Ask MetaFilter questions tagged with weather

State of the sidewalks in DC?

yarrow — Tue, 22 Dec 2009 13:49:46 -0800

How slushy are the streets in downtown Washington DC right now? I'm heading down to DC for the day tomorrow and attending a somewhat dressy event in the evening, and trying to decide which shoes to wear. Because of the nature of the event & my transportation I won't be able to carry much in the way of a bag, so cannot change shoes at any point. My options are: black Clarks similar to these or black snow boots similar to these. I'll be wearing a black suit. I'll be walking a bit, but not much - for a few blocks around H & 11th and a few blocks around 18th & K. I'd prefer the Clarks in terms of appropriateness for the event and comfort, but am wondering how the sidewalks are. Any first hand accounts from today?

How do I adjust from sunny LA to freezing cold Virginia?

invisible ink — Mon, 14 Dec 2009 20:30:15 -0800

Have you ever moved from a warm, mild climate like Los Angeles, to one that experiences four seasons - and did you do so in the dead of winter? What was it like? What do you wish you had known beforehand? In other words, what am I, a native Angeleno currently taking for granted? A compelling job offer has me seriously considering moving from Los Angeles to Arlington, VA. I will most likely be relocating mid-January 2010. Unfortunately, I have never lived in a four-season climate, much less moved myself and all of my belongings to one.

I found this thread, but am hoping more LA transplants can respond.

Long, diverse, rambling responses are most welcome - I really want to know the kind of impact a rapid shift in climate can make in peoples' lives. Thanks in advance:-)

Impervius!

Salvor Hardin — Wed, 09 Dec 2009 16:33:14 -0800

Underground in a secret lab, the hive mind works feverishly and with a single purpose: to create...the perfect Boston bicyclist! Impermeable to wind, water, ice, slush, and mud, there's nothing Boston can throw at him that he can't handle! We had our first really miserable, blinding drenching ice/slush/rain-pelting-down days in Boston. My SO and I have decided that we're going to make ourselves waterproof.

We'd like suggestions for picking out some waterproof bad-weather bicycling gear. I imagine we'll need:

jacket, pants, shoes, eyewear, headwear, handwear, etc (anything else that you've found helpful?)

to combat the nasty winter weather that Boston can dish out. Specifically I want something that can keep me some close approximation of dry during a 4 mile bicycle commute. Let's say we each have up to $200 to throw at this (hopefully it won't take that much).

I'm a 6'2" male, she's a 5'2" female.

Here are my priorities (in approximately descending order):

1. Keeps me DRY! I'm talking hermetically-sealed/space-worthy.
2. Flexible (i.e. suitable for bicycling-type movements)
3. Stops the wind
4. Simple/fast to remove (I'm usually behind schedule, so speed of operation is desirable)
5. Not too many pieces (I'm terrible about losing accessories)
6. Not too much $$
7. Doesn't accumulate too much sweat

Any ideas are welcome! My SO already has a normal set of rain gear, and she still ends up completely drenched by the end of the ride, so I think we need something a bit extraordinary.

I've seen this question, but brands and products change a lot, and I didn't see the fervent testimonial I was hoping for. My favorite from that was the deep-sea fishing gear, but I'm not sure if it'll be flexible enough for biking, or if it'll interfere with the chain.

Thanks!

What to wear when wintering with the Dutch?

swngnmonk — Thu, 03 Dec 2009 08:52:29 -0800

Gift Filter: Sister is moving to Maastricht for an internship, and needs appropriate outerwear that's bicycle-friendly. So my sister's moving to Maastricht in January, and will be getting around by bicycle. Neither of us really know what to expect - she's thinking wetter than what she experienced in the UK, but perhaps less cold.

I'd like to get her some new outerwear for the wintertime (Jacket, pants, gloves) that are reasonably fashionable, but also bicycle-friendly, as that will be her primary means of transportation. Pants could be either straight pants, or overpants. Functionality is important.

I was initially thinking something hiking-gear-like, but I think she'd prefer to blend in with the locals. Her style is also somewhat muted, a bright orange shell isn't really her speed. She's also handicapped by an older brother who's a complete fashion dunce when it comes to women's clothing.

Suggestions, MeFites? Help my sister enter the Netherlands in style!

Records of First Snowfall

furious — Sun, 29 Nov 2009 19:32:31 -0800

Where can I find records of the date of the first snowfall in an area? I'm looking for Hanover, NH, but a tool to find first snow fall dates and records for any area is what I'd really like to find.

Ice Ice Ipod, too cold? Too cold?

arniec — Mon, 23 Nov 2009 08:15:32 -0800

How bad is it for me to leave my iPod classic in the car all the time? I live in the Midwest where in the coldest parts of winter temperatures average about 17 degrees F (although they can and do drop below zero regularly) and our highs in the hottest months average in the mid 80s though we do have our post 100 degree days.

I park my car outdoors in the sunshine during the day, indoors in a standard garage during the night. In the garage items like bottled water and soda rarely freeze, but have on a few occasions. (Likewise soda stupidly left in the trunk of my car has frozen and left me some burst cans full of slush).

Given all of this, how bad is it for my iPod to be left in the car at all times? My iPod is a hard drive based iPod classic that I only use in my car. My dock for the iPod is in my glove box and it's somewhat inconvenient to remove from the car regularly, and I only take the iPod with me when I want to update the music.

But I am a computer guy and part of me knows that it's unsafe to use devices that have been in the cold, and that I should worry about condensation as the item warms up, etc, etc, etc. Of course, that being said, condensation is also likely to form as I take it from warm buildings to cold outdoors to a cold but rapidly heating car, right?

If the problem is specific to the hard drive would I be better off getting an iPod Nano or something not hard drive based? Or is the problem to the electronics?

Thanks in advance for settling this issue between my wife and I (she is constantly taking it out of the car, and thus constantly leaving me music-less as I don't expect to go to the car and my iPod to be missing)

Wifi weather station?

disillusioned — Sat, 21 Nov 2009 18:40:05 -0800

Cheap wifi-enabled weather station? We have a cottage up north it's in an area where no weather stations appear to be active. (WU shows several Strawberry, AZ stations, but they're all inactive or really Pine, which is about 600 feet lower.)

We have wifi and broadband internet here (really roughing it) so I'd love a cheap weather station that can get me just temperature and upload it through our access point.

I *don't* have a computer set up there non stop, though I guess we could go with a headless box to handle the software, but I'd like to keep the cost down to as low as possible.

This looks like it might work, but it needs a base station computer (or extra ethernet box) to upload...

Is there an affordable station that will send straight over wifi? Or will I almost certainly need a computer to push the updates?

Prescription to Move.

beautifulcheese — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 20:02:42 -0800

Canada Filter: I live on Vancouver Island, BC. We just had 180mm of rain in a day and a bit. I have Seasonal Affective Disorder. The two do not mix. Where should I move? I also struggle with depression the rest of the year so there really seems to be no respite. Today my psychiatrist recommended that I should think about moving somewhere else for the long run. It is getting harder and harder to get through each fall/winter.

So where should I move? I need to stay in Canada simply because I love my country. I'd like it to be sunny but not too hot in the summer (nothing above 27-30C on average). I don't like the cold or snow but I suppose I could adapt. It just isn't something I have ever experienced and it frightens me.

It feels like I am in the mildest climate of Canada already and I prefer that. I just need sun added in. I would settle for less gray and not constant rain.

So suggestions? Favourite places? Experiences of places where you felt the weather lift your mood?

why are some clouds black while others are white

zeoslap — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 09:14:56 -0800

Why are some clouds black while others are white? So looking out of my window I can see storm clouds coming in and they are black (well dark grey) even the wispy bits at the top of them while other clouds higher up are white.

Do the dark clouds look that way because of water content?

Weather software for the Mac?

nitsuj — Sun, 25 Oct 2009 14:06:10 -0800

Is there any weather software for the Mac that is comparable to GRLevel3 on Windows? I'm looking for some good software for viewing live radar data in the U.S. (NEXRAD?) Most of the software seems to be for Windows only. Ideally I'd like for it to be out of the browser and offer a higher level of control than typically offered by web-based radars.

Thanks!

How to Teach the Seasons in San Francisco

one_bean — Wed, 07 Oct 2009 22:08:07 -0800

Good online resources (particularly videos) that explain the seasons of the San Francisco Bay Area?

Is anyone or anything this good about weather?

creasy boy — Thu, 01 Oct 2009 01:51:09 -0800

Are there any (European or international) weather resources good enough to tell me when it will stop raining? Here in Berlin it's raining. My AccuWeather Firefox thingie tells me under "current conditions" that it's raining. I know this already. The hourly forecast said it was supposed to stop by 10, about an hour ago. This is obviously not true. Is there any way that I can tell approximately when it will actually stop raining?

Who bombed the statue?

puckish — Wed, 30 Sep 2009 11:48:29 -0800

In response to this post: did the Weather Underground actually claim responsibility for the Cleveland Rodin bombing? The Cleveland Museum page claims it was the Weather Underground; Wikipedia doesn't mention it. Google results are thus far inconclusive. Where would I go to find the official word?

Sorry, I can't come into work today, it's drizzling and my car is stuck...

firei — Sat, 05 Sep 2009 10:48:51 -0800

Possibly going to move and work as a caretaker of a small farm-sanctuary in upstate NY. The problem? It's on a windy, steep dirt road and my car is less than good. Help! I'm considering taking a caretaker's position in upstate NY (and by upstate, I mean near Beekman, between Poughkeepsie and Pawling). Everything sounds great - a house, utilities, stipend, and I'll be able to get another job for additional income. I'm supposed to go interview next weekend.

However, I took a drive up to the area earlier this week with a friend. All was going well until we got about a mile or half a mile away - when the road suddenly turned to dirt and began to climb. The dirt seemed pretty well packed, but we haven't had rain in a few days and there were lots of rocks scattered on the road.

I drive a 1992 Volvo 240 (that has been in several accidents and isn't super reliable anyway). I believe that it will be able to make it up the road in decent weather, but things like rain and snow on a windy, hilly dirt road frighten me. (Do they even plow dirt roads?)

I want to take this position, but not if I will be stranded up on the hill when it's raining or snowing. Plus, it's a good four or five miles to the closest store or main-ish road.

I will need to drive for:
-errands
-social outings
-a job! (unless i can find a reliable "work at home" job, but I'm not counting on it - though suggestions are always welcome!)

I've thought about getting an ATV, but I don't think you can drive them on the road. I've also considered trying to park down before the road changes to dirt and walking/biking up, but that would not be so appetizing in driving rain or snow. Would new tires help? A different car? A motorcycle?

$700 is my limit, but obviously spending less in preferable.

Any and all suggestions are welcome!

Best weather resources?

pwally — Fri, 28 Aug 2009 11:10:37 -0800

What is the best way to get the most accurate information on the weather around the web? I have this page bookmarked but I don't really understand it as well as I think I could. I live in Boston if it matters (yes I know, if you don't like the weather just wait a minute), and I generally like to know what the weather's going to be for the next 5 days or so. Right now I'm a boston.com weather checker, but there has to be a better way.

Wherefore art thou, weather?

Think_Long — Wed, 19 Aug 2009 12:32:18 -0800

What's the most up-to-date online weather website for the twin cities (MN) area? Seeing as a line of storms is currently blasting the hell out of our fair city, I would like some up to date information about when, where, etc. I'm looking for something written like a blog with updates, rather than info mined from the national weather service as the WCCO website does it.

I don't have a sound system on my work computer, so I can't follow streaming radio or television broadcasts.

Thanks all!

Hot or not?

lukemeister — Mon, 10 Aug 2009 22:14:07 -0800

What was the hottest official temperature measured in San Antonio, Texas each year since the 1950s? Today San Antonio had its 45th day of 100+ degree weather this year. I remember years in the 1970s when SA had no 100 degree days at all, but a friend doesn't believe it.

Searching for the ideal climate

dougiedd — Sat, 08 Aug 2009 16:19:09 -0800

I am interested in searching for global locales based on weather: avg temperature, rainfall, days of sunshine etc. Can anyone recommend such a web site? Barring that, what websites are best to review these weather characteristics over time for a given locale?

Does CSI Las Vegas accurately depict how much it rains there?

arnicae — Fri, 07 Aug 2009 22:27:33 -0800

Does it really rain as much in Las Vegas as it looks on CSI? It sure seems like it rains a lot in Las Vegas- at least in the Crime Scene Investigation version of Vegas. I know it rains about 4.5 inches a year, but anyone know how many days a year it rains in Las Vegas (and can compare it to how much it seems to rain in the show)?

Life in a Northern Town? Tell Me about Calais ME. and the surround areas...

MeetCleaverTheatre — Thu, 06 Aug 2009 18:27:01 -0800

Can anyone fill me in on Calais, Maine (or the surrounding towns)? I was recently offered an opportunity to interview in Calais, Maine. Before I head up to check it out in person, I was wondering if any AskMeFi regulars are from there or round about Calais and could shed some light on your impression of the town. Bonus points for any info on weather, things to do, nice places to stay (apartments etc.).

My google-fu turns up basic info, but mainly tourist-style stuff. Just curious what life is like in super northern Maine.

Thanks!

I heard something about typhoons, too!

schmoo — Mon, 27 Jul 2009 11:47:56 -0800

What will the weather be like in Japan at the beginning of September? I have googled and got an idea – warm and rainy! – but have a few specific questions and would welcome personal experience! A few sites have suggested that the temperatures in September will be around 22-26 degrees celsius – is this about right? Will t-shirts be enough in the day times? How cool does it get at night?

How sunny is it? Is it generally warm but overcast or is it sunny enough that I will need to bring sunscreen? Is it generally dreary and cloudy or can we expect some clear skies at least?

How rainy is it usually at the beginning of September? Will I need to carry an umbrella and mac with me at all times, or will the heavy rains of the high summer have let off a bit?

Bonus, slightly unrelated question: I will probably wear pumps or sandals while I am there. I don’t wear socks underneath these, will this be a problem when we go places where you have to take your shoes off? Is it normal to take your shoes off and be barefoot?

I will be in Japan from 1st-14th September and we will be staying in Tokyo, Hakone and Kyoto.

Thanks for any help!

We're moving out west!

Fifi Firefox — Tue, 14 Jul 2009 13:09:17 -0800

Where can we live (in the US) that has both pleasant summers and awesome snowboarding? My boyfriend and I plan to move in the next year or so, and we’re having lots of fun picking out potential dream cities to live in. My Metafilter searches have turned up some great options and several really helpful threads along similar lines, so I thought I’d throw our requirements into the mix.

My boyfriend’s goal in life is to have easy access to awesome snowboarding, and I’m cool with that as long as I can still have summer - I don’t want to be wading though snowdrifts year-round, and I want sunshine and milder temps for at least a couple months. I also want to be in a decent-sized city - nothing huge (or really expensive), but I like being near restaurants, concerts, art/culture, festivals, shopping, bike trails, and so forth. My boyfriend will be attending grad school down the road, so proximity to a university would be nice.

That’s our wish list. So far, we like Denver, Fort Collins, Seattle, and Portland (and we’re open to more suggestions). We also need some help narrowing our choices so we can plan a trip to visit some of these places, so I’m putting the gist of what we’ve found about each city below, and any comments from people who have actually lived there would be helpful.

Denver - Large city so better job prospects (I‘m a graphic designer), weather similar to where we are now (Wisconsin, which actually seems to have harsher winters). Right by Vail, Breckenridge, et al., so obviously the snowboarding would be great. What’s the downside? Is it expensive to live there? (We’ve already nixed Boulder because it seems pricey.)

Fort Collins - Sunny with mild winters, college town, smaller than Denver so less expensive and less traffic. Further from snowboarding - looks like 3-4 hours to the big resorts - but are there smaller hills nearby? Is it kind of sleepy and suburb-y there?

Seattle / Portland - Both look like awesome cities with great culture - what are the differences in size, cost of living, general feel, etc? Seattle has Mount Ranier and Olympic National Park, and Portland is right by Mount Hood - how does the snowboarding / skiing compare to the big Colorado resorts? I’ve read varying reports of the weather in this area, from “it’s always gray and rainy” to “it’s always gorgeous and mild” - what’s the truth?

What is the Name of This Tornado Doc?

LeeJay — Sat, 11 Jul 2009 10:33:09 -0800

Inspired by this thread, I am trying to remember the name of a tornado special that aired, I think, on HBO several years ago. Around six or seven years ago (I believe, it might be older) I saw a documentary on HBO (again, I could be wrong about the channel but it definitely aired on a premium, no-commercials movie channel) about F4 and F5 tornadoes in the United States. It was made up mostly of interviews with eyewitnesses, rescuers and survivors and almost all of the storms profiled were relatively recent. There are several bits that I remember clearly but the story that stands out most is the story told by a rescuer who found an elderly woman in wreckage. He had a cell phone on him and was able to contact the victim's family so she could speak to them one last time. There was also a story about a nurse who lost her son and a church that was totally destroyed except for one hallway which was where the church's occupants chose to ride out the storm.

Thinking about it now, it could have been originally produced for public television but if memory serves there was plenty of language that wasn't censored so I'm thinking it really was a cable production.

I've searched and searched but I cannot for the life of me seem to find it. Anyone remember what it was called?

Searching for a non fiction book about a move to Ireland which turned out badly.

Tullyogallaghan — Thu, 09 Jul 2009 16:27:50 -0800

I'm trying to track down a book which was written in the last 25 years (or so) about an American couple who inherited a house in the west of Ireland. The culture shock and concomitant problems involved with relocation, the house, the weather the people, etc. almost brings them to the point of divorce with each blaming the other for the decision to move. I've searched high and low but could only come up with a similar tome about an Australian couple. Thanks very much for any help.