Here Comes the Weekend & Tornado Season has Begun in the Plains

Our Friday forecast is a beauty. We'll have plenty of sunshine and temperatures in the 60s with a few spots in the low 70s. As nice a start it is to the weekend, it just won't last. We get into an easterly flow on Saturday and that will bring cooler readings to the area. Water temperatures offshore are only on the low 40s. On Sunday, it gets even worse as we'll have showers around and temps will probably stay in the 50s.

After that we've got some big changes with highs in the 70s to start the week and only in the 50s to finish (maybe only in the 40s, kind of crazy for the first weekend in April). I imagine that we'll see snow in our western mountains next weekend. By the way, I called my frond Lori at WISP ski resort and this is their last weekend open...too bad, wait 'till next year.

Those big changes are an indication of just how volatile our weather can be this time of year. If you've been paying attention to the news this week, you've seen the devastation from tornadoes across the central part of the U.S. A few of my colleagues have asked if this is early for this sort of weather. The short answer is, NO.

I worked in Oklahoma City from 1994-1997 and we defined "storm season" from March 15th - June 15th. The atmosphere is transitioning from winter to summer and we often get some very intense storms. The "Jet Stream" is across the country and that is very important in the development of these big storms and in the development of severe weather.

Without strong winds in the upper levels of the atmosphere, the likelihood of damaging thunderstorms isn't that high. That's not to say that you can't have a tornado without strong winds aloft, I'm just saying that it is a very important ingredient in the formation of a super cell thunderstorm.

Nice Now, But Don't Plant Too Early

I was down by the Tidal Basin a little earlier (Wednesday Morning 3/28/07), and I noticed that the Cherry trees were starting to bloom. I'm guessing that they'll peak in about a week. The National Park Service chief Horticulturist Robert DeFeo has a peak blooming period of April 3-5.

http://www.nps.gov/nama/planyourvisit/national-cherry-blossom-page.htm is the National Park Service's Cherry Blossom page. Lots of goof stuff here.


























I know that it has been warm lately, but don't think it can stay this way. Some of our long range computer models are indicating a major chill headinig this way in a little over a week. This map is from the 12Z run of the GFS model and is valid for April 5th at 8 PM. If this verifies, we'll see highs in the low to mid 40s with lows down in the 20s. I would expect snow showers in western Maryalnd also. I think it's still OK to plant hardy trees and bushes, but for tender plants and flowers, it's best to wait until around May 1st.

It's like living in L.A., and I hurt my back mulching...

The weather this past week has been all over the place, some warm days, highs in the 70s and then some cool cloudy days with highs in the 50s. I got to thinking, this is a lot like Los Angeles.

I was there once in the early 90s. I was actually filling in at a Bakersfield TV station and a friend of mine was going to Law School at UCLA. It was a warm, sunny day in May and as I crossed the mountains on I-5 (kown as the "Grapevine"), I entered another climate.

L.A. was cloudy and chilly and I was grateful that I thought to bring jeans and a sweat shirt. The cause: The Marine Layer. Off the California Coast, the Pacific Ocean is rather chilly. When the winds are onshore, the "Marine Layer", moves in and coastal areas get trapped in the clouds and chilly air. When the winds shift offshore, the "Marine Layer", is replaced by warm and sunny weather. When the offshore winds are strong, they are called the Santa Ana Winds. Those are the ones that usually start the big fires out there.

Around here, it's very similar. The wind directions are opposite, and our mountains aren't as tall, but the onshore flow in the spring can really make for some very un SPRING-LIKE weather.

Speaking of Spring.....

I did my spring mulching on Sunday. The sun was out and temps were in the 60s so I was itching to get outside and do some yard work. I went and bought 25 bags of shredded pine bark. I first went to Home Depot in Germantown, but it was a madhouse. Good for them.

Not wanting to wait in a very long line, I went to WAL-MART around the corner. Yes, WAL-MART. The garden center was actually pretty empty and the mulch was about a dollar less per bag. Good for me, except that there was no one to help load all that mulch in to my mini van. WAL-MART. That was still O.K. because I saved 25 dollars.

My wife helped unload, still doing fine. I was opening bags and spreading mulch. All was looking good. About 17 bags later, I bent down to get another bag and...OW! Something popped in my lower back. I managed to finish mulching and I had 4 extra bags that I gave to my neighbor Daniel. I sit in pain this morning. (How much Ibuprofen is too much?) I seem to be O.K. when sitting or walking, but the transition from sitting to standing is a killer.

I'll probably be better in a few days, just in time for next weekend's yard work.

Blogging-Bernstein Style!

First Off, Welcome to Blogging-Bernstein Style!

Of course I'll talk about weather, but what else may come up is anyone's guess. Along with my obvious interest in weather, I enjoy being a dad and working around the house. I married my high school sweetheart in 1989 and I'm still crazy about her. I am driven nuts by everyday insanity in the world around us and I love seeing people who love what they are doing. Passionate people are inspiring and a thrill to be around. So as we go through the blogging world together, don't be surprised if I end up going in all sorts of directions.

Now, some weather talk.

What a fun, or maybe, crazy month March is. We've had 80s and we've had snow. Wednesday saw highs only in the 40s and today(Thursday, March 22) we're looking at a rebound to 70 in many areas. The weekend will feature a nagging frontal boundary. I say nagging because it seems that it will be in the vicinity all weekend. That means an on and off chance for showers and temperatures that will range greatly. Saturday looks like the cool day with clouds, a chance of showers and temps staying in the 50s.

Before I go, a big HELLO to Cub Scout Pack 678, Bren Mar Park Girl Scout Troops, along with brother Packs 150, 691, 881 and 890 who I had the pleasure of talking with on Wednesday night at the Bren Mar Park School which is just off of Edsal Road by 395.

That's me with Pack Master Dan Ehrlich and "Baloo" the Bear.