Throughout my 46 year on-air career, I prided myself about educating my viewers regarding my passion about the weather. It was one thing to know the WHAT of the forecast, but I also wanted you to know the WHY. I understood most just want the forecast, and to educate you about meteorology, I would also have to be entertaining. I wore a lot of costumes on-air (Full length Fur Coat, Big Pumpkin, German Lederhosen etc) but the last one in 2016 was my favorite. Do you remember? Can you guess who I was?
The late Nancy Parker was Cleopatra, John Snell looked like a Bourbon Street barker? and the Breckster? C'mon, don't you recall the late George Carlin routine, yo, your hippy dippy weatherman? Less than a month later, I retired never to costume again. It was fun in my youth! Once again BRAVO to the NWS/NOAA computer models for correctly predicting dangerous wind gusts by 11 AM.
They were spot on and, as expected, we are now under a Tornado Watch until 7 PM. The first band of showers are nearing us with the main line plowing through between 4-7 PM.
We knew yesterday that the set up for severe storms would develop, but to see the accuracy of the hourly wind speeds is truly remarkable. It was why Jefferson cancelled all parades and Orleans restricted their parades. Thank goodness the models were right as many folks thought officials overreacted. Not so, kudos to those public officials for having the courage to make the right call.
The strong upper disturbance is on track and will lift to our north by later tonight. As the upper winds split apart (diffluence) over us, it will increase the low level uplift (orange circle) creating the potential for severe storms. It's pay attention time through 3-8 PM.
Temperatures are slightly cooler behind this front, but notice how much drier (lower dew points) across Texas. We have seen winds constant 20-35 MPH with MSY having gusts to 52 !!!
Finish enjoying Mardi Gras, but understand your FOX 8 Weather App may start alerting you to warnings after 4 PM. For now, your hippy, dippy Weatherman says stay tuned!
No comments:
Post a Comment