Daffodil Lane: Weather Archives

February 13, 2008

Ice, Ice Baby!

Posted by Dianne at 9:12 PM | Comments (2) | TrackBack

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gorgeous!

Posted by: moni at February 14, 2008 7:14 PM

Thanks! :o)

Posted by: Dianne at February 14, 2008 9:28 PM

February 1, 2008

Frightful

Posted by Dianne at 9:47 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack

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January 7, 2008

But It's January!!

Posted by Dianne at 2:10 PM | Comments (7) | TrackBack

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Yeah, seriously!

I have two muddy children who have been playing outside for at least 90 minutes, and we're going to grill dinner!

Posted by: cjmr at January 7, 2008 4:27 PM

It's supposed to be this way tomorrow too.

Posted by: Dianne at January 7, 2008 5:24 PM

You can have some of our snow if we can have just one 70 degree day ;)

I am seriously soo sick of snow.

Posted by: moni at January 8, 2008 2:01 PM

I'll take it! You've got yourself a deal! ;o)

Posted by: Dianne at January 8, 2008 2:42 PM

You can have it! We got another 5 inches last night! ugh. I feel like Sisyphus with all of the shoveling.

Posted by: Moni at January 9, 2008 11:15 AM

Yes, well, we did have that very rough 5 days of winter! ;-)

Posted by: alice at January 9, 2008 11:34 PM

I'm sorry Monica! :o(

Alice, we had 3 days of spring like weather and now it's cool again. There is a possibility of snow toward the weekend, but I'll believe it when I see it. Of course since I have a spa day planned on Saturday then I'm sure it will snow! ;o) My mom (who lives in East TN like you) and Jamison's mom (who lives in north GA) both got a bit of that snow/ice mixture that moved through your area a week or so ago.

Posted by: Dianne at January 10, 2008 9:17 AM

December 5, 2007

Let It Snow! Let It Snow! Let It Snow!

Posted by Dianne at 11:07 AM | Comments (4) | TrackBack

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It's snowing here, too. I'm hoping to get outside to take some 'snow lifes' later. And Sunshine Girl is anxiously awaiting being allowed to go outside to play in it.

Posted by: cjmr at December 5, 2007 11:39 AM

We're going to go out after Alexis gets up from her nap. It's still falling pretty heavily here at the moment.

Posted by: Dianne at December 5, 2007 1:43 PM

Oooh! Lucky you!!!

Posted by: alice at December 5, 2007 6:40 PM

It's been a lovely snowy day. I had forgotten how peaceful it is to just sit and watch the snow fall with a nice cup of hot tea or cocoa! :o)

Posted by: Dianne at December 5, 2007 8:13 PM

October 19, 2007

Is That Rain?

Dear god it's actually raining outside! I had forgotten what it looks like! ;o)

Posted by Dianne at 12:05 PM | Comments (2) | TrackBack

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...and then the commenter watched a tumbleweed roll by...

;-)

I hope all is well!

Posted by: alice at November 11, 2007 12:16 AM

Hi Alice! We're good we've just been crazy busy. I keep meaning to post a picture or something, but I keep getting side tracked! :o)

Hope you're doing well!

Posted by: Dianne at November 12, 2007 2:11 PM

September 16, 2007

Lovely, Lovely Fall!

So far today the temperature here hasn't topped 65!

LOVE!

FALL!!

I hope you all are enjoying your Sunday!

That's all. I'm off to enjoy the lovely fallness! ;o)

Posted by Dianne at 3:19 PM | Comments (1) | TrackBack

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yay! I love Fall, too. It's my favorite time of year :) Hope you had a good Sunday!

Posted by: Moni at September 19, 2007 8:07 PM

September 4, 2007

Category 5 Felix makes landfall in Nicaragua

(CNN) -- Hurricane Felix made landfall with potentially disastrous rain and top wind speeds of 160 mph (260 kph) near the Nicaragua-Honduras border Tuesday morning, the U.S. National Hurricane Center said.

Shortly before making landfall near Punta Gorda, Nicaragua, Felix regained its status as a Category 5 storm, the hurricane center said in its 8 a.m. ET update.

Felix's center was about 10 miles (15 km) north-northeast of Puerto Cabezas, Nicaragua, and was moving west at about 16 mph (25 km/h), the NHC advisory said.

Felix is also slamming a section of the coast of Honduras that is home to hotels and expensive vacation homes. Across the border in Nicaragua, the coastal region is sparsely populated by Miskito Indians.

Nicaragua issued a hurricane warning from Puerto Cabezas north to its border with Honduras, and a hurricane warning remains in effect in Honduras from the border west to Limon.

Forecasters at the U.S. National Hurricane Center have said both Nicaragua and Honduras could receive 5 to 8 inches of rain, with isolated amounts of up to a foot of rain possible. Felix could also bring storm surge flooding of more than 18 feet (5.5 m) above normal tide levels.

The storm's path would take it across the mountains of Honduras and into Guatemala, where the potential for landslides is high, CNN's Rob Marciano said.

This is a very fierce storm! Our thoughts and prayers go out to the people of Honduras. They are in a for a very rough ride!

Found via CNN and for more information on what Category 5 actually means go here.

Posted by Dianne at 10:37 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack

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August 24, 2007

Weather "Typo"

I think someone at the National Weather Service is asleep at the wheel when it comes to this weekend's forecast. Can you spot it?

Given the high and low I don't think snow is possible! ;o)

Posted by Dianne at 5:03 PM | Comments (3) | TrackBack

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Marilyn would be thrilled. She keeps telling me she's bored of summer and wants to go play in the snow. I am not moving to NH or ME so that she can play in the snow more often.

Posted by: cjmr at August 24, 2007 7:05 PM

I'd love some snow. I'm a snow lover myself. :o)

Posted by: Dianne at August 24, 2007 7:39 PM

Snow? It seems I can barely recall the stuff.

Posted by: dar at August 28, 2007 8:56 AM

August 21, 2007

Rain, Rain, Lovely Rain!

We've finally been blessed with some rain the past two days and with it came down right fall like weather! It's currently 64 degrees outside. Sadly this is not expected to last and the temperatures are headed back up starting tomorrow. By Saturday we're supposed to be back up to the high 90's with a heat index of 100+ again. Oh well. I'll just have to enjoy this lovely weather while I can! ;o)

Posted by Dianne at 3:05 PM | Comments (8) | TrackBack

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We just got some rain over the weekend, too and it was so awesome! I love this weather.

Posted by: Moni at August 21, 2007 7:42 PM

I do too! I can't wait for fall and winter! :o)

Posted by: Dianne at August 21, 2007 7:51 PM

Lucky, lucky, lucky, lucky you!!!!

One day of rain and cool weather is better than no days, which is what we've gotten down here lately.

I've never looked forward to autumn as much as I am this year...

Posted by: alice at August 21, 2007 9:37 PM

My parents have been here in Maryland and headed back to Tennessee today. I'm sure they'll be loving the heat too! ;o)

Posted by: Dianne at August 21, 2007 10:18 PM

East TN has actually been a few degrees cooler than Middle TN so your parents can be a little thankful. I've lost track of how many 100+ days we've had. Nashville has gone to 1/2 days this week at schools since the buses don't have AC. I hate hot! How did we ever deal with summer growing up? October can not come quickly enough.

Posted by: Sonya at August 22, 2007 12:31 PM

It wasn't this hot for such long periods of time when we were kids. And being at the lake helped too! ;o)

Posted by: Dianne at August 22, 2007 12:34 PM

My back deck has registered over 100 for at least 2 weeks. This morning when I woke up at 6 am it was already 77 outside.

We haven't seen rain in weeks. I'm beginning to wonder if at this rate we'll be in the 70's in January.

My prediction: We have flooding next summer followed by a huge snow storm next winter.

Posted by: dar at August 22, 2007 2:54 PM

Freaky weather is becoming more and more the norm.

Posted by: Dianne at August 23, 2007 10:38 AM

July 31, 2007

Tropical Storm Chantal

For more information visit the National Hurricane Center Webpage or click on the picture above.

Posted by Dianne at 11:02 AM | Comments (2) | TrackBack

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It's going to hit Iceland?!!??! That is one weird tropical storm!

Posted by: cjmr at July 31, 2007 10:29 PM

Tell me about it!

Posted by: Dianne at August 1, 2007 9:01 AM

May 30, 2007

Tropical Tropical Storm Barbara Forms In The Pacific

MEXICO CITY, Mexico (Reuters) -- Tropical Storm Barbara formed Wednesday off Mexico and was expected to head toward the resort of Acapulco in the coming days.

The U.S. National Hurricane Center in Miami, Florida, said Barbara was stationary about 125 miles (200 kilometers) south of the port of Puerto Angel in the state of Oaxaca.

"Interests along the Pacific coast of southeastern Mexico and Guatemala should closely monitor the progress of Barbara," the center said.

Barbara is packing sustained winds of near 40 mph (65 kph) and should gain strength over the next four days, the hurricane center said.

Forecasters said the storm would move slightly farther away from the Mexican coast over the next two days and then turn 180 degrees and head for land.

By Monday, it was expected to be close to Acapulco, a popular vacation resort.

This season is getting off to an early start this year! This is the second tropical system to form in the Pacific and we've already had one in the Atlantic as well. Definitely something to keep an eye out for.

Find out more at the National Hurricane Center and over at CNN.

Posted by Dianne at 4:15 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack

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May 9, 2007

And She Has A Name: Subtropical Storm ANDREA!

000
WTNT31 KNHC 091443
TCPAT1
BULLETIN
SUBTROPICAL STORM ANDREA ADVISORY NUMBER 1
NWS TPC/NATIONAL HURRICANE CENTER MIAMI FL AL012007
1100 AM EDT WED MAY 09 2007

...EARLY-SEASON SUBTROPICAL STORM FORMS OFF THE SOUTHEAST U.S.
COAST...

SATELLITE IMAGERY AND AIRCRAFT DATA INDICATE THAT THE LOW PRESSURE
SYSTEM OFF THE SOUTHEAST U.S. COAST HAS ACQUIRED SUBTROPICAL
CHARACTERISTICS.

AT 11 AM EDT...1500 UTC...A TROPICAL STORM WATCH HAS BEEN ISSUED
ALONG THE SOUTHEAST COAST OF THE UNITED STATES FROM ALTAMAHA SOUND
GEORGIA SOUTHWARD TO FLAGLER BEACH FLORIDA. A TROPICAL STORM WATCH
MEANS THAT TROPICAL STORM CONDITIONS ARE POSSIBLE WITHIN THE WATCH
AREA...GENERALLY WITHIN THE NEXT 36 HOURS.

FOR STORM INFORMATION SPECIFIC TO YOUR AREA...INCLUDING POSSIBLE
INLAND WATCHES AND WARNINGS...PLEASE MONITOR PRODUCTS ISSUED
BY YOUR LOCAL WEATHER OFFICE.

AT 1100 AM EDT...1500Z...THE CENTER OF SUBTROPICAL STORM ANDREA WAS
LOCATED NEAR LATITUDE 30.8 NORTH...LONGITUDE 79.3 WEST OR ABOUT 140
MILES...225 KM...SOUTHEAST OF SAVANNAH GEORGIA AND ABOUT 150 MILES
...240 KM...NORTHEAST OF DAYTONA BEACH FLORIDA.

ANDREA IS MOVING GENERALLY TOWARD THE WEST NEAR 3 MPH. A CONTINUED
SLOW MOTION AND A GRADUAL TURN TOWARD THE SOUTHWEST ARE EXPECTED
DURING THE NEXT 24 HOURS. ALONG THIS TRACK...THE CENTER OF ANDREA
IS EXPECTED TO REMAIN OFFSHORE OF THE U.S. COAST THROUGH AT LEAST
THURSDAY MORNING.

MAXIMUM SUSTAINED WINDS ARE NEAR 45 MPH...75 KM/HR...WITH HIGHER
GUSTS. LITTLE CHANGE IN STRENGTH IS FORECAST DURING THE NEXT 24
HOURS.

WINDS OF 40 MPH EXTEND OUTWARD UP TO 115 MILES...185 KM...MAINLY TO
THE EAST OF THE CENTER.

THE LATEST MINIMUM CENTRAL PRESSURE REPORTED BY AN AIR FORCE RESERVE
RECONNAISSANCE AIRCRAFT WAS 1003 MB...29.62 INCHES.

SINCE THE HEAVIEST RAINS ASSOCIATED WITH ANDREA ARE EXPECTED TO
REMAIN OFFSHORE DURING THE NEXT 24 HOURS... ANDREA IS NOT EXPECTED
TO PRODUCE SIGNIFICANT RAINFALL OVER ANY LAND AREAS THROUGH AT
LEAST THURSDAY MORNING.

REPEATING THE 1100 AM EDT POSITION...30.8 N...79.3 W. MOVEMENT
TOWARD...WEST NEAR 3 MPH. MAXIMUM SUSTAINED WINDS...45 MPH.
MINIMUM CENTRAL PRESSURE...1003 MB.

AN INTERMEDIATE ADVISORY WILL BE ISSUED BY THE NATIONAL HURRICANE
CENTER AT 200 PM EDT FOLLOWED BY THE NEXT COMPLETE ADVISORY AT 500
PM EDT.

$$
FORECASTER KNABB

Get more info at the National Hurricane Center.

Posted by Dianne at 11:08 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack

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May 8, 2007

Atlantic SPECIAL TROPICAL DISTURBANCE STATEMENT

Well it's official now. The NHC has acknowledged what we are all seeing off the coast.

000 WONT41 KNHC 081346 DSAAT SPECIAL TROPICAL DISTURBANCE STATEMENT NWS TPC/NATIONAL HURRICANE CENTER MIAMI FL 950 AM EDT TUE MAY 8 2007
A NON-TROPICAL LOW PRESSURE SYSTEM...CENTERED ABOUT 230 MILES EAST-SOUTHEAST OF THE GEORGIA AND SOUTH CAROLINA COASTS...HAS BEEN MOVING SLOWLY WESTWARD AT 5 TO 10 MPH. THIS SYSTEM IS PRODUCING GALE-FORCE WINDS AND HEAVY SURF ALONG THE COASTS OF NORTH CAROLINA...SOUTH CAROLINA...AND GEORGIA...WITH STRONGER WINDS OFFSHORE. ASSOCIATED SHOWER ACTIVITY HAS INCREASED SINCE YESTERDAY...BUT NO SIGNIFICANT STRENGTHENING OF THIS SYSTEM IS EXPECTED. THE LOW IS BEING MONITORED FOR SIGNS OF TROPICAL OR SUBTROPICAL CYCLONE DEVELOPMENT...AND AN AIR FORCE RESERVE RECONNAISSANCE AIRCRAFT WILL BE AVAILABLE TO INVESTIGATE THE SYSTEM TOMORROW MORNING...IF NECESSARY.

INTERESTS ALONG THE COAST OF THE SOUTHEASTERN UNITED STATES SHOULD MONITOR PRODUCTS ISSUED BY LOCAL NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE FORECAST OFFICES. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ON THIS SYSTEM CAN ALSO BE FOUND IN HIGH SEAS FORECASTS ISSUED BY THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE...UNDER AWIPS HEADER NFDHSFAT1 AND WMO HEADER FZNT01 KWBC.

$$
FORECASTER KNABB

It's a good time I guess to start checking your hurricane response kits folks. Brian Woods over at The
Storm Track has some interesting historical pictures of other hurricanes such as Florence in 2000 that started in the same region of the Atlantic. I have a feeling that I'm going to get to spend a lot of time over at The Storm Track website this year unfortunately. I think the actual surface winds imagine is quite interesting, I don't know if this will actually become a tropical storm, but it sure is acting like one.

Read more over at NHC Hurricane Awareness week and NHC Advisory.

Posted by Jamison at 11:41 AM | Comments (1) | TrackBack

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Just what they needed to send the gas prices up!!!

Posted by: mums at May 8, 2007 4:54 PM

May 7, 2007

Am I imagining this?

Is that really spiral storm system in the Atlantic in May? Can someone please explain to me how this is happening? Did I mention it was May?

Posted by Jamison at 8:05 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack

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March 1, 2007

Keep the people of the South in your prayers

ENTERPRISE, Alabama (CNN) -- Tornadoes tore through southern Alabama Thursday killing at least 18 people, 15 at Enterprise High School, emergency officials said.
"Kids are walking around dazed, cut," said Laren Allgood, a reporter for the Enterprise Ledger.

"We ask that you continue to pray for our students," Bob Ferris, Assistant Superintendent, said at an evening news conference.

Evidently they were able to get the students into the hallways and into tornado positions as the twister struck. The school was demolished with the students being covered with debris. They've called in helicopters from Ft. Rucker to air lift the students out. At this point parents have no idea where their kids are or even if they are alive.

On a side note, I talked to my dad a few minutes ago. He's fine, the sirens went off and the weather channel said a tornado was within a few miles of his house. He's no worse for wear.

Read more over at CNN, MSNBC, and Yahoo News.

Posted by Jamison at 8:33 PM | Comments (2) | TrackBack

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i hope he's okay. it's all just so horrible!

Posted by: gorillabuns at March 1, 2007 10:45 PM

He's fine. The tornados passed about 2 milles from him and he went into storm protection mode, but luckily he's ok.

Posted by: Dianne at March 3, 2007 7:10 AM

February 26, 2007

Death Of A Snowman

He'll be back again someday! ;o)

Posted by Dianne at 6:34 PM | Comments (2) | TrackBack

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Wow... that was fast!

Posted by: Jamie at February 27, 2007 3:05 PM

He was pretty much gone by Monday morning. The base is still there, but it's about the size of a bowling ball now, instead of a bale of hay.

Posted by: Dianne at February 27, 2007 3:14 PM

February 25, 2007

Frosty Returns

Posted by Dianne at 9:23 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack

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February 16, 2007

Our Icy Backyard

It kind of looks like flowing water doesnt it, but it's a solid sheet of ice!

Posted by Dianne at 12:02 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack

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Ice And Sun

Posted by Dianne at 10:38 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack

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February 14, 2007

Over A Million BGE Customers Without Power In Maryland

There's going to be an awful lot of cold Marylanders tonight!

So far we've been very lucky. Knock on wood! The power blinked a couple of times earlier today, but we've been up and running since. BGE is going to be very busy over the next few days! Ice is a nasty foe for powerlines! Just a tip, perhaps you should bury them! ;o)

Click on the picture above to go to BGE's updated page as things change they update it there.

Posted by Dianne at 4:35 PM | Comments (5) | TrackBack

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We were looking at the grid maps online for some of the other providers, too. Not looking so good out there, and with the wind kicking up, it is only going to get worse! I'm soooo glad we live in a part of the world where they buried most of the power lines (the whole cluster of condos, townhomes and subdivisions near us all have buried utilities).

Our lights blinked a few times, too, but thankfully we still have power! Looking at those maps made me realize how blessed we are -- and convinced me to stop complaining about having to wait until next week before they can come fix our dryer!

Posted by: katherine at February 14, 2007 8:27 PM

ugh! stay warm you guys!

Posted by: Moni at February 14, 2007 8:34 PM

Yes, it did get bloody cold in the house (only down to 50); power went out about 7:30am, and was back on around 5:30pm. See cjmr's blog for the downed tree pictures...

Posted by: reno at February 15, 2007 8:16 AM

It's not a whole tree. Just most of a tree. And didn't have anything to do with the power outage.

Our neighborhood lines are buried, but the power comes 'over the road' from the step-down transformers on poles above ground, and that's where it got shorted out. Someone else's branch was leaning across it.

Posted by: cjmr at February 15, 2007 10:36 AM

I saw the pictures! Yikes!

Luckily we didn't lose any limbs. A lot of ice fell off the trees though. It sounded like giant elephants hitting the roof!

Posted by: Dianne at February 15, 2007 11:35 AM

Treeflakes

Posted by Dianne at 10:33 AM | Comments (2) | TrackBack

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I like this pic! very nice!

Posted by: Moni at February 14, 2007 8:35 PM

Thanks! I liked this on a lot too! :o)

Posted by: Dianne at February 15, 2007 11:38 AM

Icicles

Posted by Dianne at 10:31 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack

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Winter Wonderland

Posted by Dianne at 10:30 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack

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February 7, 2007

Sun And Shadows On Snow

I've taken variations of these photos hundreds of times, but every time I see sun and shadows on snow I can't help but do it again!

Posted by Dianne at 9:19 AM | Comments (1) | TrackBack

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nice!

Posted by: Monica at February 7, 2007 11:34 AM

Snowy Morning!

We got about an inch of snow last night. Nothing stellar, but very pretty. We won't be venturing outside this morning (or perhaps at all!) today to play in the snow given it's so cold! But it's nice to look out and see the white goodness. :o)

Posted by Dianne at 8:23 AM | Comments (1) | TrackBack

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I love the last one, I made it a screen saver. You take such neat pictures.

Posted by: mums at February 8, 2007 5:46 AM

January 22, 2007

Snow!

Snow makes for a very happy me!

Posted by Dianne at 12:05 PM | Comments (7)

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A very cute picute of you!

Posted by: Jamie at January 22, 2007 1:24 PM

Thanks! I thought it turned out rather well for a self portrait. :o)

Posted by: Dianne at January 22, 2007 2:11 PM

yay!

Posted by: Monica at January 22, 2007 2:36 PM

Are you sure you guys only got an inch -- it looks like more than that -- but pictures can be deceiving. :) We had somewhere between 1 and 2 inches - but it is melting some now. :(

Posted by: katherine at January 22, 2007 5:08 PM

It was more like 3/4 of an inch. I stuck a ruler into it to measure. :O)

Posted by: Dianne at January 22, 2007 5:10 PM

Well, that is a very impressive 3/4 of an inch! :)

Posted by: katherine at January 22, 2007 5:13 PM

It's mostly gone now. What's left has melted into more of an icy sheet, than snow.

Posted by: Dianne at January 23, 2007 12:17 PM

January 21, 2007

And Now On To Something More Positive! Snow!!

We are getting our first snow of the season! It's not supposed to amount to much, maybe an inch, but as you can see Alexis is beyond thrilled! She wants to go outside barefoot and dance in the snow!

Let it snow! Let it snow! Let it snow!

Posted by Dianne at 4:51 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack

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January 17, 2007

I'm Not Going To Get My Hopes Up Yet...BUT...

We may get a dusting of snow!

If that's all we can get I'll take it!!! Alexis is beside herself wanting to see snow and we all know I love winter!

Let it snow! Let it snow! Let it snow!

P.S. And Dear Mother Nature if you'd like to give us more snow than a mere dusting I for one would be overjoyed! ;o)

Posted by Dianne at 5:01 PM | Comments (3) | TrackBack

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you can have our weather any ol' day of the week!

i'm so sick of it!!!

Posted by: gorillabuns at January 17, 2007 10:01 PM

I'll take it! :o)

Posted by: Dianne at January 18, 2007 12:35 PM

you can take our snow, too :). It's snowing outside right now as I type this.

Posted by: Moni at January 18, 2007 8:25 PM

January 6, 2007

Avalanche sweeps cars off Colorado highway

DENVER, Colorado (CNN) -- A massive avalanche -- 200 feet wide and 15 feet deep -- swept across one of Colorado's main recreation routes Saturday, sweeping at least two cars off the road and prompting a search for survivors.
Officials said at least six people were rescued from the two cars and taken by ambulance to hospitals. Authorities said no one appeared to have life-threatening injuries.

Video showed huge piles of snow on three areas of U.S. 40, with the avalanche cutting three paths through mountain trees before landing on the roadway near the 11,307-foot-high Berthoud Pass, about 50 miles west of Denver.

Amateur photographer Pete Ferigan told CNN that about two dozen motorists jumped out of their vehicles and used shovels, ski poles and their hands to try to rescue others.

Ferigan said the snow swept two vehicles about 300 feet off the road.

Dale Atkins, an avalanche safety expert who was on the scene soon after it happened at 10:30 a.m. (12:30 p.m. ET), said officials used a "fancy" metal detector and another device that can pick up electronic devices in cars to find the two vehicles amid the snow.

"We were able to search the debris very fast, and we feel pretty good that no one (else) is in it," he told CNN.

Stacy Stegman, spokeswoman for the Colorado Department of Transportation, also said authorities were confident no other cars were buried.

Thank goodness for the quick action of people helping out strangers. Definitely an inspiring story, it's good to see everyone is just a little shaken and no lives were lost. Let's hope that the massive snowfalls don't trigger more of these kinds of events.

Comments

December 26, 2006

Insurer to limit policies in Maryland

Allstate Corp., one of Maryland's largest insurers, will stop writing homeowners' policies in coastal areas of the state, citing warnings by scientists that a warmer Atlantic Ocean will lead to more strong hurricanes hitting the Northeast.
The company will no longer offer new property insurance beginning in February in all or part of 11 counties mostly along the Chesapeake Bay and its tributaries. Existing customers won't be affected; a spokeswoman said Allstate intends to renew those policies even in coastal areas. It will continue to write new policies in Baltimore and Baltimore County.

......
Allstate's move will affect residents in Calvert, Dorchester, Somerset, St. Mary's, Talbot, Wicomico and Worcester counties and parts of Anne Arundel, Charles, Prince George's and Queen Anne's.

If other insurers follow suit this is going to be extremely bad for this area. You can't buy a home with a mortgage if you can't get insurance on it. As we've seen from our neighbors to the south that once the big boys move out of the insurance business in an area, it gets filled by much more dishonest and expensive replacements that slowly drain an area of the vitality. In places like Florida they have the tourist industry is able to prop up the drain on the local economy, but further North without that kind of offset, it's not clear to me how we will be able to keep the drain on our economy from happening. Definitely speaks to the need that once we get some real representation in the Governor's mansion and that we need to need to join West Coast and the other Northeastern states in restriction CO2 growth in our state and our country. I fear the people of District 31 are going to regret the lack of serious legislators in Annapolis during the next few years as things get worse.

[via America Blog]

Comments

Who said Kipke and Schuh aren't serious? Certainly an improvement over Cadden and Leopold...

Posted by: Ted at December 26, 2006 4:52 PM

Given that they are Republicans and given the track record of Republicans in Annapolis, I see no reason to expect that they will even try to be any more effective than their mentors Dwyer and Leopold. I could be totally wrong, but I expect to get the same level of poor service as I got from Dwyer and Leopold for the next four years from their disciples Kipke and Schuh. They will represent the most radical Republican ideals and not their constituents. It's just the way things are when you have Republicans in office.

Posted by: Jamison at December 27, 2006 9:30 AM

December 7, 2006

Speaking Of Global Warming

Six injured as tornado hits London
LONDON, England (CNN) -- A tornado hit a residential area of London on Thursday, injuring at least six people, according to ambulance service staff.

Police were alerted to the tornado in north-west London at around 11 a.m., a Scotland Yard spokeswoman said.

One man was taken to hospital suffering from serious head injuries, and five people were treated at the scene for minor injuries and shock.

The storm, with winds of around 150 mph (240 kph), ripped roofs off some homes, tore down walls and trees, and left streets strewn with debris. One car was buried under fallen bricks, video footage from the scene showed.

"I could see a huge cloud rolling up the street, making this tremendous sound," resident Daniel Bidgood told the BBC. "I went to try to take a picture of it but a shower of debris smashed all the windows of my house."

Another eyewitness, Sally Johnson, said she thought she was going to die. "All the cars and the windows, everything (was) smashed in," she told Sky. "There's debris everywhere, you can hardly walk."

"It was like some sort of cyclone," said resident Tim Klotz.

"I looked up through a skylight and debris was falling through the air. I heard what seemed like large, clay dominoes falling, which I think were roof tiles," Klotz said.

Experts say that while Britain experiences more than 30 tornadoes a year, it is rare for them to cause damage on the scale seen in London on Thursday.

Local weather reports said warmer than normal temperatures this fall contributed to formation of the tornado.

Yeah, but global warming isn't real. Just keep telling yourself that.

Found via CNN.

Posted by Dianne at 10:23 AM

December 6, 2006

Let It Snow!

Oh the weather outside is frightful,
But the fire is so delightful!
Since we've no place to go,
Let it snow! Let it snow! Let it snow!

Posted by Dianne at 11:52 AM | Comments (2) | TrackBack

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Booooo!!!!

Posted by: Jamison at December 6, 2006 12:16 PM

Boo all you want. It's not going to actually stick to the ground and it will make Alexis and I very happy! ;oP*****************

Posted by: Dianne at December 6, 2006 12:21 PM

December 1, 2006

It Is Too Effing Hot for December!!

Alexis and I ventured out on the the front porch to put up the Christmas wreath and the garland and it's currently 73 degrees outside! It most definitely does NOT put you in the Christmas mood! I know there is a cold front coming through (my head is killing me from the pressure change!), but 70 degree temperatures in December doesn't bode well. And this cold front is wreaking havoc across the US. Our weather forecast today calls for winds 20-30 mph, with gusts up to 55 miles hour and that's no fun either! Don't get me wrong I welcome the cold weather, but I don't relish the thought of nasty weather to bring it here. Oh well.

Right now Alexis is asking that we turn on the air conditioner. I have a feeling she is going to freeze me out today, but she likes it cold my girl! Alexis and I are off to make gingerbread people and popcorn strings for the "homey" tree. I'm sure there will be pictures later today or sometime this weekend. :o)

Posted by Dianne at 10:07 AM | Comments (5) | TrackBack

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it's 31 degrees and we have 5 ft snow drifts here. we don't have snow, EVER!

everything has closed down for the second day.

i'm totally bored!

Posted by: gorillabuns at December 1, 2006 12:46 PM

We're getting ready to have that cold front pass through here, but we're just supposed to have rain and possibly damaging wind.

Posted by: Dianne at December 1, 2006 1:00 PM

The year Alex was born, we decorated the tree in mid-December with the all the windows open. He was just wearing a onesie, Jerry and I were in shorts and t-shirts. I think that the very next week it never broke 45° and we had either an ice storm or a snow storm, I don't remember which.

Posted by: cjmr at December 1, 2006 2:13 PM

Just like we were talking about the other day... people really need wake up, to stop and think that this isn't right and realize that these globa issues are real. I'm not a big fan of the cold at all ... but I'm really starting to miss it... I want it to feel like Christmas! I haven't even put up my tree yet because it doesn't feel like that time of year yet.

Posted by: Jamie at December 1, 2006 3:47 PM

That does really seem odd! 75 degrees in December? That's the kind of weather we would get in the Bay Area, and only for, like, a week.

We got a bunch of snow here in Spokane this past week so it's feeling very Christmasy around here. But in a week it's supposed to warm up and rain and all melt. Bummer!

Posted by: Moni at December 1, 2006 5:31 PM

November 25, 2006

Flooding

It looks like there is some flooding near the Cape Hatteras Lighthouse. I guess that coastal storm system that slammed them and then moved up to us caused some localized flooding.

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September 30, 2006

Canada could see edge of Isaac

MIAMI, Florida (AP) -- Isaac strengthened into the fifth hurricane of the Atlantic season Saturday, and its winds could reach Canada early next week, forecasters said.
At 5 p.m. ET, Isaac had top sustained winds near 80 mph, above the 74 mph threshold to become a hurricane, the National Hurricane Center in Miami said. The storm was expected to strengthen in the next day.

Isaac should stay east of Bermuda, but Nova Scotia and Newfoundland could feel the outer edges of the storm by Monday or Tuesday, forecasters said.

The ninth named storm of the Atlantic hurricane season was centered about 315 miles east of Bermuda and moving northwest near 10 mph. A turn to the north-northwest was expected by Sunday.

Hurricane-force winds extend 40 miles from the center, while tropical storm force winds of at least 39 mph extended up to 125 miles from Isaac's center.

Canada? When was the last time you saw a hurricane reach Canada? But no! Global warming isn't real, it's all in our heads!

Found via CNN and check out more about the storms path at the NHC.

Posted by Dianne at 11:43 PM

September 29, 2006

2 Reported Tornadoes Touch Down in Anne Arundel County

Two apparent tornadoes touched down in Anne Arundel County last night, downing trees and power lines but causing no injuries, authorities said.
The abundance of the damage occurred in the lower Magothy Beach area of Severna Park -- on North and South drives and Hemingway Lane, said Rhonda Wardlaw, a spokeswoman for Anne Arundel County Executive Janet S. Owens.

"We have two confirmed touchdowns," Wardlaw said.

About 20 homes were damaged by downed trees -- 11 of those deemed uninhabitable, said Pam Jordan, a spokeswoman for the county emergency operations center. She said the Red Cross was assisting affected families with housing and other services.

Authorities were working last night to assess damage and had blocked off several streets while attempting to clear downed, but live, power lines and debris from roadways.

When Alexis and I ventured out to run some errands this morning we found tree limbs galore through out our journey. There is a big neighborhood near the main route that had part of it's white fence taken out by a very large downed tree limb. There was a house at the end of the street that lost a sizeable limb as well, but it doesn't appear to have done any damage.

The tornadoes themselves were in the area, but they did not visit our neighborhood, though as you can see in the quote above they did do quite a bit of damage nearby. We hung out in the basement about 30-45 minutes and then it was over. The rain continued, but the wind died down for the most part. The joys of a cold front, but the weather is lovely today.

Found via the Baltimore Sun.

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September 28, 2006

To The Basement We Went

When I was reading Alexis her bedtime book I heard the wind kick up and then some. So before I laid her down I decided to check the weather channel to see if we had any warnings in our area and low and behold there was a tornado warning for Anne Arundel County! So I called the neighbors to make sure they knew as we headed down to our basement. Apparently there were reports of a tornado setting down somewhere in Severna Park around Route 2. Scary stuff! But the worst of it appears to be over for us. Let's hope!

Posted by Dianne at 7:25 PM | Comments (2) | TrackBack

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Keep your head down.

Posted by: mums at September 28, 2006 8:14 PM

We were fine.

Posted by: Dianne at September 29, 2006 12:04 PM

September 27, 2006

Tropical Depression Nine

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Agency blocked hurricane report

WASHINGTON - The Bush administration has blocked release of a report that suggests global warming is contributing to the frequency and strength of hurricanes, the journal Nature reported Tuesday.
The possibility that warming conditions may cause storms to become stronger has generated debate among climate and weather experts, particularly in the wake of the Hurricane Katrina disaster.

In the new case, Nature said weather experts at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration part of the Commerce Department in February set up a seven-member panel to prepare a consensus report on the views of agency scientists about global warming and hurricanes.

According to Nature, a draft of the statement said that warming may be having an effect.

In May, when the report was expected to be released, panel chair Ants Leetmaa received an e-mail from a Commerce official saying the report needed to be made less technical and was not to be released, Nature reported.

This isn't surprising, but disappointing none the less. Global warming is real. The temperature spikes we are seeing now are unprecedented. Yes we have had natural temperature spikes throughout history, but they have never been this massive and all the pseudoscience in the world can not change those simple facts. These shifts cause changes in weather patterns, especially in terms of more massive and more destructive storms of all types, including hurricanes. We've been very lucky this year that we've had a relatively quiet hurricane season, but the Pacific has not been so lucky. The fact that the Bush administration likes to hide things that don't fit into their overly narrow and completely Neanderthalic world view is an abomination against our nation and clearly illustrates that he doesn't care about the people he's supposed to represent.

Found via Yahoo! News.

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September 6, 2006

She's Starting To Hook!

She's starting to look like she is going to hook back out to sea! Blow harder people! ;o)

Let's hope it continues this trend! And while we're at it hook away from Bermuda too! Let's just miss land all together! Hope, pray and wish! Mama needs a vacation! ;o)

Find out more over at the NHC.

Posted by Dianne at 9:51 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack

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September 5, 2006

It Has A Name!

We now have Tropical Storm Florence!

The end of the path is beginning to turn a bit toward going back out to sea. Let's hope that trend continues!

Find out more at the NHC.

Posted by Dianne at 11:34 AM | Comments (5) | TrackBack

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Wait didn't they just say like 4 hours ago, that it would be another day or two before it became a tropical storm?? That doesn't inspire confidence!

Posted by: Jamison at September 5, 2006 11:42 AM

The media doesn't know what they are talking about. They just spout of nonsense to fill air time.

Posted by: Dianne at September 5, 2006 11:45 AM

This morning, Accuweather (cursed be their business model, but they have a good hurricane website) had predicted it becoming a Tropical Storm some time this afternoon.

Posted by: reno at September 5, 2006 12:10 PM

We don't invoke the name of Republican supporting businesses here Reno! When I think about the fact that they that those guys wanted to defunded the Nation Weather service and then require Americans to buy the same information (that they are already spending their tax dollars on mind you) from them instead and their buddies in the Republican party almost made it happen for them it makes me sick.

Posted by: Jamison at September 5, 2006 1:14 PM

OK, from now on I'll write A**uweather, and you can fill in the blanks however you wish :-)

Posted by: reno at September 5, 2006 3:20 PM

Tropical Depression #6: In Which The Entire East Coast Needs To Start Blowing!

OK, so you never know this far out where these things are actually going to go, but I want this bugger to blow back out to sea like Debbie did! So start blowing folks...Let's send this one packing! Oh and a little prayer wouldn't hurt either!

See the little X on the map? Well that's Cape Hatteras Island, roughly anyway...And that my dear readers is where we are supposed to go for vacation starting on Sunday. We've rented a lovely house on the beach with a pool and by golly I want my beach time!! So Ms. Tropical Depression you just curve your happy self back out to sea!

Keep track of the storm over at the National Hurricane Center or CNN.

Posted by Dianne at 8:51 AM | Comments (1) | TrackBack

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We hope mother nature cooperates for the vacation. Have lots of fun.

Posted by: mums at September 5, 2006 5:52 PM

September 2, 2006

Ernesto Has Move On Out Of The Neighborhood!

Ernesto has moved on out of the neighborhood, but he left a lot of power outages in his wake. Luckily our neighborhood was spared, but as of right now the majority of the outages are here in Anne Arundel County.

Other than a few small branches and some leaves strewn about we eeked through unscathed. And that dear people is all you can ask for. :O)

Check out BGE's up to date outage map here.

Posted by Dianne at 8:44 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack

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September 1, 2006

Ernesto Evening Update

We're now down to a Tropical Depression, though the winds have actually picked up a little bit in the last 30 minutes or so. It's still just a cool, rainy, windy type day/evening. Things are just plugging along.

Light Rain Fog/Mist and Breezy
62°F (17°C)
Humidity: 93 %v
Wind Speed: NE 22 Gusts 39 MPH
Barometer: 29.95" (1014.0 mb)
Dewpoint: 60°F (16°C)
Visibility: 3.00 mi.

Unless anything changes I won't post another update until the morning.

Posted by Dianne at 6:31 PM

Ernesto Update

Current Conditions:

Rain Fog/Mist and Breezy
64°F (18°C)
Humidity: 90 %
Wind Speed: NE 23 Gusts 31 MPH
Barometer: 30.04" (1017.1 mb)
Dewpoint: 61°F (16°C)
Visibility: 5.00 mi.

When you look out at the clouds they have the circular motion you see on the radar map that are so indicative of tropical systems. The gust s are picking up and there are leaves, the occasional branch and such strewn about here and there. It's still not up to Isabelle's standards, but it's moving along. We haven't had very heavy rain here at our house. Just wind and a lot of drizzle. It's a bit nippy outside too given the temperature and the wind. When I ventured out to the mailbox I almost wished I had put on my jacket.

That's all for now.

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Taunting Me

Now this limb is just taunting me:

Stupid limb! ;o)

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Weird Radar Signature

Check out the center of this radar capture:

Isn't that wave like echo weird? I know, Iknow...I'm amused easily! But that is just cool!!

Posted by Dianne at 10:21 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack

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Tropical Storm Ernesto

In an effort to keep people from annoying me, because I had 3.5 hours of sleep last night and have gotten several emails this morning acting as if we don't have the good sense God gave a goat, I am going to answer the questions about the storm here!

Yes we know that we are in the path of a tropical storm because, well we pay attention to such things!

Yes we are keeping an eye on the storm because, well we pay attention to such things!!

Yes we know better than to go outside and stand under a tree during high winds because, well we aren't stupid!

Yes we have supplies for several days...You know we're the ones that are always harping about having a disaster kit and we practice what we preach!

No we are not flooded.

No we don't have a boat ready to go and that's really not funny!

Yes it is raining because, well rain tends to occur in tropical systems.

Yes we do have power...For now...Thanks for jinxing us! If we sit here for any amount of time without power I'm blaming you!

No the wind is not blowing that hard right now, though we've had some gusts that were quite impressive, though fleeting.

No we haven't lost any trees/limbs, though that is a distinct possibility, but that can happen in your garden variety thunderstorm too.

No we don't have any thunder and lightening at the moment.

Yes we are adults that know how to take care of our family.

Yes you are annoying me!

So far this guy isn't anything compared to Isabelle in 2003, though he is still moving into the area and will continue to do so as the day passes, which is unlike Isabelle who came to us under the cover of darkness, but he is slowly weakening as far as wind speeds go. He's down to 50 mph and the lovely lady on the Weather Channel, which I watched for much of the night given Alexis had issues with "Sock Puppet", which we'll discuss later, says that she expects winds to continue to slow as the day goes on. She also said he's still moving at a nice little clip which makes localized flooding possible, but widespread flooding less likely. Also we don't live on a flood plain, though sometimes that doesn't matter.

Overall we aren't expecting any major trouble with this storm, but we've battened down the hatches, removed objects that could fly around and become shrapnel like political signs, toys, plants, secured things in the yard, etc. We are prepared for this because well we're adults and that's what we do!

Updates will come as the day goes along so check back here...Unless of course we lose power and then I'm still blaming you! I now return you to your regularly scheduled Daffodil Lane.

Posted by Dianne at 8:53 AM | Comments (3) | TrackBack

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So far I've brought in the things in the back yard that could sail away, (the table-umbrella, but not the table), and not gone grocery shopping in case we lose power.

Our water supplies and canned food supplies are sufficient for a few days without power.

I'd go out and pick up the toys in the yard, but it's raining :-(

Posted by: reno at September 1, 2006 9:23 AM

The not going grocery shopping thing is no joke, either. We lost $350 worth of food last time we had a tropical storm come through. And that was the food that we'd just bought to replace the food we'd lost the previous week when an ordinary windy thunderstorm knocked the power out.

I wish we could just 'batten down the hatches' and stay home all day, but we have doctor's appointments.

Posted by: cjmr at September 1, 2006 9:35 AM

We lost about $700 worth of food when Isabelle came through due to losing power for 7 days. My fridge and freezer isn't overly stocked at the moment because I've been cleaning out and making room to cook and freeze some things we are taking with us to the beach in a week, but I wouldn't let it keep me from going to the grocery store if I needed to. I don't think Ernesto is going to amount to much.

Posted by: Dianne at September 1, 2006 9:47 AM

August 31, 2006

Forboding

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August 29, 2006

Tropical Storm Ernesto

Well it looks like Ernesto is going to stay in the Tropical Storm realm and become a tropical depression sometime on Friday once it moves on land with just rain and such. We might get a some rain (which we desperately need), but that's about it.

Read more over at the NHC or check out the satellite view here.

Posted by Dianne at 9:30 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack

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Remembering Katrina

One year ago today Katrina tore her way on shore and we all know what happened next. Today let us all remember the pain, suffering and death that occurred right before our eyes as the nation felt helpless to do anything and our government botched the whole thing. Let us also hope that recovery will happen faster and that those who feel abandoned have reason to find hope.

Read more about Katrina here, here and here.

Posted by Dianne at 9:05 AM | Comments (1) | TrackBack

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I've been going over the following month worth of blog entries that I wrote on here. It's staggering the utter failure of the Republican party to do anything right. To hear Bush stand up and make out like it wasn't their fault is sickening. I'm going to watch Spike Lee's video on the subject and then I'm going to write up more about the topic.

Posted by: Jamison at August 29, 2006 12:35 PM

August 28, 2006

More on Ernesto

It looks like if Ernesto did hit here, if they have their forecasting right, it would be a Category 1 storm:

Of course Isabelle was just a Tropical Storm by the time she reached us back in 2003, but like I said we'll see what this brings.

Check out the actual radar here and check the Trop Fcst Pts box to see the storms expected path and what level of hurricane they think it will be at each stage.

Posted by Dianne at 1:09 PM | Comments (4) | TrackBack

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Heaven's knows we could use the rain. But, I'd prefer the kind that doesn't come with 39mph + winds, you know?

I'm actually more concerned about what he may do the Outer Banks -- I'm really looking forward to our trip!

Posted by: katherine at August 28, 2006 4:23 PM

Hopefully that high pressure will move down and push him out to sea before he even makes landfall in Florida.

Posted by: Jamison at August 28, 2006 4:30 PM

The Outer Banks always seems to weather these things pretty well. I think it's all the natural dunes. That's not to say they don't have any damage, but still.

Posted by: Dianne at August 28, 2006 4:46 PM

My barometer-sinuses have been shouting loud and clear all weekend that the high pressure front isn't going anywhere, unfortunately.

Posted by: cjmr at August 28, 2006 7:20 PM

Ernesto

It looks like we may get a visit from Ernesto toward the weekend:

It looks like it may skim the Outer Banks too! Let's hope it dies down, but you just never know with the water as hot as it is!