C/S TX Weather: Seasonal with some rains

[Portastorm]

WFAA is reporting that apparently we have gone from level 2A to 2B in the last hour. That means Level 3 (Blackouts will occur) is about to occur if the power drain doesn't stop.

Geez ...

[somethingfunny]

WFAA is reporting that apparently we have gone from level 2A to 2B in the last hour. That means Level 3 (Blackouts will occur) is about to occur if the power drain doesn't stop.

Geez ...

I wonder how much electricity is used by televisions watching WFAA.

[gboudx]

We got this email about 30 mins ago here at work. We've already implemented some conservation steps by only using emergency overhead lighting. Now we're powering down unused servers and equipment in our labs.

This message is to inform you that ERCOT has now issued a Level 2A Utility Alert for the State of Texas. They are calling for additional conservation measures, and have indicated that rolling utility outages are a real possibility this afternoon. Note that there is one additional Level (2B) before a Level 3 alert that initiates rolling outages.
Please be prepared to possibly evacuate the buildings should power be off for an extended period of time.
Lab Managers, please assist by powering off any equipment that is currently unused.
Thank you for your cooperation during these difficult and challenging times.

[Portastorm]

FYI, we set records today at both Mabry (107) and ABIA (105).

[Shoshana]

FYI, we set records today at both Mabry (107) and ABIA (105).

I thought we would. Current reading at our house is 110.9F

In other news, from ERCOT

At 15:42, ERCOT AT EEA 2B - HIGH PROBABILITY OF ROTATING OUTAGES AT THIS TIME. ERCOT IS ASKING CONSUMERS AND BUSINESSES TO REDUCE ELECTRICITY USAGE.

The link will take you to ERCOT's operations messages.

[Portastorm]

Mark Murray, a good TV weather guy here in Austin, tweeted this afternoon that the state's climatologist said July 2011 was the warmest month on record for Texas.

[Shoshana]

From the AP

The Climate Prediction Center issued a La Nina watch on Thursday, just two months after announcing the last La Nina had ended. The weather pattern is marked by a cooling of the tropical Pacific Ocean and it typically results in less rain for southern states.

La Ninas contributed to the worst drought in Texas history, in the 1950s. Nearly three-quarters of the state is currently in what the U.S. Drought Monitor classifies as the worst stage of drought.

The Climate Prediction Center is calling for neutral conditions through fall but "neutral or La Nina equally likely thereafter."

NOOOOOOO!!!!!

KXAN is also reporting that APD has issued a warning that coyotes are out killing more cats and small dogs because of the drought. So keep those cats and small dogs inside!

We have a dog, and while she is not small by any means (45lbs) and we always go outside with her when she wants to go out into the back yard, we do our best to make sure she doesn't have to go out after dark. If she does need to go out we go turn on the outside lights then go outside first with flashlights and make sure there are no critters in the yard like skunks, possums etc. We haven't seen coyotes in our yard tho.

[~FlipFlopGirl~]

I don't know about coyotes- I know roaches are trying to invade my yard and now my home- I moved the dog food from the tree they are nested in and now they trying to get inside- - I sprayed the tree one night and say about 20 or so fly up the tree- So creepy- I smelt a skunk very close - And we do not live in a rural area- I have definetly noticed a change in the animals hanging around this summer

[Shoshana]

We live in the city (Austin) and have had skunks and possums in the yard and have seen armadillos and a snapping turtle ambling down our sidewalk. Feral hogs were on surrounding streets till they invaded the nearby primary school and started chasing the kids walking to school. Then Fish n Wildlife took care of them.

Two years ago and last year we had skunks in the yard every night during the summer - we haven't seen sign of any this summer. I think our yard is just gotten so bad the grubs have moved out!

We used to hear coyotes when we first moved in, but they moved on as more houses were built.

A neighbor said he saw a mountain lion/cougar on a trail about a mile away but since I haven't heard anything else I don't know what to think. They just aren't seen here. But there is that one that migrated from N Dakota to Conn tho. I do believe that's what he thinks he saw.

We haven't seen more bugs outside - we are careful to not keep any water out there even tho some people do for the birds.

[somethingfunny]

[Portastorm]

Saw a couple of interesting items on Twitter this morning, including:

* As of 8:30 a.m., demand for power in Texas is exceeding the forecasted load by ERCOT. Should this trend continue, I bet we'll get to that emergency level 2B quicker than we did yesterday afternoon. Brownouts or blackouts will be likely.

* Folks at SMU were told there will be no warning if the power is shut off. For those of us working on computers, save your docs early and often!

[gboudx]

Rolling blackouts will be a nightmare should they occur near rush hour if traffic lights are shut off. As soon as they say they are starting rolling blackouts, I'm leaving.

[Tireman4]

Rolling blackouts will be a nightmare should they occur near rush hour if traffic lights are shut off. As soon as they say they are starting rolling blackouts, I'm leaving.

Yeah, I am thinking it will definitely happen. I mean this heat is worse your way (Dallas-Fort Worth) than ours ( and that is not saying much). I have my A/C on 77 with a dehumidifier and that is all that is running. I am trying at my house.

[gboudx]

Saw a couple of interesting items on Twitter this morning, including:

* As of 8:30 a.m., demand for power in Texas is exceeding the forecasted load by ERCOT. Should this trend continue, I bet we'll get to that emergency level 2B quicker than we did yesterday afternoon. Brownouts or blackouts will be likely.

* Folks at SMU were told there will be no warning if the power is shut off. For those of us working on computers, save your docs early and often!

If you don't mind, what Twitter accounts did you see those on? I want to give our lab manager a head's up.

[Portastorm]

Saw a couple of interesting items on Twitter this morning, including:

* As of 8:30 a.m., demand for power in Texas is exceeding the forecasted load by ERCOT. Should this trend continue, I bet we'll get to that emergency level 2B quicker than we did yesterday afternoon. Brownouts or blackouts will be likely.

* Folks at SMU were told there will be no warning if the power is shut off. For those of us working on computers, save your docs early and often!

If you don't mind, what Twitter accounts did you see those on? I want to give our lab manager a head's up.

I'm just using Twitter and doing a search for "Ercot" ... all kinds of interesting stuff comes up! Make sure you search for "all" and not just the "top" tweets. It may take a minute or two extra but it is worth wading through the chaff for the good stuff you might not otherwise see.

[Portastorm]

The actual Ercot Twitter account is this: @ERCOT_ISO

[gboudx]

Thanks. Most recent I saw is:

ERCOT_ISO ERCOT
Reminder - Consumers asked to conserve electricity 3-7 pm ercot.com/news/press_rel…

pct4constable Precinct 4 Constable
ERCOT is reporting normal conditions and there are no alerts at this time. Conservation is still encouraged.

[gboudx]

Aug 05 2011 15:15:33 CST At 15:10, ERCOT AT EEA 1 - RESERVES BELOW 2300 MW. NO ROTATING OUTAGES AT THIS TIME.

This is the level where they ask businesses and consumers to conserve electricity by turning off unnecessary lights, appliances, etc. Next step is asking factories to shutdown.

[Shoshana]

Austin: Friday Day 52 100+

Day 20 in a row. 100+

Day 10 105+

Day 5 in a row 105+

106 at Mabry (record) and 103 Bergstrom (not record)

You can also see ERCOT messages here

And track Austin blackouts here

[Rgv20]

12zECMWF&GFS are in excellent agreement on the 500mb pattern over Texas the next 7 days....anybody care to guess what both models show???


The Ridge Rules!!