National Weather

Yet another reason the Weather Channel shouldn’t name winter storms

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The Weather Channel's naming of storms has never been a good idea. Now we see another reason why when a letter appears to be missing from this storm's name. Click for a larger view.
The Weather Channel’s naming of storms has never been a good idea. Now we see another reason why when a letter appears to be missing from this storm’s name. Click for a larger view.

Last year the Weather Channel unilaterally decided to start naming winter storms, a decision met with ridicule and concern from weather professionals.  Now, with a storm TWC calls ‘Janus’, we very graphically can see another reason why the naming of these storms may not be a good idea.

The list the Weather Channel created for winter storms during the 2013 – 2014 season range contains everything from Latin words and Roman governors to mythological figures.

The channel is calling the current storm pounding the Northeast ‘Janus.’  Janus comes from Roman mythology and was considered the god of beginnings and transitions.

Setting aside the fact the naming of winter storms is ridiculous and only serves to confuse people in potentially dangerous situation, the display of the name during broadcasts has brought further ridicule.

Many graphics showing the word ‘Janus’ on TWC were partially obscured by their on air personalities and even their own imagery.  The end result has been the appearance of the name without the ‘J’.

See the screenshot top right and below.

Related stories from Examiner.com:

The Weather Channel's naming of storms has never been a good idea. Now we see another reason why when a letter appears to be missing from this storm's name.
The Weather Channel’s naming of storms has never been a good idea. Now we see another reason why when a letter appears to be missing from this storm’s name.
Examiner.com, National Weather

Historical Super Bowl temperatures, conditions and weather extremes

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People walk in New York’s Times Square as snow falls during the rush hour January 21, 2014. Snow on the field is a possibility for the first time in Super Bowl history.
People walk in New York’s Times Square as snow falls during the rush hour January 21, 2014. Snow on the field is a possibility for the first time in Super Bowl history. (Getty Images)

Super Bowl XLVIII will be the first NFL championship game played outdoors at a cold-weather location. Looking back at the history of previous sites for the event, much milder weather than what will likely be seen at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey this year has been the rule.

Over the past 47 Super Bowl’s, the average on-field temperature at kickoff has been 66.5 degrees. The contests that have been played at northern latitudes have previously been in domed stadiums helping to keep that average up. That is a luxury the Denver Broncos and Seattle Seahawks won’t enjoy.

It is highly likely that this year’s Super Bowl between the Denver Broncos and Seattle Seahawks will be the coldest on record and possibly the first to have snow fall on the field.

How would that compare to weather extremes experienced during other NFL championship games?  Find out in the story on Examiner.com

Natural Disasters, World Weather

NASA satellite captures image of Australian wildfires

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Satellite imagery of wildfires is something we are certainly used to seeing here in Colorado, particularly the last couple of years.  Summertime in Australia brings wildfire danger as well and a NASA satellite captured smoke billowing from a blaze down under.

Much of Australia has been gripped by record-setting heat in recent weeks thus leading to the increased fire danger.  The image from NASA’s Aqua satellite shows one of the blazes burning.

From NASA:

“In January 2014, an intense heat wave and strong winds fueled an outbreak of hundreds of bushfires in South Australia. The Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) on NASA’s Aqua satellite acquired this image of grass and shrub fires raging in Yumbarra Conservation Park on January 16, 2014. Red outlines indicate hot spots where MODIS detected unusually warm surface temperatures associated with fire. Northerly winds blew large plumes of smoke out over the Great Australian Bight. Members of the aboriginal community of Koonibba were preparing to evacuate as a large fire headed in the direction of the town, according to the Australian Broadcasting Company.”

NASA satellite image of wildfires and their smoke in Australia. (NASA)
NASA satellite image of wildfires and their smoke in Australia. (NASA)
Climate Change, Examiner.com

Weather Channel says manmade climate change a factor in dispute with DirecTV

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In its fight to stay on the air on DirecTV, The Weather Channel has said that the need to push the global warming theory is a driving factor.
In its fight to stay on the air on DirecTV, The Weather Channel has said that the need to push the global warming theory is a driving factor.

Tuesday morning 20 million subscribers to DirecTV found The Weather Channel missing from their viewing options. The weather network has cited its need to sound the manmade climate change alarm as one of the reasons it needs to be available to the satellite provider’s subscribers.

Some have said that global warming and manmade climate change will bring an increase in “extreme weather” events.

David Kenny, chairman and CEO of The Weather Company, said in a statement today, “This reckless move by DIRECTV will have an impact on our role as part of the national safety and preparedness fabric of our country at a time when the volatility and frequency of weather events seems to be increasing.”

While not overtly mentioning climate change, the implication is there.

Read more about how TWC plans to spread the word about manmade climate change on Examiner.com

Examiner.com

Weather Channel goes dark on DirecTV, other weather networks ready to jump in

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Despite The Weather Channel's PR campaign, DirecTV has dropped the network from its lineup.
DirecTV dropped The Weather Channel last night. Does anyone really care?

Following a contentious dispute with satellite television provider DirecTV, The Weather Channel went dark on the service at midnight Monday. The loss of the network however has allowed other true weather networks an opportunity to provide news and information to the public.

The loss is the first major outage for The Weather Channel that brought 24 / 7 weather to Americans’ homes but has since given up on its core mission in favor of reality based television shows.

It is that shift in programming choices and the lack of true weather coverage that DirecTV cited in its decision to drop the network.

Read more about the dispute and the alternatives for real weather news and information on Examiner.com

Examiner.com, Natural Disasters

Helmet cam captures motorcycle rider trying to cross Colorado floodwaters

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Screen capture of Michael Henao losing control of his motorcycle while trying to cross flash flooding in Colorado in September 2013.
Screen capture of Michael Henao losing control of his motorcycle while trying to cross flash flooding in Colorado in September 2013. (YouTube / GoPro)

September 2013 went into the history books as one of the most disastrous in Colorado history as torrential rains brought devastating flooding. Most residents heeded warnings meant to save lives but newly discovered video showcases one man ignoring them and nearly drowning in the process.

The video, released by action camera maker GoPro last week, features motorcycle rider Michael Henao attempting to cross flooded Colorado roadways near Boulder. The results were nearly deadly.

Shown from his helmet-mounted camera, Henao starts on on mud-covered roads but then continues on what is clearly a closed road. Water that initially appears calm gets deeper and runs faster as he rides further into the floodwaters.

Read the rest of this story and watch the amazing video on Examiner.com

Climate Change, Examiner.com

White House: ‘Polar vortex’ cold likely linked to manmade climate change

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The extreme cold seen in Chicago and many other North American cities may be attributed to global warming according to White House officials.
The extreme cold seen in Chicago and many other North American cities may be attributed to global warming according to White House officials. (Getty Images)

Amid the record-setting cold being seen across much of the United States, the White House dispatched one of its top science officials to try to convince Americans that global warming is occurring and may in fact be responsible for the cold.

In a video published to the White House’s website and YouTube yesterday, Dr. John Holdren, President Barack Obama’s science advisor says, “If you’ve been hearing that extreme cold spells, like the one we’re having in the United States now, disproves global warming, don’t believe it.”

Scientists however have been struggling to explain the lack of ‘extreme weather’ or increasing temperatures.  Alarmists seem to want to tie any type of event to manmade climate change now.

Read the rest of this story and watch the video on Examiner.com

Colorado Weather, Examiner.com

Video captures chain reaction multi-car crash on I-25 near Colorado Springs

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A screen capture shows the moment of impact during one of a series of accidents on I-25 Saturday, January 4, 2014.
A screen capture shows the moment of impact during one of a series of accidents on I-25 Saturday, January 4, 2014. (YouTube / coach tone)

As temperatures dropped and the snow fell Saturday across Colorado, roads became ice-coated and driving conditions worsened. Video captured near Colorado Springs captured a harrowing multi-car pileup on Interstate 25 that highlighted the dangerous road conditions.

Posted by a user Anthony Salazar to KOAA-5 television’s Facebook page, the video is taken from an overpass in the Colorado Springs area on Saturday, January 4.

Showing I-25 southbound, some drivers are shown exercising appropriate caution on the icy roads and proceeding slowly. Calamity ensues when others are less aware of the conditions.

Read the rest of this story and check out the amazing video on Examiner.com

Site News, Thornton Weather

Announcing the ThorntonWeather.com monthly photo slideshow

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One example of an amazing image captured by a ThorntonWeather.com fan that will be featured in our monthly slideshows. (Marla Winter)
One example of an amazing image captured by a ThorntonWeather.com fan that will be featured in our monthly slideshows. (Marla Winter)

From stunning sunsets and impressive storms to cute snow-covered dogs and amazing wildlife, Coloradans witness amazing things every day.  Starting today ThorntonWeather.com begins a new feature showcasing the imagery captured by cameras and we want YOUR pictures to share with others.

Colorado’s weather is anything but boring and virtually every day we are greeted with wonders large and small.  Even in the quietest of weather conditions, the views of our landscape are stunningly varied from the vast plains to the east through the urban corridor of Denver and Thornton to the massive peaks towering over 14,000 feet high.

We all love our state and the wonders we see every day.  ThorntonWeather.com wants to share what you see with others.

Our monthly photo slideshow is going to feature images that we have taken but more importantly images that you have captured.  The photos can be of anything even remotely weather-related.

Landscapes, current conditions, wildlife, pets, kids.  Whimsical, newsy, artsy.  Taken at the zoo, some other area attraction, a local park, a national park or your backyard.  You name it, we want to see and share it!

Images can be taken in Thornton, Denver or anywhere across the extraordinary Centennial State.  We’ll even take some from out of state if we can tie it to Colorado somehow.

We’ll keep the criteria very open to interpretation with just about any image eligible to be shown in our slideshows.

What do you win for having your image in our slideshow?  We are just a ‘mom and pop’ outfit and make no money from our site so we really don’t have the means to provide prizes.  However you will have our undying gratitude and the satisfaction that your images are shared on the most popular website in Thornton.

To share you images with us and get them included in the slideshow just email them to us or share them with ThorntonWeather.com on any of the various social media outlets.  Links are provided below.

So come on, get those camera’s rolling!

Weather, natural disasters & climate news and information.