes more time to stop when roads are wet or icy. (Check out this video clip where I found this out first-hand).

Check the news for weather and traffic reports. Your local NBC affiliate and WeatherPlus.com are always good starting points!

Watch electronic highway signs for updated traffic information.

Leave room for maintenance vehicles and plows - stay at least 15 car lengths (200 feet) back and don't pass on the right. Remember, they’re out there to help make sure all of us get to our homes or to work safely.

Watch for icy surfaces on bridges, even when the rest of the road seems to be in good condition. Bridge decks will ice up first.

Look farther ahead in traffic. Actions by other drivers will alert you to problems and give you extra seconds to react. So be conscious of your surroundings at all times and be ready to react.

Trucks take longer to stop, so don't cut in front of them.

Don't use your cruise control or overdrive when it's freezing (or colder). Even roads that appear clear can have isolated slippery spots and the short touch of your brakes to deactivate cruise control can cause you to lose control of your vehicle. With overdrive, as you encounter a hill your vehicle automatically accelerates or downshifts, which can cause loss of traction.

Don't get overconfident with four-wheel drive. Four-wheel drive helps you get going quicker but it won't help you stop any faster. All of has seen the guy in the big truck with four-wheel drive whizzing past at 60 mph during a snowstorm. While four-wheel drive does help with traction, it’s better to be safe than sorry.

Don't pump anti-lock brakes. If your car is equipped with anti-lock brakes, do not pump your brakes. The right way is to "stomp and steer."

Know your vehicle. Read your owners manual.

Adjust to Road Conditions. The faster your vehicle is going, the more distance it will take to turn, slow or stop.

Slow down at the first sign of rain, snow, or sleet. When the road is slippery, the vehicle's tires do not grip as well as they do on a dry road.

Allow extra time. Give yourself extra time to reach your destination when roads may be slick. Consider delaying your trip.

Drive with your headlights on.

If at all possible, do not drive when the roads are icy. If you don’t need to be on the road, the best thing you could do is stay off the streets. It may be better to just stay home, kick up your feet and make it a night with the family. Monopoly anyone?

Well there you have it. Happy Holidays and I hope this winter is a safe one for all of you!

A special thanks goes out to the Washington State Department of Transportation for helping with these driving tips.

Posted by Al Roker at 11:07 AM | Permalink

Hi, gang.

Let’s talk about winter. Not the weather, but the word. Winter is a word people use casually once the sweaters come out and the temperature drops. However, don’t fall for it. No matter how cold it gets in October, even November, winter doesn’t officially start until the third week of December.

So why do we wait so long? Well, it’s all about the sun. Since ancient times, our seasons have been dictated by that giant star in the sky. No, not Meredith Viera. The big ball of burning gas…no, not Matt lauer. I’m talking …the SUN!!! We call the start of winter the winter solstice. A solstice is defined as one of two points (the other being summer solstice) when the sun is furthest from the celestial equator.

In other words: the shortest day of the year.

SLIDESHOW: Winter Solstice Worldwide

Of course, we still get 24 hours in the day. It’s the sunlight that we’re short on. During the winter solstice, the earth’s position is at its maximum tilt from the sun. For the Northern Hemisphere that means the length of time between sunrise and sunset is the shortest it will be all year.

This phenomenon always happens on or around December 22nd, depending on leap year. Ready or not, this year winter officially starts Thursday, December 21st at exactly 7:22 p.m. EST.

But if you’re not a fan of Old Man Winter or without being sexist, Old Lady Winter…or Old Person Winter… here is a positive way to think about the upcoming season. The winter solstice actually signifies the return of sunlight. Each day after the solstice will have more sunlight than the previous. Your days will once again get longer and before you know it you’ll be getting ready for the Spring Equinox.

But that’s a topic for another day. We still have to get through winter…oh yeah, and the final days of fall!

Posted by Al Roker at 11:45 AM | Permalink

Ahh, the joy of icy temperatures. There’s nothing like it -- especially if you have to get up at 6 a.m. to walk your dog.

Of course, with my work schedule, that’s not something I have to worry about. Never mind that I don’t have a dog. As I leave my house at 5 in the morning, I see those hearty individuals walking their dogs, bags of poop in hand. Andd boy, do they look happy! However, those freezing cold walks during the dead of winter are a big part of life for many of you.

And while it may seem like the cold air is tougher on you than it is on your pooch, keep in mind that your pets aren't necessarily fans of cold weather, either.

Sure, your pet most likely has a natural fur coat (hey, don’t forget, there ARE hairless cats out there! Why? Never mind), but that's not always enough for animals we've taught to rely on us. With that in mind, here are some ideas for you to keep your furry friends safe and warm this winter.

• Wipe your pet's legs, feet and belly when they come in from the outside. Salt, antifreeze and other chemicals can be ingested by your pets if not washed off.
• Make sure your pets have up-to-date ID tags (or microchips). More dogs are lost in the winter months than in any other season.
• You know those dogs you see walking around in sweaters? It might seem precious, but if your dog is shorthaired, a sweater will make a big difference when he goes out for winter walks.
• If you bathe your pets in the winter, make sure their coats are completely dry before they go outside.
• Give your pet a nice warm place to sleep, preferably off the floor, and definitely away from drafts.
• Never let your dog off the leash in snow or on ice, especially during a snowstorm. Snow makes scent more difficult to track and dogs can easily become lost.
• You know how cars act as heat traps in the summer? In the winter they become refrigerators. Don't leave your pets unattended in your car in either season.
• If getting your family a puppy for Christmas seems like a good idea, keep in mind that puppies don't tolerate cold as well as grown dogs. What this means is that puppies are harder to housebreak during the winter than in warmer months. If you do get a puppy in the winter, you may have better luck paper-training her inside.
• If your dog is sensitive to the cold because of age, breed or illness, only take him outside for bathroom breaks. Wait until spring for longer outdoor jaunts.
• Be a good neighbor and clean up any antifreeze spills from your car. Not only is it the right thing to do environmentally, it could mean saving the life of your own or neighborhood animals -- antifreeze is a lethal poison to dogs and cats.
• Finally, even though you may not be a fan of outdoor cats, keep in mind that they sometimes nestle under the hoods of cars to stay warm. If there are outdoor cats in your area, bang loudly on your car hood before starting your car to give them a chance to escape.

Better yet, hire someone to take your pet out and stay inside and watch the Today Show, Weather Plus or log onto weatherplus.com to find out just how cold it is and how much better it feels to be inside.

Posted by Al Roker at 01:54 PM | Permalink

Well, folks, you may know that I just helped light the Rockefeller Center Christmas tree. 15,000 lights on 7 miles of wire. And just like in your home, if one goes out, they all go out! Just kidding!

While Rockefeller Center has a staff picking out their tree, it's just you and your family getting the tree for your family room. So to help make your holiday season a happier one, here are some tips on choosing the perfect natural tree for your home.

• MEASURE. Sounds obvious, right? Know ahead of time where you want to put the tree, and make sure to measure the space before you head out to find your tree. Then measure the tree you like to make sure it's a good fit. Nothing worse than getting the tree home, putting it in the stand and then…uh-oh. That bad boy's too tall for the room.
• Know what kind of tree species you want? Terrific. If you're looking to choose a different kind this year, check out www.christmastrees.org to figure out which kind of species best suits your home.
• Choose a well-lighted retail lot that stores trees in a shaded area. Some guy in a trenchcoat going, "Pssst. Wanna buy a tree, pal?" is probably not the place to buy your tree.
• Ask when the tree was cut to get an idea how fresh it is (the fresher the tree, the longer it will look green and healthy). If you can't get a good answer on the tree's freshness, look at how green the needles are and see if they break cleanly. Fresh green needles should break crisply, unless they are pine trees -- pine needles only break if they are very dry. Unless you're handy with a saw, ask them to cut an inch or so off the bottom of the tree to allow moisture to make its way into the tree once you put it into the stand.
• Do a visual check to make sure the tree isn't too dry. Wrinkled bark, needle loss and brown needles are all signs that the tree is past its prime. If you think a tree isn't fresh, find another one. None of the trees look fresh? Find another place to buy your tree.
• Find out about recycling Christmas trees in your community. Some retailers will handle the recycling for you after the holidays and may even give you some money back if you bring the tree in.

And if you're pining for a natural tree but you're worried about the mess, consider this: real trees benefit the environment while they grow (trees absorb carbon dioxide and emit oxygen), they are renewable (most Christmas tree growers plant one to three seedlings for each tree they harvest) and they are recyclable.

Or you can do like my dad did…break down and buy an artificial…er…faux tree. The ultimate in recycling…every year open the box, put the dang thing up, then take it down.

Happy holidays!

Posted by Al Roker at 12:02 PM | Permalink