Dr. Jeff Masters' WunderBlog

All the best to the people in the wake of this ...

If Athena wasn't a nor'easter she should have been a good sign for the new presidentship. Wiki: "Athena is the goddess of wisdom, courage, inspiration, civilization, law and justice, just warfare, mathematics, strength, strategy, the arts, crafts, and skill." Good luck to everyone abroad!

Quoting WaterWitch11:
does anyone know why they started naming the storms? and what qualifies one to get named? thanks

How about if we name them after Animals, instead of Humans?
Winter Storm Ardvark, Armadillo, Alpaca
Winter Storm Beaver
Winter Storm Crow
Winter Storm Sloth
Winter Storm Tapir
OK... an idea whose time has not come... ever?

Quoting JeffMasters:
I like the idea of naming winter storms, though I agree it would be better if the NWS were on board with this idea.

Jeff Masters

I agree, especially when they have close to or above the hurricane force wind threshold, they can be just as destructive as summer hurricanes sometimes,but there has to be some kind of threshold numbers that must be reached before a name gets tagged onto it..like hurricane force winds and a foot of snow etc..

Quoting 900MB:
Not buying into the naming of winter storms.

it is what it is

guess there is no weather or storm to talk about huh.......

If naming storms resulted in people being more weather-aware and prepared, I would support it being led by the NWS.

With the significant odds of AGW systemically impacting the severity of the weather, the NWS has a huge challenge of educating the public.

As far as TWC goes, it's infotainment -- a double-edged sword.

now IF..this was July..surely THIS storm would have a Name..HUDSON CANYON TO BALTIMORE CANYON INCLUDING THE WATERS W OF
39.3N 71.9W...SW TO 37.7N 72.9W
1000 AM EST WED NOV 7 2012

...HURRICANE FORCE WIND WARNING...

.THIS AFTERNOON...N TO NE WINDS 35 TO 45 KT INCREASING TO 50 TO
65 KT...THEN BECOMING N TO NW. SEAS 10 TO 19 FT BUILDING TO 20
TO 28 FT. AREAS OF RAIN. A CHANCE OF TSTMS FAR E.
.TONIGHT...N TO NW WINDS DIMINISHING TO 35 TO 45 KT. SEAS 13 TO
23 FT SUBSIDING TO 12 TO 17 FT. AREAS OF RAIN. A CHANCE OF TSTMS
FAR NE.
.THU...NW WINDS DIMINISHING TO 20 TO 30 KT. SEAS SUBSIDING TO 8
TO 13 FT...HIGHEST E. A CHANCE OF SHOWERS.
.THU NIGHT...NW WINDS 20 TO 25 KT. SEAS SUBSIDING TO 7 TO 10 FT.
.FRI...NW WINDS DIMINISHING TO 10 TO 15 KT. SEAS SUBSIDING TO 3
TO 5 FT.
.SAT...WINDS DIMINISHING TO VARIABLE 10 KT OR LESS. SEAS
SUBSIDING TO 2 TO 4 FT.
.SUN...WINDS BECOMING S TO SW 10 KT OR LESS. SEAS 2 TO 3 FT.
$$

Quoting ARiot:
If naming storms resulted in people being more weather-aware and prepared, I would support it being led by the NWS.

With the significant odds of AGW systemically impacting the severity of the weather, the NWS has a huge challenge of educating the public.

As far as TWC goes, it's infotainment -- a double-edged sword.

NWS has said No names for winter storms and dont associate any of their warnings etc to a name...they dont want to do it

Quoting LargoFl:
I agree, especially when they have close to or above the hurricane force wind threshold, they can be just as destructive as summer hurricanes sometimes,but there has to be some kind of threshold numbers that must be reached before a name gets tagged onto it..like hurricane force winds and a foot of snow etc..

The only threshold seems to be where is going to be affected ...

Well i see obama won, climate must be better already lol.

Thanks for the post on the Alltel storm. After all, it is trying to make the NE wireless.

Blessings on all the power crews up there, working to restore power in the continuing adverse conditions. Return safely.

Love this

"235
NOUS71 KVUY 071402
ADMERH

ALERT ADMINISTRATIVE MESSAGE
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE EASTERN REGION
BOHEMIA NY 900 AM EST WED NOVEMBER 7 2012

TO: ALL ER WFOS

TWC HAS NAMED THE NOR`EASTER "ATHENA.." THE NWS DOES NOT USE NAME
WINTER STORMS IN OUR PRODUCTS. PLEASE REFRAIN FROM USING THE TERM
ATHENA IN ANY OF OUR PRODUCTS.

$$

RW"

link

Quoting atris:


The only threshold seems to be where is going to be affected ...

yes, in tropical systems, the threshold is wind speed..over 45 mph its a tropical storm etc...for winter storms..I guess something else might apply..yes wind speed, but maybe sub freezing temps along with a foot of snow....something along those lines........although the NWS DOES have Blizzard warnings..but no names for a storm..

Quoting tornadodude:
Love this

"235
NOUS71 KVUY 071402
ADMERH

ALERT ADMINISTRATIVE MESSAGE
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE EASTERN REGION
BOHEMIA NY 900 AM EST WED NOVEMBER 7 2012

TO: ALL ER WFOS

TWC HAS NAMED THE NOR`EASTER "ATHENA.." THE NWS DOES NOT USE NAME
WINTER STORMS IN OUR PRODUCTS. PLEASE REFRAIN FROM USING THE TERM
ATHENA IN ANY OF OUR PRODUCTS.

$$

RW"

link

ty for reposting this.

Quoting Progster:


from wikipedia:

Inspired by the practice of the U.S. National Weather Service to assign names to hurricanes and typhoons, a student at the Free University of Berlin (FU), Karla Wege, suggested in 1954 that all high- and low-pressure systems affecting Europe should be given names in order to make tracking the systems simpler. Lows were given female names and highs male names.[3][4] This practice was soon adopted by the German media.

In 1998, the system changed to alternating male and female names for highs and lows each year. In November 2002, the Adopt-a-Vortex scheme was started, which allows members of the public to buy names that will then be assigned to storms during each year. The money raised by this is used by the meteorology department to maintain weather observations at the FU.[3]

The FU names became gradually known across Europe through the media. Even though these are not sanctioned by any official organizations, like the World Meteorological Organization, they are commonly used. However, a storm may still be named differently in different country. For instance, the Norwegian weather service also names independently notable storms that affect Norway.[5]


Although I'm not in favor of the practice unless its picked up by NWS, and some criteria are developed, I do like the "adopt a vortex" idea.

We always like to name our storms when I lived in Norway. In 1992 they had a storm called Nyttårsorkanen. We've had Gudrun and Hergen.

well we here have 2 days of sweatshirt weather then it warms up again ..

Quoting Grothar:


We always like to name our storms when I lived in Norway. In 1992 they had a storm called Nyttårsorkanen. We've had Gudrun and Hergen.

My favourite was "Ubehagelig vinterstorm" :)

Quoting Progster:


My favourite was "Ubehagelig vinterstorm" :)

we could have fun with this LOL

Quoting LargoFl:
yes, in tropical systems, the threshold is wind speed..over 45 mph its a tropical storm etc...for winter storms..I guess something else might apply..yes wind speed, but maybe sub freezing temps along with a foot of snow....something along those lines........although the NWS DOES have Blizzard warnings..but no names for a storm..

I would be more than happy for the NWS to Name winter storms, that then would filter down to private forecasters, but it just seems stupid that one commercial body is doing so when all other forecasts Private and Public are not .

Quoting Grothar:


We always like to name our storms when I lived in Norway. In 1992 they had a storm called Nyttårsorkanen. We've had Gudrun and Hergen.

I am over here tying my tongue into knots trying to pronounce that...My Nordic genes are giving me no help...

Quoting atris:


I would be more than happy for the NWS to Name winter storms, that then would filter down to private forecasters, but it just seems stupid that one commercial body is doing so when all other forecasts Private and Public are not .

exactly, we must remember TWC looks for ways to boost ratings and get more people to watch their show..people right now arent afraid of winter storms like they are for hurricanes..maybe adding a name to a vicious winter storm..people will start to listen more to the warnings i dunno

Quoting AegirsGal:
I am over here tying my tongue into knots trying to pronounce that...My Nordic genes are giving me no help...

hahaha i had the same trouble LOL

Quoting GeorgiaStormz:
Well i see obama won, climate must be better already lol.

Lol. At least he started to mention the problem again ...
Obama finally talks climate change. Now what will he do about it?
Washington Post. Posted by Brad Plumer on November 7, 2012 at 9:55 am

Here is a really good look at our Nor'easter "Athena" since sunrise on visible.

*Warning* Absolutely Massive File Size!

JeffMasters wrote:
"One of the main criteria for naming a storm is its impact on populated areas; the meteorology of the storm may not get it named, if the storm doesn't affect a populated area."

Don't you mean "highly populated"? And this is the flaw with TWC's naming scheme. But then, where are the viewers? Certainly not on San Juan Island or in Victoria BC, Haida Gwaii or Nome. Other less populated areas in North America can and will see damage from meteorologically significant storms that will, apparently, not warrant a name from TWC. FWIW, This is more an observation than a complaint.

I will always take the local mets and NWS forecast over any other. Having a choice for weather info is important. Weather can affect life and death for residents scattered through rural areas as well as for city dwellers.

Same is true for politics or any other personal belief, choice is what is important.

folks the people in new Jersey etc are getting hammered today and suffering even more than before with this new storm..any new reports of flooding and damage from up there?....

Nor' Easter Warning

The Brick Township Office of Emergency Management is monitoring a Nor’ Easter that has the potential to strongly impact our town with high winds, storm surge and flooding. The Brick Township Office of Emergency Management has issued a Mandatory Evacuation for all residents that reside in the low lying waterfront areas of town that are prone to flooding and/or storm surge by Tuesday November 6, 2012 at 6:00 P.M.

These areas include but are not limited to;
• Midstreams neighborhood East of Jordan Rd.
• Area of Island Dr. in Cedarcroft
• North & South Dr. (Metedeconk)
• Princeton Ave. East of Beaver Dam Rd.
• Cedarbridge Manor East of Lions Lane
• Vanada Woods
• Eagle Pass
• Sandy Point
• Tilton Rd
• Cranberry Cove
• Swan Point Park including Beaton and Gale Rd.
• Baywood East of Pilot Dr. and Mandolay Dr.
• Cherry Quay South of Tiller Lane
• Sailors Quay off of Pleasant Dr., North Pier and South Sailors Quay
• Waterfront Property in Mallard Point
• Seaview Dr. & Seaview Ave in Seaview Village
• Shore Acres
• Seawood Harbor
• Waterfront Property in Bay Harbor

Residents whose homes that do not fall into the Mandatory area that have been damaged and/or affected from Hurricane Sandy are strongly encouraged to evacuate.

Residents are encouraged to seek shelter with friends and/or family who are in a safe location.

For those residents that require transportation to a shelter, you can contact the call center at 732-262-1234.

Quoting LargoFl:
well we here have 2 days of sweatshirt weather then it warms up again ..

Beautiful, and no AC.

Sustained winds have made it to gale force at this buoy not too far south of Long Island.

Quoting HurrMichaelOrl:


Beautiful, and no AC.

yeah feels great

Link Sandy - press play to watch start to finish.

Surf at the shore of Atlantic City right now. Link

Quoting LargoFl:
exactly, we must remember TWC looks for ways to boost ratings and get more people to watch their show..people right now arent afraid of winter storms like they are for hurricanes..maybe adding a name to a vicious winter storm..people will start to listen more to the warnings i dunno

But that also means the more cynical of people are just not buying the Idea and just see it as a marketing ploy and may underestimate these storms . I will be checking the NWS regularly for their assessment

waters cooling big time now

The thing is, no one is under orders to use the names TWC uses. If you want to refer to the current storm as "The November 7 Nor'easter" or "That Giant Swirly Mass of Clouds By New England" or "The Great Northeastern United States Atlantic Offshore Extratropical Cyclone of Early November 2012", go right ahead; you won't be dragged before a court of law to explain your impertinence. TWC has simply taken it upon themselves to name storms; as a non-governmental entity, they obviously have no authority whatsoever over whether anyone else must use the names they select.

But having said that, I think it's a great idea. I also think that coming winters will prove what a simple and elegant idea it is, and that, given enough time, the NWS will, indeed, adopt the practice.

It occurs to me that TV and radio station traffic reporters have for years used short names to describe certain popular freeway interchanges, names that are not officially sanctioned nor even used by various departments of transportation but which have nonetheless become part of the local nomenclature. (For example, anyone who's ever commuted in L.A. is aware of "The Stack". That's how all traffic reporters and news organizations and drivers refer to the interchange. It's instantly recognizable, and far more easy to communicate than "The U.S. 101/I-110/Arroyo Seco Parkway/Harbor Freeway/Hollywood Freeway/Santa Ana Freeway Four-Level Interchange".) And yet the world hasn't come to a screeching halt.

Kudos to TWC.

I like the idea of naming winter storms, "official" or not. I'd rather call a winter storm "Herbert" or "Legolas" rather than "That One Time That Three Feet Of Snow Got Dumped On My Car Overnight, Or Was It That Other Time That Was Like A Week Later? I Cannot Recall."

snow and ice filling in nicly now

Glad to see the Stock Market is doing good. I blame it on Athena. Just sayin...

Updated: 11/07/2012 12:39 ET

DOW
12,913.98
-331.70

NASDAQ
2,934.53
-77.40

S&P
1,392.01
-36.38

Quoting Neapolitan:
The thing is, no one is under orders to use the names TWC uses. If you want to refer to the current storm as "The November 7 Nor'easter" or "That Giant Swirly Mass of Clouds By New England" or "The Great Northeastern United States Atlantic Offshore Extratropical Cyclone of Early November 2012", go right ahead; you won't be dragged before a court of law to explain your impertinence. TWC has simply taken it upon themselves to name storms; as a non-governmental entity, they obviously have no authority whatsoever over whether anyone else must use the names they select.

But having said that, I think it's a great idea. I also think that coming winters will prove what a simple and elegant idea it is, and that, given enough time, the NWS will, indeed, adopt the practice.

It occurs to me that TV and radio station traffic reporters have for years used short names to describe certain popular freeway interchanges, names that are not officially sanctioned nor even used by various departments of transportation but which have nonetheless become part of the local nomenclature. (For example, anyone who's ever commuted in L.A. is aware of "The Stack". That's how all traffic reporters and news organizations and drivers refer to the interchange. It's instantly recognizable, and far more easy to communicate than "The U.S. 101/I-110/Arroyo Seco Parkway/Harbor Freeway/Hollywood Freeway/Santa Ana Freeway Four-Level Interchange".) And yet the world hasn't come to a screeching halt.

Kudos to TWC.

Barring another major november noreaster, it would be the "November 2012 North American Nor'easter"
If we DID have another big noreater it would be the "November 6-9, 2012 North American Nor'easter"
The problem with the name "Athena" I have is that nobody will remember the names anyway except for maybe 1 storm a year if TWC pushes that name hard enough and it gets to social media. Otherwise the names will be forgotten anyway as soon as the storm is gone, and places like Wikipedia and such will continue to give it the generic name they usually do.

the earth is swaying run earthquake help

I was wondering..why isnt there convoys of fuel tankers headed towards the northeast? you would think the oil companies would see a bonanza in the making with HUGE lines of customers waiting and pleading for gasoline up there..why isnt it happening?

Quoting belizeit:
the earth is swaying run earthquake help

Uuuh! 7.5!

M 7.5, offshore Guatemala

Date: Wednesday, November 7, 2012 16:35:49 UTC
Wednesday, November 7, 2012 10:35:49 AM at epicenter
Depth: 33.00 km (20.51 mi)

On the topic of TWC naming winter storms in highly populated areas,
Neapolitan wrote:
"It occurs to me that TV and radio station traffic reporters have for years used short names to describe certain popular freeway interchanges, names that are not officially sanctioned nor even used by various departments of transportation but which have nonetheless become part of the local nomenclature. (For example, anyone who's ever commuted in L.A. is aware of "The Stack". That's how all traffic reporters and news organizations and drivers refer to the interchange. It's instantly recognizable, and far more easy to communicate than "The U.S. 101/I-110/Arroyo Seco Parkway/Harbor Freeway/Hollywood Freeway/Santa Ana Freeway Four-Level Interchange".) And yet the world hasn't come to a screeching halt."

Comparing local traffic reports and nationwide weather forecasts... LOL. You should write for Jay Leno.

Quoting longislander102:
Snow mixed in with the rain here in Babylon, New York. (on the south shore of Long Island). Power flickering too.

Really hoping it doesn't go out when the winds pick up. At least we have the wood stove... but I am charging all of my electronics just in case.

Hey, in case it goes out again, at least we got to enjoy it for a few days..? ;)

Quoting AegirsGal:
I am over here tying my tongue into knots trying to pronounce that...My Nordic genes are giving me no help...

Newtawrsh-orkanen New Year's Storm (Orkanen actually means hurricane.