Weather Pulse Blog

Bill Karins, Meteorologist

Two years ago from right now, (3:00pm) I was standing at the NBC News Desk waiting for our NBC News Helicopter to take off for a survey of New Orleans and the Gulf Coast. I had a pit in my stomach just from the anticipation of the destruction soon to be seen. At this time, we knew the storm surge flooding was very bad on the Gulf Coast but in the City of New Orleans no levee flooding was reported yet. As the helicopter started to show live pictures, I ran out to the set. MSNBC was asking me to comment on the live pictures of destruction along with anchor Joe Scarborough.

For the first hour the pictures were all from New Orleans showing the blown out windows in downtown and the flooding off of Lake Ponchartrain. The damage was impressive but not “Oh my God” type pictures. It looked very much just like the damage we had seen from Charlie, Ivan, Jeanne and Francis. At one point Joe asked me if I thought we would find worse damage anywhere else. I told him that I was waiting for the pictures from Coastal Mississippi. I expected the small towns along the coast took the brunt of Katrina’s wind and storm surge.

Right on cue, the helicopter started heading northwest along the Louisiana Coast. My first “Oh My God” moment happened when the helicopter flew over a large lake. In the middle of the lake was 200-300 cows standing bunched together on a small island. The problem, we weren’t looking at a lake, this used to be a farm! Over the next hour the pictures of destroyed homes got worse and worse until the helicopter’s camera went out of range.

I went to bed that night knowing that we hadn’t seen the worst. All I knew is that the U.S. Marines where using amphibious vehicles to reach the stranded on the Mississippi Coast. I pictured people standing in water, drenched, in complete darkness waiting for help. I said a quick prayer. It wouldn’t be until sun up the next day (Tuesday) that the first aerial pictures of a destroyed Mississippi coast would show the world the true horror of Katrina’s storm surge. The high water mark was in Pass Christian at 28 feet. The next time you go to the beach look for a three-story building. This building would have been underwater.

I’m talking a lot about the record storm surge because it still hasn’t gotten the attention it deserved. Most people never saw the Tuesday early morning pictures of Mississippi and for good reason. When everyone woke up Tuesday morning, we learned New Orleans was underwater. The levees had actually given way sometime Monday afternoon but with no power, cell phones and vehicle traffic impossible, the breach was spread by word of mouth. A government report shows that the Department of Homeland Security in Louisiana actually knew of the flooding as early as 6pm Monday. All of the major news networks reported the flooding after midnight.

I’m sure you remember the rest. Katrina was a once in 200-300 year storm. I’d make a very large wager that we will not see a storm of this magnitude in any of our lifetimes. That is not a statement I make lightly. I will on the other hand say the following at least a few times, “This is the worst storm since Katrina.” From a science perspective I feel fortunate to have been here to forecast, study and warn of Katrina’s dangers but from a humanity perspective I hope the likes of Katrina never happens again.

Posted by Bill Karins at 03:57 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)

Jessica Dymczyk, Producer

For all you autumn lovers out there (like myself), the NYC area enjoyed a great reprieve from the dog days of summer last week and even felt a hint of fall. Kennedy Airport recorded a low temperature on August 18th of 60 degrees! What a relief!

But this past Saturday – that all changed!

The mercury soared back to the upper-80s with relative humidity past 90% -- so much for autumn!

Here I am soaking up the sun!

And while many of you beat the heat by staying indoors or heading for the nearest pool, some of us here at Weather Plus went straight to the beach to cover the AVP Crocs Tour at Coney Island, New York. We were expecting to talk to the players about how hot it was and how the heat affects their game… But boy were we in for a surprise!

Okay, first let me set the scene…Hundreds of screaming volleyball fans packed into a temporary arena on the beach, four very pumped pro-volleyball players, a horde of media people (like me and my cameraman) under a tent on stage and a courtside thermometer reading 114-degrees on the sand.

SLIDESHOW: Weather Plus At The AVP Tour!

Man it was hot under that tent!

For the fans and the media reps, the heat was excruciating! You didn’t even have to move for the sweat to begin dripping down your face.

But when I talked to Scotty Wong (who with partner Aaron Wachtfogel came close to winning their first final together in Brooklyn) he said, “This is perfect volleyball weather!” Who knew??

And then there are the AVP officials. Surely, they must be feeling the heat – standing under the blazing sun for sometimes two hours at a time! But again, the only response I got was, “This is nothing! Try refereeing a match under the blazing Glendale, Arizona sun!”

The crowd didn't seem to mind the heat

So, I retreat… But for this born and bred NYC area resident, I say, “Goodbye, summer! Hello, autumn!”

Be sure to get a behind the scenes look at the Brooklyn AVP tournament… by checking out our photo slideshow.

Enjoy!

Jessica Dymczyk – Weather Plus line producer

Posted by Keith Davis at 02:45 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Michelle Grossman, Weathercaster

This past week the New York City area was cool! Temperature wise, that is. So cool that long sleeves, pants and sweatshirts were needed. For three straight days temperatures didn’t get out of the 60’s. And Monday didn’t get out of the 50’s. It felt more like the month of November than the end of August.

Of course, I’m sure there are many that loved a break from the summer heat. My lab was especially happy with a little relief. But as a summer weather enthusiast … the hotter the better … it made me a little anxious.

I’m thinking the anxiety came from the association of all things that cooler fall weather brings. For one, the cooler temperatures immediately triggered my brain into thinking about the end of summer. No, it can’t be yet!

Then, of course, I was immediately plunged into that “back to school” feeling. You know it right? The feeling that the days of running around barefoot picking mulberries (yes, mulberries) and staying out past dark to play neighborhood games are a distant memory, at least for the school year.

Okay, I fully admit that I am far removed from those days anyway. Some twenty years to be truthful. But what is about that back to school feeling that sticks with you well into adulthood?

I know I’m not alone in these thoughts. In fact, I’ve had this conversation with many of my colleagues around the MSNBC building, this week, after the quick spurt of crisp weather. Most are with me but some welcome the back to school feeling. I’m curious what you think?

Here’s some good news, tomorrow is going to be in the 90’s. Phew, I can hold on to summer just a bit longer…

Posted by Michelle Grossman at 05:09 PM | Permalink | Comments (2)

Bill Karins, Meteorologist

Dean put on quite a show the past two weeks. I actually started to track Dean as he was just a large cluster of thunderstorms over Central Africa. I don't know if I've ever tracked a more well-behaved hurricane. The only surprise Dean ever made was a 30 mile Southeast jog the day before brushing Jamaica. This wobble actually spared the island from the eye wall.

NEWS: Dean Weakens | Photos

AP: Some of the devastation Hurricane Dean caused in Mexico

I still have no clue how Ivan and Dean both wobbled around the island instead of a direct hit. A weather producer that I won't name here thinks they turn on an anti-hurricane shield when storms threaten. I like the pray theory offered by priest in Jamaica as a better option.

I just talked to an NBC reporter who just drove through Mexico where the eye hit. He grew up in tornado alley and he says it looks just like a huge tornado touched down. Luckily Dean hit a mostly unpopulated region of Mexico.
Dean tried to fire up over open water once again but it was too late. The Hurricane Center did raise the intensity up to a generous 100 mph at the second landfall. The pressure only dropped to around 974 mb right before landfall.
It's too early for damage reports for today's landfall but I'm sure the rain and mudslide pictures will be the most dramatic.

Dean will get torn apart over the mountains this evening. The interesting part of the forecast is that the tropical moisture from Dean will make its way up along the Baja of California over the next two days. By the weekend, this moisture will bring rain to Arizona and New Mexico. It's almost funny that these states will end up with more rain from Dean then Texas did. I'm sure everyone in Phoenix will be happy with clouds and showers after 110 temps all week.

The rest of the tropics are amazingly quiet. A tropical wave will move over Florida tonight but no developement is expected. The rest of the tropical waves in the Atlantic don't show any spin either. So thanks for checking in for WX Plus Hurricane In Depth. I'm sure we will chat again soon for the next storm. My guess is Sept 6th. There is always a storm on my wife's birthday.

-BK

Posted by Bill Karins at 07:01 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Gary Archibald, Weathercaster

Hurricane Dean has been the biggest storm story of the Atlantic Hurricane season thus far. It goes without saying that it has head a tremendous impact on Island nations in the Caribbean, now (at that time of this posting) into Mexico. Thus far, a dozen people have been killed by this relentless and unconscious beast – one of Mother Nature’s curious, mysterious earthly powers that has no equal.

This is the tragedy of powerful tropical systems. As it approached Chetumal in the Yucatan Peninsula as a Category 5 storm, the wind gusts were clocked at 205 mph! Storm surge was in excess of 25 feet, possibly even approaching 35 or 40 feet. The heavy rains (10-20 inches over the Yucatan working west towards the Bay of Campeche over the next 24 hours) will cause devastating flooding in the region. Lives and property are at a continuing high risk.

And we are on the ground, at landfall, in the regions afflicted by this historic storm…our team of reporters – Matt Boettcher, Leslie Dodson, and the Today Show’s Al Roker – dove right into the storm literally. With their solid team of producers, camera operators, and tech staff, Matt and Al provided us today with live segments from Chetumal. They were right in the middle of it – as close as possible to the strongest and most violent hurricane force winds, as Dean made landfall at approximately 4:30am CDT (20-30 miles north of Chetumal itself).

Leslie, in preparation for a possible final landfall of Dean in the central Gulf of Mexico region – with southern Texas a very real possible target up until yesterday- provided us with live newscast about preparations for impact and the affect Dean could still have on the on-shore and off-shore vital domestic U.S. oil and gas operations, and the subsequent impact Dean could have on the economy.

In all this team of veteran reporters provided us and our valued viewers with the big picture if you will, what we needed to know about this storm in a highly informative and effective fashion.

Kudos to the team!

For more updates on Dean and other active weather events at home or abroad keep us tuned in at Weather Plus and via the web at www.weatherplus.com. Check out the link “Hurricane Central” to get the latest on all of your tropical weather!

GA

Posted by Gary Archibald at 07:36 PM | Permalink | Comments (2)

Bill Karins, Meteorologist

One of the strongest hurricanes to ever move across the Caribbean made landfall at 4:30 EDT this morning just to the Northeast of Chetumal, Mexico. Our NBC News crews are driving around the region trying to find out just how much damage the storm did. The early report is that the city of Chetumal has serious but fixable damage. Chetumal was 25 miles due south of the eye of Dean so they didn’t experience the 165 mph hour winds. I’d estimate that the highest winds in Chetumal were around 110 mph. No reports have come in yet from any location just north of the eye’s path where the devastation is expected to be severe. Luckily this is a sparsely populated region of Mexico that was completely evacuated. Even so, I’m sure the pictures will be incredible.

Here’s what’s left for Dean before he dies over the mountains of Mexico:

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3pm - Dean heads into the Southern Gulf of Mexico as a Cat 1

11pm - Dean begins to re-intensify but not enough time to become major hurricane again

5am Wednesday – Dean should peak at Cat 2 strength around 100 mph

8am Wednesday – Dean makes last landfall just North of Veracruz, Mexico with minor wind damage and flash flooding.

5pm Wednesday – Dean quickly dies over the mountains of Central Mexico. Flash flooding and mudslides will continue to be life threatening throughout the night.

Posted by Bill Karins at 11:53 AM | Permalink | Comments (3)

Bill Karins, Meteorologist

Here's a quick timeline and snapshot of what we expect to happen with Hurricane Dean. This is what to expect in Chetumal, Mexico, throughout the storm. All times are local (CST):

4pm - Rain bands begin with light N/NE Wind

9pm - Tropical Storm force winds reach the city. North wind 39 to 73 mph

2am – Hurricane force winds reach the city. North/Northwest wind 74 to 100 mph

3am – Cat 5 landfall on the coast just 30 miles NE of Chetumal wind at 160 mph

4am – Hurricanes eye wall over or within 10 miles of Chetumal. Destructive North wind 100 to 140 mph

5am – As eye wall passes just North wind quickly switches to West 90 – 130 mph

6am – Eyewall exits Chetumal

8 am – Hurricane force winds exit Chetumal

1pm – Tropical Storm force winds exit Chetumal.

With the more southern track, Dean will be lucky to maintain hurricane strength when he reaches the Gulf of Mexico.

As always with tropical systems, things are always changing so make sure to tune into Weather Plus on your local cable station and to Hurricane Central on WeatherPlus.com.

Posted by Bill Karins at 02:19 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Gary Archibald, Weathercaster

Short and sweet – to the point…it’s as expected, really busy behind the scenes at NBC Weather Plus and MSNBC. I’m working both “sides” so-to-speak along with my diligent colleagues. It is indeed hectic but boy does the time fly.

The Saturday gang: Weathercaster Michelle Grossman, Weather Producers Mike & Rob and Weathercaster Gary Archibald.

Prep time this morning was jam-packed…with computer model overviews and analysis, getting vital input from meteorologists, producers, and other staff. Everyone is eager and determined to get the facts right – first and foremost, then to package it and present it to you - our viewers - in a fashion that informs and enlightens.

TRACKER: Follow Dean's Path

Dean is a big deal of course; already a deadly complex storm that has killed 3 people…the first death was announced yesterday in the beautiful lush and mountainous island nation of St. Lucia. With Category 4 strength – winds in excess of 154 mph and bust topping 180, he is likely to leave a path of destruction as the projected path takes him towards the Gulf of Mexico (perhaps making landfall on the northern most tip of the Yucatan Peninsula Tuesday morning).

More devastating events (damage to persons and property) are likely with respect to Dean as he barrels ahead, in search of land and sea to consume and devour. However, next up, in its path, as of this posting, is Jamaica and then soon afterward the Cayman Islands. The busy bees that we are, we will continue to work at providing you with the latest and most accurate information about this Hurricane and its potential impact.

The long-range forecast predicts landfall in northeastern Mexico just south of Brownsville Texas – although a track to the north that would directly hit south-central Texas is a definite possibility as well. Time will tell. Nature is in control. We can only be messengers. But lets be informed ones. Stay with us for all of the details. Heed the warnings and watches. Stay safe!

GA

Posted by Gary Archibald at 01:39 PM | Permalink | Comments (4)

Bill Karins, Meteorologist

Dean tasting land for the first time overnight but it won't be the last. Dean's burst of intensity Thursday has this storm looking like a classic memorable hurricane. The question now is what are will be remembered for being devastated by Dean?

The leading candidates are the Island of Jamaica and Mexico from Cancun to Cozumel. It's worth noting how many times Jamaica has been projected to be in the eye of the storm only to narrowly avoid major destruction.

THE LATEST: Hurricane Central

Ivan for some unknown reason danced around the Island like a shield protected it. I'll never forget that one. So unless you believe in favorable protective curses everyone on Jamaica should start preparing for the worst.

Next stop on the Dean express will most likely be the Yucatan. This would be Monday night. Dean's path near Western Cuba or near Mexico is the key to the forecast. Before I talk scenario’s let me say there is no good forecast for everyone. Someone at some point will have to deal with a powerful Dean.

#1 Dean heads more West than North and plows into Belize. Bad for them but then Dean dies over land more quickly. (Least likely)

#2 Dean heads just North of due west heading and hits Cozumel to Cancun very hard just like Wilma did. Would be another devastating blow to the region and tourism. Then dean weakens and hits Northern Mexico or South Texas as a Cat 2 or 3. (Most Likely)

#3 The ridge steering Dean weakens more than expected allowing Dean to head more northward. This track would put Western Cuba in danger. This track would also support a stronger Dean entering the Gulf. The storm would then head NW towards either Texas or Louisiana as a powerful hurricane. (Growing possibility)

Posted by Bill Karins at 09:23 AM | Permalink | Comments (1)

Bill Karins, Meteorologist

Another busy day of preparations has come to an end. In order to get the best information out to those who need it in the days ahead, we are organizing everything possible now. We haven't forgotten about Erin but Dean has the potential to be the strongest threatening hurricane since Wilma in ‘05.

MORE: Hurricane Central

Erin will remain a weak system and bring heavy rain to Texas over the next three days. Flooding is the greatest threat. The wind and waves will not be an issue. Erin will dissipate by Friday night.

Dean, on the other hand, has many people scared in the Caribbean. As long as Dean avoids the high terrain of Cuba and the Dominican Republic, it will have a very good chance of getting to Major Hurricane Cat 3 or higher strength. Besides the interaction with land, the other key to the forecast is a trough now over the Bahamas. Almost all the computers weaken this trough into a cut-off low and quickly shift it westward in the next three days. This would keep the hostile shear away from Dean.

The long-term path of Dean will depend on how strong the ridge to the north of Dean remains. If it stays strong through the weekend, Dean likely heads to Mexico (Yucatan). If the ridge weakens, Dean would be allowed to turn more to the north and enter the Gulf of Mexico. I'll wait at least a day before I speculate any more than that.

What is becoming clearer is that the East Coast is looking better while residents along the Gulf need to watch closely. Should all be very interesting as it unfold in the days ahead.

-BK

Posted by Bill Karins at 08:20 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Bill Karins, Meteorologist

Well today's only the second day of my hurricane Vlogs and I'm back to text. I got a late afternoon call from Nightly News and they wanted a live update on the tropics so I couldn't record an In Depth Vlog. I'll be back on video but until then here's a quick bottom line on what I'm watching from now till wed afternoon.

Dean is still 3 days from any land and Flossie is only brushing the Hawaiian Islands so that leaves my attention on the system brewing in the Gulf. It's trying to get organized but it's running out of time. It has 24 to 36 hours to strengthen before it reaches South Texas. It will most likely be a weak Tropical Storm or Tropical Depression when it moves inland. The wind will not be an issue but the two-day rain event will cause some flooding. The only good news from this system is that it will end the heat wave from Houston to Dallas.

I will have a lot more on the days ahead on Dean. This is still a system with a lot of potential. The trend today has been to take the storm as a hurricane into the North Caribbean Sea. The key with forecast is the Dominican Republic with its tall mountains. These mountains can tear storms apart. Way to early to say who's at more risk East Coast or Gulf but with the Southern relocation this morning and a weaker East Coast trough this weekend I'm starting to lean more potential threat to the Gulf or Central America.

Lots of questions to be answered in the days ahead.

-BK

Posted by Bill Karins at 08:02 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Bill Karins, Meteorologist

Welcome to WX Plus Hurricane Central In-Depth. This is where I will give you a daily insight into what I’m seeing in the tropics. I will cover what I think is the key to any hurricane forecast and who I think is at risk from the storm. Covered today is Flossie, TD 4 and Invest 91L in the Southern Gulf of Mexico.

Posted by Keith Davis at 05:24 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Gary Archibald, Weathercaster

The latest talk regarding what is forecasted to be a very active Atlantic hurricane season is what it is. The core meteorological science, statistical data analysis, and storm track history in the Atlantic leads many of us to believe that we are likely to see hurricane development over the next few weeks…perhaps sooner. The recent Atlantic hurricane projection calls for 13 named storms – of which a whopping 7 to 9 will likely become hurricanes...3 to 5 of these are expected to be severe (classified as Category 3+ on the Saffir-Simpson scale). This is serious business.

RELATED: Hurricane Central

The ingredients are on the table. Warm Atlantic Basin water temperatures (80.8 degrees F in the vicinity of the Cape Verde Islands off the west coast of Africa) are serving as the sustainable fuel for these potentially massive complexes. Factor in the Azores high shifting to the north… I’ve had had countless discussions about this tropical season with my colleague meteorologist Mike Dangolovich…the man lives and breathes the weather… I call him the Weather Plus guru… A well-deserved title I might add for this highly intelligent and respected gentleman, a great resource for our team. We have looked at countless models and the data since last week suggested that the Azores high pressure system was likely (and now has as Mike forecasted) to shift north…which in turn (not to over simplify the dynamics and implications for the Atlantic/West African wave formation) will in part, pave the way for a conveyor-belt like pathway for storm development in the region of the Cape Verde Islands.

Conditions look ripe for this depression to intensify.

The bottom-line – coupled together with the wave after wave of disturbances traversing the Sub-Sahara (from Ethiopia westward to the coast where waves exist the western African coastal nations of Mauritania, Senegal, The Gambia, Guinea-Bissau, Guinea and Sierra Leone), the lighter trade winds in the Atlantic Basin, warm ocean water temperatures as mentioned, and very little if any systematic formations that would inhibit development and an east to west pathway towards the Caribbean, northern South America, Central America, Mexico and the Gulf region as well as the continental USA – this 2007 Atlantic hurricane season may become very busy for all of us here at NBC Weather Plus. We can only wait and see.

By the way – thanks Mike for helping to keep us on track with the rest of the team (kudos to meteorologist Kevin Maloney as well – good job Carney!)

Know that we are always working away, behind the cameras… to deliver the goods – what you need to know about the active, severe, and tropical weather around the clock!

Regards,

GA

Posted by Gary Archibald at 11:08 AM | Permalink | Comments (5)

Meteorologist Jeff Ranieri

Boy, yesterday's storm system that moved through the New York City area was a doozy!

In fact, it spawned a tornado with winds up to 135 mph that spun through the streets of Brooklyn. A tornado? In Brooklyn? Crazy.

Check out my vlog where I take a look at some of the headlines the day after a twister landed in Brooklyn.

- Jeff Ranieri

Posted by Jeff Ranieri at 04:16 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Chris McNerney, Production Assistant

Wednesday August 8th, I woke up at 7:20 a.m. EDT, imagining another entirely too regular commute from my home in Brooklyn, N.Y., to my work in Secaucus, N.J. By 10:10 a.m. I had finally arrived in front of MSNBC. Sitting at my desk at 3:10, I was fully prepared to admit that sometimes commutes do not go as we plan.

But for the cause of this I should backtrack a bit from my desk back to my bed, around five o’clock in the morning, half awake because of the heat (see my previous blog), when the pop-crackle of lightning jerked me up from my bed.

My first thought was for my books underneath my open window - because I like my books and I have a lot of them piled below my window. Then I thought of all the lightning-related injury video I have watched since starting at Weather Plus.

Fact: lighting is one of the leading causes of weather related death in the USA.

But when I saw my dry books and closed my wet window, I fell back to my covers, only a bit aware that the rain outside was filling up the subway tracks below. I was tired - and besides, lightning can’t hit you in your covers (lightning safety facts are gibberish when you’re asleep).

But then I woke up. Soon I was standing outside the flooded subway station with angry would-be commuters who could not commute. Soon I was one of them.

It’s a story repeated over and over throughout the city. Some had it worse than I. But I don’t care much about them. I had it bad!

Later, sitting on the bus arm to arm with my fellow passengers, I contemplated the new direction my commute was taking. The clock struck 8:00. Then it struck 9:00. I read my book on the 17th century English countryside. It had flooded then too.

Later, the Marcy JMZ stop was packed to the point we had to stand long in line just to have a chance to pay the subway fare. It was packed to the point there were just as many people walking away from the subway hopeless in disgust, as there were people walking up to the subway hoping the station was not really as full as all that. After all, we thought, the JMZ is elevated, and it is hard for an elevated train to flood (I hear Time Square was busier, even, than that. It was actually flooded).

No matter, the JMZ station was full. And the trains were so slow. And there were not many of them clunking along. It was an alphabet before me…J trains and Z trains running the rails ‘til finally I got myself on an M.

I was city bound then… Ugg…there would be still more travail. But for the moment, I was again looking to my fellow commuters and I felt a bond. We were packed, but as delayed commuters go, we were happy because we moved.

In Manhattan, I had to transfer trains. We all know, the JMZ trains do not really go anywhere you really want to go (I stand by this statement). So I switched to the R line.

Someone told me the R train was now running. So of course the R train in the R tunnel was stopped with the doors closed like it had a do not enter sign.

Before I bore you, what happened next in my epic adventure was quickly thus: I followed the signs. En mass my fellow delayed commuters and I walked through the dark and drippy tunnel, up waterfall stairs, past a stream.

But what was that rubble in the distance?

A cave in? A giant rat?

No - another group of equally bewildered commuters…an even bigger group…walking our way. There was no space in the tunnel for the both of us. But an MTA subway conductor led them. He said he would open the R train and take us uptown. With trepidation I went through the door and sat down on a seat.

Would we drown in these dank tunnels? Would our names be remembered never more?

Only an hour later I was in New Jersey ready to work my weather shift, (I leave my further adventures to the readers fertile imagination), exhausted though my day was just to begin. This was a feeling common the city over.

To all you who have suffered long commutes - I feel for you!

But only so much, because I had it bad!

Posted by Keith Davis at 03:54 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)

Gary Archibald, Weathercaster

The Northeast commute was a dreary mess on Wednesday morning. The flash flooding unfolded before my eyes along the Cross Island and Long Island Expressways… the Cross Bronx was a nightmare as well. I was amazed by what I saw, more so with respect to the dangerous drivers than the heavy downpours, widespread flooding, near zero visibility, and relentless lightning that lit up the dark, soupy grey skies. The fascinating dynamics of active weather were overshadowed by the ridiculously dangerous and asinine behavior of drivers on the road. That’s the truth. It begs the question:

Where has common sense gone?

For example, why are drivers in SUVs tailgating, flashing their high beams and weaving in and out of traffic on roadways that are flooded? Where it’s almost impossible to discern a object within your view less than 20 feet in front of your vehicle? Stupid.

When the water's this high, it's best to lay low

Work can wait. Get there safely. Don’t harass another driver for driving according to the conditions of the road, the law, and most importantly with the sensibility to take care of his or her vehicle and in so doing, not harm others.

I just don’t get it. For example, picture the 2 1/2 inches of rain falling in an hour over portions of Queens, N.Y., between 5:30 and 6:30am. This storm loop should give you an idea of how much rain was falling at the time:

Within minutes, over a foot to 3 feet of water was trapping cars and pedestrians throughout the borough. And yet, some drivers tried to navigate through these area lakebeds and streams that were once avenues and parkways, forgetting along the way that they were at the helm of 4-wheeled, air-breathing, powered vehicles and not motorboats.

In Newark, N.J., similar devastating events took place. In fact, the mid-Atlantic (primarily the Tri-State area) and New England collectively experienced heavy thunderstorms, damaging winds and even a possible tornado (in NYC).

With all of this in mind, the lesson learned here is to pay attention to the conditions – for drivers, commuters using public transit and air traffic – detailed weather reports before and during events as they are forecasted. This routine can certainly help to plan your day in the midst of severe weather…and of course – tune into NBC Weather Plus 24-7… and visit us here at www.weatherplus.com.

Be safe and take care,

GA

Posted by Gary Archibald at 01:18 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Meteorologist Jackie Meretsky

2008 Beijing Olympics

The Olympic countdown has officially begun, as we are now one year away from opening ceremonies in Beijing on 08/08/08. Over the next year, the worlds finest athletes will be fine tuning their already perfectly toned physiques and preparing for the competition of a lifetime. Meanwhile, in China, a different kind of race is on with cleaner and less polluted air hopefully at the finish line.

MORE: NBC Olympics

China has been industrializing at a rapid rate and with such industrial growth comes greenhouse gas emissions and pollution. With the international spotlight on Beijing from now until the Olympics, the Chinese government is stepping up its efforts to reduce pollution by setting up an emissions quota system. The system is designed to phase out pollutants like the dust that mixers release into the environment.

Performers gather to kick off celebrations for the one year countdown to the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games. (AP Photo/Ng Han Guan)

Let’s talk about concrete mixers (get it…”rock solid”). Truth be told, I don’t think that much about concrete mixers. When I pass a construction site, I usually walk briskly to avoid the loud noise of that usually emanates from the machinery. Apparently I’m not the only one who minds the loud noise. Reducing noise pollution is part of the new plan that China’s 127 major cities, including Beijing, have put together to ban cement mixing at construction sites. The plan is to start on September 1, 2007, which is less than a year away from opening day of the summer Olympics in Beijing. In place of mixed cement, bulk cement will be used because it reduces dust and carbon dioxide and saves significant amounts of standard coals.

Sometimes, in order to get results, you need to create incentives. Hardly anything is free anymore… even a great smile can cost thousands of dollars and countless hours in an orthodontist’s chair. In the spirit of give and take, the Central Bank in China is considering creating a carbon trading exchange. What’s in it for traders? They will receive financial incentives for carbon credit trades. Knowing that there is strength in numbers, the central bank has also teamed up with the state EPA and the China Banking Regulatory commission to ban loans to new projects that have not been environmentally approved.

If these environmentally friendly trends in China continue, residents of Beijing, Olympic athletes, international spectators and the media will be enjoying the finest display of athleticism in a cleaner and clearer environment. Who can argue with that?

Posted by Jackie Meretsky at 08:20 AM | Permalink | Comments (2)

Meteorologist Jeff Ranieri

It's official. With temperatures topping the 90s this week in the East, the "dog days of summer" are here for most. And with heat and humidity continuing to rise, my arms are definitely reaching for more and more water. It may sound crazy but as I head to the corner store or my gym, I always look for a few certain waters that I like. If you are a bottle water drinker you will probably agree that you can actually gain an affinity for one brand over another. My top choice is Poland Spring.

What's your water of choice?

When I go to select a bottle, my mind generally thinks it's from a pure water source, as the pictures on the bottle would want you to believe and the price that goes along with the H2O.

I was recently shocked to learn that some water in a bottle is no different than what comes from the tap in your own home. Hard to believe and very shocking as the prices in the store are several hundred percent above what it costs to grab it from home.

The brand Aquafina (Pepsico) recently came clean on the issue and is going to start printing on the bottle that the water they sell comes from the tap. Is this another case of big corporations branding and marketing things to the public hoping nobody will find out the difference???

Sometimes, good ole tap is just as good

This story inspired me to check out the water I drink in NYC. I learned that some of the water flowing into the New York area is actually unfiltered since Mother Nature does most of the filtration. I do think I will bottle a lot more water myself these days. When it comes to purchasing I will be checking the labels much closer.

Would you still buy water after learning it's from the tap and being bottled and sold at a mark-up that some would say is about 1,000 x's the price of faucet water???

Jeff Ranieri

Posted by Jeff Ranieri at 01:05 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)

Michelle Grossman, Weathercaster

Each week the people behind Weather Plus work hard to bring you Weather Plus University (it airs every weekend on your Weather Plus station!).

Check out what goes into the production...

Posted by Michelle Grossman at 10:57 AM | Permalink | Comments (2)

Chris McNerney, Production Assistant

As I lay sweltering in bed last night, I had extra cause to ponder heat and the weather in general. Indeed usually I try to ignore the weather as best I can…until the rain is literally hitting me on the head or the wind pushes me over that one time in Phoenix. Mother Nature is a powerful and cantankerous ol’ character, and I’ve learned that when you cannot change a person you can at least ignore her… so that her effect is somewhat mitigated and she does not get the satisfaction of your visible discomfort. If like me you ever had a chain-smoking grandmother who accused you of cheating when you beat her at scrabble (I was 12, grandma), you will know what I mean about ignoring a force of nature you cannot change. Usually oblivious oblivion is my best response to implacable Mother N and my relatives as well.

But as I mentioned at the top of this blog, last night was just too darn hot. The type of hot where your ceiling fan just circulates warm air away from you and then back at you. The type of hot where you wonder why you did not buy an air conditioner, before you remember you were too lazy to drag it to your apartment and up all those winding flights of stairs. The type of hot where your sheet is another layer of skin, it sticks to you so.
So what to do is this lamentable situation of weather forced into your awareness, fully displaying the spectrum of its discomfort? What to do when you cannot ignore the hot? Ladies and gentlemen, I do not know. Perhaps there is no answer but to grin and bear it as best you can.

I got no good sleep last night. I woke up ever hour on the hour. I guess this blog is for those who suffered as I did last night. Let’s commiserate! For you see, with Mother Nature, last night I learned that when it rains, you will get wet, when it is hot you will sweat (and have a limbo sleep not dreaming but not fully awake), and even if you wish to ignore her power, sometimes you just can’t ignore her heat.

Posted by Talia Bluth at 12:35 PM | Permalink | Comments (3)

Meteorologist Britta Merwin

Friday afternoons are very special here at NBC Weather Plus. During the summer our favorite friend Mr. Softie comes to MSNBC with tasty treats for all. Many people have fond childhood memories of hearing the ice cream man’s music from down the street. After a brisk run to catch the famous white truck, the cool and sweet treat is a well-deserved break from the intense summer heat or the intense work of tracking storms!

Today’s ice cream Friday got Meteorologist Samantha Davies and Meteorologist Britta Merwin thinking, what is the best ice cream forecast? Hot and humid days, like today for many in the northeast, is perfect for ice cream but as Samantha points out any forecast is good for a wonderful ice cream break!

Posted by Talia Bluth at 10:29 AM | Permalink | Comments (2)

Meteorologist Samantha Davies

August is off to a very hot start! Many of us have been dealing with temperatures over 90 degrees and in the upcoming days it will get even hotter! The jet stream is positioned well to our north and there’s broad area of high pressure in place allowing southwesterly winds to push in even more heat and humidity! Cities like St. Louis all the way to Burlington are baking in the August sun. Western cities are not being spared from the intense heat either! Places like Boise, and Salt Lake City have seen temperatures above normal.

Looking at the Climate Prediction Center’s temperature outlook for the next few weeks, above normal temperatures are forecasted for almost the entire country! When I’m not working in the cold, air-conditioned studio, like many of you I am outside sitting by a pool!

I am always wearing sunscreen, are you??? It seems that with all of the information about sunscreen and skin cancer online and in the news people are still confused. My dad will often apply a sunscreen with an SPF 15, twice thinking he is now getting the protection of an SPF 30. Wrong! SPF values are not additive putting two layers of SPF 15, still only leaves you with the protection of an SPF 15.

Now here’s something that we hear about but do we actually know, what the difference is between UVA and UVB rays? (I see this on all of my sunscreen bottles and I still get confused on which rays do what!) Well they are both types of ultraviolet radiation from the sun but they harm you in different ways. UVA rays penetrate deep into your skin and cause aging. UVB rays are responsible for your painful sunburn and the cause of skin cancer. Wrinkles and skin cancer are both thing you do not want, so make sure your sunscreen protects you from both!

Stay Cool!!

Posted by Talia Bluth at 07:12 AM | Permalink | Comments (4)