Messages

3766

General Discussion / Re: House Budget Proposal Could Devastate the NWS’s Watch/Warning Forecasts

« on: February 17, 2011, 07:56:23 AM »

You guys don't get it. We're broke. As in out of money. In order to get out of debt, we have to stop spending. Obviously spending cuts are never fun for anyone involved, but we have to do it. Otherwise, the dollar will continue to be devalued and prices for essentials like gas and food will continue to go up.

And I know this sounds crazy, but the NWS could ask for donations. Or - dare I say it - become a private company. And if they can't make it, then a private company like TWC will step up to the plate. The point is, while I like the NWS, we don't need the government to tell us that a storm is bad and we should head for cover. The picture the article paints is just a ploy to get you scared and angry, so you'll tell your congressmen and women to say no to the cuts. In other words, they think you're stupid.

I can agee with that, but the part that concerned me was about how the computer models and hurricane forecasting could be affected. You can use TWC, Accuweather, Local news or whoever, but with decreased resources on that I think it would make forecasting that much more difficult.

3767

General Discussion / House Budget Proposal Could Devastate the NWS’s Watch/Warning Forecasts

« on: February 16, 2011, 03:57:20 PM »

Just something I thought would catch some of your attention. Sounds like were going a century back into the 20th century if this happens.... I highlighted some concerning key points in this article.

As hurricane and tornado seasons approach, funding for the NWS will be nearly 30 percent less than the first half of 2011, if the Continuing Resolution proposed by the House majority is enacted. Congress's move will necessitate work furloughs and force rolling closures of Weather Warning Offices across the country. The effects will be felt in every aspect of daily life, including emergency management, television weather, and information used by our nation's citizens for transportation, commerce and agriculture.

The National Hurricane Center, the Storm Prediction Center, the Aviation Weather Center, the Tsunami Warning Centers, River Forecast Centers and local Weather Forecast Offices located in communities across the nation are all victims of Congress's budget cut.

"When the budget blade drops on the NWS, it will be felt around the country," said NWSEO President Dan Sobien. "In the next hurricane, flood, tornado or wildfire, lives will be lost and people will ask what went wrong. Congress's cuts and the devastation to the wellbeing of our nation's citizens are dangerously wrong."

Reduced funding will mean upper air observations currently made twice a day might be reduced to every other day. Buoy and surface weather observations, the backbone of most of the weather and warning systems, may be temporarily or permanently discontinued.  Delays in replacement satellites run the risk of losing key weather data that can be obtained no other way.  "This information is vital for weather modeling and essential for accurate tornado watches and warnings," said Sobien.

The National Hurricane Center is not immune to these cuts as furloughs and staffing cuts will add strain to the program. The Hurricane Hunter Jet, which provides lifesaving data and helps determine a hurricane's path, could also be eliminated.

Recent advances in aviation weather forecasting have resulted in as much as a 50 percent reduction in weather related flight delays. Unfortunately, these improvements are also on the chopping block as the money to fund the programs will be discontinued.

"Decreased accuracy of forecasts is going to devastate every aspect of our daily lives. There will be a large scale economic impact on aviation, agriculture, and the cost shipping food and other products," warns Sobien. "Most importantly, Congress is going set back our ability to save lives by decades."

Link --> http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/house-fiscal-11-budget-proposal-could-devastate-the-national-weather-services-life-saving-warnings-and-forecasts-116235429.html

3768

Local Forecast / Re: What lf songs do you wish to have?

« on: February 14, 2011, 10:44:35 PM »

Steve Fox - Time With You

3769

General Discussion / Re: The Pot Belly Stove

« on: February 14, 2011, 08:46:03 PM »

By the way, hello from Norman, OK.  I've made it through the flight just fine, and it's a warm sunny day here.

Oh my God, that town is the BEST! And the National Weather Center...man oh man, I could live in that place! Just hope that the weather doesn't become ironically bad while you're there.
 
On a sadder note, the consequences of all those snow days are finally hitting. Thankfully, our school has elected to not shorten breaks, but for two weeks, we are going to have every single class. The rings around my eyes are about to get a WHOLE lot darker.

We only have to make up one day. Before the snow/ice in January we were supposed to be out this Friday and President's Day, but they took President's Day back for the makeup day. We got lucky to not get more than an inch of snow last week because that would have been a second day to make up.

I just got back from a trip to DC this morning. It was a fun few days but back to reality. Wow I can not believe how warm its going to get later this week! Where did winter go?

Probably plotting and waiting to make it's next sneak attack on us. 

Kyle, you can't underestimate the stupidity of some people.  There's far worse things that could be done in that department.

By the way, hello from Norman, OK.  I've made it through the flight just fine, and it's a warm sunny day here.

So does this mean you'll be working there permanantly or is it just temporary?

3770

General Discussion / Re: What is the last thing you bought?

« on: February 14, 2011, 06:38:10 PM »

I paid $15 for a haircut today. Haven't had one in about 4 or 5 months.

3771

TWC Fan Art / Re: Weatherlover's Artwork

« on: February 12, 2011, 03:07:04 PM »

I like it though are you changing your display name soon? jk

Nope! 

3772

TWC Fan Art / Re: Weatherlover's Artwork

« on: February 12, 2011, 12:50:45 PM »

New username logo I'm working on for my sig.  What do you guys think so far? 

3773

General Discussion / Re: Happy Birthday, Patrick!

« on: February 12, 2011, 11:43:43 AM »

Happy birthday Patrick! I hope you're having fun on your special day! 

3774

General Discussion / Re: Happy birthday Trevor!

« on: February 11, 2011, 11:41:56 PM »

Happy Birthday!

3775

The Game Room / Re: What Are You Watching Right Now?

« on: February 10, 2011, 08:15:34 PM »

Wipeout on ABC

3776

TWC Fan Art / Re: Weatherlover's Artwork

« on: February 10, 2011, 07:14:24 PM »

WeatherStar4000 SLF Map
I made this last week and I used Derek's 4000 map w/ the airport codes on it, I haven't had the time I wish I could to make one of my own right now.

3777

TWC Fan Art / Re: Weatherlover's Artwork

« on: February 08, 2011, 08:11:56 PM »

Nice! I love a mixture of STAR's in an emulator.

I'm glad you liked it Matthew, I tweaked some things around in the picture below.

Very nice! But I think the font in the L3rd headers may be a bit on the small side. Still very nice combo of many STAR versions though...love it!

I did have it a font size larger than I shrunk it back down at the last minute. It's been fixed back. Also I've settled on a look graphically and added isobars that I made. They aren't that good, but you get the jist of what it is.

3778

Everything Else Classic TWC / Re: Andy Richter Visits TWC (1997)

« on: February 08, 2011, 06:37:16 PM »

I saw this last year, but it still made me laugh. One of the best parts was when he dancing with the music programmer and the comment Andy made about the globe representing their goal of world domination.

Marny: Bruce was our first guy on camera.
Andy: And since then he's deteriorated. lol

3779

TWC Fan Art / Re: wxgatlin's artwork

« on: February 08, 2011, 06:13:16 PM »

I like what you have so far! 

3780

Everything Else TWC / Re: Blooper Thread

« on: February 07, 2011, 10:57:11 PM »

Is it just me or did Crystal have this look on her face like, "FINALLY, I can go home and get the hell out of here." look when that extreme weather video briefly cut off and the shot went back to the studio. Chris also looked awkward and embarrassed, trying to slowly walk off camera.