Howard Bernstein's Blog

Weekend Outlook 6/26/09

HowardBernstein — Fri, 26 Jun 2009 08:51:00 GMT

The heat and humidty will help fuel strong to severe thunderstorms this afternoon as a cold front heads this way. It will also be hot with highs around 90, but with the higher humidity, it'ss feel even worse.

Saturday looks nice and warm as drier air will return and temps will top off in the mid to upper 80s. Sunday will see yet another front approach and that will bring us yet another threat for a shower or thunderstorm.

We're talking weather and lots of other stuff in the chat room this morning at http://www.wusa9.com/weather/howards_chatroom.aspx

Heat Is On The Way

HowardBernstein — Tue, 23 Jun 2009 09:21:00 GMT

We've been protected from getting too warm thanks to a storm that has been spinning off the New England Coast. This storm is unusual for this time pf year and it has been providing us with a pleasant northerly flow. As the storm pulls away, our pleasant air mass will be replaced by one from the west which has brought serious heat to the Plains and the South. By Thursday, we should have widespread highs over 90 degrees. Temps in the upper 80s and lower 90s should be with us through the weekend.

I'm LIVE every morning on-line at www.wusa9.com/weather/howards_chatroom.aspx .Stop by and say 'HI'. We'll talk weather and whatever else you'd like.

A Mixed Weekend Ahead

HowardBernstein — Fri, 19 Jun 2009 09:02:00 GMT

We start the weekend with quiet weather this Friday morning, but it won't hold. Thunderstorms will fire late today ant tonight in the Midwest and they could be here late tonight. On Saturday, a front will approach the area and collide into a warm and humid air mass. That will be enough to pop thunderstorms and some of them could be on the strong to severe side. By Sunday, we quiet down again with less humidity and only a slim chance of a shower or thunderstorm.

I'm LIVE today through NOON at http://www.wusa9.com/weather/howards_chatroom.aspx.

Chilly Today, Hot The Day After Tomorrow

HowardBernstein — Wed, 17 Jun 2009 10:36:00 GMT

Winds off the Atlantic will keep us unseasonably cool today with highs only in the 60s to around 70. We'll also see showers and possible thunder at times. The persistent easterly winds have also pushed up water levels. Tides along the Chesapeake and Tidal Potomac River will be running 1 to 2 feet above normal and a Coastal Flood Advisory is in effect until 6 PM.

If you'd like to chat weather or anything else, please join me weekday mornings from 4 AM until at least 8 AM (later when I'm also doing the Noon broadcast) at www.wusa9.com/weather/howards_chatroom.aspx.

Happy Friday....The Weekend Outlook, Flag Day is Sunday, and I'm LIVE this morning ON-LINE

HowardBernstein — Fri, 12 Jun 2009 08:45:00 GMT

TGIF!

We continue with a warm and humid airmass this Friday morning and with a front pushing through, expect a few showers and thunderstorms today. The weekend will be better with slightly less humidity and lower chances for thunderstorms.

With all of the rain, it's no surprise that the MOLD count has been in the high range and that has been aggravating allergy sufferers, like me...ugggh.

This Sunday is FLAG DAY. June 14th celebrates the anniversary of the adoption of the flag by the Continental Congreess in 1777. The first celebration of FLAG DAY is believed to have been in 1885 bu a Wisconsin school teacher. President Woodrow Wilson proclaimed the first nationwide Flag Day in 1916. In 1947 President Harry S. Truman signed legislation requesting that National Flag Day be observed annually. Although Flag Day is informally observed throughout the United States, it is a legal holiday only in Pennsylvania. As a kid, my elementary school held a FLAG DAY assembly and it was always my favorite. Perhaps it was the patriotic songs or the chance to miss class, but I alwys looked forward to it. Now, as an adult, I fly a flag on my house just about every day.

I'm live at http://www.wusa9.com/weather/howards_chatroom.aspx this Friday morning through at leat 8 AM...come by and say 'Hi'.

Howard

Dog Vomit Mulch----Yes, I said Dog Vomit Mulch

HowardBernstein — Wed, 10 Jun 2009 09:25:00 GMT

It came up during 9 NEWS NOW this morning around 5:15 AM and I thought I'd dig up this blog entry from last year. All of this rain had been good for the production of mold spores, mushrooms and "dog vomit mulch".

Remember you can join me online every morning from 4 AM - 8 AM at www.wusa9.com/weather/howards_chatroom.aspx to discuss weather or anything else that's on your mind.

Wednesday, May 7, 2008

Dog Vomit Mulch

This is a wonderful time of year as the days are pleasantly warm and the trees, bushes and grass are still in good shape.

But, there are always issues and one of them is a blight on the garden. Here is another tip from DC Extension Agent Sandy Farber:

DOG VOMIT or dog barf fungus has once again been crawling its way across landscapes. This somewhat grotesque, slimy barf-colored growth is actually not the fungus that its name indicates. It is a slime mold (Fuligo septica) that actually crawls along the surface of the mulch digesting organic matter. It can be yellow, orange, or pink in color. As it reaches maturity, the colony stops moving and firms up forming a mound that looks just like its namesake. This pile-o-puke eventually dries down and releases brownish clouds of spores when disturbed.

The most effective time to control this problem is when the mulch is being put down. At that time, the fresh mulch is easily colonized by slime mold. Watering in new mulch increases the moisture level in the relatively dry organic matter. This allows bacteria and other competitors to get established prior to the arrival of slime molds. This fierce competition for organic matter reduces the successful development of the dog barf later in the season. If the slime mold is currently in the landscape, the gelatinous or dry stages of the slime mold can be lifted off of the mulch and disposed of. It is, however, an amazing organism that you can simply enjoy for what it is.

So, now you know....

More Thunderstorms Are On the Way and I'm Live ONLINE thru 8 AM

HowardBernstein — Mon, 08 Jun 2009 09:18:00 GMT

Happy Monday!

While we had a short break over the weekend, but thunderstorms are back in the forecast. Some of the storms today and Tuesday will be on the strong to severe side with the threat of damaging winds and large hail. Long range, this pattern of unsettled weather looks to be around for another couple of weeks....uggggh.

I'm live at http://www.wusa9.com/weather/howards_chatroom.aspx until 8 AM...hope to see you there.

Plenty of rain fell on Thursday and Friday and that pushed our annual surpluses even higher.

HowardBernstein — Sat, 06 Jun 2009 10:17:00 GMT

The rains of Thursday and Friday really added up. Several areas had more than 3 inches! We had a dry start to the year but at the end of the day on Friday, June 5, our annual rainfall surplus at Reagan National Airport was up ti 3.27". At Dulles, the rains have been even heavier with the 2009 surplus up to 6.30".

Below is the NWS report on the most recent rainfall.

PUBLIC INFORMATION STATEMENT
SPOTTER REPORTS
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE BALTIMORE MD/WASHINGTON DC
810 PM EDT FRI JUN 5 2009

THE FOLLOWING ARE UNOFFICIAL OBSERVATIONS TAKEN DURING THE PAST 24 HOURS
FOR THE STORM THAT HAS BEEN AFFECTING OUR REGION. APPRECIATION IS EXTENDED
TO HIGHWAY DEPARTMENTS...COOPERATIVE OBSERVERS...SKYWARN SPOTTERS
AND MEDIA FOR THESE REPORTS. THIS SUMMARY IS ALSO AVAILABLE ON OUR
HOME PAGE AT WEATHER.GOV/BALTIMORE

********************STORM TOTAL RAINFALL********************

LOCATION          STORM TOTAL    TIME/DATE    COMMENTS
                     RAINFALL       OF
                     (INCHES)   MEASUREMENT

DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA

..DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA

   NATIONAL ARBORETUM    4.74   800 AM   6/5   COOP
   ANACOSTIA             3.13   800 AM   6/5
   DALECARLIA RESERVOIR 2.38   800 AM   6/5   COOP
   ADAMS MORGAN          1.93   730 AM   6/5

MARYLAND

..ALLEGANY COUNTY

   CRESAPTOWN            2.08   700 AM   6/5   COCORAHS
   CUMBERLAND            1.90   700 AM   6/5   1.2 SE
   FROSTBURG             1.86   800 AM   6/5   COOP
   CUMBERLAND            1.65   800 AM   6/5

..ANNE ARUNDEL COUNTY

   ODENTON               2.64   559 AM   6/5   0.8 WSW
   CROFTON COMMONS       2.59   700 AM   6/5   1.5 NNE
   CROFTON               2.46   700 AM   6/5   COCORAHS
   SEVERN                2.39   700 AM   6/5   2 W
   LAUREL ACRES          2.02   800 AM   6/5   2.7 E
   SOUTH GATE            1.75   900 AM   6/5   1.0 SW
   SOUTH GATE            1.72   845 AM   6/5   3.0 SSW
   HERALD HARBOR PARK    1.56   800 AM   6/5   0.5 NE
   PASADENA              1.47   700 AM   6/5   0.7 SE
   SEVERNA PARK          1.43   820 AM   6/5   1.9 ENE

..BALTIMORE COUNTY

   TOWSON                1.92   830 AM   6/5   0.8 SW
   KINGSVILLE            1.86   900 AM   6/5   2.5 NNE
   LONG GREEN MANOR      1.60   800 AM   6/5   0.6 SW
   TOWSON                1.53   700 AM   6/5   2.3 NE
   COCKEYSVILLE          1.43   900 AM   6/5   3.7 N
   JACKSONVILLE          1.33   800 AM   6/5   1 SW
   JACKSONVILLE          1.17   628 AM   6/5   1.5 NE

..CALVERT COUNTY

   CHESAPEAKE BEACH      2.05   700 AM   6/5   2.3 SE
   SOLOMONS ISLAND       1.82   800 AM   6/5   COOP

..CARROLL COUNTY

   MOUNT AIRY            2.43   700 AM   6/5   COCORAHS
   ELDERSBURG            1.83   700 AM   6/5   2.0 SE
   DISTRICT 1            1.29   700 AM   6/5   3.7 NE
   WESTMINSTER           1.28   700 AM   6/5   1.0 W
   TANEYTOWN             1.27   700 AM   6/5   3.2 NE

..CHARLES COUNTY

   WHITE PLAINS          1.20   800 AM   6/5   5.5 WNW
   WALDORF               1.05   500 AM   6/5   3.6 SSE
   WALDORF               0.94   700 AM   6/5   3.2 SW
   WALDORF               0.94   405 AM   6/5   2.4 W

..CITY OF BALTIMORE

   HAMILTON              2.73   600 AM   6/5   COCORAHS
   BALTIMORE             2.36   800 AM   6/5   KBWI

..FREDERICK COUNTY

   FREDERICK             2.05   625 AM   6/5   3.1 NW
   NEW MARKET            1.95   700 AM   6/5   4.8 WSW
   THURMONT              1.77   900 AM   6/5   0.8 SSE
   FREDERICK             1.74   600 AM   6/5   3.5 SSW
   FREDERICK             1.52 1100 AM   6/5   7.2 ENE

..HARFORD COUNTY

   ABINGDON              1.89   700 AM   6/5   0.5 NNE
   ABERDEEN              1.66   800 AM   6/5   COOP
   BEL AIR               1.46   700 AM   6/5   1.7 W
   FALLSTON              1.16   600 AM   6/5   3.9 WNW
   JARRETTSVILLE         1.10   820 AM   6/5   1.3 N
   NORRISVILLE           1.08   800 AM   6/5   COCORAHS
   HAVRE DE GRACE        0.81   600 AM   6/5   4.0 WNW

..HOWARD COUNTY

   SAVAGE                2.65   600 AM   6/5   3.0 W JESSUP
   ELKRIDGE              2.62   700 AM   6/5   1.8 W
   GLENELG               2.10   800 AM   6/5   COOP
   COLUMBIA              2.04   700 AM   6/5   1.7 W
   ELLICOTT CITY         1.83   707 AM   6/5   1.3 WSW
   WEST FRIENDSHIP       1.79   700 AM   6/5   1.7 SSE SYKESVILLE
   COLUMBIA              1.77   730 AM   6/5   2.6 NW
   GLENWOOD              1.75   615 AM   6/5   2.6 SE SYKESVILLE
   COLUMBIA              1.73   700 AM   6/5   2.3 N
   CLARKSVILLE           1.62   800 AM   6/5   1.0 SE
   ELLICOTT CITY         1.51   900 AM   6/5   0.5 N

..MONTGOMERY COUNTY

   WHITE OAK             3.44   700 AM   6/5   1.2 N
   WHITE OAK             2.89   700 AM   6/5   1.7 NW
   POTOMAC               2.71   700 AM   6/5   0.9 NNW
   WHEATON               2.59   700 AM   6/5   0.7 NE
   KENSINGTON            2.57   700 AM   6/5   COCORAHS
   TAKOMA PARK           2.57   700 AM   6/5   0.6 NNW
   LAYTONSVILLE          2.40   800 AM   6/5   COOP
   SILVER SPRING         2.40   700 AM   6/5   0.9 N
   COLESVILLE            2.25   700 AM   6/5   1.7 W
   DAMASCUS              1.94   800 AM   6/5   COOP
   NORBECK               1.85   700 AM   6/5   1.0 SE
   DAMASCUS              1.67   700 AM   6/5   1.0 S
   CLARKSBURG            1.65   700 AM   6/5   2.1 NE
   ROSSMOOR              1.63   700 AM   6/5   1.3 ESE

..PRINCE GEORGE'S COUNTY

   OXON HILL             2.92   800 AM   6/5   COOP
   BOWIE                 2.17   730 AM   6/5   0.5 E
   OXON HILL             1.97   800 AM   6/5   1.1 W
   FORESTVILLE           1.85   700 AM   6/5   1.1 W
   CAMP SPRINGS          1.62   700 AM   6/5   1.6 NNW
   CAMP SPRINGS          1.60   600 AM   6/5   COCORAHS
   FOREST HEIGHTS        1.58   745 AM   6/5   1.6 SE
   SUITLAND              1.52   700 AM   6/5   2.1 SE
   FRIENDLY HILLS        1.37   600 AM   6/5   1.0 N
   MARLTON               1.03   700 AM   6/5   6.0 E
   BRANDYWINE            1.01   700 AM   6/5   6.7 ESE

..ST. MARY'S COUNTY

   LEONARDTOWN PARK      2.68   600 AM   6/5   0.6 NE
   LEONARDTOWN           2.12   600 AM   6/5   2.9 ESE
   HOLLYWOOD             2.04   700 AM   6/5   1.5 NW
   RIDGE                 2.02   700 AM   6/5   1.0 N
   PARK HALL ESTATES     1.88   700 AM   6/5   COCORAHS
   CHARLOTTE HALL        1.74   700 AM   6/5   3.6 ENE

..WASHINGTON COUNTY

   WILLIAMSPORT          2.22   800 AM   6/5   COOP
   SHARPSBURG            2.07   800 AM   6/5   COOP
   WILLIAMSPORT          2.04   700 AM   6/5   2.1 ESE
   SMITHSBURG            1.83   800 AM   6/5   COOP
   WILLIAMSPORT          1.77   429 AM   6/5   2.8 ENE

VIRGINIA

..ALBEMARLE COUNTY

   EARLYSVILLE           3.04   800 AM   6/5   COOP

..ARLINGTON COUNTY

   BARCROFT              2.65   600 AM   6/5   2.4 NE
   ARLINGTON             2.57   530 PM   6/5   KDCA
   ARLINGTON             1.96   800 AM   6/5   1.1 NW

..AUGUSTA COUNTY

   CRAIGSVILLE           0.76   800 AM   6/5   COOP

..CITY OF ALEXANDRIA

   ALEXANDRIA            2.87   700 AM   6/5   1.8 S

..CITY OF CHARLOTTESVILLE

   CHARLOTTESVILLE       1.11   800 AM   6/5

..CITY OF FREDERICKSBURG

   FREDERICKSBURG        3.05   800 AM   6/5   COOP

..CITY OF MANASSAS

   MANASSAS              2.40   800 AM   6/5   COOP

..CITY OF STAUNTON

   STAUNTON              0.98   800 AM   6/5   COOP

..CITY OF WAYNESBORO

   WAYNESBORO            0.71   600 AM   6/5   COCORAHS

..CITY OF WINCHESTER

   WINCHESTER            2.58   800 AM   6/5   7 SE
   WINCHESTER            2.57   800 AM   6/5
   WINCHESTER            1.77   600 AM   6/5   0.5 ENE

..CULPEPER COUNTY

   CULPEPER              3.38   800 AM   6/5   COOP
   RIXEYVILLE            1.90   600 AM   6/5   2.5 N
   RIXEYVILLE            1.55   700 AM   6/5   6.1 N
   RIXEYVILLE            1.36   700 AM   6/5   6.3 NNE

..FAIRFAX COUNTY

   RESTON                3.40   800 AM   6/5   1.4 SSE
   VIENNA                2.94   800 AM   6/5   COOP
   VIENNA                2.88   800 AM   6/5   3.3 N
   HERNDON               1.98   700 AM   6/5   3.3 S
   MCLEAN                1.79   700 AM   6/5   2.3 SE
   FRANCONIA             1.45   830 AM   6/5   1.3 SSE
   LORTON                1.41   800 AM   6/5   COOP

..FAUQUIER COUNTY

   WARRENTON             2.03   700 AM   6/5   3.5 SE
   REMINGTON             1.99   515 AM   6/5   4 ENE
   REMINGTON             1.84   740 AM   6/5   5.5 NNE
   WARRENTON             1.59   432 PM   6/5   6.1 S
   WARRENTON             1.37   750 AM   6/5   5.5 SSE

..FREDERICK COUNTY

   GORE                  1.68   740 AM   6/5   9.4 NW WINCHESTER
   MIDDLETOWN            1.59   800 AM   6/5   COCORAHS

..GREENE COUNTY

   STANARDSVILLE         0.80   600 AM   6/5   2.1 WNW

..LOUDOUN COUNTY

   DULLES AIRPORT        4.02   530 PM   6/5   KIAD
   STERLING              3.31   800 AM   6/5   WFO STERLING
   ROUND HILL            1.54   700 AM   6/5   2.7 WSW
   LEESBURG              1.45   800 PM   6/5   8.0 N

..MADISON COUNTY

   HAYWOOD               1.65   800 AM   6/5   COOP

..NELSON COUNTY

   SHIPMAN               0.54   400 AM   6/5   1.8 NE

..ORANGE COUNTY

   BARBOURSVILLE         0.90   920 AM   6/5   1.1 NW

..PAGE COUNTY

   SHENANDOAH NATIONAL   3.40   800 AM   6/5   COOP

..PRINCE WILLIAM COUNTY

   GAINESVILLE           2.78   700 AM   6/5   1.6 SE
   LAKE RIDGE            1.33   800 AM   6/5   1.7 SW

..RAPPAHANNOCK COUNTY

   CASTLETON             2.47   800 AM   6/5   COOP

..ROCKINGHAM COUNTY

   PENN LAIRD            0.80   700 AM   6/5   COCORAHS
   DALE ENTERPRISE       0.67   800 AM   6/5   COOP

..SHENANDOAH COUNTY

   STRASBURG             2.21   700 AM   6/5   3.7 N STRASBURG
   WOODSTOCK             2.10   800 AM   6/5   COOP
   STRASBURG             1.50   800 AM   6/5   COOP

..SPOTSYLVANIA COUNTY

   MASSAPONAX            4.34   600 AM   6/5   5.2 SSW FREDERICKSBURG

..STAFFORD COUNTY

   BROOKFIELD            3.30   735 AM   6/5   4 E FREDERICKSBURG

..WARREN COUNTY

   FRONT ROYAL           2.61   800 AM   6/5   COOP

WEST VIRGINIA

..BERKELEY COUNTY

   MARTINSBURG           2.52   800 AM   6/5   KMRB
   MARTINSBURG           2.50   800 AM   6/5   COOP
   MARTINSBURG           2.20   700 AM   6/5   8.0 ENE
   FALLING WATERS        1.73   700 AM   6/5   2.4 NW
   BUNKER HILL           1.68   700 AM   6/5   0.8 WNW

..GRANT COUNTY

   BAYARD                3.00   800 AM   6/5   COOP
   PETERSBURG            2.62   800 AM   6/5

..HAMPSHIRE COUNTY

   SLANESVILLE           2.17   700 AM   6/5   2.1 SE
   SPRINGFIELD           1.73   726 AM   6/5   2.3 ENE

..HARDY COUNTY

   LOST RIVER STATE      1.58   800 AM   6/5   COOP

..JEFFERSON COUNTY

   SHENANDOAH JUNCTION   1.98   700 AM   6/5   COCORAHS
   HARPERS FERRY         1.51   600 AM   6/5   2.6 WNW
   HARPERS FERRY         1.06   700 AM   6/5   2.8 SSE

..MINERAL COUNTY

   KEYSER                2.48   800 AM   6/5   COOP
   OLD KEYSER DAM        2.06   700 AM   6/5   3.4 ESE
   FORT ASHBY            1.81   700 AM   6/5   1.1 ESE

Tornado Confirmed in Page County from Wednesday's Severe Weather

HowardBernstein — Fri, 05 Jun 2009 13:18:00 GMT

While we had many severe thuderstorms on Wednesday with torrential rains and quite a few hail reports, there was only 1 storm that had a tornado warning with it. The storm came out of West Virginia and looked nasty on radar. There was a report of a funnel cloud in Luray, but the storm appearantly dropped that dunnel down in the town of Stanley. Chase Suddith is one of our weather watchers and he posted some pictures on his facebook page of the damage.

Below is the official report from The National Weather Service.

PUBLIC INFORMATION STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE BALTIMORE MD/WASHINGTON DC
707 PM EDT THU JUN 4 2009

..EF-1 TORNADO CONFIRMED IN STANLEY VIRGINIA

THE BALTIMORE/WASHINGTON FORECAST OFFICE OF THE NATIONAL WEATHER
SERVICE CONDUCTED A SURVEY OF STORM DAMAGE IN THE TOWN OF STANLEY
VIRGINIA IN PAGE COUNTY. THE SURVEY WAS CONDUCTED WITH PAGE COUNTY
EMERGENCY SERVICES...THE STANLEY TOWN MANAGER...AND VIRGINIA
DEPARTMENT OF EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT. THE FOLLOWING WAS DETERMINED
THROUGH THE DAMAGE SURVEY...RADAR EVIDENCE...AND EYEWITNESS
INTERVIEWS.

BASED ON ALL THE EVIDENCE THIS TORNADO WAS CATEGORIZED AS AN EF-1
ON THE ENHANCED FUJITA SCALE...WITH PEAK WINDS ESTIMATED AT 90 TO
100 MPH. PATH LENGTH WAS ONE AND TWO THIRDS OF A MILE. PATH WIDTH
WAS 600 YARDS.

AT 6:45 PM ON WEDNESDAY JUNE 3RD 2009...A TORNADO TOUCHED DOWN
NEAR THE INTERSECTION OF POND AVENUE AND DOGWOOD LANE...ONE MILE
WEST NORTHWEST OF THE CENTER OF THE TOWN CENTER OF STANLEY
VIRGINIA. A MOBILE HOME WAS BLOWN OFF ITS FOUNDATION AND ROLLED
OVER AT THE INTERSECTION. THREE RESIDENTS WERE IN THE HOME AT THE
TIME...BUT THEY ESCAPED WITHOUT SIGNIFICANT INJURY. SEVERAL LARGE
TREES AND BRANCHES WERE BLOWN DOWN IMMEDIATELY EAST OF THE MOBILE
HOME...ONE ONTO A HOME. A WOODEN PORCH OVERHANG ON ONE HOME WAS
KNOCKED DOWN. A NEIGHBOR TO THE SOUTHWEST OF THE DAMAGE SAW THE
TORNADO AND SWIRLING DEBRIS.

AN EYEWITNESS ON FORREST DRIVE REPORTED SEEING A FUNNEL CLOUD PASS
OVERHEAD. FURTHER DAMAGE OCCURRED TO A FARM ACROSS THE STREET ON
YOUNG DRIVE WHERE A BARN ROOF WAS BLOWN OFF AND A GRAIN STORAGE
DEVICE WAS BLOWN OVER. THERE WAS ALSO SEVERAL TREES DOWN. JUST
DOWN THE STREET NEAR THE INTERSECTION OF FORREST DRIVE AND
PAINTERS WOODS ROAD...A LARGE VDOT SALT STORAGE GARAGE WAS
UNROOFED.

INTERMITTENT DAMAGE CONTINUED TO THE EAST WITH SCATTERED TREE
DAMAGE. A CARPORT WAS ALSO KNOCKED DOWN NEAR THE INTERSECTION OF
AYLOR GRUBBS AVENUE AND BAILEY LANE. IN THE 700 BLOCK OF BRADY
ROAD SEVERAL LARGE TREES WERE KNOCKED DOWN.

AT 6:50 PM THE TORNADO THEN LIFTED...BUT THE PARENT STORM
CONTINUED TO PRODUCE DAMAGE ACROSS THE TOWN OF STANLEY. LEAF
LITTER AND SMALL BRANCHES WERE DOWN ACROSS MUCH OF THE AREA
INDICATING WIDESPREAD 30 TO 40 MPH WINDS WITH THE STORM. SOME
METAL ROOFING WAS BLOWN OFF A HOUSE ON HARPER VALLEY ROAD. ALSO A
LARGE POULTRY BUILDING WAS BLOWN OVER OFF THE 400 BLOCK OF KITE
HOLLOW ROAD. AN EYEWITNESS SAW THE ROOF SLIGHTLY LIFTED AS THE
LATERAL WALL PUSHED IN...THEN THE ROOF COLLAPSED ON TOP OF THE
REMAINS. NO SIGNIFICANT TREE DAMAGE WAS NOTED IN THAT AREA AROUND
THE POULTRY BUILDING. LASTLY...A LARGE TREE WAS BLOWN DOWN OVER
ROUTE 211 ON THE WESTERN EDGE OF SHENANDOAH NATIONAL PARK.

VERY EARLY INITIAL DAMAGE ESTIMATES WERE $300,000.

THANKS TO:
GENE STEWART...PAGE COUNTY EMERGENCY SERVICES COORDINATOR
BRUCE STERLING...VIRGINIA DEPARTMENT OF EMERGENCY SERVICES
TERRY PETTIT...STANLEY TOWN MANAGER AND FIRE CHIEF

CHRIS STRONG
WARNING COORDINATION METEOROLOGIST
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE
BALTIMORE/WASHINGTON FORECAST OFFICE

Frederick Temperature May Be Better, but it was running too Hot for too long....

HowardBernstein — Fri, 05 Jun 2009 09:30:00 GMT

So, I got sick and tired of seeing the Frederick temperature always running 5 to 8 degrees too warm. Hagerstown might be 81, Baltimore might be 82, Dulles will report 82 and then Frederick comes in at 88. I have seen this way too many times to count.

I picked up the phone and called the Frederick Municipal Airport where the temperature sensor is located and I spoke with Kevin, the airport manager. He told me that the FAA technician who certifies the sensor came out and said that it was running several degrees warm and that they switched to the back up sensor. We'll watch and see if the Frederick temperature is more believable.

I also asked where the thermometer is located. He described it as near the intersection of the 2 runways in an area with gravel....what? Gravel. The National Weather Service has pretty specific instructions on how and where to place weather equipment. Near asphalt and rocks that hold heat are not in those guidelines.

Other stations, like Leesburg and Hagerstown, may also be improperly positioned. These are FAA sites and not National Weather Service, so there are some issues right there. The FAA does things a little differently. This also raises the question as to whether this data, that seems to be on the warm side, is included in the overall data set that is cited by so many who claim that we're in a terrible warming phase caused by man-made activity. SurfaceStations.org is a web site that tries to answer the question of 'how accurate is the us weather data record?'
I think it's worth looking at and considering the results.

I'll continue to watch Frederick's temperature and hopefully, I've inspired the operators of that site to more carefully watch the accuracy of the data that they are collecting.

Please join me weekdays for LIVE interactivity and beheind the scenes stuff here at WUSA at http://www.wusa9.com/weather/howards_chatroom.aspx.