Thursday, January 31, 2013

Super slippery!

Snow has fallen through the day and finally started freezing to the sidewalks and roads. I had to pick someone up who fell on the ice. The snow will continue overnight and we will generally see around an inch with higher amounts for the southern half of Ohio. South of I-70 could see up to 2-3". Friday stays quiet and COLD! More snow Saturday and that is looking like about 1-3". More in depth look at that tomorrow. Stay safe and have a good one!

Best,
Andrew Buck Michael

Tuesday, January 29, 2013

Storms tomorrow

I spent the day reporting on people enjoying the beautiful weather so luckily I was outside all day. We broke the record for Columbus today by two degrees with a high of 67°. That will seem like summer compared to later tomorrow. Below is a forecast model's version of what the radar is expected to look like by 6 AM tomorrow. The main threat with the storms will be strong winds. I will be in early for team coverage on the storms but just wanted to give you all a heads up. Once the storms roll through early we will see a few lingering showers but not much moisture once we fall below freezing Wednesday night, so no snow Thursday morning. The models are showing maybe up to an inch Thursday night and another coating Saturday. That one is looking light as well with less than a couple inches. I will keep an eye on it. One thing I can guarantee for the weekend is that it will be significantly colder. Might be a good idea to turn on your NOAA weather radios tonight. Have a good one!

Best,
Andrew Buck Michael



Monday, January 28, 2013

Lot of fog forming

With the warm air pushing in over the cold ground there is a lot of fog forming and some of it is fairly dense. The forecast is holding right on cue from yesterday's entry. The only minor change is that I doubt we will have much snow at all Thursday but still looking at light accumulations Saturday. But that is down the road. Enjoy the 50's and 60's tomorrow because Old Man Winter returns with a punch thru the day Wednesday.

Sunday, January 27, 2013

Happy Icy Evening!

This morning was a super productive morning.  Cleaned more of the house and got on the treadmill for a couple of miles while enjoying some Top Gun action.  Such a cheesy awesome movie!
We actually saw a decent amount of sun this afternoon.  You can see in the picture above that the Winter Weather Advisories and Freezing Rain Advisories were for the locations below freezing.  Anywhere where it was warmer this system will mostly stay all rain.
I was driving back from my dinner break and the leading edge pushed through and it started off as a couple minutes of sleet then transitioned over to rain.  There may be a couple of pockets of wintry mix the next hour or so, but it looks to stay rain for Columbus for the rest of the overnight as the warmer air pushes in and further north.  So the radar above will slowly turn more green as the freezing rain and sleet changes to rain.  Another thing to mention is that the leading edge on the radar is a bit misleading tonight.  The air is very dry so the leading edge is evaporating before it hits the ground, which is called virga.  Anyway, we will transition over to all rain overnight and then light spotty rain Monday and Tuesday as MUCH warmer air arrives.  Tuesday we will get into the lower 60's.

The warm rain won't last forever... Wednesday will be interesting.  A STRONG cold front will blast in Wednesday and bring some early storms in the warm air.  As the temperatures fall rapidly later in the day we will see the rain transition back to light snow.  The ground will be wet from the rain so most of the snow will not stick, but we could see a dusting for Thursday... if all holds true (remember we are talking 4 days out and that is like bowling down two lengths of a bowling alley) See my "Bowling Analogy"  Another weak round of snow Saturday with another light coating... too far out to put any numbers on that, but it looks fairly light.  Enjoy the warm temperatures and have a good one!

Best,
Andrew Buck Michael

Saturday, January 26, 2013

Freezing rain then MUCH warmer

I have always said there is one thing I would not brag about and that is my bowling skills.  But last night I played awesome.  I won the first game and then tied the second.  It was a lot of fun to get together with my college meteorology friends and catch up.  Today I spent the morning cleaning the house a little and then came in early to work since the weather this week is going to be very interesting and more of a challenge to forecast.
We will stay dry overnight tonight and for the start of you Sunday, but the afternoon and evening will be interesting.  A warm front will lift through tomorrow evening and once it does we will warm up straight through until Wednesday... more on that shortly.  But the leading edge of the rain will arrive before the warm front and our surface temperatures will be below freezing, but the temperatures just above the surface (few hundred feet up) will be warm... to we will see rain fall and freeze on the surface... freezing rain.  I think the timing will be in the late afternoon and early evening for the arrival, and it will be patchy, so not all of the Miami Valley or Central Ohio will see the freezing rain.
We will slowly see the transition over from the freezing rain / wintry mix over to all rain throughout the overnight hours.
By daybreak Monday we will be even warmer so any wintry mix will have turned over to rain or at least we will be back above freezing.  Anywhere north of I-70 has the coldest air and best chances for more freezing rain.  The further south you live, the warmer it will be and it will stay more as regular rain.  Regardless we will have slick spots late Sunday into early Monday.  The rain showers continue on and off through the middle of the week as our temperatures continue to warm.


It is kind of rare to see such a linear fashion of the warming temperatures over a three to four day stretch with no drops in temperature.  Our high temperatures will be at midnight each day and then the morning low will be at midnight each morning. Once we hit the peak Wednesday into Thursday then another arctic blast of cold air for the end of the week... just when I will be off and can't work in the garage.  Bummer.  I may just have to work in the garage Tuesday night when I get off work to take advantage of the warmer temperatures.  Anyway our temps fall throughout the day on Wednesday thanks to the cold front.  We could see a few storms early Wednesday with the cold front and then end the day with snow showers.  Gotta love Ohio.  Looks like light snow continues on and off through Thursday and into early Friday and another round of snow for next weekend.  They both look very light, but right now not appearing to be a shovel-able amount of snow, at least for the late-week system.  I will be back with updates.  Travel safe and have a good one!

Best,
Andrew Buck Michael

Friday, January 25, 2013

Frozen brakes

New front axle on the maxi today. It was freeeeeeezing in the garage.  Lost feeling in my legs after a while. Also took off the front brake to see how much one season ate away the brake pads. Got about 1200 miles on them so far and less than a third of the way used. I woukd say at least another 2000 miles easily.

Now I just need a few things left on my winter tune-up list: true the front fender, NOS bookrack mounted with taillight mount, and put Maxi pedal shaft on instead of Magnum length. Getting close.

Also picked up my vest from the embroider and it looks awesome. She was a little lazy with the yellow patch... but oh well.

Best,
Andrew Buck Michael

Snow is wrapping up

As things are wrapping up the forecast verified. I got slightly more than 3" in Columbus and here is a list of what the Wilmington National Weather Service has received:

OHIO

...ADAMS COUNTY...
WEST UNION 0.5 1130 AM 1/25 PUBLIC
1 WSW WEST UNION 0.5 206 PM 1/25 DEPT OF HIGHWAYS

...AUGLAIZE COUNTY...
ST. MARYS 1.8 130 PM 1/25 PUBLIC

...BUTLER COUNTY...
1 WSW MAUD 0.9 1025 AM 1/25 TRAINED SPOTTER
1 WSW MONROE 0.8 211 PM 1/25 TRAINED SPOTTER
2 WSW MAUSTOWN 0.7 1232 PM 1/25 TRAINED SPOTTER

...CHAMPAIGN COUNTY...
1 W URBANA 1.0 931 AM 1/25 DEPT OF HIGHWAYS

...CLARK COUNTY...
NEW CARLISLE 3.0 1235 PM 1/25 BROADCAST MEDIA
SPRINGFIELD 3.0 1235 PM 1/25 BROADCAST MEDIA
2 WNW SPRINGFIELD 1.8 1027 AM 1/25 DEPT OF HIGHWAYS

...CLINTON COUNTY...
2 SSE WILMINGTON 1.1 1153 AM 1/25 NWS OFFICE
3 SSW WILMINGTON 1.0 1233 PM 1/25 DEPT OF HIGHWAYS

...DARKE COUNTY...
2 W GREENVILLE 2.5 1035 AM 1/25 PUBLIC
VERSAILLES 2.0 1033 AM 1/25 CO-OP OBSERVER
1 E GREENVILLE 1.5 927 AM 1/25 DEPT OF HIGHWAYS

...DELAWARE COUNTY...
2 ENE DELAWARE 3.0 146 PM 1/25 DEPT OF HIGHWAYS
DELAWARE 2.8 1238 PM 1/25 TRAINED SPOTTER

...FAIRFIELD COUNTY...
1 S LANCASTER 2.0 1111 AM 1/25 DEPT OF HIGHWAYS

...FAYETTE COUNTY...
2 WSW WASHINGTON COU 1.0 1152 AM 1/25 DEPT OF HIGHWAYS

...FRANKLIN COUNTY...
DUBLIN 3.2 1220 PM 1/25 PUBLIC
KCMH PORT COLUMBUS A 3.1 1256 PM 1/25 ASOS
2 E UPPER ARLINGTON 3.0 132 PM 1/25 BROADCAST MEDIA
2 NNW COLUMBUS 3.0 1155 AM 1/25 TRAINED SPOTTER
2 SSE DOWNTOWN COLUM 2.7 120 PM 1/25 PUBLIC
4 N GAHANNA 2.0 1048 AM 1/25 DEPT OF HIGHWAYS

...GREENE COUNTY...
CEDARVILLE 3.0 1050 AM 1/25 TRAINED SPOTTER
1 E XENIA 1.5 1213 PM 1/25 DEPT OF HIGHWAYS
1 NNW BELLBROOK 1.0 1235 PM 1/25 BROADCAST MEDIA

...HAMILTON COUNTY...
1 WSW BLUE ASH 0.5 1122 AM 1/25 BROADCAST MEDIA
1 SSW SHARONVILLE 0.5 210 PM 1/25 TRAINED SPOTTER
1 W SHERWOOD 0.5 1045 AM 1/25 PUBLIC

...HARDIN COUNTY...
KENTON 3.0 1056 AM 1/25 TRAINED SPOTTER
1 SSW KENTON 3.0 1202 PM 1/25 DEPT OF HIGHWAYS

...HIGHLAND COUNTY...
1 SE HILLSBORO 0.5 1039 AM 1/25 DEPT OF HIGHWAYS

...LOGAN COUNTY...
WEST LIBERTY 4.0 115 PM 1/25 PUBLIC
QUINCY 3.0 142 PM 1/25 TRAINED SPOTTER
BELLEFONTAINE 2.5 1140 AM 1/25 BROADCAST MEDIA
2 N BELLEFONTAINE 2.0 1030 AM 1/25 DEPT OF HIGHWAYS

...MERCER COUNTY...
3 W CELINA 2.0 1155 AM 1/25 DEPT OF HIGHWAYS

...MIAMI COUNTY...
WEST MILTON 4.0 1235 PM 1/25 BROADCAST MEDIA
2 SW TROY 3.5 133 PM 1/25 DEPT OF HIGHWAYS
TIPP CITY 3.0 1200 PM 1/25 BROADCAST MEDIA

...MONTGOMERY COUNTY...
TROTWOOD 4.0 1235 PM 1/25 BROADCAST MEDIA
1 NNW BROOKVILLE 4.0 1235 PM 1/25 BROADCAST MEDIA
UNION 3.3 1204 PM 1/25 TRAINED SPOTTER
RIVERSIDE 3.0 1040 AM 1/25 PUBLIC
KDAY DAYTON COX APT 2.2 1000 AM 1/25 ASOS
1 WSW ENGLEWOOD 2.0 928 AM 1/25 DEPT OF HIGHWAYS
CENTERVILLE 2.0 1200 PM 1/25 TRAINED SPOTTER
KETTERING 2.0 1200 PM 1/25 BROADCAST MEDIA
BROOKVILLE 1.3 835 AM 1/25 PUBLIC

...PICKAWAY COUNTY...
1 NNW CIRCLEVILLE 1.5 130 PM 1/25 DEPT OF HIGHWAYS

...PIKE COUNTY...
5 SSW PIKETON 1.0 207 PM 1/25 DEPT OF HIGHWAYS

...PREBLE COUNTY...
3 E EATON 3.0 1048 AM 1/25 DEPT OF HIGHWAYS
1 NNE EATON 2.5 1100 AM 1/25 TRAINED SPOTTER

...SCIOTO COUNTY...
1 SSE LUCASVILLE 0.5 1110 AM 1/25 DEPT OF HIGHWAYS

...SHELBY COUNTY...
SIDNEY 3.0 1235 PM 1/25 BROADCAST MEDIA
3 NNW ANNA 2.5 1030 AM 1/25 COCORAHS

...UNION COUNTY...
1 ESE MARYSVILLE 1.5 138 PM 1/25 DEPT OF HIGHWAYS

...WARREN COUNTY...
3 SSE GENNTOWN 1.1 130 PM 1/25 NWS EMPLOYEE


So generally 2-4" with lower totals to the far south. A few flurries overnight won't accumulate to much. The good news is now we dry out for the weekend and warm up heading into next week. Rain will be returning next week to hopefully wash all the salt away. BUT there could be a little ice with the start of the rain, Bill Kelly will breakdown the chances for that in more depth on-air tonight. Thanks for all the reports and below are a few I received. My measurement is on the left and your measurements are on the right. For now i am babysitting and then bowling later tonight. Enjoy your Friday night and have a good one!

Best,
Andrew Buck Michael

The snow has arrived

Just took Buckeye outside and while we were out the pavement went from clear to a dusting.

Taking a look at the radar the bands look to hold true to the forecasted snowfall totals in my previous blog entry. Today is a great example of nowcasting. The forecast was set yesterday, but if the snow bands shifted north or south on the radar then minor adjustments would have to be made. Still sticking with 2-4" with isolated higher totals along I-70. Most of the snow will fall between now and the evening commute. So if you are planning on traveling and want to avoid the slick roads, I would leave pronto or tomorrow morning.

Lisa Colbert will be tracking it all morning on FOX28 then Bill Kelly will be in later for any updates on ABC6. I will post again later with incoming snowfall totals. If you would like yours added to the list of them and get mentioned in the blog then feel free to add a comment to the bottom of this blog entry(make sure to leave your location). Anywhere is acceptable. Until then, have a good one!

Best,
Andrew Buck Michael

Friday Snow

Had a busy day. Dawn decided last minute to head back to Dayton for work. I went along and also stopped by the new HD ABC & FOX station that will be launching soon. It is amazing and something a step above the competition.
On to the forecast. Still tracking snow for Friday. It will start just after daybreak (a little earlier to the west). The majority of the snow will fall before the evening commute Friday. Looking like 2-4" for most of Ohio with a little less to the far north and far south.  There could be isolated pockets of slightly more along I-70.
Not the largest snowfall of the season, but it will still be slick. A few flurries heading into Friday night. Then we start to warm up heading into the weekend. Travel safe and have a good one!
Best,
Andrew Buck Michael

Wednesday, January 23, 2013

Ready for warmer temps?

Yesterday was unbelievably cold.  I get to work and the assignment editor walks by and says... I forgot you were here today.  Normally not a good sign.  They had already called AAA for one of the reporters to follow around a technician with all the dead battery calls.  They nearly doubled their calls for Central Ohio yesterday and over 75% of the calls were dead batteries... meaning nearly 1500+ dead batteries in one day.
I learned my lesson early on to prepare for AAAAAANYthing that work will throw at you.  Before I even went to work or knew I was going to be outside in single digit temps and sub zero wind chills... I had already put on my long johns.  I had no shame in it... gotta stay warm and be prepared. I was still chilly, but comfortable... considering the elements.
I got a new moped part as well.  Dawn got me a new kit for my moped.  The new cylinder and piston is the 47mm Puch Airsal Eurokit.  The thing is a BEAST.  Not quite sure on the exact set-up I will be running with this, but for now I will be holding on to it until something happens to my other bikes.  Just planning for the future.  Pretty excited use it, but going to be a while before it hits the road.  Want to do it right.
 
Well the chilly temps are about to be a thing of the past... kinda.  Highs will get back into the 20's the next four days then we warm up even more.  By the middle of next week we could easily be back into the 40's.
There is still a chance for snow the next few days.  A week round of snow will start tonight around dinner time and last into the overnight hours.  Only expecting about an inch for most of Ohio, but a few isolated places may see slightly more or less.  Friday is looking weaker and weaker for snow and right now looks like only a couple of inches... if that.   Then we dry out a little for the weekend as we continue to warm and then rain (maybe wintry mix to start on Monday) for early next week.
One interesting note is the winds for tonight.  Not at the surface, but at 400-200 millibars (about 25,000+ feet up).  They are off the chat!  If you were in a plane flying from Chicago to Columbus (or anything from the NW to SE), you could make it in near record time.  With the winds so strong it could add a little extra lift and thus helping to enhance some of the snow a little.  Crazy stuff that you wouldn't have any idea down here on the surface.  Stay warm and have a good one!

Best,
Andrew Buck Michael

Sunday, January 20, 2013

FRIGID temps on the way.

The above image (click on it for a lager version) is what we can expect from 2PM Monday until 2PM Wednesday.  The wind chills will be dipping below zero for over 36 hours.  By the time we get to Tuesday morning we will likely be seeing wind chills near ten degrees below zero.  That is just the sustained winds... imagine if you get a couple of gusts... downright dangerous.
Frostbite can occur in about thirty minutes according to the revised windchill chart.  The above image shows how long frostbite will occur.  Make sure to bundle the kids up super warm for Tuesday!

 Next few days are remaining fairly unchanged.  Light snow, mainly north of I-70 tonight and a little during the day Monday.  Dusting north, not much at all south.  Temperatures fall through the afternoon Monday. Wind chills below zero from Monday afternoon thru Wednesday Midday.  My forecasted high for Tuesday's high is 13.  We slowly try to warm up ahead of the next system later in the week. 

The next system will be tricky.  NAM tries to bring in the weak low by late Wednesday into Thursday, but the CMC and GFS have the low hold off another 12-24 hours, strengthen, and then come through (a little earlier than yesterday's thoughts) as early as midday Thursday and Thursday night.  The advanced timing could mean less warming and staying as more snow than the wintry mix.  The timing and temps will need to be monitored closely.  Right now it almost looks to start as snow, change to wintry mix including ice on Thursday, and then back to snow Thursday night into Friday.  I will be monitoring it very closely.  Have a good one!

Best,
Andrew Buck Michael

Saturday, January 19, 2013

Motion Left & FRIGID temps coming!

Wednesday was pretty awesome for me.  I went up to Lima to meet up with my long-time mopeding friend, KZ.  We grabbed lunch then traveled up to Goshen, Indiana and met up with Motion Left, the Goshen branch of Moped Army.  I was inducted as an Honorary Member.  I am super stoked. I have been into mopeds for five years.  I have tried starting my own branch in Dayton with the DAM Riders, but had to leave with the new job in Columbus.  I started trying to put together another branch in Columbus, but before I got the ball rolling, Motion Left snatched me up as one of their own.  They are a group of very down to earth friends and beside myself with excitement to be an "official member" of Moped Army now. 
The ride up to Goshen was awesome and probably one of the prettiest sunsets I have ever been able to witness.  It was a solid thirty minutes of changing colors.
I also grabbed a picture of the Paragon bike.  Many may recognize it from the 1977 Garage.  While you are there, be sure to check out my bikes and give them a "Like"
I then spent Friday tweaking my bikes a little.  I finally got the cotter pin out of my Maxi's pedal that was driving me nuts since the threading was messed up.  So happy to get it off.
I also threw on my new WSL pipe on the Polini.  It seemed to rip harder in the lower end than the Proma, which is now on my Treats kitted Magnum.  Haven't tested out the top end yet... new front axle should arrive Monday.  Either way, my winter projects are finally coming to an end and I am ready to hit the road.
One thing I was NOT happy about was the final episode of Fringe last night.  Dawn and I started watching back in 2008 and we loved the show.  It was always on the cusp of getting cancelled and I loved having deep parallel-universe discussions with other friends that watched the show.  Pretty sad ending, but it did not disappoint in how epic it ended.
Today was such a great day that Dawn and I ran a few errands and enjoyed the sunshine.  Good thing because the 50's today will feel like a heatwave compared to what is coming...
I threw this together to show the dropping temperatures for the days to come. It seems that each weekend I get blessed with some DRASTICALLY changing temperatures and this seems to really show the change the best and I get great feedback from viewers.  But you can see from the 53 we saw today... by Tuesday and Wednesday it will feel warm.  We will also be staying dry for the most part.  There is a SLIGHT chance for a sprinkle tonight, but most of us should stay dry.  That will be coming in with the first cold front.  A second cold front will push in Sunday night and early Monday that could bring a light dusting of snow by Monday morning.  We then freeze out and dry out until later Thursday into Friday as another cold front returns and our temperatures are right on the sweet spot now for that wintry mix so I will keep you posted.  Enjoy the mild temps this evening and have a good one!

Best,
Andrew Buck Michael

Tuesday, January 15, 2013

Quick Forecast Update...

It has been cold, but that hasn't stopped my moped fun...  I worked a little in the garage last night and now my hands are chapped.  Sure do miss a semi-heated garage.
So here is the deal tonight.  Far Southeastern Ohio will see a bit of an icy mix and rain.  The closer you get to Columbus or I-71 you will transition to freezing rain and then light snow just to the east of I-71. Much of the areas north and west of the state will not see a lot of action.  You can see the radar above.
Here is the futurecast image from 5AM and you can see the ice line just to the east of Cincinnati and the ice band stretches up toward Zanesville.
The trail end of this system will be kicking out to the east by noon tomorrow.  The ice will be the biggest issue.  Be careful in the morning for Wednesday.  Areas that stay all snow, such as parts of Columbus, could see a dusting by the morning
By Wednesday night we could see a few flurries.  The models are not showing very much moisture at all, but you can make out a little snow up by Fort Wayne for Wednesday night.  Thursday morning should not look much different on the roads.  No accumulations are expected.

Long term outlook: We slowly warm up for Friday and Saturday with highs getting into the 40's, but then a sharp drop in temperatures for early next week... we could be looking at highs only in the teens.  I will keep you posted.  I took a vacation day for tomorrow and visiting some friends.  Drive safe tomorrow morning and have a good one!

Best,
Andrew Buck Michael

One final addition... systems like tonight are more of a "now-cast" meaning that current temperatures may adjust the snow/ice/rain line.  Make sure to catch the evening forecasts with Bill Kelly on ABC6 and FOX28 for the latest on any minor changes.

Sunday, January 13, 2013

Grab the coat!

Well it couldn't last forever.  The cold front was pushing through Downtown Columbus during my dinner break because all of the sudden the winds shifted to the northwest and went from five miles an hour up to about twenty five miles an hour.  Time to grab the coat!  The steady moderate rain is now pushing off to Eastern Ohio and other than a stray flurry we will begin to dry out and ice over in spots.  I will be interested to see how much of the pavement will freeze over.  We have had such warm days that it may take a little time for the untreated pavement to cool off.  Regardless it is going to be cold tomorrow morning.

This frontal system will stall out just to our south meaning that the south and eastern part of the state will see more clouds for the coming couple of days and the northern part of the stat will see a little more sunshine.  Same goes for the rain, most of Ohio will stay dry.  There is a weak cold front Wednesday night that may bring a few flurries, and then another slight chance for snow next weekend, but both look rather light right now.  I will keep a close eye on them, but looks like a dry cold week ahead of us.  Bundle up and have a good one!

Best,
Andrew Buck Michael

Saturday, January 12, 2013

Busy enjoying the warm temps!

 
You can't really ask for much better weather for January in Ohio.  The last few days have felt GREAT!  There has been the rain, but I will take that any day as long as we can get temperatures 30 degrees above freezing in the winter.  I like the fact that we can melt all the snow and then start over from scratch...like a clean slate.  I did do a little moped work.  Having an unheated garage means that I have to keep my wrenching time to a minimum during the winter.
I also took Buckeye to the groomer since he was getting pretty scruffy.  
So here was the deal with the Magnum moped.  The studs in there originally were TOTAL junk.  In the picture above you can see how stripped the threading was and that lead to air leaks and issues.  I never felt comfortable riding the bike because of it.  So I ordered the new Malossi studs.  They are made of GREAT metal, but they are shorter.  I assumed they were the same length and threw them in the engine without measuring, and sunk them nice and deep into the case.  I also used red Loctite.  Bad idea.  Normally you need to heat the red stuff up to about 500°F to loose it up, or a LOT of force.  Anyway when I did it the first time I put it back together without a head gasket and locking washers and I barely had room for the nuts.  Not going to fly for my perfectionism.  So I had to remove the studs.  I bought the heat gun as a back-up but didn't need it. I backed two nuts together as far down on the threading as I could. I put a wrench on that and I also locked down on the stud super tight right near the engine case.  With a quick thrust each loosened up... barely, but loosened up.  I was then able to carefully remove each of them and clean off all the Loctite.  I put them back in, and not as deep(but still PLENTY deep), and we are back in business.
I got the piston and cylinder (Treats reed) back on there and also threw on the Proma Circuit from the Maxi, since the Maxi is down for another couple weeks.  I want to get a new front axle with better threading and also fix a couple of cosmetic things.  Anyway, back to the Magnum... I added a little more hydraulic fluid to the k10 forks to make them slightly more stiff and we are back in business.  I rode it around today and it rode GREAT!  Probably the best idling bike I have ever had.  Super stoked to make it my daily rider.
So the rain returns and then the cold does.  We will also have patches of dense fog for Sunday morning.  The image above shows the last 24 hours of NAM and GFS forecast models.  Lighter rain tonight and early Sunday and then the second half of Sunday looks to be really wet for Ohio with heavy rain at times.  Wouldn't be surprised with a few rumbles of thunder.  The morning temperatures will be considerably warmer than the afternoon temperatures on Sunday as you can see below.
Last week I ran a similar graphic showing the big warm-up coming and since so many people loved it I figured I would show it again.  We will see falling temperatures through the day tomorrow and then a big drop by Monday.  Needless to say, I am VERY happy to have one of my winter projects done in the garage.  Now I order a couple of parts and wait for warmer temperatures.  Enjoy the warm temperatures while you can and have a good one!

Best,
Andrew Buck Michael

Thursday, January 10, 2013

Gettin it! On the way: Rain and Ice???

A very good Saturday morning to you... Well according the calendar it is a Thursday, but it is my Saturday after a seven day workweek.  Made a pretty awesome breakfast and have a lot planned for the day... Buckeye needs to get groomed, dry cleaners, I need to work on my mopeds more  (Especially doing that tomorrow when it is even warmer)... then meeting up with my meteorology buddies tonight, then more wrenching tomorrow and then babysitting for Dawn's nephew so Dawn's cousins can go out on a date.
Quick recap of my week...  Monday I did a story on Zero Waste at Ohio Stadium.  They have been trying to raise their percentage of recycled materials at the football games.  They averaged 87% for the year and they won the national competition.  They broke the record for the Illinois game and recycled 98.2% of EVERYTHING collected at the stadium for the game.  Kinda crazy to think about...
Another crazy aspect is all the food and paper collected at the games is used as compost and then returned to the stadium and is used in all the planters outside.
Tuesday I did a food taste testing at Ohio State.  Then Wednesday we started off with brief morning rain.
Rain cleared out quickly and the snow melt continued.  It actually got fairly sunny in the afternoon which was nice since I was outside all afternoon doing a story on the replacement trees being planted thanks to the Emerald Ash Borer.
 
I would just like to say that I love Harbor Freight.  Granted some of the tools may not have the quality of something Craftsman, but if you can buy about ten of them compared to one Craftsman... sign me up!   I picked up a heat gun yesterday.  Long story with my moped, but I will be needing it and instead of describing it now, I will just wait until tomorrow or until I use it... and show you.
One of the morning meetings turned to NHL lockout and I am not a hockey fan so I spaced out.  Sorry to all the hockey fans out there, but it is a polarizing sport.  I am not a fan and admit it.  I get bored when watching it on TV.  Anyway, I took a photo of myself and Pete Scalia commented on it and said I looked like Frisch's Big Boy.
Did a little comparison... and I still have a little ways to go...  Alright... on to the forecast.
Rain arrives tonight near the evening commute.  We dry out for Friday afternoon, but more rain kicks in late Saturday and into Sunday.  Between these systems we can easily see an inch of rain, especially the Saturday night round.  Temps will reach the upper 40's today then after tonight's warm rain we will be pushing 60 the next three days.  Saturday looks the warmest with highs in the lower-mid 60's.  THEN things change.  Temps will plummet next week and with a kick of moisture from the south we could be right on the sweet spot for some wintry mix including some ice.  Still a long ways out.  The CMC and Euro are both showing a chance for wintry mix Monday into Tuesday... GFS still doesn't, but GFS has been taking a back seat as far as handling the winter systems.  MY prediction on how the GFS will handle it... it will get even warmer for early next week then sharply cool off just before it arrives.  Anyway, there is a lot of jargon here, but for now we will be dealing with warmer temps and a couple rounds of rain for the upcoming days.  Stay tuned and have a good one!

Best,
Andrew Buck Michael

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