Dayhoff Soundtrack: Weather

Showing posts with label Weather. Show all posts

Saturday, March 17, 2007

20070317 Presidential limo okay after motorcade mishap in snow

Presidential limo okay after motorcade mishap in snow

Fortunately the mishap did not involve the presidential limo – pictured above.

Spring can some anytime now

March 17^th, 2007

True to form for Maryland weather, after a couple of mild days in which I actually saw some folks gallivanting-about in their short sleeves; Friday’s weather sure was a wake up call that winter is not quite over and we live in Maryland.

In Maryland, if you don’t happen to like the weather one day – just wait 24 hours, it is sure to change.

I really did not have to go out in the frozen mess on Friday. I was just a happy to enjoy a snow day and do some much needed and overdue research for some upcoming columns.

Pictured above are some images I captured late Friday evening of the snow monsters that dutifully prowl the Westminster streets during a snow event.

It looks like one of the vehicles in the presidential motorcade heading up to Camp David had a bit of a mishap: “President OK after vehicle in motorcade crashes.”

Fortunately the mishap did not involve the presidential limo – pictured at the top of this story.

####

Thursday, March 08, 2007

20070308 Fog

Fog

March 8^th, 2007

Westminster’s early morning “rush hour” was greeted by a dense fog that fortunately burned off quickly.

Which of course, reminds me of:

Foghat

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z1DT3Jo5psw

####

Wednesday, March 07, 2007

20070307 9 AM Carroll Co. Ofc. of Public Safety Special Weather Statement

Carroll County

Office of Public Safety

Support Services

“A great place to live, a great place to work, a great place to play”

225 N. Center St., Westminster, MD 21157

410-386-2296, Fax: 410-848-3794

_______________________________________________________________________

SPECIAL WEATHER STATEMENT #1

March 7, 2007

The National Weather Service has issued a snow advisory for March 7, 2007 until 7 p.m. tonight for the Maryland area.

Snow fall will continue through out Carroll County with heaviest periods from late morning until late afternoon accumulating 1” to 3”. The temperature for today will continue to hover around low teens with no significant winds.

The Office of Public Safety Support Services is monitoring the situation and will issue any further updates if necessary.

March 7, 2007

9:00 AM

20070307 The dreaded winter four letter “S” word is back

WBAL Snow Advisory for Carroll County

March 7^th, 2007

Good morning - before you venture outside, be aware that the dreaded winter four letter “S” word is back. Hopefully for its last hoorah of the winter.

The Westminster City Street Department is already at work… true to form. No surprise here. I can only imagine they are getting a little tired of this.

I’m tired of winter. Spring can come anytime now.

_____

Issued at: 4:07 AM EST 3/7/07, expires at: 12:30 PM EST 3/7/07

Snow advisory remains in effect until 7 pm est this evening for northern central and western maryland, the district of columbia northern and northwestern virginia, and much of the eastern west virginia panhandle, A strong clipper weather system moving into the appalachian mountains early this morning will cross the mid atlantic today. Light snow will begin during the early morning hours and will begin to affect the morning commute.

1 to 3 inches of snow is expected today in the advisory area. Snow will end around nightfall.

A snow advisory means that periods of snow will cause primarily travel difficulties. Be prepared for snow covered roads and limited visibilities, and use caution while driving.

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####

Friday, March 02, 2007

20070301 The Present Winter Union Bridge Pilot Feb 27 1920

The Present Winter Union Bridge Pilot Feb 27 1920

March 1^st, 2007

A colleague recently shared with me a quote for whom she could not remember who to credit, “February is the Monday of the year.”

February has never been my favorite month. I so dislike the short days, the cold, ice, and snow.

An old long defunct Carroll County newspaper, the Union Bridge Pilot wrote on February 27^th, 1920, “‘If March comes in like a lamb, it will go out like a lion,’ is another weather legend that has been handed down from early times, and is still believed by many.”

Well, let’s hope. For me, spring cannot come soon enough.

The rest of the article reads as follows. I have re-paragraphed it for easier reading. For some reason old newspapers rarely believed in paragraphs…

The Present Winter

Union Bridge Pilot, February 27, 1920.

In commenting on the weather conditions which we have just experienced the Frederick News says the following: "Three weeks of the ground-hog's reign closed Monday. During that time, it has rained 9 times, snowed five times and hailed twice. There were cold, clear and cloudy days and a few warm days.

Yesterday was St. Matthias' day, and having found plenty of ice, according to tradition he broke, and spring is at hand. Wednesday, Friday and Saturday of this week are emberdays which rule the weather, for three months.

"If March comes in like a lamb, it will go out like a lion," is another weather legend that has been handed down from early times, and is still believed by many.

During the past 12 years, this prophesy has never failed, said one resident yesterday, in speaking about weather legends. "Still another prediction calls for a wintery March. The caterpillar was black at the tail, and this signifies that the latter part of the winter will be the hardest. The only question raised is to decide whether February is to be considered the last of winter. February is really the last winter month, as spring begins the third week in March. The chickens were heavily feathered which called for a hard winter. "

People in discussing the weather predictions for the next month differ on the question as to whether the end of the winter is at hand or whether March must be considered.

According to time worn predictions March of 1920 will be considered a part of this winter, and the hardest part of the winter is ahead. A late spring is looked for, but this is merely supposition on the part of ones making the prophesy."

Tuesday, February 27, 2007

20070226 The Happy Shoveler

The Happy Shoveler

(Too) early Monday February 26^th, 2007

20070226 Monday morning it snowed

Monday morning it snowed

Monday morning it snowed – the “Wonder Of It All.”

February 26th, 2007

For a Lauren Summerford “Jesusfreakhideout.com” January 2006 interview with the band – go here. She quizzed “the band's vocalist Derek Stipe on their name, their origin, and where they're headed…”

The band’s web site is here: www.mondaymorningmusic.com. Good for some tunes while working away at the keyboard.

####

Sunday, February 25, 2007

20070225 Weather Carroll County

Winter Storm Warning Remains In Effect Until 4 AM EST Monday.

Significant Ice Accumulation Is Likely.

-----Original Message-----

From: EmergencyEmail.ORG

Sent: Sunday, February 25, 2007 4:21 AM

Subject: WeatherMD - Carroll County

http://www.emergencyemail.org/weatherradarmap2.asp

http://www.emergencyemail.org/weatherradarmap.asp

Severe Weather Map Link

http://www.emergencyemail.org/weathermap.asp

Business Continuity Resources Sponsors

http://www.preparedbusiness.com/bcgoog.asp

Salmonella - peanut butter update:

http://www.emergencyemail.org/newsemergency/anmviewer.asp?a=175&z=1

Wa-Frederick Md-Carroll-Northern Baltimore-Harford-Montgomery-Howard-Southern Baltimore-Extreme Western Allegany-Cntl & Eastern Allegany-Highland-Augusta-Rockingham-Shenandoah-Frederick Va-Page-Warren-Clarke-Loudoun-Hampshire-Morgan-Berkeley-Jefferson-Pendleton-Hardy-Western Grant-Eastern Grant-Western Mineral-Eastern Mineral-Including The Cities Of Hagerstown, Frederick, Westminster, Gaithersburg, Columbia, Baltimore, Frostburg, Cumberland, Staunton, Waynesboro, Harrisonburg, Winchester, Front Royal, Leesburg, Martinsburg, Charles Town, Bayard, Petersburg, Emoryville, Hartmansville, Keyser, Fort Ashby

A Strong Storm System Located Over The Cntl Plains Will Move East & Spread Moisture Across The Mid Atlantic Region Today Into Tonight.

Precipitation Will Initially Begin As A Mix Of Snow & Sleet Early This Morning. But A Transition To Freezing Rain Is Expected By Afternoon. An Inch Or Two Of Snow Accumulation Is Possible Before The Change To Freezing Rain.

Once The Change Over Occurs, Freezing Rain Is Expected To Continue Into The Early Afternoon Hrs. A Change To Rain Is Possible Over Cntl Md. The Wa Metro Area. & N. And Cntl Va During The Afternoon. Ice Accumulations Between One-Quarter To One-Half Inch Are Expected In The Warning Area. The Areas Most Susceptible For Higher Amounts & Widespread Icing Problems Will Be The N. Shenandoah Valley Of Va. Northeastern West Va.& N. & Western Md.

The Bulk Of The Freezing Precipitation Is Expected To Taper Off Later Tonight.

A Winter Storm Warning Means Significant Amounts Of Snow. Sleet.& Ice Are Expected Or Occurring. This Amount Of Glaze Could Cause Widespread Downed Trees & Power Lines Resulting In Power Outages & Hazardous Travel.

####

Tuesday, February 20, 2007

20070220 How bad was last week’s snowstorm

How bad was last week’s snowstorm in Westminster Maryland?

Daily Photoblog: February 20th, 2007

While I was in Key West Florida last week, I would call the Westminster Street Department and Carroll County PIO, Vivian Laxton, W.A.B. as often as possible and raze them that I was in 90-degree weather and they were in temperatures in the single digits.

They were in the ice and the snow at all hours of the night and day, plowing snow and chipping ice and I was sitting on my back balcony strategically positioned with my laptop overlooking the Caribbean Sea.

They vowed to get me back.

Well, they did.

Pictured above is the igloo they made of my house with tons of snow which greeted me upon my arrival late Monday afternoon, February 19th, 2007.

Not to worry. I simply went inside and made a fresh cup of tea, hooked up the laptop and raised my office window just far enough that did not let too much cold air into the house, but my wife could still hear me as I cheered her on - - while she shoveled us out.

Man ole’ man was it hard work watching my wife do all that shoveling. Oh – she was happy to do it. You see, for Valentine’s Day I had purchased her a new snow shovel.

My wife is super. I’ll think I’ll keep her.

As for the Westminster Street Department; oh, I’ll get them back. Journalists in the print media may purchase ink by the barrel, but bloggers have an infinite amount of “ones” and “zeros” at their disposal. And me, I have the ink and the 1s and 0s.

Kevin
02/20/2007

Friday, February 16, 2007

20070216 County responds to major storm

County responds to major storm

Carroll County, Maryland, USA

February 16^th, 2007

While I was on the phone with Vivian Laxton, W.A.B., the public information officer for Carroll County; the picture above was my view from my office in Key West.

Ms. Laxton, please enjoy the picture and please know that the wind has picked up down here and the skies have become overcast. So much so that while I was talking with you on the phone, I had to put on a long sleeved shirt.

The bottom photo is from when I was I was talking with the Westminster Police Chief, Jeff Spaulding and Ashley Reams, a reporter with the Westminster Advocate, earlier in the day.

Yeah, I’m thinking of all of ya. We’re roughing it down here – and I know you care. I guess the temperature has dipped to the high 70s.

Anyway, now where was I? Oh, that’s right, the press release from Ms. Laxton, W.A.B., P.I.O. for Carroll County”

CARROLL COUNTY a great place to live, a great place to work, a great place to play

News Release

For more information, contact: Vivian D. Laxton, W.A.B., Public Information Administrator.

For Immediate Release

County responds to major storm

http://ccgovernment.carr.org/ccg/releases/stormtotals.pdf

February 15, 2007 - Carroll County's Department of Public Works employees spent approximately 6,160 man-hours clearing 973 miles of county-maintained roads during and after the winter storm that moved through the area Tuesday and Wednesday, February 13-14.

Crews began treating roads at 4 a.m. on Tuesday and continued well into Thursday. One to 3 inches of snow fell during the day Tuesday. Between 7 p.m. Tuesday and 7 a.m. Wednesday, another 6 to 7 inches of sleet fell over much of the county. When rain began to mix with sleet early Wednesday, the sleet soaked up the moisture like a sponge. The extreme weight of the
precipitation made it difficult for plows to move.

With approximately 110 employees clearing 50 snow plow routes, usually streets can be cleared of 6 inches of snow eight hours after the storm ends. Because of the heavy accumulation, the Valentine's Day storm took twice as long to clear. About 2,500 tons of salt were used by county crews. Sixty-two pieces of equipment, including 55 trucks, six motor graders and a rubber tire loader, were utilized by the county and its contractors to plow.

In addition, the county's Department of General Services had crews working from midnight Monday through Thursday to clear ice and sleet from parking lots at Carroll Community College, the Circuit Courthouses, senior centers, libraries, Carroll Area Transit Service, Board of Education, and county offices.

Approximately 51 employees worked to clear the lots and 2+ miles of sidewalks, half a mile of ramps and steps, and 15 trucks and numerous heavy-duty shovels and ice chippers. Two front-end loaders were rented to push the snow off the lots and to clear drains. The Bureau of Fleet Management worked 12-hour shifts to keep county trucks operating, fixing hydraulic lines and pumps, transmissions, rear axles, windshield wipers, and welds on plows.

The Office of Emergency Management continuously monitored conditions throughout the storm. The only major incident reported was a roof collapse at a barn in New Windsor. None of the 25 head of cattle inside was injured.

Because most businesses closed and residents stayed off the roads, the number of traffic accidents was kept to a minimum. Law enforcement agencies reported a total of 70 weather-related incidents through the duration of the storm, not counting in Westminster City.

# # #

Wednesday, February 14, 2007

20070214 Greetings from Key West

Greetings from Key West

Wednesday, February 14, 2007

Happy Valentine’s Day

Around lunchtime, when I took the picture above, I got a phone call from WJZ reporter Mike Schuh[1]. He was in Westminster tracking down a snow story.

For twenty years as an elected official, I got to work with many great journalists from the print, radio, and TV media. Mike Schuh is one of the best of the best. Always pre-occupied with getting it right and reporting relevant and community-oriented news – he is “real people.”

For more on Mr. Schuh – go here. And be sure to read his “A Bakers Dozen of Sensible Schuh's.”

Later – I checked in on how Mr. Schuh was making-out getting the story in Westminster. I was at Southernmost Point at the time… I’ll post that picture separately…

UPDATE: For Mr. Schuh’s reporting of the snow event in Westminster go here: http://wjz.com/video/?id=24955@wjz.dayport.com

_____

[1] Mike Schuh, WJZ Channel 13 Reporter

February 14th, 2007

http://wjz.com/bios/local_bio_053095449

Mike Schuh joined WJZ Eyewitness News as a general assignment reporter in April, 1993. In 2002 Mike won a Regional Edward R. Murrow award for feature reporting. During his career at Eyewitness News he has also earned 7 Emmy Awards for Hard News Investigations, General News Reporting and Features Reporting.

Mike came to WJZ after reporting for other television stations in Indianapolis, Louisville, Missouri and Illinois. In 1983 he received his B.S. Degree in News Reporting from Southern Illinois University at Carbondale. Mike lives near Towson with his wife and one very, very energetic daughter.