tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-335366492024-03-23T12:44:55.898-05:00WREX.com - Rockford's News Leader - 13 Weather Authority BlogEric Sorensenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09626612095280295895noreply@blogger.comBlogger1900125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33536649.post-63272618210215119242009-02-27T15:37:00.002-06:002009-02-27T15:37:46.402-06:00<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://addins.wrex.com/blogs/weather/"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 222px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7VfLl_ZYVkNgp7-2kQEFxDx7XHtd6pFS5YS0zoclheGKWzRC-H1CyWcKdSN4PsR4isXpoUaC3jTlyHbEabRmVLAJGiAfVqe0c9sHcHw_aBi63UzT4qSlg021ANZIDxNNWJBkf/s400/moved.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5307594558663629378" border="0" /></a>Eric Sorensenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09626612095280295895noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33536649.post-13319383369533786002009-02-26T15:26:00.004-06:002009-02-26T15:47:52.363-06:00Spring storms here, snow up north<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiToNlSAFidso-56j9nB5w4eccGbq7KLDC1DxKLy8FXiykceDfS7dRVG32UJCKjk4AQ27VAuupu6mjTb4120nYWwFlaB_dINqQLAoEABnjKO5cAWk1o-dN8J5APYkehgTB6sPOi/s1600-h/Julie_Kemnitz.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiToNlSAFidso-56j9nB5w4eccGbq7KLDC1DxKLy8FXiykceDfS7dRVG32UJCKjk4AQ27VAuupu6mjTb4120nYWwFlaB_dINqQLAoEABnjKO5cAWk1o-dN8J5APYkehgTB6sPOi/s320/Julie_Kemnitz.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5307221173691675042" border="0" /></a>This picture from Julie Kemnitz in Fond du Lac, Wisconsin comes to us via <a href="http://www.fox11online.com/">Fox11</a> in Green Bay. Julie reported that the snowflakes were as big as her hands!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://wgba.images.worldnow.com/images/incoming/wxcam/master/baycam.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 100px; height: 75px;" src="http://wgba.images.worldnow.com/images/incoming/wxcam/master/baycam.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://wgba.images.worldnow.com/images/incoming/wxcam/master/appleton.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 100px; height: 74px;" src="http://wgba.images.worldnow.com/images/incoming/wxcam/master/appleton.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>Also, check out the heavy snow falling on <a href="http://www.nbc26.com/">WGBA-TV's</a> live weathercams. (Click for larger image)<br /><br />While our temperatures don't have to fall much before we transition over to snow, it appears this will come as the precipitation winds down. Still some thunderstorms likely for the late-afternoon and early evening.Eric Sorensenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09626612095280295895noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33536649.post-40063356019774294792009-02-26T08:04:00.012-06:002009-02-26T12:57:14.334-06:00Soggy Situation Soon<span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Update 12:30pm</span> = DVN <a href="https://nwschat.weather.gov/vtec/2009-O-NEW-KDVN-SV-W-0002.html">issues Severe Thunderstorm Warning</a> for Carroll, Jo Daviess, Stephenson [IL] till 1:00 PM due to the threat of small hail.<br /></span><span style="font-size:100%;">DVN: Elizabeth [Jo Daviess Co, IL] trained spotter <a href="https://nwschat.weather.gov/cow/maplsr.php?lat0=42.32&lon0=-90.22&ts=2009-02-26%2018:42">reports HAIL of pea size (E0.25 INCH) </a>at 12:42 PM -- smaller than pea size hail covering the ground.</span><br /><span style="font-size:100%;">DVN: Hanover [Jo Daviess Co, IL] trained spotter <a href="https://nwschat.weather.gov/cow/maplsr.php?lat0=42.25&lon0=-90.28&ts=2009-02-26%2018:31">reports HAIL of penny size (E0.75 INCH) </a>at 12:31 PM</span><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNGloc0TO6n7QbeT-MQ9O8XNqqyHhffWwezDoT7puG4YIb4DZywJis13GiGH-g_cf9z9IWvKWZWSWrLQXRNK4ad8PWM3z9Q7z9LtIZ_CPioDcOtvv3uW8_4nY0hkBihQkLjKAkRw/s1600-h/2.gif"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 155px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNGloc0TO6n7QbeT-MQ9O8XNqqyHhffWwezDoT7puG4YIb4DZywJis13GiGH-g_cf9z9IWvKWZWSWrLQXRNK4ad8PWM3z9Q7z9LtIZ_CPioDcOtvv3uW8_4nY0hkBihQkLjKAkRw/s200/2.gif" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5307173242581281282" border="0" /></a><span style="font-weight: bold;">Update 12:15pm</span><span> = Dense Fog Advisories have been posted for this afternoon for Whiteside, Ogle, Lee, and DeKalb County. As you can see from the noon observations, visibilities have dropped below 1 mile in these locations and the fog is thickening up a bit in the extreme northern Illinois counties.<br /></span><span style="font-weight: bold;"><br />Update 11:30am</span> = Radar indicating a storm cell capable of producing penny sized hail just west of the Mississippi River in Clinton and Jackson County. This cell is headed up into Jo Daviess County shortly after noon. No spotter reports of hail from this thunderstorm just yet.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Update 11:15am</span> = Latest model guidance still has us in for a fairly steady rainfall between now and 9pm. After that the precipitation will begin to wind down with just a little light snow to wrap things up.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9GBl40lzScrvAlrYhY1dLZn7Dzwlc5_zw9NoSRsgtlbjK3KmyVHQ8dzMKYTigzn5Bbz2bP_D9vnZ0QwEzNL1AculVRKg8rM5fuWsiroYDRY4596auAAO-h7jJi-Iszw18OrryDA/s1600-h/7.gif"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 135px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9GBl40lzScrvAlrYhY1dLZn7Dzwlc5_zw9NoSRsgtlbjK3KmyVHQ8dzMKYTigzn5Bbz2bP_D9vnZ0QwEzNL1AculVRKg8rM5fuWsiroYDRY4596auAAO-h7jJi-Iszw18OrryDA/s200/7.gif" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5307150212707274290" border="0" /></a><span style="font-weight: bold;">Update 10:45am</span> = The Storm Prediction Center has updated the slight risk for severe weather today and it is as close to us as I-80. There is a potential for marginal severe weather as close by as the Quad Cities with small hail being the main threat. With strong thunderstorms possible to the south of us and winter storm warnings running for northern Wisconsin, this shows you just how dynamic this system is.<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbC2MyjN5WyqWZenwXgxzaqG2PPkfvxQMXjzPF_FBtd95EDwu8iN3lcksdbPiKNAkzOzusEU6d0eOz5HlERGLyfSHApXZgw7wMphVmwlqQIM6-gXXnuIa7H2MYOWl6_otofKTJ7A/s1600-h/1.gif"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 155px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbC2MyjN5WyqWZenwXgxzaqG2PPkfvxQMXjzPF_FBtd95EDwu8iN3lcksdbPiKNAkzOzusEU6d0eOz5HlERGLyfSHApXZgw7wMphVmwlqQIM6-gXXnuIa7H2MYOWl6_otofKTJ7A/s200/1.gif" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5307107035672629682" border="0" /></a><span style="font-weight: bold;">Original Post</span> = As of 8am the skies are completely dry across the Stateline and temperatures in all locations are either at or above the freezing mark. Road conditions throughout the morning look pretty good. Light rain is starting to develop in eastern Iowa and it should swing our way during the late morning hours. This afternoon is when the rain is going to intensify. All of our models our pointing towards a soaking rain of 0.5" to 1" of liquid by tonight. The only counties in our viewing area under any advisories are in southern Wisconsin and this includes Rock and Walworth County. These two counties will be placed under a Flood Watch from 3pm this afternoon through late tonight due to the potential for lots of rain in a short amount of time. A brief changeover into snow could occur between 9pm-1am, but I don't expect any significant accumulations. Snow totals should stay below 1/4".<br /><br />I am a little concerned about road conditions overnight. There is going to be a lot of liquid laying around when the cold front pushes through and sends our temperatures below 32° in a hurry. This could create a bit of a flash freezing effect, which could create some slick and slippery conditions. I expect the somewhat icy conditions to pop up after midnight when our airmass drops below the freezing mark. Just something to keep in mind as you head out early Friday morning. -ADAMAdam Painterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10315174474973762734noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33536649.post-4841071033894857012009-02-26T07:08:00.003-06:002009-02-26T07:49:34.916-06:00Artillery for Today?<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-EmncnQIRIuwfqnM7jCb2A6EkjvizyBVKyUEeZGKCTJYOA5MKz9e3xDwjEuyFLcZccA0qEgVj2bXiyOIWnlHUw4hDJmQ4xpDXqJRJWp6_I-OQ3WucrOFraG9feh6wyEJjI6a45w/s1600-h/umbrella_senz.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 241px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-EmncnQIRIuwfqnM7jCb2A6EkjvizyBVKyUEeZGKCTJYOA5MKz9e3xDwjEuyFLcZccA0qEgVj2bXiyOIWnlHUw4hDJmQ4xpDXqJRJWp6_I-OQ3WucrOFraG9feh6wyEJjI6a45w/s320/umbrella_senz.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5307092520773877938" border="0" /></a><br />This was the picture that I used for this morning's weather quiz. If you haven't seen anything like this before, it is an aerodynamic umbrella known as the Senz Umbrella. This umbrella is said to withstand strong winds and never invert. Also, it states that the extra long tail keeps the rain from trickling down onto your back. Here is the link to the <a href="http://www.senzumbrellas.com/">Senz Umbrella</a> if you are interested in equipping yourself with something like this. Too bad they can't rush a shipment of these for today... we could use some this afternoon! -ADAMAdam Painterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10315174474973762734noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33536649.post-38473176993627127532009-02-25T21:27:00.002-06:002009-02-25T21:36:49.774-06:00Out with the old, in with the new<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrICV5h-UAFljU734syz0zCJklJVhjujq8ek6k-19lqtAuAq9wJTC87qxaDycLJfG6Owh1MWuOQF43_YWcqTJ9ioJ0OfUmTyGjOlrVJhztOrFk3FgJ6tYMPVxfuSAunlze28DE/s1600-h/banner.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 54px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrICV5h-UAFljU734syz0zCJklJVhjujq8ek6k-19lqtAuAq9wJTC87qxaDycLJfG6Owh1MWuOQF43_YWcqTJ9ioJ0OfUmTyGjOlrVJhztOrFk3FgJ6tYMPVxfuSAunlze28DE/s320/banner.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5306942928320026610" border="0" /></a>First of all, let me say "Thank you!" to the dozens of people who came to this year's storm spotting seminar at the Chicago/Rockford Int'l Airport tonight. What a wonderful group and terrific information from our friends Jim and Tim at the NWS Romeoville. Please don't forget that we can also get your reports into the NWS in an instant because WREX-TV has a live link to all NWS offices during severe weather events.<br /><br />Next, I'd like to welcome you to our new weather blog Thursday. We have been training and tweaking the new look and we hope to have it up and running sometime during the afternoon...and with ice, thunderstorms, and snow in the forecast, it should be a good day to get it started! As always we welcome your input and comments as we move into the future.<br /><br />Finally, another word of thanks because you have helped us make this blog so successful. If we didn't get so many wonderful comments every day, it would be harder for us to keep it going. So, here we go!Eric Sorensenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09626612095280295895noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33536649.post-40748094421284382122009-02-25T11:22:00.005-06:002009-02-25T11:48:55.116-06:00Business First, Birthday Wish Second<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5mp_CDXWk391j6RdahFNZQuTjYb_bc2QJq6t6O103PVRCXvUBE0C_K3h_ZbcvcxMZmm6GUxRGFCdGLWecQ5X2ZBOlqwKOf2hWJmf5Quou59WKM5Qcqabr44-MuyYMitdTBKf7tQ/s1600-h/5.gif"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5mp_CDXWk391j6RdahFNZQuTjYb_bc2QJq6t6O103PVRCXvUBE0C_K3h_ZbcvcxMZmm6GUxRGFCdGLWecQ5X2ZBOlqwKOf2hWJmf5Quou59WKM5Qcqabr44-MuyYMitdTBKf7tQ/s200/5.gif" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5306786738085203346" border="0" /></a><br />The storm system set to move in on Thursday looks pretty juicy. Large amounts of snow are on tap for locations north of a line from Mason City, IA to Madison, WI. We will be on the warm side of this system meaning that at least 90% of the precipitation is going to fall in the liquid form. HPC is still believing that there is the potential for a few rain gauges across the Stateline to tally 1" of liquid from this disturbance. A little sleet is possible initially with a little snow possible on the backside of this system. Neither will amount to much at all.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrv_aTDf8o2SGSoWp35eYdey_YQsdSyN33SobWeJCTOFYob0MmfIzMQUIEM3jZ_bvC0ifAwrqBZ1oDAS9-D2tGHlkAqhMfilo1hFEZ4N3f5JcXKkGntHZsQe-TNNE4L9jURtKgWw/s1600-h/Mama.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrv_aTDf8o2SGSoWp35eYdey_YQsdSyN33SobWeJCTOFYob0MmfIzMQUIEM3jZ_bvC0ifAwrqBZ1oDAS9-D2tGHlkAqhMfilo1hFEZ4N3f5JcXKkGntHZsQe-TNNE4L9jURtKgWw/s200/Mama.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5306789117158474786" border="0" /></a>Also, one side note. I wanted to publicly wish my mother a very happy birthday! She is an extremely active woman and is pretty amazing. Here is a picture of us taken on Valentine's Day overlooking the Mississippi River at Chestnut Mountain. What better way to celebrate Valentine's Day than skiing with your mother, right? Although... I have no clue where I got my height from. -ADAMAdam Painterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10315174474973762734noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33536649.post-34199854052961367512009-02-24T16:29:00.004-06:002009-02-24T16:32:11.244-06:00Consolidating ATC Meteorologists: good or bad idea?<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDh2WdNp34oKdX1EhaTwlv2fyNEfil7zd92DKhBKTfnhtxd6LzYZqn8kI71O7BBkrwY0eWVr56I-234_Nwu3QON_L-Bvjk9ac904pYyXcHBXLVR8dp4Hz9bPSma3I-PXj5iNvW/s1600-h/airtraffic.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDh2WdNp34oKdX1EhaTwlv2fyNEfil7zd92DKhBKTfnhtxd6LzYZqn8kI71O7BBkrwY0eWVr56I-234_Nwu3QON_L-Bvjk9ac904pYyXcHBXLVR8dp4Hz9bPSma3I-PXj5iNvW/s320/airtraffic.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5306495015308084530" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:Arial;">ATLANTA (AP) - Air traffic controllers say a proposal to consolidate dozens of meteorologists around the nation to two centers could hurt effective weather forecasting. The Federal Aviation Administration is considering consolidating the 84 meteorologists serving at 21 air centers across the nation to major centers in Maryland and Kansas City, Mo. The FAA says it is looking at ways to cut costs and use the best technology available. Critics say the plan will make it difficult for meteorologists to have knowledge of local weather patterns and expertise that is crucial to flight crews. The FAA says there is no final proposal yet. Yesterday, the agency extended the time to respond to the proposal 30 days.</span>Eric Sorensenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09626612095280295895noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33536649.post-290410455848014482009-02-24T15:33:00.003-06:002009-02-24T15:37:48.780-06:00Storm spotting class Wednesday night<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRqD0AVlUxiCZOIYe8vW0_n87cYYJzqckMb-p86R1rRXXPko0HkeK62ELvAk-5QNkmWxDVin1b4rXXTHxtHCio_B8CL0Rhyro9XX83iURJ4MiNrL8SA8dnjzUU1E5C7QAAAvHu/s1600-h/Weather_Story.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 248px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRqD0AVlUxiCZOIYe8vW0_n87cYYJzqckMb-p86R1rRXXPko0HkeK62ELvAk-5QNkmWxDVin1b4rXXTHxtHCio_B8CL0Rhyro9XX83iURJ4MiNrL8SA8dnjzUU1E5C7QAAAvHu/s320/Weather_Story.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5306480628695248978" border="0" /></a>Time for another reminder that the Rockford metro's storm spotter training course is tomorrow. This is the first year for it to fall during the week so I hope everyone has the opportunity to participate.<br /><br />If you're wondering where the facility is located, click on the map below. When you are looking at the front of the Chicago/Rockford Int'l terminal, the building is to the right. The left side of the building says "Int'l Arrivals" and the left is the Public Safety Building. There should be plenty of free parking in the lot right in front. <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8rGrdnCczFMlg7jMvNPxMVbnmf-X4fsz6Y80GjWXSH8TDs1-abO_fzm6uywqwZgHHKXBw10JJZvqVB6KYH-BhOPy2lerVRwTgdP0x21O1jBCAYsc4-2ZSpJ24bu1sL0Labf6e/s1600-h/stormspotting.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 166px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8rGrdnCczFMlg7jMvNPxMVbnmf-X4fsz6Y80GjWXSH8TDs1-abO_fzm6uywqwZgHHKXBw10JJZvqVB6KYH-BhOPy2lerVRwTgdP0x21O1jBCAYsc4-2ZSpJ24bu1sL0Labf6e/s320/stormspotting.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5306480420276293970" border="0" /></a>See you tomorrow night! If you have any questions, let us know at weather@wrex.com.Eric Sorensenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09626612095280295895noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33536649.post-65524765728798036282009-02-24T11:39:00.004-06:002009-02-24T11:42:44.323-06:00Surprisingly, this wasn't bound for Mars<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_eSvne3klO7w/SaQxkA4VpOI/AAAAAAAAA3A/Ur_EwU9gjv8/s1600-h/300px-NASA_logo.svg.png"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 170px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_eSvne3klO7w/SaQxkA4VpOI/AAAAAAAAA3A/Ur_EwU9gjv8/s200/300px-NASA_logo.svg.png" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5306420755730638050" border="0" /></a><br />A research satellite sent up into space to study how much carbon dioxide is absorbed by specific things on the planet... didn't quite reach its destination.<br /><br />It didn't manage to get into orbit, so gravity pulled it right back down into the drink.<br /><br />You can read about it <a href="http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601103&sid=av6QSiI5BuOI&refer=us">here</a>.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33536649.post-4385070280635046282009-02-23T15:55:00.006-06:002009-02-23T16:24:39.473-06:00Weather Channel founder believes global warming is a "hoax"<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://image.examiner.com/images/blog/wysiwyg/image/john_coleman.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 200px;" src="http://image.examiner.com/images/blog/wysiwyg/image/john_coleman.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>I love the science of debate and debating science but it always flabbergasts me when people believe that science is a cut and dry thing.<br /><br />Take broadcasting legend John Coleman for example. He was one of the founders of The Weather Channel and worked for many years in Chicago TV. Now he's the loudest disbeliever of global climate change.<br /><br />He's never been secretive when it comes to his stance against global warming but now he is calling the whole notion a "hoax...bad science...greatest scam in history." <a href="http://www.kusi.com/weather/colemanscorner/38574742.html">Read his article by clicking here</a>.<br /><br />He believes that global warming (or climate change) is all bad science. The problem with his stance is the fact that he cites so many reasons why global warming should NOT exist when all <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.epa.gov/climatechange/science/images/glob_jan-dec-error-bar_pg.gif"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 161px; height: 83px;" src="http://www.epa.gov/climatechange/science/images/glob_jan-dec-error-bar_pg.gif" alt="" border="0" /></a> he really needs to do is look at this chart.<br /><br />The real bone I have to pick with this far right point of view is: Why are we arguing about whether climate change exists when it is obvious that our atmosphere is and has always been in a state of constant flux? Any environmentalist, meteorologist, or climatologist knows that. What we should be arguing about is what to do to prevent any change that will have an impact on our planet. And it doesn't matter if you want to talk about global warming <span style="font-weight: bold;">or</span> global cooling. Because we are in the midst of such a dramatic change we owe it to ourselves to figure it out instead of calling it a hoax and implying that our high gas prices are a result of environmentalists, as Coleman insists. He also says that government subsidized ethanol production has caused food prices to rise. I would pay someone $50 to find me highly regarded research that supports this.<br /><br />When it comes to climate change let's work together to figure it out instead of decisively knocking the truth.<br /><br />Do I know the impact each of us has on our environment? No. Do I think we should be more mindful of our atmosphere and what we put in it? Absolutely. Doing nothing is about as absurd as John Coleman is.Eric Sorensenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09626612095280295895noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33536649.post-61541600603339994282009-02-23T14:33:00.003-06:002009-02-23T14:35:43.812-06:00Discovering things on the visible satellite picture<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2YE1nTb1G5rcloseI1V47mo5ChAOEeEBe3K8j1z2psnOHiO85bSTAZrf8Dm6VNXtLDzQas1kB2q9wD3ul1UiGj7tEQkpervBtDa9TAOeXtmiW98EKuO-ZZn7lKzTlhdNRWqc5/s1600-h/satellite.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2YE1nTb1G5rcloseI1V47mo5ChAOEeEBe3K8j1z2psnOHiO85bSTAZrf8Dm6VNXtLDzQas1kB2q9wD3ul1UiGj7tEQkpervBtDa9TAOeXtmiW98EKuO-ZZn7lKzTlhdNRWqc5/s320/satellite.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5306093732090518002" border="0" /></a>I love looking at the visible satellite on clear days during the winter. It's easy to spot snowcover, lakes, rivers, cities, and even forests! Can you spot anything that I didn't label?Eric Sorensenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09626612095280295895noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33536649.post-56227674340764856472009-02-23T13:19:00.001-06:002009-02-23T13:20:30.041-06:00Friendly reminderNWS spotter training in Rockford is this Wednesday at 6:30pm in the Public Safety Building at the Airport.<br /><br />The full list of dates of spotter training sessions in our area is <a href="http://weatherfirst.blogspot.com/2009/02/2009-spotter-training-schedule.html">here</a>!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33536649.post-26661031450223481632009-02-22T17:26:00.003-06:002009-02-22T17:43:04.238-06:00Quiet, but cold<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4y0yqU6Zyz0AHWudiqBgKeFUpx3VHEVqFnu7AlCeL_Ucs5GrOv5VH8sYU39UN35QZbhXGmgI9hxd_hAZJOYl5sphIBdAyqd7nQV0orEb58XohIstLEDkjvA4Lpl35yGDFHOzW/s1600-h/Weather_Story.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 248px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4y0yqU6Zyz0AHWudiqBgKeFUpx3VHEVqFnu7AlCeL_Ucs5GrOv5VH8sYU39UN35QZbhXGmgI9hxd_hAZJOYl5sphIBdAyqd7nQV0orEb58XohIstLEDkjvA4Lpl35yGDFHOzW/s320/Weather_Story.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5305770800892952002" border="0" /></a><br />A big ol' dome of high pressure is sliding to the southeast out of Canada. Tonight, that high pressure will add in some ingredients for a frigid night: a mostly clear sky and light winds. Add in our fresh snowpack, and it's going to be a morning that you'll definitely need to bundle up! Temperatures will be in the single digits by the time you get up in the morning. Afternoon highs will manage to get into the lower to middle 20s, thanks to plenty of sunshine.<br /><br />This same high pressure will help warm us up in a couple days, though. Southerly winds will kick in Monday night, ushering in warmer and more moist air. Cloudcover will start to increase on Tuesday with highs in the middle 30s... and lower 40s on Wednesday. This will certainly take a bite into our new snowpack!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33536649.post-79633397028364508112009-02-22T12:14:00.008-06:002009-02-22T12:22:29.615-06:0060° in two weeks<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZmQtXZDKXtKliEST5SLaXNhuuJcCZVY8a3ggNuP1subNf6hxUDBvhHmEFeTLNPAA5sl57ySGHPDItSukKRhf0U17h62yW2HmHrTaOuuqWqdWcYkzfS8eNFyuXirLCGBv3Vdsy/s1600-h/610temp.new.gif"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 186px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZmQtXZDKXtKliEST5SLaXNhuuJcCZVY8a3ggNuP1subNf6hxUDBvhHmEFeTLNPAA5sl57ySGHPDItSukKRhf0U17h62yW2HmHrTaOuuqWqdWcYkzfS8eNFyuXirLCGBv3Vdsy/s200/610temp.new.gif" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5305686994067427490" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSU4pQKd4FEyhWdAc3boWMteMU3XViNtQfPxXjDUJVPez0kwgmf_BSX2Rv-5dVtdix-t-Rur2Z2J0XTYJMx-3slovou80yG_4XlqpylTWMw-0a0eQhOoWk7iHtakp7XICn2Fbx/s1600-h/610prcp.new.gif"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 186px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSU4pQKd4FEyhWdAc3boWMteMU3XViNtQfPxXjDUJVPez0kwgmf_BSX2Rv-5dVtdix-t-Rur2Z2J0XTYJMx-3slovou80yG_4XlqpylTWMw-0a0eQhOoWk7iHtakp7XICn2Fbx/s200/610prcp.new.gif" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5305686923654276770" border="0" /></a>Since temperatures today will top out 10-15° shy of where we should be, I decided to let you in on some good news! Don't let me get you confused though. This is not for this upcoming week, but for the one following. There are now many signs that point in the direction of a major warm up...perhaps even a "spring thaw." A week from Thursday looks so warm, I wouldn't be surprised to see a 60° temperature or two (give or take a few days).<br /><br />March is less than a week away and winter is in its final month. We will look for these teasers to come every 2-3 weeks as the jet stream tries to establish itself farther north (which in turn brings back the warmer weather).<br /><br />So, even if you're shivering in your boots today just focus on the warmth that will be here in no time.Eric Sorensenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09626612095280295895noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33536649.post-44970900826286365262009-02-21T15:14:00.015-06:002009-02-21T21:19:10.626-06:00<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCSAGOKrlUHIuK9NAs1QRbN8l1DI_75pmTZueXz1xXW5rglmoz_t8476LoHk2fIYp_FmXgVMhiE2RLoS5BF0ypbKt4qTeRYsnX3ZOLJ5YUSqrjLF7Jh35DeNIK58cST11Ma-P6/s1600-h/breaking_news.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 33px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCSAGOKrlUHIuK9NAs1QRbN8l1DI_75pmTZueXz1xXW5rglmoz_t8476LoHk2fIYp_FmXgVMhiE2RLoS5BF0ypbKt4qTeRYsnX3ZOLJ5YUSqrjLF7Jh35DeNIK58cST11Ma-P6/s400/breaking_news.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5305362348614332802" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br />Here are snowfall reports from our bloggers and storm spotters:<br /><span style="font-size:100%;"><br /></span><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="color:#787449;">(9:18:37 PM) </span></span><span style="color:#787449;"><b><span style="font-size:100%;">nwsbot:</span></b></span><span style="font-size:100%;"> LOT: South Beloit [Winnebago Co, IL] public <a href="https://nwschat.weather.gov/cow/maplsr.php?lat0=42.48&lon0=-89.03&ts=2009-02-22%2003:00">reports SNOW of M5.8 INCH </a>at 09:00 PM CST -- relayed by wrex-tv<br /><br /></span><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="color:#787449;">(9:18:36 PM) </span></span><span style="color:#787449;"><b><span style="font-size:100%;">nwsbot:</span></b></span><span style="font-size:100%;"> LOT: Machesney Park [Winnebago Co, IL] public <a href="https://nwschat.weather.gov/cow/maplsr.php?lat0=42.36&lon0=-89.04&ts=2009-02-22%2003:00">reports SNOW of M4.8 INCH </a>at 09:00 PM CST -- relayed by wrex-tv<br /></span><span style="font-size:100%;"></span><br /><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="color: rgb(120, 116, 73);">(5:31:38 PM) </span></span><span style="color: rgb(120, 116, 73);"><b><span style="font-size:100%;">nwsbot:</span></b></span><span style="font-size:100%;"> DVN: 4 Sse Winslow [Stephenson Co, IL] trained spotter <a href="https://nwschat.weather.gov/cow/maplsr.php?lat0=42.44&lon0=-89.77&ts=2009-02-21%2023:30">reports SNOW of M5.0 INCH </a>at 05:30 PM CST -- snow now blowing and drifting.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="color: rgb(120, 116, 73);">(6:15:06 PM) </span></span><span style="color: rgb(120, 116, 73);"><b><span style="font-size:100%;">nwsbot:</span></b></span><span style="font-size:100%;"> LOT: Rockford Airport [Winnebago Co, IL] official nws obs <a href="https://nwschat.weather.gov/cow/maplsr.php?lat0=42.20&lon0=-89.10&ts=2009-02-22%2000:00">reports SNOW of M4.8 INCH </a>at 06:00 PM CST -- storm total.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="color: rgb(120, 116, 73);">(5:44:22 PM) </span></span><span style="color: rgb(120, 116, 73);"><b><span style="font-size:100%;">nwsbot:</span></b></span><span style="font-size:100%;"> LOT: 2 N Winnebago [Winnebago Co, IL] broadcast media <a href="https://nwschat.weather.gov/cow/maplsr.php?lat0=42.30&lon0=-89.24&ts=2009-02-21%2023:40">reports SNOW of M5.2 INCH </a>at 05:40 PM CST -- at wrex studio<br /><br /></span><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="color: rgb(120, 116, 73);">(5:31:38 PM) </span></span><span style="color: rgb(120, 116, 73);"><b><span style="font-size:100%;">nwsbot:</span></b></span><span style="font-size:100%;"> DVN: 4 Sse Winslow [Stephenson Co, IL] trained spotter <a href="https://nwschat.weather.gov/cow/maplsr.php?lat0=42.44&lon0=-89.77&ts=2009-02-21%2023:30">reports SNOW of M5.0 INCH </a>at 05:30 PM CST -- snow now blowing and drifting.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="color: rgb(120, 116, 73);">(5:21:07 PM) </span></span><span style="color: rgb(120, 116, 73);"><b><span style="font-size:100%;">nwsbot:</span></b></span><span style="font-size:100%;"> LOT: Belvidere [Boone Co, IL] trained spotter <a href="https://nwschat.weather.gov/cow/maplsr.php?lat0=42.25&lon0=-88.85&ts=2009-02-21%2023:00">reports SNOW of M4.9 INCH </a>at 05:00 PM CST -- storm total.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="color: rgb(120, 116, 73);">(5:14:51 PM) </span></span><span style="color: rgb(120, 116, 73);"><b><span style="font-size:100%;">nwsbot:</span></b></span><span style="font-size:100%;"> LOT: 3 Wnw Bull Valley [Mchenry Co, IL] trained spotter <a href="https://nwschat.weather.gov/cow/maplsr.php?lat0=42.33&lon0=-88.40&ts=2009-02-21%2023:00">reports SNOW of M4.6 INCH </a>at 05:00 PM CST --<br /><br /></span><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="color: rgb(120, 116, 73);">(4:55:19 PM) </span></span><span style="color: rgb(120, 116, 73);"><b><span style="font-size:100%;">nwsbot:</span></b></span><span style="font-size:100%;"> DVN: Mount Carroll [Carroll Co, IL] trained spotter <a href="https://nwschat.weather.gov/cow/maplsr.php?lat0=42.10&lon0=-89.98&ts=2009-02-21%2022:54">reports SNOW of M4.1 INCH </a>at 04:54 PM CST -- storm total</span><br /><br /><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="color: rgb(120, 116, 73);">(4:24:19 PM) </span></span><span style="color: rgb(120, 116, 73);"><b><span style="font-size:100%;">nwsbot:</span></b></span><span style="font-size:100%;"> LOT: Loves Park [Winnebago Co, IL] trained spotter <a href="https://nwschat.weather.gov/cow/maplsr.php?lat0=42.34&lon0=-89.01&ts=2009-02-21%2022:00">reports SNOW of M4.0 INCH </a>at 04:00 PM CST --<br /><br /></span><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="color: rgb(120, 116, 73);">(3:37:55 PM) </span></span><span style="color: rgb(120, 116, 73);"><b><span style="font-size:100%;">nwsbot:</span></b></span><span style="font-size:100%;"> MKX: Janesville [Rock Co, WI] trained spotter <a href="https://nwschat.weather.gov/cow/maplsr.php?lat0=42.68&lon0=-89.02&ts=2009-02-21%2021:33">reports SNOW of M5.7 INCH </a>at 03:33 PM CST -- </span><br /><br /><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="color: rgb(120, 116, 73);">(2/21/2009 2:21:57 PM) </span></span><span style="color: rgb(120, 116, 73);"><b><span style="font-size:100%;">nwsbot:</span></b></span><span style="font-size:100%;"> MKX: Beloit [Rock Co, WI] trained spotter <a href="https://nwschat.weather.gov/cow/maplsr.php?lat0=42.52&lon0=-89.02&ts=2009-02-21%2020:00">reports SNOW of M5.1 INCH </a>at 02:00 PM CST --<br /><br /></span><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="color: rgb(120, 116, 73);">(2/21/2009 2:04:57 PM) </span></span><span style="color: rgb(120, 116, 73);"><b><span style="font-size:100%;">nwsbot:</span></b></span><span style="font-size:100%;"> MKX: Lake Geneva [Walworth Co, WI] trained spotter <a href="https://nwschat.weather.gov/cow/maplsr.php?lat0=42.59&lon0=-88.43&ts=2009-02-21%2019:59">reports SNOW of M4.0 INCH </a>at 01:59 PM CST --<br /><br /></span><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="color: rgb(120, 116, 73);">(2/21/2009 2:04:57 PM) </span></span><span style="color: rgb(120, 116, 73);"><b><span style="font-size:100%;">nwsbot:</span></b></span><span style="font-size:100%;"> MKX: Orfordville [Rock Co, WI] trained spotter <a href="https://nwschat.weather.gov/cow/maplsr.php?lat0=42.63&lon0=-89.26&ts=2009-02-21%2019:57">reports SNOW of M5.0 INCH </a>at 01:57 PM CST --<br /><br /></span><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="color: rgb(120, 116, 73);">(2/21/2009 2:03:27 PM) </span></span><span style="color: rgb(120, 116, 73);"><b><span style="font-size:100%;">nwsbot:</span></b></span><span style="font-size:100%;"> DVN: Hanover [Jo Daviess Co, IL] trained spotter <a href="https://nwschat.weather.gov/cow/maplsr.php?lat0=42.25&lon0=-90.28&ts=2009-02-21%2020:00">reports SNOW of E3.5 INCH </a>at 02:00 PM CST -- still snowing.</span><br /><span style="font-size:100%;"><br /></span><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="color: rgb(120, 116, 73);">(2/21/2009 1:34:59 PM) </span></span><span style="color: rgb(120, 116, 73);"><b><span style="font-size:100%;">nwsbot:</span></b></span><span style="font-size:100%;"> LOT: Belvidere [Boone Co, IL] trained spotter <a href="https://nwschat.weather.gov/cow/maplsr.php?lat0=42.25&lon0=-88.85&ts=2009-02-21%2019:15">reports SNOW of M4.9 INCH </a>at 01:15 PM CST -- blowing and drifting snow. snow covered roads.<br /><br /></span><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="color: rgb(120, 116, 73);">(2/21/2009 1:24:49 PM) </span></span><span style="color: rgb(120, 116, 73);"><b><span style="font-size:100%;">nwsbot:</span></b></span><span style="font-size:100%;"> DVN: Freeport [Stephenson Co, IL] trained spotter <a href="https://nwschat.weather.gov/cow/maplsr.php?lat0=42.29&lon0=-89.63&ts=2009-02-21%2019:22">reports SNOW of M5.5 INCH </a>at 01:22 PM CST -- light snow continues.</span><br /><span style="font-size:100%;"><br /></span><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="color: rgb(120, 116, 73);">(2/21/2009 12:29:23 PM) </span></span><span style="color: rgb(120, 116, 73);"><b><span style="font-size:100%;">nwsbot:</span></b></span><span style="font-size:100%;"> MKX: Janesville [Rock Co, WI] trained spotter <a href="https://nwschat.weather.gov/cow/maplsr.php?lat0=42.68&lon0=-89.02&ts=2009-02-21%2018:25">reports SNOW of M5.4 INCH </a>at 12:25 PM CST --<br /><br /></span><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="color: rgb(120, 116, 73);">(2/21/2009 12:29:23 PM) </span></span><span style="color: rgb(120, 116, 73);"><b><span style="font-size:100%;">nwsbot:</span></b></span><span style="font-size:100%;"> MKX: 9 Wnw Beloit [Rock Co, WI] trained spotter <a href="https://nwschat.weather.gov/cow/maplsr.php?lat0=42.57&lon0=-89.18&ts=2009-02-21%2018:18">reports HEAVY SNOW of M6.0 INCH </a>at 12:18 PM CST --<br /><br /></span><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="color: rgb(120, 116, 73);">(2/21/2009 12:26:39 PM) </span></span><span style="color: rgb(120, 116, 73);"><b><span style="font-size:100%;">nwsbot:</span></b></span><span style="font-size:100%;"> LOT: Rockford Airport [Winnebago Co, IL] official nws obs <a href="https://nwschat.weather.gov/cow/maplsr.php?lat0=42.20&lon0=-89.10&ts=2009-02-21%2018:00">reports SNOW of M3.9 INCH </a>at 12:00 PM CST -- at rockford airport the observation at 1200 pm, 2.4 inches of snow fell from 6 am to 12 pm for a storm total so far of 3.9 inches.</span>Eric Sorensenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09626612095280295895noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33536649.post-51489453025788637352009-02-20T16:33:00.008-06:002009-02-21T14:22:29.457-06:00<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh05478Wzo_sksDtww3GbMgal7mMsYIvVZ6ABkbsE9jCidnU-AMaa39lpMXEm6O28q6uD-mxYmiYZc9sWR_r7512hqDqcvfbEsMel3Wl0HdRHPFyCwsohyq6ap_Dfm5DbRvn8Cm/s1600-h/winter_alert.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 33px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh05478Wzo_sksDtww3GbMgal7mMsYIvVZ6ABkbsE9jCidnU-AMaa39lpMXEm6O28q6uD-mxYmiYZc9sWR_r7512hqDqcvfbEsMel3Wl0HdRHPFyCwsohyq6ap_Dfm5DbRvn8Cm/s400/winter_alert.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5305011561029989666" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br />Saturday 2:20pm - Snowfall is wrapping up now. Will be updating the blog with snowfall totals by 4pm today. Thanks for submitting your report!<br /><br />Saturday 11:03am - It appears that the accumulating snow is wrapping up as expected. Will be posting snowfall totals early this afternoon. Still keep in mind that roadways will be slippery and snowpacked through the mid to late afternoon as road crews continue their work.<br /><br />9:45pm - Going forecast seems pretty good at this point. If anything models may have overdone the available moisture. While I'm not deviating from my 5 inch gut feeling, I am lowering the forecast grids to 3-6 inches...just due to the lack of snow intensification thus far. -ES<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoY2QoulAAiNCwHv84DVIYcqRhOzwyCZy-An24AdQBTorzRnRlzAMheUp4XBtSWzpIrVP5P6v2TJFIaxvgoieGQoz6XAW-DSXaiJLQReOycUd_7jbLGRsv8JPyth5gI2T9lBN4/s1600-h/snowreports.gif"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 115px; height: 88px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoY2QoulAAiNCwHv84DVIYcqRhOzwyCZy-An24AdQBTorzRnRlzAMheUp4XBtSWzpIrVP5P6v2TJFIaxvgoieGQoz6XAW-DSXaiJLQReOycUd_7jbLGRsv8JPyth5gI2T9lBN4/s400/snowreports.gif" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5305086079108522354" border="0" /></a>9:20pm - We have added a simple button that you can click to send us storm reports. During severe weather events we always welcome your input and reports as we can't be everywhere all the time. Thanks in advance! -ES<br /><br />4:33pm - All counties within the WREX coverage area are now under a Winter Storm Warning.<br /><br />Snow will begin to accumulate shortly after midnight and continue for much of Saturday. Right now I am looking for the highest totals to be right along the Illinois/Wisconsin stateline where 6-7 inches of snow seem reasonable. For the Rockford metro, I anticipate 5-6 inches on average. Lesser amounts will fall along the I-88 corridor, points southward.<br /><br />Snow will taper to flurries around noon Saturday bringing this event to an end. While it will be one of the biggest snows we've seen in a month or two, it will come at a time when few of us need to travel. If you must head out, use extra caution and allow plenty of time. And only travel with a fully-charged cell phone!Eric Sorensenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09626612095280295895noreply@blogger.com19tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33536649.post-27805321359027357602009-02-20T07:12:00.006-06:002009-02-20T10:58:22.331-06:00Watch Upgraded to a Warning<span style="font-weight: bold;">Update 10:45am</span> = The latest round of data has no curveballs in it. All indications are still bringing the snow into the Stateline sometime between 8-10pm tonight. The heaviest snow should fall between 12-6am, which is good because it will allow most people to stay off the roads. <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsyL0hPfVBNJwpKJkGhb_ej_SATuCcCmajttn3BDapdDlJ0Tei5f10WeNtu65wvi0dVatri4t9X6A8oC_uT_Rx_w3loFDrflBMFUzW8bXLoOfTBB2A_NkUb4qAZI4B3MqSjWJK1A/s1600-h/9.gif"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 160px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsyL0hPfVBNJwpKJkGhb_ej_SATuCcCmajttn3BDapdDlJ0Tei5f10WeNtu65wvi0dVatri4t9X6A8oC_uT_Rx_w3loFDrflBMFUzW8bXLoOfTBB2A_NkUb4qAZI4B3MqSjWJK1A/s200/9.gif" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5304922361795472402" border="0" /></a>During this timeframe we could easily see some bands set up that dump over an inch per hour. Some light snow could hang around through lunchtime on Saturday. The graphic to the left is from the GFS model and it's estimating approximately 0.25-0.30" of liquid to fall between midnight and noon Saturday. The snow to liquid ratio could be 15:1 or even as high as 20:1 due to the cold conditions in the atmosphere, which means the snow should fluff up quite efficiently.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Original Post</span> = The Winter Storm Watch that was previously out for northern Illinois was upgraded this morning to a Winter Storm Warning. This means that the potentially heavy snow situation is looking quite likely. It will run from this evening through Saturday afternoon. The Milwaukee National Weather Service office hasn't decided yet on what it wants to do with the watch for southern Wisconsin. It could be upgraded to a warning or downgraded to an advisory. The 3-6" snow slot should still cover the majority of the Stateline viewing area. The lower end of the spectrum appears to align in the counties of Green, Rock, and Walworth. The higher end of that spectrum could cover a large chunk of northern Illinois. There is still even the possibility that a narrow band of slightly heavier snow could form somewhere near I-88.<br /><br />I will have further analysis when the midday models come out between 10-11am. -ADAMAdam Painterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10315174474973762734noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33536649.post-46101537371701889592009-02-19T20:33:00.003-06:002009-02-19T20:54:04.453-06:00Winter weather on the wayThere's a Winter Storm Watch for our Illinois counties Friday night through Saturday. Our Wisconsin counties will likely not be put under this since they'll more likely be within that 3-6" range and not have anybody go above 6". Regardless, everybody is in for some snow Friday night and Saturday. As a matter of fact... this looks to be the most snow in one shot since January 9-10, when we had 6.5". (Since that particular event, we've had a grand total of 8.1" of snow.)<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_eSvne3klO7w/SZ4akxDtyGI/AAAAAAAAA2g/JTeNDZKK488/s1600-h/Weather_Story.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 248px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_eSvne3klO7w/SZ4akxDtyGI/AAAAAAAAA2g/JTeNDZKK488/s320/Weather_Story.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5304706630035556450" border="0" /></a>3-6" looks likely for the entire viewing area, but near/south of Highway 20, there is the chance of locally higher amounts. Unlike our last system, the heaviest snow will likely fall very near the track of the low. There will be quite a bit of energy to work with - even with it being just an Alberta Clipper. In fact, if things happen just right, some may experience snowfall rates in excess of 1" per hour. Obviously, it wouldn't take very long for the snow to stack up if that happened.<br /><br />One of the challenges of snow forecasting is the possibility of narrow bands of heavier snow. We have no way of predicting exactly where they'll end up, but this is one of those systems that somebody could find themselves sitting under one of those and getting some very heavy snow.<br /><br />Once the snow stops falling out of the clouds, it'll still be flying around. Temperatures will be cold enough to support fairly fluffy snow; with strong winds kicking in on Saturday, that snow will be blowing and drifting.<br /><br />The good news in all this is that, at this time, it appears the snow won't really begin in earnest until the Friday evening basketball games have wrapped up. Of course, keep tabs on our forecast just in case things need to be adjusted.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33536649.post-41797038022114246472009-02-19T17:32:00.001-06:002009-02-19T17:33:30.149-06:00Now here's something we hope you'll really like!Okay... so the kicker at the end of the 5pm newscast tonight mentioned the "shrimp on a treadmill" video. None of us had EVER seen it... so I present to you said video. Bonus: Benny Hill theme added.<br /><br /><object height="344" width="425"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/cMO8Pyi3UpY&hl=en&fs=1"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/cMO8Pyi3UpY&hl=en&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" height="344" width="425"></embed></object>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33536649.post-66084230037718692432009-02-19T13:59:00.003-06:002009-02-19T15:02:07.871-06:00Winter Storm Watch<span style="font-weight: bold;">Update - 3:00pm:</span> All Illinois counties under a Winter Storm Watch.<br /><br />Some of our Illinois counties have been placed under a <a href="http://forecast.weather.gov/wwamap/wwatxtget.php?cwa=lot&wwa=winter%20storm%20watch">Winter Storm Watch</a> for Friday night/Saturday.<br /><br />More analysis this evening.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33536649.post-86157642641015049232009-02-19T09:14:00.003-06:002009-02-19T09:35:42.817-06:00Last of the Bitterly Cold?<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqL0DR3piWUhW_OCaYysDspID4IHBcrgzH3TAbIle3FcJMblSciLpVwJkQ5NGnayNo5puuwQOMwyCrEv-RMOZiR31kfwxOmWTXHQC4tDsGYXcllOxB6izrRiQkyKyy1lyieblu0g/s1600-h/6.gif"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 248px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqL0DR3piWUhW_OCaYysDspID4IHBcrgzH3TAbIle3FcJMblSciLpVwJkQ5NGnayNo5puuwQOMwyCrEv-RMOZiR31kfwxOmWTXHQC4tDsGYXcllOxB6izrRiQkyKyy1lyieblu0g/s320/6.gif" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5304527431953424594" border="0" /></a><br />The good news is that meteorological spring starts in less than 10 days. The bad news is that we've jumped into another cold spell. This morning I decided to dig up a statistic to show you that the future is promising.<br /><br />I scanned through January, February, and March for the years of 2004 -2008. I counted the number of nights that we felt bitterly cold conditions. For this stat, I defined bitterly cold as temperatures below 10°. The five year average showed that we typically dropped into the single digits or lower almost ten times during the month of January. February wasn't a whole lot better with an average of 8.4 mornings with thermometers colder than 10°. The numbers fell significantly once we turned the page over to March. Over the past five years, we have only fallen into the single digits three times.<br /><br />2009 started off with a frigid first month. We dropped below 10° in 20 of 31 days in January. Thus far in February we have hit this bitterly cold mark 5 times, but we could add at least a couple of days to that tally in the next week. Hopefully we can post a goose egg for the month of March, because I'm pretty sure we've had our fair share of the arctic this winter.<br /><br />In conclusion, despite the teeth chattering cold today take heart knowing that mornings like today are becoming numbered this late in the season. -ADAMAdam Painterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10315174474973762734noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33536649.post-20175513494551287572009-02-18T20:53:00.005-06:002009-02-18T21:04:29.094-06:00A little this time... more the next?Thanks, bloggers, for your help with reports this evening. I'm still hearing reports of nasty road conditions. Definitely be careful out there tonight if you're driving... I know I'll be easing up on the gas pedal tonight when I leave.<br /><br />Tomorrow is going to be just downright cold... highs near 20° and strong northwest winds will make for a frigid mid-February day. But let's look ahead to Friday night, shall we?<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_eSvne3klO7w/SZzLipbhHmI/AAAAAAAAA2A/csk7QMkdZj0/s1600-h/CONUS1_ETA212_SFC_ACCUMSNOWFALL-KUCHERA_84HR.gif"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 140px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_eSvne3klO7w/SZzLipbhHmI/AAAAAAAAA2A/csk7QMkdZj0/s200/CONUS1_ETA212_SFC_ACCUMSNOWFALL-KUCHERA_84HR.gif" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5304338257232862818" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_eSvne3klO7w/SZzLi9e_igI/AAAAAAAAA2I/0WEu5dFQi04/s1600-h/CONUS1_MESO-ETA212_SFC_ACCUMSNOWFALL-KUCHERA_84HR.gif"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 140px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_eSvne3klO7w/SZzLi9e_igI/AAAAAAAAA2I/0WEu5dFQi04/s200/CONUS1_MESO-ETA212_SFC_ACCUMSNOWFALL-KUCHERA_84HR.gif" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5304338262616148482" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgBGRrZ_8EOdGCZlpM_4BZOGBcTz3s-zXY59BdNbgm0XSHbI07s1M7hdE4TCMLiJ7k6PU_9Ud-6awLQVddLGyrAhZRzb2l0HpFWsVqxoF6S9FVUNtfH0y51QP7_xahXlOJhDxk/s1600-h/CONUS_GFS0P5_SFC_ACCUM-SNOW_84HR.gif"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 130px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgBGRrZ_8EOdGCZlpM_4BZOGBcTz3s-zXY59BdNbgm0XSHbI07s1M7hdE4TCMLiJ7k6PU_9Ud-6awLQVddLGyrAhZRzb2l0HpFWsVqxoF6S9FVUNtfH0y51QP7_xahXlOJhDxk/s200/CONUS_GFS0P5_SFC_ACCUM-SNOW_84HR.gif" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5304338261659679682" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />A potent clipper will make <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_eSvne3klO7w/SZzLi0hAcTI/AAAAAAAAA2Q/R3fNsqDtWCk/s1600-h/CONUS2_GFS0P5_SFC_ACCUM-SNOW_84HR.gif"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 124px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_eSvne3klO7w/SZzLi0hAcTI/AAAAAAAAA2Q/R3fNsqDtWCk/s200/CONUS2_GFS0P5_SFC_ACCUM-SNOW_84HR.gif" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5304338260208677170" border="0" /></a>its way through the Midwest, bringing with it the potential for some pretty decent snowfall totals. Here's an assortment of them... certainly some variation, but they're all showing somebody getting at least 6" of snow out of this. We'll try to pin down the details of it tomorrow... but for now, this is some of what we're looking at.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33536649.post-7460306002420819072009-02-18T16:15:00.001-06:002009-02-18T16:15:33.103-06:00Snow accumulationsAnybody getting anything other than on the grass?Unknownnoreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33536649.post-31377890278110220572009-02-18T11:28:00.005-06:002009-02-18T11:35:26.968-06:00Winds Keep Kicking<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVw20mtxpyZv_Of-DmVnHIY4-0cc2cPH7aGuevGVD40vYl53lF2wL8rYmKADDU-egx7AugCgvAO7kwnAQS4np2aAgXpo6jNbW_gvqBHZocc7SmPvtaPBp6OhxMdvWGuehOfJj6Ig/s1600-h/2.gif"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 248px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVw20mtxpyZv_Of-DmVnHIY4-0cc2cPH7aGuevGVD40vYl53lF2wL8rYmKADDU-egx7AugCgvAO7kwnAQS4np2aAgXpo6jNbW_gvqBHZocc7SmPvtaPBp6OhxMdvWGuehOfJj6Ig/s320/2.gif" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5304192310227560402" border="0" /></a><br />Old Man Winter isn't done yet. He will be huffing and puffing for the next 36 hours. Winds have strengthened significantly in the last couple of hours and they won't weaken again until Thursday night. The direction and speed of these winds will stay pretty consistent. We are locked into a northwest wind that is bringing in a much colder airmass in a hurry. Wind chills tonight could drop below zero in a few locations. Wind chills tomorrow won't make it out of the single digits. -ADAMAdam Painterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10315174474973762734noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33536649.post-53146700184129260852009-02-18T04:10:00.006-06:002009-02-18T08:12:21.202-06:00Thick Fog this Morning<span style="font-weight: bold;">Update 8am</span> = Visibilities have improved significantly. Observations all across the Stateline are now above 1 mile.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXylG8cIDiPhPbWtpJoPnL0H4JQ11yZfETuEQvAUMk2IWxnXZdxv3ECA_k3PWkOar9qxj5dC4xU_iBYCIJXPwgUDqtBc9LPUqT56xs8cvWvgjJ4RZTWxMMhtkIlVNgaUFNhCI_6Q/s1600-h/1.gif"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 248px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXylG8cIDiPhPbWtpJoPnL0H4JQ11yZfETuEQvAUMk2IWxnXZdxv3ECA_k3PWkOar9qxj5dC4xU_iBYCIJXPwgUDqtBc9LPUqT56xs8cvWvgjJ4RZTWxMMhtkIlVNgaUFNhCI_6Q/s320/1.gif" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5304077809441549474" border="0" /></a><span style="font-weight: bold;">Original Post</span> = After driving from east to west across Winnebago County, I can tell you that the surface of the roads is actually pretty good, but visibilities are awful. The fog is quite dense and I can confirm the 1/8 of a mile visibility right now at the Rockford Int'l Airport. I couldn't see much farther than 20 yards in front of my car. The fog will stay quite thick through the mid morning hours. Drive carefully and courteously! -ADAMAdam Painterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10315174474973762734noreply@blogger.com0