Thanks to Captain Dan from WYNE-AM 1530 which is part of our Storm Team Weather Radio Network, for sending this interesting article my way!

Professor may face jail if LA weatherman harassed

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BURBANK, Calif. (Map, News) -

Authorities say a college professor on a crusade to change the way a Los Angeles weatherman uses terminology has to leave him alone or face six months in jail. 

Melanie Patton Renfrew, a Harbor College teacher, wants KNBC-TV’s Fritz Coleman to change references to onshore and offshore winds.

She says the terms are confusing because people don’t know which are coming and which are going.

Burbank-based KNBC obtained a restraining order in March 2008 after calling her behavior bizarre and saying Coleman feared for his safety.

Prosecutors say she continued sending letters and e-mails. Last month, she pleaded no contest to violating the order.

Burbank Assistant City Attorney Denny Wei says the case will be dismissed if she leaves Coleman alone through next August.

Copyright 2009 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.

Usually the Storm Team gets an advanced copy of the Almanac.  This year our weather center has yet to be graced by the book.  That is beside the point. 

The Winter prediction by the Farmer’s is, however, making headlines for it’s predictions of “Numbing cold” on the way to a good chunk of the country this winter.  For us, the news is sort of mixed mixed.  According to the almanac, we will be bitterly cold, but not have to worry about as much snow!  Basically, freeze Lake Erie early, cut off the lake effect.

Here is an Associated Press breakdown of the 2010 Winter Prediction:

While the National Weather Service’s prediction is generally for a milder Winter, the Climate Prediction Center’s (Part of the National Weather Service) discussion says:

UNCERTAINTY IN THE FUTURE STRENGTH AND DURATION OF THIS EVENT (El Nino) IS CONSIDERED IN THE SEASONAL FORECASTS, ESPECIALLY AT LONGER LEAD TIMES.

Ray Petelin,
WSEE Storm Team Meteorologist

Unless you live in a deep hole, you have noticed that this July in Erie has been anything but July-like.  Typically we would be basking in the “dog days” of Summer by now, but not this year.  I almost feel like putting up a “have you seen my dog” sign in hopes that it would bring back something that resembled a day that needed to be “dogged”.

In fact, it has been so cool this July that we could be on pace to end this month as the coldest July since they started taking records over 100 years ago! Lets go over the data…

An average July, after taking into consideration both the high and low tempreatures, would average 72.1 degrees Fahrenheit.  So far this year we have averaged 65.6 degrees, which is almost a full degree cooler than the coldest July on record (1976).

Now, we have a full week left in the month, and the models are indicating some warmer weather on the way.  So, we may not sit in the top spot much longer.  However. it may be safe to already say that we will make it into the top 10 when it comes to the coldest.

For reference, here is the top 10 list of the years in which Erie’s July was the coldest from the National Weather Service in Cleveland.

1.  1976 (66.4)

2.   1971 (66.9)

3.  1975 (67.5)

4.  1979 (67.6)

5.  2000 (67.8)

6.  1972 (68.4)

7.  1956 (68.6)

8.  1920 (68.6)

9.  1954 (68.7)

10. 1957 & 1967 (68.8)

–Meteorologist Ray Petelin

I though I would share a cool picture with you.  This image (click it to make it bigger) was taken by an Expedition 20 crew member on the International Space Station.  It is of a volcano eruption in Russia’s Kuril Islands on June 12th.

To read more about this volcano and eruption, you can visit NASA’s story about it by CLICKING HERE.

Ray Petelin,
WSEE Storm Team Meteorologist

State Police tells Newswatch that several roads in #Erie County are covered with water!  They were too busy to give a detailed list.  Give yourself extra time on your morning commute, and do NOT travel through water covering the roadways!!!

THE FLOOD WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 1130am.

Newswatch is getting reports of flooded roadways!  Interchange and 99 has water covering the roadways.  This may be rather common this morning with the heavy rains overnight into this morning.

NOTE: NEVER DRIVE INTO WATER COVERING A ROADWAY!  Floods are the NUMBER ONE cause of weather-related deaths.  TURN AROUND, DON’T DROWN!

Here is the 6am image of Storm Track 4D’s rainfall estimates.  This is a look at how much rain may have fallen over the last 3 hours (between 3am and 6am).  Heavy rains like this will lead to flooding, and with standing water still on the ground, more flooding my be possible later today as well. 

This morning’s FLOOD WARNING remains in effect until at least 11:30am.

Ray Petelin

A “Cut Off” area of low pressure will be setting some nasty weather loose on the region this week.  These “cut off” or “upper level” lows, as they are called, are responsible for bringing rather cool temperatures, clouds, fog, lake effect rain (or snow in the right season), and even thunderstorms if some sunshine peeks between the clouds.

When an area of low press breaks free, or cuts itself free of the jet stream, it removes itself from the winds that push it across the map.  The result is at leas a few days of rather crummy weather.  Also, this is a weather patern that is not typical for summer either.  Usually you see this set-up in late fall or early spring. 

Upper Level lows are difficult to forecast as well, so make sure you are aware of changes to the forecast that may pop up.

Ray Petelin,
WSEE Storm Team Meteorologist

The outlook for thunderstorms tomorrow (6/19) looks pretty good.  There may be enough “ingredients” in the atmosphere to promote severe thunderstorms, and possibly worse around the region.

The Storm Prediction Center (SPC) already has us under the “slight risk” for severe weather, while a good chunk of Ohio falls under the “moderate risk” category.  In short, we should plan on strong to severe thunderstorms to develop in the region.

I hope this gives enough notice for you to prepare your severe weather kits!

—Meteorologist Ray Petelin