My Accuweather Building Tour...
My Accuweather Building Tour from Wednesday, August 13, 2008...
Well I was thinking... Since I did a special Mt. Washington Blog I thought I would do a blog on my tour of the Accuweather Building. By the time this blog is posted for several days, it will be time for a special new blog potentially on a hurricane threat maybe impacting the east coast.
So on the drive up Rt. 322 I was anxiously getting excited for an hour-long term sponsored by the Accuweather Corporation. The drive up is a beautiful drive along scenic mountains and farming valleys. State College is located in Centre County, Pennsylvania, which is the exact central point of the state. State College is known around the United States for famous things such as Penn State football and in the meteorological community for the regional NWS stationed there, the Accuweather Building, and the wonderful meteorological program by Penn State University including WeatherWorld. When you think about it, it is odd that there are some many wonderful weather corporations located in the rural ridge and valley region of central Pennsylvania. There are no big cities nearby, just small towns with plenty of mountains and farms. Just recently I had been up in the region to see Penns Cave, which I wrote about in another blog. There are many things to see and do up in the region, especially in winter when the ski resorts open up. So anyway upon arrival, the building was pretty east to find. It was right off of Science Park Road located behind a few trees and another office building. When first looking at the main building it is quite a sight. The entire building is wind/glass paned with large letters at the top spelling of course, AccuWeather. Large satellite dishes were located in the front yard along with their Davis Vantage Pro2 located in the grassy pasture nearby.
My tour was scheduled for 11am, and off course as I always do I arrive early. So I snapped a few pictures of the outside building and then proceeded inside the building. The lobby is very interesting to say the least. At first it sort of has a retro feel to it with unusual architecture. But then I later found out the lobby is modeled after different weather features such as rain on the doors shown by a metal door with metal rain drops. And the unusual roof was actually sculpted to look like clouds (which it did look like clouds upon second glance). So I met up with Meteorologist Jesse Ferrell who is the Accuweather community director and also the tour guide. Mr. Ferrell has a great, laid back personality who really knows his company's history. The building is three floors and up we went first to the third floor. Up there were several head offices for the pro. meteorologists including Dr. Joel N. Myers who is the founder of Accuweather (I must say he has quite an office). Then as we walked through the rest of the cubic offices we went down to the main floor (2nd floor).
The second floor is amazing. This is where the main area looks like a NASA control center in Houston, Texas. Computer screens everywhere with over 100 meteorologists scurrying about the floor looking at computer models, satellites, radars, designing graphics, and updating Accuweather.com. I found some things quite funny which included that the meteorologists were looking off the exact GFS we blog users look off of on the NCEP website. Off course I new meteorologists look off models that we use, but it is just funny to see it in person. So I snapped a few pictures and we proceeded to see the TV studio and the broadcast booths. I met with a few meteorologists and then we moved on. Lastly we went down to the third floor.
The third floor is where the server room is along with the sales/advertising headquarters is. The server room is amazing with all of these computer consoles and wires everywhere. Busy technicians were running about making sure all was running smoothly. There was also a computer screen with statistics of how many visited the site the day before, and in the case it was over six million viewers. So shortly my tour came to an end after I learned many things about the Accuweather Corporation and other meteorological information. I definitely recommend this tour as it really opens you eyes to see the real meteorologists in action.
Weather Summary for the Upcoming Days...
Well quite a busy weather pattern setting up with threats ranging from the tropics to severe weather. This is just a quick summary of what to possibily expect for this coming week. A shortwave is moving across the region today in advance of another weak trough. Showers and thunderstorms will develop as marginal instability develops from the cold pocket aloft combined with diurnal heating with temperatures reaching highs of the upper 70s to mid 80s. Kinematics remain weak and with little jet dynamics. PWATs also and normal to a few deviations below normal. But with little to no wind aloft showers and thunderstorms will move very slowly posing the threat of flash flooding. Shear levels remain below 30knots with winds only a slight threat. Freezing levels remain low so today's main threat will be hail. An isolated weak tornado also cannot be ruled out today, but that threat is very doubtful. As the shortwave moves across the region tonight skies will clear along with weakening showers and thunderstorms. Fog and low stratus will form in areas that receive rainfall. Lows will be in the 50s generally across the region. For Saturday a few showers and thunderstorms cannot be ruled out across the east, but generally it should be a nice day with highs well below normal in the 70s to low 80s. Sunday through Monday look to be fair weather days with highs near seasonal values, nothing too extreme. Nights should remain cool under max radational cooling. Then late in the week showers and thunderstorms roll back into the region. But a tropical threat could also surface along the east coast as 92L tries to further develop. At this point land interaction may hinder some development, but still as this feature moves over warm water it could develop and threaten the east coast. Many people are hyping this storm, but at this point I am taking a more cautious stance and believing that this feature may not even develop. Recon flights are entering the circulation today, so we may find out more information later today. In any case this will need to be monitored and could pose a threat to the east coast next week. Stay tuned for more updates. Anyways have a wonderful Friday!!!
Update as of 4:45pm...
Tropical Storm Fay has now formed currently moving west over the Dominican Republic at 14mph with sustained winds of 40mph. The National Hurricane Center believes this will move over Cuba up through the southern Florida straight up through the state. If this track does not change I would only expect a very weak storm as it would be mainly over land. But as we have seen with this Invest things can change quickly. Have a great evening!!!
Reader Comments
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any photo-documentation would be super!
TheRasberryPatch- Good morning!!! Well my garden is doing pretty well. Some of the plants such as the cabbage are starting to recover from the groundhog. My peppers have yet to turn red, but my tomatoes are about done. The lettuce and spring onions though are loving this cool weather. Last night I also pulled out my carrots about 100 too. Things sure are beginning to dry up around here with already some leaves beginning to turn on small maple trees. The way we are going I would not be surprised to see our first frost in September. Tonight it may go down in the 40s. I know my annuals are taking a beating, and I already have begun to empty some pots.
MDFirefighter- Good morning!!! I know. I am ready to test out my new snowblower. So far everything I have seen points to at least a snowier winter than last year for the middle atlantic.
PalmyraPunishment- Good morning!!! Haha! No he was not there at accuweather. I guess this is another failure forecast down his track record.
dean2007- Good morning!!! I just do not like convective chances today. There is not much convergence along the front and with an early frontal passage I do not think organized storms will be able to occur. Though some isolated cells may form capable of some hail as freezing levels are as low as 8,000ft. But overall today should not be much of a threat. I wanted to tell you the CMC model this morning takes 94L into a hurricane right towards Cape Cod in the way future. But do not get excited quite yet, that is a long ways away.
Check out this short term forecast:
.SHORT TERM /6 PM THIS EVENING THROUGH 6 AM WEDNESDAY/...
AN UNSEASONABLY COOL AIRMASS WILL BE USHERED IN WITH A 1025 MB HIGH
NOSING IN FROM THE GREAT LAKES. UNDER MOSTLY CLEAR SKIES LOW
TEMPERATURES SHOULD FALL INTO THE 40S ACROSS THE NORMALLY COLDER
OUTLYING LOCATIONS. EVEN THE URBAN HEAT ISLANDS OF DOWNTOWN BOSTON
AND PROVIDENCE SHOULD SEE OVERNIGHT LOWS IN THE MID 50S. WE
ACTUALLY MAY SEE A TOUCH OF OCEAN EFFECT CLOUDINESS BEGIN TO AFFECT
THE OUTER-CAPE AND NANTUCKET LATE AS COOL AIR MOVES OVER THE
RELATIVELY WARM OCEAN VERY LATE TONIGHT.
Ocean Effect Clouds, this is a pretty strong front, so why shouldn't I expect storms. It is humid right with dew points in the lower 70s or upper 60s and temps are in the upper 70s.
NEAR TERM /UNTIL 6 PM THIS EVENING/...
-- Changed Discussion --FORECAST GRIDS UPDATE FOR ALL CLEAR MOST OF THE AREA IN ABOUT 15 MIN.
BIG TREE DAMAGE NR THE BRIDGEWATER PRISON. LSR`S CONT.
SKYWARN NOW HERE.
ONLY ACTION NOW CAPE COD AND MAYBE S COAST COAST TO BUZZ BAY.
WE WILL UPDATE THE FCST AND GRIDS AGAIN AT 1245 PM. SOME TEMPS TRENDS
ARE VASTLY OFF IN THESE MIDDAY CLOUD COVER AIRMASS CHANGES.-- End Changed Discussion --
The National Weather Service in Taunton has issued a
* Severe Thunderstorm Warning for...
northeastern Barnstable County in southeast Massachusetts...
* until 115 PM EDT
* at 1239 PM EDT... National Weather Service Doppler radar indicated a
line of severe thunderstorms capable of producing damaging winds in
excess of 60 mph. These storms were located along a line extending
from Truro to Wellfleet to 7 miles northwest of Dennis... or along a
line extending from 27 miles northeast of Barnstable to 18 miles
northeast of Barnstable to 7 miles north of Barnstable... and moving
east at 29 mph.
* Severe thunderstorms will be near...
Dennis by 1250 PM EDT...
Harwich and Brewster by 100 PM EDT...
Orleans and Eastham by 110 PM EDT...
Chatham by 115 PM EDT...
Severe thunderstorms produce damaging winds and large hail... in
addition to deadly lightning and very heavy rain. For your safety go
indoors now and stay away from windows. Minor poor drainage flooding
is also expected. Drivers should avoid flooded roadways.
Lat... Lon 4166 6995 4174 7048 4176 7045 4174 7024
4178 7005 4182 7002 4188 7003 4186 7006
4204 7015 4201 7019 4209 7019 4209 7017
4201 7002 4182 6991 4169 6991
time... Mot... loc 1641z 270deg 26kt 4205 7007 4192 7008
4180 7027
Stay warm! And I'm saying that in August?
WxWyz- It sure seems like someone in Oklahoma is always seeing rain. At least it is not a drought. Thanks for the warm wishes, at least the A/C is getting a big break.
Wellfleet, Barnstable County.
Hail e0.75 inch, reported by amateur radio.
08/19/2008 1245 PM
Wellfleet, Barnstable County.
Thunderstorm wind damage, reported by amateur radio.
Trees down
oh well. sounds like a beer on the porch is in order for this evening then.
Link
Also Fay looks like a hurricane right now with an eye apparent on visible satellite imagery
* Severe Thunderstorm Warning for...
southwestern Barnstable County in southeast Massachusetts...
this includes the city of Falmouth...
extreme southeastern Bristol County in southeast Massachusetts...
south central Plymouth County in southeast Massachusetts...
* until 415 PM EDT
* at 336 PM EDT... National Weather Service Doppler radar indicated a
severe thunderstorm capable of producing quarter size hail... and
damaging winds in excess of 60 mph. This storm was located near
Mattapoisett... or 9 miles east of New Bedford... and moving
southeast at 63 mph.
* The severe thunderstorm will be near...
Falmouth by 345 PM EDT...
7 miles southwest of Mashpee by 350 PM EDT...
This is a dangerous storm. If you are in its path... prepare
immediately for damaging winds... destructive hail and deadly cloud to
ground lightning. Go indoors now... preferably inside a strong
building and stay away from windows.
Lat... Lon 4153 7071 4156 7067 4170 7068 4163 7076
4161 7084 4159 7084 4164 7093 4179 7072
4162 7036 4154 7047 4153 7062 4150 7066
time... Mot... loc 1938z 302deg 55kt 4166 7074
Cell is to my WNW.
... A Severe Thunderstorm Warning remains in effect until 415 PM EDT
for extreme southeastern Bristol... southwestern Barnstable and south
central Plymouth counties in southeast Massachusetts...
At 348 PM EDT... National Weather Service Doppler radar continued to
indicate a severe thunderstorm capable of producing Golf Ball size
hail... and damaging winds in excess of 60 mph. This storm was
located near Falmouth... moving southeast at 63 mph.
This is a dangerous storm. If you are in its path... prepare
immediately for damaging winds... destructive hail... and deadly cloud
to ground lightning. People outside should move to a shelter...
preferably inside a strong building but away from windows.
This storm has a history of producing destructive winds and large
damaging hail. Seek shelter now inside a sturdy structure and stay
away from windows!
Lat... Lon 4153 7071 4156 7067 4170 7068 4163 7076
4161 7084 4159 7084 4164 7093 4179 7072
4162 7036 4154 7047 4153 7062 4150 7066
time... Mot... loc 1953z 302deg 55kt 4153 7049
SNOW SNOW SNOW SNOW SNOW SNOW SNOW SNOW SNOW
LOL
thankyou so much for stopping by my blog and wishing me a happy birthday... been so busy lately following Fay and it has been a storm to watch and follow.. still ful of surprises..
thanks for your birthday wishes and making my day special!
MDFirefighter- Lol, you are making me get more excited for the first snow.
seflagamma- Good evening!!! Fay sure has been something to watch. I am almost tired of hearing about it, and I am sure you are even more tired of hearing about it, lol. Anyways hope you had a great birthday!
it will be interesting to see our lows in the morning.
I haven't paid too much attention to Fay except early this morning when they said it would stall off the NE coast of Florida. do you see that?
Have a good evening!
Blog updated.
JDinWPA- 42, that might be relatively close, but probably will not break it.
dean2007- Alright I will stop by.
CATfour- Well it should be an exciting winter! Looking foward to it!
jthal57- It got to 47degrees here and broke the Harrisburg record of 50degrees for the low. But I do not think it was officially broken. And Bradford did get in the 30s. I will have to look into who got the coldest.
JDinWPA- For once it was colder here in the east. I guess your area was one of the areas that saw a light constant wind all night, and that prevented temperatures from falling more.
***New blog coming today!
Hi WxWyz. I'm not sure about central PA, but here in western part of the state a few maples are tinged red and the poplars have a few yellow leaves.
Not that spectacular here in ne OK but it's my favorite time of year!
JDinWPA- It looks to be another cold night tonight as winds will be slightly calmer. My NWS forecast for last night low was 54 which was way off. Tonight they forecast 51, so we will have to wait and see for my low. I am think near 47 like this morning.
Warming nicely, up to 57.5 now. Brisk 5-10 mph NNE wind though.
By the way, that Accuweather tour looks interesting.
way way too early for leaves to change. it any change it would be becauae of the dry weather. my grass hasn't been cut since July 31st.
At theis time of the year, the low is actually more important for the garden than the high. I noticed a number of big tomatoes had the slightest hint of color. I guess we'll see what happens there too!
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