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re: (meteorobs) Weather
Georges comments inspired a few thoughts. I had the advantage of being
interested in Meteorology before meteor-observingology, and have been
watching NJ weather for ahemmmmmm about 35 years. God bless the weather
channel! At least I have a way to get actual satellite pix, instead of
listening to interpretations by bozo tv weathermen.( It is a rule in NY..
there are only allowed to be 2 REAL meteorologists out of the 25 on air in
each week...all others must be clowns). Of course, this will probably be
the best weekend of the last 10.....unfortunatly the Big Nightlight is out
this weekend. Oh well, I won't need my Coleman lantern at the campground
:-)
Wayne
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Original Text
>From GeoZay@aoldot com, on 5/30/96 8:41 PM:
To: <meteorobs@latradedot com>
If you are a frequent observer...whether it be for meteors or just deep sky
stuff, one becomes his own weatherman to some degree. I've learned to
cringe
whenever the local tv weatherman says certain words...for me "deep marine
layer" sends shivers up my spine. A storm front is clear cut...there's no
doubt there...just stay home. But a deep marine layers means to me that I
may have to do some driving to higher ground as the night evolves. The fog
layer just keeps climing higher and higher. Sometimes I can't get any
higher
than it is and to find clear skies is dependent on how bad you want to see
clear skies...such as during a major shower. This may mean to high tail it
for the desert ...but this often means strong winds out there or in the
mountains if you were able to get above the fog level. I don't know how
many
times I've cussed out the local weathermen for their inaccuracies. Also, I
don't know how many times I was thankful for their failed predictions of
storm fronts moving in at so and so time. I am grateful to have an
observatory/shack. If the weather turns bad, I simply climb inside, crank
up
the electric blanket and sleep until day break. I usually set up prior to
sunset when I observe. This gives me time to set the cameras up and make
other preparations etc....plus a nap. I have this agreement with Bob to
phone him from my inlaws telephone in the garage if the weather looks
lousy.
Saves him a little. One night I erred. I believe it was during the 1993
or
94 Eta Aquarids. A storm front was on it's way the weather report was.
But
I took a gamble for a stalled front and was gonna observe until I couldn't.
It was clear until about midnight. I can see the big storm front looming
to
the north. I made a judgement call and told Bob to stay home. The front
should be here in about a half hour. So he stayed home. I continued
observing until it was gonna be cloudy...but the storm front stalled just
in
my sight for a few hours. I had clear skies all night. At daybreak the
front continued to roll on in. Also, I remember last years Ursids..Clear
skies was the prediction. and it was clear as a bell until about 1
am...then
clouds moved in suddenly and I was experiencing snow by 2:30 am...I was not
too pleased with "Captain Accu-Weather" that night. What's the point of all
this?...No point! Just blowing off a little steam. On the whole though, I
do
have quite a few clear nights than not..dot it's the timing that stinks...such
as with a full moon or my work schedule...something we all can relate no
doubt.
George