Tuesday, May 10, 2005
Afternoon delight
Steve Scolnik @ 3:30 PM
Note: Access may be interrupted as our blogging host undergoes maintenance between 7 and 8 pm tonight.
Currently
You don't need to go to Kokomo for another in a string of delightful May days. Here in the Washington metro area, it's a bit warmer than normal with temperatures around the region well into the mid and upper 70's by early afternoon. Leesburg and Culpeper were leading the charge into the 80's at 2pm with 81 and 82, respectively. At 4pm, readings in the 80's were widespread across Virginia; Winchester led the local pack at 82. Maryland ("America in Miniature") had nearly a 30-degree range: Frederick was sunny and 81, but a low overcast (500 ft.) and easterly wind kept Ocean City at 52. Humidities are still quite comfortable, although a bit higher than yesterday. Regional radar was showing scattered showers in southern West Virginia.
Outlook
Scattered clouds tonight will become more overcast toward morning, with a 35% chance of showers. Tomorrow will become partly cloudy with highs again in the upper 70's.
Santorum bill: Consumers and producers
Position statements regarding the Santorum weather services bill, S.B. 786, have been issued by both consumers and producers of weather information. The Airline Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA) has issued a statement strongly against the bill. They state that this "legislation could result in the NWS no longer being permitted to provide the aviation weather products used by pilots." They point out that "Much like aeronautical charting, weather is a critical safety item that has a direct impact on the safety, capacity, and efficiency of the NAS [National Airspace System]". AOPA is the largest aviation organization in the world, with 400,000 members, or 2/3 of all pilots in the U.S.
The NWS Employees Organization (NWSEO) has also taken a firm position against the bill. Their web site contains a number of links to articles on the subject, including several from Sunday and yesterday. One of these, from the Charleston S.C. Post and Courier (requires minimal, but cumbersome, registration process), quotes a communications professor at the College of Charleston laughing out loud, saying, "It is a bizarre idea." The article also quotes Ray Ban, The Weather Channel's meteorology vice president, as opposing the bill.
While you're at the NWSEO web site, you might want to show your support by buying a shirt or mug from their online store. It has been a couple of decades since I was privileged to work at what was then called the National Meteorological Center, but I have never since encountered a more talented or dedicated group of scientists and technicians.
Currently
You don't need to go to Kokomo for another in a string of delightful May days. Here in the Washington metro area, it's a bit warmer than normal with temperatures around the region well into the mid and upper 70's by early afternoon. Leesburg and Culpeper were leading the charge into the 80's at 2pm with 81 and 82, respectively. At 4pm, readings in the 80's were widespread across Virginia; Winchester led the local pack at 82. Maryland ("America in Miniature") had nearly a 30-degree range: Frederick was sunny and 81, but a low overcast (500 ft.) and easterly wind kept Ocean City at 52. Humidities are still quite comfortable, although a bit higher than yesterday. Regional radar was showing scattered showers in southern West Virginia.
Outlook
Scattered clouds tonight will become more overcast toward morning, with a 35% chance of showers. Tomorrow will become partly cloudy with highs again in the upper 70's.
Santorum bill: Consumers and producers
Position statements regarding the Santorum weather services bill, S.B. 786, have been issued by both consumers and producers of weather information. The Airline Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA) has issued a statement strongly against the bill. They state that this "legislation could result in the NWS no longer being permitted to provide the aviation weather products used by pilots." They point out that "Much like aeronautical charting, weather is a critical safety item that has a direct impact on the safety, capacity, and efficiency of the NAS [National Airspace System]". AOPA is the largest aviation organization in the world, with 400,000 members, or 2/3 of all pilots in the U.S.
The NWS Employees Organization (NWSEO) has also taken a firm position against the bill. Their web site contains a number of links to articles on the subject, including several from Sunday and yesterday. One of these, from the Charleston S.C. Post and Courier (requires minimal, but cumbersome, registration process), quotes a communications professor at the College of Charleston laughing out loud, saying, "It is a bizarre idea." The article also quotes Ray Ban, The Weather Channel's meteorology vice president, as opposing the bill.
While you're at the NWSEO web site, you might want to show your support by buying a shirt or mug from their online store. It has been a couple of decades since I was privileged to work at what was then called the National Meteorological Center, but I have never since encountered a more talented or dedicated group of scientists and technicians.
Comments are closed for this archived entry | Link | 
Email this post
Email this post
