Author: Meteorologist Mark

Weather Headlines

–A chance for some showers and a storm today

–Yet another chance for showers/storms on Thursday

–Many of us will stay dry, with little to no appreciable moisture for the next 7 days

–Watching the tropics

Main threats

No significant threats in sight.

Summary

We’ll see a frontal boundary drift into the area today, bringing a chance for some showers and perhaps a storm. Many of us will stay dry.

Yet another weak boundary drifts into the area on Thursday, giving us another shot at a shower or storm. Again, many of us won’t see a drop.

I put a chance for a storm on Friday because the models are suggesting that just enough moisture will pool on the plateau for the afternoon heat to set off a storm or two.

The NWS Nashville posted an interesting graphic on social media this morning. See the “News” section below for more info on that.

Almanac

Baldwin’s 7-Day forecast

Records

One of the most powerful hurricanes to ever strike New England hit on this day in 1815. The hurricane made landfall on Long Island and crossed Massachusetts and New Hampshire. It was reported that it was the worst storm in 200 years.

Tropics

We have Tropical Storms Jerry and Karen right now. Jerry has winds of 65 mph and Karen has winds of 40 mph. Jerry is headed out to sea but Karen will have to be watched. Hurricane Hunters are investigating Karen this morning. Hopefully, the data they gather will give us a better idea about what Karen plans to do.

We have another developing tropical storm just east of Africa. It, too, will need to be watched, but there are early indications that it will curve out to sea. Let’s hope so, as it could become an impressive hurricane.

One thing that is very interesting on satellite this morning is the exposed center of Tropical Storm Jerry. It’s pretty cool to see this happen on satellite, when it happens. Wind shear removes the strongest storms from the center, allowing us to see the center swirl around. How cool is that?

Today’s WeatherTAP WeatherWORD

Wind Shear

Wind shear is the change in wind speed or direction with height in the atmosphere. It can also refer to the change in winds over short horizontal distances, such as those experienced by aircraft.

WeatherTAP WeatherFACT

The launch of weather balloons gives us data that reveals the changing winds with height in the atmosphere. Such data is very valuable in making a good forecast!

NASA Knowledge

The Prime Minister of Australia, Scott Morrison, has announced that his nation will join us in the Moon to Mars program! The announcement came Saturday as Morrison visits the US. Morrison plans to triple, yes triple, the Australian Space Agency budget to support the Artemis project that will take us back to the moon and then on to Mars.

Australia has helped support the US’s space ambitions since the Apollo project.

News

The Nashville NWS released this graphic this morning. If you thought this had been an unusually warm fall, you’re right! The NWS says that there have been 89 days of 90 degrees or warmer heat this summer at the Nashville International Airport. The record is 96 days set back in 1954. Based on the climate outlook, this record is in trouble. The forecast calls for more hot weather next weekend and the outlook for October looks hot as well.

You all have a great day!

Our forecast changes little over the coming days. We have a slight chance for a storm tomorrow and again on Thursday. Most of us will stay bone dry for the next seven days. It’s getting dry, and it’s going to get drier.

A lot of folks have asked me if the tropics could bring us any rain. Well, the tropics are active, for sure, but it seems everything wants to curve out to sea. We have Tropical Storm Karen, as of this morning, who looks to just follow Tropical Storm Jerry. We’ll soon have Tropical Storm Lorenzo off the Africa coast.

I want to say how very proud I am of our community! We raised nearly $800 at the Mayland Senior Center fundraiser yesterday! How awesome is that? Everyone seemed to have a really good time, listening to some good music, enjoying some good food, and enjoying some good fellowship. It was a good, good day.

And now, for your Sunday Story!

Is There Life Out There?

NASA’s Hubble Telescope has discovered water vapor within another planetary body’s atmosphere. This planetary body is similar to earth in its location from its sun, in what NASA deems a “habitable” zone. This is the first such discovery since NASA began exploring the universe over 50 years ago. 

Don’t make any travel plans just yet, though, as this planetary body is about 110 light years away! 

The discovery of water on other planetary bodies is nothing new. Water has already been discovered on both the moon and Mars. We also know there are other water sources in space. Finding water along or underneath the surface is an exciting discovery, but finding water vapor in an atmosphere raises the question of life support systems on that body. 

We also know other planets have weather. Jupiter, for instance, has a storm as large as earth on it and has for hundreds of years. The storm is like a hurricane on earth. Instead of water, however, this Jupiter hurricane is spewing toxic gasses. You may be more familiar with its common name the Great Red Spot. 

While visiting Kennedy Space Center with other space enthusiasts this past summer, we had the chance to speak to an astronaut who had been to the International Space Station. The question was asked, “Do you think there’s life out there?” “No,” he said, “When you look out into that ink-black darkness you know it’s just us.” 

I’ve heard others disagree and I suppose that’s an argument that will be made until life is found, whether it be microscopic or intelligent. 

It’s interesting to read astronauts’ accounts of traveling to space and looking back at earth from that viewpoint. One remarked, “We traveled thousands of miles into space, only to look back and discover how precious our earth is.” 

Weather Headlines

–Warm afternoons and cool nights continue

–Dry and getting drier

–Very slight chance for a storm on Monday

–Watching the tropics

Main threats

No major threats

Summary

Just look for this pleasant weather to continue. It gets a bit warm in the afternoons, but the mornings sure are nice and cool. This trend will continue for the next week to ten days, with only a slight chance for a storm on Monday.

This dry stretch of weather is setting us up for one of the driest Septembers on record.

Almanac

Baldwin’s 7-Day forecast

Records

Crossville’s lowest September temperature reading was recorded on this day in 1956. We dipped all they way to 33 degrees for a morning low!

Tropics

The tropics are active but there are no immediate threats to the US. It continues to look like Jerry will curve out to sea, away from the US. Another storm, possibly two, will be named over the next few days. That’s the orange and red-shaded areas you see. We have plenty of time to watch both.

News

There will be the risk for severe storms from Minnesota to Kansas today. This is from the “cold” front that will move through here on Monday. It will be significantly weaker by then, though.

You all have a great day and be sure and join us at the Mayland Senior Center if you can! We’d love to see ya! I’ll have Meteorologist Mark bumper sticker magnets while supplies last!