(Snow) Party in the U.S.A.

- Miley Cyrus

Current US snowcover from the NOAA National Ice Center

5:00 AM 12/11 (Winter Stormcast Team) If you're realllly ready to rock on some potentially serious snow in the Mid-Atlantic and Northeast, your wildest dreams may come true in the next phase of this beast of a pattern.

There's majorly disturbing language* in the latest Extended Forecast Discussion from the NOAA Weather Prediction Center. Even more so than the snippets we have below, taken from our Mid-Atlantic Winter Stormcast page in Facebook from Tuesday night. Read at your own peril. 

(3:30 PM 12/10) Look, it's not like we actually enjoy multiple storms in a row (ok, maybe we do a little), but for Powderhounds, the fun has just begun. Check out this little ditty from our colleagues at the NOAA Weather Prediction Center's Extended Forecast Discussion as of 10:58 AM Tue 12/10. 

"THE POTENTIAL EXISTS... PARTICULARLY IF THE SLOWER/STRONGER ECMWF [European Forecast Model] IS CORRECT...FOR ANOTHER SIGNIFICANT PRECIPITATION EVENT...INCLUDING SNOW/ICE...TO IMPACT AREAS FROM THE TENNESSEE VALLEY NORTHEASTWARD THIS WEEKEND...THE DETAILS OF WHICH REMAIN UNCLEAR AT THIS TIME." 

From the Sterling NWS Forecast Discussion as of 2:32 PM Tue 12/10:

"A COLORADO LOW IS EXPECTED TO FORM MID WEEK AND TRAVEL CLOSE TO THE GULF STATES BEFORE MAKING A TURN UP THE TN VALLEY AND TOWARDS THE MID ATLANTIC. BOTH THE GFS AND ECMWF ARE ON BOARD WITH THIS TREND AND A WINTRY MIX IS POSSIBLE AS IT APPROACHES THE MID ATLANTIC ON SATURDAY."

"HIGH PRESSURE SET UP OVER MAINE SHOULD ACT AS A BLOCKING HIGH AND ESTABLISH A COLD AIR DAMMING SCENARIO OVERNIGHT FRIDAY... HELPING KEEP SURFACE TEMPERATURES LOW FOR FOR THE ONSET OF PRECIP ON SATURDAY. OVERALL PTYPE AND TIMING SPECIFICS ARE STILL IN QUESTION."

*Seriously disturbing language in meteorology includes the words "Major Storm" and "Northeast Corridor" when all included in one sentence. Check back later today for more details on this invigorating development (Well, it is for Powderhounds, at least.)

Will it be enough?

Current ice projections by the NOAA Weather Prediction Center in College Park, MD Lightest green is one-hundredth to one-tenth (0.01" to 0.10") light green is one tenth to one-quarter (0.10" to 0.25") and the real ice jackpot is the dark green and blue, with amounts greater than one-quarter inch of ice by Monday AM.

7:00 AM EST 12/8 (Forecaster Foot) Old-timers to this site who have traditionally hailed from the education and public safety communities break into three groups:

1. Teachers and students, who just want a snow day no matter what it takes, any time of the year. (Heck, last season they had to wait until AFTER winter ended to get 1 measly day.)
2. Parents and emergency managers, who just want the straight scoop on what is happening when, where, how long and how bad. When big decisions are pending, they don't have time for philosophical weather fluff
3. Administrators and office workers, who only have 1 question: "Will it be ENOUGH??" This is a critical question that indicates the true potential severity of the storm -- will the intensity, duration and type of precipitation impact the region to the extent that offices are also closed for administrators? 

A Freezing Rain Trick...That Is No Treat

Image source and article: The SkyBrary

http://www.skybrary.aero/index.php/Freezing_Rain

6:00 AM EST 12/7 - Ever wonder what causes "freezing rain" ? By daybreak Monday morning, those in the Mid-Atlantic I-95 corridor and metro areas of DC/Baltimore will have a fast life lesson on the tricky science of a phenomena that has caught many a school system by surprise. If the significant icing that occurred in the Southern Plains and Tennessee Valley is an indication, portions of the Mid-Atlantic will face major travel disruption Sunday afternoon to Monday afternoon.

IS IT RAIN? The current NWS winter storm watches from West Virginia to Maryland and Virgina indicates several key ingredients will be in place to create a super-slippery surprise for those who think "it just looks like rain." The trick behind what turns a light rain into a disaster is called the "latent release of heat." With ground surfaces below freezing, anything that falls tomorrow morning will freeze on contact.

HOW TO GET TRICKED: If on Sunday night, snow and sleet are replaced by "rain" -- a weird thing will happen: The temperature will RISE even as a light glazing of ice is forming on surfaces. In the past, schools and businesses made their closing decisions on the change in temperature, as in "Look, the temp is going up! That means the ice will melt and we'll be in the clear!" Not so fast... A quick check of the latest Eastern Regional NWS advisory map shows they aren't falling for it.

KNOW THE SCIENCE: Freezing rain creates a different effect, for as the ice accretes on surfaces, the ground temperature often rises to near 32 F. Then, annoyingly, the temp can hovers near or at freezing for a few hours-- until enough warm air aloft can mix down to the surface. Why? Because accretion of ice is similar to condensation, a heating effect. While your thermometer reads air temps above 32, the ground UNDER the ice is may be less than 32! If any surface water on the ice "evaporates" - that causes a brief cooling effect, chilling the surface just enough to keep temps right around freezing.

A TRUE STORY: In Winter 2007-- one Maryland school system called for a 2-hour delay, only to have the bus drivers return to the lot reporting that the ice situation had actually gotten worse at 7:30 AM than it was at 5:30 AM! The delay was hastily changed to closed, and mayhem ensued with teachers having to turn around and go home, and parents having to call off work to pick up kids from schools that were open just 30 minutes before! What's your tale of winter woe from back in the day?

We chalk all this up to "Weather Politics" -- and this time, we hope that effective understanding of a scientific process will augment decision-making at those critical hours Tuesday morning.

(The Foot's Forecast Advisors)

12:30 PM EST 11/30 - Brrrissskk weekend greetings to all! In the spirit of giving back to those who serve others, we support the #GivingTuesday movement. Next Tuesday, December 3, consider ways your family or organization can come together to extend a helping hand to those most in need. Some of our suggestions for excellent local programs to explore, and we welcome your recommendations as well!

• The Helping Up Mission in downtown Baltimore. Helping Up is an overnight shelter and long term addiction recovery center for homeless men that builds their resiliency to participate in society with programs to meet physical, psychological, social and spiritual needs (https://www.helpingupmission.org/)

• GatherBaltimore, a local volunteer food stand organization that works to bring healthy food choices to people who lack access to fresh produce. Service includes redistributing unsold produce from the Baltimore City Farmer's Market and gleaning from local farm fields. (http://www.gatherbaltimore.org/)

• Decent Life Volunteers, a Lancaster City-based non profit that builds quality of life opportunities and business skills for under-advantaged families in US cities and also works with overseas children's missions such Kenya's Children and Youth Empowerment Center. (http://www.decentlife.org/)

Other examples of organizations working to build a more civil society for all can be found at the Baltimore Branch of GiveCorps: https://givecorps.com/en/baltimore
and details on Giving Tuesday http://community.givingtuesday.org/Page/About

Thank you for making us a part of your life, and warm wishes for safe travels this weekend!  - The Foot's Forecast Team

Hoodies for the Holidays!

This year, surprise that powderhound or weather fan in the family with an authentic, top quality zip-up or pullover from Foot's Forecast!

HOODY DETAILS:

• Top quality: 50/50 Heavy Blend GILDAN Brand
• Equal pricing: $26 for all adult sizes (XS up to 4XL)
• Kid prices: $20 for children's sizes (Youth S, M, L)
• Team colors: Epic Blue, Classic Blue, Powderhound Purple
• New options:  Field Green, Forest Green, Chocolate, Black

26% discount for an approved photo of you or your family in a hoody purchased previously from our team! Contact us for details: store@footsforecast.org

14% auto-discount if ordering 4 or more items.

How to buy: Place a quick order here via PayPal, or look over our online store at http://store.footsforecast.org and purchase later when the store opens on Friday 11/29. All our products are locally screen-printed by our forecasters working at our East Baltimore partner Just Extreme Graphics. 

ADULT SIZES    Small $26.00 USD  Medium $26.00 USD  Large $26.00 USD  Extra Large $26.00 USD  2XL + $26.00 USD 
COLORS             Classic Blue   Forest Green   Bold Black   Powderhound Purple                        
                                                         
                                                          

Giving Tuesday To support the "Bmore Gives More" movement for Giving Tuesday, we will donate $4 from each sale to two local volunteer service organizations that build civil society and improve life quality for all. 

• Gather Baltimore: A Baltimore City based service organization that repurposes unsold fresh produce from the City Farmer's market (at the Jones Falls expressway) to local populations lacking access to healthy food choices. Learn more at http://www.gatherbaltimore.com
• Decent Life Volunteers: A Lancaster City based non-profit that helps coordinate and connect faith-based volunteers with existing disaster relief projects in the U.S., and also partners with global charities to develop life necessity services for communities in rural Kenya. Learn more at http://www.decentlife.org

Foot's Forecast LLC is a Common Good Enterprise company, registered in Maryland and incorporated in Delaware. We derive no actual profit from client activities or apparel sales,  pay no salaries to any of our staff, and reinvest all funds into services for our readers and clients. 

Revenue generated is directed to expenses of our website, for liability and legal needs, and to lend support to civil society organizations and charities.

What About Winter?

EXAMINING LONG RANGE INDICATORS FOR THE 2013-14 SEASONAL KICKOFF

11/25/2013 (Winter Stormcast Team) As the first winter weather event of the season begins to take shape in the eastern U.S., we know we know many readers (especially teachers and students in the mid-Atlantic) have ONE QUESTION on their mind. This report is designed to present evidence to support one hypothesis to help answer your question. 

Forecaster Christy, a Penn State meteorology student, is wondering the same thing.

Basic synopsis for busy people

Based on our analysis of long range pattern tendencies, comparisons to previous setups prior to disruptive wintry weather, and favorable climatology, we are identifying the period of November 30 - December 10 as a time frame for the first occurrence of significant winter weather in the Mid-Atlantic. "Significant" winter weather is generally defined as a snowfall that produces 4 or more inches in a 12 hour period. 

• Climate indicators, current weather patterns and computer model trends are pointing to additional outbreaks of colder weather in the eastern U.S. 
• Three key atmospheric indices are moving in a manner which, in another 2-3 weeks, could produce an alignment that favors one or more significant winter weather events along the U.S. East Coast in early December.
• Probabilities from NOAA. This image from the Climate Prediction Center shows a probability of temperature departure from normal in the 8-14 day period ahead (currently for November 24-30) A large area of the US is expected to have 50% or greater probability of below normal temperatures in that time period, when the teleconnections noted above will begin aligning to favor storm development.
• This alignment resembles some aspects of a pattern our team observed in the 30-day period prior to the 12/5/2009  and 12/19-20/2009 Mid-Atlantic snowstorms. For a historical perspective on what we said prior to the 2009-2010 winter, visit our "What We Said, And When" posts from 11/01/2009,  11/11/2009 and "that statement" we made on January 24, 2010. 

Student meteorologists at Penn State, members of our
Pennsylvania & Mid-Atlantic Winter Forecast Teams 

ABOUT OUR FORECASTING: While our team does not make specific "forecasts" about storms weeks before they materialize, we customarily set target dates for potential stormy periods. To do this, we utilize  long range climate indicators, known in the meteorological community as "teleconnections." These quantified, observational-based reports prepared by NOAA meteorologists and other researchers around the world, are a backbone of essential analysis into signals from the atmosphere weeks before any storm develops. The objective of our Winter Stormcast Team is to provide readers with second opinions on how the upcoming winter pattern may play out, as formulated by educators, researchers and students studying meteorology. So let's play ball - winter style!

Data points for powderhounds 

Whether you are a snow-seeking student, in the transportation industry, or make the tough calls at the emergency operations center, we hypothesize that early data indicators suggest an early and strong start to winter weather in the central and eastern U.S. is more probable this year than in the previous 3 winters.

1. CRYOSPHERE (links to snowcover maps for US/Canada, Alaska & Eurasia)

• Significant Arctic Sea Ice rebound in Fall 2013  Latest figures from the NOAA National Snow and Ice Data Center show that seasonal refreezing of Arctic Sea Ice is considerably greater at present than compared to past Octobers in 2009, 2010 and 2011. Examine results on this interactive chart, which reveals the nearest analog years for similar levels of sea ice attained by October 27 are 1995, 2002, 2008.
• Snow cover in Siberia, Alaska and Canada is showing much greater extent as compared to the previous 4 Novembers. One example, compare the relatively limited coverage of snow on November 17, 2009 with the snow cover as of November 17, 2013.

2. ATMOSPHERE

• Arctic Temperatures in Summer 2013 The early and frequent cold outbreaks since mid October are continuation of a trend picked up by the Danish Meteorological Institute this past summer. The DMI monitors air temperatures along and above the Arctic Circle, among other data. Latest figures show that the normalized number of days where temperatures rise above freezing (usually about 90 days), ended the summer with less than half that number, or approximately 40. See this chart from the DMI's Centre for Ocean and Ice 
• North American teleconnections including the North Atlantic Oscillation (NAO) and Arctic Oscillation (AO) are expected to trend toward negative between mid November and early December. The Pacific-North American Index (PNA) is negative and expected to move positive. When the NAO and AO are generally negative, while the PNA is building toward positive, this alignment strengthens the likelihood of a western US "ridge" counteracted by an eastern US "trough" developing by December 1.

3. HYDROSPHERE

• Weak but rising La Nina signal in Region 3.4 heading into winter points toward what could be interpreted as a "pseudo-El Nino" signature. This indicates central Pacific sea surface temperature anomalies, though officially "neutral" have been rising since September and should continue doing so for the entire winter season. 
• Above normal sea surface temperatures in portions of the western and northern Atlantic suggest that greater evaporation of oceanic moisture into developing coastal lows is available to provide such storms with extra fuel this winter.
• Weakest Atlantic hurricane season in 45 years is one of the reasons Atlantic sea surface temperature ended the summer higher than what is normally observed.

The summary: What does all this mean?

• We DON'T expect a prolonged period of high impact winter weather such as 2009-2010 produced, because the absence of a strong El Nino signal generally removes what would have been a considerable influx of Pacific moisture into Atlantic coastal storms. 

• We DO expect storms that develop in the first part of the 2013-14 season to produce relatively higher accumulations in the eastern U.S. than has been observed in that time period (December 1 - January 15) over the past three years.

Historical note: Ten years already? 

The winter of 2013-14 will also mark a historic milestone for all of us here at Foot's Forecast. It was January 26, 2004, at the height of a three-day ice storm in the Mid-Atlantic, that our website - and this revolution in authentic local weather, first launched. In the decade since, many of you have lived with this journey with us through devastating hurricanes, crippling blizzards and in quieter times, have enjoyed meeting each other at public events from Maryland to New Orleans to Seattle.


As we approach our tenth, your collaboration in communicating weather has been an integral part in our quest to build a more civil and informed society for everyone. Though the winter ahead may present complex and unusual challenges, we will continue working to build your trust as we look for ways to sustain this effort as a common good enterprise for the benefit of all readers. 

Contributors to this report included: Forecasters Andrew Barney (PSU), Forecaster Mike Natoli (UMD), Forecaster Jason Mitchell (CSM), Advisors Jason Isaacs (GA), Keith K. (MD), Rich F.  (MD) 

Authentic local weather for a civil society

Connect with our vibrant forecasters and teams across 30+ states

NEWEST ZONE! 
Welcoming Northern West Virginia to our growing Appalachian region team.

FEATURED LOCAL & REGIONAL ZONES

• MIDWEST  Indianapolis | KC Metro | SE Wisconsin 
• SOUTHEAST Lexington | Atlanta | Central Florida
• MID-ATLANTIC Maryland Plus| Southern MD | DC Region |Pittsburgh | Southeast PA | NYC

SPECIALTY FORECAST ZONES

• COASTAL Mid-Atlantic Surf & Sail
• SEVERE Mid-Atlantic Severe Weather
• TROPICAL The Tropical Zone (Atlantic Hurricanes)

Zones Listed By Region 

NATIONAL STORMCAST | MID-ATLANTIC | SOUTHEAST | MIDWEST | WESTERN 

U.S. & International Affiliates
Northern Ireland | UK Weather 
Maryland Weather Center
WeatherOn | CirrusWeather | ConvectiveWeather

Examining Earth Hazards 
A public interest assessment of significant natural and non-natural hazards 
of concern to  scientific and emergency management communities

(September 1, 2013 - Baltimore, MD)  When out-going Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano spoke to the National Press Club in late August 2013, (C-Span Video) she shined an important light of situational awareness onto several high-risk hazards which for some, usually fall into a "low probability" column. That is, until major weather events of the past several years changed that perspective for many. Even in 2013, nations around the world continue to experience catastrophes ranging from massive floods and devastating wildfires to a historic meteor explosion in Russia and numerous other parts of the globe.

With September being National Preparedness Month in the United States, our team is bringing attention to the Secretary's presentation as evidence our government officials are paying much closer attention to the increasing threat of "Earth hazards."  Concurrently,   use of "probability" in decision-making appears to be gaining important ground across the Homeland Security enterprise. In weather forecasting and climate science, as in many scientific and governmental venues, probability plays an influential role in how intelligence is presented, and how policymakers or leaders act on the information. 

In Secretary Napolitano's remarks, she notes the following about national efforts to secure the homeland against future hazards:

"In a world of evolving threats, the key to our success is the ability to be flexible and agile, and adapt to changing circumstances on the ground – whether that is across the globe, or here at home. It means taking every necessary step to prepare for a range of potential outcomes, and understanding that if things don’t go according to plan, or the unexpected occurs, we are ready and able to shift resources and adjust operations, learn from our mistakes, and put ourselves in a position to succeed in the future."

Later in her remarks, the Secretary maps out several critical points in an "Open Letter To My Successor." Among these include references to two types of hazards, which may at first seem to be unrelated, unless the events have a single point of origin.

A major cyber-attack  "Our country will, for example, at some point, face a major cyber event that will have a serious effect on our lives, our economy, and the everyday functioning of our society."  [see 2012 DHS statement: Cyber Threats]

 

Severe weather events "You also will have to prepare for the increasing likelihood of more weather-related events of a more severe nature as a result of climate change, and continue to build the capacity to respond to potential disasters in far flung regions of the country that could occur at the same time."

How is this related to weather forecasting? 

Since our founding in 2004 as a "common good enterprise," the Foot's Forecast team has always strongly advocated a supportive relationship with local, state and federal emergency management. Our role is to augment and repurpose existing weather intelligence data into a format that is appropriately sourced, verifiable, peer-reviewed and guided by the scientific method.

Our approach has repeatedly earned invitations to work side-by-side with local and state government officials to assist during their darkest hours, such as Hurricane Sandy, as well as to collaborate and celebrate in their ground-breaking successes, such as the Baltimore Grand Prix.

When our information is presented to or requested by officials and policy-makers, it is done so in a manner to support public safety, strengthen understanding of scientific data, and scaffold around the tireless, heroic work of those who put their lives on the line to secure our nation and its institutions. We are encouraged to see how agencies such as the Department of Homeland Security have a renewed appreciation to understand and plan for Earth Hazards, as evidenced by the Secretary's remarks. 

What hazards are being examined?

Image credit: efoodsdirect.com

Ready For A New Comet?

Our interdisciplinary effort to track the latest imagery and analyses of Comet ISON, 
which has potential to be the most significant celestial event in a century. 

Source: solarsystemscope.com
Alternative hypotheses on ISON at the Youtube channel BPEarthWatch

9:30 AM EDT 8/24/2013 (Forecaster Foot) ""The farther backward you can look, the farther forward you are likely to see." This quote attributed to Winston Churchill, Prime Minister of England in the mid-20th century, is applicable today as we prepare for a major celestial show this fall. From August 2013 to January 2014, the Comet ISON (technical name C/2012 S1) will complete what some astronomers believe is its first trip into the inner solar system. ISON is one of many intriguing events in astronomy coming up including a possible impact between Comet Siding-Spring and Mars in 2014. (NASA article)

For now, we focus on the next-up thrill of ISON's gravitational adventure with a potentially spectacular fly by of Mars in October, a sling-shot around the Sun in late November daily revelry by the Winter holidays for skywatcher parties and researchers alike.

Where is the comet now? If you just want to cut to the chase, we offer these links to resources we will review and present for credible authenticity to be featured on this site: 

• Where is Comet ISON?  A month-by-month play on the location of ISON starting in August, written by the director of Armagh Planetarium in England http://www.armaghplanet.com/
• ISON to fly by Mars October 1  A brief Youtube from Science@NASA on the comet's expected near-brush with the Red Planet.

"Wait...there's a comet coming?"  No worries, this is a standard reaction we have received from just about everyone we've asked, which is encouraging evidence that many of our readers are going about their daily lives in normal fashion, and not spending too much time on a distant celestial object! That's what our Comet ISON tracking team will do for you. For a quick glance at what main stream media has said, here's a clip from NBC Nightly News in October 2012.

Source: Mirror video of NBC News report from 10/4/2012

Interested in joining our ISON journey? Over the next 5 months, we hope you will accompany us on this interplanetary journey as we will provide in this section a weekly mosaic of the best tracking and observing resources for skywatchers, new and seasoned alike! We also welcome any readers or researchers, professional or amateur, who would like to collaborate with us in this effort. We welcome analyses, links to resources you recommend, or noteworthy studies that can help us all understand the origins, path and future of this newly discovered participant in our Solar System.

Photo credit: Science@NASA

NASA simulated image of ISON for December 11, 2013 

as expected for observers along the U.S. East Coast

The relationship to climate and weather? 

The Foot's Forecast team employs an interdisciplinary "Earth Systems" perspective when conveying the latest research and observations on how global and solar system forces interact to drive our climate and weather. The upcoming comet is just one example of how we can promote celestial events to raise the public's scientific awareness about the Earth-Sun system.  

Comet ISON (C/2012 S1) was first discovered in September 2012 by two Russian astronomers conducting a night sky survey titled the International Scientific Optical Network (hence the name, ISON). From late August to late October, the Comet's first big introduction to Earth observers will approach to within 6 million miles of Mars, followed by ISON's perihelion to the Sun in late November.  This period of closest approach is also expected to coincide with an anticipated "flip" of the Sun's electromagnetic field. As part of our Long Range Team's customary data preparation for the winter forecast, we will be examining these factors as we look ahead to the seasonal transition and what weather challenges may come.

ISON Resources For Educators 

Just as important as the long range scientific connections, is the potential educational value of this global experience. We encourage all teachers at all levels of instruction to consider ways they can leverage this opportunity to raise student awareness about interactive natural forces, with ISON blazing the trail of knowledge forward for all of us.

For starters, we offer these excellent and informative Youtube videos from a variety of reasoned, appropriate or official sources:

• NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory Orbital simulators of ISONs journey, from the JPL Near Earth Object Program.
• NASA Eyes on the Solar System Downloadable desktop visualization lab to explore near space, the Solar System, Comets and other celestial features.
• BPEarthWatch Informative and investigative astronomy enthusiast on Youtube. Presents an overview of 3D model simulators of the Comet and inner solar system, analysis of latest ISON photography from the Hubble Space Telescope. Explores a variety of thought-provoking observations on the Comet's recent activity.
• Comet Imagery Viewer Interactive portal of Hubble images from ISON, where you can adjust settings to view the Comet from different perspectives.
• Solar System Scope Free online simulator, provides visually striking and high-detail user controlled interactivity of all planets in the Solar System, with thematic music. Useful for showing relationships between planets, orbits and ISON's path.

What are next steps for interested skywatchers?

If you have interest in participating with us on this fascinating journey of interdisciplinary science, with ISON as our literal and figurative backdrop, contact us: team@footsforecast.org  and we will put you in touch with our Space Weather Team.

Commemorating Forecaster Greg "Winterman" Jackson

At the 2013 Maryland State BBQ Bash in Bel Air

4:15 PM 8/16 (Senior Advisor & Founder Mr. Foot) As we approach the start of school for grade level and college students alike, it is with mixed emotions that our Mid-Atlantic Team wishes to update our readers on a change in leadership. 

Greg Jackson, our Mid-Atlantic Director, and long-time member of the Foot's Forecast Team, has been offered a promotion from his summer internship to into what will become a full time position with an Environmental consulting firm. Thus, he is resigning from his role with us to prepare for this exciting and major career-building opportunity. Our Leadership Team was first notified of Greg's decision on Friday, August 2 and we have prepared this special statement to accompany his resignation letter below.

A rainy outdoor video forecast in March 2011

Our mixed emotions over Greg's departure stem from the fact he is one of the original founding members of our team, joining just days before the historic December 2009 Blizzard. Those of you who have been long time readers, or only recently joined us may also know him as "Forecaster Winterman." His dedication to building collaborating across our entire team has strengthened the foundation that started with the Maryland Team, and has now grown to a membership nearing 100 across over 30 states. 

A meeting with Founder Mr. Foot and Carroll County Public School Officials

Greg's life example should be a motivator for all students whom have had an interest in joining our team. He went from a mild-mannered high school junior in 2009 to providing consult to Maryland Emergency Management, Ocean City, Baltimore County,the Bel Air Downtown Alliance, and countless other organizations which have followed our website and Facebook updates over the years. Not too bad a resume for someone under 21. Greg had the fire to learn science and serve the public. We think there are many more like him just waiting for an opportunity to shine. Greg would say, "Don't wait-- go get it now, while you have the chance."  

Below, we have included the text of his resignation letter as well, but we keep reminding him that it is a "promotion" not a "reduction" ! Being offered an advancement from an internship at an environmental firm within his major is a 100% fulfillment of the mission of the Foot's Forecast Team.

That mission is to create career opportunities for young professionals who have a passion for communicating science to the public. Greg is a living testimony to that mission, and our entire team salutes him on this next step forward in his journey to securing a future among professional scientists. 

Rich Foot, Founder and Advisor

Keith Krichinsky, Executive Director 

Brad Lear, Chief Financial Officer/Senior Advisor

Thursday, August 15, 2013

Dear Friends and Readers:

This is a message I never wanted to write, but right now is unfortunately necessary.  As of Friday, August 16, 2013 I will have resigned from all positions within Foot’s Forecast. 

Over the course of this summer I have had an environmental internship, and this past week was offered a continuation to work part time at school over the fall semester.  With this continuation my semester will be extremely busy with classwork, starting research, and working as a student ambassador.  In turn, I must make this sacrifice to accept this continuation in the career field I am pursuing.

Over the past 4 years I have been with Foot’s Forecast I have been given the opportunity to grow in my roles as leader, forecaster, and also as a person. Every day was a new day, and with those new days presented new challenges.  These challenges ranged from a tough morning forecast for afternoon storms, or managing forecaster staffing needs for a busy weather weekend.  

I can’t say every challenge was easy, but almost every challenge was made easier because of all of you, our fans.  You all were the motivation for the mornings I woke up 30-45 minutes earlier in high school to assemble by 6:30 AM a thorough morning forecast for anyone heading out the door.  You all were the reason our team came together for so many weather events to keep you informed so you could make the safest decision possible.  

There are a few events on our team that I will never forget. One is January 28, 2011 in Central MD where over 6 inches of snow fell in less than 3 hours, This left the major highways at complete gridlock with many thousands of commuters immobilized. The Foot’s Forecast Maryland Team collaborated from early in the morning to late that night, including an important message to our fans to be “off the roads no later than 4pm." By 5pm many roads were impassable, and much of the Baltimore metro region shut down. After the event we heard from so many of you who heeded our warnings.

Another memorable event Hurricane Sandy in October 2012. Our team worked for 48 hours+ with emergency managers around the region, and stayed up with all of you while the storm was in progress. I personally stayed up overnight to work with our staff and to assure all our readers being affected were kept informed with the most updated details.  

It's clear to me that those we have to thank the most are our readers and fans. As a company devoted to the common good, we would not be where we are today. 

Your support has allowed me to grow as a leader in this organization over the past 4 years. Through the opportunities I have been given, from starting in December 2009 as Forecaster Winterman in through Central Maryland Lead Forecaster, to Pennsylvania Team Leader, and more recently, Mid-Atlantic Director position, I thank all of you for the motivation to take risks when needed, and be ready to take the next step. 

Today, I take that next step towards my career, though I shall never forget the years with Foot’s Forecast. It will be exciting to watch how the company will continue to expand and grow in the years ahead, and I know all of you are in good hands with an excellent team, while will cherish the many great moments that led us all here, together.

Best wishes,

Greg Jackson

With Fusion Photographer Emily Rund, Strategic Media Director Diandre Williams
 and Company Spokesperson Aaron Salter at the University of Maryland-Baltimore County