| ||||
|
|
Weather guessing game
By Doug Rich
Weather forecasting is not an exact science. Even with satellite images, Doppler radar, and computer models the best weatherman can only guess at what the weather will be tomorrow.
Recently, weathermen in our area were calling for the worst winter storm in 30 years. Radio and TV stations spent three days hyping this storm. The public responded by descending on grocery stores like hungry wolves. Hardware stores sold out of snow shovels and de-icer in a matter of a few hours. Church services and public gatherings were canceled and everyone prepared to be snowed in for days. The storm was supposed to arrive on Saturday night and dump over a foot of snow on the Kansas City area. Saturday night came but the snow did not, nor did it arrive on Sunday or Monday.
Two days later the same weathermen were predicting (guessing) that another snow storm was headed our way, but not to worry it would be a light snow. Seven inches of snow later the "light " snow was still falling.
Not content with scaring us to death about storms that never arrive here on Earth, meteorologists are now predicting "space weather." This refers to the state of magnetosphere and ionosphere which is determined by the solar wind. That makes about as much sense as some of the recent weather forecasts. These geometric storms are particularly hard on modern communications devices such as television transmissions, which at least would block useless weather forecasts here on Earth.
Some people still use the Farmer's Almanac to predict the weather. This well known publication depends on woolyworm caterpillars, groundhogs, and halos around the moon. Punxsutawney Phil did see his shadow on Feb. 2 which means six more weeks of winter. Expect heavy snow or rain very soon if there is a halo around the moon. A woolyworm caterpillar with a narrow orange band in the middle of its black bands is a sure sign there will be heavy snows. If our local forecasts are any indication the caterpillars around here must be plaid.
At my house we have a sure-fire weather predictor. The wrist my daughter broke when she fell off a trampoline in the fourth grade. It never fails. If her wrist hurts it is going to rain or snow, depending on the temperature. The more it hurts, the more it rains or snows. My wife's ankle, the one she sprained in a skateboard accident, can predict the weather occasionally but it is not as accurate as my daughter's wrist.
Weathermen can keep their radar, satellite images and computer models. Give me a broken bone or a sprained ankle anytime.
Doug Rich can be reached by phone at 785-749-5304 or e-mail at richhpj@aol.com.
Date: 3/10/04
Copyright 1995-2008. High Plains Publishers, Inc. All rights reserved. Any republishing of these pages, including electronic reproduction of the editorial archives or classified advertising, is strictly prohibited. If you have questions or comments you can reach us at High Plains Journal 1500 E. Wyatt Earp Blvd., P.O. Box 760, Dodge City, KS 67801 or call 1-800-452-7171. Email: webmaster@hpj.com
 
| |||||||||||||||||||||
