The Weather Thread

[PhilDernerJr]

I myself have taken quite an interest in weather lately. Each day, especially at work, I have a look at what's going on around the country and predict which airports will get various delays.

I've already gotten a few notes from people asking for a weather forum...which we may be able to pull off one day if there is interest and activity from enough members.

Anyone else here follow the weather? What do you use and what exactly do you check?

[Derf]

Yes, I am interested. I use a bunch of different general sites I use with radar but lately use my iPhone weather apps. You always need to be on your game if you try for lightning shots. It really sux when your at work and cant leave and you see a MASSIVE squall line heading thru!

http://www.longislandwallpapers.com/Aviation/Felix-101-home-at-Bethpage/F-14D-Felix-101-Bethpage/316889004_aJqMG-S-1.jpg
I used my old phone weather app for the F-14 Lightning tracking



http://www.longislandwallpapers.com/Aviation/B-17-Memphis-Belle-The-Movie/IMG058678/375690871_LZ3rX-S.jpg

[USAF Pilot 07]

I was a meteorology major in college, which although had it's highs and lows :cool:, was a lot more work and not as fun as I initially imagined. Involved a TON of math/physics; I'm more of a "forecaster" type of person...

Basically, I will never use weather.com and when I see people using it, it pisses me off...

I generally use the National Weather Service's website (www.nws.noaa.gov), and if there's something interesting of note or I want more insight, I'll go to their "Forecast Discussion" page on the bottom right of the local homepage. This is where the actual forecaster, usually twice a day, writes what he/she is looking at and why he/she is predicting what he/she is.

Their radar products suck because they use simple doppler, but the Storm Relative Velocity products are really good and something I haven't found on most commercial sites. It's useful, especially in T'storms for determining rotation (i.e. tornado/possibility of a tornado). Most tornado warnings in fact are issued based on what forecasters are looking at not just on regular radar but primarily on the SRV.

For weather radar products I will use intellicast.com or wxunderground.com.

[Derf]

I love intellicast.com and I have been using weather.com only because it has current radar that works well. I am not a fan of weather.com but do not have your type of formal training and just use it for radar.

I am trying to find a good realtime lightning tracker online to use on my iPhone. Anyone have a good site to see realtime lighting hits...or close to it. All I have seen have been LAME!

[hiss srq]

I love weather... I am fond of convective weather particularly... Theroy behind thunderstorm development really takes my interest as well as wind.... Wind is a very interesting feature... It ties in with hydro and aerodynamics... It is quite facinating... There is nothing more awe inspiring that to pass by a towering thunderstorm from the comfort of an airplane looking UP at it from FL380.... That just blows my mind... I have had the pleasure to discuess thunderstorms to an indepth level with Bill Korbel on Facebook a few times.... He is certainly someone to talk to about these things.

[PhilDernerJr]

I'm a convection guy as well. I use aviationweather.gov religiously, checking out everything on there and making my own forecasts before betting others on what will happen.

[T-Bird76]

I do enjoy good wrath. As for weather service, NOAA.gov, always on target.

[lijk604]

I use the Aviation Weather Center from NOAA. The radar side of it is a bit weak, WSI helps out here but that's a subscription thing. For aviation though, it's a tough site to beat.

[Matt Molnar]

Wunderground.com has the best free radar maps I've seen, and no annoying ads like weather.com: http://www.wunderground.com/auto/wxmap/

[emshighway]

Wunderground.com has the best free radar maps I've seen, and no annoying ads like weather.com: http://www.wunderground.com/auto/wxmap/

I use the same along with a few iPhone Apps. The only thing I think is funny about wunderground is the Panera Bread overlay. You have to be aware of those pesky bread showers.

[Altitude9]

I usually use a combination of different sites. I'm fairly concerned about visability for aerial photography, so I'm always looking at Temp/Dewpoint spreads, and if there was a site that would predict those - it would be really cool.

Temp/Dewpoint is vital for my photographers-for a go/nogo mission. They always ask me, and I like to be as accurate as possible, because once the engine is running, time is money.

:)

[hiss srq]

And here all along I thought point spreads were make or break to the bank! LOL That is an interesting take though. I have never considered a factor like that in relation to visibility for shooting before.

[PhilDernerJr]

I used to go by dew point spreads, but even that has messed me up. I find that wind direction has been most reliable for me....if they're coming from the north or northwest...we're getting cooler Canadian winds. East or south...moist (humid) air coming off the ocean.

[Altitude9]

Yup- Northwest winds are a plus - mainly because they make a larger temp/dewpoint spread. But next time it's foggy out, take a look at a local temp/dewpoint, and you'll notice there will only be a degree or two of seperation. In the fall, when you get a 15 point spread - you'll have excellent clarity! I guess you don't notice this as much when you're on the ground, but on days when you fly and you can see 45 miles, you know the temp/dewpoint is pretty far apart. :cool:

[Altitude9]

Wunderground.com has the best free radar maps I've seen, and no annoying ads like weather.com: http://www.wunderground.com/auto/wxmap/

m.wunderground.com too for mobile devices. I have all the places that I normally fly to saved as favorites on my mobile. Great stuff.

[PhilDernerJr]

Yup- Northwest winds are a plus - mainly because they make a larger temp/dewpoint spread. But next time it's foggy out, take a look at a local temp/dewpoint, and you'll notice there will only be a degree or two of seperation. In the fall, when you get a 15 point spread - you'll have excellent clarity! I guess you don't notice this as much when you're on the ground, but on days when you fly and you can see 45 miles, you know the temp/dewpoint is pretty far apart. :cool:

You're right about that, but I don't know any other way of predicting spread without going by the wind.

[ISP Pilot]

Basically, I will never use weather.com and when I see people using it, it pisses me off...

I generally use the National Weather Service's website (www.nws.noaa.gov (http://www.nws.noaa.gov)), and if there's something interesting of note or I want more insight, I'll go to their "Forecast Discussion" page on the bottom right of the local homepage. This is where the actual forecaster, usually twice a day, writes what he/she is looking at and why he/she is predicting what he/she is.

Their radar products suck because they use simple doppler, but the Storm Relative Velocity products are really good and something I haven't found on most commercial sites. It's useful, especially in T'storms for determining rotation (i.e. tornado/possibility of a tornado). Most tornado warnings in fact are issued based on what forecasters are looking at not just on regular radar but primarily on the SRV.
It pisses me off also when people use weather.com. Whenever I see people using it, I always tell them to try weather.gov (same as the NOAA national weather site) and they never go back to weather.com. Displayed are all watches and warnings for the country and I am fascinated by tornado warnings and severe t-storm warnings. Another favorite winter warning is heavy freezing spray warning usually affecting coastal Alaska. For radar, I also use duats.

[Fighting_falcon_51]

I've also been interested in the weather also lately.

I usually check the National Hurricane Center's website & Weather.gov every day. http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/ / http://www.weather.gov

[mirrodie]

Speaking of convection, we just bought a Convection Toaster Oven. I highly recommend it. Heats up food much quicker and reduced our stove use dramatically in the summer.

Trivia.....anyone remember Storm Field, meteorologist? And his father Dr Frank Field, also a meteorologist? His dad was originally an optometrist.

Good thread. I used weather.com since I really knew no other options. I'll now be using NOAA.org. Thanks!

[moose135]

I grew up watching Dr Frank Field! We always watched the Ch 4 local news, and he was on there forever! I think he was one of the first to do health and science reports on the local news as well.

[PhilDernerJr]

Long Island NEws 12's Bill Korbel is the guy that taught me about weather in dispatch school at Flight Safety. Good guy.

[bluejuice]

Sorry guys , I go back even further-- Tex Antoine and Uncle Wethbee on Channel 7.or how about that crazy dude that was on channel 9 Lloyd Lindsey Young. Been following weather for a long time and known as the weather guru here at work. I dont even use weather.com any more and Im beginning to hate the weather channel but thats another thread. I like wx underground, and on my verizon phone,Weather bug ,imap weather for radar ,and also refrence aviation weather for easy to read term forcasts.

[ISP Pilot]

or how about that crazy dude that was on channel 9 Lloyd Lindsey Young.

Huge Lloyd Lindsey Young fan. HEEEELLLLLLLLLLLLOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!! Was not so much a fan of his son George. Saw a video of him recently on youtube. Still up to his usual weather sayings.

[Fighting_falcon_51]

This is crazy!


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GrmIutAOooA
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GrmIutAOooA

[Matt Molnar]

Despite the relative calm up until now, AccuWeather thinks the tropics are going to go nuts in late August-September: http://www.accuweather.com/blogs/news/story/35464/the-montanahurricane-connectio-1.asp

[SengaB]

Weather, I thought most here only used weather to shoot or not to shoot. I have obsessively been into weather since college. And was/am an avid a Storm Chaser- especially when I was living in the Midwest/ Plains area. I also took several meteorology classes- Forecasting - witch I sucked at. I also took some storm structure classes at The College of Dupage in the Chicago Area and had Storm Chased with Several Storm Chasers at that college. I do have extensive knowledge about storm structure and development thought my classes and field experience. I have my personal site with links to Weather Data sites for several years now and I do use the site for my Storm Chasing but also for Flying and also Aviation Photography. I keep it simple so I can access anywhere. Weather is also one of my hobbies. I have many shots I'll post some when I can get a hold of them.


I had this Disk Handy,
Streator, IL Tornado 1999.
Obscured by dust. In unfortunately but the time I got tot he tornado the RFD-Rear Flank Downdraft had overtaken the tornado.
Probably the blackest storm I have ever seen.
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4136/4889033433_718d2c164a.jpg

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4141/4889629018_24d2c27174.jpg

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4078/4889033611_423ac9fd13.jpg

Senga

[MIAMI ARTCC FAN]

I for the most part use this site for all my Local Stuff

http://www.meteo.psu.edu/~gadomski/ewall.html

Tropical Wise these are my tools

http://moe.met.fsu.edu/tcgengifs/ and

http://www.nco.ncep.noaa.gov/pmb/nwprod/analysis/

As Phil does I am a big Convection Person since I do live in the Convection Capital of the USA. There are many other factors that make up a convective prediction such as SKEW T'S, Lifted Index,Helicity,Hodographs,Wind profiles in all levels of the atmosphere and Temperatures at the 500 MB level.

[SengaB]

SKEW T'S, Lifted Index,Helicity,Hodographs,Wind profiles. All of that brings back memories.

SP has a nice one that I like.
They Incorporated all of them into one place. It works for me.
http://w1.spc.woc.noaa.gov/exper/soundings/10081500_OBS/OKX.gif

Senga

[cancidas]

check out this anvil:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kOX8BT3rAoA

[SengaB]

That's a nice one. Those single cells are really easy to chase.

Senga

[NoGreenBox]

Hello everyone. In addition to the standard weather.gov website and associated NHC products, a great source of severe weather information is the Severe Storms Prediction Center site, an offshot of weather.gov. You can access it by clicking the "severe weather" link on the main weather.gov page, or via this: http://www.spc.noaa.gov/

I use that site at work to plan out how crazy our day is going to be. The single most useful section is the Convective Outlook Page which has a great deal of very detailed information regarding the potential of severe weather in general and, specifically, Tornadoes, Hail, and High wind. Enjoy the link..

Chris

[PhilDernerJr]

Welcome NoGreen! Great first post.

[PhilDernerJr]

While everyone's watching Hurricane Earl, this sick band formed up this evening in the midwest as a high front pushes through...

http://www.nycaviation.com/hosting/adds_radar_nav_tx090210.gif

Red peppered with purple...hope all of you folks from Michigan to Texas closed your car windows!

[NLovis]

I used to track the hurricanes. The last one I tracked was actually Katrina. I actually didnt go to sleep untill after it made landfall at 4 in the morning. I was actually able to predict where these went better then the actual specalists. I havent been doing much as of late but am still interested in the subject. Phil thats actually the front that was supposed to push earl away. Looks like it stalled out and developed. Rats!

[Gerard]

While everyone's watching Hurricane Earl, this sick band formed up this evening in the midwest as a high front pushes through...


Is that the cold front thats going to cool us down? I love watching cold fronts on the radar as they come in usually after a particularly hot spell and filled with nasty, violent thunderstorms. Many times these T cells break down as they come through NJ and the city but lots of time they sneak through. I actually enjoy watching NEws12 Traffic and Weather and their radar. Most time its 10/15 minutes behind real time but still cool.

[Gerard]

Despite the relative calm up until now, AccuWeather thinks the tropics are going to go nuts in late August-September: http://www.accuweather.com/blogs/news/story/35464/the-montanahurricane-connectio-1.asp

Well August has come and gone :biggrin:.
Actually there were two more systems behind this but I think th:biggrin:ey have fizzled out.

[Gerard]

Well August has come and gone :biggrin:.
Actually there were two more systems behind this but I think th:biggrin:ey have fizzled out.

Next threat? http://www.aolnews.com/nation/article/with-hurricane-earl-gone-whats-next-in-the-tropics/19621359?icid=main%7Cmain%7Cdl1%7Csec3_lnk1%7C1685 60

[PhilDernerJr]

I actually enjoy watching NEws12 Traffic and Weather and their radar. Most time its 10/15 minutes behind real time but still cool.

News 12's Bill Korbel is quite an aviation enthusiast himself. He was my weather instructor when I got my dispatch license...very cool guy. His facebook page is a good one to follow for weather conversation as well.

[Gerard]

News 12's Bill Korbel is quite an aviation enthusiast himself. He was my weather instructor when I got my dispatch license...very cool guy. His facebook page is a good one to follow for weather conversation as well.

THanks. I just "Liked" his FB page. :cool:

[Gerard]

Looks like some heavy weather heading this way from the West.

[Fighting_falcon_51]

There is a Special Weather Statement regarding severe thunderstorms in the NYC/LI area.

[Matt Molnar]

Severe Thunderstorm Warning for Brooklyn, Queens and southern Nassau until 930pm.

[hiss srq]

Long Beach got quite the light show from that storm and it lasted over an hour.

[threeholerglory]

Caldwell MUST have been struck by lightning...check out this Metar from Caldwell (KCDW) taken from picbrief.com....

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4104/5016847920_07b01e0aa9_o.jpg

[Gerard]

Rain moving in and winds picking up. Watching the Yanks-Bosox on ESPN and the announcers said that the Met Life blimp had to call it a night and head back in. Already raining out here
in Eastern Nassau and I heard a pilot on FRG tell Tower ceiling was only 1500 ft. Anyone know where the blimp was bunking?

[Matt Molnar]

Tornado Watch in effect for much of the NY/NJ area...

ALBANY BRONX BROOME
CHENANGO COLUMBIA DELAWARE
DUTCHESS GREENE KINGS
MADISON MONTGOMERY NASSAU
NEW YORK ONEIDA ORANGE
OTSEGO PUTNAM QUEENS
RENSSELAER RICHMOND ROCKLAND
SCHENECTADY SCHOHARIE SULLIVAN
ULSTER WESTCHESTER

[Gerard]

Thankfully nothing materialized. Pretty cool getting off the train at Hicksville at 6:05 and saw one of the Cablevision S-76s heading into Bethpage and disappearing in the mist and low visibilty. About 10 minutes later I'm on Woodbury Road just east of South Oyster Bay Road and I see a CV S-76 (not sure if the same one) flying low and fast along Rt 135 SB.

[njgtr82]

Thankfully nothing materialized. Pretty cool getting off the train at Hicksville at 6:05 and saw one of the Cablevision S-76s heading into Bethpage and disappearing in the mist and low visibilty. About 10 minutes later I'm on Woodbury Road just east of South Oyster Bay Road and I see a CV S-76 (not sure if the same one) flying low and fast along Rt 135 SB.

That would have been N401CV

[Gerard]

Big Storm moving in after Midnite. Remnants of Tropical Storm Irene heading this way. Forecasters calling for heavy rain maybe up to 4 inches and high winds up to 60MPH. Not to blow out until sometime after Friday rush hour.

[Gerard]

Big Storm moving in after Midnite. Remnants of Tropical Storm Irene heading this way.

Got my girls mixed up. Its Nicole. :redface::smile:

[Gerard]

Got my girls mixed up. Its Nicole. :redface::smile:

And now they are saying the NYC/LI area should start getting hit by 11PM and run into tomorrows rush hour. Radar looks scary!!
Crazy morning rush today with deluges on and off. Humidity has been oppresive!!

[Matt Molnar]

Despite the worst staying to the west so far, JFK-bound traffic is now on a 5 hour ground delay program.

[Derf]

Wow, if it was not for that front from the west, we would not probably get anything other than a light rain!
Look at the last 48 hours!
http://storms.meas.ncsu.edu/users/mdparker/radarchive/index.html

[Gerard]

Despite the worst staying to the west so far, JFK-bound traffic is now on a 5 hour ground delay program.

Yeah we've been lucky so far!! They've been getting rain/storms all day as that weather just moved north through NJ.

[threeholerglory]

I can't believe that ENTIRE system stayed west of New Jersey like a freight train on its tracks. I guess it just goes to show that no one or anything wants to go to New Jersey. Not even the weather. (For the record, I'm from NJ)

[pgengler]

Reminds me of a couple of years ago (ok, so nearly six years ago) when there was a bunch of snow everywhere except NJ: http://images.pgengler.net/nosnow.jpg
I can't believe that ENTIRE system stayed west of New Jersey like a freight train on its tracks. I guess it just goes to show that no one or anything wants to go to New Jersey. Not even the weather. (For the record, I'm from NJ)

[NLovis]

Reminds me of a couple of years ago (ok, so nearly six years ago) when there was a bunch of snow everywhere except NJ: http://images.pgengler.net/nosnow.jpg

Oh thats a riot. Indeed everything wants to be away from NJ. Lets hope I can advoid going there when EIA starts its winter UPS season. (for those of you EIA during peak from Nov to Dec 25 sends most a/c to support UPS. This is an ideal time to possibly see EIA at EWR, Louieville and maby an oddball flight from the orig supertanker N470EV or 471 into JFK)

[Gerard]

Another crazy evening of weather. It has been pouring out since I got home at 5:30 and looking at the radar it doesnt look like it will stop for awhile. Nor'easter coming up the
coast with high winds following in its wake. One good thing is all of this is happening while I am safely at home and the heavy rains should be over by morning rush. Of course
who knows how that will turn out. But it is Friday.................

[puckstopper55]

I got 1.5" of rain out in Lake Grove. This may not seem like a lot, but believe it or not, its the most rain from a single 12 hour span we have had in a long while. Hopefully the winds arent anything too severe.

[hiss srq]

It was a complete fluke.... As usual... It rained for about 3 hours than got breezy... This morning, I wake up and look out the windows to see the sun beaming down.. Quite a few white caps on the water though.... It's saying it's in the 60's right now but I went out to run a few errands wearing a fleece and it was still a bit chilly... Maybe, with a little luck we can squeeze one more day in the low 70'sa out of 2010 before I start making most of my posts from SRQ.

[Gerard]

I got 1.5" of rain out in Lake Grove. This may not seem like a lot, but believe it or not, its the most rain from a single 12 hour span we have had in a long while. Hopefully the winds arent anything too severe.

Didnt feel much of the winds but being in Manhattan and pretty much inside all day I guess you wouldnt :tongue:
Last night though the rain was pretty steady and at times quite heavy in eastern Nassau. I would say we got a good 6/7 hours of rain.
Tonite though defintely feels and looks like Fall is here to stay.

[Planesntrains]

Winds aren't evil right now, but they're stiff (and cold). Pretty steady 20-25mph from the west with gusts 35-40mph at EWR and the 'burbs. Damp, but no real drizzle for now. Supposed to be warmer with more rain tomorrow.

[Gerard]

Winds aren't evil right now, but they're stiff (and cold). Pretty steady 20-25mph from the west with gusts 35-40mph at EWR and the 'burbs. Damp, but no real drizzle for now. Supposed to be warmer with more rain tomorrow.

We just got a bout of rain as some of the swirling storm drifted down from the North.

[Planesntrains]

Yeah, we didn't get the rain so bad down here around EWR. Was supposed to go to 63F today, but I think they were talking about midnight and inverted the 3 and 6. Brrr. The wind on the other hand sucked, and still does. Consistent 18-20mph with gusts to 38-42mph. And the windchill is only 54F, but feels sooooooo much worse. EWR is taking delays of about 20min avg...

[Gerard]

http://www.aolnews.com/science/article/noaa-supercomputer-to-boost-weather-forecasting/19672869

[Matt Molnar]

The Texas/Mexico border is going to get screwed:


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=99FDDLWz15Y

[NLovis]

Nice one. Well it looks like were about to get screwed in the next few days eh?:tongue:

[Gerard]

Looks like Indian Summer is taking hold of the Metro NY area this week. Temps in the 70s maybe close to 80 one day.

[Gerard]

Wow this storm in the Upper Midwest is CRAZY!!! It is said to be equal to a Cat 3 Hurricane.
http://www.aolnews.com/surge-desk/article/chiclone-wreaks-havoc-on-chicago-and-midwest/19689949

We should be feeling effects of a cold front coming through, part of this system I believe, after Midnite and into tomorrow.

[AirtrafficController]

Low visibility at KJFK right now:
KJFK 270051Z 17013G21KT 0SM R04R/3500V4000FT FG VV002 18/17 A2988 RMK AO2 SFC VIS 1/2 SLP118 T01780167

[hiss srq]

I'm just hoping that the bay isnt going to be too bad... This will be an interesting storm.

[Matt Molnar]

Won't be nearly as bad here as it was in the midwest.

[puckstopper55]

Low visibility at KJFK right now:
KJFK 270051Z 17013G21KT 0SM R04R/3500V4000FT FG VV002 18/17 A2988 RMK AO2 SFC VIS 1/2 SLP118 T01780167

maybe a dumb question, but what on earth do these numbers mean?

[yves]

maybe a dumb question, but what on earth do these numbers mean?

At this site, it's all explained: http://timothyallen.co.uk/Solo2Silver/S2S%20TAF.html

[puckstopper55]

At this site, it's all explained: http://timothyallen.co.uk/Solo2Silver/S2S%20TAF.html

I gave it a shot, and followed some of it, but holy crap. I am an electrical engineer and that is just confusing as hell.

[heeshung]

Pilots use METARs on a daily basis, and as a spotter, it's a good idea to learn them also. The link explains METARs and TAFs in the UK, but I also recommend checking out http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/METAR as the US' reporting format differs slightly.

[adscram14]

http://wxbrad.blogspot.com/2010/10/november-gale-comes-early-to-great.html
Good explanation.

[USAF Pilot 07]

maybe a dumb question, but what on earth do these numbers mean?

Yea it can be confusing - especially the remark section - and honestly wouldn't take all that much more time actually spell things out (but since it's automated I guess it can't?), but it is what it is...

KJFK 270051Z 17013G21KT 0SM R04R/3500V4000FT FG VV002 18/17 A2988 RMK AO2 SFC VIS 1/2 SLP118 T01780167

I'll translate real quick..

Observation at JFK Int'l airport at 0051 Zulu on the 27th day of the month (locally this would be 2051 on the 26th since we are Zulu - 4 hours). Winds were 170 degrees at 13 knots, gusting to 21 knots. Visibility was 0 Statute Miles, Runway 4R RVR was 3500 feet variable to 4000 feet with Fog. Vertical Visibility was 200 feet (basically they use either visual reports or an instrument that can measure where the ceiling is).

Temperature was 18, with a dewpoint of 17. Altimeter was 29.98 inches of mercury.

Remark: This is an automated reporting station. I believe the 2 has something to do with it can record precip.
Surface visibility was 1/2 mile, Sea Level Pressure was 1011.8 and the specific temperature dewpoint was 17.8 and 16.7 degrees respectively...

[cancidas]

specific temperature dewpoint was 17.8 and 16.7 degrees respectively...

oh! thanks, forgot that one.

[hiss srq]

Interesting notes... Last night at different points as the storm progressed there were some very interesting altimiter settings at some airports. Deluth, Minn. had an altimiter setting of 28.38! At about 0130 LCL time this morning in MSP the altimiter for the field was 28.4?..... I've never seen a altimiter setting or barometric pressure that low ever in my life.

[Gerard]

http://www.aolnews.com/surge-desk/article/chiclone-seen-from-space-by-nasa-satellite-photo/19695496

[cancidas]

question for you weather geek folks. i'm looking for weather history in a monthly calender view format. i know that weather underground has it but the wx info for last month is missing. we keep this kind of info with out month's worth of flight logs.

[DHG750R]

Dec 1st, definitely a little wacky weather.

i am sitting here and watched the wind 90degrees in 15mins or so following the frontal passage.. It is amazing to watch

KLGA 011951Z 23008G16KT 5SM -RA BR SCT008 BKN015 OVC033 14/13 A2960 RMK AO2 PK WND 16041/1852 WSHFT 1912 SLP023 P0062 T01440128
KLGA 011946Z 23011KT 5SM -RA BR SCT008 BKN015 OVC033 14/13 A2959 RMK AO2 PK WND 16041/1852 WSHFT 1912 P0062
KLGA 011940Z 22012G21KT 3SM RA BR BKN008 OVC013 14/13 A2959 RMK AO2 PK WND 16041/1852 WSHFT 1912 P0061
KLGA 011928Z 22012G32KT 1SM R04/3000VP6000FT +RA BR OVC006 15/13 A2959 RMK AO2 PK WND 16041/1852 WSHFT 1912 P0044
KLGA 011922Z 21024G34KT 1SM R04/3000VP6000FT RA BR OVC006 16/14 A2958 RMK AO2 PK WND 16041/1852 SFC VIS 1 1/2 CIG 005V012 PRESRR P0015
KLGA 011910Z 15024G37KT 2SM RA BR OVC006 16/14 A2953 RMK AO2 PK WND 16041/1852 TWR VIS 2 1/2 CIG 005V010 P0008
KLGA 011851Z 15028G38KT 2 1/2SM +RA BR OVC006 16/14 A2953 RMK AO2 PK WND 16048/1815 SLP001 P0008 T01610144
KLGA 011751Z 15024G41KT 2 1/2SM R04/5500VP6000FT -RA BR OVC006 16/14 A2958 RMK AO2 PK WND 14044/1730 SLP016 P0006 60034 T01610139 10172 20156 58045
KLGA 011739Z 15023G44KT 2 1/2SM -RA OVC006 17/14 A2958 RMK AO2 PK WND 14044/1730 SFC VIS 3 P0006

[Matt Molnar]

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5241/5224860100_ba032ba0fa_o.jpg
LGA sunset after the storm.

(Borrowed from Cancidas so I could tweet it via @NYCAviation (http://twitter.com/nycaviation).)

[moose135]

And as quickly as it blew in, it seems to have blown on out. It was nasty there for a while - sideways rain and I could hardly see out the windows it was coming down (across?) so heavily. The JFK METAR for just before 2pm local...

KJFK 011851Z 15030G42KT 1 1/2SM R04R/5000VP6000FT -RA BR OVC005 15/13 A2956 RMK AO2 PK WND 15043/1838 SFC VIS 2 SLP010 P0003 T01500133

[lijk604]

Here was one from FRG this afternoon:
KFRG 011953Z 16026G42KT 1 1/2SM RA OVC005 14/ A2958 RMK AO2 PK WND 16046/1916

[Matt Molnar]

Worst I saw was LGA had gusts to 45kts/52mph at one point.

Later I saw Queens and Nassau had Severe Thunderstorm Warnings...anyone get damage from that?

NJ Transit and Amtrak were suspended for awhile due to downed wires both in Jersey and in the Bronx.

[Mateo]

Wires came down near Portal Bridge, which is a 2-track section just west of the Secaucus transfer station. CO's arrivals into EWR were a who's who of airports about 200 miles away; BWI, IAD, BOS, PVD, PIT, and BGR all got some love. IAD took a few JFK flights, and KL641 was briefly showing as an EWR divvo, but it looks like it wound up getting into Kennedy.

[hiss srq]

I spent Tuesday night at the Allegria Resort and Spa down on the beach... I woke up around 10AM and went to go out on the balcony looking out on the ocean and literaly got blown against the side rail on the 8th floor. The Atlantic was FEROCIOUS.... Even down on ground level when I went down and outside the wind was pretty intense....

[lijk604]

This is an excerpt from the GA Desk for this evening...for those not in the know, a TMI is Traffic Management Initiative. GDP is a Ground Delay Program.
Honestly though, this is the first time I think I have ever heard of a ground stop due to Virga. Must be really bad virga around PHL tonight.


Good Evening All,
Currently there are five TMIs in the NAS. There is a possibility of a ground stop at PHL for virga. Virga is an observable streak or shaft of precipitation that falls from a cloud but evaporates before reaching the ground. The rest of the NAS is not looking bad. Have a good night.

CURRENT TMIs:
CYUL GDP UNTIL 0159z FOR WIND
CYYZ GDP UNTIL 0459z FOR SNOW
EWR GDP UNTIL 0259z FOR WIND
JFK GDP UNTIL 0159z FOR VOLUME
LGA GDP UNTIL 0259z FOR WIND

[Altitude9]

For those who have an iPad, I found a great app for weather and flight planning. I'm using it almost exclusively for flight planning and for aerial photography to locate locations from the air. But its not cheap. It goes for $75 a year. The app name is Foreflight. For what i use it for, it is totally worth the price. The weather data is incredible, and it gives you raw metars and plain language, with all the graphics and weather depictions, AIRMET and SIGMET data for turbs and icing too.

...just thought I'd report in to tell all of you...it is awesome! :biggrin:

[USAF Pilot 07]

You can get most of that stuff on aviationweather.gov for free it seems. I like the "my radar" app (free). It has animated radar for the whole US, and you can zoom in and out of locations.

[Gerard]

AND speaking of weather :biggrin: it looks like we have a Nor'easter heading our way tomorrow that could dump a significant amount of snow on us here in the NY Metro area. Other areas to the south are already being slammed making air traffic a MESS!!

[Matt Molnar]

MOD NOTE: The day-after-Christmas blizzard posts have been moved to a new thread: http://nycaviation.com/forum/threads/38769-Northeast-Blizzard-December-2010

[cancidas]

found this on another site:
KMWN 040100 METAR 040049Z 14040KT 1/16SM -RA FG VV001 05/05don't think i've ever seen 1/16 of a mile vis...

[adscram14]

Looks like another snow event for portions of the Southeast and Northeast is on its way!!
"
WCNC NewsChannel 36 (http://www.facebook.com/newschannel36) Stay tuned for a blog from me later this morning on the potential big winter storm for Monday and Tuesday. All the computer guidance points to a significant winter storm for the entire area. We are talking snow significant snow accumulations possible. Stay tuned and start preparing for winter weather this weekend. -Brad"

[Matt Molnar]

Looks like it will arrive a day later...blizzard conditions stretching from NYC to Boston possible for Tuesday and Wednesday.

[Gerard]

Here we go again. Storm heading in but luckily (I guess) after it starts as snow (1AM here on LI) it switches to rain sometime around rush hour tomorrow morning. But the rain is supposed to be very heavy so with all the large amounts of snow still on the ground and temps around 40 we can expect flooding!!:tongue:
And they are talking about more snow on Friday as we only get a taste of 40s tomorrow and Wed. then back to frigid especially this weekend!

[Gerard]

And they are talking about more snow on Friday as we only get a taste of 40s tomorrow and Wed. then back to frigid especially this weekend!

Got 4 inches or so here in Eastern Nassau and the roads this morning driving to LIRR were terrible. And except for the main roads the side streets around here arent very good tonite.
A FRIGID!!!! weekend ahead and THEN.......al signs pointing to some type of MAJOR STORM impacting us from Tuesday night possibly into Thursday.
Yes this is the "Winter of my Discontent". Everyone you talk to say the same thing...ENOUGH ALREADY!! But sadly we might not have seen the worst of winter yet!!

[Gerard]

Holy Krikey can Mother Nature and Old Man Winter stop messing with us!!! :tongue:
Temps close to ZERO, YES that was 0!!!!! Tonite.
Then some type of kakameyme farkatke storm Tuesday/wed bringing who knows what!!
Made reservations yesterday to see my son in Florida in March but that seems light years away!!

[hiss srq]

Yeah, so far I am not seeing anything I can consider remotely solid on this storm... basicly all any Meteorology people can give me is we will have precip, will it be an icy mix or solid snow though is the question no one can answer.

[moose135]

From the National Weather Service Hazardous Weather Outlook:

BECAUSE MODELS SHOW A VARIETY OF TRACK AND INTENSITY FORECASTS...
THIS IS A LOW CONFIDENCE FORECAST.

DEPENDING ON ITS TRACK...PARTS OF THE LOCAL AREA COULD EXPERIENCE
HEAVY RAIN...FREEZING RAIN...HEAVY SNOW...STRONG WINDS...COASTAL
FLOODING AND BEACH EROSION.

[gonzalu]

Best job in the world... if you;re wrong, blame it on mother nature... LOL. Best weather forecast for me is to call my boss in South Jersey and when she says is bad, I know what's coming! :tongue:

[moose135]

Best job in the world... if you;re wrong, blame it on mother nature...
As Lewis Black said, "What does the word 'meteorologist' mean in English? It means liar."
He then went into a riff on our old friend Al Roker that never fails to amuze.

From the National Weather Service Hazardous Weather Outlook, as of 9:08am Monday:
A STORM SYSTEM WILL MOVE FROM THE SOUTHEAST STATES TUESDAY
NIGHT...TO EAST OF CAPE COD THURSDAY MORNING. THIS WILL BRING A
CHANCE OF SNOW LATE TUESDAY NIGHT INTO WEDNESDAY MORNING...THEN
PRIMARILY RAIN LATE WEDNESDAY MORNING INTO WEDNESDAY EVENING...
THAT WILL CHANGE BACK TO ALL SNOW LATER WEDNESDAY NIGHT. THE SNOW
WILL TAPER OFF THURSDAY MORNING. THERE IS THE POTENTIAL FOR A
SIGNIFICANT SNOWFALL ACCUMULATION OF SNOWFALL.

THERE IS STILL SOME UNCERTAINTY ON THE EXACT STORM TRACK AND
STRENGTH...AND ON HOW MUCH WARM AIR WILL WORK INTO THE SYSTEM.
STAY TUNED FOR FURTHER UPDATES.

[pgengler]

From the NWS Forecast Discussion:
LATEST OVERNIGHT NWP GUIDANCE...CONTINUES TO SUPPORT A LOT OF UNCERTAINTY FOR THE NEXT COASTAL CYCLONE PROGGED TO IMPACT THE AREA WED INTO THU. 09Z SREF SHOWING LOW CHANCES OF WARNING LEVEL SNOWS OVER THE INTERIOR AND THE 12Z NAM GIVING ONLY A GLANCING SHOT OF PCPN. WILL BE COORDINATING WITH NCEP HPC AND NEIGHBORING NWS OFFICES THIS AFTN. MORE TO COME AT 4 PM.

[T-Bird76]

From the NWS Forecast Discussion:

eh you want to translate that to English please????

[pgengler]

The Forecast Discussion is something that the NWS meteorologists put out (here's the one for the NYC area (http://www.weather.gov/view/prodsByState.php?state=ny&prodtype=discussion#AFDOKX)) where they explain some of the details that go in to putting out the forecast. They have a bunch of different weather models that they run and they'll sometimes mention how the results differ and which ones they chose to use/combine for the forecast. (I don't know any of the details about the various models but I'm sure you could find more.) I find it useful for getting a bigger picture of the possibilities; the discussion will frequently talk about some of the variables that might affect how severe a storm is.

For the bit that I quoted, it seems like the various models are all giving different outcomes at this point; they're going to talk to some other people and run the models again later to hopefully get a better prediction.

[T-Bird76]

The Forecast Discussion is something that the NWS meteorologists put out (here's the one for the NYC area (http://www.weather.gov/view/prodsByState.php?state=ny&prodtype=discussion#AFDOKX)) where they explain some of the details that go in to putting out the forecast. They have a bunch of different weather models that they run and they'll sometimes mention how the results differ and which ones they chose to use/combine for the forecast. (I don't know any of the details about the various models but I'm sure you could find more.) I find it useful for getting a bigger picture of the possibilities; the discussion will frequently talk about some of the variables that might affect how severe a storm is.

For the bit that I quoted, it seems like the various models are all giving different outcomes at this point; they're going to talk to some other people and run the models again later to hopefully get a better prediction.

Ah so they basically have no idea what this storm is going to do...so nothing new then lolol

[Matt Molnar]

Winter Storm Watch issued, NWS now forecasting 4-8 inches Wednesday night...

URGENT - WINTER WEATHER MESSAGE
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE NEW YORK NY
1200 PM EST TUE JAN 25 2011

...SIGNIFICANT SNOWFALL POSSIBLE LATE WEDNESDAY INTO WEDNESDAY
NIGHT...

CTZ009>012-NJZ004-006-103>108-NYZ071>075-078>081-176>179-260600-
/O.EXB.KOKX.WS.A.0004.110126T1800Z-110127T1500Z/
SOUTHERN FAIRFIELD-SOUTHERN NEW HAVEN-SOUTHERN MIDDLESEX-
SOUTHERN NEW LONDON-EASTERN PASSAIC-HUDSON-WESTERN BERGEN-
EASTERN BERGEN-WESTERN ESSEX-EASTERN ESSEX-WESTERN UNION-
EASTERN UNION-SOUTHERN WESTCHESTER-NEW YORK (MANHATTAN)-BRONX-
RICHMOND (STATEN ISLAND)-KINGS (BROOKLYN)-NORTHWESTERN SUFFOLK-
NORTHEASTERN SUFFOLK-SOUTHWESTERN SUFFOLK-SOUTHEASTERN SUFFOLK-
NORTHERN QUEENS-NORTHERN NASSAU-SOUTHERN QUEENS-SOUTHERN NASSAU-
1200 PM EST TUE JAN 25 2011

...WINTER STORM WATCH IN EFFECT FROM WEDNESDAY AFTERNOON THROUGH
THURSDAY MORNING...

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN UPTON HAS ISSUED A WINTER STORM
WATCH...WHICH IS IN EFFECT FROM WEDNESDAY AFTERNOON THROUGH
THURSDAY MORNING.

* LOCATIONS...NORTHEAST NEW JERSEY...THE NEW YORK CITY
METROPOLITAN AREA...LONG ISLAND...AND COASTAL CONNECTICUT.

* HAZARDS...HEAVY SNOW...WITH A PERIOD OF A RAIN AND SLEET MIX AT
THE ONSET.

* ACCUMULATIONS...6 OR MORE INCHES OF SNOW.

* WINDS...NORTHEAST WINDS OF 10 TO 15 MPH WEDNESDAY
AFTERNOON...BECOMING NORTH AND INCREASING TO 15 TO 25 MPH WITH
GUSTS UP 30 MPH WEDNESDAY NIGHT...THEN TURNING NORTHWEST THURSDAY
MORNING. HIGHEST WINDS EAST.

* TIMING...WEDNESDAY AFTERNOON INTO THURSDAY MORNING.

* IMPACTS...TRAVEL MAY BE HAZARDOUS DURING THE WEDNESDAY EVENING
COMMUTE AND THURSDAY MORNING COMMUTE...WITH THE HEAVIEST SNOW
FALLING OVERNIGHT WEDNESDAY.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

A WINTER STORM WATCH MEANS THERE IS A POTENTIAL FOR SIGNIFICANT
SNOW...SLEET...OR ICE ACCUMULATIONS THAT MAY IMPACT TRAVEL.
CONTINUE TO MONITOR THE LATEST FORECASTS.

[Gerard]

Hey this thread has been quiet since winter ended. :smile:
BUT......
Nasty storm coming in now and looks to get worse later for the NYC/LI area with heavy rain, winds, flooding and maybe even T-Storms.
This is a storm that has been moving through the country and is responsible for at least 17 deaths including 7 in Alabama.
The airports already have long delays especially arrivals. So if you are going out tonite be careful.

[Zee71]

Have been listening to ATC, and lots of go arounds because of missed approaches or just too close to the other aircrafts. The winds are nuts.....15 to 30 knots! I have a feeling it's going to get worse.

[Gerard]

Have been listening to ATC, and lots of go arounds because of missed approaches or just too close to the other aircrafts. The winds are nuts.....15 to 30 knots! I have a feeling it's going to get worse.

I 've been out a few times in the last few hours and they are howling pretty nicely. The kind you can hear the gusts coming at you through the trees.

[yankees368]

Holy $*#& that was bad today! Came in on DL 1548 tonight to LGA, and man was it a wild ride! We were actually hit by lighting about 30 minutes out from LGA. Landing was very rough and tense. http://flightaware.com/live/flight/DAL1548

However, the flight I was originally on (was delayed because the pilots seat broke!) had what looks to be a much worse time. Judging by the tracker, they must have aborted a landing! But, I bet they didnt get hit by lightning. http://flightaware.com/live/flight/DAL2248/history/20110416/1915Z/KDTW/KLGA/tracklog

[Gerard]

Holy $*#& that was bad today! Came in on DL 1548 tonight to LGA, and man was it a wild ride! We were actually hit by lighting about 30 minutes out from LGA. Landing was very rough and tense. http://flightaware.com/live/flight/DAL1548"] ("http://flightaware.com/live/flight/DAL2248/history/20110416/1915Z/KDTW/KLGA/tracklog[/URL)

Wow thats pretty crazy. We had heavy rain and wind and just some flashes of lightning and thunder. The thunder though seemed to rumble for a minute with each burst.
But we were lucky compared to other areas.......
http://www.aolnews.com/2011/04/17/at-least-25-dead-after-deadly-storm-system-rips-through-6-states/?icid=maing-grid7%7Caim%7Cdl1%7Csec1_lnk3%7C56626

[AirtrafficController]

Thank god we didn't get the severe weather what they had in North Carolina. 105 tornado reports! Sadly 24 people have been killed.
One of the very strong tornadoes destroyed a Lowe's: http://twitpic.com/4lpcd8

[Gerard]

Wow there are some crazy killer storms out there and they look to be heading our way tomorrow afternoon. Not sure how bad it will be when it gets here but it would pay for all to stay alert.

http://www.aolnews.com/2011/04/27/more-storms-pound-south-death-count-up-to-11/?icid=maing-grid7%7Caim%7Cdl1%7Csec1_lnk1%7C59012

[Gerard]

Wow there are some crazy killer storms out there and they look to be heading our way tomorrow afternoon. Not sure how bad it will be when it gets here but it would pay for all to stay alert.
http://www.aolnews.com/2011/04/27/more-storms-pound-south-death-count-up-to-11/?icid=maing-grid7%7Caim%7Cdl1%7Csec1_lnk1%7C59012

Not so bad here in the Tri-state area but my god at least 284!!!!!! dead in the south including 194 in Alabama!! That is horrible!!

[hiss srq]

A quite substantial thunderstorm moved through JFK early this morning. It created quite the light show.

[Gerard]

A quite substantial thunderstorm moved through JFK early this morning. It created quite the light show.

Kinda woke me up. Turned over and back to sleep. Loved that. If it wasnt a holiday I would have been slogging through that!!

[hiss srq]

It was not too bad. Shut down 22 departures and arrivals for about 20 minutes or so. It moved in fast. Delta 737 taxied onto the runway, started his roll and aboarted 5 seconds into it because it moved in. The downpour on the front side of it was soo bad that from up top I could see the rain drops bouncing on taxiways and runways. Didn't even make a dent though in JFK which was nice. By the time the departure gates opened back up there were still only 5 waiting to take off and maybe 4 airplanes from various airlines holding near BDL and SWF up in the mid 20's. However, current forcasting is hinting at some very strong storms this afternoon with tops anticipated in the mid to high 40's possibly hail producing.

[Matt Molnar]

TORNADO WATCH in effect until 8pm stretching from Philadelphia to southern Maine. Includes all of NYC and southeastern NY, Long Island, most of NJ, CT, MA, NH, eastern VT, southern ME.

http://desmond.yfrog.com/Himg619/scaled.php?tn=0&server=619&filename=3wddzl.jpg&xsize=640&ysize=640

[Gerard]

Just had a cell form over Nassau and move EB. Hit me with some hail and rain but moved quickly.

[threeholerglory]

flew the 441 up to Bedford, MA yesterday around 0730 and cells were starting to build around northern CT and south-western MA with tops around 20,000...by the time we landed in KBED not even 30 minutes later tops were over 50,000 with some at 60,000 from the same system.

Channel 5 reported at least six tornadoes throughout the day, and if I'm not mistaken some 1,000+ lightning ground strikes reported from a SINGLE cell later in the day. Needless to say we stayed the night in Bedford instead of pressing on to Toronto!

[USAF Pilot 07]

Flew over some pretty intense looking storms over Northeastern Canada just prior to coasting out on the trip across the pond earlier today - must have been some of the same ones that rolled through the area and MA the other day.

[hiss srq]

We are about to get pipped this morning in the NY metro by a warm front pushing through... tops ranging from 45 to 50 thousand feet. When I logged in and saw that on the wx radar I about called mx to tell them the computers were frozen from yesterday. Should be a powerful storm .

[hiss srq]

That storm set that is part of the stationary warm front to our SW has totally collapsed on itself as a result of limited surface heating. Now, it will be purely heavy rain it looks like.

[moose135]

In my neighborhood today...

http://www.moose135photography.com/Other/Photo-A-Day-2011/i-GZqCzdg/0/L/JM20110722Syosset001-L.jpg

FRG and ISP both reported 100 degrees this afternoon, Central Park registered 104, a record for the day, and two degrees off the all-time NYC high, and Newark set an all-time record at 108. Yes, folks, it's a hot time in the old town...

[gonzalu]

My trip today at mid-day from 38th and 1st ave to 168th and Broadway went between 102 to 104 back to 102. Just a few minutes ago on the way home, 110 at the lot and then it cooled down to 104 by the time I pulled into the garage. Thank goodness it isn;t humid too. I have not sweat as I would on a humid day.

I can only imagine how much it will rain from all this evaporation!! :confused:

[Gerard]

My trip today at mid-day from 38th and 1st ave to 168th and Broadway went between 102 to 104 back to 102. Just a few minutes ago on the way home, 110 at the lot and then it cooled down to 104 by the time I pulled into the garage. Thank goodness it isn;t humid too. I have not sweat as I would on a humid day.
I can only imagine how much it will rain from all this evaporation!! :confused:

We left London this morning and it was sun/clouds in the upper 60s (expected high). Walked out of Terminal 4 at JFK at 3:30 and WHOA!!! like walking into an oven!!