GALVESTON.COM: Weather Wizard - All Comments

re: After dry spell, a wet week looks possible

Stan Blazyk — Tue, 11 Nov 2008 22:27:49 GMT

Thanks. On the upper-level map the jet stream will typically dip down as you point out with the "jet max"..i.,e area of strongest winds where the gradients are closest together. The air is "squeezed" in those areas, kind of like air blowing between two tall buildings. Therefore, the air flow increases.

re: After dry spell, a wet week looks possible

Lynniebell — Tue, 11 Nov 2008 17:51:05 GMT

Ok, I didn't realize how high up these systems are. Thank you for the great explanation and enhancing the maps. Good stuff! I will point out the high level clouds coming from the SSW. Does the jet stream dip down and follow the pressure gradient trend? Thx. Lynn

re: After dry spell, a wet week looks possible

Stan Blazyk — Sun, 09 Nov 2008 21:55:34 GMT

Lynn,

Thanks. I'm glad you liked the maps. I have edited the text a little to clarify that the final map is a projection for this coming Friday.

Remember that this is a upper-atmosphere map (500 MB =@18,000 feet above sea level) so the high pressure could be there even if the storm were still in that vicinity (since tropical storms and hurricanes actually thrive with high pressure and light winds aloft, which decrease wind shear). But, it is not unusual for an upper-high to build in that area this time of year, especially when you have the low pressure trough over the Midwest as it anticipated.

Your questions are very thoughtful and I am sure that your students benefit and learn from that. This week could be very interesting, especially if all the expected features develop.

By the way, have your students notice the high level clouds moving in from the south and southwest. They are signs of the increased southwest wind speeds aloft (termed a "jet shear or streak" in meteorological jargon and depicted by the blue in the first map).

Stan

re: After dry spell, a wet week looks possible

Lynniebell — Sun, 09 Nov 2008 16:32:23 GMT

Great maps as always. Why is a high showing over Cuba? Do highs generally follow a hurricane? At first I thought I was looking at today's map and I was really confused but see that this is a forcast. My students will be doing these kinds of maps this week, hope there will be some variations to really stump them. Not being mean ofcourse, just want them to have to THINK. Have a great week and we all do appreciate you and your contributions to gal.com. Lynn

re: Category 4 Paloma bears down on Cuba

Lynniebell — Sat, 08 Nov 2008 20:40:12 GMT

Wheww! All I have to say for the Cubans, they must know how to hunker down. Maybe sip a lil rum, toke a few nice cigars.....Hardy people for sure.

re: Category 4 Paloma bears down on Cuba

Stan Blazyk — Sat, 08 Nov 2008 17:01:50 GMT

Lynn,

You are right. It has been a crazy year. I know those poor folks in Cuba probably think this season will never end!

On the plus side, it is very unlikely to impact the US and absolutely certain it won't have any impact in Texas.....our great fall upper-level winds and cool Gulf waters protect us from mid-October on.

Stan

re: Category 4 Paloma bears down on Cuba

Lynniebell — Sat, 08 Nov 2008 15:40:35 GMT

This is crazy, a cat 4 this late in the season. Put the vodoo on Paloma to stay away from the mainland.

Cuba has really been beat up this year.

re: Galveston can anticipate more outstanding October weather

Stan Blazyk — Mon, 20 Oct 2008 02:29:51 GMT

Lynniebell,

Thanks and good to hear from you. I hope that you fared well with Ike.

The A stands for "Above Normal", the N for "Normal" and the B's for "Below Normal" precipitation for the time period. It looks as though New England will end the month on the wet side, while the southwest and west will be dry.

re: Galveston can anticipate more outstanding October weather

Lynniebell — Sun, 19 Oct 2008 23:57:39 GMT

Hi, Stan. Great maps! This last one, at first I thought it was one of air masses but I don't recognize the letters. What do those letters represent?

Thanks as always, Lynn

re: Update on Laura and this week's weather outlook

Stan Blazyk — Tue, 30 Sep 2008 13:26:08 GMT

Martha,

Thanks for the update on your situation. I know what you mean about not being able to move it all. It makes you reconsider how much "stuff" you want to stick into garages, closets, etc.

Meanwhile, we've got some cool air coming in to help us finish out the week with a real touch of fall in the air.

Stan

re: Update on Laura and this week's weather outlook

Martha — Tue, 30 Sep 2008 10:35:52 GMT

Hi Stan,

Randy and I are happy to hear you fared well. Thanks so much for all the great weather news you provide; we always look to see what your news is!

We did OK structure wise with minimal damage (garage wall gone, some siding, and shingles) but have lost about 40 years worth of tools. You can't move it all...

re: Update on Laura and this week's weather outlook

Stan Blazyk — Tue, 30 Sep 2008 02:40:40 GMT

Lynn,

We have a weak cool front moving in Tuesday night, which will result in a continuation of seasonal temperatures (cool nights, warm days) and low humidities. I do not yet see a really strong cold front on the horizon...but, maybe just beyond.

Stan

re: Update on Laura and this week's weather outlook

Lynniebell — Tue, 30 Sep 2008 01:39:02 GMT

You are welcome. And, your blog is one of the most enriching aspects of galveston.com.

We only lost power for about 12 hours, no complaints, ever.

Looking forward to hearing about some cold fronts coming our way.

Thanks, again. Lynn

re: Update on Laura and this week's weather outlook

Stan Blazyk — Tue, 30 Sep 2008 00:59:58 GMT

Hi Lynn,

We fared ok and feel very lucky. How did you do?

Laura formed a little further north than is usual for such storms. Many storms that do form that far north in the Atlantic, tend to be

sub-tropical (meaning they have some tropical and some non-tropical characteristics).

Ironically, Ike resembled a non-tropical system in some ways, especially the extremely large wind-field and the rather diffuse center, though it was warm-core (meaning the system was driven by warm air convection...not the clash of cold and warm air) and was definitely a true tropical system.

By the way, I appreciate your kind remarks.

Stan

re: Update on Laura and this week's weather outlook

Lynniebell — Mon, 29 Sep 2008 23:16:23 GMT

Hi, Stan. Hope you and yours faired well through Ike and thanks so much for the awesome job with the updates. You were right on!

This sub-tropical Laura, is she a rare one to be at such a northern latitude? Or does the Gulf Stream keep the waters warm enough there?

Thanks, Stan. Lynn