Much milder temps. this weekend than the last two but also wet. Showers will affect the area parts of Sat. morning lifting northward through the day with a warm front pushing most of the rain into SE Ga. as we go through the afternoon. Then an approaching cold front will trigger widespread showers & maybe an isolated t'storm late Sat. through the night into early Sun. Everyone will get rain with heaviest amounts over SE Ga. averaging 1-2", locally 2-3" while amounts avg. a half inch to an inch, locally 1-2" across NE Fl. As the storm moves away Sun., west winds will crank averaging 15-25 mph but with gusts more than 30 mph. But temps. will stay mild as the cold air is trapped in Canada. That'll leave us with a nice Martin Luther King Day.
The rain & milder temps. are all part of the big pattern change that will last the better part of the rest of the month. It'll mean some heavy rain & huge mountain snows for Ca. with the potential for flooding in LA & San Diego. We'll likely see a "step down" of sorts the last 5-7 days of the month as the jet streams (polar & subtropical) try to phase again & colder air seeps back into the Northern U.S. So -- NO -- winter is far from done(!).
Speaking of active winter storms:
NOAA Dispatches High-Tech Research Plane to Improve Winter Storm Forecasts
NOAA’s Gulfstream IV aircraft, known for investigating Atlantic hurricanes, will begin flying over the North Pacific Ocean to fill gaps in atmospheric observations, which will enhance forecasts of winter storms for the entire North American continent through improved computer modeling.
The highly specialized twin turbofan jet will be stationed at Yokota Air Force Base in Japan through February before repositioning to Honolulu in March. From these locations, the aircraft will be tasked by the National Centers for Environmental Prediction — a division of NOAA’s National Weather Service — to fly into data sparse regions to collect information such as wind speed and direction, pressure, temperature and humidity. This data will be sent via satellite to global operational weather forecasting centers — and fed into sophisticated computer forecast models.
“These flights will help us better observe and understand the current state of the atmosphere over the Pacific, where most of North America’s weather originates, in order to better predict future conditions across the U.S. and Canada three to six days in advance,” said Louis Uccellini, Ph.D., director of the National Centers for Environmental Prediction in Camp Springs, Md.
These computer model improvements will play an essential role in meteorological support for the Winter Olympics in Vancouver in addition to more precise precipitation forecasts along the U.S. West Coast and points further east.
NOAA incorporated the Japan-based missions into its annual Winter Storms Reconnaissance program in early 2009 — flying 332 flight hours and logging miles equivalent to circling the Earth five times. Prior to 2009, missions were flown from Alaska, Hawaii and the U.S. West Coast. By expanding the reach across the International Date Line to Japan, NOAA is essentially pushing farther upstream to observe areas of interest with greater lead times.
These missions showed significant positive impact to global numerical weather prediction models, increasing both accuracy and lead times for high-impact weather events. For example, model forecasts of precipitation amounts improved, on average, 10 to 15 percent.
The high altitude, high speed NOAA Gulfstream IV is based at the NOAA Aircraft Operations Center, located at MacDill Air Force Base in Tampa, Fla.
From our Coast Guard:
Cold temperatures cause unseen damage to boats
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – The Coast Guard is reminding boaters to thoroughly inspect their vessels before getting underway as cold weather continues along the First Coast.
Florida’s recent cold temperatures may result in unforeseen boat damage, leaving recreational boaters disabled, or worse, in distress.
Frozen hoses, damaged wires and strainers blocked with ice are a few examples of why it is important to perform a safety inspection before getting underway on your vessel. Although frozen hoses and wires may have thawed, cracks and water damage to an electrical system could prove harmful to your vessel’s engine or bilge systems.
It is not uncommon for cold-weather damage to have a delayed effect on your vessel’s engine, resulting in problems arising when you may be far from shore.
In addition, warmer daytime temperate are misleading. Inland and near-shore water temperatures are approximately 45-50 degrees and night-time air temperatures may still drop below freezing.
If you plan on taking your vessel out for the day, plan on bringing warm clothing, extra blankets and a lifejacket for all people onboard. During an emergency, being stranded in cold weather can quickly lead to a dangerous situation.
For information about vessel inspections and boating safety please visit the website here.
It's Air Potato Roundup time on the First Coast with events scheduled for Sat., Jan. 16th -- click here.
Though wet, temps. will be mild this weekend & it won't be raining all the time -- head to the Jax Zoo & Gardens for $1 train rides!
ALL ABOARD! CSX $1 Train Days at the Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens
January 16 – 17, 2010
Jacksonville, FL – This Saturday and Sunday, January 16 and 17, Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens will hold its annual CSX Train Days promotion. For these two days the Zoo will only charge $1 per person for train rides, sponsored by CSX Corporation. CSX employees will act as honorary train conductors for part of the two-day period.
CSX Corporation, based in Jacksonville, Fla., is one of the leading transportation companies, providing rail, intermodal and rail-to-truck transload services. The company's transportation network spans 21,000 miles, with service to 23 eastern states and the District of Columbia, and connects to more than 70 ocean, river and lake ports.
Have a good & safe weekend!
