Saluting the students

We hope that through the recent round of storminess across the country, one idea shone through on this website: That the real workhorses of this team are the high school and college students spread across twelve states that make Foot’s Forecast a innovative multi-state collaborative. Before the next attack of wild weather gets underway this week, the advisors would like to take this time and salute these dedicated, energetic and hard-working students for managing updates, collaborating at all hours of the night, posting facebook reports, consistently featuring NWS graphics, linking to public safety advisories, and engaging the readers to do whatever it takes to keep all of us ahead of the storm. Our sincere gratitude for serving as an excellent example to all of us, and for being the proof of what your readers already know: Students are capable of achieving much more than most people expect.

With deep appreciation to our student forecasters,

Mr. Foot, Mr. Lear and the Advisory Team

6:00 PM Sunday, 2/27/2011

9:45 PM PM EST

TORNADO WARNING FOR PARTS OF MISSOURI AND KANSAS

TORNADO WATCH FOR PARTS OF MISSOURI, KANSAS AND OKLAHOMA
until 9 PM CST

The Desert Southwest was hit today with heavy, blowing snow, especially in the higher elevations. This event strengthened as it entered the Southern Plains this afternoon. Fog, followed by moderate to heavy precipitation is possible. Ample Gulf moisture will enhance this storm as it moves towards the Mississippi Valley Sunday night, will possible severe thunderstorms.

Heavy rain and thunderstorms will affect the Tennessee and Ohio Valleys for much of today.

A front moves northward into the Midwest, Great Lakes and New England regions Sunday night, causing wintry conditions that will affect travel.

"Phil, I think you may have been wrong..."
More snow moving across America

11:00 PM Saturday, 2/26/2011 Dense fog is a danger in the Northern Plains tonight and Midwest is in for freezing rain and a Wintry Mix tomorrow.

Snow will come to the Desert Southwest by Sunday, where a strong cold front will push as far South as Central Arizona.

Severe weather returns across the Southern U.S, where a cold front moving into the Central and Southern Plains on Sunday have plenty of warm, moist Gulf air to meet it.

A short wave from the Upper Midwest will flow to the Northeast Saturday and off the coast by Sunday. The Great Lakes, New York, and New England, should only expect light to moderate snow. Exceptions
(Advisor Lear)

Calmer with the sundown,
but it's not over, yet...
Tragedy in Kentucky
(4:00 PM...sad update)

8:00 PM Friday, 2/25/2011 A mid-level low and upper-level jet are the mechanisms pushing a front through the East. Gulf moisture and instability associated with the front have produced potentials for blowing and drifting snow across the Midwest. This system has pushed the central Atlantic, but not before dumping more rain, some with Thunderstorms. High Winds are played havoc in the Mid-Atlantic and Southeast regions, New England will continue to receive moderate to heavy snow through early tomorrow.

The Upper Mid-West shows Hazardous Weather Outlooks that call for dangerous wind chills overnight.

The Plains States have Winter Weather Advisories that include Freezing Fog Alerts.

Another strong upper-level trough swings southward along the Pacific Coast over the next couple of days keeping the western U.S. very active with wide spread rain and snow. Much of the Mountain West is under some form of Winter Advisory. (Advisor Lear)

A two-storm Thursday

Details in the

Winter Stormcast and Severe Storm Center

6:00 PM EST 2/24/2011 A high-impact "dual" storm system arriving is crossing the country, bring rains and flooding from Arkansas northeastward to Pennsylvania, and frozen precipitation north of that. A severe weather outbreak is also in progress, with the latest tornado watch posted for portions of a 6-state from East Texas to Central Tennessee.

Severe Thunderstorms Warnings are also posted within this area.

TORNADO WARNINGS FOR...  Areas in TENNESSEE...
Areas in MISSISSIPPI...
UNTIL 1015 PM CST
Areas in ALABAMA...
UNTIL 1030 PM CST
TORNADO INFO
TORNADO WATCHES ARE IN EFFECT UNTIL FOR THE
FOLLOWING LOCATIONS:
LOUISIANA UNTIL 10 PM CST
MISSISSIPPI, ALABAMA, TENNESSEE UNTIL 2AM CST

Winter Advisories, Watches, and Warnings extend from Kansas to Maine, and everywhere in between.
The Northern Great Plains aren't being spared, with snow and below zero temperatures. Some areas in Horse Country may receive over 4" of rain, and many areas in the South are under the gun for possible severe weather this afternoon and tonight, where possibilities of Tornadoes exist.

Areas of the East may suffer power outages tomorrow due to high winds, and while the Southwest may not be getting Winter Weather, but they will have their own concerns with Red Flag Warnings.

THE FORECAST TEAM ADVISES YOU MONITOR LOCAL NWS FORECASTS AND STATEMENTS BY ENTERING YOUR ZIP CODE IN THE UPPER LEFT SEARCH. (Advisors Lear, Foot and the Eastern U.S. Forecast Team)

Climate and Space Science

Understanding the forces driving our weather

.

Although weather has the highest impact on our lives day-to-day, it is often misunderstood with the over-arching influences of climate and the impact that solar activity has on Earth's atmosphere. Soon after the eruption of a major solar flare last week, Forecaster Patrick Ritsko, a sophomore in Meteorology from Penn State University, prepared this lead article on the event. We are pleased to present this as the first in weekly focus on "Climate and Space Science." Our objective is to provide readers with an look inside some of these intriguing factors which not only produce awe-inspiring "auroras," but also affect our daily lives in countless ways...despite being located thousands or millions of miles away. ~Forecaster Foot - Baltimore, MD

Largest solar flare in four years

February 18, 2011 

By Forecaster Patrick Ritsko, Penn State University

Solar storms, also known as solar flares, are electromagnetic explosions from the sun. This past week, the sun produced its largest solar flare in over four years, which affected radio signals in China and satellite reception worldwide. The sun goes through solar flare peaks every 11 – 12 years where some years are quieter than others. While 2010 appeared to be a somewhat quiet year, 2011 is predicted to bring an upward trend in these solar flares. This predicted upward trend was certainly evident by this past Valentine’s Day flare, which perfectly showcased the intensity these storms have the potential of producing.

Videos:

Youtube | NASA's Solar and Heliospheric Observatory (SOHO)

NASA classified this storm on the Class X level – which is the most intensive measurement of evaluating solar flares. Class X flares carry the most influence on Earth’s upper atmosphere, which can severely affect AM radio waves and satellite communications. Class X flares also have the potential to affect radars and many weather-observing tools we use. Flares are usually short-lived, lasting anywhere from a few minutes to a half-hour.

Scientists are monitoring and waiting patiently for a larger, more dramatic event as the sun begins its wake-up from a rather quiet cycle. Although this week’s storm was intense, Earth has seen much stronger flares in the past decade. If this storm is any indication of what we can expect in the coming years, solar forecasters are predicting a peak in activity by 2013 or 2014.

References:
Wall, M. “Solar storm worry: Pondering the “big one.” (2011).

CBS News. Retrieved February 18, 2011 from

http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2011/02/18/scitech/main200333

85.shtml

Nailed...now, what's next?

8:30 PM EST Tuesday 2/22/2011

The low pressure system which created the Mid-west to Mid-Atlantic snow machine is exiting the east coast today, while a stronger and potentially more high impact system arrived in California today. Another "four-dayer" for many students in Maryland and Pennsylvania as schools and government offices are closed or delayed throughout the Mid-Atlantic and Ohio Valley.

Readers to our Facebook Forecast Centers report amounts of 5 to 8 inches in

the I-70 corridor of Maryland, West Virginia and Ohio. Readers in Pennsylvania fielded observations of 12 or more inches in Franklin and York Counties. With the President's weekend holiday being extended another day, it was the third long weekend for many students and teachers (although the seniors sure are lovin' in!). Hats off to our Maryland and Pennsylvania Forecast Teams for nailing this call several days out, issuing forecast maps which verified nicely, and reporting throughout the night. Excellent work team, you have influenced more people than you'll ever know.

WHAT'S NEXT A mantle of cold is settling across the northern half of the U.S. for the next two days, as high pressure and fresh snowcover will allow temperatures tonight in the Midwest, Mid-Atlantic and Northeast to fall into to the teens. In the south, temperatures remain at or above seasonal levels, with highs holding pleasantly in the 60's and 70's in the southern plains to the 80's in Texas and Florida. Strong west to east, or "zonal" flow will be enhanced each day by influence of the counter-clockwise spin of the system off the southern California coast.

A SEVERE SETUP

The fast moving upper level air currents in conjunction with increased low level air flow from the Gulf juiced with moisture will be creating favorable conditions for an outbreak of severe weather on Thursday from the Southern Plains to the Southeast and Mid-Atlantic. The Storm Prediction Center has posted preliminary outlooks for this event, and our Southeast Severe Team has begun organizing their schedules so they are at the ready prior to the event. Thursday afternoon, Stormchaser Vince Webb from central Mississippi will go mobile in his chasing vehicle to track and report on breaking weather as the event unfolds.

REGIONAL ROUNDUPS Visit the Winter Stormcast, Eastern or Central tabs above for direct links to the latest details and local perspective from our forecast teams in those areas.

"Let's get it started... in here.."

- 2004 single by the Black Eyes Peas (Youtube link)

Special media note: Scroll down for the interview of Stormchaser Vince Webb.

10:15 PM EST Monday 2/21/2011 Our forecasters report that sleet and heavy snow have started in earnest across the I-95 corridor, with the bullseye likely to be from Northern Virginia and western Maryland to the Baltimore-Washington metro areas. Winter Storm Warnings are in effect for this areas tonight into tomorrow morning. A current statement is posted in the Mid-Atlantic Winter Stormcast page. The Ohio Valley is also under warnings for heavy snow of 6-10" in northeastern parts of the state.

With heavy snow overnight into Tuesday morning, there may be considerable difficulty getting school started again tomorrow. Temperatures by Tuesday night in the Mid-Atlantic and Northeast will plunge into the teens following the storm. In areas where snow and sleet remain unplowed, it will quickly refreeze Tuesday night. If this storm has made school systems anxious about travel impacts into Wednesday, we urge as much removal and clearing as possible tomorrow. Temperatures Wednesday are unlikely to break 32 F north and west of Washington, DC, thus hope should not be placed on a quick melting despite an increasing sun angle.

Hard to believe that just three days ago, many residents now receiving snow were basking in 70 degree temperatures.

SEVERE IN THE SOUTHEAST? Another truth to behold is the increasing potential for a strong thunderstorm and tornado outbreak by Thursday in the Southeast. Regular updates will be posted by the regional severe teams in our facebook centers for the Southeast and the Mid-Atlantic. Our Severe Team is already on the task, including Stormchaser Vince in Mississippi, the 4-member team in Georgia, Forecaster Nic in North Carolina and Forecaster Jason in southern Maryland. We also have a new Southeast page specifically for our readers from the Carolinas to Central Florida. Updates from facebook will be reposted on this page for those without access to facebook from school or work

MARYLAND SNOWFALL GRAPHIC The image below was generated for our Maryland readers and posted in several zones on facebook. A couple thousand people have already seen this - not bad for a high school student on vacation from school today!

CREATIVE IN COLORADO We know many readers enjoyed the adventurous reports last week of Stormcaster Vince Webb from Central Mississippi in his visit to Central Colorado. Now you get to hear the story behind the forecaster in this special interview between Forecaster Webb and Mr. Foot, as recorded Sunday afternoon just north of Denver, CO.

."I cannot tell a lie..."

- Apocryphal quote atttributed to George Washington

by Parson Weems in The Life of Washington, first published in 1800.

12:40 PM 2/21/2011 Our current statement for the Mid-Atlantic is posted in the main site and on facebook. Despite today's cool to mild rain expected from the southern Ohio valley to the Atlantic coast, colder temperatures will change precipitation over to sleet and snow tonight. North of Baltimore, a general 4" of snow and sleet is expected for areas north of I-70 and west of I-81. South or east of that line, amounts of 2" or less are expected. Details the Washington metro area are posted by our Capital Region page in facebook, lead by Forecasters Jason, Mintong and Nikki.

For those concerned about the effects this storm may have on the Tuesday commute and school schedules...we cannot tell a lie. For areas where snow and sleet are mixed, icy roads tomorrow may extend the President's Weekend one more day for students and teachers.

Further details and links to regional zones can be found in the tabs above for Winter Stormcast and Eastern.

(Forecast Advisors Foot, Lear and Krichinsky. Contributors: Forecasters Winterman, Jason M., Mike N., Dakota S., Connor M., Nikki B.)

Working together

to deliver your weather

Scroll down for details of the special Colorado meeting between Mr. Foot and Stormchaser Vince Webb, and a new video to be posted tonight where we turned the camera on the interviewer.

5:50 PM EST Sunday 2/20/2011

A major storm system will produce major contrasts in weather as it crawls across the Midwest and Upper Great Plains today, with Blizzard Warnings for portions of South Dakota while Ice Storm Warnings cover areas just south of that region. Meanwhile, those in the Southeast and into Central Florida are enjoying a nice weekend with highs back to seasonal levels in the 60's and 70's. For the Mid-Atlantic and Northeast, with all remaining hats of residents having been blown out to sea, winds are finally diminishing today with occasional gusts near 20 mph at times.

A MID-ATLANTIC MONDAY: However, the Midwest weather maker is knocking on the door, as Winter Weather Advisories (purple) and Winter Storm Warnings (pink) have been hoisted in Pennsylvania and New York for snow, sleet and freezing rain starting tomorrow. By Monday night, wintry precipitation is also expected from our Potomac Ridge and Valley zone of western Maryland and northern Virginia to central Maryland and the Capital Region of DC and southern Maryland. Will this next slippery winter weather threat extend President's Weekend for school systems? Details in our Winter Stormcast Zones for the Mid-Atlantic (main site | facebook). (Note: Links to regions direct to facebook or main site forecasts)

Affiliate Forecaster Joe Puma from the Puma Weather Center in metro Chicago is also covering this latest winter event for northern Illinois.

Our Southeast Team reports pleasant conditions will prevail today with high pressure in control and showers likely tomorrow. Farther west, a heightened risk of brush fires remains for a large section of the south central U.S. due to very dry conditions, and Red Flag Warnings (pink) are in effect from west Texas into Oklahoma and Kansas.

FORECASTERS ON THE MOVE Storm Chaser Vincent Webb, a senior from Brandon High School in Central Mississippi and member of our Southeast Team, interviewed two famed figures in the weather forecasting universe while attending the 2011 National Storm Chasers Convention in Denver, CO. The first video to is with Meteorologist Mike Bettes of The Weather Channel, and the next features the reknowned Extreme Storm Chaser Reed Trimmer. A few minutes after this shot, Mr. Trimmer went on to speak to the entire convention hall, and even referenced Vince in his talk. Be sure to watch right to the end for a funny signoff.

Congrats Stormchaser Webb for these nicely done interviews! We hope you all enjoy these historical firsts for our team, courtesy of a hard-working high school student willing to do what it takes to help advance the importance of

science education. Yet another example of our team philosophy: If given the chance, students show you they are much more capable than most people expect.

WEATHER BY WORKING TOGETHER Links in the section above lead you to

facebook forecast centers for some regions and main site zones for others. In the coming days and weeks, you will notice an expansion of forecasting content starting to appear on this page.

This improvement will include the posting of individual zones for all our regional forecast teams currently reporting in facebook centers. We hear the plea of teachers and students whom wish to access our pages while in class, but of course are unable if the links direct to facebook instead of a main site zone. By weeks' end, clicking those links will take you first to a zone on this page, with the facebook link embedded within that.

In addition, we will make layout changes in order to improve access in those school systems where the site is not appearing correctly due to screen resolution differences. Thanks to all our loyal readers across the U.S. and in many countries for supporting the work of these inspiring students as they continue to innovate the forecasting of weather and climate...right here on Foot's Forecast.

MULTI-STATE MEETING. Sunday afternoon under a wildly windy sky in the "Mile-High City," Vince Webb and Mr. Foot carved time from their cross-country commute to enjoy a brief lunch in Denver following Vince's attendance to the Storm Chasers Convention. Please check back later this evening as a special interview was recorded of the interviewer. That's right, this time we turned the camera on him! You'll get to hear some inspiring stories of his Yazoo City EF-4 tornado chase last April, how it felt to interview a TV meteorologist and much more.

A toast to our hard-working multi-state forecast team!

"A great wind is blowing, giving you

either imagination or a headache."

- Attributed to Catherine The Great,

Ruler of the Russian Empire from 1762 to 1796

8:00 AM EST Saturday 2/19/2011 - Bob Dylan would have agreed with Ms. Catherine, great winds are certainly blowing across the nation in more ways than one, and the times they are a'changin. High Wind Warnings (orange) and Wind Advisories are in effect today for areas covering tens of millions of people in the Mid-Atlantic and Northeast today. Sustained winds of 25 mph or greater are expected, with gusts over 50 mph common. The departure of a low pressure system into central Canada in combination with a sprawling high pressure system nosing into the U.S. from western Canada has produced this strong northwesterly flow behind last night's cold front. Whether it is windy or not in your region, the dry conditions have led to countless small brush fires yesterday in the East, thus NWS forecast offices have Red Flag Warnings still in effect for the Carolinas and Virginia, as well as west Texas into New Mexico.

IN THE MID-WEST AND WESTERN STATES Though conditions are "only" cold and windy in north central U.S., that will soon change as well. A blanket of Winter Storm Warnings (pink) encompass the Northern Plains to the Upper Great Lakes regions, in anticipation of heavy snow from a vigorous low pressure system just now moving across southern California. Significantly colder temperatures are anticipated for the western third of the U.S. for most of next week, as shown in this graphic from the U.S. Hazards Assessment.

WHAT ABOUT THE NEXT STORM? Details of our early analysis for a potential Winter Weather event in the Mid-Atlantic is detailed in our Winter Stormcast | Mid-Atlantic page and on facebook (http://www.facebook.com/ffwintermidatlantic). (Forecast Advisors Foot, Lear with input from the Eastern U.S. Team)

A NEW REPORT FROM COLORADO Stormchaser and Forecaster Vincent Webb has been reporting from Denver while attending the National Storm Chaser Convention. He sends this latest video as a preview of interviews planned for later today. View his previous video updates from Pikes Peak and Mount Evans recorded Thursday 2/17 and Friday 2/18 respectively.

"Go West Young Man"

- Lead song by Michael W. Smith in his 1990 Album

5:35 PM EST 2/18/2011 What better way to celebrate this "Go West Friday" than with another excellent video report from adventurous Forecaster/Mountain Climber Vincent Webb of Central Mississippi, reporting on location from Mt. Evans in Central Colorado. We think you'd agree that these kids are simply amazing.

Speaking of going west, luck would have it that Forecaster Webb and Forecaster Foot may even have the unique opportunity to meet this Sunday with the Front Range to their backs. You can bet they will post a team forecast or two as part of the soon-to-be launched "Central Colorado Zone" on facebook and right on this site. This has come about because next week, Mr. Foot will be in Fort Collins attending a Professional Development meeting with his colleagues. The 5-day session is part of National Science Foundation's "Pathways to Environmental Science Literacy" Project. More details about this exciting multi-state student centered program of the Math Science Partnership to be featured in our "Learning Your Environment" section next week.

4:00 PM EST 2/18/2011 Fabulous warm Friday greetings to our readers in the Central, Southern and Mid-Atlantic states. The western third of the country is absorbing the impact of a troublesome system which delivered heavy snow to the Central Rockies, strong winds in western Colorado and significant ice in parts of Washington State. Snow is making its way through the usual places including northern New England and the Upper Great Lakes. With the exception of
Fire Weather Watches and RED FLAG WARNINGS in portions of the east, the majority of the NWS advisory map is more calm than challenging, at least for today. For those traveling on this President's Weekend Friday within in the eastern two-thirds of the country, we foresee only one weather frustration (if you are seeking warmer conditions):

Why did Mother Nature set her SmartPhone calendar to "Make Friday nice, do big cold front on Sat, colder Sun." Our synopsis of the holiday travel plan:

1. Friday: Best day to get somewhere without hassle of storms, wild temperature changes, rain changing to snow, straight-line winds to aggravate your favorite airline pilot or air traffic controller.

2. Saturday: Heading south? Start with a winter coat, then change to rain jacket before dinner. Heading north? The opposite: Wear raincoat in AM, take winter coat for PM. Flying west? Progressively colder the farther west you are going. Head wind from a strong northern jet stream following the front passage will make for a slower outbound trip west. Going back east? Jet fuel might be optional. Strong westerly flow may even get you there early, similar to Forecaster Dakota and Mr. Foot's return trip from Seattle. We arrived 40 minutes early at BWI courtesy of our friend the northern jet stream.

3. Sunday: You just had to ask, huh? The secret we are now compelled to give away is that we expect this to be a much BETTER travel day than Monday.

Doing one of these rapid fire 3-day ski or beach adventures and plan to zip back home Monday? Get ready for headaches. Another system will move up from the southern Rockies to the Midwest and barrel into a major high pressure system. It is likely to kick out severe weather in the Southeast along the cold front, and cause travel delays in places like O'Hare.

Supporting links will be added later today. Our best wishes to all travelers for safe journeys this weekend. (Forecast Advisors Foot and Lear)

"...the answer to a
never-ending story."

- Soundtrack lyrics from 1984 film Never Ending Story

11:30 PM EST Thursday 2/17/2011
 A brief February thaw will make for a fabulous Friday in many areas east of the Rockies. On the heels of southwesterly flow generated by the first "Bermuda High" we have seen in some time, temperatures today from the Mid-Atlantic to the Central States and the Southern plains will soar to well above normal under abundant sunshine. This week is a sign of days to come: Longer warm periods, shorter cold periods as we transition away from what at times seemed like the never ending story of Winter 2011.

REPORTING FROM COLORADO But, if you are a powderhound still dreaming of wind-whipped snow and blinding cold, take a gander at this report sent to us by Forecaster/Storm Chaser Vincent Webb of Central Mississippi on our Southeast Forecast Team. Upon arriving in Denver Thursday morning, he and his family went right to Pikes Peak, and recorded this video especially for you all to see. Thanks Vincent! Stay bundled up... 

FINDING YOUR FORECAST On this site, we currently post regular updates for Central Maryland, the Capital Region, the Ohio Valley, Central Florida and more. You can easy locate which areas are currently covered by clicking the tabs above for Central or Eastern. Our "Forecast Centers" tab is the headquarters for all current and future planned zones... part of the "never ending story" that is Foot's Forecast. With over a million hits per month, and 40 forecasters in 12 states, we've only just begun. Get in on the ground floor and become the "face of the place" for weather media in your state, visit our application page in the "Our Team" tab for more details.

NATIONAL NOW A sliver of the Southeast* (a facebook link) is starting the day with temps in the 40's but will quickly warm into the 70's. As indicated in our team's Long Range Zone, there is no risk of significant storms for the next several days. A low pressure system will move toward the Great Lakes Friday and bring a cold front eastward, ending the warmup. However, we all know winter is losing it's grip with an increasing sun angle each passing day!

As noted on the NWS national advisory map, the sunshine and warm weather comes with risks for some areas: Red Flag Warnings for increased fire danger from west Texas and New Mexico through the southern Plains to Nebraska. Dense Fog Advisories are posted in the upper Mid-west and Mid-South. California on the other hand is facing the arrival of a system which has prompted widespread Winter Storm Warnings for the Sierra Nevada mountains, and High Surf Advisories for much of the coast down to San Francisco.

Colorado is a current example of the wild weather contrasts which can develop this time of year, as indicated on this forecast graphic from the Denver/Boulder NWS office. While Winter Weather Advisories and Warnings cover the western part of the state, central and eastern Colorado will see temperatures surging into the 50's and 60's.

 NEWS ABOUT OUR SITE AND TEAM A cornucopia of developments, and with the weather taking a breather, we wish to bring all our readers up to date with current events in the team and what is ahead. Please check back later for details. (Forecast Advisor Foot - Baltimore, MD)

"...demonstrate the life lessons

 you want to teach..."

-Dr. Ben Carson, reknowned pediatric neurosurgeon 

from John Hopkins University in Baltimore, MD 

and accomplished author of five books

10:25 PM  2/16/2011 

With warm weather scheduled for areas east of the Rockies the next two days, we have some exciting news to provide before stormy times resumeThe Eastern U.S. Team is proud to announce the addition of two newly trained forecasters for the Maryland Team: Forecaster Mike N. is a junior in the  Harford County Public Schools and Forecaster Nikki B. is a sophomore at the College of Southern Maryland. 

Both forecasters have displayed the high quality work ethic you've come to expect from our multi-state team. Mike has been posting for over a week in the Bayshore region, and will soon take the 9-10 pm slot for Central Maryland, as well as be serving as a core member of the Bayshore Team (http://www.facebook.com/ffbayshore). 

Nikki has been serving Capital Region readers with daily updates for nearly two weeks at (http://www.facebook.com/ffcapitalregion). Please take a look at their work and join us in welcome these fine forecasters to our team! If winter storms threaten the Mid-Atlantic again this season, you will no doubt be seeing their contributions in this zone keeping you engaged and informed when your weather is on the move. 

I believe you'll see in short order that Mike and Nikki, though posting in two different forecast zones, already demonstrate the life lessons central to our team: Attention to detail, respect for others and embracing the importance of collaboration. Please join me in giving our new forecasters a warm welcome to the team! (Forecaster Foot - Baltimore, MD)

"The answer is blowin' in the wind."

Written and recorded by Bob Dylan-1963
Recorded by Peter, Paul, and Mary-1963

4:00 PM EST 2/15/2011

Yesterday's welcome warmth in some parts of the country was quickly neutralized by a strong cold front last night followed by notably cooler air to many states today. Wind and Small Craft Advisories, and Red Flag Warnings are posted for much of Florida and parts of Georgia to Alabama. In the west, the return of a stormy pattern is heralded by expanding Winter Weather Advisories and High Wind Warnings across the southern Sierra Nevadas. Image to the right is NWS forecasted temperatures for 4 PM Wednesday in the east and southeast.

By Wednesday in the east, a milder pattern will once again develop as that conveyor belt of southwest wind kicks. Widespread coverage of above normal temperatures is epxected to most areas east of the Rockies by Friday. For a look into the period beyond this weekend, please visit our Long Range Zone.

 

"That's What I'm Talking About."

- 2004 single by Austrialian singer Shannon Noll

7:45 AM EST 2/14/2011 Windy Valentine's greetings to all! We surmise you will love hearing that the welcome warm-up continues todqy with highs in the Mid-Atlantic and Northeast reaching the upper 40's to low 50's. Even milder upper 50's and 60's are expected in the southeast. However, a torrent of snowmelt has been charging down the Red River and Mississippi Valleys as highs in the southern plains and Gulf coast climb back to the seasonal 70's later today.

MAKING SCIENCE FUN

If you are in the Delaware Valley looking for an engaging activity with the whole family, you can enjoy "How Things Work" Weekends at the Franklin Institute in Philadelphia. From 10 AM to 5 PM each Saturday and Sunday, as part of the Institute's special exhibit, you can immerse in the innovative world of Leonardo DaVinci.


For those new to our "fusion forecasting" approach, this feature is part of our team transition to Spring postings, where we begin highlighting regional activities, community and urban events, especially those with a science, environmental or public outreach focus. Details on how to get your local science center, event or program showcased on "the main site" will be forthcoming.