Tuesday: Mostly cloudy with a 40% chance of a late day shower or thundershower. High 84. Light S wind. Around a tenth of an inch of rain possible.
Tuesday Night: Mostly cloudy with a shower or thundershower likely. Low 64. Wind light and variable. Chance of rain 60%. Less than a tenth of an inch of rain expected.
Wednesday: Mostly cloudy with showers likely. High 83. Light SE wind. Chance of rain 60%. Around a tenth of an inch of rain expected.
Wednesday Night: Cloudy with showers likely. Low 66. Wind light and variable. Chance of rain 60%. Around a tenth of an inch of rain expected.
Thursday: Cloudy with showers and thunderstorms likely. High 80. Light NW wind. Chance of rain 60%. Between a tenth and a quarter of an inch of rain expected.
Thursday Night: Partly cloudy. Low 62.
Friday: Mostly sunny. High 82.
Friday Night: Partly cloudy. Low 63.
Saturday: Mostly sunny. High 80.
Saturday Night: Clear. Low 59.
Tuesday, June 30, 2009
Sunday, June 28, 2009
NJ Forecast 6/28/09
Sunday: Mostly cloudy with a slight chance of an afternoon shower. High 83. Wind N 5 mph. Chance of rain 30%.
Sunday Night: Mostly cloudy. Low 62. Wind calm.
Monday: Mostly sunny, with a slight chance of an afternoon shower. High 85. Wind NW 5 mph. Chance of rain 30%.
Monday Night: Partly cloudy. Low 63. Wind calm.
Tuesday: Increasing clouds with showers or thunderstorms likely in the late afternoon. High 84. Light SW wind. Chance of rain 60%. Around a quarter inch of rain expected.
Tuesday Night: Cloudy with a 30% chance of an evening shower or thundershower. Low 61.
Wednesday: Cloudy with a 30% chance of a shower. High 77.
Wednesday Night: Cloudy with a 30% chance of a shower. Low 61.
Thursday: Cloudy with a 30% chance of a shower. High 78.
Thursday Night: Mostly cloudy with a 40% chance of rain. Low 62.
Sunday Night: Mostly cloudy. Low 62. Wind calm.
Monday: Mostly sunny, with a slight chance of an afternoon shower. High 85. Wind NW 5 mph. Chance of rain 30%.
Monday Night: Partly cloudy. Low 63. Wind calm.
Tuesday: Increasing clouds with showers or thunderstorms likely in the late afternoon. High 84. Light SW wind. Chance of rain 60%. Around a quarter inch of rain expected.
Tuesday Night: Cloudy with a 30% chance of an evening shower or thundershower. Low 61.
Wednesday: Cloudy with a 30% chance of a shower. High 77.
Wednesday Night: Cloudy with a 30% chance of a shower. Low 61.
Thursday: Cloudy with a 30% chance of a shower. High 78.
Thursday Night: Mostly cloudy with a 40% chance of rain. Low 62.
Saturday, June 27, 2009
NJ Forecast - 6/27/09
Saturday: Variably cloudy with a 30% chance of an afternoon shower. High 83. N wind 5 mph. Less than a tenth of an inch of rain possible.
Saturday Night: Partly cloudy. Low 61. Light N wind.
Sunday: Mostly cloudy with a 30% of an afternoon shower. High 83. N wind 5 mph. Less than a tenth of an inch of rain possible.
Sunday Night: Cloudy with a 40% chance of rain. Low 64. Wind calm. Less than a tenth of an inch of rain possible.
Monday: Mostly cloudy. High 85. Light W wind.
Monday Night: Partly cloudy. Low 63.
Tuesday: Cloudy with a 40% chance of rain. High 82.
Tuesday Night: Cloudy with a 40% chance of rain. Low 63.
Wednesday: Cloudy with a 40% chance of rain. High 80.
Wednesday Night: Mostly cloudy with a 40% chance of rain. Low 63.
Saturday Night: Partly cloudy. Low 61. Light N wind.
Sunday: Mostly cloudy with a 30% of an afternoon shower. High 83. N wind 5 mph. Less than a tenth of an inch of rain possible.
Sunday Night: Cloudy with a 40% chance of rain. Low 64. Wind calm. Less than a tenth of an inch of rain possible.
Monday: Mostly cloudy. High 85. Light W wind.
Monday Night: Partly cloudy. Low 63.
Tuesday: Cloudy with a 40% chance of rain. High 82.
Tuesday Night: Cloudy with a 40% chance of rain. Low 63.
Wednesday: Cloudy with a 40% chance of rain. High 80.
Wednesday Night: Mostly cloudy with a 40% chance of rain. Low 63.
Friday, June 26, 2009
NJ Forecast - 6/26/09
Friday: Mostly cloudy with showers or thunderstorms becoming likely in the afternoon. High 87. NW wind light. Chance of rain 60%. Between a tenth and a quarter inch of rain expected.
Friday Night: Mostly cloudy with a shower or thunderstorm possible in the evening. Low 66. Light N wind. Chance of rain 40%. Less than a tenth of an inch of rain possible.
Saturday: Mostly cloudy with a 40% chance of rain in the morning. High 83. N wind 5 mph. Less than a tenth of an inch of rain possible.
Saturday Night: Mostly cloudy. Low 64. Light N wind.
Sunday: Mostly cloudy with a 30% chance of a shower. High 83. Wind light and variable.
Sunday Night: Cloudy with a 30% chance of a shower. Low 64.
Monday: Partly cloudy with a 30% chance of a late day shower or thundershower. High 81.
Monday Night: Cloudy with a 40% chance of a shower or thundershower. Low 64.
Tuesday: Cloudy with a 40% chance of a shower or thundershower. High 80.
Tuesday Night: Cloudy with a 50% chance of rain. Low 63.
Friday Night: Mostly cloudy with a shower or thunderstorm possible in the evening. Low 66. Light N wind. Chance of rain 40%. Less than a tenth of an inch of rain possible.
Saturday: Mostly cloudy with a 40% chance of rain in the morning. High 83. N wind 5 mph. Less than a tenth of an inch of rain possible.
Saturday Night: Mostly cloudy. Low 64. Light N wind.
Sunday: Mostly cloudy with a 30% chance of a shower. High 83. Wind light and variable.
Sunday Night: Cloudy with a 30% chance of a shower. Low 64.
Monday: Partly cloudy with a 30% chance of a late day shower or thundershower. High 81.
Monday Night: Cloudy with a 40% chance of a shower or thundershower. Low 64.
Tuesday: Cloudy with a 40% chance of a shower or thundershower. High 80.
Tuesday Night: Cloudy with a 50% chance of rain. Low 63.
Thursday, June 25, 2009
NJ Forecast - 6/25/09
Thursday: Mostly cloudy. High 84. Wind light and variable.
Thursday Night: Mostly cloudy with a 30% chance of a shower. Low 68. Wind light and variable. Less than a tenth of an inch of rain possible.
Friday: Variably cloudy with a 30% chance of a shower. High 89. Light N wind. Around a tenth of an inch of rain possible.
Friday Night: Mostly cloudy with a 50% chance of showers or a thunderstorm. Low 67. Light N wind. Between a tenth and a quarter inch of rain expected.
Saturday: Mostly cloudy with a 40% chance of morning showers. High 85. Wind light and variable. Around a tenth of an inch of rain possible.
Saturday Night: Mostly clear. Low 65.
Sunday: Mostly sunny. High 82.
Sunday Night: Mostly cloudy with a 40% chance of rain. Low 62.
Monday: Mostly sunny. High 84.
Monday Night: Mostly cloudy with a 30% chance of rain. Low 63.
Thursday Night: Mostly cloudy with a 30% chance of a shower. Low 68. Wind light and variable. Less than a tenth of an inch of rain possible.
Friday: Variably cloudy with a 30% chance of a shower. High 89. Light N wind. Around a tenth of an inch of rain possible.
Friday Night: Mostly cloudy with a 50% chance of showers or a thunderstorm. Low 67. Light N wind. Between a tenth and a quarter inch of rain expected.
Saturday: Mostly cloudy with a 40% chance of morning showers. High 85. Wind light and variable. Around a tenth of an inch of rain possible.
Saturday Night: Mostly clear. Low 65.
Sunday: Mostly sunny. High 82.
Sunday Night: Mostly cloudy with a 40% chance of rain. Low 62.
Monday: Mostly sunny. High 84.
Monday Night: Mostly cloudy with a 30% chance of rain. Low 63.
Tuesday, June 23, 2009
NJ Forecast - 6/23/09
Tuesday: Mostly cloudy with a 30% chance of a shower. High 83. Wind N 5 mph. Less than a tenth of an inch of rain possible.
Tuesday Night: Mostly cloudy with a 30 % chance of a shower. Low 64. Light N wind. Around a tenth of an inch of rain possible.
Wednesday: Mostly cloudy with a 30% chance of a shower. High 84. Wind light and variable. Around a tenth of an inch of rain possible.
Wednesday Night: Mostly cloudy with a 30% chance of a shower. Low 65. Wind light and variable. Around a tenth of an inch of rain possible.
Thursday: Mostly sunny. High 90. Wind light and variable.
Thursday Night: Mostly cloudy with a 40% chance of a evening thunderstorm. Low 68.
Friday: Partly cloudy with a 30% chance of rain. High 88.
Friday Night: Clear. Low 64.
Saturday: Sunny. High 88.
Saturday Night: Partly cloudy. Low 65.
Tuesday Night: Mostly cloudy with a 30 % chance of a shower. Low 64. Light N wind. Around a tenth of an inch of rain possible.
Wednesday: Mostly cloudy with a 30% chance of a shower. High 84. Wind light and variable. Around a tenth of an inch of rain possible.
Wednesday Night: Mostly cloudy with a 30% chance of a shower. Low 65. Wind light and variable. Around a tenth of an inch of rain possible.
Thursday: Mostly sunny. High 90. Wind light and variable.
Thursday Night: Mostly cloudy with a 40% chance of a evening thunderstorm. Low 68.
Friday: Partly cloudy with a 30% chance of rain. High 88.
Friday Night: Clear. Low 64.
Saturday: Sunny. High 88.
Saturday Night: Partly cloudy. Low 65.
Monday, June 22, 2009
NJ Forecast - 6/22/09
Monday: Cloudy with a 50% chance of showers. High 79. Wind NNE 5-10 mph. Around a tenth of an inch of rain expected.
Monday Night: Mostly cloudy. Low 62. Wind NE 5 mph.
Tuesday: Mostly cloudy with a 30% chance of a shower or thundershower. High 80. Wind N 5 mph. Less than a tenth of an inch of rain possible.
Tuesday Night: Mostly cloudy. Low 63. Wind N light.
Wednesday: Mostly cloudy with a 30% chance of a shower or thundershower. High 84. Wind light and variable. Less than a tenth of an inch of rain possible.
Wednesday Night: Mostly cloudy. Low 65.
Thursday: Mostly sunny and warmer. High 92.
Thursday Night: Partly cloudy with a 30% chance of an evening thundershower. Low 69.
Friday: Mostly sunny. High 89.
Friday Night: Partly cloudy. Low 66.
Monday Night: Mostly cloudy. Low 62. Wind NE 5 mph.
Tuesday: Mostly cloudy with a 30% chance of a shower or thundershower. High 80. Wind N 5 mph. Less than a tenth of an inch of rain possible.
Tuesday Night: Mostly cloudy. Low 63. Wind N light.
Wednesday: Mostly cloudy with a 30% chance of a shower or thundershower. High 84. Wind light and variable. Less than a tenth of an inch of rain possible.
Wednesday Night: Mostly cloudy. Low 65.
Thursday: Mostly sunny and warmer. High 92.
Thursday Night: Partly cloudy with a 30% chance of an evening thundershower. Low 69.
Friday: Mostly sunny. High 89.
Friday Night: Partly cloudy. Low 66.
Sunday, June 21, 2009
NJ Forecast - 6/21/09
Sunday: Cloudy with a shower or two likely. High 78. Wind N 5-10 mph. Chance of rain 70%. Around a tenth of an inch of rain expected.
Sunday Night: Cloudy. Low 63. Wind NNE 5-10 mph.
Monday: Mostly cloudy with a 30% chance of an afternoon shower. High 78. Wind N 10 mph.
Monday Night: Mostly cloudy. Low 62. Wind NNE 5 mph.
Tuesday: Mostly cloudy with a 30% chance of an afternoon shower. High 81. Wind N 5 mph.
Tuesday Night: Cloudy. Low 63.
Wednesday: Cloudy with a 30% chance of a shower. High 79.
Wednesday Night: Decreasing cloudiness. Low 64.
Thursday: Mostly sunny and warmer. High 87.
Thursday Night: Partly cloudy. Low 65.
Sunday Night: Cloudy. Low 63. Wind NNE 5-10 mph.
Monday: Mostly cloudy with a 30% chance of an afternoon shower. High 78. Wind N 10 mph.
Monday Night: Mostly cloudy. Low 62. Wind NNE 5 mph.
Tuesday: Mostly cloudy with a 30% chance of an afternoon shower. High 81. Wind N 5 mph.
Tuesday Night: Cloudy. Low 63.
Wednesday: Cloudy with a 30% chance of a shower. High 79.
Wednesday Night: Decreasing cloudiness. Low 64.
Thursday: Mostly sunny and warmer. High 87.
Thursday Night: Partly cloudy. Low 65.
Saturday, June 20, 2009
NJ Forecast - 6/20/09
Saturday: Cloudy with rain developing, with possible thunderstorms. High 78. Wind E 5 mph. Chance of rain 80%. Around a half inch of rain expected.
Saturday Night: Cloudy with rain likely. Low 64. Wind N 5 mph. Chance of rain 60%. Between a tenth and quarter inch of rain expected.
Sunday: Cloudy with rain showers likely. High 72. Wind N 5 mph. Chance of rain 70%. Between a tenth and quarter inch of rain expected.
Sunday Night: Cloudy. Low 60. Wind N 5 mph.
Monday: Mostly cloudy with a 40% chance of a shower. High 79. Wind N 5 mph. Less than a tenth of an inch of rain possible.
Monday Night: Mostly cloudy. Low 62.
Tuesday: Cloudy with a 40% chance of a shower. High 77.
Tuesday Night: Cloudy with a 40% chance of a shower. Low 61.
Wednesday: Cloudy. High 80.
Wednesday Night: Partly cloudy. Low 63.
Saturday Night: Cloudy with rain likely. Low 64. Wind N 5 mph. Chance of rain 60%. Between a tenth and quarter inch of rain expected.
Sunday: Cloudy with rain showers likely. High 72. Wind N 5 mph. Chance of rain 70%. Between a tenth and quarter inch of rain expected.
Sunday Night: Cloudy. Low 60. Wind N 5 mph.
Monday: Mostly cloudy with a 40% chance of a shower. High 79. Wind N 5 mph. Less than a tenth of an inch of rain possible.
Monday Night: Mostly cloudy. Low 62.
Tuesday: Cloudy with a 40% chance of a shower. High 77.
Tuesday Night: Cloudy with a 40% chance of a shower. Low 61.
Wednesday: Cloudy. High 80.
Wednesday Night: Partly cloudy. Low 63.
Friday, June 19, 2009
NJ Forecast - 6/19/09
Friday: Mostly cloudy. High 82. NW wind light.
Friday night: Cloudy with a 30 % chance of rain, after midnight. Low 65. Wind calm.
Saturday: Cloudy with rain likely. High 76. Light SW wind. Chance of rain 70%. Around a half inch of rain expected.
Saturday night: Cloudy with rain likely. Low 64. Light N wind. Chance of rain 60%. Around a tenth of an inch of rain expected.
Sunday: Cloudy with a 50% chance of rain early in the day. High 74. Wind N 5 mph. Around a tenth of an inch of rain possible.
Sunday Night: Cloudy with a 30% chance of a shower. Low 61.
Monday: Cloudy with a 30% chance of a shower. High 76.
Monday Night: Cloudy. Low 59.
Tuesday: Mostly sunny. High 80.
Tuesday Night: Clear. Low 59.
Friday night: Cloudy with a 30 % chance of rain, after midnight. Low 65. Wind calm.
Saturday: Cloudy with rain likely. High 76. Light SW wind. Chance of rain 70%. Around a half inch of rain expected.
Saturday night: Cloudy with rain likely. Low 64. Light N wind. Chance of rain 60%. Around a tenth of an inch of rain expected.
Sunday: Cloudy with a 50% chance of rain early in the day. High 74. Wind N 5 mph. Around a tenth of an inch of rain possible.
Sunday Night: Cloudy with a 30% chance of a shower. Low 61.
Monday: Cloudy with a 30% chance of a shower. High 76.
Monday Night: Cloudy. Low 59.
Tuesday: Mostly sunny. High 80.
Tuesday Night: Clear. Low 59.
Wednesday, June 17, 2009
NJ Forecast - 6/17/09
Wednesday: Mostly cloudy. High 69. SE wind 5 mph.
Wednesday Night: Cloudy with rain after midnight. Low 58. SE wind 5 mph. Chance of rain 80%. Around a quarter inch of rain expected.
Thursday: Cloudy with rain, possibly heavy. High 69. SE wind 5 mph. Chance of rain 90%. Around an inch of rain expected.
Thursday Night: Cloudy with rain likely. Low 63. Light E wind. Chance of rain 70%. Between a tenth and quarter inch of rain expected.
Friday: Cloudy with a 40% chance of rain. High 81. Wind light and variable. Less than a tenth of an inch of rain possible.
Friday Night: Cloudy with a 40% chance of rain. Low 66.
Saturday: Cloudy with a 50% chance of rain. High 84.
Saturday Night: Mostly cloudy with a 30% chance of a shower. Low 64.
Sunday: Mostly sunny. High 81.
Sunday Night: Mostly clear. Low 62.
Wednesday Night: Cloudy with rain after midnight. Low 58. SE wind 5 mph. Chance of rain 80%. Around a quarter inch of rain expected.
Thursday: Cloudy with rain, possibly heavy. High 69. SE wind 5 mph. Chance of rain 90%. Around an inch of rain expected.
Thursday Night: Cloudy with rain likely. Low 63. Light E wind. Chance of rain 70%. Between a tenth and quarter inch of rain expected.
Friday: Cloudy with a 40% chance of rain. High 81. Wind light and variable. Less than a tenth of an inch of rain possible.
Friday Night: Cloudy with a 40% chance of rain. Low 66.
Saturday: Cloudy with a 50% chance of rain. High 84.
Saturday Night: Mostly cloudy with a 30% chance of a shower. Low 64.
Sunday: Mostly sunny. High 81.
Sunday Night: Mostly clear. Low 62.
Tuesday, June 16, 2009
Two of Every Animal?
Living in New Jersey this month may make the average resident consider going to their local hardware store to pick up materials used in building an ark. Coming into today, June 16, we have had 7 straight days with at least a trace of rain. During that period, we have received just under three inches of rain. For the month of June, we have already received over 5 inches of rain in a month during which we normally receive about 4 inches for the entire month. So, unquestionably, it has been a wet month.
On top of that, May was also a fairly wet month. On average, most areas of the central part of the state received about an inch of rain more than normal. Some areas of the state even received several inches of hail yesterday!
What may surprise many people however, is that although we have certainly had a wet spring, that wetness has only served to bring our rain total for the past year to a normal amount. This is due to the fact that we had an extremely dry winter. February was one of the driest months on record with most areas of the state receiving less than an inch of rain, or rain equivalent. During February, 19 of 28 days were sunny and completely rain-free, and on only two days was there precipitation greater than a tenth of an inch. Overall, February was sunny, dry and mild. January and March were also dryer than normal. So, in reality, the wet spring we are now having only served to make up for the dry winter. This has allowed us to avoid what appeared to be the start of a drought just a few months ago.
While some areas of the state are experiencing, or are on the cusp of, flooding of local streams and rivers, the recent rains should keep us drought free this summer. The bad news is that the latter half of this week will see additional rain.
On top of that, May was also a fairly wet month. On average, most areas of the central part of the state received about an inch of rain more than normal. Some areas of the state even received several inches of hail yesterday!
What may surprise many people however, is that although we have certainly had a wet spring, that wetness has only served to bring our rain total for the past year to a normal amount. This is due to the fact that we had an extremely dry winter. February was one of the driest months on record with most areas of the state receiving less than an inch of rain, or rain equivalent. During February, 19 of 28 days were sunny and completely rain-free, and on only two days was there precipitation greater than a tenth of an inch. Overall, February was sunny, dry and mild. January and March were also dryer than normal. So, in reality, the wet spring we are now having only served to make up for the dry winter. This has allowed us to avoid what appeared to be the start of a drought just a few months ago.
While some areas of the state are experiencing, or are on the cusp of, flooding of local streams and rivers, the recent rains should keep us drought free this summer. The bad news is that the latter half of this week will see additional rain.
NJ Forecast - 6/16/09
Tuesday: Variably cloudy. High 72. SE wind 5-10 mph.
Tuesday Night: Mostly cloudy. Low 55. Light SE wind.
Wednesday: Mostly cloudy. High 72. SE wind 5-10 mph.
Wednesday Night: Cloudy with rain likely. Low 59. ESE wind 5-10 mph. Chance of rain 70%. Around a quarter inch of rain expected.
Thursday: Cloudy with showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm. High 71. SE wind 5-10 mph. Chance of rain 70%. Around half an inch of rain expected.
Thursday Night: Cloudy with rain likely. Low 64. Chance of rain 60%. Around a tenth of an inch of rain possible.
Friday: Cloudy with a 40% chance of rain. High 79.
Friday Night: Cloudy with a 60% chance of rain. Low 66.
Saturday: Cloudy with a 40% chance of rain. High 83.
Saturday Night: Mostly cloudy with a 40% chance of rain. Low 64.
Tuesday Night: Mostly cloudy. Low 55. Light SE wind.
Wednesday: Mostly cloudy. High 72. SE wind 5-10 mph.
Wednesday Night: Cloudy with rain likely. Low 59. ESE wind 5-10 mph. Chance of rain 70%. Around a quarter inch of rain expected.
Thursday: Cloudy with showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm. High 71. SE wind 5-10 mph. Chance of rain 70%. Around half an inch of rain expected.
Thursday Night: Cloudy with rain likely. Low 64. Chance of rain 60%. Around a tenth of an inch of rain possible.
Friday: Cloudy with a 40% chance of rain. High 79.
Friday Night: Cloudy with a 60% chance of rain. Low 66.
Saturday: Cloudy with a 40% chance of rain. High 83.
Saturday Night: Mostly cloudy with a 40% chance of rain. Low 64.
Monday, June 15, 2009
NJ Forecast - 6/15/09
Monday: Mostly cloudy with a 40% chance of a shower or thundershower in the afternoon. High 74. Light SE wind. Less than a tenth of an inch of rain possible.
Monday Night: Mostly cloudy with a 40% chance of an evening shower or thundershower. Low 58. Wind calm. Less than a tenth of an inch of rain possible.
Tuesday: Mostly cloudy. High 74. Light SE wind.
Tuesday Night: Mostly cloudy. Low 57. Light ESE wind.
Wednesday: Mostly cloudy with a 30% chance of a shower. High 71. Wind SE 5 mph.
Wednesday Night: Cloudy with showers possible late. Low 58. Chance of rain 30%.
Thursday: Cloudy with a 50% chance of rain. High 72.
Thursday Night: Cloudy with a 30% chance of rain. Low 62.
Friday: Cloudy. High 81.
Friday Night: Mostly cloudy with a 40% chance of rain. Low 65.
Monday Night: Mostly cloudy with a 40% chance of an evening shower or thundershower. Low 58. Wind calm. Less than a tenth of an inch of rain possible.
Tuesday: Mostly cloudy. High 74. Light SE wind.
Tuesday Night: Mostly cloudy. Low 57. Light ESE wind.
Wednesday: Mostly cloudy with a 30% chance of a shower. High 71. Wind SE 5 mph.
Wednesday Night: Cloudy with showers possible late. Low 58. Chance of rain 30%.
Thursday: Cloudy with a 50% chance of rain. High 72.
Thursday Night: Cloudy with a 30% chance of rain. Low 62.
Friday: Cloudy. High 81.
Friday Night: Mostly cloudy with a 40% chance of rain. Low 65.
Sunday, June 14, 2009
NJ Forecast - 6/14/09
Sunday: Decreasing clouds. High 78. Light north wind.
Sunday Night: Mostly cloudy. Low 59. Wind light and variable.
Monday: Cloudy with possible showers. High 72. Light SE wind. Chance of rain 50%. Around a tenth of an inch of rain possible.
Monday Night: Cloudy with a 30% chance of a shower. Low 57. Wind light and variable.
Tuesday: Mostly cloudy. High 73. SE wind around 5 mph.
Tuesday Night: Clearing. Low 56.
Wednesday: Mostly sunny. High 72.
Wednesday Night: Clear. Low 56.
Thursday: Mostly sunny. High 76.
Thursday Night: Increasing clouds with a 30% chance of a shower. Low 59.
Sunday Night: Mostly cloudy. Low 59. Wind light and variable.
Monday: Cloudy with possible showers. High 72. Light SE wind. Chance of rain 50%. Around a tenth of an inch of rain possible.
Monday Night: Cloudy with a 30% chance of a shower. Low 57. Wind light and variable.
Tuesday: Mostly cloudy. High 73. SE wind around 5 mph.
Tuesday Night: Clearing. Low 56.
Wednesday: Mostly sunny. High 72.
Wednesday Night: Clear. Low 56.
Thursday: Mostly sunny. High 76.
Thursday Night: Increasing clouds with a 30% chance of a shower. Low 59.
Saturday, June 13, 2009
NJ Forecast 6/13/09
Saturday: Cloudy with rain likely. High 78. Light SE wind. Chance of rain 80%. Around a quarter inch of rain possible.
Saturday Night: Cloudy with rain likely. Low 60. Wind light and variable. Chance of rain 70%. Between a tenth and a quarter inch of rain possible.
Sunday: Mostly cloudy. High 78. Wind light and variable.
Sunday Night: Mostly cloudy with a 30% chance of a shower. Low 60. Wind light and variable.
Monday: Mostly cloudy with showers possible. High 77. Light SE wind. Chance of rain 40%. Around a tenth of an inch of rain possible.
Monday Night: Cloudy with a 30% chance of a shower. Low 58.
Tuesday: Cloudy. High 72.
Tuesday Night: Decreasing clouds. Low 57.
Wednesday: Mostly sunny. High 75.
Wednesday Night: Increasing clouds with a 30% chance of a shower. Low 57.
Saturday Night: Cloudy with rain likely. Low 60. Wind light and variable. Chance of rain 70%. Between a tenth and a quarter inch of rain possible.
Sunday: Mostly cloudy. High 78. Wind light and variable.
Sunday Night: Mostly cloudy with a 30% chance of a shower. Low 60. Wind light and variable.
Monday: Mostly cloudy with showers possible. High 77. Light SE wind. Chance of rain 40%. Around a tenth of an inch of rain possible.
Monday Night: Cloudy with a 30% chance of a shower. Low 58.
Tuesday: Cloudy. High 72.
Tuesday Night: Decreasing clouds. Low 57.
Wednesday: Mostly sunny. High 75.
Wednesday Night: Increasing clouds with a 30% chance of a shower. Low 57.
Friday, June 12, 2009
Weather Forecasting is Not Fast Food
Weather forecasters are often the butt of jokes in our culture. "What other job allows you to be wrong so often...?" "I just shoveled 6 inches of partly cloudy out of my driveway..." These and other little zingers suggest that meteorologists are most often wrong, and that there are no consequences for this other than perhaps a red face on the next nightly local news program.
What I find most interesting about this representation of a highly skilled and technically demanding field of a fairly new science is how wrong it is, and how little most people actually know about what goes on to create a weather forecast. I think this is so, because most people approach meteorology with the same mindset that they approach pulling up to the drive-thru of their favorite local fast-food restaurant. "I'd like the number 2 value meal please, with a chocolate shake...", and just seconds later, their food is in their hands, exactly as they ordered it. The teenager serving them just had to push the right two or three buttons, and voila, there's the food. Little thought, and no analysis was needed.
Forecasting the weather is not quite so easy. You friendly local meteorologist does not show up at his or her office, push a button and dish out your forecast to you, with a side of fries, if you'd like. It is rare, at least in the middle-atlantic states where I live, that a forecast is arrived at quite so easily. Sure, much of the data available to the forecaster is a mouse-click away, courtesy of massive computer models run numerous times a day. But the science behind these models, and the analysis done by the forecasters in reviewing all the data available to them, produces a high-quality forecast which, more often then not, is actually right, and is not the same as pushing the cheeseburger button, instead of the fish-sandwich button.
Most people don't recognize that the studies one must undertake in order to become a meteorologist are extremely demanding. Frequently, while in college, non-meteorology majors will take an Intro to Meteorology class, and think, "Hey that was easy, I can do that!" What they don't actually realize is that for meteorology majors, that class is just the beginning of a sequence of courses that few students actually make it through, which include many semesters of high level calculus, physics, thermodynamics, and so on, and so on. There is precious little time actually spent observing and reviewing the weather these students love. Instead, hours and days are spent memorizing formulas and learning mathemetical equations that, at their best, numb the mind and make one wonder whether it is all worth it.
Eventually, those gifted and lucky enough to make it through graduate with their degree and proceed to try to enter what is at best, a tiny field. There are very few openings, especially for one without prior experience. Sure, there are jobs for those with military experience, or for those who after suffering through what it took to graduate with a bachelor's degree, were masochistic enough to pursue their Master's degree. But there is no corner forecaster in each town, looking to hire the latest crop of new graduates. Truly, only the best and brightest find their way into the field of weather forecasting.
Once in their field, the studies these men and women have done is put to the test. Computer model data is not exactly the same as a polished, accurate, ready-made forecast. What do you do when one model predicts dry weather and another suggests torrential downpours? How does one judge whether the 500-1000 mb thickness is right in suggesting snow, when normally, the storm track predicted would suggest rain? Should a flood watch be issued - precipatable water values are very high right now, but streamflows are low in the forecast area.
All of this is not to say that weather forecasting is too difficult, and can't be done. This is a science that has made great progress in just the past 10 or 20 years. Weather forecasting models of today make the earliest models look foolish. We can predict with accuracy once only dreamed of. And when mistakes are made, they are regrettable but unfortunately, expected given the complex science. Consider the intricacy of the atmosphere - it is never exactly the same on any one day as it was on any other day. And yet we are able to take volumes of data and, on most days, turn out an accurate forecast. I think that is worthy of a great deal of respect.
So the next time you read your forecast, remember that the men and women behind it have worked very hard to make it as accurate as possible, using the skill and knowledge honed over years of study and experience. Perhaps you can't get it with fries and a soda, but you can get it with the knowledge that it is probably right.
What I find most interesting about this representation of a highly skilled and technically demanding field of a fairly new science is how wrong it is, and how little most people actually know about what goes on to create a weather forecast. I think this is so, because most people approach meteorology with the same mindset that they approach pulling up to the drive-thru of their favorite local fast-food restaurant. "I'd like the number 2 value meal please, with a chocolate shake...", and just seconds later, their food is in their hands, exactly as they ordered it. The teenager serving them just had to push the right two or three buttons, and voila, there's the food. Little thought, and no analysis was needed.
Forecasting the weather is not quite so easy. You friendly local meteorologist does not show up at his or her office, push a button and dish out your forecast to you, with a side of fries, if you'd like. It is rare, at least in the middle-atlantic states where I live, that a forecast is arrived at quite so easily. Sure, much of the data available to the forecaster is a mouse-click away, courtesy of massive computer models run numerous times a day. But the science behind these models, and the analysis done by the forecasters in reviewing all the data available to them, produces a high-quality forecast which, more often then not, is actually right, and is not the same as pushing the cheeseburger button, instead of the fish-sandwich button.
Most people don't recognize that the studies one must undertake in order to become a meteorologist are extremely demanding. Frequently, while in college, non-meteorology majors will take an Intro to Meteorology class, and think, "Hey that was easy, I can do that!" What they don't actually realize is that for meteorology majors, that class is just the beginning of a sequence of courses that few students actually make it through, which include many semesters of high level calculus, physics, thermodynamics, and so on, and so on. There is precious little time actually spent observing and reviewing the weather these students love. Instead, hours and days are spent memorizing formulas and learning mathemetical equations that, at their best, numb the mind and make one wonder whether it is all worth it.
Eventually, those gifted and lucky enough to make it through graduate with their degree and proceed to try to enter what is at best, a tiny field. There are very few openings, especially for one without prior experience. Sure, there are jobs for those with military experience, or for those who after suffering through what it took to graduate with a bachelor's degree, were masochistic enough to pursue their Master's degree. But there is no corner forecaster in each town, looking to hire the latest crop of new graduates. Truly, only the best and brightest find their way into the field of weather forecasting.
Once in their field, the studies these men and women have done is put to the test. Computer model data is not exactly the same as a polished, accurate, ready-made forecast. What do you do when one model predicts dry weather and another suggests torrential downpours? How does one judge whether the 500-1000 mb thickness is right in suggesting snow, when normally, the storm track predicted would suggest rain? Should a flood watch be issued - precipatable water values are very high right now, but streamflows are low in the forecast area.
All of this is not to say that weather forecasting is too difficult, and can't be done. This is a science that has made great progress in just the past 10 or 20 years. Weather forecasting models of today make the earliest models look foolish. We can predict with accuracy once only dreamed of. And when mistakes are made, they are regrettable but unfortunately, expected given the complex science. Consider the intricacy of the atmosphere - it is never exactly the same on any one day as it was on any other day. And yet we are able to take volumes of data and, on most days, turn out an accurate forecast. I think that is worthy of a great deal of respect.
So the next time you read your forecast, remember that the men and women behind it have worked very hard to make it as accurate as possible, using the skill and knowledge honed over years of study and experience. Perhaps you can't get it with fries and a soda, but you can get it with the knowledge that it is probably right.
NJ Forecast - 6/12/09
Friday: Showers in the morning, giving way to mostly cloudy skies, with a 30% chance of a late day shower. High 79. Light NNW wind.
Friday Night: Mostly cloudy. Low 64. Light NNE wind.
Saturday: Cloudy, with a 30% chance of a shower. High 77. Light SE wind.
Saturday Night: Cloudy, with a 40% chance of a shower or thundershower. Low 60. Light SE wind. Possible rainfall less than a tenth of an inch.
Sunday: Cloudy with a 40% chance of a shower. High 75. NE wind 5 mph. Possible rainfall less than a tenth of an inch.
Sunday Night: Mostly cloudy. Low 57.
Monday: Mostly cloudy with a 30% chance of a shower. High 76.
Monday Night: Partly cloudy. Low 57.
Tuesday: Mostly sunny. High 74.
Tuesday Night: Partly cloudy. Low 57.
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