Nov 16th storms update

A line of severe storms hit the Southeast hard the other day.  5 states experience severe weather leading to property damage as well as a rising death toll which now stands at 6.  Dozens of homes and businesses were damages and thousands of people are without power in the region.  Property damage totals and storm intensities are currently unavailable.  For more detailed information, please see past post.

Natures Fury

A string of severe storms ripped through the Southeast on Wednesday leaving a trail of death and destruction.  Tornadoes have been reported in Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama and South Carolina.  As of this time there have been no confirmations of the tornadoes touching down or their intensities but there are many eye witness accounts to back the claims.  In Alabama a tornado was seen just outside of the Auburn University, fortunately there were no injuries reported but some trailer homes were damaged.  Unfortunately for those in Mississippi severe storms tore through Jones County where trees were toppled onto houses trapping people; mobile homes were also torn off their foundations.  15 people were reported to have injuries from that cell alone.  Unfortunately, today was also a fatal day.  The first fatality came from northern Georgia as a tree toppled over onto a SUV.  The Upstate of South Carolina was also impacted by these storms.  In a rural part of York County, about five miles southwest of Rock Hill there was a reported tornado touching down.  At this point of time, three people have been confirmed dead, police are currently going door to door checking on survivors.

Updates will be coming in the morning.
Weather Mike

Monster Storm Hits Alaska; Other Severe Weather

Alaska's Severe Storm -
Our last frontier, Alaska, is being pummeled by a powerful storm with winds reaching 80 mph sustained.  Residents of Nome as well as other villages in the area are being urged to take higher ground.  Gusts from this Bering Sea fueled storm have the potential to reach in excess of 100 mph with blinding snow.  The greatest threat though will be to the coastal villages with storm surge reaching up to 8ft.  Many areas, even those with sea walls, are under a threat of floods and damages cause by storm surge debris.  The storm surge threat will not wayne until late Wednesday.

Tropic Watch -
Tropical Storm Sean is churning away in the Atlantic with winds gusting up to 70 mph and taking a NW track at 3 mph.  The only threat this storm has on the United States is an increased chance of rip currents along the Southeast coastline.  Besides that, the storm is predicted to make a turn to the west and take a WNW track just above Bermuda and fizzle out from there on.  No other tropical activity is being reported at this time.

Let it Snow, Let it Snow, Let is Snow -
If it doesn't feel like its getting to that time of the year where the decorations come down from the attic, just take a trip up to the Great Lakes.  The region is expected to pick up a few inches of snow over the next few days.  The greatest threat comes today in northers Wisconsin where over 5" are expected to fall in that area.

That sums it up for whats making news today,
Weather Mike

Fall Fun

The Upstate of South Carolina, as well as the entire region, will be experiencing superb weather this weekend it needs to be asked, why stay inside?

• Families that are looking for something to do that encompasses a little education I would suggest picking up a book on local vegetation and to go to a local, state, or national park.  When there have your kids point out what type of tree or plant they are observing and a fun fact about them.  This time of year is the best time to go as the leafs have reached or are reaching their peak of color change and the temperatures are cooled down.  Another fun project while out there for both kids and adults would to collect leafs and help preserve them by press laminating for color preservation.  From there the kids can identify as well as refer to the leafs and their colors in the future.
• For the golfers out there you could not ask for a better weekend.  Temperatures highs will range between the 50's to mid 70's throughout the region.  There will be a slight breeze with clear skies and a moderate UV rating making it a comfortable day to play.
• With hunting season now underway this weekend is shaping up to be an outdoor paradise with Saturday and Sunday temperatures at dawn resting in the 40's and a little frosty in other parts.  For the fishers out there I would recommend taking a wind breaker out there with you as the breeze will make it feel colder than the actual temperature.

The most importuning the to remember is while you have fun out there, always remember to stay safe and stay hydrated.

Weather Mike

Precipitation out West, Dry in the East

Back to back weather systems coming down from Alaska, is going to shape up for a long, wet, and cold week ahead.  As the set of storms make their way down, lower elevations should expect to see mainly a cold rain.  The upper elevations should expect a fair amount of snow.  The Sierra Nevadas as well as some parts of Colorado might experience near blizzard conditions.  Speaking of blizzard conditions, eastern Colorado and far west Kansas are experiencing their first potential blizzard of the year.  Moving out east, after a record setting October snowfall for the northern half of the region, there will be a little bit of precipitation Thursday into Friday and a pleasantly cool weekend at hand.

Tomorrow will have another original article from Weather Mike.

Rare Aurora

Last night people as far south as Mississippi saw the Aurora Borealis, the Northern Lights, for the first time in almost a decade.  Last nights phenomenon has the opportunity to repeat itself tonight as the effects f the strong storm is still lingering.  Unfortunately being able to predict when tonights events will happen is not an exact science but will most likely occur between midnight and 2 AM.  Within the next year to year and a half this will become more common as the sun reaches the peak of its solar cycle during late 2012 into early 2013.

I get this question often, what exactly causes the Auroras, why does it produce color, what damage can it do?

• An Aurora starts when the Sun, a Yellow Dwarf Star, releases particles into space in an energetic release also know as a Coronal Mass Ejection (CME). As those particles bombarded our planet we are kept safe by our magnetic field.   At the the magnetic North and South Poles though, there is a gap where there is no magnetic field, allowing the high energy particles to enter our atmosphere.  As they bombard the upper levels, they interact with oxygen and nitrogen to produce a wave like light the moves across the sky usually going as low as the 42nd Parallel.  Last nights storm was so strong it was seen as far south as approximately, the 32nd Parallel.  

• As the altitude changes so does the color of the lights, Red is seen when the oxygen is above 150 miles, Green is seen when oxygen is up to 150 miles, Purple/Violet is seen with nitrogen is above 60 miles, and finally Blue is seen when nitrogen is up to 60 miles. 

•  As these hyper charged particles pass into our atmosphere it can cause many problems to modern technologies.  First is to our much depended on satellites.  From GPS, to TV, to telephones, to military technologies they all can be affected as the bombardment causes electronics in space to fail.  This would bring a virtual standstill to todays everyday life.  On the ground, if a storm is strong enough it could cause anything that is electrical and running to blackout.  This means any personal electronic, vehicles, power plants,  and substations.  The only way to fix this, is by replacing all damaged components which when it comes to power plants and substations it will be a lengthy and costly fix.

Weather Mike

Email photos of last nights and tonights phenomenon to weather.mike39@gmail.com

Hurricane Rina

As Hurricane Season wanes down this time of year it is not uncommon to see a storm or two form in the Gulf of Mexico as well as the Caribbean.  We now have Hurricane Rina out there as a weak category one with winds reaching 75 mph and gusts up to 90. This is a slow moving storm, traveling WNW at 3 mph is expect to start to make a turn to the east.  This is where the tracking becomes difficult as a pressure system moves through.  What is known is the North Gulf will most likely be sparred from  this storm.  Where this storm will land is still up in the air; what is known, with fair certainty, is that it will either hit Southwest Florida or make a full loop and hit Central America.  My personal feelings on this storm is it will reach a maximum of a Category 3 storm as it nears the Yucatán Peninsula but as it turns east the storm will weaken considerably to a Category 1.  As it reaches the West Cuban coast it will start to preform a turn south then then to the right as it will head west into an area estimated between Northern Honduras up to Southern Mexico.

Weather Mike
weather.mike39@gmail.com

Regions First Freeze of the Year

The Mountains of west North Carolina should be expecting a hard freeze tonight.  Temperatures tonight will reach well below the freezing mark.  To help save your plants and shrubs, it is recommended to give your plants a healthy dose of water before the sun sets.  The reasoning behind this is plants use the water to help in many lie sustaining activities, creating heat.  To trap the heat in, it is also recommended to cover the plants with garbage bags or sheets, this provides a layer of insulation and prevents heat escaping exponentially.  For the Upstate of South Carolina there is a 60% chance of frost developing overnight as temperatures are predicted to reach the upper 30's but mid 30's are more likely.  With a slight breeze tonight temperatures will feel like the lower 30's.

Keep warm and stay safe
Weather Mike

Northeast Winter Outlook

For my followers up in the north east I have good news for some and bad news for others.  After last years record setting season this year will be a big relief to both the citizens and the infrastructures.  From Virginia to lower New York and lower New England it will be a warmer but stormier winter this year.  A lot of precipitation this season will come in the way of a cold rain rather than the major snow storms.  With that said there can be no way to rule out a major storm at least once this very active winter.  In fact the most opportune time for a major storm will most likely be from early January until early February.  For the rest of the region it is going to be a long and bitter winter.  I expect some records to be broken in some regions as the influx of storms involved with La Niña combined with the constant bone chilling cold.  First snow should be expected around mid-November.  Total snowfalls for the northern portions will rival if not beat last years totals, for the southern portion, there will be great relief.

Weather Mike
weather.mike39@gmail.com

Southeast Winter Outlook

After having a pretty active winter with regions seeing records broken, this year is looking to be a relief to some.  This year my prediction is that it will be a wetter but milder winter this year.  Due to the weak La Niña this year there will be more precipitation but not as much in the way of snow.  Most of the region, excluding the Appalachian Mountains, can expect a lot of rain and a possible sever ice storm.  Due to the upper levels being warmer because of La Niña any snowfall will melt in the upper atmosphere.  In mid January until late February the risk turns into ice storms.  As the upper levels stay warm the lower levels will still be cold, as the rain enters the lower levels it will refreeze either on contact with a surface or as ice pellets.  Due to residual heat on roadways ice accumulation on the roads will not be a threat.  The biggest threat comes from over grown trees that can topple over onto power lines and houses.  For preparation I recommend getting a jump now and start trimming those trees back.

Weather Mike

Back from Florida

Hello My Followers

I returned from Florida today, took a little vacation to get my mind free.  Tomorrow I will be starting my week long Winter Outlook segment as well as the normal 5 day and national warnings.

Weather Mike

Fire Threats Down, Winter Storms Accumulate

Weather Alert

• Winter Storm Warnings have been posted in majority of North East and Central Nevada.  Snowfall is expected to accumulate more than 5" over the next 24-48 hours.
• Red Flag Warnings have been cancelled for most of the Central Plains

Continuing with the Winter Storm Warning,  due to mild temperatures during the day time as well as during peak hours of precipitation it is more realistic for there to be 2-3" of snow on the ground by Thursday night.  Friday night will contain the largest threat with showers earlier in the day and below freezing temperatures at night, causing widespread freezing.

Upstate, SC 5 day

• Wednesday - High of 81 with a low dropping to just above 50.  
• Thursday - High will fall just short of the 80 degree mark and sunny all day.  Overnight lows will reach an even 50 with some clouds moving in.
• Friday - Temperatures will peak at 77 degrees with more clouds moving in.  Low for Friday will be in the upper 40's with some clouds.
• Saturday - Will be a weekend warriors perfect day.  Sunny with a high in the Middle to Upper 70's with a 10% chance of rain.  Lows for Saturday will be in the lower 50's with thicker clouds moving in.
• Sunday - Minus the clouds Sunday it will be another perfect weekend.  High will be the same as Saturday with an overnight low once again in the low 50's.

Spreading Like Wild Fire

Severe Weather Alert

• I know this sounds like it is becoming repetitive but the threat of fires are serious this time of year. As predicted in yesterdays blog about the Central Plains having to watch out for Red Flag Warnings, the National Weather Service has posted these warnings for all of Nebraska and South Dakota; as well as west and central Kansas, eastern Montana, and finally eastern Colorado.  Yesterdays Winter Weather Watch for parts of California have been upgraded to Winter Storm Warnings.  Snowfall is expected to reach anywhere from 5" in some locations and up to a foot in others.

Winter Weather in October

• Many regions are starting to feel the chill of fall in the air but there are some who are seeing the bounties of winter.  Snow is predicted to fall in the upper elevations of California, Nevada, Utah, and Colorado within the next two to three days.  The only areas predicted to get over 5" are in California but this is a sign that winter is soon to come.  Next week I will be posting a Winter Outlook everyday for 5 days, each day highlighting one region.

Weekday forecast for Upstate, SC

• Today - Sunny with a high of 77 lows dropping to 45 tonight.
• Tuesday - Will be about the same with a high of 76 and a low of 48, clear with a zero percent chance of rain.
• Wednesday - Will be warmer than previous days with a high just a hair short of 80 and a low of 52.
• Thursday - Temperatures will be cooler than Wednesday with a high of 74 and a low of 50, there will be a ten percent chance of rain

Severe Weather Around the Nation

• The Central Plains states are the focus today with unseasonably warm temperatures potentially reaching the 90's.  There are a portions of Northern Texas, the Panhandle of Oklahoma, as well as Southwest Kansas under a Red Flag Warning.  The rest of the Central Plains are under a Fire Watch.
• Mammoth Lakes through Bieber California are under a Winter Storm Watch, as snowfall is to expect to reach about 4".

1st of October

Upstate Weather

• Today - will be sunny with a zero percent chance for precipitation.  The high will peak around two in the afternoon and just shy of the 70 mark. Low tonight will be about 40 degrees.
• Tomorrow - Conditions will be just like today with a zero percent chance of precipitation.  Temperature will be cooler with the high reaching the mid-60's.  Over night lows will reach the mid 40's
• Monday through Wednesday - Conditions will be optimal for outdoor activities with no rain and a gentle breeze.  Highs will be in the 70's and the lows in the upper 50's.

Around the Nation

• Northwest Region - Temperatures ranging from the mid 70's to low 80's, relatively dry with no major systems moving through.
• Southwest Region - Unseasonably warm temperatures in the 90's have increased the chances of fires through the entire region.  Look for Red Flags, for more information on Red Flags click here.
• North Mississippi Valley/Great Lakes Region - Seasonably cool temperatures with highs in the upper 60's to low 70's.  Frost Advisories out for Indiana, Michigan, and Wisconsin. 
• Southern Mississippi Valley/Gulf Region - Temperatures in the 70's with dry air abundant.  Also be weary of Red Flag Warnings.
• Appalachian Region - Highs in the 40's with gusty winds, a chance of flurries in some spots tonight. Ski season is right around the corner.
• Northeast - Temperatures are ranging from the mid 60's to upper 70's. Wide spread showers from Pennsylvania up through New England.  Virginia, Maryland, New Jersey, and Rhode Island are going to be the only states spared from serious rain, expect isolated showers in most parts.
• Southeast - Temperatures in 70's for most states with the exception of Florida, which will be in the low 80's.  Dry conditions continue and for North Florida as well as parts of Alabama and Georgia Red Flag warning are posted.

With the peak month of hurricane season behind us we are in the home stretch.  There are two storm currently active, the first Hurricane Ophella and the second Tropical Storm Philippe are both forecasted to have no threat to land.  Both storms will be swept out into the North Atlantic and will die off.

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Weather Mike

Fire Watch

With the change of the season comes a change of our weather patterns.  As the Northern Hemisphere distances itself from the sun, the change in light and temperatures help "re-mold" our weather patterns.  With the long warm days of summer almost out of sight the probability for showers, more specifically, pop up showers diminish.  Thus leaving us with a dry and nearly arid environment.  This plus an ignition source can lead to the most serious threat from now until spring... Wildfires.

As the season progresses you will hear more of the term "Red Flag Warning".  A Red Flag Warning, broken down, means conditions are at its best for wild fires.  An area already in a drought, that is facing relatively low humidity and gusty winds, are the specific locations where Red Flags are posted.  Avoiding the dangers of fires are as easy as making conscious efforts to avoid wandering ignition sources.  A carelessly thrown cigarette butt hitting a patch of dry grass can, in seconds, turn into an uncontrollable fire.  Another frequent source of ignition this time of year come from campfires.  There are two common sources with a campfire, the first being embers from wood, leaves, and brush that are burned as fuel.  As a fire naturally pops or is poked to allow more to burn, it releases embers.  If the fire is not placed in a large enough clearing or too close to brush, the wandering embers, which burn up to almost 900 degrees can easily set fire to its surroundings.  The second common ignition source is from the spent fire. People believe without flames there is no chance of fire; this is not true.  A fire can ignite as long as it has heat, fuel(wood/coals), and oxygen.  Flare up are common and can cause wildfires if not taken car of immediately.  To combat this, make sure to always douse your campfires with water to make certain there is no chance for a flare up.

With the fall season upon us there are plenty of opportunities for fun and relaxation but remember the good ole' words from Smokey the Bear, "Only you can prevent forest fires."  Any further questions can be sent to my inbox, weather.mike39@gmail.com.

Tomorrow

• Local Weather
• Regional Weather
• National Sever Weather & Threats
• Reader submitted Comment Question of the Day

To submit a question for the Comment Question of the Day; enter your question in the comment box below.  If you cannot see the comment box, click on "Comment #" to open the text box.

Weather Mike

Week Hiatus

Followers,

First let me apologize about my week hiatus, class and work consumed most of my time.  Tonight there will be the restart of my blog, expect daily update as well as original articles written throughout the week.

Thank You,
Weather Mike

First Full Day of Fall

Today is the first full day of the Fall season and for some it is too soon, for others it couldn't have come quick enough.  For some it welcomes thoughts of crisp air and colors galore; for others it brings the sad realization that summer is almost over and the cold is soon to come.  For a select region it means it is is the peak of hurricane season.

That brings us to the first topic;  hurricane season is at its peak.  We are in the waining days of the peak month for hurricanes and it couldn't be more active.  There are two storms aw well as two more areas of interest but none of them appear to be a major threat.  Tropical Invest 91 is gaining the most attention due to its proximity to land but it is believed nothing will become of it.  This system is projected to make landfall and it is most likely going to be just south of the North Carolina/South Carolina border or about the 33rd parallel.  The storm will bring some rains and winds at about 30 mph, this storm is not going to be a threat to and structures but it might down some small trees.  For the rest of the tropics there is no threat to and land as they will all take the path into the proverbial "Hurricane Graveyard" in the Norther North Atlantic.

Around the contiguous United States severe weather is not expect but can not be ruled out.  Out West, due to the lack of rainfall and dry environment there is a current red flag warning.  Please keep your camp fires under control and watch those wandering cigarette butts.  Moving east the greatest threat to the Mid-West is  in the Dakotas, Nebraska, and Missouri where there and some flood advisories floating around (no pun intended).  For the East coast there will be, for the first time in a while,  sunshine.  Now that the neutral front passed through there will be pleasant weather for a couple days with your periodic shower pending on your exact location.

Weather Mike

Sept 23rd launch

Dear Internet Traveler,

First I would like to thank you for stumbling upon my blog and hope you will come back for more.  Let me take this pre-release time to share with you what my projections are for this site:

The Fall Equinox, September 23rd, is the scheduled release date of my new blog.  What you have to look forward to with my blogs are a variance of all things weather.  Based off the days events, articles will be posted, local weather will be displayed, as well as once a week I will do a feature on weather from a random location.  As the blog develops more features will be added and I will always be open for constructive criticism.

Thank You for reading,
Weather Mike