Comments on: Strong cold front bulldozes the nice weather away, bringing showers, gusty winds and a return to near-normal temperatures

By: Other John

Other John — Tue, 13 Nov 2012 17:09:11 +0000

Hoke Trax, I use the official CoCoRaHS gauge. I’ve been using it since January 2009, and aside from a small part of the upper lip being chipped from when I dropped it, it’s still in really great shape despite 4 years exposed to all manner of weather and almost 100% direct sun through the summer months. I still make sure to empty the gauge after a rain if it’s forecast to dip below freezing, but I typically leave the outer cylinder out all year, as it helps in collecting snow and sleet pretty well for the liquid equivalent measurements. It’s by far the most durable gauge I’ve ever owned.

http://www.ambientweather.com/strgloteprra.html

By: Jason in Riner

Jason in Riner — Tue, 13 Nov 2012 16:04:08 +0000

We picked up 0.85 inches of rain last night. I was out in the middle of it yesterday evening, unloading and stacking bags of anthracite coal that we use for heating.

By: Jp

Jp — Tue, 13 Nov 2012 15:33:18 +0000

Weather reporters would serve their viewers/listeners well by not stating what the “normal” or “average” temperatures are for a given day. This is an extremely deceptive and largely incorrect figure.

The so-called normal high or low on a given day is a mathematical average but not the “real-world” average. Pick any day of the year and take a look at how often the actual high or low is at, or even within a degree or two, of what has been deemed the “normal” figure for that day. Look at actual high/lows for a period of 30 years or more. In a large percentage of the time, the actual high/low will be several degrees, or more, on either side of what is described as “normal”.

Here is an extreme example, but one that indicates just how bad a statistic “normal” high/low temperatures are: Over a 30 year period, if the actual high temperatures on November 13th were 40 degrees on 15 of the years and 60 degrees on the other 15, the “normal” or “average” high would be calculated as 50 degrees. Yet the actual high was never 50 degrees on any of those days over the 30 year period. So how is it correct to state that the “normal” high for that day is 50? Mathematically it may be correct, but real-world wise its incorrect.

By: Shanon "Nurse Snow"

Shanon "Nurse Snow" — Tue, 13 Nov 2012 15:01:49 +0000

Haha on “Brutus”! This whole naming winter storms thing is CRAZY! My dad put in a call to my mom to buy him some under armour cold gear to wear. He’s none too happy about the cold temps in Montana right now. He said the wind pretty much blows ALL the time. My kids are still hoping to have snow soon. Can’t say that I’m not right there with them too!

While traveling home from Smyth County on Sunday night, while in Bland, the side of the road still has areas with 3-5 inches of snow. This is the snow that came from “Sandy”. Amazing how long it has lasted!

By: Kathryn Prociv

Kathryn Prociv — Tue, 13 Nov 2012 14:24:39 +0000

Great to see the rainfall reports from around the area, thanks! The drainage pit outside my building flooded last night. Not so much from the heavy rain but from the leaves that blocked the water from draining down!

Good morning to everyone, and boy you can feel the air mass change outside. Cool and crisp but the sun is shining brightly. Looks like today will be a lovely day.

Doug I agree with your frustrating over the TWC names. Kevin and I share the same sentiments about the whole thing. However, I like your idea of ZZ Top!

By: HokieTrax (West Hokieburg 2091')

HokieTrax (West Hokieburg 2091') — Tue, 13 Nov 2012 14:12:56 +0000

It rained on an off all Monday evening. Students were coming into our meetings all soaked last night. I took in my glass rain gauge because of freezing temps so I don’t know how much I got. Do the plastic ones hold up better in freezing weather?

The archaeology project in Luray has been cancelled because of the forecast cold and wet weather this weekend. I’m CRUSHED. Was so looking forward to that. So no weather worries until Tuesday when I travel to OH.

By: Other John

Other John — Tue, 13 Nov 2012 13:18:35 +0000

We picked up a nice soaking 0.75″ of rain in New River, which equaled what we had gotten for the previous 32 days, combined! But yeah, it was nice and comfy yesterday, and this morning I step outside to 34 and a little breezy…definitely a big change.

By: wdbrand

wdbrand — Tue, 13 Nov 2012 13:09:34 +0000

0.21″ total. 0.19″ last night and 0.02″ early this AM.

By: Doppler Carol (Floyd County Doppler 2546 ft)

Doppler Carol (Floyd County Doppler 2546 ft) — Tue, 13 Nov 2012 12:53:21 +0000

Good Tuesday Morning from up on the ridge near the Doppler. It was 32 this morning and we have had “0.44″ inches of rain. Sometime during the early morning hours we were awakened to the sound of sleet hitting the windows.

Sun is trying to shine through the clouds. The wind is blowing so the clouds are flying by the sun.

By: Doug Griggs, SW ROA County, 1420 Ft

Doug Griggs, SW ROA County, 1420 Ft — Tue, 13 Nov 2012 10:39:48 +0000

Remember that day (Saturday?) when Blacksburg had an amazing temp swing between the high and low of 44 degrees? Opposite case today. 42 here and at RRA right now, with a high of only 51 forecasted. By Channel 7. Actually the NWS is forecasting only 49.