IN OTHER NEWS...

5 HOURS TILL THIS SHOWS UP IN OBX. UGH.

TROPICAL STORM ANDREA LOCAL STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE NEWPORT/MOREHEAD CITY NC
842 AM EDT THU JUN 6 2013

...TROPICAL STORM WARNING NOW IN EFFECT...

.NEW INFORMATION...
A TROPICAL STORM WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT FOR PORTIONS OF
EASTERN NORTH CAROLINA.

.AREAS AFFECTED...
THIS LOCAL STATEMENT PROVIDES IMPORTANT INFORMATION AND
RECOMMENDED ACTIONS FOR PEOPLE AND MARINE INTERESTS IN SELECT
LOCATIONS AND COASTAL WATER LEGS OF EASTERN NORTH CAROLINA AND
ADJACENT COASTAL WATERS.

.WATCHES/WARNINGS...
A TROPICAL STORM WARNING CONTINUES FOR THE FOLLOWING LOCATIONS...
WASHINGTON...TYRRELL...MAINLAND DARE...BEAUFORT...MAINLAND HYDE...
JONES...CRAVEN...PAMLICO...CARTERET...ONSLOW...OUTER BANKS DARE
AND OUTER BANKS HYDE.

FOR MARINE INTERESTS...A TROPICAL STORM WARNING CONTINUES FOR
ALL OF ATLANTIC COASTAL WATERS INCLUDING ALBEMARLE AND PAMLICO
SOUNDS.

.STORM INFORMATION...
AT 8 AM EDT...THE CENTER OF TROPICAL STORM ANDREA WAS LOCATED
NEAR LATITUDE 27.7N...LONGITUDE 85.1W. THIS WAS ABOUT 770 MILES
SOUTHWEST OF BUXTON NC...OR ABOUT 690 MILES SOUTHWEST OF MOREHEAD
CITY NC. STORM MOTION WAS NORTH-NORTHEAST OR 25 DEGREES AT 14 MPH. STORM
INTENSITY WAS 60 MPH.

.SITUATION OVERVIEW...
WHEN MAKING DECISIONS...DO NOT FOCUS ON THE EXACT FORECAST TRACK.
THE MAIN CONCERN WITH ANDREA AS IT APPROACHES THE REGION IS THE
POTENTIAL FOR HEAVY RAINFALL AND MINOR FLOODING. TWO TO FOUR
INCHES OF RAIN IS EXPECTED...WITH LOCALLY HIGHER AMOUNTS POSSIBLE.
THE HEAVIEST RAINFALL WILL BE EARLY FRIDAY MORNING THROUGH FRIDAY
EVENING. THERE WILL BE A THREAT OF ISOLATED TORNADOES AND
WATERSPOUTS LATE TONIGHT INTO FRIDAY. MINOR WATER LEVEL RISES OF 1
TO 3 FEET ABOVE MEAN SEA LEVEL RESULTING IN INUNDATION OF UP TO 1
FOOT ABOVE GROUND LEVEL WILL BE POSSIBLE FOR AREAS ADJACENT TO THE
NORTHERN PAMLICO SOUND AND SOUTH FACING BEACHES. IMPACTS FROM
COASTAL FLOODING ARE EXPECTED TO BE MINOR. ROUGH SURF WILL CAUSE
SOME EROSION ISSUES...MAINLY SOUTH OF CAPE HATTERAS.

.PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

FOR THOSE UNDER A WARNING...NOW IS THE TIME TO RUSH TO COMPLETION
PREPARATIONS FOR THE PROTECTION OF LIFE AND PROPERTY. EVACUATE IF
DIRECTED TO DO SO BY LOCAL OFFICIALS...OR IF YOUR HOME IS
VULNERABLE TO HIGH WINDS OR FLOODING.

FOR INTERESTS AT PORTS...DOCKS...AND MARINAS...URGENTLY COMPLETE
PRESCRIBED PREPARATIONS ACCORDING TO YOUR EMERGENCY OPERATIONS
PLAN FOR TROPICAL CYCLONES. IF YOU LIVE ON A BOAT...MAKE FINAL
PREPARATIONS FOR SECURING YOUR CRAFT BEFORE LEAVING IT. BE SURE
TO ACCOUNT FOR THE POSSIBLE CLOSURE OF BRIDGES AND CAUSEWAYS.

REGARDING ANY COASTAL WATERS UNDER A WARNING...SMALL CRAFT SHOULD
REMAIN IN PORT AND WELL SECURED.

FOR ADDITIONAL PRECAUTIONARY AND PREPAREDNESS INFORMATION...
PLEASE REFER TO THE DETAILED RECOMMENDATIONS RELATIVE TO YOUR
LOCATION AS FURTHER DESCRIBED BY YOUR LOCAL NATIONAL WEATHER
SERVICE OFFICE AND LOCAL EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT.

&&

.NEXT UPDATE...
THE NEXT LOCAL STATEMENT WILL BE ISSUED BY THE NATIONAL WEATHER
SERVICE IN NEWPORT/MOREHEAD CITY AROUND 12 PM EDT...OR SOONER IF
CONDITIONS WARRANT.

Boys of Summer

 Yesterday was a gorgeous day of full sun, so we all took advantage of it. There was no blogging to be done yesterday at Besito. Only beach fun, pool time, and soaking up the sun. After I took the bottom photograph, I dropped my phone and the screen cracked.  So there's that. My morning activity became driving to The Blue Whale to get scotch tape to put over my phone face so I could still use it.

After fixing the phone, even Buddha seemed anxious to get out into the sun, so we headed down for some pool time.  We split our time equally between pool and hot tub, then it is usually time for lunch. The cooking (mainly by Chris Mueller and my husband) has been incredible. Notably the "Iron Bitchstick" cooking show starring Chris Mueller cooking up grilled cheese sanwhiches while doing kicks and turns in the kitchen.

Down at the pool, Buddha got some raft time in, which he really loves.

After some pool time, it was hot tub time, then lunch. I've been experimenting with "Sun-In" and got a bit blonder than I expected. So there's that. Not exactly the look I was aiming at, but we're gonna go with it.After watching the weather channel enough to make even myself sick, and monitoring "Invest 91" as it became "Andrea", it was time for an evening trip to the beach.  Buddha finally pooped (TMI, I know, but when your dog doesn't poop for 2 days, it becomes something to celebrate), and finally ate a substantial meal (another thing he hasn't done in two days). We lit a bonfire, and I was perimeter check for ghost crabs, that are larger than ever this year, and seem to have no fear to walk right up to you. 

I bought some powder that you put on the fire to make it different colors for a dollar at The Blue Whale.  It was gorgeous and worthwhile. So we enjoyed the day for what it was yesterday. According to the Weather Channel, we have about five hours of sun left before Andrea moves into Dare county. We are going to make the most of it before she rains on our parade. Details later.  I'll have plenty of time to blog when it's raining.

xoxoSGS

OBX 2013

We are on Day 2 of OBX 2013 trip. The first evening we were here, we had great sunny weather.  The trip down was easy, as there was no traffic at all. Buddha was ecstatic about the trip, as you can see.

As we crossed the bridge to Hatteras Island, a feeling of weightlessness took me over.  I have been under such stress and pressure for the past four months, and this week is the only week all year that I feel a total sense of relaxation and release. This trip couldn't be timed any better.

Yesterday, the weather was rainy all day as a frontal system went through. I still have some wedding computer work to get done while I am here, so it presented me with the best possible time to do that.

 Buddha took advantage of Daddy doing computer work in bed all day by napping right next to me.

 So today it looks like the clouds will burn off and we will get some sun.  I am going to soak up as much of it as I can, as the weather looks like it could get a little shaky by the weekend, due to a little something called "Invest 91" that is brewing in the Gulf of Mexico. I will hopefully have some sunny photos to take today, and will update them on here when I can!
xoxoSGS

Super Outbreak 2 - wrap up.

(Photo right: Stafford, VA)

Not since the 1974 Super Outbreak have we seen such a violent tornadic outbreak in the US. In the past several days, over 160 tornadoes have touched down in multiple states in the Southeast, killing as many as 249 known people. Many are still missing or unaccounted for. It is a rarity to have such an outbreak in the DMV region, though we have had strong tornadoes in the past. Nine years ago today, an F4 tornado ravaged Charles County, and La Plata, MD in particular. But to have this many funnel clouds and Doppler indicated tornadoes, as well as spotted tornadoes on the ground is very much out of the ordinary.

The South also suffered horrific damage, including a horrific F5 tornado that hit Tuscaloosa and Birmingham, Alabama. The Capital Weather Gang wrote a good summary piece about how this outbreak happened, and in their post, you can watch incredible footage of live news coverage from downtown Tuscaloosa as the monster storm approaches. Click HERE to read the article and see the video. And to step back and really look at the big picture on a human scale, you should look at this link of photos from the devastation. Click HERE. The photos bring tears to my eyes.

Below are several photos that I have found of tornadoes throughout the DMV region from yesterday. After this week's devastating and too close for comfort storms, my hope is that everyone develops a tornado plan for themselves and their family, in case you have not already done so. After 249 deaths, 8 of which occurred in Virginia, I really hope you do. Stay aware and stay safe.

SPOTSYLVANIA/STAFFORD VA

DUMFRIES, VA

CLINTON, MD

ANDREWS AIRFORCE BASE

You can follow your local DMV weather at my links to the side, Weather.com, Capital Weather Gang, or WTOP News. Tornado season is just beginning. Have a plan of action for you and your family.

xoxo
SGS

UPDATE: The death toll has risen to 272 and counting. This now ranks as the 2nd deadliest outbreak in the past 50 years.

Tornadoes in Western PA

Yesterday several tornadoes touched down in Western, PA according to the National Weather Service in Pittsburgh, PA. While there have been tornadoes in Western PA before, it is not a common event. I was watching the coverage on tv yesterday, and when the classic "hook" echo popped up on the radar, I knew that WEPA was in for some bad weather. Pictured is a photo of the tornado in Hempfield.

Here are photos of the Greensburgh tornado, first as a funnel cloud, then as a fully developed tornado, crossing the road in the middle of rush hour.

Featured in the link is a video that is going viral, featuring a Western PA teen filming the formation of the tornado. Why is it going viral? Several factors at play here...1) The WEPA accent is a thing of horrid beauty, especially his repeated exclamations of "Oh My GAWWD". 2) His waaay over the top reaction at the end of the video when the funnel touched down...as he yells "TOUCHDOWN", you might be tempted to think that a Steelers game is on. 3) His phone conversation with his Mom as he is filming, where he lies and says that he is going inside, then describes the small funnel as HUGE, and when he sees a leaf blow by, telling of "things being ripped apart!". Enjoy the over enthusiasm HERE.

ThunderSnowCommuteApocalypse!

Wednesday night's thunder snow was quite an amazing meteorological event. I was geeked out beyond all geekdom, going from radar screens to my balcony to The Weather Channel. But what I had not thought about was the roadways.

With the government letting employees go at 3, when the storm was just starting to hit, the situation became dire. Heavy snow hit the region in the peak of an early rush hour.

Sunset Boulevard cancelled it's performance and many were already en route to the theatre. I have heard tales of 6-9 hours in a car from several people. Conditions deteriorated so rapidly, that many were caught off guard about how much snow, the quality of the snow, and the poor visibility.

I had an exchange with a Giant clerk on Tuesday. Let's just call her "Patty". She saw me buying Duraflame logs and getting a few other supplies, and she rolled her eyes and told another customer that I was overreacting and rolled her eyes. She then went on to tell me that it was only going to be rain, and that she saw that on the news a day ago.

Now folks, if you are reading this, I think you fairly know me. I was LITERALLY on the web on my phone while in line, monitoring the reports and computer models. The models had shifted significantly since the forecast that she saw. She went on to tell me that Doug Hill said it would just be rain, and that he was always right. I told her that Doug Hill had changed his mind, as the storm shifted track. She said "No. I've lived here for 20 years. He didn't change his mind". I held up my phone and said "I am looking at his website right now. He. Changed. His. Mind."

She said, quite inexplicably while pointing at my phone, "Well, I wouldn't trust that thing."

This was clearly her last defense. At this point I also questioned why I was having a weather spat with a Giant clerk.

I have thought on this long and hard, and it boils down to this:

Some think I am a geek for obsessing over weather. Ok. Point taken. But I'll tell you what. I was prepared for what was coming because I paid attention to the forecasts. Just because you hear that Sunday is going to be nice on the news on Tuesday, does NOT mean that the forecast has not changed SINCE Tuesday. Weather is part of nature, and is constantly evolving and changing. And then the yammering begins, with people saying that this wasn't called for, and they didn't say this, blah,blah,blah.

Knowledge is power, folks. Arm yourself. It is but a click away on your computer.

And in my opinion, the MOST accurate place to find any weather information, as they were also the FIRST to call this storm accurately and in advance of everyone else is the Capital Weather Gang. Trust them before and above anyone else.

Not a sermon, just a thought.

Now I am going to go monitor the Tuesday/ Wednesday storm scenarios, as there is already a possibility of something headed our way then, most likely Wednesday. I will keep you posted.

xoxo

SGS

Eyes on Earl

I have my attention focused on Hurricane Earl this week, and hope that it doesn't wreck the last weekend of summer in our area. He is a category 3 right now, is forecast to become a category 4 by tomorrow morning, and the cone of possibility could take it to our area by Friday. I will be watching it verrrrry closely.

Tropical Outlook: Very Bad

NOAA came out with their Hurricane Season outlook yesterday, and maaannnn is it awful looking.

They predict a 70 percent probability of 14 to 23 Named Storms (top winds of 39 mph or higher), including:
8 to 14 Hurricanes (top winds of 74 mph or higher), of which:
3 to 7 could be Major Hurricanes (Category 3, 4 or 5; winds of at least 111 mph) .

To put this in scope, this was about the same outlook as the year of Hurrican Katrina.

Full details HERE.

Also, an interesting post by NOAA on Weather.com about how "Hurricanes Vs the Oil Spill". Check it out HERE.

Severe Thunderstorm Watch Today

Severe Thunderstorm Watch is in effect until 900 PM EDT

According to Weather.com, it should start coming into the DC Metro area around 8pm. Plan accordingly.

Flash Flood Watch Today

Flash Flood Watch
Expires 4:00 AM EDT on May 28, 2010
Statement as of 8:50 AM EDT on May 27, 2010
... Flash Flood Watch remains in effect from 5 PM EDT this afternoon through late tonight... The Flash Flood Watch continues for * portions of Maryland... the District of Columbia and northern Virginia... including the following areas... in Maryland... Anne Arundel... Carroll... Harford... Howard... Montgomery... northern Baltimore... Prince Georges and southern Baltimore. The District of Columbia. In northern Virginia... Arlington/Falls Church/Alexandria and Fairfax.*
From 5 PM EDT this afternoon through late tonight* scattered thunderstorms will form late this afternoon and move slowly move toward the south. Heavy rain will be possible from any storms... with greater coverage expected this evening as a cold front arrives. Rainfall rates may exceed one to two inches an hour which could cause flash flooding across the Baltimore and Washington metropolitan areas.
Precautionary/preparedness actions... A Flash Flood Watch means that conditions may develop that lead to flash flooding. Flash flooding is a very dangerous situation. You should monitor later forecasts and be prepared to take action should flash flood warnings be issued.

Tornado forms in front of a car in Raleigh, NC

http://www.liveleak.com/view?i=a21_1272449856

Breaking News - Ohio Valley Tornado Outbreak predicted for tomorrow.

From Dr. Greg Forbes of the Weather Channel -

FRIDAY. Severe thunderstorm and tornado outbreak in a limited area: IN, OH, west PA and NY, south MI. Could be some early-day hail in IL. Could be a strong tornado in OH, west PA.

And the Storm Watch continues...

So it's been about a week since I updated, as Brandon so cutely pointed out in his comment on the post below. lol. My parents made it there fine, and now are on their way back, and staying at my Aunt Gloria's for the next night or two.


Aunt Gloria lives in Cleveland.


TWC came out with Friday's Tor:Con probability chart today. Here it is...


Yes, that's a 7 out of 10 (ten being the highest) for Northern Ohio.
I swear these storms follow my parents around.
Here is how TWC lists it's number probability charts, fyi:

10: Near 100% chance of a tornado within 50 miles (we'll call that "area")
8: High probability of a tornado in area
6: Moderate probability of a tornado in area
4: Low probability of a tornado in an area; hail and high winds in t-storms likely
2: Unlikely to have a tornado, but hail and high winds in t-storms possible
0: Near-zero chance of a tornado or severe t-storms in area.

So my parents risk in this area is somewhere between Modeate and High. I will keep my watch up tomorrow, and fill you in as more becomes known tomorrow. This looks like a highly explosive weather scenario for the Ohio Valley, and let's hope it is not half as bad as Dr. Greg Forbes seems to think it will be - as he was saying earlier today that the possibility of not only tornadoes, but perhaps a LARGE tornado to touch down in the Ohio Valley is high. Details to follow.

sgs