Weather Pulse Blog

Meteorologist Samantha Davies

Summer is holding strong in the Northeast! Highs on Wednesday were in the upper 80s and low 90s. That’s almost 20 degrees above normal! Highs this time of year are usually in the upper 60s and low 70s. There are also several cities that either broke or tied their record high temperature on September 26th.

These cities saw record highs on September 26th

If you don’t want summer to end, you may get your wish. The jet stream in the eastern half of the country is seated just north of the Canadian border, allowing for a warm flow into the region. Those of you with pools in the Northeast will get some extra use of them (that is if you haven’t closed them for winter). You can also wear that summer outfit one more time… you know, the one you didn’t want to put away for the winter just yet!

Looking at the Climate Prediction Center’s long range forecast, for at least the next two weeks, warmer than normal temperatures can expected for the eastern half of the country. So not only the Northeast, but also the Great Lakes, Ohio Valley, Midwest, and Southeast will continue to have a warm start to the fall season. For us here at Weather Plus, that means more ice cream Friday’s!

Enjoy it while it lasts!

Posted by Samantha Davies at 11:11 AM | Permalink | Comments (1)

Bill Karins, Meteorologist

As we head toward the weekend the big weather question is, how many active tropical systems will we be tracking? There is the possibility we could have four at the same time but most likely we will have two. The map below shows the four areas of concern.

One of the four is Tropical Storm Karen. This large system is far away from any land areas and should remain a tropical system over the next 10 days. Odds are that Karen will head into the Central Atlantic in 5-6 days but that’s not set in stone. There is still a chance that a large trough will miss Karen and she would re-curve west just north of Puerto Rico. We will find out this weekend.

Of the other three systems, the one with the best chance to become our next Tropical Depression was the low in the Southern Gulf just off the Coast of Mexico. It is now Tropical Depression 13. The storm will slowly drift near the Mexican coastline for a few days before moving over land. There are no indications that this low would head for the Gulf Coast at this time.

The other two areas of showers and thunderstorms have the odds stacked against them for development. One area is currently located between Cuba and South Florida. This is a mid to upper level low and should move to the NW tonight. Upper level winds are strong over this system so no development is expected. The other area of concern is probably the most fascinating.

A strong tropical wave I’ve been tracking for the last four days is now SW of Puerto Rico. Despite unfavorable upper level winds, this wave continues to produce intermittent bursts of strong thunderstorms. A check of the Puerto Rico radar from our NBC Telemundo station shows no signs of a low level circulation. This wave of unsettled weather will head across Puerto Rico on Wednesday and then over Dominica Republic on Thursday. If and this is a really big IF, the wave or weak low could make it to Friday it would have a chance to develop as it moves towards Florida. Most likely the wave will dissipate over the high mountains of the Dominican Republic, but it’s been resilient so far.

Check back for an update on Wed.

Posted by Bill Karins at 04:55 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Gary Archibald, Weathercaster

The temperatures last week in the northeast cooled quite a bit as cooler air from Canada made a quick descent into the region. It was a hint of the fall season to come. I enjoyed it personally. The onset of the autumnal transition is greatly anticipated for many, like me, who enjoy the cooler, more comfortable temperatures, the changing colors of the leaves from the emerald to auburn, burnt sienna, gold - hues of tangerine, tawny, russet, and ochre.

I was greeted by a foraging squirrel on my porch yesterday afternoon. She was busy feasting on some seeds that had found there way to the front steps. I could tell, with urgency, that the collecting, harvesting pursuit was in full swing. The meeting was short. Off to the bushes and trees that line fenced yard next to mine…the light cool wind beckons and reminds my small fury, scurrying friend of work to be done! The leaves have started their transformation, and on the heels of this first act of metamorphosis, I await the explosion of color and vibrancy (camera in hand of course, for it presents a great opportunity to record the splendor of the act).

AP Photo

The squirrels seem too forthright and focused to notice. They will be ready to be sure of the crisp decline in temperatures and the gradual withering away of the lush vegetation.

Alas, in the light, I too gather what transcends and ascends around me, like the diligent squirrel, I have an agenda. Mine, for now, is to absorb the grand spectacle, wishing to extend its introduction and climax soon upon us in the few short weeks to come.

I hope that you will enjoy it all, as I.

Cheers!

Gary

Posted by Gary Archibald at 04:54 PM | Permalink | Comments (3)

Meteorologist Michelle Grossman

Summer 2007 has bid us adieu. Time to pack away the bathing suits, shorts and flip-flops for another season. Fall officially arrived this morning at 5:51 a.m. EDT. Can you feel the change? Well, many spots along the West Coast and in the Intermountain West must have gotten the memo because temperatures will take a fairly big departure from normal today. Also a strong system, more typical of late autumn , will bring snow to parts of Montana and Idaho. If you can believe that?! But snow is only expected in the higher elevations, 6000ft +. Thank you... baby steps to fall weather, please.

So, I was feeling torn, this morning, about the first day of fall. You could say even a teeny-tiny bit down; since I'm a summer weather enthusiast. But then I got an email from my Mom that read, "I love that graphic, especially since fall is my favorite season. Cozy." The graphic she is referring to is a First Day Of Fall graphic we used on air this morning and she is so right. Of course, she's right. Mom's are always right. But there is just something so cozy about the fall season.

As the graphic shows, fall is here.

For me, autumn, conjures up images of hot apple cider, pumpkin patches, and brilliantly colored leaves lining the trees. It reminds me of the comfort of a blazing fireplace, baking cookies, and the excitement of a good afternoon NFL football game. Alright, so maybe these thoughts are a little idealistic (nothing wrong with that) but fall really does bring on a sense of slowing down and enjoying things around year, at least for the next few months. So, tell me, what you love most about the fall season.

Posted by Michelle Grossman at 11:48 AM | Permalink | Comments (4)

Meteorologist Britta Merwin

Usually when people think of Colorado they think of beautiful mountains, snow, and of course skiing. Well this past Monday, September 17th, many ski resorts experienced the first measurable snowfall. This beautiful picture is of the Independence ski lift at the Breckenridge Ski Resort.

AP Photo/Breckenridge Ski Resort Monday, Sept. 17, 2007

This is the ski resort I learned how to ski at when I was eight with my Dad but in addition Breckenridge is a wonderful town full of shops and Colorado culture.

The Colorado Rockies are known for legendary ski conditions created by the winter storms that on a good year supply plenty of perfect white powder. The 2006-2007 season brought multiple blizzards that dumped large amounts of snow on the Front Range and the mountains. It was a perfect white Christmas in 2006 spent snowed in with my family and our backyard was still covered with a hefty snow pack well into spring. So what brings the snow to Colorado?

AP Photo/Breckenridge Ski Resort Monday, Sept. 17, 2007

During the beginning of fall the jet stream starts moving south from Canada over the United States. These strong upper level winds help usher in low-pressure systems from the Pacific Northwest. The clashing of cooler Canadian air and mild moist air from the south creates a temperature gradient strengthening the system as it moves over the Rockies. As the air moves over the mountains it is compressed and then stretched producing a spin in the atmosphere, we call this vorticity. As the system moves over the eastern plains of Colorado easterly winds develop creating upslope conditions allowing air to be push up into the atmosphere producing precipitation. If all the ingredients are in place there is now a powerful winter storm reading to dump feet of white snow for portions of Colorado.

This Sunday marks the first day of fall and soon it will be time for all the skiers to hit the slopes. Although I have not been to every ski resort in Colorado here are some of my personal favorites that contribute to why Colorado is so great!

Steamboat Springs
Telluride
Keystone
Copper Mountain
Breckenridge
Winter Park

Posted by Britta Merwin at 02:44 PM | Permalink | Comments (2)

Meteorologist Jeff Ranieri

I have been meaning to write and share this blog with you for about two weeks. I must admit, even though the issue is not completely pressing I do feel much better now sitting over the keyboard.

Ok, on to the story -

It was a Saturday morning and I was up early and ready to get plenty done in the day. This was my first full weekend back in New York City after traveling to cover Flooding and the Hurricane Katrina Anniversary.

I had plenty on my plate on this particular Saturday and decided a coffee would be in order! I stopped in one of my favorite spots (Starbucks) to order my Venti, Iced, Hazelnut Coffee. After the order was complete I slid over to the waiting station...right in front of me a sign of fall. It was not leaves falling off a tree in a nearby window but this:

It was still three weeks or so before fall and the ads relating the incoming cooler weather and warm drinks are already posted. As I grabbed my very cold iced coffee to leave, the sign did make me think about how much I'm ready for that fall change.

I thought I was done with the food related signs forecasting fall, but of course I should of thought twice in NYC. Just a few blocks down the road at The Chocolate Bar I came upon this:

I totally started to laugh and had to snap the picture on my cell phone. The hint of sarcasm is very eye catching -- bitter, yet sweet. Are the cooler temperatures what makes many of us gain weight during the fall and winter or is it the over excited shops with tasty warm treats?!?!? I skipped getting a warm brownie treat but I think I will be going back...I will let you know how it turns out :-)

Until next time - Jeff

Posted by Jeff Ranieri at 02:17 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Bill Karins, Meteorologist

The chances of a purely tropical system hitting the Gulf Coast is looking very slim. The most likely scenario brings a subtropical depression or a weak subtropical storm to the Louisiana coastline on Saturday. The hurricane hunters investigated this system Thursday afternoon and found a rather disorganized area of low pressure with very little thunderstorm activity nearby.

These are the characteristics of a non-tropical low-pressure storm system. This storm now has less than 48 hours to go from non-tropical to tropical and then to intensify. It also has to deal with dry air still wrapping around the upper level low.

Even if this system never gets organized and becomes “Jerry”, the weather will not be great along the Northern Gulf Friday Night and Saturday. The winds will not cause any problems but the rain will be heavy at times. There will also be minor tidal rises along the beaches.

It has been such a dry summer in the South that no river or lake flooding is expected from the heavy rain. Only poor drainage street flooding should occur. The heavy rain will move out of the region and head for Arkansas on Sunday. -BK

Posted by Bill Karins at 03:50 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)

Bill Karins, Meteorologist

A complex and very interesting weather scenario is playing out over Florida and the end result just may be Jerry. Two days ago a cold front and a tropical wave began to interact over the Bahamas. A very strong upper level low formed and is now the dominant weather player along the SW Florida coast. The strong low is expected to slowly drift westward and weaken over the next few days. This may allow a new surface low to form over the Eastern Gulf of Mexico Thursday and Friday.

The upper level winds will not be favorable for development of this low on Thursday but Friday could be a different story. This low is also going to have to deal with plenty of dry air over the Central Gulf. The water temperatures over the Gulf are plenty warm of course so that will not be a restriction. I expect that this low will remain weak on Thursday as it tries to become a warm core system. The best chance this storm has of becoming Jerry will be on Friday. The key to how strong it could get will be how long it remains over the Gulf Stream. The further south the low comes off Florida the stronger it could get. The further North, the weaker the system will be.

The worst cast scenario would be for the low to form off of Fort Meyers and then to move northeast over the warm loop current in the Gulf of Mexico. This would most likely yield a strong tropical storm or a low end Cat 1 hurricane.

The most likely scenario is for the low to develop off of Tampa Thursday. By Friday morning a Subtropical Depression or Subtropical Storm will form. This system would then head North/Northeastward. Since upper level winds will never be ideal for strengthening I do not expect any Huberto type surprises. On Friday the system will likely acquire enough tropical characteristics to get rid of the Sub label. Finally, on Saturday a tropical storm should make landfall in-between New Orleans and Coastal Alabama. Check back for more updates.

Posted by Bill Karins at 04:58 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Gary Archibald, Weathercaster

Often times the term “monsoon” is used to describe – incorrectly – heavy consistent rain precipitation as a product of seasonal change and dynamics. Here’s what you need to know about what it actually entails.

Derived from the Arabic language, the term "monsoon" is derived from the Arabic word "mausim" which is defined as “season”. Navigating their vessels in the Indian Ocean and Arabian Sea, ancient traders used it to describe a system of alternating winds which blow persistently from the northeast during the northern winter and from the opposite direction, the southwest, during the northern summer. Thus, the term monsoon actually refers solely to a seasonal wind shift, and not to precipitation.

Even though the term monsoon was originally defined for the Indian subcontinent, monsoon circulations exist in other locations of the world as well, such as in Europe, Africa, Asia, the west coasts of Chile and the United States. Arizona happens to be located in the area of the United States that experiences a monsoonal circulation. During the summer months, winds shift from a west or northwest direction to a south or southeasterly direction. This allows moisture from the Gulf of California and the Gulf of Mexico to stream into the state. This shift in the winds, or monsoonal circulation, produces a radical change in moisture conditions statewide.

This monsoonal circulation is typically referred to here in Arizona as the Arizona monsoon. What we experience during the summer months, however, is only a small part of a much larger circulation that encompasses not only Arizona, but much of the southwestern United States and northwestern Mexico. Thus, it sometimes is also known as the Mexican monsoon. Others call it the North American Monsoon.

Now, the change in wind direction itself is determined by the movement northward from winter to summer of the huge upper level subtropical high pressure system, specifically known as the Bermuda High, and the intense heating of the Mohave Desert creates rising air and surface low pressure, called a thermal low.

These two features combine to create strong southerly flow over Arizona. The southerly low-level winds help to bring in moisture from Mexico, originally coming from a combination of moisture from the Gulf of Mexico, the Gulf of California, and the Pacific Ocean. When this moisture encounters the higher terrain of Arizona, it gets lifted and forms thunderstorms. These thunderstorms can contain very heavy rainfall, hail, strong gusty winds, or a combination of these conditions.

The monsoon circulation does not produce thunderstorms every day during the months of July-September, but rather occurs in a pattern that has what are known as "bursts" and "breaks". During the "bursts", weak disturbances in the upper atmosphere act to focus thunderstorm activity over the state for a period of a few days to more than a week. Occasionally, however, the Bermuda high will become a bit stronger and develops over northwestern Mexico. This leads to "breaks" in the monsoon, where the southerly winds decrease and the atmosphere becomes much less likely to allow thunderstorms to develop.

So there you have it. Keep in mind that the repercussion of the monsoon season here at home in the USA and abroad are often times tragic. In southeast Asia, the resultant heavy rains from constant thunderstorm activity over an elongated period of time contributes to high incidences of mudslides, flash flooding, damaging of crops, homes, property. In addition, and most importantly, many deaths are linked to the aforementioned effects of monsoonal episodes. Local economies tied directly to agriculture and industry is often adversely affected as well. Here in the USA, flash flooding is often a major problem in the southwestern region once the season begins – especially for Arizona, New Mexico, Nevada and southeastern California.

GA

Data and portions of this report are courtesy of the NOAA

Posted by Gary Archibald at 05:10 PM | Permalink | Comments (2)

Meteorologist Jackie Meretsky

Of course I’m talking about the blacklist that the environmental group Green Cross Switzerland* recently produced which lists the most polluted places on the planet. Did you think I was talking about who made the “Worst Dressed List” at this years VMA’s?

Here’s who made this years list (in alphabetical order by country):

Sumgayit, Azerbaijan
Linfen, China
Tianying, China
Sukinda, India
Vapi, India
La Oroya, Peru
Dzerzhinsk, Russia
Norilsk, Russia
Chernobyl, Ukraine
Kabwe, Zambia

If you didn’t make this list, you may find yourself in the larger “Dirty 30” (get it) list, which also has places in China, India and Russia locked in a tight race of “who’s dirtier?” Of particular concern to the campaigning organization is that children are getting fatally poisoned from the polluted sites. Lead pollution is a key player in this list. According to the organization, the pollution produced from a lead producing facility in Tianying, China accounts for over half of the pollution in the whole country.

What is interesting about this blacklist is that the sites are in remote areas, far from capital cities or tourist attractions – but millions of people still live there. The kicker is that pollution controls are not as prevalent in these areas, or are weakly enforced unlike major cities like Moscow or Mumbai, which gain international attention, by the media and environmental organizations when disasters of any nature occur. In fact, I’ve only heard of one site in the top ten list, that being Chernobyl which had the worst accident in the history of nuclear power in April 1986. This occurred during the final stretch of the cold war, a period of conflict and competition between the U.S. and Russia. This period secured media attention for Russia and it’s cold war allies.

Nobody wants to be blacklisted, but sometimes it’s the only way to get attention, which is what the millions of people living in the polluted sites of China, India, Azerbaijan, Peru and Zambia need. Hopefully the U.S. will keep showing up on less pertinent lists, like “worst dressed” and “top 100 wealthiest people”.

As a sidenote, I am not on either of those two lists.

Yet.

*Green Cross Switzerland is part of the Green Cross International Organization. It was founded in 1993 by former Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev. It explores the damage caused by industrial and military disasters and how to clean up contaminated sites.

Posted by Jackie Meretsky at 11:21 AM | Permalink | Comments (5)

Meteorologist Jeff Ranieri

It was an area of showers and storms we had been following for about 96 hours...then it took a drastic turn, becoming Humberto. Humberto is part of a very rare class of storms that have intensified in less than 24 hours.

The timeline of development was more than impressive:

******************************************************************************
Wednesday 5am: organized area of thunderstorms

Wednesday 8am: Tropical Depression

Wednesday 11am: Tropical Storm

Thursday 12:15 am: Category 1 Hurricane

Thursday 2am: landfall between Galveston, TX and Beaumont, TX

********************************************************************************

While the development of the storm could be called shocking, there have been other storms to intensify almost as fast:

1982 Alberto
1981 Harvey
1969 Blanche

Alberto, Harvey & Blanche all went from Depression to Category 1 Hurricane in 18 hours or under.

What separates Humberto from the other storms according to the National Hurricane Center "is that no other tropical cyclone has ever reached this intensity at a faster rate near landfall." This of course can have drastic implications as many people many not be aware of the storm bearing down so close to where they live.

The biggest problem with forecasting Humberto yesterday comes to the intensification. While the science has improved so much when it comes to hurricanes, just a slight error in the track can change the intensity. On Wednesday when the storm was heading into the coast as a Tropical storm it ended up making more of a NE turn. This turn became very crucial to the forecast. As the storm shifted Humberto was able to gain more momentum from the warm waters and this led to additional strengthening.

As we look back on this storm and others like the quick developing Felix, it is one more reminder that storms still remain somewhat unpredictable. The dangers always remain very high whenever we talk about hurricanes. Remember, that each storm is unique and staying alert on the weather is your best way to stay prepared.

All it takes is one day...

For more tips on getting ready for a storm and the tropics, click on our HURRICANE CENTRAL section.

Posted by Jeff Ranieri at 01:56 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Bill Karins, Meteorologist

I love and hate this time of year. The first fall cold fronts are plowing their way through the hot humid air of summer across the northern half of the country. Every few days after the front passes you get a taste of ideal autumnal glory. Characterized by clear, deep blue skies that feature warm days and clear crisp nights. You can almost see the leaves changing before your eyes. My only issue with this Norman Rockwell-esque picture is that I have less time to enjoy it every day. My 6:15am walk with my black lab used to be filled with glorious rays from a nice summer sunrise. Now my shadow has disappeared along with those glorious rays. The darkness of winter is slowly taking away my summer sunshine.

I find it almost cruel that the longest day each year is the first day of summer. After June 21st the amount of daylight continues to shrink. At first it is barely noticeable, maybe a minute of daylight taken away each day in June and July, but when September and October arrive my sunshine is stolen at an alarming rate. Sunrise in NYC Sept 1 is 6:20am; sunrise in NYC on Oct 31 is 7:23 am. The times may differ but the story is the same whether you live in Seattle or Miami, the long summer days are over.

The tilt of the earth on its axis does make the length of days more extreme in the northern half of the country. The winter days in Minneapolis feature only 8 hours and 45 minutes of sunlight but the longest summer day has 15 hours and 37 minutes of sunlight. This amounts to a 6 hours difference between the longest and shortest days of the year. San Diego on the other hand changes a little over 4 hours.

Here is a great example of the different extreme sunset positions on the longest and shortest days of the year.

Source: WRC-TV

The sunsets have been superimposed onto one image showing the extremes in Washington D.C. This is from our NBC Weather Plus station WRC. The sun on the right is at the Winter Solstice and the sun on the left is from the Summer Solstice. As you can see, the sunshine is being stolen. Enjoy your fall!

Posted by Bill Karins at 01:52 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Gary Archibald, Weathercaster

We can all be critics… no doubt we are… and let me just say that in the business of broadcast television media, I have encountered my fair share. But this is not about any one particular person – this critique is about a specific naturally occurring phenomenon – a once highly billed tropical storm…her name Gabrielle.

So disappointing.

Her appearance was all glam from the start. Perhaps it was the media hype to some degree, the meteorological science – forecast models and forecasters alike who gave Gabrielle a little too much credit to another – that she would perhaps become a significant storm, likely a Category 1 or 2 hurricane. In the end, Gabrielle, floundered. She did not pack the punch that was in some circles, anxiously anticipated. She did in some local areas deliver some 8” of rain. Storm surge amounted to 1-3 feet, with waves as high as 8-12’. Some local minor flooding occurred. In short, it was handled by area residents along the North Carolina coast with relative ease. Well done. Kudos to the local officials, state and other wise, meteorologists, forecasters and news media for the fair warnings. They were warranted; par for the course… safety and preparedness saves lives. Thankfully, that fact in addition to Gabrielle being a relative “no-show” meant no casualties. No problem. Good stuff.

Consider however…

This is the season though for heightened alert, thus apprehension with respect to any tropical developments is not without merit. We are in the business of forecasting active weather that may have a detrimental impact on life, property, businesses, the local, national, and sometimes even global economy. A lot is a stake. Point taken. However, Gabrielle, was a storm that was very much like many of the so-called Hollywood starlets – who have all the cameras, the paparazzi proper pointed in their direction only to reveal beyond the thin veil of artificial appeal, very little if any substance. You know the type. You have seen the young-twenty-something’s who are paraded before the tabloid-gobbling masses, who have their own perfumes, and CD’s, feature film credits, television reality shows, books (memoirs if you can believe it!), and other… ahem…material often disseminated amongst the myriad of internet sites…some by design…other publicity…not so much.

Alas, having real talent…singers that can actually sing, are trained vocalists and/or musicians, theatrical actors, songwriters…people who have actually studied!!! – are no longer a prerequisites (or so it seems) to stardom, fame, wealth, and/or status. Scandals and pronouncements, press releases in the midst of breaking news stories – these “stars” revel in their vacuous time and space, free-falling in cyberspace, or on the six o’clock news segment of your local television station. We eat it up. They make dollars. Gabrielle your time is up. Dim the lights. Drop the curtain. Thank Goodness.

GA

Thanks to my colleague meteorologist Mike Carloni for the inspiration for writing blog. He told to me to write this. HA!

Posted by Gary Archibald at 04:33 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Gary Archibald, Weathercaster

OK. This was a very easy assignment. I love sports in general – with tennis right up there on the list in addition my first television reporter gig was reporting junior hockey in Canada for a national network some ten years ago So, I was ready and anxiously anticipating one of the greatest tournaments in the world of sport, first officially held in 1881. I was off to the 2007 U.S. Open in Flushing N.Y.!

A little background history about this Grand Slam event:

The United States Open tennis tournament, commonly referred to as the US Open, is the fourth and final event of the Grand Slam tennis tournaments (the others are the Australian Open, The French Open, and Wimbledon). It is held annually in August and September over a two-week period (the weeks prior to and following Labor Day weekend). The main tournament consists of five championships: men's and women's singles, men's and women's doubles, and mixed doubles, with additional tournaments for senior, junior, and wheelchair players. Since 1978, the tournament has been played on acrylic hard court at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center at Flushing Meadows-Corona Park in the Queens borough of New York City. The complex was renamed after King during the 2006 US Open. King is a pioneer in women's tennis and the founder of the Women's Tennis Association (WTA), the Women's Sports Foundation and World Team Tennis (WTT), which she founded with her former husband, Larry King. (Source: Wikipedia)

SLIDESHOW: At The 2007 U.S. Open

U.S. Open, the Stadium and court view.

I was fortunate to have watched matches on Thursday and Friday (September 6th and 7th). On the men’s side, Thursday evening – under lovely conditions I might add (78 F, light winds out of the NW, low humidity values an easy and accommodating weather forecast...my job was done) – I took in the Carlos Moya vs. Novak Djokovic match. The veteran Moya – a clay-court specialist but all-around solid player was in touch against the rising superstar Djokovic – he’s only 20-years old by the way!! The youngster commands the attention of his opponent and the audience. Solid and powerful ground strokes combined with a powerful serve kept Moya on the run for most of the match – but the veteran can hold his own on the world stage with precise shot making and excellent speed and range to get balls most would have no such luck.

Final score:
Djokovic defeated Moya 6-4, 7-6, 6-1

Earlier in the day I was, as I usually do, taking pictures of the grounds and the people at this grand tennis facility. Arthur Ashe Stadium, on of my childhood heroes- is indeed impressive. The centerpiece of the 2-week extravaganza of the world’s best tennis on hard courts is a testament to the highest level of athletic skill, professionalism, and dedication to this world sport – by all who are involved and love tennis. The USTA (The United States Tennis Association really does know how to put on a world-class event, worthy of the stature that is the Grand Slam circuit. I might add, our very own NBC broadcast coverage throughout the tourney has been rock solid, as per the norm.

Next up – the women’s semi-final match between the world’s number one women’s tennis player Justine Henin and former U.S. Open champion, American Venus Williams. This was a brilliant contest between two of the world’s best, with all of the power, speed, shot-making and breath-taking moments you would expect from two greats. Once again, the weather was not a factor – it was 86 F with clear skies and loads of sunshine overhead. It was a touch warm, but otherwise picture perfect.

Final score:
Henin defeated V. Williams 7-6, 6-4

Congratulations to Justine to Henin who eventually won the women’s title defeating Svetlana Kuznetsova 6-1, 6-3 on Championship Saturday September 8th.

Last but not least I was able to attend a meet-and-greet photo-op and autograph signing session with my favorite women’s tennis star of all-time – the magnificent, legendary, classy Chris Evert. A dream come true I have no other words except – that was wonderful.

Legendary tennis superstar – multiple Grand Slam champion Chris Evert and me! U.S. Open 2007. Thanks for the Photo-op and autograph Chris!! - (Courtesy of the USTA and Chris Evert).

Please take a look at the photos I took on the grounds, during the matches et al I love the globe and the fountain on the grounds. Tell me what you think and thanks in advance!

And, in parting I would like to thank the organizers, officials, and staff of the 2007 U.S. Open for operating such a successful tourney – and to the players for providing us with the enjoyment of bearing witness to your great craft, skill, in short – gifts on the court.

My best to you all

- Gary Archibald

Posted by Gary Archibald at 05:21 PM | Permalink | Comments (4)

Meteorologist Britta Merwin

Anyone who knows me realizes how proud I am to be from Colorado and how much I love my home state. I think my colleagues hear more about how wonderful Colorado is everyday! Well now it is time to reach out to our viewers and let you know some of the things that make Colorado so great. The first subject will be the amazing weather and climate research facilities. The following exciting groups are found in majestic Boulder, Colorado.

NCAR:
You know an organization is cool when they go by letters rather than a long name. NCAR, National Center for Atmospheric Research, is a non-governmental group. They conduct research on air quality, weather, climate, and do work with computer modeling. NCAR works with universities providing tools for atmospheric study like radars and also supply technologies for analyzing the atmosphere. The Mesa Laboratory is equally exciting as the landmark flat irons of the Boulder landscape.

NIST:
The National Institute of Standards and Technology is part of the United States Department of Commerce. The Boulder laboratory is extra special for being the home of NIST-F1 which is better known as one of the two most accurate atomic clocks in the World! The other is located in Paris, France. This clock is the source for the United States official time! I can’t think of many things as cool as that!

UCAR
The University Corporation for Atmospheric Research holds its Foothills Laboratory in Boulder, Colorado. The group works with NCAR and numerous universities to support the studies of atmospheric sciences. UCAR is involved in many things one of which being a program called COMET (Cooperative Program for Operational Meteorology Education and Training). The COMET program offers atmospheric science education including awesome on-line modules that explain everything from forecasting radiation fog to cold air damming. This is a great tool for expanding your forecasting skills.

There are many more outstanding atmospheric and oceanic research groups in Colorado along with amazing educational opportunities, making Colorado a wonderful place not only in my heart but the meteorological community as well.

Posted by Britta Merwin at 03:19 PM | Permalink | Comments (3)

Gary Archibald, Weathercaster

In a span of two seeks the Atlantic Basin has produced two monster Category 5 hurricanes, first Dean that hammered away at St. Lucia and then made its way past Jamaica and the Cayman Islands delivering a solid tropical punch of stormy winds, heavy rains and excessive flooding as it moved further west-northwest through the Caribbean Sea. Dean then proceeded to pound the rich cultural and tourist-bound area of the Yucatan Peninsula (Mexico).

Second, and now the current storm story of the last several days is Felix, also a strong category 5 hurricane as it made landfall over northern Nicaragua (right over the coastal town of Dakura) at approximately 7:55 am EDT Monday. With huge storm surge, wind gusts to 190 mph… Felix could devastate Central America with flooding, land and mudslides being responsible for probable casualties.

Meteorologists and forecasters alike have anticipated a very active (above-average) tropical season in the Atlantic for 2007. Indeed, so far that has been the case with respect to the aforementioned hurricanes Dean and Felix. The next named storm will be Gabrielle. Will it be a CAT 5? Statistically, not likely. However, on the heels of Dean, the expectation of yet another Category 5 hurricane forming so soon after the fact – which became Felix was eye-opening.

More storms are coming before this season is over. Will they all reach the most powerful categorization – that too is statistically not likely… but recall how 2005 unfolded with three devastating CAT 5 storms – Wilma, Rita, and Katrina. So far Dean and Felix have been introduced. Dean was deadly and destructive. As of this posting, it remains to be seen what Felix will do in terms of damage to life and property in Central America. It does not look good. Our thoughts, hopes and prayers are with all of those affected by Felix at this hour and through the days ahead.

Next up, a wave off of the southeast US coast is heading out into the open warm waters of the Atlantic – it may get organized and work its way back toward the Carolina coast…or perhaps motion northward.

And let us not forget that tropical storms and depressions can inflict damage too. Henriette is lingering just south of the Baja coast, will likely strengthen to a CAT 1 hurricane over the next day or two and then move northward into the direction of Cabo San Lucas and Loreto. Heavy rains and flooding are a major threat to the region.

Obviously, a lot more tropical activity lies ahead. We’ll keep you best informed here at WeatherPlus.

GA

Posted by Gary Archibald at 11:01 AM | Permalink | Comments (2)

Bill Karins, Meteorologist

Here are the latest observations on Hurricane Felix, a powerful Cat 5 storm that could bring significant damage to Central America and/or Mexico:

Felix will remain a very powerful hurricane until it hits land anywhere from Northern Honduras, Belize or the Yucatan of Mexico. With the exception of Felix's rapid intensification, not much has changed in regard to the forecast path. If anything, once Felix hits the Southern Gulf it is expected to move slower. So far it looks like there is a 0% chance Felix effects the U.S. in the next 5 days and a 25% chance Felix that Felix will effect the U.S. as a tropical storm or hurricane overall. Yesterday was also 25%.

TRACK IT: Follow Felix's Path

Forecast path as of 10:30 am, 9/3/07

The timeline:

Today, Felix will not effect any land areas.

Tuesday night, the center of Felix will come very close to the Coastline of
Honduras. If Felix heads due West, the eye could remain just offshore and
move right along the West to East coastline of Northern Honduras. This
would be a worst case scenario for the country. The last time a strong
hurricane followed this path, 8,000 people died from mudslides and flooding
back in the mid 1970s.

MORE: Hurricane Central

Wednesday night, Felix should make a landfall in Belize. The strength at landfall will depend
on how close Felix gets to Honduras. Closer to Honduras, Belize could get a Cat 1
or 2. If the storm remains 40-60 miles off the coast of Honduras, Belize would
get hit by a Cat 4 or 5. The strongest winds from Felix right now appear
headed from Belize City to Chetumal, Mexico. Unless something changes
dramatically, Cancun and Cozumal, Mexico, will only get brushed once again.

Thursday night, Felix heads into the Southern Gulf after weakening all day. The storm should
be a Cat 1 when it gets off land.

Friday night, Felix begins to strengthen and the forward speed will slow.

Saturday night, Felix, if it survives Honduras and Mexico, would move inland over
Northern Mexico as anything from a Cat 1 to Cat 3.

Saturday night, the heavy rain from Felix would push into South Texas.

Sunday night, Texas continues to see heavy rain from the remnants of Felix.

That's what we expect in the next few days with Hurricane Felix. As always with these storms, things may change so make sure to stay tuned to Weather Plus on your local digital cable and also on the web at weatherplus.com.

-BK

Posted by Bill Karins at 10:08 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)