Weather Headlines
A Blackberry winter to remember
Warmer, nice days to start our new upcoming week
Main threats
TONIGHT: Frost and light freeze conditions are likely, as temps drop to 28-32 degrees. A FREEZE WARNING is now in effect.
SATURDAY NIGHT: Frost and light freeze conditions will be likely once again, as temps drop to around 30 degrees by daybreak Sunday. Additional freeze watches/warnings will likely be needed.
Baldwin’s Severe Wx Concern
Baldwin’s 7-Day forecast
Daily Forecast
Today: Rainy and windy. Turning colder in the afternoon. We may even see some snow flurries in the evening. Clearing skies and falling temps expected overnight. Temps will fall below freezing (28 – 32 degrees). A freeze warning is in effect.
Saturday: After a very frosty start, we should enjoy a pleasant afternoon. More frost is expected overnight and freeze warnings will once again be needed.
Sunday: Another frosty start, then some clouds move into the area. Those of us north of I-40 could see a light passing shower.
Monday – Thursday: Partly cloudy skies, with mostly cloudy skies from time to time. At this point this time period looks dry. If any precip is added to the end of this forecast period, it should be on the light side.
Almanac
Yesterday’s National High and Low Temperature
High: 110 at Palm Springs, California
Low: 12 at Foster Flat, Oregon
Difference of: 98 degrees
Wx Hazards Across the Nation
There will be a chance for storms along the northern Gulf Coast today. Otherwise, lighter rains will affect the Southeast as a strong cold front moves through. Light snow falls as far south as the Smokies. Additional snow chances can be found across the northern plains.
Records
This day in 1947 was very winter-like across Middle Tennessee. The city of Nashville even dropped to 36 degrees.
Sound familiar? ha
Weather Trivia
Q: How far away has lightning been documented to have traveled from its parent storm?
a. 5 miles b. 10 miles c. 15 miles d. 20 miles e. 25 miles
(Answer at the end of the blog!)
NASA Knowledge
As NASA makes plans for us to go to Mars, it’s overwhelming at the things they have to think about. One of those many things is the kind of tires that will be used to roll across the Red Planet’s surface. The terrain is rocky and uneven and unforgiving. You sure don’t want to flip over! Plus, it gets really, really cold and then warms up in the afternoons. It’s enough to make a tire feel inadequate! (ha)
But, alas, NASA is getting it all figured out! They’re working to create a tire that can handle anything the Martian surface throws at it.
NASA wants the tire to be airless and loaded with springs that can make the ride smooth and worry-free (after all, isn’t there enough to worry about already?). The first vehicle with these tires is set to launch for Mars this coming July. It will be a land rover like we’ve never seen on Mars before.
You know what else is really cool? This technology will lead to tires on our own vehicles that never go flat! They will even improve fuel efficiency for our vehicles.
THIS is one of the many reasons so many of us love NASA. They make our lives better!
Long Range Outlook
Temps are still favored to be normal to below normal as we move through the middle of May, but you’ll notice moisture is now trending upward. There are long-range signals that a more unsettled, perhaps stormier, pattern will emerge toward the second half of May.
Temperature
Precipitation
Baldwin’s View-of-the-Day
In lieu of this Blackberry winter, I thought I thought I’d share some images of the Blackberry blossoms that I took yesterday. I hope you enjoy!
Weather News
While I’m not too confident we’ll see snow flurries this evening (though it is possible!), I’m very confident snow flakes will fly in the mountains this evening and tonight. Some of the peaks will likely pick up some light accumulation. I’m just not sure a “White Mother’s Day” has the same ring to it as a “White Christmas.” haha
Speaking of which…I shared this on Facebook yesterday but I’ll share with you all too. Our high Christmas Day was 64 degrees, after a morning low of 40. Our high tomorrow will struggle to get into the lower 50s, after morning lows in the upper 20s. So, you can honestly say that Saturday will be “colder than Christmas.” lol
And even if snowflakes don’t fall on the plateau, some records likely will…..
Answer to Trivia Question
A: (e) Lightning can travel at least 25 miles from the storm. That is scary! This is where you hear the term “bolt from the blue”. There can be blue sky overhead and then here comes a lightning bolt. The good news is that we have a way of knowing if this can happen. If you can hear the thunder you are close enough to be struck. This is why the National Weather Service says, “When thunder roars, go indoors.” I say, “When thunder roars, scoot that rear indoors!” lol
You all have a great day!