Friday, July 18, 2008

Its Time for the Zoo Run Run & Live Doppler 18 Fun Fun

Today is a big day. We have installation of our new Live Doppler 18 basemaps. This will allow us to zoom into every street corner and with the touch of the mouse highlight roads impacted by severe weather! We also have some incredible resolution views of areas like Ross-Ade Stadium and the Tippecanoe County fairgrounds. It certainly is our biggest day for our Live Doppler 18 since we got it in 2000. Hopefully tonight I can show off a little of what it can do to give you an exciting glimpse into the future. We will certainly need it by the second part of the weekend.



This weekend is also huge with Dancing in the Streets and the ZOO RUN RUN! It is hard to believe I helped to start the Zoo Run Run 5K family fun run and walk 6 years ago. It was an exciting idea brought up at our Zoo Board meeting and we made our dream a reality! This year we are expecting our biggest turnout ever and it includes a new and improved race route. It is a course that is much more walker and runner friendly with plenty of straightaways and most importantly it is 3.11 miles. It is Mike Prangley designed, tested, and approved. I have run it at least 6 times! If you are not in the mood to run, don't worry there will be plenty of walkers. It is more about families getting out there and having fun! But if you are a serious runner, it is an official course and it will be a great route. The T-Shirts look great and the free breakfast afterwards thanks to Bison food is one of a kind. You will also get free pool passes and the kids will be able to interact with the animals. I look forward to seeing you out there on Saturday morning at 8:30 a.m. at the race start. I put the little ad in above to help get fired up. Notice the goats out-ran me! They were actually running back to Mommy in the Arnett Clinic Petting Zoo.

Come join us for Lafayette's biggest 5K summer race! All proceeds go to the Columbian Park Zoo to help bring in new animals and exhibits and of course for the wonderful educational and outreach programs for kids. The talk of bringing penguins to the zoo are true. If you haven't been there in awhile you would be proud of how much it has grown and you need to meet Benny, the Zoo's new Wallaby. After the race you can go swimming and then come back to the Zoo and celebrate its 100 year anniversary. Columbian Park Zoo director Claudine Laufmann will have plenty of great activities for you and your family.


Other stories I am working on for today and tonight here on the blog and on the tube!

James Britton shows us the great shot of the moon off 350 South last night. It still had a yellow tinge to it even 2 hours after moonrise. It was an unusual tangerine color when it rose at 8:11 p.m. What do you think is causing this? Your hint is below!



The cicadas are singing and their song may be some good news for those that like colder weather. You can thank Diana Marion from Monticello for sending this picture in to try to keep everybody cool! Keep those cool thoughts! It will feel like close to 100 today with the humidity in the shade! OUCH.

Thunderstorms will erupt in our area for the first time in about a week this weekend after our 2ND DRY FRIDAY IN THE LAST 14 WEEKS! WOW! I am still not guaranteeing this....We have about a 5% chance of a pop up storm today. :)


Developing...

72 comments:

Anonymous said...

The basemaps sound interesting...can't wait to see that.

It feels weird not to have any rain today doesn't it? My lawn can actually use some kind of moisture...its getting a little brown and crispy. :)

Anonymous said...

And I hope all got to see that gorgeous moon! What an awesome sight to see that brilliant color.

We could actually use some rain as it has turned dry here. I could also use some cooler nights. I like to have the windows open to hear the summer night sounds. Way too hot for that!

MA in Rem

Anonymous said...

Were I am I could not see the moon rise :( But did see it after it got so high around 11:00pm could not get a picture of it there was to many tree's in the way!

I don't know about all you but right now I could go for some snow yep I said the S word LOL.

No I like this warm weather but I would enjoy a slight cool down like all you are saying the grass is starting to die! But hey at least we are going to get our cool down by the end of this week unlike some states south of us were a cool down for them is from 97* to 93* thats hot!!!

Hope you all have a great day and all get your rest for right now looks like the storms on Sunday are going to be early morning!

Justin in Lafayette.

Anonymous said...

Good afternoon!
Yes it is hot,hot,hot, but I like it! laundry is drying fast on the clothes line! I am not worried about watering my lawn, it will purk up soon!Saves on gas for lawn mower at least:)

Contrats Mike with signing up with SUNNY 107.7 FM or WMRS radio,and the new basemaps, exciting!

I was lucky to see the moonrise last night, and was able to take some pics, although my pics look like somthing from the Hubble telescope, bright brillent rings of color around the moon, awesome!

All be safe out there today!

Teri in Laf.

PS Mike, I think most bloggers will agree, you will always have our support! You and your team are the best!

Anonymous said...

I'll second that, Teri. I was a bit concerned when we first moved from the St. Louis area to Lafayette. Wasn't sure coming to a relatively small community with a smaller local TV station whether the local forecasting might leave something to be desired. Hubby and I quickly learned to have confidence in the ability of Mike and his team to keep us informed with accurate information, and to keep us safe when the weather got rocky. Thanks to the whole team for everything you do!

Dogmom Cheryl in Brookfield Heights

Anonymous said...

WOW! with the new basemap shown on TV we could almost see our house! neat!

Anonymous said...

Love the new basemap mike I think it will help alot in tracking the storms.

And I agree we could almost see are house when you did your forecast tonight as well.
Cool. :)

Should we all be looking for you mike at the fair tomorrow?

Justin in Lafayette.

Anonymous said...

Have a great day at the Zoo Run Run Mike! should be a fun day, see ya there!

Unknown said...

Don't forget closing night of Civic Theatre's production of High School Musical at the Tippecanoe County Amphitheatre.

We have had a great run. It has been so nice seeing so many people come from the community to support the show and have a good time.

Steve
Managing Director
Civic Theatre of Greater Lafayette

Anonymous said...

Hope the rain holds off for the Tippecanoe County Amphitheatre, and Dancing in the Steets.

Looks like it wont be long before we will be getting a pop up, just crossing the IL state line

Anonymous said...

Hey Justin what do you think about the line of rain in ill? is it going to be in tipp co soon?

Anonymous said...

Great job forecasting possible rain this morning Justin, you got it before Mike did! :}

ML

Anonymous said...

ML is it raining where you are? not a drop in town at least where I am located, darn! A friend in WL told me they got a down pour this am

T

Anonymous said...

Hey everyone sorry I have been busy with some house work trying to help out my sis with a few things.

Anyway about the rain for today it is only a 30 to 40% chance so what this means is some places could see a quick down poor and others could only see a little trace.

More of a hit and or miss if you will.

Justin in Lafayette.

Anonymous said...

ml,sounds to be a bit of sarcarsum in you posting. If you would watch tv 18 weather you would know that Mike forcasted pop ups today! No time line, the weather can change at any moment as you should know by now! Not one of us are mother nature! Mike does a wonderful job. And Justin enjoys the weather as most of us bloggers do!

Unknown said...

With so many wonderful outdoor events today, I do hope that the rains hold off.
Dance in the streets, see a show, Zoo Run Run, so many events in a relatively small community.

Anonymous said...

Hi bloggers, Just returned from the Zoo Run Run, was fun! got caught in a little down pour, so we walked home and were singing in the rain and jumping in puddles!A warm wonderful rain! For those who have not seen High School Musical, Its a great show! and a nice outdoor theater! We went last week.
So as Steve Koehler stated. go dancing see a show, Zoo Run Run....

Together, together, together everyone
Together, together, come on lets have some fun!!!!

Ray

Anonymous said...

Hey.

Here is what the maps are saying right now. By tomorrow we have only a slight chance more like a 30% chance of an Iso pop up shower.
Otherwise the day look's good.

Our better chance to see some rain is Monday with a 30 to 40% chance of some Iso- Thundershowers now I say this all the time and I know some of you know this but this can change at any time! No one can predict the weather for sure. Yes weather radar helps alot!!! as well as the PC but still a meteologist can only give you an idea as to whats coming!

I like this blog because one for the people! I have lerned alot from them and I like to give my opinon on the weather as well as all of you do! Sure I my miss one every now and then but who don't?

So I hope all you bloggers had a very good day I did not get out to the zoo run run so if any of you did I would love to hear how it was :)

Justin in Lafayette.

Anonymous said...

We are in a slight risk for severe weather for tomorrow as well as today now newton and jasper could see some rain in the next hour or so otherwise tipp not till late tonight if any still tomorrow look's to be a better chance for any thunderstorms we could even see rainfall around one inch by tomorrow.

So today we can't rule out a pop up shower through out the viewing area. But as of now nothing bad is on the radar. Newton and jasper just some rain maybe a rumble or two and if anything is to change I'll let you know :)

Justin in Lafayette.

Anonymous said...

We Lucked out early this morning,Counties North of Tipp., got hit hard with a lot of Lightning. I would bet that Mary Anne in Rem. will be posting the details, she informed me early this am. WOW!

Teri in Lafayette

Anonymous said...

WOW Teri hope she is ok!!!

The rain's have moved they are now going to be in the south parts of newton and jasper if any.

Now north parts of tipp could see a little rain nothing bad thank goodness nothing like what you said up be mary anne.

Justin in Lafayette.

Anonymous said...

Looks like another cell in IL, maybe to warren co???

Anonymous said...

Weather radio just went off for tipp, warren, and vermillion co, with a severe thunderstorm watch for that cell in I'LL untill 9:00pm EDT.

Justin in Lafayette.

Anonymous said...

BULLETIN - IMMEDIATE BROADCAST REQUESTED
SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WATCH OUTLINE UPDATE FOR WS 710
NWS STORM PREDICTION CENTER NORMAN OK
210 PM CDT SUN JUL 20 2008

SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WATCH 710 IS IN EFFECT UNTIL 800 PM CDT
FOR THE FOLLOWING LOCATIONS
INC005-011-013-019-021-027-029-031-041-045-047-055-057-059-063-
065-071-077-079-081-083-093-097-101-105-107-109-115-117-119-121-
133-137-139-143-145-153-155-157-161-165-167-171-175-177-
210100-
/O.NEW.KWNS.SV.A.0710.080720T1910Z-080721T0100Z/
IN
. INDIANA COUNTIES INCLUDED ARE

BARTHOLOMEW BOONE BROWN
CLARK CLAY DAVIESS
DEARBORN DECATUR FAYETTE
FOUNTAIN FRANKLIN GREENE
HAMILTON HANCOCK HENDRICKS
HENRY JACKSON JEFFERSON
JENNINGS JOHNSON KNOX
LAWRENCE MARION MARTIN
MONROE MONTGOMERY MORGAN
OHIO ORANGE OWEN
PARKE PUTNAM RIPLEY
RUSH SCOTT SHELBY
SULLIVAN SWITZERLAND TIPPECANOE
UNION VERMILLION VIGO
WARREN WASHINGTON WAYNE

Anonymous said...

What is up today Justin? Anyway to all, I was not being the least bit sarcastic yesterday, I think Mike does a great job, but Justin warned about showers around in the am yesterday too. When I got caught in a bit of rain I thought of him yesterday.

ML

Anonymous said...

Hey ML Thats fine your cool :)

I did not take it worng just want you to know that :)

Anyway with the system in I'LL the clouds are at 500FT and we could see some possible hail as well right now Im thinking the main co to see this system is going to be fountain, warren, and vermillion, co, but dont let your guard down here in tipp. still for the storms tomorroe we could get rain around 1 inch

Justin in Lafayette.

Anonymous said...

Hey everyone this system should be right on the border of warren co, by 3:40pm so far I think this system should stay just south of tipp,

Still we will keep a close watch for this system can still change.

Justin in Lafayette.

Anonymous said...

Yep looks to heading south, the system that is Iowa is looking nasty.

Anonymous said...

Anyone in vermillion south fountain, and parke co look's like you could see the most of this system as of now coulds are at 550FT the system is moveing ESE at around 30 MPH and as with any system cloud to ground lightning is a threat.

Justin in Lafayette.

Anonymous said...

This system has got a bit stronger now the clouds are at 600FT still with hail!

Now as long as this system stays on track tipp will not see it however vermillion co, is still in the path of it as well as parke co, south fountain co, could still see a little bit of it but should not be to bad!

Justin in Lafayette.

Anonymous said...

Ok vermillion, look's to be in the clear south fountain, and park, will be in the clear by around 5:30to 5:45pm still montgomery, its coming your way.

Justin in Lafayette.

Anonymous said...

I am now giveing the whole WLFI viewing area the all clear the storms are now down in Indy.

I think we all lucked out again and Im not complaining :)

Justin in Lafayette.

Anonymous said...

are we still in for around in inch of rain for tomorrow?? Guess we could use it!

Anonymous said...

Well the latest rainfall amount for tomorrow is between a quater and a half of an inch! So sorry it has went down.

Justin in Lafayette.

Anonymous said...

Hey everyone I just got woke up by my weather radio with a severe thunderstorm watch for benton, tipp, clinton, carren, and howard, co, till 1:00pm.

This could be a long day!

Justin in Lafayette.

Anonymous said...

Now this severe thunderstorm watch is now for the whole WLFI viewing area except for newton, jasper, white, pulaski, and cass, co,

Justin in Lafayette.

Anonymous said...

Ok weather update as of 7:46am

The first line of storms are in CMI, I'LL, and moveing SSE at around 58MPH so very fast! for the first line the clouds are at 450FT with MESO the 2nd line the clouds are at 600FT with MESO/HAIL now as of now I think the first line will stay just to our south like yesterday so that would mean counties like fountain, and vermillion, would see it. Still us here in Tipp, need to watch this very closely because weathwer will do what weather wants to do!!! So I still think the first line will stay just to our south but always be ready! oh good morning :)

Justin in Lafayette.

Anonymous said...

Thanks, Teri and all for the concern! It was quite a lighting show in the early morning yesterday, even had one person tell me the wind was blowing hard. luckily I did not see or hear that as wind scares me more than anything. It was a quick .20 rain in a storm that was here and gone in 15 minutes.

Today's storms are looking nasty on radar in IL with many warnings out. WX radio went off at 4:30 and again just before 8:00 a.m. I am watching them closely. It almost looks like you guys south and east of me are going to take the brunt. Oh, fall, where are thou?? :-))))))

I'll be watching the blog and radar!

MA in REM

Anonymous said...

As of 8:30am.

The first line should be in warren, benton, and vermillion, countie by 8:45am.

The first line is not as strong as the 2nd one but with both we will see very high winds for they both look to be bowing on radar!!!

Mary anne very glad to hear from you.

Justin in Lafayette.

Anonymous said...

Kelly, did you mean the viewing area is under a Watch until 1:00pm? Keep us updated!!

Anonymous said...

The 2nd line is moveing around 75MPH WOW. and the clouds are at 550FT with MESO / HAIL the 1st line is at 450FT with MESO and is now going through warren, vermillion, and parts of fountain, counties.

Newton and jasper you could see this 2nd line as well as us in tipp,
And yes we are in a severe thunderstorm watch till 1:00pm

Justin in Lafayette.

Anonymous said...

The latest maps are in and I got some good news and not so good news the 2nd line is now moveing at 58 MPH and has lost its MESO and now only is showing hail.
We still could see some high wind gusts. And the not so good news is the first system has got a little stronger but is moveing out of the veiwing area the clouds went from 450FT to 500FT but it is moveing out thank goodness!!!

Justin in Lafayette.

Anonymous said...

Looks like some bowing!!!!!

Anonymous said...

I am readying a safe place. The line of severe storms is approaching fast from IL. A solid line of dangerous storms is approaching with a history of 68 mph winds and hail the size of hen eggs. Reports of trees and power lines down all along the path. Ugh..

I will report in as soon as I can.
MA in REM

Anonymous said...

Yes mary anne be safe this system dose and or will have large hail and strong winds be safe and do check back with us!!!

It should be there just after 9:45am

Justin.

Anonymous said...

Be safe Mary Ann and all, I just looked at the radar,ugly!!!!

Teri in Laf.

Anonymous said...

Thank you for the information MA and Justin. My children are already playing in our basement this morning, they get really nervous once the radio starts going off! Even if it is not too severe I would rather them be down there beforehand. Keep the updates coming Justin. Stay safe all.

ML

Anonymous said...

Good to hear from you ML :)

Newton, jasper, and benton, by 10:00am the system will be right over head!!!

As for us in Lafayette we just got a quick down poor we still could see some thundershowers right now with the worst up in newton and jasper!

Justin.

Anonymous said...

Mary anne clouds your area is 550FT Meso hail.

Justin.

Anonymous said...

MA,

If you can keep me up to date on what you see. I have family and a camper out at Fountain Park. As we all know trailers are not a safe place to be in these types of storms. Its looking really dark outside here in Rensselaer. William in Remington.

Anonymous said...

By 10:15am newton will just be coming out of it jasper will still be in it. Clouds are still 550FT in that area with hail no meso also there has been alot of wind reports of 65 and higher.

We in tipp and other south counties could start to see some thundershowers by 10:15am or 10:30am.

Justin.

Anonymous said...

William, I would say the worst is over. the worst was also north of Remington, as in not very far north. maybe state rd #16 (Brook was in line to get it). It has passed here (still raining) for the most part. Here at my location I recorded a wind gust at 35 mph with many reaching 25-30 mph. Sky was scary and clouds were moving VERY fast!

MA in REM

Anonymous said...

Thanks MA... Much appreciated. william in remington

Anonymous said...

Mary anne very glad to know your ok!!!

Justin.

Anonymous said...

Looks like we should be getting it soon here in Monticello. Just went outside and don't see much really right now...it is a little hazy atm.

Anonymous said...

Here by the fairgrounds we are getting some high wind gusts around 40 MPH we have two big tree limbs in our yard.

Justin.

Anonymous said...

Brow, it came in very quickly. heard thunder, stepped outside, was black in the west and north adn boom, it was here.

William, did Rens get much?

MA

You are welcome, Justin :-)

Anonymous said...

Justin, or anyone, have you checked out WTHR's Premium Wx delivered to email? I really like it. It is free now, with a Beta product which is neater than all get out. It has GRLVL features taking you down to street level and shows storm characteristics,s uch as lighning, hail, wind, has storm reports,projected storm movement etc.

Okay, I am back to cutting up that melon and snapping green beans! Keep the wx calm now, can ya?? LOL!

MA in REM

Anonymous said...

No I have not but I'll check it out later thanks mary anne save some green beans for us LOL...:)

The winds have now stoped now I have all the tree limbs to clen up :(

Justin.

Anonymous said...

We had some strong winds also, but I did not hear any thunder. That was a great, very specific forecast Kelly, thanks. Is the worst over now Justin, or do you think the storms later on will be stronger? I will never get used to this Indiana weather, being from the East Coast. There we seemed to get thunderstorms with cold fronts, and it would cool down 20* right away! I remember being little and hearing the Weather Alert Tests on the radio (just the tests) for the Emergency Broadcast system, and I always wondered when they would actually use the Alerts, here you use them all the time with this bad weather. (This was in NJ).

ML

Anonymous said...

The radar did look nasty, but I really don't think it got that bad.

I've been hearing some gossip around the office regarding trees down, wind damage, etc...going to run home for an update.

Anonymous said...

LOL I have been here all my life and Im still not use to this weather they always say if you don't like the weather just wate 5min and it will change!

Anyway we have a front to the north west and it just is not going anywere so we could still see some more pop up thunderstorms later on in the day! as for how bad will they be I really can't give you a for sure forecast as we have seen today this weather will do what it wants to do we just have to see when the time comes.

Right now we look to be in the clear for now mary anne you could still see some off and on rain but thank goodness the worst is gone for you!!! I'll be right here all day to keep an eye on things and to keep you updated. :)

Justin.

Anonymous said...

MA,

Rensselaer got some heavy rain and wind. I heard there are campers at Fountain Park that lost their awnings from the winds. My family went to the house so they are safe. I see leaves and limbs down here in Rensselaer right now.

William in Remington

Anonymous said...

William, without saying much to you, since I did not know for sure, I wondered about the campers out there! I am glad your family used their heads and went to the hotel!

Another storm seems to be following the first path. it is thundering to the north and dark now.

Ended up with .25 rain.

MA in REM

Anonymous said...

Looks like another line heading for the counties N of Tipp. Round 2 for them? HOPE NOT! Its heating up again in Tipp. Co.

Teri in Laf.

Anonymous said...

Just a question is anyone ready to start tracking winterstorms yet?

Me I would take a blizzerd over a severe thunderstorms any day LOL!

Justin.

Anonymous said...

I am not ready to start tracking blizzards, only ones I enjoy are from DQ :)although snow is pretty, I love summer!

Teri in Laf.

Anonymous said...

Not a lot of damage as what people were saying. The only tree that I seen was down was from what a hillbilly neighbor cut down over the weekend.

There were some BOL's laying around though...thats Big Ol Limbs in Brow terms. :)

Much cooler now though...had to put on a long sleeve shirt at lunch just to survive the frigged temps in the office...the polar bears that I work with like to keep it cold.

Gotta go feed the penguins.

Anonymous said...

Justin and Mike- you would have loved the blizzard of 2001-2002 in NJ, we got 30 inches in 36 hours. We had snow up to our roof that year. I prefer summer, even thunderstorms, any day over snow- I hate the cold!

ML

Anonymous said...

Just took a ride around town, we have several branches down.

Anyone else have debris?

MA in REM

Anonymous said...

There we go thats what Im talking about ML that is what I like :) wish I would have been there to see that!!!

Mary anne the only debris I have seen has been some med tree limbs down that's been all thank goodness.

Justin.

Anonymous said...

No damage to been seen around the Columbian Park area. A friend reported a few dead limps down,at the fair grounds. Mary Ann William, and Brow, glad to hear you and your are family are doing okay, the radar was looking scary for you guys!

Teri in Laf.