11Alive.com | Weather Blog

barbecue!

Fri, 29 May 2009 16:13:57 -0700

It’s almost summertime, and I finally got a chance to come back and visit all my friends at 11Alive. And what’s summertime without my dad and Backyard Weather?

Dad brought me to this year’s first BW, which is right here at 11Alive.

There’s Dad with the guys who are working the grill. They have chicken, pork, and ribs, and I even got to eat some… though I had to wait my turn, just like everyone else.

This is some of the stuff they put on the barbecue.

Everyone at the station walked in on Dad’s weather report just to get their share. I got mine pretty close to the start, and it was awesome.

Steven, who’s normally working with Valerie, took some video of me hanging out, and as soon as I learn how to use the system Dad uses to put up his video, I’ll post it here on my blog.

See you soon!

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Soggy Holiday Weekend Outlook

Fri, 22 May 2009 08:15:00 -0700

5/22/09-Friday 11am

The "unofficial start to summer" is this weekend! This is our long holiday weekend with Memorial Day! I encourage you not to focus just on the extra day to play...but I hope you will take a moment to remember and honor those who died fighting for our country.

You will have to dodge some showers for your outdoor activities. There is a stubborn low in the gulf that will slowly move to the northwest. That low will continue pumping Gulf and Atlantic moisture our way through the weekend. It isn't going to rain all day everyday...but there will be sporadic showers off and on through the weekend. There will be some dry hours in-between some of those periods with rain.

Rain totals will be around an inch or more between now and Monday. We aren't looking for a widespread severe weather event...just be aware that some of these showers may have some embedded thunder and lightning in association with them.

If you are headed to the Gulf coast for the weekend, you see see even more rain that we will here in metro Atlanta. The low will also cause some wind and rough surf on the Gulf coast of Florida, Alabama and Mississippi and Atlantic coast of Georgia and South Carolina.

I'll be here with you all weekend and the beginning of next week tracking these showers!

Back to the 80s!

Fri, 24 Apr 2009 05:47:00 -0700

4/24/09-Friday 9am

Did you feel it yesterday? The 80s are back! We had a high yesterday of 81 degrees. This isn't the first time this year we've hit the 80s. Back on March 9 and 10 we got up to 80. This warm spell will be a little hotter and it will last a little longer than the one in March.

Today, we'll get up to 85 degrees! Our average high for this time of year is 75...so we'll be about 10 degrees above normal. The record for today's date is 91...we won't hit that! Get used to the hotter air. We'll hit 85 again Saturday with mostly sunny skies. Sunday, we'll move back to the lower 80s.

Those storms last night were pretty fierce in some areas. We had numerous severe thunderstorm warnings. The main threat last night was the hail and vivid lightning. We also had some gusty winds that took out some trees.

We are entering a quieter pattern now. We can't rule out an isolated shower late tomorrow with the heat and humidity mixing. Most areas will stay dry and calm for the weekend. Break out the sunscreen!!

Alabama Storms Moving Closer to Georgia

Sun, 19 Apr 2009 15:08:00 -0700

4/19/09-Sunday 5pm

Thunderstorms are developing back into west Alabama this afternoon producing severe weather. That line will continue to move east toward Georgia.

Late in the afternoon and into the evening, the strongest part of the storm system will move in giving us a better chance of thunderstorms. The storm prediction center has fine tuned the risk areas for severe weather. Residents in west Georgia, along the Alabama line will have a little better chance of seeing some isolated severe thunderstorms as we get into the evening hours.

There is a tornado watch for parts of west and central Alabama. Our atmosphere is becoming a little more unstable with some breaks in the clouds allow a few peeks of sunshine. Some of these storms will weaken as we lose some heating this evening.

As the main line of storms comes in later today and tonight, we will have a better coverage of rain. There will be a few thunderstorms that will get close to severe limits. The main threats will be damaging winds and small hail. Rainfall amounts will be between a half inch and an inch of rain in the metro area.

I got stuff!

Fri, 17 Apr 2009 09:31:05 -0700

I got stuff! Check out the swag the kids from AMCA in Alpharetta sent me: dog biscuits and tennis balls, and even better, enough to share with Mandy (my sister, who you may have heard of).

Me, with my stuff from the kids at AMCA in Alpharetta.

Now that the weather’s getting warmer, it’s more fun to do stuff outside, and last night I got to be on TV again and be outside at the same time, which was pretty awesome. Me, Dad, and Dennis were out in the little garden spot outside 11Alive. Dennis talked about dogs who bark too much.

He wasn’t talking about me. Really.

If you forgot to watch or DVR me on TV last night, you can watch it right here:

See you soon!

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maybe it bothers your sinuses, but look what pollen does to ME

Fri, 10 Apr 2009 08:39:32 -0700

You think pollen bothers your sinuses? Y’know what it did when I rolled around outside and it got all in my fur?

Let me give you a little hint:

A spray bottle? Really?

Yep. I needed a BATH. Big-time. As you can see, I wasn’t too thrilled. I guess the washing was okay, but is this the face of a happy dog at the drying station?

This is my nonplussed face.

Dad says that if I roll around outside in the pollen and the dirt, this is what I have to expect. I’m not sure if I like water yet — I was talking to Dad’s friend Josh from 11Alive, and Josh said his golden, when he was a kid, was afraid to go swimming. It’s an option.

That’s really the most exciting thing that’s happened to me lately. I know some of you have been asking where I’ve been; well, with everything going on at home and Dad taking a few days off work, I haven’t been able to get to the station. Don’t worry; I’m still here. Not sure if Dad will be able to bring me by next week, but we’ll see.

Oh, and one more thing: check out this hilarious video I found on YouTube. This dog really loves baths, huh?

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Spring Break to Feel More Like Winter Break

Sun, 05 Apr 2009 03:49:00 -0700

4/5/09-Sunday 7am

We'll experience a little bit of everything weather-wise over the next few days. We're going from highs in the mid 70s yesterday...to a huge drop in temps by Monday. Temperatures aren't the only changes. We'll have some showers and thunderstorms...and maybe even some flurries! Spring break will feel more like winter break with the passage of this front.

First, we'll have some showers and thunderstorms developing ahead of the front. Showers will increase during the day wtih the best chance of storms developing during the evening. Our threat for severe thunderstorms is low. There is a better chance for stronger storms south of I-20. Any thunderstorms will occur mainly during the evening hours. Here's a look at the storm prediction center's outlook on severe weather:

After the front moves through overnight, colder air will begin to blow in. The winds will whip up from the NW at 15-25mph with higher gusts. There is a wind advisory in effect from 2am Monday until 2am Tuesday. That wind will usher in some much colder air. Highs on Monday will struggle to reach 50 degrees. That will be a 20 degree plus temperature drop from highs Sunday to highs Monday.

There will be some wrap around moisture behind the front that will shake out a few flurries Monday night mainly in the mountains. Temps will drop to below freezing overnight Monday into Tuesday morning. Lows in Atlanta will be near 30 with even some upper 20s in the outlying areas.

We won't warm any on Tuesday. Highs will be in the upper 40s with another cold night Tuesday night into Wednesday morning. Temps will again drop to the freezing mark.

Warmer air will gradually move back in at the end of the week with temps getting back to the upper 60s and lower 70s.

More Rain...Southeast Severe Weather Threat

Wed, 01 Apr 2009 14:13:00 -0700

4/1/09-Wed. PM

It's no April Fool's Joke...more rain is on the way. We're getting a break in the action late this afternoon even though the ground is still wet. Another wave of rain will move in later tonight and into tomorrow morning. This next wave will give us an additional half inch to an inch of rain.

We'll really have to watch the wave that will move in late Thursday. That one will give us a better chance of some thunderstorms. Some of those could turn severe. The main threat for severe weather will be in Mississippi, Alabama, the Florida Panhandle, and parts of central and south Georgia Thursday. The storm prediction center has placed those areas in a "moderate" risk for severe storms. In north Georgia, we will be under a "slight" risk for severe storms late Thursday.

Here's a graphic of the "risk" areas:

As the storms move in from the west, they should begin to weaken a little as they move into Georgia. We'll be watching this system very closely as it develops.

The first part of the weekend looks good on Saturday. Sunday, we'll face another chance for some showers and storms late. By Monday, spring break will begin with some colder air moving in! We'll have a live chat about that tonight at 10pm and 11pm right here at 11Alive.com

The Legacy Lacrosse Cup 2009

Thu, 26 Mar 2009 23:24:00 -0700

I have to admit I know very little about lacrosse. My knowledge of the sport growing up was limited to a trivia question that went something like “What football great was an All American lacrosse player in college”? The answer: Jim Brown of Syracuse.

Jim Brown

Living near Milton High School, lacrosse is a sport you can’t ignore. The great success of the program at the high school has made others take notice. In fact the girls team at Milton has won four consecutive state titles. Lacrosse sticks have given IPods a run for their money as the cool accessory with teens who attend Milton.

So it’s only natural to get excited about an upcoming event coming to Milton High called “Legacy Lacrosse Cup 2009”. The mission statement sums it up:

Our vision is to be the annual high school lacrosse tournament of choice for premiere local and regional boys and girls lacrosse teams.

But this is much more than a tournament, guest speakers, and the talented athletes who will be competing. Parker Jackson was one of those athletes. According to friends and family, he was the spark. He was the energy, passion, and life. His quick sense of humor, and smile was infectious. Oh and by the way he played lacrosse.

Parker Jackson in action

Parker died in a car accident in 2006 at the age of 16. When he died his family looked for a way to keep his legacy alive. Parker’s parents Bo and Lauren Jackson knew that a tournament promoting high school lacrosse athletes would be the ideal way to keep Parker’s spirit alive.

Parker's 16th Birthday

In only it’s second year, the LLC is off and running for 2009 RAIN OR SHINE! Keynote speaker at Friday’s dinner is Kyle Harrison. Harrison is one of the sports brightest starts.

Kyle Harrison

http://www.legacylacrossecup.com/index.html

If you are interested in attended the Legacy Lacrosse Cup 2009 at Milton High school contact Bo Jackson 770-633-7006

Winning USA Masters Track and Field Championships!

Mon, 23 Mar 2009 19:01:00 -0700

It’s interesting how you fantasize about how some memorable event in your life will turn out and then it doesn’t quite work out the way you thought it would. Competing in shotput in the US Masters Indoor National Track and Field Championships in Landover, Maryland this past weekend, I was all set to throw big and far. My trainer David Buer and I have been working on explosive strength exercises for several weeks now getting ready for this championship.

Practice throws have been in the 50-52 foot range. I was feeling good, ready to leave on Friday for the meet on Saturday. Then a 24 hour bug hit me that kept me in bed most of Thursday…not eating and drinking very little. My flight was just hours away. I was felt good enough to fly to Washington, DC to compete, but didn’t know how much energy I would have to compete, let alone win. Thankfully I started feeling better and was able to compete and capture my first USA National Championship with a throw of 48-7 ½. Not the big throw I was hoping for but nice to have enough to win.

Name Age Team Finals ==========================================================================

1. Paul Ossmann M51 Unattached,Milton, 14.82m 48-07.50

2. Larry Rosen M50 Unattached,Bethesda 14.66m 48-01.25

3. Chuck Baer M54 Unattached,Evans, G 13.41m 44-00.00

4. Bryan Stewart M50 Unattached,Aiken, S 12.95m 42-06.00

5. Joseph Kessell M53 Unattached,Levittow 12.28m 40-03.50

6. Jeffrey Brown M52 Unattached,Ooltewah 12.12m 39-09.25

Training with David Buer starts up again on Wednesday. Next stop the USA Outdoor Nationals in Oshkosh, Wisconsin in July. A 49 foot throw will not win in July!

Maybe next time I will dream about good weather for Wisconsin in July instead of the "One that got away".

Lake Levels Continue to Improve

Mon, 16 Mar 2009 08:20:00 -0700

Spring officially arrives Friday ( March 20th ) and lake lavels across Georgia have shown a nice improvement since December when area lakes were at their lowest levels during the past 12 months.

Here's a look at were levels stood 3 months ago at their lowest points.

Lake Lanier 1051.00 on 12/9/2008 ( 20 feet below full )

Lake Hartwell 637.53 on 12/9/2008 ( 22.5 feet below full )

Allatoona 824.79 on 12/27/2008 ( 15 feet below full )

Here's where the stand today, March 16th, 2009

Lake Lanier 1058.69 ( +7.69ft. rise )

Lake Hartwell 648.48 ( +11ft. rise )

Allatoona 837.05 ( +12.25ft. rise )

Rainfall this winter officially has been slightly below normal. However, it has come in events that have featured several 2 to 4 inch rainfalls per event. That in turn, has helped give the streams and rivers feeding the lakes good burst flows that have boosted lake levels. Our most recent rainfall has delivered 1.5 to 3.0 inch rain amounts over the weekend and into today.

If you look at the current level of Lake Lanier, it's higher than any point than it reached in all of 2008. Granted, we've still got a ways to go to refill the lake completely, but we're definitely making better progress. Last year, the highest level attained was 1057.80 back on May 24th. That meant going into the high water demand summer season, we started off with the lake down about 13 feet from full pool.

Where we'll top off at this spring before going into the hot season depends on how rainy the spring season is for us. Long range indicators suggest normal rainfall is likely, so that would translate into another 3 ft rise. That would put us at a level of about 1062ft, or about 8 to 9 feet below full pool.

While still down from where it ideally should be, that extra 4 or 5 feet of water would be significantly more helpful in terms of dealing with the hot, summertime weather. Plus, it would allow many more boat ramps to reopen on the lake, and thereby bring more boating back to the lake again, not to mention a boost to lakeside businesses. In 2008, between high gas prices, low lake levels, and a down economy, Lake Lanier saw a drop in visitors by more than a million people. That translated into one of the worst business seasons ever there.

It's been nice to see the lake recovery happen this winter. Naturally, it would have been better to have completely filled both Lake Lanier and Lake Hartwell, ( Allatoona will be completely filled ) but we're certainly in better shpae than we've been in a while. Let's hope the pace continues into the spring so that our summer will have less drought worries for us.

not tonight, I have a headache

Thu, 05 Mar 2009 14:30:02 -0800

I was all set to come to the station tonight to see everyone, but Mom’s not feeling too good, so I’m going to stay home and take care of her. See you next time!

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check out my new photos!

Fri, 27 Feb 2009 09:28:36 -0800

Y’know why I love going to 11Alive? Because everyone there is so happy to see me, and even if I mess up my behavior, there’s always another person who wants to pet me and tell me I’m a good dog.

Me at 11Alive on February 26

My friend Josh from 11Alive’s web department took a bunch of pictures last night while I was greeting my faithful fans before going on TV, and he put them up on my webpage. Click here to go see them. (You’ll have to scroll down a bit.)

And here’s video of me, Dad, Dennis, and Mom from the news last night, in case you missed it.

I just wish Dad would stop telling everyone how much I weigh…

Stay safe this weekend; Dad says there’s probably going to be some bad weather. If that happens, I’m totally watching him on TV.

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U.S. Indoor National Championships

Tue, 24 Feb 2009 15:58:00 -0800

Some of you know that I compete in Masters track and field. Been fortunate to have won five gold medals in the Georgia State Games, as well as placing in the three Nationals competitions I have competed in, winning my first World title in Clermont, Florida last year.

Now I have my eyes on competing in the upcoming U.S. Masters Indoor National Championships on March 21.

Early this year I got an email from a trainer whose credentials were too good to ignore. His work with world class athletes made me think “Maybe he can help me reach some of my goals in the sport”.

After meeting David Buer (www.davidbuerfitness.com or www.myspace.com/sxfitness) and discussing the possibilities, I was on board. We work on dynamic flexibility and explosive training. Both are key components in turning this 51 year old body into a world class athlete.

Certified Personal Trainer David Buer is the Co-Founder of SX-Fitness with Celebrity Fitness Guru and New York Times Best Selling Author David "Scooter" Honig. Scooter is best known for his work with legendary hip-hop icon LL Cool J along with many other popular celebrities and athletes.

It started with nutrition and supplements and intense training designed to increase speed and strength levels. Proper technique is paramount..

A recent workout was box squats followed by box squat jumps.

David Buer talks about the exercises in the video and why they are important in my training:

It's a fact that strength without speed is useless. As an athlete you must learn to train the muscular system to act explosively or your ultimate potential will be out of reach. Our focus for the video workout is improving Paul Ossmann's starting strength and acceleration.

Starting strength is the ability to develop force before the load moves and acceleration strength is the ability to achieve maximal external force in a very short increment of time. Both of these are major components in the preparation of an athlete to throw the shot put.

The box squat and box squat jump are two excellent examples of exercises that focus on this phase of training. In this workout we followed a set of box squats immediately with a set of box squat jumps.

The logic behind these matched pair of exercises is that the resistance work stimulates the nervous system and maximizes the number of Type IIb fibers available for the plyometric exercise that follows. This type of training results in a faster, stronger and more explosive athlete.”

Look for more blogs and videos leading up to the National Championships.

The U.S. National Masters Indoor Championships are March 20-22 in Landover, Maryland.

golden gala weekend

Mon, 23 Feb 2009 06:40:58 -0800

I had an awesome Saturday night. Want to know why? Do you?

Well, I’m going to tell you anyway.

I was one of the special guests at the first “Adopt-a-Golden Gala” at the Cobb Energy Center this weekend. They say it’s because my dad was the emcee for the event, but I think it’s just because I’m cool.

Me and my fans at the Adopt-a-Golden Gala.

Anyway, I learned a lot about the special people who rescue dogs who look like me and help nurse them back to health. I also met a lot of people who already seemed to know a whole lot about me. I guess they saw me on TV.

Oh, and check this out: I actually was told I could hang out near the head table! At home sometimes when I smell dinner Mom and Dad tell me to go lay down somewhere, or get out of the kitchen, but here I could totally stay right up front and show off.

Dad says I get to come to the TV station Thursday. These days I’m usually on during The Evening News with my friend Brenda Wood, which is at 7 p.m., so tune in for that show. I’ll see you then!

Doppler, 2/23/09

PS: If you want to help out Adopt-a-Golden Atlanta, here’s their website. Turn your speakers down first if you’re at work, because someone’s barking in the background. I can’t figure out who, and believe me, I’ve done some serious sniffing.

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triumphant return

Fri, 13 Feb 2009 10:47:38 -0800

I made my triumphant return to 11Alive last night. Did you see it?

Aw, come on, how could you miss it? Brenda gave me a nice intro and everything!

My friend Shawn, one of the producers, took this picture of me too:

Showing off on my lead.

I’m on almost every Thursday, either at 6:00 or 7:00 in the evening. Sometimes Dad and me hang out with Dennis, and other times we meet people like pet psychics. It just depends.

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three cheers for warm weather

Tue, 10 Feb 2009 14:31:13 -0800

Three cheers — or woofs — for the warm weather! When it was so cold out, I couldn’t go out to play, but now that it’s finally getting a little warmer, I can go outside all the time. It’s great.

There’s just one thing… the yard. It doesn’t seem quite as big as it used to. Maybe this photo will help explain:

Waiting by the door.

When I can’t go outside, I’m usually right there by the front door, waiting to go outside with Mandy and Dad. But while I’ve been waiting, I’ve been learning to walk on a leash, and also to sit and stay. I don’t mind it so much because when I do it, I get treats. That’s always a plus.

Dad says I’m going to be on TV on Thursday. Dennis is coming back from Belgium — he went there to pick up a new friend — and he should be here with us. I’ll see you then!

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Glad to be Here

Sun, 01 Feb 2009 15:31:00 -0800

I'm really looking forward to my first day on the Morning show on 11 Alive. It was a long drive from Buffalo, NY (13.5 hours). I'm already a fan of the warmer weather. This is nice compared to the snowy shores of Western New York. The people are warm as well. I've met some really nice folks including my co-workers. The only sour note..... I got into a car accident just 3 days in! But the young lady that hit me did ask about my well being.

Well Atlanta, I think this is going to work out! See you in the morning!

Long Time, No See!

Thu, 29 Jan 2009 01:36:21 -0800

Hello Everyone!!

Sorry it took me so long to blog about last week, its been a busy week!!

I did enjoy the visit to dad’s work last week though. Everyone kept saying how big I was getting. I can tell too! Its a whole lot easier for me to jump on the funiture in the lobby…dad doesn’t have to help me so much.

Lazy on the Table

See what I mean? That was soooo comfy!

I met a really nice lady who dad said was a “Pet Communicator”, her real name was Kelly Goff. She had a stack of papers about my relationship with dad. She said we get along great and I look up to him! Very true! Miss Kelly told dad that I don’t like people to talk about how big my paws are though…she might be right…I think they are swell!

I’m sure there was more about me in the appers but I was too lazy to read and there were too many things in the lobby to sniff and stare at.

Hi!

I’m told Trainer Dennis is coming to see me again soon, I can’t wait. We always have a lot of fun when he visits.

Well until next week! See you all tomorrow on 11Alive!!

Woof!

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January Review...Wild swings..More for February?

Mon, 26 Jan 2009 02:54:00 -0800

As we finish out the final week of January, it's interesting to note the wide range of temperatures to affect the region this month. Early on in the month, we had the temperatures reach the lower 70s, officially hitting 71 in Atlanta back on the 6th. Then 10 days later, we saw the temperature drop to 12 degrees on the morning of the 16th. That was the coldest temperature for Atlanta in six winters. ( We have to go back to the winter of 2002-2003 when we had a colder temperature, when it dropped to 8 degrees on Jan 24th, 2003 ) Mountain areas saw temperatures drop into the single numbers the same morning Atlanta dropped to 12 degrees, with Blairsville down to 3 degrees. Atop of Brasstown Bald, Georgia's highest point at 4784 ft. had temperatures fall below zero, down to -5.

Accumulating snowfall found its way to the North Georgia mountain areas on a couple of occasions this month, although most places saw less than two inches. Only a few flurries were noted outside of the mountains.

Looking ahead to February, more wide variation in temperatures seem likely. Some pretty mild days and some pretty cold ones too. The pattern looks active, suggesting above normal precipitation. I'll maintain the thinking that metro Atlanta still has a decent chance of some accumulating snow before February is out. I'm anxious to see as we turn the calendar just how active the pattern becomes. The signs are there to say it will be. It's just gauging how accurate the signs are and then how those signs transition into reality. One sign that is quite interesting is looking back through similar atmospheric set-ups of winters past. A distinct similarity is noted to February of 1969. That pattern brought some very big snowstorms to the northeastern U.S. that month. While those storms missed Georgia, the pattern similarities suggest the eastern U.S. in general will have to watch for potential winter weather events.

Snow...At least for Some Places in GA

Sun, 18 Jan 2009 10:02:00 -0800

The weather disturbance that brought mostly rain and only a few flakes of snow along with some sleet to Atlanta Saturday evening, gave areas north of town a bit more to look at. In particular, the far northern counties of northeast GA saw snowfall in the order of around an inch and perhaps up to two and three inches in some mountain locations.

Here's a sample from some pictures sent into 11Alive.com.

Snowfall in the Chattahoochee National Forest along Highway US 19/129. Neels Gap area near the Lumpkin-Union Co. line. Photo taken by George Case.

Snowfall in Tiger, GA in Rabun Co. Sent in by Pat and Nancy Henry

Photo sent in by Lynda Hester. Lake Burton, Rabun Co.

Photo sent in by John Jowers, Rabun Gap

Clayton, GA ( Rabun Co. ) Submitted by Jim and Susan White

Clayton, GA. Photo by Tom Gaddy off the deck of Tom and Dee's home

Photo by Carl Fackler, Tiger, GA

Too Cold To Play

Sat, 17 Jan 2009 03:01:38 -0800

Hi everyone!

I’m sorry I wasn’t able to make it to the station this week. Dad said something about it being too cold outside. I didn’t really know what he was talking about until I walked outside in the morning to “do my business”. Boy was it cold!! I didn’t waste much time playing outside. So instead I went inside and played with my sister, Mandy. And chewed on my favorite bone! I had dad take pictures to show you. Doesn’t it look yummy?

I went to see my doctor this week for some shots to make me healthy. Guess what? I am now five months old and I weigh 38 pounds!! I keep growing which is neat because I can reach more stuff up high! Especially when I jump up! Although I don’t think mom and dad likes that too much.

Well I’m gonna go finish my bone. Hope I can see you all in the studio next week!

Woof!

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It's Official - Coldest temps in 6 years for GA

Fri, 16 Jan 2009 05:37:00 -0800

This morning, the temperature bottomed out at 12 degrees in Atlanta. That's the coldest temperature since January 24, 2003 when the mercury dropped to 8 degrees.

Here are some more of the cold details:

Lowest temperature reports for selected places:

Blairsville 3 degrees

Rabun Gap 5 degrees

Blue Ridge 5 degrees

Lafayette 9 degrees

Dahlonega 9 degrees

Rome 11 degrees

Gainesville 12 degrees

Even the Florida panhandle got in on the freezing cold weather. Destin was down to 30 this morning and 28 in Pensacola.

An Arctic Blast!! (Are you ready?)

Mon, 12 Jan 2009 13:38:00 -0800

We have been talking about it for a while now. The coldest air of the season is on its way. I really don’t think the computer models that guide us forecasters are really capturing the intensity of the cold air. It is quite possible that Thursday and Friday morning temperatures drop to 10-13 in the city with some single digit readings in the northern suburbs, certainly in the north Georgia Mountains. Are you really ready for that? In areas of single digit readings….bursting pipes could be an issue of you aren’t prepared. For most of us it’s a common sense drill of making sure your house, car, pets and the elderly are all taken care of prior to the blast of frigid air. The coldest days appear to be Friday and Saturday. Stay warm and prepared!

Winter Soon Returning to The South

Sun, 11 Jan 2009 09:09:00 -0800

January so far has brought little in the way of winterlike temperatures to the local Atlanta area. To date, our coldest day this winter was back on Dec 22nd, when we had a high temperature of 33 degrees and a low of 18. Come later this week, temperatures of those type will again be likely over the region. The weather pattern is currently transitioning to a much colder set-up for the eastern third of the nation,

If you were watching 11Alive news back during the last week of December, I was working the evening shift most of that week and started mentioning how the computer models were showing a pattern change that seemed to be possible during the time frame between January 9th-15th. That is indeed occurring now, with the change taking full effect starting this upcoming Wednesday. ( Jan 14th ) Low temperatures down into the teens do seem to be likely later this week. I currently have high temperatures projected to be around 40 for the Thu-Mon period, ( Jan 15-19th ) but some of those days could very well end up staying in the 30s. Computer models that project temperatures often tend to be unable to measure the depth of large, cold air masses accurately until we get within 2-3 days of the actual days involved. Thus, it wouldn't surprise me to see colder projections ( and then actual temperatures ) that are colder than I'm now indicating.

I also mentioned back during the last week of December that weather disturbances that form during that period would heighten the possibility of snow or ice over the Atlanta area. While I originally thought it would occur during the 9th-15 time period, I now think that perhaps the best time frame for that could be Jan 18th-19th. Again, with long range computer models, you're dealing with a continuous refinement of weather data and consequently at least as of today the 18-19th offers the most promise of a snow or ice event here in Atlanta.

Regardless, it's time to get the winter attire out again. You'll need those warm coats and the like for sure as we head into the next few days. Plus, some of the cold weather will more than likely feature some windy conditions as well, adding extra bite to the cold. Winter is returning and we'll soon be feeling it.

Biggest Weather Story of 2008

Fri, 19 Dec 2008 19:29:00 -0800

The biggest weather story of 2008 in Georgia? Probably the historic event of March 14th. On the evening of the 14th an EF-2 tornado hit downtown Atlanta.

The Weather Channel recently slugged "The Atlanta Tornado" as one of the "Top 10 Weather Stories of 2008"

Here the link

http://link.brightcove.com/services/link/bcpid823425597/bclid877032950/bctid4325157001

Happy Holidays