Friday, September 26, 2008

The Never-Ending Summer Hangs on for the Weekend


Who makes the decision to close pools so early? Every year we run into this problem. We have plenty of good swimming weather for much of September and we even had some 90 degree weather last year during the first part of October. Well it is that time of year again. We need to head out to the store to at least find a kiddie pool to fill up with water. Pools may be tough to find between all the stockings, sweaters, and Christmas ornaments so allow extra time. Soon it will be tough to find a bathing suits any time after July since the holiday shopping season comes earlier every year. You could always get a jump start on Easter shopping. We found out about those confused Easter Lilies blooming earlier in the week here on the blog. If that is not enough, how about the giant mushroom above that is actually the size of a basketball. This was sent in to me anonymously from White County. I guess this is what happens when you have the wettest start to September in 16 years followed by one of our driest finishes to the month ever. This month has been about big things that is for sure. We started with the big rains and that has given way to more "big" weather streaks that will continue as we head into this weekend. Today will be our eighth straight day of 80 degrees or above. Here at WLFI it will also be our 11th consecutive day without rain. It will also be the 98th consecutive day we have lost daylight. Today is a big day because we will actually have less than 12 hours of daylight for the first time since the Spring. We have a sunrise at 7:39 a.m. and a sunset at 7:37 p.m. This means we are now losing more energy to space than receiving incoming energy from the sun. Eventually this will catch up to us allowing chilly air to build to our North. So yes all our big weather streaks will be coming to an end before you know it.

Notice the parade of storms in the Gulf of Alaska and Northwest Canada. This will eventually dislodge some real autumn weather that will move our way by the middle of next week. There is a bit of a log jam in the atmosphere due to Tropical Storm Kyle that has formed in the Atlantic. This could still form into a category one hurricane as it pushes up toward northern New England and Nova Scotia. Check out the latest track.



If you notice the satellite picture there are actually two blockbuster storms holding up the pattern. One storm will hit the Carolinas today with flooding rain. It is a hybrid system that formed from an old frontal boundary. Originally it did have a few more tropical characteristics. Right now it has more extratropical characteristics so it will not be named. The big difference between the hybrid system and Kyle is its highest winds are located well away from the center of the storm as evidenced by wind gusts near 60 mph in Norfolk, Virginia. Some other reasons why it will not be named: The thunderstorms are not organized around the main center of low pressure like we see with tropical systems. Instead of sinking air and a warm core at its center like we see with Kyle, the Carolina storm has rising air at its center due to its cooler center and that is why it is called a cold core system. So my hats off to the National Hurricane Center on not naming this thing. They do name "subtropical systems" but the Carolina storm has become just a cold core system or mid-latitude cyclone (extratropical system) based on all the latest data and satellite images. The Carolina storm and Kyle will provide a one-two punch that will keep our weather here at home really nice and will slow down a cold front that will bring us our next chance of rain late Sunday. I will have more on this of course tonight, including your big Friday Night Frenzy forecast and big changes to our weather as we head into October! Also good luck to all those partaking in the BOILERMAKER TRIATHLON. I LOOK FORWARD TO SEEING YOU OUT THERE ON SUNDAY! WOOHOO! It is my first one and it will just be great getting out there and going all out. Have a great day and weekend!

The blog song of the day: It Never Rains in Southern California in honor of our California weather pattern here in Lafayette, Indiana.


12 comments:

Anonymous said...

The sunrise was beautiful this morning. I am loving this weather and so are my mums, they are in full bloom! Not wishing for a frost or freeze to kill off all the beautiful flowers!

Anonymous said...

What a lovely day, hard to think the warm temps will soon come to an end. Seems like just yesterday we put our sweaters and jackets away, Soon it will be time to get them out again!

Well I have already have some of mine out LOL! I have needed in the mornings, and evenings.

All enjoy this wonderful evening, the crickets are really chirping! I cant count the chirps, too many of them:) pretty sound.

Teri in Laf.

Anonymous said...

Are all bloggers mushroom hunting?

Anonymous said...

We were driving around Fort Wayne this past weekend and heard Kelly Greene on the radio. We miss her on the air at WLFI.

Anonymous said...

Everyone get ready Fall temp's is coming! as a cold front will help to cool us off By later tomorrow (Monday) we will really feel the change by Tuesday.

By the look's of thing's we can give the AC a rest!

All sleep well! Get ready to feel like Fall..... :-)

Justin in Lafayette.

Anonymous said...

Anyone else see that thunderstorm line in Illinois? Justin, what is your opinion on strength by the time it gets here?

ML

Anonymous said...

Hey ML,

I have been looking at all the maps late last night and again this morning and everything still is looking like mostly rain. Also we are not in a severe weather risk for today! So I'M saying mostly rain maybe a thunder but nothing severe at this time.

It is 10:19am and I have a current temp of only 65.8*. Feels nice out!

Justin in Lafayette.

Anonymous said...

I just was looking at some models and our rainfall amount after all the rain is said and done is around three quaters of an inch.

Justin in Lafayette.

Anonymous said...

is this the cold front coming through?

Anonymous said...

It looks like the front is running into dry air and weakening. I'm thinking a tenth of an inch or less here in Lafayette.

Anonymous said...

So will there be a noticealbe change in temp soon, or later tonight? Quite warm and humid now.

Anonymous said...

Got the latest update and looks like it would be somethime after 2pm with new rainfall amounts from a tenth to a quater of an inch.

Remember it will be
Sca-Rain showers so some could get less in the way of rain then others. Some may not see any!
That's indiana.

Justin.