Severe Weather Coverage 6-26

Narmeen and I broke into programming to tell viewers about the storms moving through the state. There is always a fine line between helping people stay safe but not being too alarmist. And as always lots of adlibbing. Blackberries are great for this because as new watches and warnings came in I could see them immediately and pass them along to you.

Cut-in #1:


Another Cut-in:

Forecast From Tuesday Night

This is me trying to be technical so I can get my American Meteorological Society Seal of Approval. It's a certification. I don't think this one is going to make the cut though...a few too many stumbles. Oh well, there's always tomorrow.

Where's June? A Stalled Storm Is Stalling Summer!

With a big trof over the northeast, we have been trapped in a cool and wet pattern. A cut-off low pressure system has been spinning off the coast of southern New England. A cut-off low is (as it's name suggests) "cut-off" from the steering winds of the atmosphere known as the jetstream. Since this storm has no steering winds to move it along, it is literally stuck spinning up unsettled weather day after day! A stalled storm...stalling summer! But it looks like a piece of energy will finally give this storm the boot late tomorrow with summer heat returning Thursday and this time it's sticking around. Who is ready for the 80s?! I am! I am! OK back to being professional....

Here are some June stats (as of June 23):

Average June Temperature: 64.5 degrees
Departure From Avg: 3.0 degrees below normal
Total Rainfall: 5.74"
Departure from Avg: 2.85" above average
Snowfall: Just kidding! It's not that cold.

Cloudy, yes. Damp, yes. But here's the good news...according to Climate Data from the National Weather Service we are spending less money on air-conditioning! Cooling costs this June are 80% lower than they were last year at this time. If there's a silver lining...I'll always find it!

Elizabeth Park

I visit Elizabeth Park in Hartford once a week...but this weekend I brought a camera! Check out some of my pics HERE! I am a "budding" photographer...get it? Budding? Sorry, I think meteorologists are born corny.

Anyway, great news! I am working for Garett all week long! So great ready to see a lot of me, hope you can stomach it. ;)

Getting Goofy with Gweny

Check out the video of me singing along with Gwen Stefani on my Facebook page:

http://www.facebook.com/RachelWeather

I apologize if you don't have a Facebook account. But trust me it's worth signing up...Not just for my super-amazing videos. But also so you can stalk your lab partner back from middle school!

I also posted video of the paparazzi following in NYC. Ugh...it's hard to be famous. (Kidding, obviously!!)

New Britain Teachers Face Layoffs

I feel bad for the School Board, for Governor Rell, and for anyone who has to make major cuts to any budget. Times are tough and they are forced to lay people off, it's not their fault. What a a burden to know that the decisions you make directly affect people's livelihood.

Two Tech Schools Face Closure

I Did A Happy Dance Today

There's really nothing better than getting a pat on the back from your employer and co-workers. Last night was my first NEWS live shot at the station. Sure I can stick a ruler in the snow with the best of 'em during weather coverage. But covering a serious news story at the top of the show scares me! My body shakes and my brain runs through every nightmare scenario (what if my package doesn't run, what if I forget my lines, what if I sneeze, what if I say incorrect information, what if a half naked man starts dancing around me?). But when it's showtime, you take a breath and do the best you can.

I got so many nice complements from the higher ups at the station, I ended up doing a little happy dance when I got home today (I'll have to show you that some time). Then I started thinking (never good)...I just hope I can live up to the high expectations my station has now. What did I get myself into? I'm already nervous about my next assignment and I don't even have it yet! Worrying is my disease. I got it from someone in my family, I will not say any names (DAD).

Swine Flu Claims 3rd Victim

I asked the doctor word for word "is the media blowing swine flu out of proportion?" and he looked me in the eye and said "no, it's is a big deal, this flu will go down in history." Every year when the seasonal flu comes around, our bodies develop anti-bodies to protect us. But since this is a "novel" or new virus, our bodies have no experience on fighting it. Also, there may be many more cases of swine flu that we don't even know about. Many people get better on their own, without seeing a doctor or without getting specifically tested for the swine flu.

New Cloud Type Discovered?

Could this be a new cloud type?? Check out this article to learn more!