Sunday, February 26, 2012

Take Me Out to the Ballgame

Baseball Season is finally here! For some that means peanuts, cracker jacks and hot dogs. For others it means warmer weather and sunshine. The Mississippi State Bulldog Baseball team has experienced a myriad of different kinds of weather this weekend while playing in a tournament at  Dudy Noble. The bulldogs have so far swept the tournament. Friday night, the temperature dropped and bulldog fans had to experience a chilly game. The temperature at the first pitch was 48 degrees with a dew point at 25. Winds were coming out of the NW at 6 mph bringing in cooler temperatures. The bulldogs defeated Kansas 1-0.

Saturday was a beautiful day for baseball. At the time of the first pitch of the first game for the bulldogs, it was clear with a few high clouds, a little chilly in the shade but nice in the sun. Temperature was at 56 degrees with winds out of the NW at 12 mph with gusts up to 21 mph which could have definitely affected where the baseball went. I also noticed that one of the Mississippi Valley State University players missed a pop-up fly because of the sun, which therefore advanced the bulldogs farther into play. MSU defeated MVSU 13-5. The bulldogs also played Kansas at 4pm. At that time, the weather was slightly warmer with a temperature at 59 and winds out of the N at 12 mph. At the end of the second game, the temperature dropped to 48 degrees and winds died down significantly. The bulldogs beat Kansas 3-1.

Sunday (today) is just as beautiful as Saturday, but better! Temperatures are warmer and there is not a cloud in the sky. Currently we are at 62 degrees with winds out of the SSE. By the first pitch, temperature should be about 60 degrees, and the winds are predicted to be still out of the SSE but picking up at 8 mph. By the end of the game, the temperature will continue to drop throughout the evening getting to a low in the upper 40s.

Good luck to the MSU Baseball team! Lets beat those Delta Devils!

Friday, February 17, 2012

Severe Weather Awareness Week



This week (Feb 13-17) is Severe Weather Awareness Week in the state of Mississippi. This week is provided to raise awareness on safety and knowledge of severe weather situations.

Monday covered severe thunderstorms and the differences between severe and regular thunderstorms as well as the difference between watches and warnings. What consitutes a severe thunderstorm is a thunderstorm that meets one or more of the following criteria: hail with a diameter of .25" (quarter sized) or larger, winds greater than 58 mph, or tornadoes. Knowing the difference between a watch and a warning can save many lives. I personally know people who get these two switched up and I constantly correct them. A watch is such that the conditions are favorable for a severe thunderstorm. A warning is that there is one indicated by radar or by a storm spotter and you need to be prepared.  These cover any kind of watch or warning, weather it be thunderstorm, tornado or even flood.

Tuesday discussed flooding. Flooding occurs when there is a significant amount of rainfall in a short amount of time. Flash flooding occur between minutes and 6 hours of the torrential rainfall. These are very dangerous because they can happen quickly and wash out roads, houses, and anything that gets in its way. River flooding is slower than flash flooding and is used for rivers, creeks etc. This happens when there is a lot of rain and the river overflows its banks.

Wednesday went over tornadoes. There was a statewide tornado drill at 9:15 AM and all sirens and weather radios went off in order to be prepared for an actual emergency. Tornadoes are particularly potent in the south. This is because generally there is so much moisture in the air, tornadoes are usually rain wrapped and difficult to see. Peak tornado season in the south east is late March to early May, as well as November and December.  If a tornado warning is issued for your city, IMMEDIATELY seek shelter in the lowest part of the house on the inside away from any windows. If you only have one floor, get in an interior bathroom or closet. Storm shelters are also good protection from natures fury. Tell tale signs a tornado may be near is a green sky, hail, and debris cloud. We rate tornadoes not by their intensity, but by the damage they produce on the Enhanced-Fujita scale. EF-0  (65-85 mph, weak)- light damage, shallow rooted trees pushed over, some damage to gutters and sidign. EF-1 (86-110 mph, weak)- moderate damage, mobile homes overturned, roof shingles peeled off. EF-2 (111-135 mph, strong)- considerable damage, large trees uprooted or snapped, mobile homes destroyed. EF-3 (136-165 mph, strong)- severe damage, trains overturned, well built homes will lose their roofs and walls. EF-4 (166-200 mph, violent)- devasting damage, well built homes leveled, cars thrown around. EF-5 (Over 200 mph, extreme)-Incredible damage, well built homes disintegrated, car sized objects thrown greater than 300 feet.

Thursday explained lightning. Lightning is probably the most underrated of weather events, however its a leading killer. Every thunderstorm has lighting, since you can not have thunder with out lightning. Here are some outdoor lightning safety tips: seek shelter in a house or in a metal car with the windows rolled up, if your hair stands on end and your skin tingles take cover because lightning is about to strike, if on a boat lie on the surface of the boat with cushions between you and the bottom and sides of the boat. DO NOT seek shelter under large trees or hills or near chain link fences. Indoor safety tips include staying away from windows and unplugging electronics.

I hope by the end of this week you have learned some valuable information about severe weather and the dangers that come along with it.

Wednesday, February 8, 2012

Weekend Forecast

Valentines Day is right around the corner, and if you're planning a big night out, or are like me and don't have any plans at all, you will need to know the weather.

Here in Starkville, our temperatures have been above average for the past few weeks. That is going to change this weekend. Our forecasted high for Saturday is 49, and even colder on Sunday with a high of 45. So if you are planning anything outdoors at all, you will need a jacket and/or heavy coat in order to keep yourselves warm. Now our lows are going to be significantly colder than we've previously had. Saturday night we will get all the way down to 23 degrees! BRRRRRR! If you are going to the Statewide Wesley Retreat in Jackson, bring blankets, coats, blankets, hot hands, and more blankets! However, the weather will cooperate just enough because there will not be any precipitation, only a few clouds on Saturday. Friday is a slightly different story where there is a slight chance of rain. If there is any rain at all, it should only be light showers and won't last long.

Over in Dacula, the temperatures are going to be pretty similar to the temperatures here in Mississippi. On Saturday the expected high is 50 and Sunday a high fof 45. But the lows are going to drop, they won't be as extreme as the lows in Starkville, Saturday night we will get down to 27. Thats still pretty chilly than what we've been used to these past few weeks. Friday night there is a slight chance of showers, but mostly sunny with a few clouds the rest of the weekend.

Enjoy you're weekend :)


Friday, February 3, 2012

It Ain't Over Till Its Over




The Big Game is this weekend in Indianapolis. It's Super Bowl Sunday and the entire nation will be watching the Patriots battle the Giants. Whether you are watching it for the football, the halftime show, or even the commercials, the weather will be a factor for the iconic weekend. Although the game will be played in the Lucas Oil Stadium, there will be many people tailgating.

Early Sunday morning, there will be some rain moving into the region, but that will not affect any tailgating plans. Sunday after noon, winds will be out of the north bringing in cold air making the temperatures drop, so a jacket will be needed as you're grilling hotdogs and hamburgers. A high is expected of 47 with a low of 29. This is somewhat warmer than average because the average high for february is 39 and the average low is 22. 

In 2014, the Super Bowl committee voted to have its first ever superbowl out in the elements in a cold weather location, that is, not in a dome. This Super Bowl will be held at the Met Life Stadium in New Jersey. We could never know what the weather will do in February 2014, but it sure will be an excited super bowl! The Weather Channel has an interesting article on weather events during the super bowl. http://www.weather.com/outlook/weather-news/news/articles/five-worst-weather-nfl-super-bowls-title-games_2012-02-02

Super Bowl Fun Facts:
1. 8 million pounds of guacamole will be eaten on Super Bowl Sunday
2. 14,500 tons of chips are eaten with the guacamole
3. It is the 2nd most watched sporting event in the world behind the World Cup.
4. A 30 second commercial aired during the super bowl costs $2,800.00
5. The NFL has a policy against holding Super Bowl games in stadiums that have a climate of less than 50 degrees Fahrenheit, unless it is an enclosed stadium.
 

1973- Los Angeles, California
2003- San Diego, California
1972- New Orleans, Louisiana
1982- Pontiac, Michigan
2007- Miami, Florida
2006- Detroit, Michigan
2000- Atlanta, Georgia
1980- Los Angeles, California
1984-  Tampa Bay, Florida
1989- Miami, Florida