Gust Front Funnel Cloud ...

Date/Time: June 29, 2010, 5:44pm ET
Location: Gainesville, FL

Photo by Dr. Steven A Robicsek, MD, PhD. Taken June 29, 2010 at 5:44pm, from atop the Seagel Bldg on University Avenue, looking west at the Ben Hill Griffith Stadium.

This is not actually a tornado, but something more like a dust devil or a land spout. This is actually associated with gust front outflow. What we cannot tell is where exactly it is occurring, whether it's occurring over land, or actually over Lake Alice.

This is truly an amazing shot. It's difficult enough to catch any KIND of a funnel here in Alachua County; but to catch one placed perfectly right next to the stadium like this is sure to destin this particular photo for some small amount of fame. Congratulations to Steve on nailing this one!

From ACSKYWARN

Thought for Today...

“Television is the first truly democratic culture - the first culture available to everybody and entirely governed by what the people want. The most terrifying thing is what people do want.”

Clive Barnes

Today's WX Outlook...

"Weather forecast for tonight: dark. Continued dark overnight, with widely scattered light by morning.”

Weather Underground

…Locally Heavy Rainfall Possible Today Through Thursday…

Plan your trip Local Radar Detailed Forecast

Today: Mostly cloudy. A slight chance of showers and thunderstorms in the morning, then showers and thunderstorms likely in the afternoon. Highs in the lower 90s. Southeast winds 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 70 %.

Tonight: Mostly cloudy. A chance of showers and thunderstorms in the evening, then a slight chance of showers and thunderstorms after midnight. Lows in the mid 70s. South winds 5 mph. Chance of rain 50 %.

Scattered to numerous showers and thunderstorms are expected today across the area with the best chances across the western locations. Gusty wind and lightening will be the primary threats. Locally heavy rainfall amounts over 2 inches are possible due to the slow storm motion. Due to recent heavy rainfall over portions of the area localized flooding is possible.

Today's Pollen Level: 2.2 Low( out of 12): Predominate Pollen, grass.

Area forecast details: Synopsis...weak upper high is presently over the forecast area part of the narrow ridge which extends from north Mexico to a larger high over the Atlantic. South of this ridge mid-level lows are located over the southwest Gulf of Mexico associated with Alex and just northeast of the Bahamas with TUTT feature. TUTT has moved little over the last 24 hours and as a result drier air northwest of the low has remained well southeast of the area. Slow-moving front is presently located along the spine of the Appalachians. Multi- layered cloudiness blankets the area with temperatures generally in the middle 70s. Some middle- level vorticity and isentropic lift is producing mostly light rain showers over the Suwannee Valley and points south and west.

Deep layer moisture and instability will lead to scattered to numerous showers and thunderstorms again today. Limiting factor to storm initiation will be thick cloud cover and weak middle- level ridge. However precipitation will be ongoing and should become more widespread through the day with thunderstorms eventually developing within the showers. Have leaned toward the cooler NAM maximum temperature guidance today due to clouds and precipitation but day shift may need to make further adjustments downward if clouds remain thick.

As cold front sags south on Thursday into increasingly moist atmosphere precipitation chances will further increase across the area. Locally heavy rainfall is possible particularly during the afternoon and evening. Maximum temperatures will be held down with values remaining mostly in the middle to upper 80s.

As the cold front sinks farther south on Friday probability of precipitation will be on the decline especially across south Georgia. Thicknesses will drop and northeast flow will bridge the front keeping maximum temperatures in the middle to upper 80s. Minimum temperatures will drop into the lower 70s away from Atlantic coast where onshore flow will keep readings in the middle to upper 70s.

For more information visit NWS/JAX at http://www.srh.noaa.gov/jax/

Thought for Today...

“Humor is always based on a modicum of truth. Have you ever heard a joke about a father-in-law?” Dick Clark 

As long as that trash can is full of beer, we should be fine until the rescue choppers come.

 – Ms. Fix-It  

Today's WX Outlook...

“Weather forecast for tonight: dark. Continued dark overnight, with widely scattered light by morning.”

Weather Underground

...Increasing Rain Chances Over The Next Few Days...

Plan your trip Local Radar Detailed Forecast

Today: Variable cloudiness. A chance of showers and thunderstorms in the morning .then showers and thunderstorms likely in the afternoon. Highs in the lower 90s. East winds 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 60 %.

Tonight: Mostly cloudy with a 30 % chance of showers and thunderstorms in the evening then partly cloudy after midnight. Lows in the lower 70s. Southeast winds 5 to 10 mph.

Scattered to numerous showers and thunderstorms are expected this afternoon and evening across
the area. gusty winds and lightning will be the primary threats.Locally heavy rainfall amounts of over
2 inches are possible due to the slow storm motion.  

Today's Pollen Level: 1.8 Low( out of 12): Predominate Pollen, grass.  
Area forecast details: deep south to southwest flow over the Gulf of Mexico on the east side of 
Alex continues to pump
moisture into the Gulf Coast states. 
TUTT low evident on water vapor
 imagery just northeast of the Bahamas with swath
 of dry air on the 
 west periphery. Surface front 
extends from the Ohio Valley to Arkansas. Scattered to broken middle
 and high cloudiness blankets 
 much of the area this morning. 

Temperatures are generally in the middle 70s with light winds. 
The slowly approaching cold front 
 from the north, increasing
deep layer moisture across the area 
and instability will increase 
 probability of precipitation over the next several days. 

Probability of precipitation will still be mostly diurnal in nature although activity will probably start 
earlier and end later each
 day. Will need to keep watching the dry and subsident area around 
TUTT low as it creeps toward our east zones on
Thursday but models seem to suggest it should 
 remain offshore. Locally heavy rainfall is possible during this period as 
models forecast precipitable 
water to increase to nearly 2.5 inches by Wednesday  night and Thursday.   

Temperatures will be on 
 the decline over the next several days due to slowly lowering thicknesses 
as well as thick cloud
cover and precipitation. Highs in the lower 90s today and Wednesday will be 
highly dependent on 
breaks in cloud cover.
For more information visit NWS/JAX at http://www.srh.noaa.gov/jax/

Notice...

For the next few days posting will be minimal to non-existent…

My old computer set-up is near 8 years old and just can't keep up anymore (not to mention it is getting real persnickety). So over the next couple of days will be setting up a new system. Still not state of the art, but a vast improvement on the current rig and more than adequate…

I shall return…

Thought for Today...

“Politics should be limited in scope to war, protection of property, and the occasional precautionary beheading of a member of the ruling class.”

P.J. O'Rourke

Today's WX Outlook: Thursday

Weather Underground

"Weather forecast for tonight: dark. Continued dark overnight, with widely scattered light by morning."

George Carlin

Plan your trip Local Radar Detailed Forecast

Today: Mostly sunny early in the morning, then partly cloudy. A slight chance of showers and thunderstorms mainly in the afternoon. Highs in the mid 90s. East winds 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 20 %. Heat index readings 101 to 105.

Tonight: Partly cloudy with a 20 % chance of showers and thunderstorms in the evening, then mostly clear after midnight. Patchy fog after midnight. Lows in the lower 70s. Southeast winds 5 mph.

Isolated showers and thunderstorms are expected this afternoon over inland areas. Gusty winds and lightning will be the primary threats.

Above normal temperatures will lead to heat index readings near 105 degrees during the afternoon. Use extra caution while outside today.

Today's pollen level: 3.2-Low Medium (on a scale of 1to12): predominate pollen: Grass

Forecast Details: water vapor imagery shows drier air continuing to move into the area with precipitable waters down to 1.36 in our southern most counties and gradually increases to 1.6 over our northern Georgia counties. West Coast sea breeze will collide with the East Coast sea breeze probably after 5pm near I-75. Suwannee Valley has the highest chance for probability of precipitation this afternoon, around 30%. Otherwise probability of precipitation will remain in the 10-20% range. Highs today will be in the upper 90s inland with lower to middle 90s along the coast. Heat indices near 105 degrees will be possible inland. Clear skies tonight with patchy late night fog possible and min temperatures in the lower 70s inland and upper 70s along the coast.

For more weather information go to NWS/JAX at http://www.srh.noaa.gov/jax/

Whole Roast Pig ...

Ever wanted to go to a Pig Roast? You know whole pig falling off the bone…

In my time I've been to a couple, mostly using the "Cuban Method" in the post below, a couple in a "Caja China" which is a wooden box with coals on top and once in a bit wrapped in wet burlap with seasoning and veggies, buried and left to cook for about 12 hours (natures crock pot). Never had one on a spit like in the second post.

Also included is post for some sauce recipes for the finished pork…

(Warning…if you're used to buying your meat in the handy little shrink-wrapped packages at the market, you may find some of the photo's in these articles not to your taste. Don't say I didn't warn you…)

Okay, Cuban Backyard style click here…

On a spit click here…

And Three Sauces click here…

If you decide to have a pig roast send me an email and an invite, please…

Enjoy…

Today In Florida ...

• 1881: The City of Hawthorne was incorporated today.
• 1938: Marineland, then called Marine Studios, opened today near St. Augustine. More than 30,000 tourists, scientists and photographers attended

Thought for Today...

”People sleep peaceably in their beds at night only because rough men stand ready to do violence on their behalf.”

George Orwell

Today's WX Outlook:Wednesday ...

Weather Underground

"Weather forecast for tonight: dark. Continued dark overnight, with widely scattered light by morning."

George Carlin

..Above Normal Temperatures And Below Normal Rain Chances...

Plan your trip Local Radar Detailed Forecast

Today: Patchy fog early in the morning. Mostly sunny in the morning...then partly cloudy with a 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms in the afternoon. Highs in the mid 90s. East winds 5 to 10 mph. Heat index readings 100 to 104.

Tonight: Partly cloudy with a 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms in the evening...then mostly clear after midnight. Patchy fog after midnight. Lows in the lower 70s. Southeast winds 5 to 10 mph.

Isolated showers and thunderstorms are expected this afternoon over inland areas. Gusty winds and lightning will be the primary threats.

Above normal temperatures may lead to heat index readings just over 100 degrees during the afternoon. Use extra caution while outside today.

Today's pollen level: 3.2-Low Medium (on a scale of 1to12): predominate pollen: Grass

Forecast Details: the drier airmass and subsidence over the area will lead to low rain chances. Only 10-20% chances today with the best chances inland during the afternoon as the East Coast sea breezes pushes inland. Merger with West Coast sea breeze expected west of I-75. Maximum temperatures will push into the middle 90s inland and near 90 at the coast. Heat indices near 102 are possible. Tonight any left over showers or thunderstorm will be short-lived in the evening west of I-75 over the County Warning Area. Patchy fog possible over northeast Florida toward early morning hours.

Synopsis...a strong middle and upper level ridge is located over southern Continental U.S. with the axis across Georgia and South Carolina. Flow aloft is northeast to east and low-levels show ridge axis is over Georgia with low level flow light from the southeast and south. Much further south of the area a tropical wave near 73w in the Caribbean Sea is moving west around 10-15 mph with associated scattered convection. Skies are mostly clear per satellite imagery with patchy fog likely to develop over the forecast area through sunrise due to light winds and sufficient surface moisture. 24 hour changes show temperatures and dew-points are warmer than yesterday due to the influence of subsidence and high pressure.

For more weather information go to NWS/JAX at http://www.srh.noaa.gov/jax/

Quorumex, From Mother Natures Kitchen in Belize…

Allison Adonizio, ethnobotanist post-doc from Harvard and John McAfee, of the computer anti-virus fame think they've discovered the next great antibiotic in the jungles of Belize. It's all-natural. It's unpatentable. It's untested. And thanks to our business of medicine, it's not coming to America. it's called Quorumex...

"It grows wild along the shores of the New River, among the Mayan ruins of Lamanai, next to the lilies that are home to little yellow birds that skip across the pads. Inside Belizean plants used for generations by native healers, a suite of chemicals produce a natural "anti-quorum sensing" effect that interrupts bacteria's ability to communicate. And bacteria that can't communicate don't go pathogenically virulent…"

Read the whole story here ….

Thought for Today...

“The idealists who fill the ranks of the environmental movement seem willing to do absolutely anything to save the biosphere, except take science courses and learn something about it.”

P.J.O'Rourke

Today's WX Outlook: Tuesday...

Weather Underground

"Weather forecast for tonight: dark. Continued dark overnight, with widely scattered light by morning."

George Carlin

Plan your trip Local Radar Detailed Forecast

Today: Partly cloudy. A slight chance of showers and thunderstorms late in the morning. A chance of showers and thunderstorms in the afternoon. Highs in the mid 90s. Southeast winds 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 50 %. Heat index readings 99 to 103.

Tonight: Partly cloudy. A 20 % chance of showers and thunderstorms in the evening. Lows in the lower 70s. East winds 5 mph.

Scattered thunderstorms are expected today with the most coverage across the inland areas. An isolated thunderstorm may be strong with gusty winds, frequent lightning and locally heavy rain. Storms will be moving northwest around 10 mph.

Today's pollen level: 2.2-Low (on a scale of 1to12): predominate pollen: Grass

Forecast Details: models show middle and upper level low-pressure system over the western Florida Panhandle to shift westward while deep layer moisture shifts west-northwest over the forecast area. Models are in good agreement showing the surface ridge axis staying north of the area and indicate the best upward vertical velocity over the interior and southeast Georgia area. Expect the East Coast sea breeze and low-level moisture convergence to support isolated to scattered convection by late morning and early afternoon and push inland during the afternoon. Generally have probability of precipitation increase from south to north with 50-60% possible over northern zones and 40-50% over southern zones. Maximum temperatures in the middle 90s inland and around 90 near the coast due to early East Coast sea breeze. Tonight isolated evening convection should end fairly early across the western zones.

Spotters are requested to Self-Activate if Warnings are issued.

For more weather information go to NWS/JAX at http://www.srh.noaa.gov/jax/

Theology 101…

Comparative religion in a nutshell…

Taoism: Sh*t happens, go with the flow.

Hare Krishna: Sh*t happens Rama Rama Ding Ding.

Hinduism: This sh*t has happened before.

Islam: Sh*t happening is the will of Allah.

Zen: What is the sound of sh*t happening?

Existentialism: Sh*t doesn't happen; sh*t is.

Buddhism: When sh*t happens, is it really sh*t?

Confucianism: Confucius says, "Sh*t happens".

7th day Adventist: Sh*t happens on Saturdays.

Protestantism: Sh*t won't happen if you work harder.

Catholicism: If sh*t happens, you deserved it.

Jehovah's Witnesses: No sh*t happens until Armageddon, and it won't happen to us.

Unitarian: What is this sh*t?

Mormon: Sh*t happens again & again & again.

Judaism: Why does this sh*t always happen to us?

Pentecostalism: Praise the Lord! There is no sh*t!

New Age: Sh*t happens and it happens to smell good if you open your heart to it.

Rastafarianism: Let's smoke this sh*t.

Your Tax Dollar ...

“Why does a slight tax increase cost you two hundred dollars and a substantial tax cut save you thirty cents?”

Peg Bracken

Here's an interesting graphic that breaks down where your Alachua County tax dollar goes and what it pays for. Check it out at:

http://alachuacounty.us/Depts/Communications/PublishingImages/budgetbillboard6.jpg

First day of summer…

It's official, despite what the recent heat wave may have you believing today is the first day of summer. AKA… The Summer Solstice, the longest day of day light this year. Like

14hours 57minutes of visible light on a 14hour 03minute day.

Today In Florida ...

• 1846 The first issue of the Whig Banner was published today in Palatka. The Whig Banner was the first newspaper published in that city.
• 1884 John Wellborn Martin, the 24th governor of Florida, was born today in Marion County. (For more information, see entries for January 6 and February 22.)
• 1887 The City of Welaka was incorporated by the Florida Legislature today.
• 1918 Ralph Rubin, a Cocoa man, was credited with discovering a German spy on a train as he came home on his first leave from service.
• 1982 The Florida Senate, meeting in special session, declined to ratify the Equal Rights Amendment.

This Weeks WX Outlook ...

Monday: Showers and thunderstorms likely, mainly after 2pm. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 91. South-southeast wind between 3 and 7 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70%.

Monday Night: Showers and thunderstorms likely, mainly before 8pm. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 71. East-southeast wind around 5 mph becoming calm. Chance of precipitation is 60%.

Tuesday: Showers and thunderstorms likely, mainly after 2pm. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 93. Calm wind becoming east southeast between 5 and 8 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%.

Tuesday Night: Showers and thunderstorms likely, mainly before 8pm. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 71. East wind between 4 and 7 mph becoming calm. Chance of precipitation is 60%.

Wednesday: A 30 % chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly after 2pm. Partly cloudy, with a high near 94. Calm wind becoming east between 5 and 8 mph.

Wednesday Night: A 30 % chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly before 8pm. Partly cloudy, with a low around 72.

Thursday: A 30 % chance of showers and thunderstorms after 8am. Partly cloudy, with a high near 93.

Thursday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 73.

Friday: A 30 % chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly cloudy, with a high near 93.

Friday Night: A 20 % chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly cloudy, with a low around 73.

Scattered thunderstorms are expected each afternoon and evening with the most coverage across the inland areas. Strong storms are possible with frequent lightning and locally heavy rain.

Forecast Details:

Synopsis... pattern of weak low-pressure surface/aloft continues over the area this morning. Short wave along the northeast Gulf Coast forecast to move west. Weather pattern will gradually change over the next 48 hours as upper trough fills and is replaced by a weak ridge just north of the area. At the surface the high-pressure ridge that has been just south of the area will shift north and be over the northeast Florida by this afternoon and north of the area Tuesday/Wednesday.

Short Term… Monday, afternoon convection will be widespread, initiating along the sea breezes and also south of weakening frontal boundary to the north and then overspreading the area as the sea breezes/outflows interact. Middle level impulses rotating around the upper high will also help enhance activity. Main concerns will be lighting and locally heavy rain of 2+ inches. Have gone with likely probability of precipitation most areas today. Have kept probability of precipitation along most immediate coastal areas around 50% but a few storms may even make it to the coast late this afternoon/evening especially JAX north.

Tuesday/Wednesday as the ridge moves north of the area, the flow becomes more predominately onshore that will bring the possibility of isolated coastal showers in the morning with thunderstorms becoming more widespread inland during the afternoons. Temperatures will warm slightly over the interior sections, with temperatures near normal near the Atlantic coast.

Long term... tropical wave moves well south of the area Thursday/Friday taking much of the moisture with it. With the exception of the southern zones that will see a decease in probability of precipitation Thursday/Friday as an area of subsidence north of the wave moves into the area. Have gone with probability of precipitation increasing again to 30-40% next weekend. Temperatures will be above normal across the inland areas.

Today's Thought ...

“You can't get good chinese takeout in China and cuban cigars are rationed in Cuba. That's all you need to know about communism.”

P.J.O'Rourke

WX Outlook: Monday...

Weather Underground

"Weather forecast for tonight: dark. Continued dark overnight, with widely scattered light by morning."

George Carlin

Plan your trip Local Radar Detailed Forecast

...Scattered To Numerous Storms This Afternoon And Heat Indices 100 To 103 Inland Areas This Afternoon...

Today: Partly cloudy with chance of showers and thunderstorms in the morning, then mostly cloudy with showers and thunderstorms likely in the afternoon. Highs in the lower 90s. Southeast winds 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 70 %.

Tonight: Partly cloudy. A 20 % chance of showers and thunderstorms in the evening. Lows in the lower 70s. East winds 5 mph in the evening becoming light.

High temperatures in the lower to mid 90s inland will push heat indices again to 100 to 103 degrees this afternoon. Exercise extreme caution when outdoors.

Scattered to numerous storms are expected to develop today mainly during the afternoon and evening as the sea breezes begin to develop and progress inland. Some storms may be strong and produce frequent cloud to ground lightning, strong and gusty winds and locally heavy rainfall of over 2 inches. This heavy rainfall may cause local flooding of low lying or poor drainage areas.

Today's pollen level: 0.8-Low (on a scale of 1to12): predominate pollen: Grass and Oak.

Forecast Details: afternoon convection will be widespread, initiating along the sea breezes and also south of weakening frontal boundary to the north and then overspreading the area as the sea breezes/outflows interact. Middle level impulses rotating around the upper high will also help enhance activity. Main concerns will be lighting and locally heavy rain of 2+ inches. Have gone with likely probability of precipitation most areas today. Have kept probability of precipitation along most immediate coastal areas around 50% but a few storms may even make it to the coast late this afternoon/evening especially JAX north.

Spotters are requested to Self-Activate if Warnings are issued.

For more weather information go to NWS/JAX at http://www.srh.noaa.gov/jax/