Articles about Meteorology
It’s So Hot That …
You know how hot it is? It’s so hot that when you’re welding the Museum Tower together, you’ll take shade from a big ol’ gay pride umbrella. (photo by Elizabeth Lavin)
Leading Off (7/18/11)
Hundreds Rally In Support of John Wiley Price: Some of the 800 supporters who turned out at St. Luke Community United Methodist Church to rally for County Commissioner John Wiley Price, currently being investigated by the FBI, waved signs calling for justice. Can’t argue with that.
Third Earthquake Hits Ellis Country Since June: Economic pundits say Texas is the new California, but I don’t think this is what they have in mind.
Locked-Out Football Players Continue to Find Creative Ways to Kill Time: Tony Romo came in second over the weekend at the American Century Celebrity Golf Championship near Lake Tahoe. Meanwhile, the Colts’ Jerry Hughes and former Cowboy Stephen Hodge, along with fellow TCU alum, Cory Grant, were arrested for public intoxication in downtown Dallas early Sunday morning.
It’s Hot: Which is great for algae growth, if not the taste of tap water. Shorelines are shrinking, and don’t expect anything changing anytime soon. We’re now trapped in a “heat dome.”
When Tornadoes Touch Down Everywhere …
… and sirens are going off and other meteorologists at other stations are using words like “safe place,” “seek shelter” and “get off the road,” it’s nice to see that WFAA has its priorities straight, and gives Dallas what it really needs: Dancing with the Stars.
At this point, tornadoes may have touched down near 75 and Mockingbird. Funnel clouds were sighted (or rotation, at least) in the Park Cities. Storm systems that produced giantish hail are headed toward the Ballpark in Arlington, where thousands of fans sit, waiting for a rain delay to end. And yet, Dancing with the Stars is what WFAA saw fit to air.
I have an e-mail out to the station now, but don’t expect an answer until tomorrow, if at all. But given that Pete Delkus and crew seem to live for this kind of stuff, going so far as to send a member to Joplin, Mo., this week, not following storms that are actually, you know, local, seems weird.
An Allegedly Particularly Fearsome Tornado Threat Heads This Way
In the next couple of hours or so, the giant red, yellow blue, green and orange globs you see will be heading to the area, which has prompted the National Weather Service to issue a Tornado Watch for the area. But not just any watch – this one has been given the PDS distinction – Particularly Dangerous Situation. You can read more about it here, here, and here.
So far, the gauge I use to determine how bad it really is hasn’t been on screen – Pete Delkus’ shirtsleeves status is still a mystery, and Oprah is on. So either it’s not that bad yet, or Oprah is way more powerful than Forbes lets on. But just the same, I would load the bathtub up with creamed corn and tuna, get your mattress and protective headgear ready, and maybe put on some nice clothes so when Anderson Cooper gets here later you look good on TV.
In all seriousness, though, as we’ve learned from the horrific damage and death toll from the Joplin and Tuscaloosa tornadoes, they don’t just hit the rural areas. And since this thing is looking like it might just hit while all of you are coming home, drive safely. Don’t make me call roll tomorrow morning.
October’s Margaret Hunt Hill Bridge Launch Party Postponed
Rumors that the October dedication of the Margaret Hunt Hill Bridge would be postponed were confirmed today by organizers. Seems winds, rain and other Pete Delkus-type problems were blamed for the delay.
Event planners are considering March for the new date. How about March 2, Texas Independence Day? Or is that too optimistic?
Tuesday Hypothetical: Save Our Summer
You are approached by a man — for expediency and clarity, I shall hereafter refer to this man as LaMetrius — who says that he can promise you that the temperature outside will never be greater than 75 degrees and will never be lower than 42. LaMetrius further stipulates that there will only be a few scattered (but mostly unobtrusive) clouds, and the humidity will similarly be negligible. Plus, LaMetrius says, there will always be a light breeze.
Of course, LaMetrius smiles, there are some conditions. Three conditions.
Leading Off (4/25/11)
Rain Good, Lightning Bad For North Texas Wildfires: Saturday saw four inches of rain fall in some parts of North Texas. Possum Kingdom Lake got a little more than an inch, which helped quell some of the fires. Yet the 17 new blazes also started Saturday. Last night brought more Olympian tears and lightning rage from Zeus, as he continues his efforts to burn Texas to a crisp as part of his ongoing war with Chuck Norris.
This Evening, Mavs Will Try to Prove That They Aren’t the Worst Team to Root For in All of Sports: Are the little Mavs soft? Are they the most notorious chokers in NBA history? Will Dirk’s hall of fame career be forever overshadowed by fourth quarter playoff impotence? Tune in tonight for another maddening episode of As The Portland Series’ Tide Turns.
Cruise With Cowboys Cheerleaders Canceled, Cruisers Upset: I suppose if you are Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders-obsessed then it is a shame that you spent good money for a chance to take a cruise with the cheerleaders only to have the buxom broads cancel. But what really fascinates me about this story is the list of other similarly themed cruises. I guess it makes sense that there are Star Trek-themed cruises, but Little House on the Prairie cruises? Or cruises featuring guest passenger Donald Rumsfeld? That sounds like Reality TV gold.
City Council Food Truck Vote This Week: The Dallas City Council will vote on food trucks this week, and it looks like it will be a go for zoning changes allowing the portable eateries to operate in the Arts District and in a section of Lower Greenville Avenue. Next step: allow trucks to operate anywhere they darn well please.
If WFAA Wants To Know About School Closures, They Will Come Find You
WFAA, during its 5 p.m. broadcast, did a rundown of districts that closed today, and what their plans might be for Thursday. One of those districts? Dallas ISD, where they apparently showed up at district spokesman Jon Dahlander’s house, dragged him out to the front yard in his pajamas and his wife’s coat, and then asked him if the district was ready to make a decision about tomorrow.
The answer? Not yet.
Difference of Opinion on Why Attitudes & Attire Luncheon is Postponed Again
The Attitudes & Attire Luncheon and Fashion Show (pictured) benefiting women in need was scheduled for yesterday at the Dallas Trade Mart. Alas, it was postponed to Friday because of the Super Bowl Freezer. A&A’s pr lady, Heidi McKinley, just sent word that the luncheon has once again been postponed. The reason?
“Unfortunately, the Dallas Trade Mart remains closed due to broken pipes and flooding. Who could have predicted?”
Talked with the Dallas Trade Mart’s pr princess, Meredith Hite, who was mystified by the news of “broken pipes and flooding.” She replied, “I don’t know about that. We’re open for business. I’ll look into it.” Within seconds, Meredith was back on the horn reporting there were no broken pipes or flooding. Yes, the luncheon was indeed postponed but because of weather conditions. Regardless of the reason, the luncheon is now scheduled for Friday, February 25, at the Dallas Trade Mart.
Are All the Weather Forecasters Lying?
Comes news that we may get up two 2 inches of snow now. But have you looked at the forecast? They’re saying tomorrow’s high will be in the low 30s. Then, like magic, the high temperature is supposed to leap up 20 degrees for Super Bowl Saturday and Sunday before it again plummets 20 degrees, back into the 30s. I think Jerry Jones has struck a deal with the meteorology community to lie about how warm it will be this weekend, working on the premise that perception is reality. If enough believe that the weekend will be nice, then it’ll be nice.
A less resourceful billionaire might have spent a lot of money to build a giant flux capacitor that would change the weather pattern around North Texas. Not Jerry. Instead, for what I estimate to be just a few thousand dollars in bribes, he’s getting inside our heads. He’s using our brains to change the weather.
Well played, Jerry. Well played.
Dallas Becomes Super Tent City
Despite the freezing temperatures and the downfall of the Cotton Bowl tent, Dallas seems to have sprouted tents on every street corner. Checked out one last night and it looked like the remnants of Ice Station Zebra.
Just wondering how they’re going to keep the party tents warm and cozy to satisfy big-buck-paying patrons.
First Super Bowl Freezer Casualty — Tent at the Cotton Bowl, Ctd.
Just heard from Ariana Hajibashi, who is handling the pr for the XLV Party Tent situation:
“Yes, the tent team was there to analyze the situation and bring it down and then the forces of nature brought it down faster.
“Yea, well, things happen for a reason…half of our line-up was coming in from New York and Chicago and a lot of flights were canceled today. Also, anyone who did buy tickets to Thursday (and it was more than the 13..that number was just used as an example) will be offered a full refund or the opportunity to attend either Friday or Saturday with two additional general admission tickets.”
Translation: They planned to relieve the tent of her snow top, but the tent decided not to wait. The good news is that there were no injuries.
First Super Bowl Freezer Casualty — Tent at the Cotton Bowl
Thanks to the snow, sleet and “stuff,” the middle of the Cotton Bowl’s mammoth tent just caved. The crews are on the scene trying to figure how to recover the situation for the nights of scheduled parties.
At least they won’t have to worry about getting it erect for the Thursday night concert with the Village People. It was canceled due to only 13 tickets being sold.
UPDATE: Here is video thanks to WFAA of the downed tent.
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