Texas winter wx thread (2009-2010)

[txagwxman]

Most weather people on TV don't have degrees in meteorology.

[Bigdeewxguy]

Most weather people on TV don't have degrees in meteorology.

I see, well that explains alot.

[HockeyTx82]

Most weather people on TV don't have degrees in meteorology.

Why is that? So what do they do, just read models like we do and just spit it up on the screen? So what is a Chief Met?

[Nederlander]

Most weather people on TV don't have degrees in meteorology.

Why is that? So what do they do, just read models like we do and just spit it up on the screen? So what is a Chief Met?

All the ones locally around here do.. Ive been suspicious about the people on the Weather Channel though..

[txagwxman]

Thanks wxman...I'll keep looking at the next set of runs. That sure was a wake up though!

...ukmet not cold enough for N. Florida it seems...may get a flurry in N. Louisiana on Sat morning.

[txagwxman]

Most weather people on TV don't have degrees in meteorology.

Why is that? So what do they do, just read models like we do and just spit it up on the screen? So what is a Chief Met?

All the ones locally around here do.. Ive been suspicious about the people on the Weather Channel though..

Not in Houston...although a few do...some don't. Although you don't need a degree to become a good forecaster.

Some at the TWC do have degrees, some don't. I used to work there a long time ago.

[HockeyTx82]

Most weather people on TV don't have degrees in meteorology.

Why is that? So what do they do, just read models like we do and just spit it up on the screen? So what is a Chief Met?

All the ones locally around here do.. Ive been suspicious about the people on the Weather Channel though..

Do what? Have degrees? What about the weather channel? I am confused as to what you mean.

[katheria]

[/quote=That being said I don't see anything that says we would have to pay. It's a volunteer thing so I would think not on our end. Anyone ever gone to one of these classes?[/quote]

OT: yes for the last 8 years......No fee at all, if you have never been i really suggest going....
you will learn a ton about severe weather....if you have never been...(depending on your present knowledge...)

there are two types of classes:
Basic and advanced...different areas may offer both at the same day which is about 8 hours...
basic class is 2-4 hours...

this class certifies you as a Skywarn spotter with the NWS....if you want that. there are tests to take...if not just go and learn everything you can.....

if you want you can get involved even further in your local area, there are several groups that work with city emergency management groups...
RACES is one of them..

to really be involved you will need to also get a Ham Radio, and a License...(alot of studying)

[HockeyTx82]

[/quote=That being said I don't see anything that says we would have to pay. It's a volunteer thing so I would think not on our end. Anyone ever gone to one of these classes?

OT: yes for the last 8 years......No fee at all, if you have never been i really suggest going....
you will learn a ton about severe weather....if you have never been...(depending on your present knowledge...)

there are two types of classes:
Basic and advanced...different areas may offer both at the same day which is about 8 hours...
basic class is 2-4 hours...

this class certifies you as a Skywarn spotter with the NWS....if you want that. there are tests to take...if not just go and learn everything you can.....

if you want you can get involved even further in your local area, there are several groups that work with city emergency management groups...
RACES is one of them..

to really be involved you will need to also get a Ham Radio, and a License...(alot of studying)

Cool deal, where did you get this info? I will be at the one in Denton for sure this Saturday. Anyone else?

[txagwxman]

Houston won't see anything with this system on Monday...the low is too weak now, and not enough cold air to play with...just a cold rain.

[Storm Tracker SA-CS]

Houston won't see anything with this system on Monday...the low is too weak now, and not enough cold air to play with...just a cold rain.

so are there any more chances of wintry precipitation in central or SE texas this winter, or will I have to wait until next winter?

[txagwxman]

Houston won't see anything with this system on Monday...the low is too weak now, and not enough cold air to play with...just a cold rain.

so are there any more chances of wintry precipitation in central or SE texas this winter, or will I have to wait until next winter?

Ain't over yet...but looking slimmer with time...still have to watch N. TX on Monday.

[HockeyTx82]

Houston won't see anything with this system on Monday...the low is too weak now, and not enough cold air to play with...just a cold rain.

so are there any more chances of wintry precipitation in central or SE texas this winter, or will I have to wait until next winter?

Ain't over yet...but looking slimmer with time...still have to watch N. TX on Monday.

[katheria]

Skywarn:

http://www.weather.gov/skywarn/
http://www.skywarn.org/default.htm


RACES:

http://www.qsl.net/races/

Denton County Group:

http://www.denton-ares.org/

Online Training(give ya a idea) has not been updated since 2007, but a good starting point...still go to the class....

http://www.spotterguides.us/

[srainhoutx]

Houston won't see anything with this system on Monday...the low is too weak now, and not enough cold air to play with...just a cold rain.

Yep. No RECON tasked for the Pacific at this time...

000
NOUS42 KNHC 251700
WEATHER RECONNAISSANCE FLIGHTS
CARCAH, NATIONAL HURRICANE CENTER, MIAMI, FL.
1200 PM EST THU 25 FEBRUARY 2010
SUBJECT: WINTER STORM PLAN OF THE DAY (WSPOD)
VALID 26/1100Z TO 27/1100Z FEBRUARY 2010
WSPOD NUMBER.....09-087

I. ATLANTIC REQUIREMENTS
1. NEGATIVE RECONNAISSANCE REQUIREMENTS.
2. SUCCEEDING DAY OUTLOOK.....NEGATIVE

II. PACIFIC REQUIREMENTS
1. NEGATIVE RECONNAISSANCE REQUIREMENTS.
2. OUTLOOK FOR SUCCEEDING DAY.....NEGATIVE.
JWP

[DentonGal]

[/quote]Ain't over yet...but looking slimmer with time...still have to watch N. TX on Monday.[/quote]
That makes Dentongal H*A*P*P*Y

[wxman57]

I agree, our chances (Houston) of any more winter precip are diminishing quickly. Can't rule it out, as we have had some snow even well into March on at least one occasion. For now, it looks like we can enjoy cold rain with temps in the 40s for the next few weeks. It's about time to move over to the Talkin' Tropics forum to get ready for hurricane season. I think things are shaping up for a very active 2010 season in the Atlantic Basin.

[Extremeweatherguy]

Why is that? So what do they do, just read models like we do and just spit it up on the screen? So what is a Chief Met?

All the ones locally around here do.. Ive been suspicious about the people on the Weather Channel though..

Not in Houston...although a few do...some don't. Although you don't need a degree to become a good forecaster.

Some at the TWC do have degrees, some don't. I used to work there a long time ago.

Yeah, most of the mets in Houston tend to have Mississippi State certificates..which are not equivalent to a meteorology degree.

Here is what I found when I took a peek at their bios...

KHOU
Gene Norman (chief met) - Has a bachelors degree from MIT and a masters degree in meteorology from the University of Maryland.
David Paul - Has a bachelors degree in English from the University of Texas and a Bachelors degree in Geo-Science from Mississippi state.
Mario Gomez - Has a bachelors degree in meteorology from the University of Colorado.

KPRC
Frank Billingsley (chief met) - Has a broadcast meteorology certificate from Mississippi state. He also graduated from Washington and Lee Universities, but does not have meteorology-related degrees from those institutions.
Anthony Yanez - Has a broadcast meteorology certificate from Mississippi state. He also graduated from the University of New Mexico, but does not have a meteorology-related degree from that institution.

KTRK
Tim Heller (chief met) - Has a broadcast meteorology certificate from Mississippi state. He also holds a Bachelors degree in Communications from Clarke College.
David Tillman - Has a bachelors degree in meteorology from Jackson State University.
Casey Curry - Has a broadcast meteorology certificate from Mississippi state. She also holds a Bachelors degree in Journalism from the University of Colorado.
Travis Herzog - Has a Bachelors degree in meteorology from Texas A&M (also graduated with a 4.0 GPA).

[Ntxw]

wxman57 - I think it should be noted that the NAM was the most accurate model in forecasting dfw's biggest 24 hour snowfall a few weeks ago. Over the past few winters, at least across North Texas, I've found the NAM to be more accurate for snowfall predictions than most models.

I certainly don't remember it that way (though I'm not 100% sure I remember everything from prior to that event). I remember plotting the NAM the morning of the event and it showed the air to be too warm for snow. And it did a poor job with the snow earlier this week. It looks like the NAM is under-forecasting the snow and the GFS tends to over-forecast a bit. With the Dallas snow, the GFS initially (Monday) was forecasting a band of 8-10" across the area. Then it kind of lost the precip and dropped the forecast to 3-6".

As a matter of fact, I happened to have saved a NAM forecast from the day before the heavy snow event. It showed temps in the mid to upper 30s and only about 1/4" liquid equivalent precip. There may have been one or two runs where the NAM showed higher precip in the D-FW area than the GFS, but I think the GFS beat the NAM in that event.

FWIW, my avatar is from the NAM the night before that event. I can't recall which run though.

[txagwxman]

I agree, our chances (Houston) of any more winter precip are diminishing quickly. Can't rule it out, as we have had some snow even well into March on at least one occasion. For now, it looks like we can enjoy cold rain with temps in the 40s for the next few weeks. It's about time to move over to the Talkin' Tropics forum to get ready for hurricane season. I think things are shaping up for a very active 2010 season in the Atlantic Basin.

Yes, with nino fading, and sea surface temps above normal all across eastern Atlantic basin, could be a much more interesting season. But who really knows for sure.