WebsterGroves's posts about:
Weather
See all posts with this tag
| Page 1 of 2 |
1 |
2 |
 |
Last |
A St Louis weather blogger made a startling prediction this morning at a press conference attended by national media that is making waves in the international weather community.
An area weather blogger outlines her prediction that flood levels in St Louis will reach remarkable 10,000 year levels
This weather blogger, who prefers to remain nameless due to the sensitivity of her research and the dramatic outcomes she predicts, predicted unprecedented flooding at "the 10,000 year level", resulting, she surmises, in "violence, chaos, and quite likely, rampant arson throughout the area."
"I come to you today bearing horrible news. I predict that within 36 hours the St Louis area will reach flooding at the ten thousand year level, which we have not seen in 500 years," she announced to the stunned crowd. She then produced a photo from 1505 showing what the area can expect if her predictions come to fruition.
A serf's hut floats by the Gateway Arch in this file photo from the "Great Flood of 1505"
"At the levels we saw back then, the St Louis area, going as far west as I-270, would be completely under water," she proclaimed as a collective gasp rose from the crowd.
"Now, I am not a hydrologist, but I believe my calculations to be accurate and my research methods impeccable," she reiterated to skeptics asking questions. "However, I must refuse to divulge my methods due to copyright issues. Rest assured, I used a lot of math," she continued.
As the media scattered for their live shots, St Louisans wait uneasily to see if this latest prediction comes true and, if so, as Brian Williams somberly intoned: "God help us all, because there is no sand bag machine capable of saving this city. I do, however, promise to anchor 'The Nightly News'" from here with newly produced dramatic "devastating flood music."
Brian Williams fanning the fears of area residents by somberly intoning that the St Louis area should be prepared for panic and arson
In anticipation of what is expected to be a long wait for the next measurable snowfall in the St Louis area, weather bloggers have turned to group therapy sessions to combat the anxiety, depression, paranoia, and the resultant unhealthy behaviors associated with the frustration of waiting for snow.
The weather bloggers hold their thrice-weekly group therapy sessions at an undisclosed location
Those weather bloggers who are not currently incarcerated, awaiting trial, or banned for threatening behavior have agreed to meet approximately 3 times a week for support and coping strategies.
One blogger, chain smoking with lit cigarettes in each hand and balancing a warm tumbler of whiskey on his knee, voiced the concern the group has regarding the fear they have that it will never snow again. In a shaking voice he told his story and ended it on a desperate note. "I mean, I had over a foot on that last one. I just know that is never going to happen again, man. Ever. Do you HEAR ME? I'm so scared that it's over." He inhaled deeply and began quietly sobbing, "It's going to be so #$%#$ hot here this summer, I don't think I can get through this again. Someone is going to have to pay." Other group members nodded and murmured their concerns.
This is an odd and eclectic group whose secrecy borders on outright paranoia. No Channel 2 employees or staff members are allowed to attend and the group demands to meet in a locked, password-protected room, provided and paid for by Fox2. As members took turns telling their personal stories, they were occasionally interrupted by text messages from other bloggers wanting to come in the room.
"Hey...anyone know W--------?", asked a college-aged blogger, "he wants in and keeps asking for the password...yes or no?"
"NO!", many of the bloggers instantly responded. A particularly authoritative-bordering-on-obnoxiously-rude blogger screamed "Do not even answer that text...do you hear me? Do NOT answer him...ignore him!"
Other requests were met with replies of "Oh yeah, that person's cool, let 'em in" or "I don't know" repeatedly until the person making the request gave up after texting increasingly angry and curse-laden messages.
These interruptions continued to pepper the storytelling with the occasional blogger being let in and welcomed warmly by the bloggers.
There are moments of hope, such as when one blogger brought up the recent earthquakes and aftershocks. All agreed it was a great moment that left them elated, but fearful of hoping for more. "Look, we need at least a 6 here before I can start to get happy about this," said one blogger, "and I would really be jazzed by something in the sevens - not that I would hope for any death or destruction, of course. I mean who wants THAT? Well, you know, not much any way. Not really. I mean, what happens, happens, and it's not my fault if a huge friggin quake splits the earth...."
A volunteer group leader cleared her throat and suggested that the group should perhaps "move along." One blogger suggested that maybe the group could "get into" crop circles since it's "kind of a spring and summer-type occurrence" and
"we have all of southern Illinois...it could happen." A quick vote of the group nixed that idea since all agreed it was not really "weather". An erudite young blogger summed it up by noting that "waiting for a front that to move in that will probably dissipate right before it hits the metro is agonizing enough....can you imagine how strung out we'd all be waiting for crop circles??"
At this point. things took a turn for the worse. Possibly sensing the inevitability of a frustrating wait all summer for the chance to wait for snow in the fall, the mood turned ugly and the paranoia flared.
"Hey, when did he get here," one of the members said, pointing to a blogger who goes only by the number "2" and who had thus far remained silent. "Who let him in?"
A weather blogger confronts a silent group therapy member suspected of being a management interloper. Paranoia is common among the bloggers.
The group quickly turned en masse on this particular person firing questions at him "Who ARE you, anyway? Did management send you? Are you keeping a log?"
"No," was his only response, with no further explanation of whether or not he was indeed a "Fox news overlord" as he has been accused of in the past. And just like that, what had seemed like a dangerous situation about to dissolve into chaos and violence, possibly involving arson, now abated into a calmer, albeit fetid, atmosphere.
"What is the point of having a password if Fr------ is just going to give it to every Gomer who asks for it," sighed one even-tempered member. "This room belongs to all of us, not just him, he shouldn't do that."
One by one, the group members slipped away, some noticeably intoxicated, most very quiet, and few happier for the experience. All, however, agreed they would be back in a couple of days.
"You know the crop circles thing," mused one Illinois blogger who lives near a corn field, "I can see how that just might work."
In what can only be described as a dramatic turn of events in what has already been an unsettling weather pattern, an anonymous weather blogger has claimed responsibility for not only the record snowfalls of last winter but, astonishingly, the recent earthquakes that have rattled the St Louis area.
Regular bloggers will recall the startling announcement this unidentified blogger made last Fall regarding a "weather machine" he built that he claimed would make it snow. In a tirade laced with expletives and threats of violence and tinged with flashes of coherence, the Pacific-area businessman demonstrated how the machine would make it snow. With only this reporter and a fellow blogger in attendance, the "snowman maker" (not his real name) explained how this seemingly simple metal device hidden in a cornfield would produce snow for the area.
A Pacific video store owner demonstrates his weather machine to a fellow weather blogger. Chicago meteorologist Tom Skilling was also spotted darting furtively in the corn.
National Weather Service mets scoffed at the "machine" at the time. "Sure, I can easily see how he could control the weather for Pacific," said a met who only wished to be identified as TRUETT, "but for the whole St Louis region? I think NOT!"
One TV meteorologist said "I kept thinking the snow would end in 30 minutes, but by gum if it didn't snow for, like, 6 more hours. Literally."
Now, few are laughing and many skeptics are converts to the "weather machine" concept of controlling the weather.
We were recently invited to see previously unseen components of the weather machine complex, provided we did not identify the Pacific video store owner and Union resident's identity. We immediately agreed.
After the obligatory trek through the corn to see the "mother ship", "Snowman" took us to see the actual snow-making contraption and even turned started it up for a quick demonstration. We were allowed to take a photo as long as all identifying landmarks were blocked out. We believe the photo below of this new technology will blow your mind.
Snowman99, weather blogger at Channel 2, turned on his snow-making machine, which he claims was responsible for the record snowfalls this past winter
The most bizarre and astonishing device was yet to be seen, however. We were invited into the basement of the video store, where a beaming "Snowman99" showed us his latest machine. "I call it the 'earthquake machine' ", he said. "The wires are infused with electricity while the big wheel spins - creating what scientists call a 'vortex of circumlocution'. Or is it circular electricity? I always get those 2 mixed up."
Basically, the high levels of electricity spinning on the spools create an energy field that reacts in a seismic fashion to disrupt plate tectonics and create earthquakes.
The weather blogger stands in front of his "earthquake machine" which he claims is responsible for the recent seismic activity in the St Louis area. It runs off a small battery (in case of power outage) and includes a small warning note to himself to turn off his cell phone before switching on the machine.
"I'm actually an earthquake skeptic", he said, noting that he does not believe earthquakes occur naturally but are only controlled by anthropogenic sources. "I'm going to increase the size of these spools to the ones they use for telephone wire (do they still use those?) and then we'll see this place REALLY shake!" he promised.
"My control needs a little fine-tuning," he laughed. "This morning I was like 'dude, that was totally NOT supposed to be in Fenton'", explaining that he intended it for the Belleville area. "I'm trying to keep them on the east side or down in New Madrid, but I had a call come in on my cell right at the critical point and well, I use Cingular, so there was interference."
When asked if there was by any chance ANOTHER machine responsible for the flooding, he leaped over the counter with one fist pulled back as if to strike, and said in a threatening manner, "If I didn't have to go wait on a customer right now, I would not let you leave here without a good beating." This leads us to believe that there is yet more to be discovered at this unidentified video store in Pacific.
May Weather Blogging
May 1, 2008 | 8:22 AM PST
Category:
Weather
Although there is not much going on right now in weather, I'll start up a blog so the weather bloggers have a place to gather with fresh weather news. I'll leave it to those with a greater ability than I at interpreting the models to flesh out their forecasts in the comments.
There is the potential for severe weather tomorrow, so check the comments for updates.
- Models have slowed somewhat with the next system to push through - instead of Thursday evening, it looks like more of a Friday/Friday night event with potential for severe storms; KC area is looking at the potential for thunderstorms and tornadic activity Thursday evening;
- SNOW in the west - Rapid City, SD, could see 1-3 FEET!
What's going on in your weather world?
Godspeed Chris Higgins!
Apr 26, 2008 | 7:48 AM PST
Category:
Weather
As many here know, Sunday will be the last day on the air for the next six months as he is deployed as a member of the US Air Force Reserves. Chris is a weather officer with the United States Air Force Reserves (12th Operational Weather Flight) at Scott Air Force Base.
We weather bloggers have truly appreciated Chris' tireless answers to our many questions, his explanations, and his willingness to consider analysis from others.
We'll miss you while you're away, Chris, but appreciate what you are doing. I would like to say I speak for all of us when we say we'll be thinking of you and your family during your absence and will look forward to whatever you can post as time and circumstances allow.
Chris will be back just in time to start tracking our winter storms!
Godspeed, Chris!
Please use the comment section to post your message to Chris.
SHAKIN AGAIN!!!
Apr 18, 2008 | 10:17 AM PST
Category:
Weather
At 10:15AM we are shaking here again...not as much as this morning but definitely happening again. I had two separate rumbles....did you feel this one?
Google Sky
Mar 18, 2008 | 3:34 PM PST
Category:
Weather
It must be fun to work at Google. To not only get paid to sit around and imagine creating cool stuff, but to actually see it get implemented.
Such is the case with Google Sky.
Think Google Earth but bigger. Much bigger. Like for the Universe.
Viewing options include the Solar System, Constellations, Hubble Showcase, Backyard Astronomy, Chandra X-Ray Showcase, and more.
Check it out when you get a chance.
Weather Bloggers Temporary Chat
Mar 13, 2008 | 3:59 PM PST
Category:
Weather
Now that the traditional chat has been disabled, some of us weather bloggers have regrouped on the IRC. The webteam has indicated there will eventually be a weather chat, but until then we on on the IRC, underground, #stlweather. No password. Patrick deleted my original post explaining how to get to the IRC ( with an explanation) but said it was ok to re-post this.
Here's how to get on the IRC (Internet Relay Chat):
Step 1: Get Firefox and use it as your browser;
Step 2: Get the ChatZilla add-on
Step 3: Open Firefox and under "Tools" at the top, click on Chatzilla;
Step 4: Once Chat is open, click on "undernet" on the list at the
bottom. Follow the instructions. Once you're logged on, type /nick and
choose your nickname. Type /join stlweather.
Don't have Firefox or don't want to get it? Get mIRC. Download, install, follow the instructions for set up and follow Step 4 above.
See you on the IRC.
Despite the blogger's last minute anger at the NAM for losing the storm last night and making it look like the St Louis area would get nothing, we ended up with a healthy little storm here. The "haves" got a 7,10 or a foot or more, the "have-nots" got little to nothing.
And so, with all the vigor of a FoXXXXXXXXXXX!!2 reporter hitting the station ID on a hand-off, Winter gave us a nice end-of-season snowstorm.
Please post your location and total below so I can post it on the blogger map. I may have already added it, so please check the map (you can find your name to the left of the map) and see if it's already there. If you would like to update a previous storm total, I will be happy to add that as well. Thanks!
View Larger Map
What a GREAT storm. A little sluggish in getting here, but in the end the area ended up with a solid 7-9", just as predicted on Chris's Corner.
Here in Webster Groves, I ended up with just under 8". Hopefully, you read "How To Measure Snow" (see my previous blog for the link) on Chris Higgins's website: www.morethanweatherstl.com. Please post your totals below and I'll add it to the blogger map.
View Larger Map
As many of you know I have created a weather bloggers map that shows where we all are. I've also updated with snowfall totals as reported from the December 15th storm.
View Larger Map
In anticipation of the next winter storm that we're expecting, I'd like to update it with the new bloggers who have joined us. Not sure if you're already on the map? Just click on it to check. If you're not on and would like to be added, just leave your approximate location in the comments, getting as specific as you'd like. Your town name is fine, or, if you'd like to give cross streets, that works, too - it's up to you.
After the storm, I'll do another blog asking for storm totals. If you're planning on measuring your snow, please check out Chris Higgins's website for How to Measure Snow at Home
for the most accurate reading and so we're measuring consistently. Enjoy the weather!
Ideas for Saving Energy
Dec 21, 2007 | 6:57 AM PST
Category:
Weather
With the cost of fuel rising and the concerns about how our fuel consumption affect the environment, many of us are constantly looking for ways to conserve energy and save money. Some of these ideas you've no doubt heard about and may already be using.
Compact fluorescent light bulbs
CF light bulbs are one of the easiest ways to get started saving energy. You've probably seen these spiral-shaped light bulbs in the stores; recently, they've become more widely available. Lowe's and Home Depot have had them for a long time, but now even Schnuck's sells them, so it's easy to get started. Don't want to invest what it would cost to replace all your light bulbs at once? Just replace them as needed. I get mine in multi-packs from Costco.
A couple of things to get used to with CF bulbs: there is a little lag between the time you turn on the switch and the light going on and they initially are a little dimmer and then brighten up. I found these two quirks pretty easy to get used to.
Programmable Thermostat
This is an easy change to make with immediate, noticeable savings. I replaced my old dial-type thermostat for my forced-air gas furnace, with a 7-day programmable thermostat. I have mine set so that my furnace kicks on 15 minutes before my alarm goes off in the morning. It goes down again during the day (I don't have a set schedule of being at home or away) so if no one is in the house, it goes back down to around 60. Around 3, when we're all back in the house, it goes back up again. After we're all in bed for the night, it goes back down to 57. Try taking it down a few degrees - you might be surprised that you can keep it set lower and still be comfortable. Each degree cooler can save upto 5% in energy costs!
I installed mine myself. I have an old, 80+-year old house and I had no trouble wiring this, even after being forced to use a dime in place of the tiny screwdriver I couldn't find. The wires are standard color-coded and easy to match up and connect.
Thermal Replacement Windows
This is a more major investment, obviously, but well worth it, in my opinion. I had original windows from the 1920s and could see the curtains move with the breeze! I replaced them all with energy saving thermal windows, and the savings were big and immediate. This is also a great way to add value to your home for resale purposes. This is typically not a DIY project, but check around because prices vary for the same type of window. Until you replace them, keep curtains and blinds closed in very cold and hot weather to reduce drafts;
Tankless Water Heater
Tankless ( or "on demand) water heaters are an efficient replacement for older gas or electric water heaters. Traditional "tank" water heaters produce stand-by energy - heating the water even when it's not needed. Tankless water heaters only heat the water when it's needed. Cold water pass through the unit and the water is either heated from a gas burner or an electric element, depending on the type.
According the tankless water heating buying guide:
For homes that use 41 gallons or less of hot water daily, Tankless
Water Heaters can be 24% – 34% more energy efficient than conventional
storage tank water heaters. They can be 8% – 14% more energy efficient
for homes that use a lot of hot water, around 86 gallons per day. You
can achieve an even greater energy savings of 27% – 50% if you install
a Tankless Water Heater at each hot water outlet.
Most people will need to consult a licensed electrician and/or plumber for installation. Tankless water heaters typically cost morethan traditional tank water heaters, but their life-span is 20+ years (as opposed to 10 or so for tank heaters) and they have easily replaceable parts that can extend their lifespan beyond that.
Want to go solar? Kits for solar water heaters are readily available.
How They Work
Solar water heating systems include storage tanks and solar
collectors. There are two types of solar water heating systems: active,
which have circulating pumps and controls, and passive, which don't.
Most solar water heaters require a well-insulated storage tank.
Solar storage tanks have an additional outlet and inlet connected to
and from the collector. In two-tank systems, the solar water heater
preheats water before it enters the conventional water heater. In
one-tank systems, the back-up heater is combined with the solar storage
in one tank.
Three types of solar collectors are used for residential applications:
- Flat-plate collector
- Integral collector-storage systems
- Evacuated-tube solar collectors
There are two types of active solar water heating systems:
- Direct circulation systems
- Indirect circulation systems
(click on the link above for more information about the different types of systems)
For bigger projects, room additions and new construction, consider using sustainable materials, such bamboo flooring, and radiant underfloor heating. I put underfloor radiant heating in my kitchen and master bath. This was mostly a DIY project except for the final electrical hookups, which probably need to be done by a licensed electrician, depending upon your municipality codes. They are programmable, so you can have it kick on to be warm by the time your are going to be using it (morning and evening for the kitchen and at night and early morning for the master bath, for instance) and have vacation settings so you're not wasting energy when you're away.
There are many ways, both big and small, in which we can reduce our energy consumption; simple things such as turning off lights and appliances when not in use, to bigger projects which might initially require a bigger investment but can help us save money and energy.
Easy things to do to save energy
- Buy high-efficiency, Energy Star appliances. Replace old washing machines with front loading machines that use less water; these machines also spin more water out of your clothes the dryer doesn't have to work as hard or long to dry the clothes;
- Wash most loads on the "Cold" setting;
- Run the dishwasher only when it's full;
- Don't leave kitchen and bathroom fans running longer than necessary - they pull the heat and cool air out of the house;
- Plug and seal a chimney if you don't use the fireplace;
- On fireplaces that you used, make sure you install glass doors and close them when not in use;
- Change your furnace filters as indicated (many programmable thermostats have "filter" alerts;
A giant representation of the NAM
is carried in the parade on Wednesday
The streets of downtown St Louis were littered in confetti yesterday as businesses closed and children were taken out of school by their parents to witness the ticker tape parade given by area bloggers for the NAM forecast model. The parade was kicked off by Mayor Francis Slay proclaiming Wednesday as "NAM Day" and he drank a bottle of champagne to celebrate. The NAM was declared the most accurate of all the models in predicting this past weekend's historic snow storm. A huge representation of the NAM was carried by Channel 2's Angela Hutti and Mark Geldmeier. Shriners drove tiny "weather" cars and careened precariously close to the small children sitting in the gutter watching the parade. Other huge parade balloons delighted the parade-goers.
One of the many giant balloons in the NAM parade on Wednesday, was "Edward from the Alchemist"
At the end of the parade, when bloggers marching in the parade were informed that the NAM predicted rain for Christmas, they quickly burned the effigy of the NAM. Chaos ensued.
Little is left of the NAM after it was burned in effigy
In news that has stunned the St Louis Weather community, it was announced today that the Channel 2 Weather Team has been implicated in the ongoing steroid scandal and that Chief Meteorologist Dave Murray has been named in the Mitchell Report . Rumors first surfaced last May when Murray testified before the Congressional Committee placed in charge of investigating the apparent rampant use of steroids among professional meteorologists.During Murray's testimony, very little was learned as he began his opening statement saying "I'm not here to talk about the past." He refused to be specific in his answers and only talked in vague generalities. Murray's salary is estimated to be in the $20-$30 million range, not including bonuses for higher snowfall totals and a grade of B+ or higher from bloggers on his seasonal forecasts. Thus far, the bloggers have never given him higher than a B, and speculation is that Murray was under pressure to use artificial means to raise the grade.
Channel 2 Chief Meteorologist Dave Murray testifying before Congress last MayReached for comment, Murray angrily denounced the investigation as "rubbish" before casually tossing the television news van out of his way and devouring a live cow.
Area weather enthusiasts were both angry and disappointed. "It all makes sense now," said a Brighton weatherman, who asked not to be identified. "I had noticed that the temperature ranges in his forecasts were just WAY out of the normal prediction range and I know it wasn't just because of the math," he went on to say. "I think this is a black eye on weather in general," noting to say he was first shocked when popular meteorological star, Henry Margusity admitted to decades of steroid and human growth hormone use and is awaiting sentencing for lying to Congress and obstructing an FBI investigation.
Brighton Weatherman pointed out that Margusity had long been suspected of using artificial means to improve his forecasts. "If you're a close follower of the weather, as I am, it was obvious Henry was using. His snowfall maps were amped, his videos were enormous and out of control, and he seemed to have increasing trouble making a decision and 'sticking to his guns', to use a term. Now we know Margusity was just the tip of the iceberg."
Channel 2 news had erroneously initially reported that Meteorologist Chris Higgins's name was also on the list, but Higgins vehemently denied ever taking steroids, screaming "I am not juiced!" to anyone who would listen.
Meteorologist Chris Higgins who was erroneously reported as being on the list of steroid usersHis agent released a statement to the media today:"It has come to my attention that several national and local news outlets have published false reports that associated my name with the Mitchell Report. I have never disrespected, nor cheated the science of meteorology and knew without a doubt that my name would not be mentioned in the official investigation. I would like to express how upset and disappointed I am over the reckless reporting that took place this morning. It has caused me and my family a lot of senseless aggravation due to their inaccurate information.
"What concerns me, is the affect this has had on my family and that my character and values have now been questioned due to the media's lack of accuracy in their reporting. I have never had a problem with the media when they do their job correctly, whether it is positive or negative -- just as long as they report truthfully. After all, I AM the media, too.
"I would like to thank my fans and bloggers for their continued support and never doubting my integrity. God has blessed me and allowed me the ability to predict the weather that I would never take for granted."
Dec 15th Snowfall Totals
Dec 16, 2007 | 8:30 AM PST
Category:
Weather
What a nice storm! I'd like to update the blogger map with area totals, so please post your totals in the comments and I will add your info to the map. I received 8.5" here in Webster Groves - almost 4" of that was from 7:30 pm on into the night. If you're not sure how to take correct measurements, please take a moment to watch Chris's video. Thanks!
| Page 1 of 2 |
1 |
2 |
|
Last |
