Lots more about her in the race in Fitness conf topic 15. I posted all sorts of things there yesterday including her order of finish.

For Anne Hale in Western Australia I post this Weather map which I hope updates: And, the satellite image: http://cnn.com/WEATHER/html/PerthAustralia.html

There are two cyclones in these weather maps. Good luck, Dear! Keep us posted! Anne wrote earlier today: We have a catogory five cyclone coming down the coast and the news media is saying the worst Australia has ever faced - think of the people in the North West tonight and early tomorrow morning - perhaps Spring will be interested. Anne

Take care, Anne!

From Anne as regards Cyclone John: Fortunately it is hundred's of miles from us and will only cause humidity and heat here in Perth. Karratha it seems will escape the worst of it. They were expecting huge tides but providentially it is expected to cross the coast at low tide. Most of the people of the town have been evacuated to higher ground. Fortunately too if it moves a little further down the coast it will cross over in a unpopulated area - an answer to prayer I believe. I shall keep you informed if anything further occurs. Anne

Oh Anne...your posts are disappearing on you again. I wish I could figure out what was the matter!

From Anne Hale: Marcia the cyclone has crossed the coast at a very small settlement called Whims Creek - it packed winds of 300ks an hour and has been confirmed as the strongest cyclone ever in Australia - or at least since records began. Port Hedland a large mining town has closed down and there is bad flooding etc. happening up there. There are no reports yet of damage or loss of life. Hopefully all reached higher ground and housed safely in schools etc. in the area. Thanks again for your concern. Anne

300 ks = 186.4 mph. A brisk wind indeed! Thanks Anne. Let us know if you hear anything further.

Cyclone John Hits West Australian Coast PERTH (Reuters) - Destructive gale-force winds lifted roofs from houses and cut communications as Cyclone John pounded towns on Australia's isolated northwest coast on Wednesday. The cyclone crossed the coast of Western Australia around 9.00 a.m. near the tiny settlement of Whim Creek, cutting off communications. Gerry Blum, a state emergency services official at the coastal town of Karratha, said houses had been damaged and power was down in the towns of Point Samson, Roebourne and Wickham, which collectively have a population of about 3,000 people. ``There are reports of substantial damage coming in from those areas and we are organizing a team to go out there to see what the situation is,'' Blum said. Whim Creek, one of many isolated towns in the state's Pilbara mining region, has a hotel, petrol station, and only a handful of miners and prospectors living in the settlement. ``When the conditions are right we will send a helicopter up to Whim Creek and see what is happening up there because we have lost contact with the people there,'' Blum said. About 400 people from the town of Karratha, which has a population of about 6,000, were on Tuesday moved into emergency shelters amid fears huge tides could devastate low-lying areas. ``Fortunately the cyclone did not come into Karratha as predicted, at the last moment it veered off to the east,'' Blum said. RED ALERT REMAINS Residents in Karratha were not yet permitted to return to their homes on Wednesday morning as the region remained on red alert amid fears conditions could still worsen. The cyclone, the most severe category five storm with winds gusting up to 290 kph, has caused iron ore operations to close and shut-down offshore oil production. The northwest coastal region of Western Australia is typically threatened by several cyclones each season. Cyclone John was the strongest cyclone to hit the coast since Cyclone Vance destroyed a third of the tiny fishing town of Exmouth earlier this year. Cyclone Warning Center spokesman Bryan Boase said the cyclone had hit the coast near Whim Creek as a category five cyclone with gusts stronger than the 167 mph level recorded by the destructive cyclone Vance. ``We haven't got any measuring gear there but we would estimate, as forecast, gusts around 290 kph. It is pretty substantial,'' he told Reuters. ``It is certainly right up there with Vance.'' Boase said the cyclone had now been downgraded to a category four cyclone, defined as having wind speeds from 225 kph to 279 kph, and would progressively weaken as it moved inland. Australian mining and energy companies continued to shut operations on Wednesday as Cyclone John passed overhead, with iron ore miner North Ltd closing its Pannawonica mine in the Pilbara. Woodside Petroleum said its North Rankin gas platform off the coast had escaped damage while the Cossack Pioneer oil production ship had stopped production and was sailing west to avoid the squalls. The Insurance Council of Australia said insured losses from the cyclone could be about A$300 million (US$192 million), the same as Cyclone Vance.

Severe dust storm here. Blew in from West Texas. It's eery and spooky. We just ain't seen dust like this in these parts. That's why a lot of West Texas folks moved to Austin, to escape the dusty conditions. Rare!

How long does this stuff hang in the air after the wind stops, Terry? Sounds miserable! Is it gritty or fine and power-like? From Anne Hale on the aftermath of Cyclone John Marcia on our news just to hand - no one hurt, some damage, Whim Creek people managed to save themselves in and old iron container from and old ship. Cyclone suddenly veered off and went inland at a small township of just 12 people who as I said managed to shelter in an old container. The other towns had some damage but not casualties heavy rain, some flooding but everyone okay. Another cyclone Ilsa due in a couple of days hopefully not so destructive. Perth is okay. We may get some of the rain on Sunday but as I said before - heat and humidity but main populated areas safe. Anne Thank you to everyone for their concern.

It didn't hang around very long. We're back to normal now.

Excellent news. Back to breathing air you cannot see? Scary stuff!!!

Yep. We got dusted and now it's back to normal. The folks that moved here from West Texas to escape the dust got an eerie reminder of their roots.

Like they tell me when it rains on my visits to Sunny California, they musta brought it with them. BTW, What is "normal" for Texas? I have heard so many stories...

There's a major cold front heading this way, you can feel it in the air.

I posted your WX report and chill warnings in Austin News. Going to be in the teens and icy roads a real possibility. Please be careful out there!

cold and cold and super cold here... only in the twenties but there is some humidity in the air (very rare) which makes it feel like negative 273 Kelvin!

Are you sure you don't mean Celsius? It probably does feel about that cold, though. Sears the lungs and freezes up your nose. Not a good place for me this week, I think!

Nope, I meant Kelvin... of course I know we'd all be dead if it were either... so I was kinda stretching the truth.

Yup! Especially since on the Kelvin scale absolute zero means all molecular activity is stopped. No orbiting electrons, no nothing! (I knew you knew!) *lol* That IS cold!!!

Venezuelan Flood Toll Rises to 10,000 Amid Looting LA GUAIRA, Venezuela (Reuters) - The death toll from mudslides and flash floods that swamped Venezuela's Caribbean coast last week rose to at least 10,000 on Monday, as hundreds of desperate survivors ransacked the main cargo port. Troops fired shots into the air at La Guaira port as disheveled looters, many barefoot, broke into containers and escaped with children's toys, work tools and fine imported foods such as smoked salmon and Swiss cheese. While some hungrily devoured their bounty sitting on the mud-caked streets, troops pinned about eight youths face down, their hands clasped behind their necks. The streets around the port teemed with people left behind by a massive air, land and sea evacuation of the coastal Vargas state which was devastated by torrential rains that lashed the South American country last week. ``Definitely it won't be less than 10,000 dead,'' Foreign Minister Jose Vicente Rangel told Reuters. At a news conference later, Rangel said the death toll could reach 20,000, adding that ``any figure we give is more in the realm of speculation than reality.'' The death toll would make it Venezuela's worst ever natural disaster. It would also surpass the 9,000 people killed in Central America by Hurricane Mitch in 1998. Authorities have recovered 1,500 bodies, Rangel said. ''There are bodies in the sea, bodies buried under mud, bodies everywhere,'' he added. U.S. GENERAL ``SHAKEN'' BY DAMAGE About 350,000 people lived in Vargas, an area just north of the capital Caracas about half the size of the smallest U.S. state Rhode Island. Along a 60-mile (100-km) stretch of coast, landslides and raging rivers buried entire towns under yards (meters) of earth, boulders and rubble, leaving tall buildings marooned in a sea of now rock-hard debris. U.S. military Southern Command chief Gen. Charles Wilhelm said he was ``shaken'' by what he saw after an overflight of the disaster area to assess humanitarian needs. ``The extent of the damage is indeed massive and it is obvious that a very, very large effort will be required to achieve recovery,'' he told reporters. Officials said reconstruction would run into billions of dollars and take several years. The Caracas stock market fell 8.8 percent over the impact on the recession-bound economy. About 200,000 people were made homeless by the floods which affected the entire northern coast, from the tourist island of Margarita to the western Zulia state bordering Colombia. With officials hinting that most of Vargas state would have to be razed, President Hugo Chavez said survivors would be moved to new settlements built in the interior of the country. ``Now comes the task of convincing people of the need to go to safer places, it won't be easy,'' he said during a visit to a Caracas sports hall sheltering more than 1,000 people. Dressed in the military fatigues he has worn since the crisis broke on Dec. 15, the former paratrooper said the government had enough land to accommodate everyone. ``Don't ask me how long it will take, but we start work today,'' he said, adding that 5,000 newly built houses were ready to be occupied. CHAVEZ: ``ADOPT A FAMILY FOR CHRISTMAS'' Chavez said army barracks would house refugees and called on the rich to ``adopt a family for Christmas.'' Leading by example, he took in at La Casona presidential residence dozens of young children orphaned by the floods. Evacuation of Vargas continued in a massive air-and-sea military rescue operation involving 12,000 troops, about 40 helicopters and several warships. Most towns along the coast were virtually deserted as the government tried to avoid epidemics caused by blocked drains, absence of running water and rotting corpses. ``The operation is house-to-house ... with dogs ... we're going to comb the entire area,'' Chavez said. Soldiers patrolled the rubble strewn coastal streets, searching for those still reluctant to leave. A dusk-to-dawn curfew was imposed to combat widespread looting and theft. At the once plush resort town of Caraballeda, long lines of people waited under a blazing sun and waded up to their chests to board a naval ship designed to transport tanks and troops. Soldiers carried some aboard on stretchers. Flanked by the towering Avila mountain range, Vargas houses the country's main cargo port and international airport and contained some of the country's most popular beaches. Officials said the airport would be closed for at least another week and maybe as long as a month. Some international flights were being diverted via regional airports.

hey people, we may get some snow (ok, louisiana snow--it's called ice, but it'll do in a pinch!). it's real cold out there. now watch it be 70 deg on Christmas Day! oh, how did you do stacey? i somehow missed the whole thing. did go to the site that marcia posted and looked for your name on last year's list. perhaps, i should go again?

It is frozen water? Falls from the sky from God's hands to your yard? It works for me! Wolfie, did I confuse you with my syntax or lack thereof? I meant I posted the Weather for Austin (since she would be visiting in TX over the holidays) and mistakenly said "yours" instead. Sorry!!!

no, didn't catch it *grin*

...I am totally lost...but that's not that unusual. Must have the Y2K flu which shut off my mental computer...

now i'm confused! *heehee* start over? hi, i'm wolfie and we might get some snow in looooziana tonight *aaawwww heeee*

It works for me... Musta been from all that dreaming of a white-stuff Christmas (Where did you lose Stace?)

i dunno, somewhere where you all were talking about how well she did in the race.

fitness...I'll email you the URL for that. Ah so! Lightbulb is lighted! *Whew*

I post the following and add my concern for MarkG's well-being. Please check in with us as soon as you get to a handy computer! Scores Evacuated As Southern England Hit by Storms LONDON (Reuters) - Scores of Britons were evacuated from their homes and more than 5,000 houses were without electricity as gales and heavy rain lashed southern Britain on Christmas Day, officials said. Flood warnings were issued for 60 rivers in the southwestern counties of Cornwall and Devon. High tides forced police to evacuate 200 residents in east Sussex one of the worst-hit coastal areas -- but they were later able to return to their homes. Gales brought down power lines, knocking out supplies to about 4,000 homes in East Anglia in eastern England and 1,500 homes in south Wales. The Environment Agency said a change in wind direction and an easing of the rain had helped prevent worse problems. ``Although we expect showers today, conditions are much better than they were 24 or 36 hours ago,'' a spokesman said. ``River levels are very high all over Devon and Cornwall and across the south coast, but tides should start to decrease later in the afternoon,'' he said. Londoners were battered by strong winds and rain overnight but awoke to better weather on Christmas morning. ``There was some flooding in the Thames region with damage to lowland and farmland areas,'' said the spokesman. ``A lot of rivers have peaked, but the worst is likely over.'' The stormy weather played havoc with shipping off Britain's coasts, prompting several coastguard authorities to issue warnings. A crewman died on Friday from injuries sustained when raging seas swamped a cargo ship off England's southwest coast. On the northwest coast, a five-month-old baby was among six people airlifted by an air force helicopter from a stricken Dutch coaster.

Storms in Europe Kill More Than 50 People PARIS (Reuters) - Tornado-force winds up to 120 mph lashed western Europe over the Christmas weekend, killing up to 53 people, including two in a ski gondola brought down in the Swiss Alps. The gales disrupted rail services, blocked roads and closed both Paris airports for several hours on Sunday. Euro Disney (EDLP.PA) closed its Disneyland Paris theme park because of fears about the safety of visitors. Up to 28 deaths were reported in France, two of them when a roof collapsed on a family gathered for Christmas lunch. A woman was blown into Le Havre harbor and drowned. Others were crushed in their cars by falling trees. About 200 people were reported injured. Gales gusted to 60 mph in low lying area of Switzerland, and up to 120 mph atop the Jungfrau peak. TEENAGERS DIE IN SKI CABIN In the ski resort of Crans Montana, a 13-year-old German boy and an 18-year-old Belgian girl were killed when a tree crashed into a cable and sent their ski gondola plunging to the ground. Swiss media reported at least eight other weather-related deaths, including an elderly man blown to his death south of Zurich while trying to repair his roof. In the central village of Kandergrund, locals told how freak winds left a trail of destruction, tearing off roofs, wrecking buildings and flattening forests. ``It is dreadful, what this storm has done in such a short time,'' said Peter Roesti, head of the local community. Zurich airport was operating on Sunday but with delays. FALLEN TREES CAUSE CHAOS IN GERMANY In southwestern Germany at least 12 people died, many of them in road accidents caused by fallen trees, including three occupants of a car hit by a tree in a village near Ettlingen. The weather delayed flights in Stuttgart and Munich, disrupted trains to and from Switzerland and brought down power lines. Officials estimated the damage at millions of marks (dollars). Some 1.5 million French homes were without electricity, French media reported. Half a dozen people were seriously injured in Paris by falling walls or collapsing roofs. Three huge cranes were blown over in separate areas of Paris. Nearly all commuter train services to and from the suburbs were shut down, along with seven of the city's 14 Metro lines. Police even barred cars and pedestrians from the Champs Elysees because of flying roof tiles. Incoming flights to Roissy-Charles de Gaulle and Orly airports were diverted to Brussels, Lyon and other West European cities. The airports partly reopened in the afternoon as the winds moved eastwards. High tides and the threat of floods forced about 300 people out of homes along the south coast of England on Christmas Day. Three people have died in weather-related incidents in Britain since Christmas Eve. The storm hampered the work of firemen, soldiers and hundreds of volunteers trying to save beaches on France's Atlantic coast from dense oil spilled when the tanker Erika sank on December 12. In Austria eight people were injured, two seriously, when a British bus skidded off a snow-covered road and tumbled 15 yards down a mountainside in Tyrol. The ferocious weather was moving east but had not yet reached the Balkans, where people in Kosovo and Serbia are ill prepared to face it. Many in Kosovo live in make-shift shelter because their houses were destroyed during this year's March-to-June war. Many Serbians have scant heat for their homes because international trade sanctions restrict fuel supplies.

Europe mopping up after second hurricane in a couple of days hit France. 3 million still without electricity, not expected to be back on until new year. 2/3 of France reported to be affected by storm damage. Swathes of tress flattened, versailles lookes like a demolition site, don't know about damage to the palace. Current total 130 dead in storms and avalanches across mainland Europe. Austria badly hit by avalanches. Southern Britain still mopping up after severe flooding. Thames barrier raised for fi e consecutive tides (usually only raised three times a year).

...and it is now slamming into the Czech Republic as it wakes its way eastward. Wonder if this will be the storm of the millenniumn?!

Maggie, how are you doing in Britain? Did you have to evacuate? Did you lose some lovely old trees?

Lucie was asking about Portugal's status on Drool. Any info Marcia? But now that I read the news story above about the situation in the alps, we have Moon to worry about now. I'm pretty sure they were in Chamonix. :-(

Gi just posted this on Topic 4: Response 31 of 32: Gi (patas) * Tue, Dec 28, 1999 (14:54) * 1 lines There have been showers and some wind at different times here in Lisbon and in Albufeira. We were afraid the storm would hit us for New Year's Eve but I checked the weather channel online just now and it is supposed to get better for friday.

Good news about Gi. Any news on the French alps?

Maggie mentioned in fitness that the Thames spilled over its banks and flooded a park near to her gym... but she says the ducks love it!

Thanks for posting that. Scary! From Anne Hale in Western Australia: Today is going to be over a 100 degrees with a possibility of thunderstorms - tomorrow, 100, and the same on Saturday. This is one of the worst heat waves we have suffered in years and no end in sight. A blocking high in the Australian Bight is the cause. Well at least we don't have flooding, Melbourne has been awash. (100� F = 37.8� C)

I hope we get an update soon from Ree about weather conditions in Europe, it's been pretty intense over there.

I was hoping she would check in over the holidays. The reports from Zurich were not as bad as from other places...but it sure would be mice to hear from her! We are worried!

It would be exceedingly nice to hear from Ree.

....and exceedingly reassuring! One of our sisters is missing...our family is not complete!

Since all things Earth are affected by things Solar, keeping a watch on Sun Spots is a science in itself...including an interest by meteorologists: This updates and you can watch the sun rotate by watching it often...

Thousands Without Power Following Kentucky Storms OWENSBORO, Ky. (Reuters) - Thousands of homes were without power on Tuesday and storm debris littered streets and yards following a tornado that ripped through Owensboro and other parts of western Kentucky. The local power company, Owensboro Municipal Utilities, said it might take as long as five days to restore electricity to about 5,000 households in this town of 54,000 that were still blacked out following the Monday evening twister which snapped off dozens of power poles. Some of the most serious damage occurred at Kentucky Wesleyan University where the roof of the president's house was ripped off and nearly every building on campus suffered some damage. The campus was largely empty because students had not returned from Christmas break. No official damage estimates were available but about 50 houses were destroyed and many others damaged. There were several injuries though no deaths were blamed on the tornado in Owensboro. One man died near Paducah, Kentucky, when his truck was swept off a road by floodwaters from heavy rains that accompanied the storm front. The same storm system dumped heavy snow from parts of Kansas northeastward to Wisconsin and lower Michigan. There were also reports of tornadoes Monday in Arkansas, Missouri, Illinois and Indiana. Frigid air spilling down from Canada was chasing away unseasonal warmth from the East Coast. In the upper Midwest temperatures were falling and lows around zero Fahrenheit (-17.7 C) were forecast Tuesday night.

Thanks for the concern at #223, Marcia. Saw no evidence of flooding, as I had evacuated to Dublin before Christmas. Most of Northern mainland Europe had their highest winds of the century in its last week.

Marcia, I was travelling into France on the worst day of all Dec. 26. The wrath of God decended on La France with high winds, snow storms, floods and even an oil leak on the coast of Bretagne. In Paris there were 30 dead from high winds. All their New Years decorations were brought down and they said the Eiffel Tower's fireworks at midnight were delayed because of it. Sacre bleu! My DH says it happened to La Grand France because they put sugar in their wines and butter and cream in their food. There's a true Italian!

Wow, Europe went out of the century like a lion. Those winds must have been fearsome to behold.

Happy safe return to the European contingent. It is very good to hear from you! I hope the strong winds are lashing rain is out of the system for this winter! Thames Barrier up 5 days in one week! Unprescidented!! Moon...I love your DH's rationalization of the terrible winds and suffering which France underwent. Imagine sugaring wine? Bleah! As for their sauces, it is to hide miserable excuses for meat, according to my unbiased English grandfather. The Tour d'Eiffel was spectacular when it finally went off!

Yeah, but they still didn't put a man on the moon, did they? ;=}

True...true...!

Since this will be read in News as well as Geo I shall post this information here hoping for the widest coverage: Lunar Eclipse Photography by Fred Espenak (c)1999 by Fred Espenak. All rights reserved. Photographing an eclipse of the Moon is fun and easy. You don't even have to worry about special filters to protect your eyes or your camera. Unlike eclipses of the Sun, eclipses of the Moon are perfectly safe to watch with the naked eye. A lunar eclipse occurs whenever the Moon passes directly through Earth's dark shadow. This can only occur during full Moon. Since we have a Full Moon every 29 and 1/2 days, you'd think we would have a lunar eclipse once a month. Unfortunately, the Moon's orbit is tipped 5 degrees with respect to Earth's orbit around the Sun. As a result, a lunar eclipse can only happen when Full Moon occurs as the Moon passes through Earth's orbital plane. This occurs once or twice every year and the resulting eclipse can be seen from the half of the Earth experiencing night. Watching and photographing an eclipse of the Moon is a relaxing activity since it progresses at a relatively leisurely pace. The eclipse begins as a small notch slowly appears along one edge of the Moon. During the next hour or so, the Moon gradually dips deeper into Earth's dark umbral shadow. If the eclipse is a total one, the last remaining minutes of the partial phases can be quite dramatic and beautiful. The crescent of the Moon grows thinner as darkness propagates through a night sky now deprived of moonlight. If you're away from city lights, the Milky Way becomes bright and beautiful as the total phase begins. It's quite a remarkable sight. The Star Trail Technique Perhaps the simplest way to photograph an eclipse is to use the "star trail" method. You'll need a tripod and a camera which accepts a cable release allowing you to make time exposures on the bulb setting. A 50mm lens works fine but a wide angle lens (35mm or 28mm) is a better choice for this technique. Choose a moderate speed film (e.g.: ISO 100 or 200), and an aperture of f/8 or f/11. As the eclipse begins, place the Moon's image in one corner of your camera's viewfinder. Your camera should be oriented so that the Moon's image will move across your camera's field during a 2 to 4 hour exposure. This motion is actually caused by Earth's rotation on its axis. You can figure out the approximate orientation by trying it out on the Moon one or two nights before the eclipse. Just remember that the Moon rises about one hour later each night. For example, if the eclipse begins at 10 PM, you'll need to run the test at 9 PM one night before or at 8 PM two nights before the eclipse. Choose one corner of your viewfinder, place the Moon there and see if it drifts into or out of the frame after several minutes. Select a different corner if the Moon moves the wrong way. If your tripod allows you to tilt your camera, you can use this capability to frame the Moon so that it will pass through the diagonal of your camera's viewfinder. A couple of final tips should help. If the eclipse occurs in the early evening, the Moon will be rising and its motion brings it up and to the right as you face the Moon. If the eclipse occurs during the middle of the night, the Moon's motion is basically from left to right. If the eclipse occurs during the early morning hours, the Moon is setting and its motion takes it down and to the right. On eclipse night, load your camera with film, mount it firmly on a tripod and make one last check of your f/number, focus (on infinity) and shutter speed. At the appointed time, lock open the shutter with your cable release, sit back and enjoy the eclipse! You can close the shutter in one or two hours, depending on your lens and the time required for the Moon to pass through the camera's field. When your film is developed, you'll have an picture of the sky with the Moon's image smeared across it. The interesting thing is that the diameter of the Moon's trail will be a function of the Moon's brightness (i.e. - phase of the eclipse). If your exposure includes part of totality, the Moon's trail will probably dwindle down to a bright orange or dark red line. Multiple Exposure Technique Although the "star trail" technique is easy, it doesn't give you an image of how the eclipse actually appeared. A variation on the "star trail" formula which produces recognizable images of the Moon is the "multiple exposure" technique. But to use it, your camera must be capable of taking double or multiple exposures. Check your camera manual to learn if and how you can make multiple exposures on one frame of film. The camera set up and orientation are exactly the same as in the "star trail" method. The difference here is that you will take a series of short exposures at various stages of the eclipse with your camera in multiple exposure mode. The resulting image will contain a series of small Moon images each illustrating a different phase of the eclipse. An essential key to the success of this method is ensuring that your camera and tripod remain absolutely ridged and do not move throughout the eclipse. You'll make your first exposure as the eclipse begins and then shoot additional exposures every five to ten minutes. Be consistent and use the same time interval between every shot. This will produce an aesthetically pleasing string of evenly spaced Moon images which show the progress of the eclipse. If you've got a digital wristwatch with a count-down timer, here's an ideal time to use it! Since the Moon's brightness varies during the eclipse, you'll also need to change your exposures as the eclipse proceeds. The Lunar Eclipse Exposure Guide shown below gives you approximate camera settings for various stages of the eclipse. To use the guide, begin in the upper left corner by selecting your ISO speed. On the same line, move to the right until you reach your chosen aperture (say f/5.6 of f/8). Then drop straight down to the phase of the eclipse and read the recommended shutter speed. Note that the partial phase begins in the row labeled "Umbral Contact". During the partial phases, just estimate the eclipse magnitude or fraction of the Moon's diameter eclipsed (Mag. = 0.25, 0.5 and 0.75) to determine the recommended exposures. As an example, let's say you're using ISO 100 at f/5.6. Then the table would recommend a shutter speed of 1/500 as the partial eclipse begins. The shutter speeds for eclipse magnitudes 0.25, 0.5 and 0.75 would then be 1/250, 1/125 and 1/60, respectively. You'll note that the exposure guide lists a range of different exposures for totality. For the time being, use the row labeled "Totality: L=3" to determine your exposure. These values will be explained later. Continue taking exposures using the time interval you've chosen until the Moon moves outside your camera's field of view. At this point, it's important to make sure you take your camera out of double exposure mode. Otherwise, your carefully executed eclipse picture will be superimposed on the next picture you take. To be safe, put the lens cap on your camera and shot two or three frames to verify that the film is again advancing through your camera. When your film is developed, you'll have one frame that compresses the entire eclipse into one picture with a sequence of tiny Moon's each reflecting a different phase of the eclipse. Telephoto Photography To achieve large images of the Moon, you've got to use a long telephoto lens or a telescope. You'll need a single lens reflex (SLR) camera with interchangeable lenses. In this case, a lens with a fairly long focal length is desired in order to get as large an image as possible. A standard 50 mm lens produces an image of the Moon only 0.5 mm across. Switching to a 200 mm telephoto or zoom lens, the Moon appears 1.8 mm in diameter. This is still quite small but at least the image is recognizable. However, there are a number of compact 500 mm mirror lenses available in the $100 to $250 price range which yield a lunar image 4.6 mm in diameter. While this is seams like a respectable size, it still doesn't fill the frame. Adding a 2x tele-converter to a 500 mm lens results in a focal length of 1000 mm which doubles the Moon's size to 9.2 mm. Focal lengths in excess of 1000 mm take you into the realm of the super telephoto lens. If you're in the market for such an item, you might consider a small telescope instead. The main advantage of a telescope is that you can also use it visually with variable power eyepieces. There are a number of brands and models in the 1000 mm to 2000 mm focal length range, including the Celestron 90 and the Meade ETX. These instruments are both compact catadioptics in the $400 to $800 price range. The 3 1/2" Questar is renowned for both its high optical quality and price ($3000 to $4000). These telescopes are available with equatorial fork mounts and electric clock drives which counteract the Earth's rotation and allow you to automatically track the Sun, Moon and stars. A wealth of information on commercial telescopes can be obtained from advertisers in magazines like Astronomy or Sky and Telescope. Keep in mind that a focal length of 2600 mm produces an image of the Moon 23.9 mm in diameter which barely fits the narrow dimension of the 35 mm format. You can easily calculate the Moon's image size in any lens by dividing it's focal length by 109. The following table illustrates this point. Although the table is for the Sun, but it is equally applicable to the Moon since they appear the same size from Earth. With a telephoto lens or telescope, you can capture various stages of the eclipse using the Lunar Eclipse Exposure Guide as a starting point for your exposures. Since you're not putting all your exposures on one frame, you have the luxury of bracketing your exposures. To bracket, make one exposure at the recommended value and then two more at one stop (or shutter speed) overexposed and one stop underexposed. In most cases, this will ensure that you obtain a well exposed image. To be extra safe, you might even bracket plus or minus two stops. Weather conditions (fog, haze, thin clouds) may require an additional two or three stops to achieve a good exposure. Just remember that film is cheap and eclipses don't happen every month! To capture a good sequence of photos, you'll probably want to take a bracketed series of exposures every ten or fifteen minutes. Just make sure that you use a large enough tripod to hold you telephoto lens firmly with as little vibration as possible. The major challenge to lunar eclipse photography comes during totality because there's no way to predict how bright the Moon will appear. Brightness of Total Lunar Eclipses During a total eclipse, the Moon's color and brightness can vary enormously. It can take on hues from bright orange, through deep red, dark brown or even dark grey as it's brilliance ranges from bright to dark to nearly invisible. Although the Moon is cut off from all direct sunlight while it is in Earth's umbral shadow, the Moon receives indirect sunlight which is refracted through and modified by Earth's atmosphere. Our atmosphere contains varying amounts of water (clouds, mist, precipitation) and solid particles (dust, organic debris, volcanic ash). This material filters and attenuates the sunlight before it's refracted into the umbra. For instance, large or frequent volcanic eruptions dumping huge quantities of ash into the atmosphere are often followed by very dark, brownish red eclipses for several years. Extensive cloud cover along Earth's limb also tends to darken the eclipse by blocking sunlight. To successfully photograph the total phase of an eclipse, you have to be able make a reasonable guess as to how bright a particular eclipse is. Fortunately, a French astronomer named Dajon formulated a simple five point scale for evaluating the visual appearance and brightness of the Moon during total lunar eclipses. 'L' values for various luminosities are defined as follows: L = 0 Very dark eclipse. Moon almost invisible, especially at mid-totality. L = 1 Dark Eclipse, gray or brownish in coloration. Details distinguishable only with difficulty. L = 2 Deep red or rust-colored eclipse. Very dark central shadow, while outer edge of umbra is relatively bright. L = 3 Brick-red eclipse. Umbral shadow usually has a bright or yellow rim. L = 4 Very bright copper-red or orange eclipse. Umbral shadow has a bluish, very bright rim. The assignment of an 'L' value to lunar eclipses is best done with the naked eye, binoculars or a small telescope during totality. Use the descriptions above and select the one that best fits the Moon's appearance. To photograph the Moon in total eclipse, you choose the exposure with the corresponding 'L' value from the Lunar Eclipse Exposure Guide. Keep in mind that this exposure is only a 'guesstimate.' You should bracket two or three stops over and under the recommendation. Better yet, if your camera is one of the rare models which has a spot meter, use it to take an actual exposure reading and bracket from that point! http://www.mreclipse.com/LEgallery/LEphoto.html

Storm Socks Midwest, East By The Associated Press 01/20/00 A powerful winter storm that dumped up to 9 inches of snow in the upper Midwest blustered into the East today, bringing heavy snow, grounding air traffic and closing schools throughout the region. Flights up and down the coast were canceled or delayed today as crews tried to clear runways. Near Washington, about a third of the flights out of Reagan National Airport and Dulles International Airport were canceled this morning. "Winter has arrived,'' said Tara Hamilton, spokeswoman for the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority. All of the city's public schools were closed, and the federal government said non-essential employees could take a paid vacation day instead of trying to make it to the office. Elsewhere in the mid-Atlantic region -- where about 5 inches had fallen by midmorning -- Delaware Gov. Thomas Carper canceled his State of the State address, and schools were closed across Virginia, Maryland and North Carolina. All the affected states reported numerous fender-benders. "This is probably really more typical of what a winter should be in North Carolina than what we've had in the last three years,'' said Ron Humble, a National Weather Service meteorologist in Raleigh. The storm dropped 1 to 3 inches of snow over much of the state. New York, New Jersey and Pennsylvania also reported many school closings, as authorities braced for up to 6 inches of snow and possible gale force winds near the coast by day's end. The storm had some characteristics of a nor'easter, but was moving along the coast fast enough that it wasn't expected to have the same impact, said Kipp Hogan, a National Weather Service meteorologist. "There'll be some coastal flooding and that sort of thing, but it's not expected to last long enough to become a real nor'easter,'' Hogan said. A nor'easter is a winter coastal storm that packs high winds and rain or snow. Lingering longer than a hurricane, it can bring blizzard conditions and severe flooding. On Wednesday, the high winds blew snow and made driving treacherous in the Midwest. Blizzard conditions that snarled traffic in Iowa were blamed for three deaths there Wednesday, and Michigan also reported one fatal accident in the storm. Byron, Minn., received 9 inches of snow, while lesser amounts fell across the Midwest and as far south as North Carolina. Northwest Airlines on Wednesday canceled close to 200 flights at Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport where just over 8 inches of snow was recorded. Bitter arctic air from Canada followed the storm into the region. Several towns in northeastern Minnesota were the coldest spots in the nation overnight with temperatures sinking to 24 degrees below zero, the National Weather Service said.

Mystery iceballs claim ``first victim'' in Spain MADRID, Jan 20 (Reuters) - An elderly Spanish woman has claimed she was hit by a falling iceball, apparently the first victim of a phenonmenon that has been puzzling scientists for days, state radio said on Thursday. Juana Sanchez Sanchez, 70, said she was knocked out briefly by a large, flying, frozen object that hit her on the shoulder as she walked in a street near her home in Almeria, southern Spain, the radio said. A man in Seville escaped injury last week when a four-kilo (nine-pound) iceball slammed into his car. Scientists are examining a dozen specimens to establish their origin amid speculation they could be frozen human excrement jettisoned by high-flying aircraft or debris from comets, an explanation which some space experts have ruled out.

Anne Hale in SW Australia Marcia, for your information re strange weather - last night we had a such a storm, Denis and I were sweeping water from the Laundry, the drains outside kept blocking, we had water in the garage, the patio, and the bar. I reckoned there has been at least 3inches - and as I said yesterday it doesn't rain in Perth in January or at least it didn't used. Interestingly Beirut also was inundated virtually the same latitude. The thunderstorm is starting again - 7.00a.m. now so I may have to log off.

You'll not like what I just heard on the news. The first few iceballs were real atmospheric oddities. The rest were home-made iceballs created and planted by "pranksters." The real ones are the ones we concentrate on now.

geez louise! sorry about all the rain, anne....

Now we find out The Rest Of The Story as regards Aussie weather from Anne: A friend of mine was rather peeved with her husband for arranging a fishing expedition as he had promised to help with the Church's air conditioning. Well she prayed that the weather would be too inclement to go!!!!!!!! It was far worse for others, knee high water in their houses - down pipes clogged and water pouring in through their ceilings, even a jumbo jet got clogged in the mud at Perth Airport when full of passangers and getting ready for take off - Airport was closed until they could get it out. Think of the weight!!!!!! I measured at least 6 inches of rain in our neck of the woods. Thats a lot of water. It is more normal now although there is a small cyclone some few hundred miles up the coast and slowly heading our way - that we don't need.

just shows to be careful what you wish for!!

yup! You just might get what you wished for!

My very special friend, who used to live in Hilo and wrote so eloquently of seeing the eruption of Kilauea from the sea, now lives in North Carolina. He is enduring the third winter storm of the week. His weather Winter Storm Warning For The North Central Portion Of Central North Carolina Expires At 5Pm... The Winter Storm Warning In Effect For The North Central Portion Of Central North Carolina Will Expire At 5Pm. However Areas Of Freezing Drizzle And Freezing Rain Will Continue Through The Early Evening Hours. In The Triad Area Including Winston Salem...Greensboro...Burlington And Asheboro...Freezing Drizzle Will Continue Overnight. Trees And Powerlines Have Some Ice Accumulation And The Freezing Drizzle Will Add To This Accumulation. Many Roads...Especially On Bridges...Overpasses And Secondary Roads Have Some Icy And Slick Spots. In The Triangle Area Including Raleigh...Durham...Chapel Hill And Roanoke Rapids...Areas Of Freezing Rain Will Continue Through The Evening Hours Tapering Off To Patchy Freezing Drizzle Around 7Pm. Additional Light Icing Could Accumulate On Trees And Powerlines. This Could Cause Some Small Or Weak Tree Branches To Break. Also With Temperatures Hovering Around Or Just Below The Freezing Mark... There Will Be Some Slick Spots On Roads Especially On Bridges... Overpasses And Secondary Roads. Motorists Are Urged To Drive With Extreme Caution While Travelling This Evening. Slow Down And Allow Extra Time To Reach Your Destination. During The Overnight Period...Temperatures Across Central North Carolina Will Fall Below The Freezing Mark Ranging From The Upper 20S In The Triad...Around 30 In The Triangle Area To Near 32 Degrees Across The Sandhills. Thus With These Temperatures... The Early Morning Commute Monday Morning Could Be Hazardous With Areas Of Ice On Roads...Especially On Bridges And Overpasses And Secondary Roads. Stay Tuned To Noaa Weather Radio Or Your Local Radio Or Tv Station For The Latest Weather Information.

Central Atlantic Seaboard where all of the Hurricanes and Nor'easters hit, Updating Doppler Radar Weather

From Warren near Raleigh, NC MSN 1-25-2000 Snow Storm Where we are, there is an average of 14" of snow on the ground. There is about 12" in my yard. Some areas East, like Raleigh got all time records over 18", and some counties south of here got over 2 Feet. It's about 29 - 30 degrees outside, and the roads are paralysed, except with truckers. Those poor guys have to roll whether they want to or not, and I don't want to get tangled up with them in a sliding accident. Winston-Salem got 2", Charlotte 6". The surprise was South Rock, SC., with 18", in a place they don't get that much in a year! Wilmington, NC,(where they film Dawson's Creek, and used to film some of Matlock) has 8" and Myrtle Beach(!) has 5". They haven't had that much snow on the ocean in the last decade! South Rock is leaving it alone, and waiting to get dug out by SC DoT trucks. Actual snowfall in Raleigh is about 18-19 inches. This is topping the biggest of the 1900's. Raleigh's record was 17.8" in 1899, and it is gone now. Call it what anyone wants, this storm dumped more snow than the '93 storm that was so bad for all the east coast. Keep an ear on CNN for what happens in New England. This is a Nor-Easter of the first magnitude! [Airports closed] RDU to Boston! Greensboro is clear and open! [re:Storm hugging the coast] That is why this will be so strong; it will pick up moisture and strength as it goes north and replenish itself. Boston is going to think that God has dumped a planet sized bowl of stuff on them. [re the house you are in] This a brick house, with storm windows and doors. Only a power outage could hurt us, and we are in a line with the regional hospital, so our power usually comes back relatively quickly, comparatively speaking.

From http://www.weather.com Storm pushes N. Carolina into state of emergency, RALEIGH, North Carolina (CNN) -- A near-blizzard clobbered North Carolina Tuesday, burying Raleigh's airport under a foot and a half of snow and leaving hundreds of thousands without power. Gov. Jim Hunt declared a state of emergency. The storm extended northward through Virginia, Washington, eastern Pennsylvania, New York and New England, shutting down airports, schools, workplaces and government offices in the nation's capital. Hunt said North Carolina, still dealing with the devastating floods left by Hurricane Floyd last fall, had much of its snow removal and transportation equipment out of position in the state's western mountains, which were spared the brunt of the storm. "We really have a drastic situation, but we're used to a lot of these here in North Carolina and we're moving on it strongly," he said. In Raleigh, snowfall was expected to top a single-day record of 17.8 inches set March 2, 1927, Mayor Paul Cobble said. "The amount of snow, I think, was a surprise to everybody," said state emergency management spokesman Tom Hegele. He said the hardest hit area was Piedmont, in the center of the state, and that many roads from Charlotte to Raleigh along the I-85 corridor were impassable. More than 300,000 people were left without the power throughout the Carolinas. About 150,000 National Guard troops were called out to help stranded motorists in North Carolina. The troops will also provide emergency medical services and set up temporary power generators at hospitals. Carolina Power & Light reported 121,000 customers without power, primarily in the Sandhills area of North Carolina that includes Southern Pines and Asheboro, and in parts of South Carolina. Charlotte-based Duke Power, which serves two million customers in North and South Carolina, said 118,000 of its customers were left without power. Both utilities had deployed crews to clear downed trees and repair damaged power lines, but CP&L said its crews were slowed by strong winds upstate. "Visibility is very poor," said Sally Ramey, a CP&L spokeswoman. "With wind gusts at 40 miles per hour, it's just not safe to have somebody up there working on a power line in a bucket truck." Snowfall of 14 inches was forecast for Virginia and the Washington suburbs, and 18 inches in eastern Pennsylvania.

Boston wasn't really hit that badly; we got about 5-6 inches where I live. Not record-breaking, but enough to get out of work early. Worcester got more snow, which is typical. The change to rain/sleet is definately more of a problem; I'll probably have to chip my car out in the morning. I'd much rather deal with snow than ice. Here are the current weather reports for Boston... From WHDH-TV Boston, http://www.whdh.com Bay State Walloped by Winter Storm The snow is piling up in some parts of the Bay State today, while other areas escape with mostly rain. By midday, some communities north and west of Boston were reporting as much as eight inches of snow on the ground. Totals were much lower in southeastern Massachusetts, and it was raining on the Cape and Islands. Governor Cellucci told all non-essential state employees they could go home at 2 p.m. State highway crews struggled to keep up with the snow and ice. Numerous accidents were reported, but most w re minor in nature. It's been a tough day for anyone trying to get anywhere by air. The big winter storm has closed airports up and down the East Coast, leaving countless travelers stranded. Massport spokesman Phil Orlandella says about 400 flights have been cancelled at Boston's Logan Airport today. The airport was forced to close shortly before noon, but officials were hoping to get one runway open by mid-afternoon. (AP) NWS Weather Report for Boston Area, http://www.nws.noaa.gov/er/box/ Cheshire-Eastern Franklin-Eastern Hampden-Eastern Hampshire-Hartford-Hillsborough-Northern Worcester-Northwestern Providence-Southern Worcester-Tolland-Western Essex-Western Franklin-Western Hampden-Western Hampshire-Western Middlesex-Windham-Including the cities of, Blandford, Chesterfield, Fitchburg, Greenfield, Hartford, Keene, Lawrence, Lowell, Manchester, Northampton, Shelburne, Springfield, Stafford, Willimantic, Woonsocket, Worcester 1005 PM EST Tue Jan 25 2000 A winter storm warning remains in effect overnight The warning covers much of interior Southern New England north and west of Boston and Providence. Areas of mixed snow sleet and freezing rain will change to snow, Then taper off after 2 AM. An additional inch or two of snow is possible before daybreak. Total snow accumulations for the storm will be 8 to 12 inches from Hartford and Woonsocket to Worcester and Manchester New Hampshire...With totals of 10 to 15 inches accumulating across the Monadnocks and northwest Massachusetts. Gusty north winds will cause blowing and drifting of snow through the overnight hours. As cold air is drawn back across the region any wet or slushy roads will freeze, creating travel problems. If you must travel through tonight, allow extra time to reach your destination. Slow down, and leave extra distance between you and the vehicle ahead of you.

Ginny?! Dig yourself a hole and see if you see your shadow! We need to hear from you. Are you OK? Do you have power and all that? Sheesh!

Posts missing from the new server transfer: Response 269 of 270: Marcia (MarciaH) * Wed, Jan 26, 2000 (11:32) * 9 lines I guess Pennsylvania has not gotten much of this storm. Frank in Williamsport reports: We had only 3 to 4 inches around here, and it took all day to accumulate that much. It least it's light and fluffy, and VERY white. I guess that was too far inland. This seems to tbe an entirely coastal experience. Thanks, Ginny, for your great report. I remember snow scrapers and whacking at the ice sheets to free the windshield wipers. Funny thing - I don't miss it much, but it is fun to relive old memories by watching you guys cope. Seriously. please take care and watch out for the idiots who think they can drive as usual with no traction. I shall go bug Warren for an update on his weather. Response 270 of 270: Wolf (wolf) * Wed, Jan 26, 2000 (11:36) * 1 lines we're in for it tonight and tomorrow (highs in the 30's to 40's plus ice and snow)...... Response 271 of 271: Marcia (MarciaH) * Wed, Jan 26, 2000 (13:59) * 1 lines Oh Dear Wolfie...Please keep us updated. I shall plug you into my prayers for safety during this extraordinary winter weather. *Warm Hawaiian Hugs* Response 272 of 272: Wolf (wolf) * Wed, Jan 26, 2000 (19:33) * 1 lines thanks. i really hope it does come down and closes things down (like work)! (isn't that sad?) Response 273 of 273: Marcia (MarciaH) * Wed, Jan 26, 2000 (20:33) * 1 lines Nope! Not sad! Weather like that unleashes the little kid in each of us and we just wanna go out and play in it or sit by the fireside and snuggle with the furry and non furry guys we love. *hugs* of anticipation... Response 273 of 275: Marcia (MarciaH) * Wed, Jan 26, 2000 (20:33) * 1 lines Nope! Not sad! Weather like that unleashes the little kid in each of us and we just wanna go out and play in it or sit by the fireside and snuggle with the furry and non furry guys we love. *hugs* of anticipation... Response 274 of 275: Paul Terry Walhus (terry) * Thu, Jan 27, 2000 (08:48) * 7 lines Rain. Good thing I spread some ryegrass out at the farm last night! Marati, the new caretaker/cottage dweller has turned out to me the miracle man. He's building stuff every day and making new spaces for folks. It's awesome, baby! Response 275 of 275: Wolf (wolf) * Thu, Jan 27, 2000 (09:35) * 1 lines well, we're shut down! *woohoo* Response 276 of 276: Marcia (MarciaH) * Thu, Jan 27, 2000 (11:22) * 5 lines It's about time some of your miracles were performed by someone other than you, Terry. I rejoice in your miracle man who is being so beneficial to you. I have heard such dire things about this 4 year drought you are having in Texas! Wolfie gets to stay home and play today. Yippee! I have had no check-ins yet on the weather front from the east coast, but I am sure the storm has moved off into the Atlantic. Meanwhile there is another coming in from the west. Happy winter! Response 277 of 280: Paul Terry Walhus (terry) * Thu, Jan 27, 2000 (12:30) * 3 lines We're getting a good soaker here. Response 278 of 280: Marcia (MarciaH) * Thu, Jan 27, 2000 (19:44) * 2 lines from what I have heard, you are in the midst of a serious drought...a good soaker is just what you need - no matter how inconvenient...! Response 279 of 280: Wolf (wolf) * Fri, Jan 28, 2000 (08:19) * 1 lines and we're closed again today although some of the bridges are open..... Response 280 of 280: Marcia (MarciaH) * Fri, Jan 28, 2000 (11:13) * 1 lines ...and another storm is headed for the Carolinas, so I suppose you will be in on that one, too?! Stay warm and safe, Wolfie!!! Response 281 of 283: Wolf (wolf) * Fri, Jan 28, 2000 (11:55) * 3 lines just got a call from the office....apparantly, there was a liner on the news that we were to go back at noon today BUT, our boss called and said not to worry about it and stay home. i say good because the roads look terrible. we've got slush and everything. i thought there was another storm headed our way behind this one but i haven't heard anything about it. Response 282 of 283: Marcia (MarciaH) * Fri, Jan 28, 2000 (12:34) * 2 lines Just for Wolfie I post this updating weather map and for Texas, as well... http://maps.weather.com/images/radar/regions/s_central_rad_300x187.jpg Response 283 of 283: Marcia (MarciaH) * Fri, Jan 28, 2000 (12:36) * 1 lines Looks like most of your bad weather is past you and headed for Warren who is still housebound in North Carolina. Response 284 of 289: Wolf (wolf) * Fri, Jan 28, 2000 (12:38) * 1 lines those clear skies mean one thing, cold nights! Response 285 of 289: Ginny (vibrown) * Fri, Jan 28, 2000 (14:01) * 1 lines Cold is right! We're having another arctic blast in the Northeast at the moment. Looks like that storm is going to move up here on Sunday night or Monday morning. Response 286 of 289: Marcia (MarciaH) * Fri, Jan 28, 2000 (14:28) * 0 lines (scribbled) Response 287 of 289: Marcia (MarciaH) * Fri, Jan 28, 2000 (14:30) * 2 lines Check it out! http://maps.weather.com/images/radar/regions/northeast_rad_450x284.jpg Response 288 of 289: Marcia (MarciaH) * Fri, Jan 28, 2000 (14:31) * 1 lines That map updates so you can come back and check it as long as Spring is here and Geo is functioning and the WX Channel is feeding the map! Response 289 of 289: Marcia (MarciaH) * Fri, Jan 28, 2000 (14:34) * 3 lines This is the WINTER WEATHER UPDATING RADAR WEATHER MAP http://maps.weather.com/images/radar/wintrad_450x284.jpg Response 290 of 291: Marcia (MarciaH) * Fri, Jan 28, 2000 (14:37) * 0 lines (scribbled) Response 291 of 291: Marcia (MarciaH) * Fri, Jan 28, 2000 (14:40) * 4 lines On the above map, green is rain; light color to dark is light to heavy intensity orange is ice gray to white is snow accumulation Response 292 of 294: Wolf (wolf) * Fri, Jan 28, 2000 (17:53) * 1 lines marcia, i don't know if i accidently hit the wrong button, but the earthquake topic won't let me post (says it's frozen) :( tried to say that the map is cool! Response 293 of 294: Karen (KarenR) * Fri, Jan 28, 2000 (18:10) * 3 lines I think we have a winner in the all-time weird weather oddity category: A foot of snow in Jerusalem. Response 294 of 294: Marcia (MarciaH) * Fri, Jan 28, 2000 (18:41) * 3 lines I guess it is frozen but I did not do it. Will create EARTHQUAKE!!! as soon as I post this. Karen, if the shepherds are watching their flocks by night out in the open they are crazy over there! Hope Chicago is above sea level and not too frozen... Response 295 of 297: Wolf (wolf) * Fri, Jan 28, 2000 (20:58) * 3 lines is that rare in Jerusalem? marcia, maybe i clicked something but there wasn't a thaw button to undo whatever i did. (did i make one for you?) Response 296 of 297: Marcia (MarciaH) * Fri, Jan 28, 2000 (23:08) * 1 lines No thaw button! Never got one or saw one, either.... Response 297 of 297: Marcia (MarciaH) * Fri, Jan 28, 2000 (23:10) * 1 lines Yup! It just about never snows in the holy land - it is desert so it freezes but does not snow!!! Response 298 of 298: Marcia (MarciaH) * Sat, Jan 29, 2000 (14:44) * 43 lines WEATHER FOR THE SUPER BOWL ATLANTA (Reuters) - Residents in several Southern U.S. states woke up on Saturday to snow and freezing rain as a rare winter storm swept through the region, snarling traffic, canceling flights and complicating preparations for Sunday's Super Bowl game. The storm, part of an unusual but nasty patch of winter weather blanketing much of the Deep South, dumped up to a foot and a half of snow in Arkansas, Alabama, Mississippi and Tennessee and coated northern Georgia with freezing rain. Several weather-related deaths were reported. ``We've been seeing a lot of traffic accidents through the morning hours,'' said Ken Davis, public information officer with the Georgia Emergency Management Agency in Atlanta. ``We're telling people not to travel if they don't have to and folks are beginning to heed our warnings to stay home.'' The storm touched down as thousands of fans prepared to gather in Atlanta's Georgia Dome to watch the St. Louis Rams and Tennessee Titans play for the National Football League championship on Sunday. Although officials in Atlanta have expressed confidence there would not be any major disruptions for fans arriving at Hartsfield Atlanta International Airport, at least one major airline was not taking any chances. Delta Air Lines Inc. (DAL.N) canceled a number of its Atlanta-bound flights on Friday night and said it would likely have ``a similar schedule'' on Saturday into Atlanta, its main hub. Many Atlantans were still recovering from a severe ice storm last weekend that knocked down trees and power lines, leaving more than half a million people in northern Georgia without electricity. Although utility companies scrambled to prepare for the worst, officials reported only minor outages in the state. Georgia Power, a subsidiary of Southern Co. (SO.N) and one of two major power companies in northern Georgia, put more than 4,000 workers on active duty this weekend. The company provides electricity to about 1.8 million residents in the greater Atlanta region. The company said it had relocated hundreds of workers throughout Georgia to cope with potential problems. Despite fears bad weather could throw a monkey wrench into Atlanta's carefully laid Super Bowl plans, city officials noted last week's storm had pushed many visitors to schedule an earlier arrival. The storm was expected to continue moving eastward into the interior of North Carolina and other eastern coastal states. North Carolina was battered this week by a heavy storm that dumped up to 20 inches of snow on Raleigh. Previous Article: Bush Brings Parents, Bradley Hits Gore on Abortion Next Article: Clinton, Lawmakers to Hold Budget Meeting Tuesday Response 299 of 299: Marcia (MarciaH) * Sat, Jan 29, 2000 (20:32) * 45 lines Southern United States Digs Out After Freak Storm ATLANTA (Reuters) - Residents in several Southern U.S. states woke up on Saturday to snow and freezing rain as a rare winter storm swept through the region, snarling traffic, canceling flights and complicating preparations for Sunday's Super Bowl game. The storm, part of an unusual but nasty patch of winter weather blanketing much of the Deep South, dumped up to a foot and a half of snow in Arkansas, Alabama, Mississippi and Tennessee and coated northern Georgia with freezing rain. Several weather-related deaths were reported. ``We've been seeing a lot of traffic accidents through the morning hours,'' said Ken Davis, public information officer with the Georgia Emergency Management Agency in Atlanta. ``We're telling people not to travel if they don't have to and folks are beginning to heed our warnings to stay home.'' The storm touched down as thousands of fans prepared to gather in Atlanta's Georgia Dome to watch the St. Louis Rams and Tennessee Titans play for the National Football League championship on Sunday. Although officials in Atlanta have expressed confidence there would not be any major disruptions for fans arriving at Hartsfield Atlanta International Airport, at least one major airline was not taking any chances. Delta Air Lines Inc. (DAL.N) canceled a number of its Atlanta-bound flights on Friday night and said it would likely have ``a similar schedule'' on Saturday into Atlanta, its main hub. Many Atlantans were still recovering from a severe ice storm last weekend that knocked down trees and power lines, leaving more than half a million people in northern Georgia without electricity. Although utility companies scrambled to prepare for the worst, officials reported only minor outages in the state. Georgia Power, a subsidiary of Southern Co. (SO.N) and one of two major power companies in northern Georgia, put more than 4,000 workers on active duty this weekend. The company provides electricity to about 1.8 million residents in the greater Atlanta region. The company said it had relocated hundreds of workers throughout Georgia to cope with potential problems. Despite fears bad weather could throw a monkey wrench into Atlanta's carefully laid Super Bowl plans, city officials noted last week's storm had pushed many visitors to schedule an earlier arrival. The storm was expected to continue moving eastward into the interior of North Carolina and other eastern coastal states. North Carolina was battered this week by a heavy storm that dumped up to 20 inches of snow on Raleigh. Response 300 of 300: Marcia (MarciaH) * Sun, Jan 30, 2000 (20:18) * 52 lines Snow, Ice Disrupt Travel, Power in Eastern US CHARLOTTE, N.C. (Reuters) - Freezing rain and snow caused misery from the Carolinas to Maryland and Pennsylvania on Sunday, knocking out power, coating roads with ice and putting a damper on Super Bowl parties. Forecasters issued winter storm warnings as far south as north Georgia as a weather system that coated Atlanta with a sheet of ice on Saturday moved up the coast, leaving tens of thousands without power in the Carolinas and causing some outages in the Washington area. ``It's awful. The weather people so terrified and terrorized the residents that there's no people on the streets,'' said Bryan Watson, a former National Hockey League defenseman and owner of Bugsy's Pizza and Sports Bar in Alexandria, Virginia, a suburb of Washington, D.C. Tens of thousands of customers lost electric service as a wave of freezing rain and sleet passed through North Carolina, where utility crews had just finished repairing power lines downed in last week's snowstorm. Charlotte-based Duke Power reported about 52,000 customers without power, and Carolina Power & Light was working to restore power to about 9,500 customers. ``We had just completed all the ones (customers) related with that (previous storm) at noon, just in time to be ready for this next wave,'' CP&L spokesman Mike Hughes said. Last week's snowstorm dumped a record 20.3 inches of snow at the Raleigh-Durham International Airport, and up to two feet of snow in the Sandhills region east of Charlotte. North Carolina Gov. Jim Hunt has asked for an estimated $24.4 million in federal disaster aid for the state, which is still recovering from Hurricane Floyd's devastating floods last September. In South Carolina, Gov. Jim Hodges declared a state of emergency on Friday in anticipation of widespread damage from this weekend's freezing precipitation. In Virginia, six to 12 inches of snow was reported along the Blue Ridge Mountains, and two to four inches of snow were expected around Washington, D.C., where snow alternated with sleet and freezing rain during the afternoon. Hundreds of trucks spread salt on roads in the Washington area and some schools in Maryland and Virginia districts around the capital announced they would be closed on Monday. The three major airports serving Washington continued operating although Baltimore-Washington International closed both main runways for 90 minutes for plowing and salting. Philadelphia International Airport reported a rash of delays and cancellations, particularly flights serving cities in the South. Forecasters predicted one to two inches of sleet and snow accumulation in Southeast Virginia, including Richmond, which could cause significant icing on roads and power lines. In Atlanta, conditions were clearing and temperatures rose into the high 30s F as the St. Louis Rams and Tennessee Titans prepared to kick off inside the Georgia Dome. The storm was forecast to move into the New York area on Monday and meteorologists said Philadelphia, southern New Jersey and Delaware could look forward to a potentially treacherous mix of rain and sleet. Response 301 of 302: Ginny (vibrown) * Mon, Jan 31, 2000 (10:43) * 3 lines Nice maps, Marcia! We got a couple inches of wet, sloppy stuff in the Boston area early this morning. We finally have temps above freezing, so maybe some of the ice from the previous storm will melt... Response 302 of 302: Marcia (MarciaH) * Mon, Jan 31, 2000 (11:11) * 6 lines Glad you enjoy those maps! Pretty neat, huh?! I found some for earthquakes which update - only one online so far, but the rest will be put at Geo 26. I was wondering if Bahstin would get this mess heading up the east coaat. I guess you are precip-free for this time, but you're gonna be cold! All of those pretty icicles hanging on the wire in Virginia and Maryland causing power outages are going to keep us from hearing about their weather, I think! I am still waiting for Warren to check in from North Carolina. They got hurricane flooding of mammoth proportions last fall and now 5 winter storms in 2 or 3 weeks. They must be really tired of eating their Y2K leftover emergancy rations *grin* Response 304 of 305: Paul Terry Walhus (terry) * Mon, Jan 31, 2000 (22:56) * 3 lines Go to the new site, this one is closing. Use http://www.spring.net . . . Response 305 of 305: Marcia (MarciaH) * Tue, Feb 1, 2000 (11:23) * 1 lines Looks familiar! February 1st and all is well on the Spring (what would we do without it?!) Response 306 of 306: Marcia (MarciaH) * Tue, Feb 1, 2000 (11:26) * 10 lines Warren wrote from North Carolina: We got ice,and there are power and phone problems, so everyone is asked to limit their time on the phone or on-line. I'm here now only because it is late, and traffic is down. We're OK. No damages, and thawing out nicely, but others weren't as lucky. Don't know when I'll be on again, as they want the restictions followed for another couple of days. **************************** back to regular programming *smile*

Reposting updating weather maps:

This is the WINTER WEATHER UPDATING RADAR WEATHER MAP

There! I think we are back up to speed with just one or two glitches of my own...

Another overcast day in Austin, it's been wet lately.

I noticed! Do you tend to flood? Or, does it soak in, like a good rain should? I also noticed you get a lot of wind and haze with your rain. Can't quite figure why it does not blow the haze away or at least wash it out of the air with all of that going on. But, Texas is a whole nuther world, isn't it?! Thanks for the report.

The day turned out to be sunny and warm in the afternoon.

Back to cracks in the ground? Where does your drinking water come from? (How does it taste?)

My water comes from a well out in Cedar Creek. It tastes ok. If only Alcoa would stop sucking obscene amounts of water out of the ground. See http://www.bioregion.com for some notes on the Bastrop Country Environmental network and other water issues related to Texas.

Pretty terrible...and wasteful. My folks' water in Tucson, AZ was so high in selenium they had to drink bottled water. No dissolved baddies in your water in toxic amounts is indeed good news! I should post that in your Bioregion topic in here, huh?!

From Maggie as reported on the BBC this morning: Nepal: Wheat crop in Parsu District badly damaged by freak hailstones weighing half a kilo(over a pound). eyewitnesses said it sounded like bombs were falling on their roofs. (Shades of the ice blocks in Spain that they're still muttering on about)

From Warren regarding the current Weather in North Carolina, USA It has been in the sixties for the last two days and in the seventies today, and there is STILL snow and ice on the ground and in the parking lots!! Our high today was 71 here, but it will drop into the low 40's to upper 30's tonight, colder farther north. With the cold front moving in, if the weather boffins are wrong about how far south it will go, we could have snow flurries tonight. No accumulation, tho. We want it to rain, however. Since it takes a foot of snow to equal an inch of rain, we need some rain to fill the reservoirs. At least the ground water levels are topped off, with the slow melt of snow seeping deep. Thanks, luv! *hugs*

22 Die in Georgia Tornadoes CAMILLA, Ga. (AP) -- Tornadoes slashed through southwest Georgia early today, killing at least 22 people and injuring more than 100. The Mitchell County town of Camilla appeared to be hardest hit, with a tornado cutting a five-mile path through a housing development south of town. "It's like somebody took a bulldozer and leveled it,'' volunteer firefighter Mikie Newsome said. He and his father had watched a large dark funnel cloud dip down about three miles from their house near Camilla, about 200 miles south of Atlanta. "All you heard was a roar, woo-woo-woo,'' said Johnny Jones, whose mobile home south of Camilla was lifted up and thrown on its side. He said he freed his 14-year-old son, who was pinned under a washing machine, and they crawled out a window. Newsome estimated that 50 to 60 homes were demolished, 90 percent of them mobile homes. Aerial photos showed the entire neighborhood was flattened. Fourteen people died in Mitchell County, said Liz McQueen, a Red Cross representative working at a temporary morgue in Camilla. Seven were confirmed dead in Grady County and one in Colquitt County.

Awsome - heard it on the news just recently.

Anyone from near there in here? Wolfie, are you alright?

Anne Hale informs me that the latest cyclone off the Western Coast of Australia is Cyclone Marcia. I suggested she send it back from whence it came *grin* Fingers crossed, Anne!

Added to that Marcia - the 'dead heart' of Australia is a desert no more - they are flooded out and tourists have been stranded for days. We had over 4 inches of rain over a day in January - unheard of in Perth, humidity and horrible temps mostly over 85f. But I will try and blow it away!!

...or Marcia shall...Some times you need a good gale to clear things out!

Anne reports that Marcia blew herself out and is now a tropical depression. She know all about that...Thanks, Anne!

I found two more updating weather maps for your enjoyment:

For both, this is the color index:

Checking in as requested! :-) Yes, things are ugly here. We haven't had that much snow where I live, but it's the worse kind. Ultra heavy wet stuff looking for potential coronary victims. I shoveled this morning (couldn't sweep it off the stairs...and I have a lot of stairs), then Jeff shoveled earlier this evening. But there's been more. Tomorrow is another day. Driving was awful because the side streets don't get plowed. Unfortunately, you can't always stick to main thoroughfares. Then there were those smug 4WDers. Argh, I've got ZWD. ;-) Saw the forecast and temps will be rising. Stuff should melt soon enough. Thanks for your concern, but next to last year, this is just another winter day.

Oh yeah, the airports got closed because the winds were bad and there was no visibility (I'm guessing).. ZWD=zero wheel drive

Thanks, Karen. I thought about you a lot over night with all of the news stories about the airports being closed from here to there and you can't get there from here stuff. Watch that heart, Sweetie. You are not replaceable and kids get coronaries, too. Here we sit on a warm sunny day with an AWD in the garage (AWD=All Wheel Drive). Wish I could lend it to you for the duration!

Boston got about 8-12 inches of heavy, wet snow from Friday to Saturday. The most we've had all winter, but not record-breaking. (The weather-folks have called it a "winter storm", not a "blizzard".) It was enough to cause some backaches and heart-attacks, though. Logan was still backed up, according to the news at 11. Glad I wasn't planning to go anywhere. (Planning a big vacation in Feb. is always a crap shoot around here.)

You in Boston and Karen in Chicago got the brunt of the soggy snow. Just let the little kids shovel it. Yup...excuse to play on the computer and fill in gaps on Geo for me this weekend (I am celebrating your snow-in, too!)

Snow is melting as I type. Unfortunately, I did have to shovel (even while knowing it would start melting the next day...rising temps here) in order to get in and out of the house. The stairs would've been impossible. No coronaries, but my quads are killing me. Am trying to avoid going "down" any stairs as much as possible, which is tough as I have a duplex. :-(

Please tell me your stairs are indoors from the second floor...! Get yourself a little sled and skim your way down. Haven't quite figured out how you are going to get back upstairs again, though...*sigh* Didja make any snow angels for me?