January General Banter Thread III

[superjames1992]

God, we can't even get any rain out of this storm (so far).

Just a terrible event all the way around. At the very least at least it's not cold today. It actually felt pretty good.

[FoothillsNC]

In the future, and wondering as we are starting to get kind of big, should we break down our main regional disco thread into sub-regions. Specific storm threads are the way too go imo, but just an overall disco on local areas, say (Central and Eastern NC) (Western NC, Upstate and N GA) (TN), any ideas. We have a lot of folks that have ill will towards other areas as they believe the focus is too much there, creating sub-region general obs/disco would help in that regard as users can connect more to those around them in the general disco sense, while still keeping track of the main storm discussion, banter, and whatever else is going on in the SE WX community as a whole. Thoughts?

we are having growing pains, and you had to know that was coming. Its going to keep on happening too, as more and more come in. Who knows whats the best way to make the adjustment, but there's also probably going to be posters where they are few and far between and they are going to think they keep getting overlooked. I've kinda watched that process happen here, the other board, and the one before that. Not everybody is going to be fully covered and happy 100% of the time I don't think, ever. But some of us do try our best to cover the absolute most as possible. My focus has always been western Carolinas, northeast GA and eastern Tn. And I'm trying more and more to move out and cover more, but sometimes a lot of my extra time is really tied up lately so its kind of hit and miss. I think other areas may think I leave them out on purpose when that happens, but I don't. If I had the time I'd really try to expand more but I've got a ton going on and it's still just hit and miss with me, and my focus will probably still be the area I mentioned, for a while yet. Couple things may change that soon, if I'm lucky.

[chapelhillwx]

I'm actually glad there has been zero precip whatsoever today. My car doesn't have windshield wipers.

[lilj4425]

I'm actually glad there has been zero precip whatsoever today. My car doesn't have windshield wipers.

Sorry, i'm poor and needed them for my vehicle.

[pcbjr]

I think as long as there are enough people in each of those regions to discuss it would probably be a good idea. Since even with this last storm there were people complaining that noone was forecasting for their area, which was mainly TN. We have a lot of NC and SC to break it down in to several regions, and yea TN would prob be on its own for now.

I think sub-topics/sub-forums for specific areas are a great idea - if restricted to local obs, local forecasts, local radar, IMBY questions and so forth - but if a storm or a general pattern or a specific set-up has implications beyond one small region, and for met learning, I think main SE forum discussions regarding those is the far better format (i.e., the science, the development, the "what, when and why" epistles and thoughts); and keeping the science and meteorology in the main SE thread would keep information more accessible to all (without scouring) and thereby it would be less likely to get lost in the shuffle of multiple sub-region forums.

If you'll notice, for example, a problem with an "area sub-forum" - the Fla thread always seems to deal with Ocala south - no mention of Jax (hardly), Tallahassee, Lake City, Gainesville, or close up over the boarder (Tifton, Waycross, Thomasville, Valdosta, Vidalia) which have weather this time of year vastly different than the Ocala, Turnpike, I-4 corridor south - so I rely on you folks north of here to give good regional discussions and then I extrapolate for my neck of the woods (or post a pointed question about a specific set-up to learn). I couldn't as easily do that (nor would I suspect could many folks), and the Board would lose a lot, if good mets that currently post regionally basically began to restrict themselves to a/their own small area, rather than the region as a whole.

So, if we can keep the science and big picture discussions in the main SE forum - all the better.

2¢ worth from way down here.

[chapelhillwx]

Sorry, i'm poor and needed them for my vehicle.

Wipers haven't been introduced to South Carolina yet, have they? What about indoor plumbing?

[EmersonGA]

I cant't quote on the Blackberry but I want to add an amen to old man Burns and tell you that I enjoyed your exchanges with our favorite banned red tag.

Another amen to WeatherNC on mentioning growing season. I narrowed down my tomato list and got my seed order organized. Im growing sweet potatoes and jerusalem artichokes for the first time this year.

[lilj4425]

Wipers haven't been introduced to South Carolina yet, have they? What about indoor plumbing?

They have but people just don't know how to use them. We're not the smartest of the bunch in this state. Oh and we have to use the outhouse out back when it comes to the toilet.

[Isopycnic]

I'm actually glad there has been zero precip whatsoever today. My car doesn't have windshield wipers.

walmart.

[Lookout]

Yes this one blew, but as a result, I had a come to Jesus and he said the countdown to spring and another glorious growing season has begun. While not as bad in terms of verification as others (not like MHX calling for 3-6" and ended up at 33 and RN, that hurts), I agree with others that some of the behavior in the storm thread was the worst I have ever seen on the SE side. Granted, it paled in comparison to some main-side threads from back in the day, but some members and even a female met fell off the rocker. I encourage you guys when you see stuff like that, just report it, don't even take the time to reply as it just adds to the clutter. Even I am guilty of replying a couple times when I should have just let it go. Hopefully the staff gets a handle on this in future events, and I am a proponent of bringing the weenie tags back, to identify the terds, and limit them to 3 posts a day. Deterrence using others as an example is a powerful tool, especially here where some people think since they are behind a computer, they do not have to follow rules and etiquette. I also miss seeing the pink tags lurking at the bottom, it adds to the overall character of the board and has the potential to negate the episode we just saw in the future. The banter thread was awesome though, best disco ever on this side!!!

In the future, and wondering as we are starting to get kind of big, should we break down our main regional disco thread into sub-regions. Specific storm threads are the way too go imo, but just an overall disco on local areas, say (Central and Eastern NC) (Western NC, Upstate and N GA) (TN), any ideas. We have a lot of folks that have ill will towards other areas as they believe the focus is too much there, creating sub-region general obs/disco would help in that regard as users can connect more to those around them in the general disco sense, while still keeping track of the main storm discussion, banter, and whatever else is going on in the SE WX community as a whole. Thoughts?

I don't like the idea because it causes members to have to go to multiple threads to post or find posts from those who they like to follow. For example, I would have to go to 3 different threads just to find posts from allan, robert, and cheez if we broke it down like that. And this is on top of the banter thread, the observations thread, and the monthly thread. That is just too much aggravation.

I agree with the others that the wishcasting and so forth with this storm was a bit much and being labelled a "cliff diver" or some such nonsense because it's apparent it's going to be rain and not snow is going to stop. Especially from weenies who don't know the difference between 850mb temps and dog poo.

The problem is complaining after the fact is all nice and all but it would be nice if some of you would actually point out posters who are doing this at the time because I'm not on this forum all the time to see it, nor are the other mods who also have to deal with their regions. The times I am on it, I do like to spend at least some of my time posting what I think might happen too so if things are going a 100mph, it could be 5 pages back by the time I post, skim multiple threads, and I have no idea it's there.

The problem is Membership has exploded but we haven't compensated with more mods yet. I have been begging for another mod to be added to the southeast forum but to no avail yet. I have someone in mind and I have been told several times it's a good choice but it's not happened yet. I have no idea why because this forum desperately needs another one. Having another one would seriously help with some of this.

[Moose4]

Isn't the cycle always the same, though?

7 days out, people start getting excited because the computers are saying there's a freight train of a storm coming their way.

5 days out, the models are showing somebody getting pounded...but each model is showing a different somebody.

3 days out, excitement ramps up again but the models are still showing any given city getting between .01" of rain and two feet of snow.

2 days out, the board goes into Storm Mode, the mods put on their Kevlar and grab their AKs, and all hell breaks loose as half the previously-excited people start cliff-jumping when the storm takes a left turn like a hooking bowling ball.

24 hours out, the storm skids 250 miles further left and makes a beeline for DC while the rest of us join the first half at the bottom of the cliff.

And there we lie, in 35 degrees, and rain, until somebody says...

"Hey, look, in 7 days there's a freight train of a storm coming this way!"

[lilj4425]

When I think of a weenie like moose4 is referring to, I think of Reed Timmer for some odd reason. Quick, somebody contact him to get to Florida ASAP. The Dominator...dun dun dun:

[chapelhillwx]

They have but people just don't know how to use them. We're not the smartest of the bunch in this state. Oh and we have to use the outhouse out back when it comes to the toilet.

Hahahaha! We have a kid who just moved here from Myrtle and we rib him endlessly. I'm from Lumberton so I don't have a leg to stand on.

walmart.

It's a 1979 Lincoln, first of all. Walmart wouldn't have entire wipers for it. Mine are physically there, but my engine has a vacuum leak so massive that the wipers (vacuum-driven) don't work. They just jiggle feebly.

[Isopycnic]

Hahahaha! We have a kid who just moved here from Myrtle and we rib him endlessly. I'm from Lumberton so I don't have a leg to stand on.

It's a 1979 Lincoln, first of all. Walmart wouldn't have entire wipers for it. Mine are physically there, but my engine has a vacuum leak so massive that the wipers (vacuum-driven) don't work. They just jiggle feebly.

I can get wipers for my 1972 Datsun's at Walmart. However, my wiper motors work, barely

[chapelhillwx]

I can get wipers for my 1972 Datsun's at Walmart.

Hmmmm. Well, if they sell rice in the grocery section....

... just kidding. That is cool though. I'll keep that in mind if my actual wipers break.

[Moose4]

The rain has begun in the Bull City. I have my rain shovel ready. Hopefully I won't throw my back out shoveling this wet, heavy, 46-degree rain.

BTW I'd like to thank all the experts on the board, pro and amateur alike. As somebody who truly doesn't know the difference "between 850mb temps and dog poo" as Lookout put it, I love coming here and trying to learn. Someday I hope to be able to contribute something besides the occasional silly post.

It's not always an easy place to learn because y'all are talking six miles over my head (sometimes literally when you start going on about upper-atmosphere stuff and jet streams) but every storm, I learn something new. The model threads are only 98% Greek to me now instead of 98.5%, so things are looking up!

[Amos83]

When I think of a weenie like moose4 is referring to, I think of Reed Timmer for some odd reason. Quick, somebody contact him to get to Florida ASAP. The Dominator...dun dun dun:

LOL! Reed is the ultimate weenie! I act the same way when a severe storm, winter storm, etc is headed my way. I can only imagine if I had the chance to storm chase in the MW how I would react. LOL, Reed cracks me up! Saying that I could not stand driving around in the same car as he does.

[BIG FROSTY]

I don't like the idea because it causes members to have to go to multiple threads to post or find posts from those who they like to follow. For example, I would have to go to 3 different threads just to find posts from allan, robert, and cheez if we broke it down like that. And this is on top of the banter thread, the observations thread, and the monthly thread. That is just too much aggravation.

I agree with the others that the wishcasting and so forth with this storm was a bit much and being labelled a "cliff diver" or some such nonsense because it's apparent it's going to be rain and not snow is going to stop. Especially from weenies who don't know the difference between 850mb temps and dog poo.

The problem is complaining after the fact is all nice and all but it would be nice if some of you would actually point out posters who are doing this at the time because I'm not on this forum all the time to see it, nor are the other mods who also have to deal with their regions. The times I am on it, I do like to spend at least some of my time posting what I think might happen too so if things are going a 100mph, it could be 5 pages back by the time I post, skim multiple threads, and I have no idea it's there.

The problem is Membership has exploded but we haven't compensated with more mods yet. I have been begging for another mod to be added to the southeast forum but to no avail yet. I have someone in mind and I have been told several times it's a good choice but it's not happened yet. I have no idea why because this forum desperately needs another one. Having another one would seriously help with some of this.

+1 on the bold.

BTW- You do a great job moding, with such a big task for one mod.

[msuwx]

I don't know about everybody else, but this has been a mentally exhausting storm for me. I always seem fatigued right as the storm is finally passing, but it just the combination of events with this one that made it overly tiring.

First off, the system seemed to get endlessly pushed back....I guess in reality it only got pushed back a little over a day or so, but over the weekend, it just seemed time stood still and we could never get any closer to the storm.

Secondly, modeling was pretty bad with this one....not in terms so much of the overall ideas, once they came around to the stronger low pressure scenario, but in terms of run to run consistency.

Lastly, the big north trend here in the 11th hour. I think all of us knew it was a possibility, but this time around, it is on the extreme side. I used a pretty broad outline area in my first map yesterday, and it is going to likely work out OK in the end.....but only because I left myself a ton of wiggle room on the north side....not because it was some profound, great forecast.

I told my wife yesterday evening....frankly, I am just tired of tracking this storm. Normally I am ready to scale it down for a couple of days after a storm passes, but I don't really recall being tired of a system before it even begins. And it had nothing to do with where it was or wasn't going to snow....I am a weather nerd, so it is interesting to me anyway.

I guess then you factor in the disappointing rain output and it is just another negative for this system.

At any rate.....venting done.

[buckeyefan1]

This has been my least enjoyable storm experience in all the years I've done this. Not from the end result, I'm used to that, but because of the atmosphere inside the forum. When I posted early on Friday that I didn't think it would snow IMBY, explaining why I was calling it a "catbird" storm, I became a pariah. Later that day when the 18Z GFS came out and several people did the same the cries of the multitude chanting "cliff jumpers" overwhelmed the forum. From that point on little snide comments abounded about anyone who posted about lack of snow.

I then watched the same people who derided those of us who didn't feel this was the storm for us go through multiple twists, leaps of faith and pure fantasy trying to keep a snow chance in their area as model after model showed waa overwhelming the area. Finally they were down to the NAM alone, a model that is normally greeted with, "but its the NAM" whenever it shows an event. Not this time. It had to be right because it was the last hope.

The next person that calls me a cliff jumper will become my number 1 snow pimp and will be so addressed. Of course there will be room for SP2, SP3 etc. If it weren't for Psycho Met there would not have been one redeeming feature in the whole 4 days.

+1000 :wub:

we are having growing pains, and you had to know that was coming. Its going to keep on happening too, as more and more come in. Who knows whats the best way to make the adjustment, but there's also probably going to be posters where they are few and far between and they are going to think they keep getting overlooked. I've kinda watched that process happen here, the other board, and the one before that. Not everybody is going to be fully covered and happy 100% of the time I don't think, ever. But some of us do try our best to cover the absolute most as possible. My focus has always been western Carolinas, northeast GA and eastern Tn. And I'm trying more and more to move out and cover more, but sometimes a lot of my extra time is really tied up lately so its kind of hit and miss. I think other areas may think I leave them out on purpose when that happens, but I don't. If I had the time I'd really try to expand more but I've got a ton going on and it's still just hit and miss with me, and my focus will probably still be the area I mentioned, for a while yet. Couple things may change that soon, if I'm lucky.

Thank you Robert for everything you do for all of us here at American I know it's been said a million times over the years...but it's greatly appreciated.

+1 on the bold.

BTW- You do a great job moding, with such a big task for one mod.

LOOKOUT is simply awesome

[Carvers Gap]

I don't know about everybody else, but this has been a mentally exhausting storm for me. I always seem fatigued right as the storm is finally passing, but it just the combination of events with this one that made it overly tiring.

First off, the system seemed to get endlessly pushed back....I guess in reality it only got pushed back a little over a day or so, but over the weekend, it just seemed time stood still and we could never get any closer to the storm.

Secondly, modeling was pretty bad with this one....not in terms so much of the overall ideas, once they came around to the stronger low pressure scenario, but in terms of run to run consistency.

Lastly, the big north trend here in the 11th hour. I think all of us knew it was a possibility, but this time around, it is on the extreme side. I used a pretty broad outline area in my first map yesterday, and it is going to likely work out OK in the end.....but only because I left myself a ton of wiggle room on the north side....not because it was some profound, great forecast.

I told my wife yesterday evening....frankly, I am just tired of tracking this storm. Normally I am ready to scale it down for a couple of days after a storm passes, but I don't really recall being tired of a system before it even begins. And it had nothing to do with where it was or wasn't going to snow....I am a weather nerd, so it is interesting to me anyway.

I guess then you factor in the disappointing rain output and it is just another negative for this system.

At any rate.....venting done.

Just seems like it has taken forever. Model issues. Timing delays. You name it. I'm tired of too and I may even(may not) get some snow from it!

[NavarreDon]

I don't know about everybody else, but this has been a mentally exhausting storm for me. I always seem fatigued right as the storm is finally passing, but it just the combination of events with this one that made it overly tiring.

First off, the system seemed to get endlessly pushed back....I guess in reality it only got pushed back a little over a day or so, but over the weekend, it just seemed time stood still and we could never get any closer to the storm.

Secondly, modeling was pretty bad with this one....not in terms so much of the overall ideas, once they came around to the stronger low pressure scenario, but in terms of run to run consistency.

Lastly, the big north trend here in the 11th hour. I think all of us knew it was a possibility, but this time around, it is on the extreme side. I used a pretty broad outline area in my first map yesterday, and it is going to likely work out OK in the end.....but only because I left myself a ton of wiggle room on the north side....not because it was some profound, great forecast.

I told my wife yesterday evening....frankly, I am just tired of tracking this storm. Normally I am ready to scale it down for a couple of days after a storm passes, but I don't really recall being tired of a system before it even begins. And it had nothing to do with where it was or wasn't going to snow....I am a weather nerd, so it is interesting to me anyway.

I guess then you factor in the disappointing rain output and it is just another negative for this system.

At any rate.....venting done.

+1! I usually have so much nervous energy & adrenaline before & during a storm that I can ride it thru. Then re-charge the batteries afterwords. This one just seemed to suck the life out of me before it ever really got started. I am sure the twists & turns had alot to do with this.

[TheBlade]

I don't know about everybody else, but this has been a mentally exhausting storm for me. I always seem fatigued right as the storm is finally passing, but it just the combination of events with this one that made it overly tiring.

First off, the system seemed to get endlessly pushed back....I guess in reality it only got pushed back a little over a day or so, but over the weekend, it just seemed time stood still and we could never get any closer to the storm.

Secondly, modeling was pretty bad with this one....not in terms so much of the overall ideas, once they came around to the stronger low pressure scenario, but in terms of run to run consistency.

Lastly, the big north trend here in the 11th hour. I think all of us knew it was a possibility, but this time around, it is on the extreme side. I used a pretty broad outline area in my first map yesterday, and it is going to likely work out OK in the end.....but only because I left myself a ton of wiggle room on the north side....not because it was some profound, great forecast.

I told my wife yesterday evening....frankly, I am just tired of tracking this storm. Normally I am ready to scale it down for a couple of days after a storm passes, but I don't really recall being tired of a system before it even begins. And it had nothing to do with where it was or wasn't going to snow....I am a weather nerd, so it is interesting to me anyway.

I guess then you factor in the disappointing rain output and it is just another negative for this system.

At any rate.....venting done.

Which makes me/us all the more thankful for all the work you and everybody on this forum puts in to these storms, storm after storm. Though after looking at comments on your website and this website you would never know it sometimes. I know I have not been on here long, but I have followed this forum this whole season, and your website for several years so I have seen the time put in to many of these, this being one of the worst over all. So thanks again!

[FoothillsNC]

I don't know about everybody else, but this has been a mentally exhausting storm for me. I always seem fatigued right as the storm is finally passing, but it just the combination of events with this one that made it overly tiring.....

At any rate.....venting done.

Couldn't agree more.

[burgertime]

I don't know about everybody else, but this has been a mentally exhausting storm for me. I always seem fatigued right as the storm is finally passing, but it just the combination of events with this one that made it overly tiring.

First off, the system seemed to get endlessly pushed back....I guess in reality it only got pushed back a little over a day or so, but over the weekend, it just seemed time stood still and we could never get any closer to the storm.

Yep this one was crazy, it will certainly be remembered in future events. Thanks for putting so much time into it, too bad it crapped out at the last minute.

[WeatherNC]

Post storm hangover... I only get it after we have had a sig storm, and in this case, not so much. I am ready for Spring, we had our SN here, 3 times the seasonal mean, two years in a row, but the gas bill, electric bill and constant cold is starting to take its toll. Granted, I would love to chase one potential 12-24" event this winter, although a qualified candidate has not stepped forward as of yet; hoping that may change! In the mean time, my wife will continue to set the thermo at 76-77, the furnace will fire, and the meter will spin. Much easier to take with SN on the ground or in the forecast compared to everything brown and dead.

[strongwxnc]

I agree lookout. I could only see that working in the Fall and Winter months anyway. During the other 7 months, most of the threads would be dead.

I like out set up now. I do think the main SE page has a ton of threads going, but I do recall a few back when other folks (non-se folks) were telling us we needed more threads. Or that more threads needed to be created. This was around the time of the super thread!!!! LOL

As stated the SE membership has gotten really big with the move to AMWX and during the last years at Eastern.

Lookout, you do an awesome job on this broad. Please know that we all agree. You are down to earth and like to take no **** from folks. That is cool in mine and most of the SE posters book..

Also, I assume this topic will continue to be brought up. Johnathan (burger) has a post up about it right now....

I don't like the idea because it causes members to have to go to multiple threads to post or find posts from those who they like to follow. For example, I would have to go to 3 different threads just to find posts from allan, robert, and cheez if we broke it down like that. And this is on top of the banter thread, the observations thread, and the monthly thread. That is just too much aggravation.

I agree with the others that the wishcasting and so forth with this storm was a bit much and being labelled a "cliff diver" or some such nonsense because it's apparent it's going to be rain and not snow is going to stop. Especially from weenies who don't know the difference between 850mb temps and dog poo.

The problem is complaining after the fact is all nice and all but it would be nice if some of you would actually point out posters who are doing this at the time because I'm not on this forum all the time to see it, nor are the other mods who also have to deal with their regions. The times I am on it, I do like to spend at least some of my time posting what I think might happen too so if things are going a 100mph, it could be 5 pages back by the time I post, skim multiple threads, and I have no idea it's there.

The problem is Membership has exploded but we haven't compensated with more mods yet. I have been begging for another mod to be added to the southeast forum but to no avail yet. I have someone in mind and I have been told several times it's a good choice but it's not happened yet. I have no idea why because this forum desperately needs another one. Having another one would seriously help with some of this.

Matt. This is one of the many reason you are great at what you do. An on air met who knows his stuff. I have enjoyed your contribution to the SE folks over to past few years. It also sucks that Im not in your market. I know Marion-WX (dan) will agree with me on that.

Please know we all thank you for posting here!!! No chill out and get some sleep.

I don't know about everybody else, but this has been a mentally exhausting storm for me. I always seem fatigued right as the storm is finally passing, but it just the combination of events with this one that made it overly tiring.

First off, the system seemed to get endlessly pushed back....I guess in reality it only got pushed back a little over a day or so, but over the weekend, it just seemed time stood still and we could never get any closer to the storm.

Secondly, modeling was pretty bad with this one....not in terms so much of the overall ideas, once they came around to the stronger low pressure scenario, but in terms of run to run consistency.

Lastly, the big north trend here in the 11th hour. I think all of us knew it was a possibility, but this time around, it is on the extreme side. I used a pretty broad outline area in my first map yesterday, and it is going to likely work out OK in the end.....but only because I left myself a ton of wiggle room on the north side....not because it was some profound, great forecast.

I told my wife yesterday evening....frankly, I am just tired of tracking this storm. Normally I am ready to scale it down for a couple of days after a storm passes, but I don't really recall being tired of a system before it even begins. And it had nothing to do with where it was or wasn't going to snow....I am a weather nerd, so it is interesting to me anyway.

I guess then you factor in the disappointing rain output and it is just another negative for this system.

At any rate.....venting done.

As far as this storm. Would have been nice, but it is cool. I also go through post storm...whatevers...Not this time.

I would love some more action this winter. LOVE IT.

But pitchers and catchers do report in 20 days, so....

I will leave it at that...

[BIG FROSTY]

Life is just a fantasy, can you live this fantasy life ? Says Aldo Nova

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GylirgHFqeQ

[Rankin5150]

I am really itching for another Feb 2004 redux. I will never forget it snowing for 24 hours straight during that storm. I cannot remember exactly when it started, but I remember being so damn busy at work, that I had to shut my shades in my office at work to finish up the work (thinking it was just starting...no big deal) and then I walked outside a couple of hours later and the parking lot was empty (most everyone had bailed) and I had like six inches on my truck. I had a slow, white knuckled drive home and as soon as I got home...it slowed to flurries/light snow. An hour later...BAMM!!! It picked up heavier than before. My wife and I sat and watched it all night. Could not believe how much was falling. The next morning, I measured and had 16". In Lake Wylie, SC (about 8 miles from me) they had 24"!!!! I hope to have another one of those in my lifetime. For some reason, WeatherNC stirred up that memory when he mentioned about winterstorm chasing. I WILL chase something before the winter is out, if it seems appreciable. My two sons are ready to roll with me!

[oconeexman]

Life is just a fantasy, can you live this fantasy life ? Says Aldo Nova

GFS has had it for a couple of days in a row now, while the euro had it then lost it. Right now i want the GFS in my corner, just the opposite of normal!