I was happy to be a presenter (AND I had a blast!) at IBM’s 10th annual “EX.I.T.E” Camp. It’s a 4-day camp for middle school girls, with hands-on activities with technology that keep them motivated and interested in the math, science, technology, and engineering fields (EX.I.T.E. stands for “Exploring Interests in Technology and Engineering”).

During my presentation Monday morning, I talked with the girls about the technology I use to make my forecast, the technology we use here at the station, and how weather forecasting is continuously improving thanks to improvements in the computer world. The girls were able to then give a simulated weather forecast, and we rigged it up so they actually felt as if they were in a studio, on-air!

I enjoy being part of events like this, as I am passionate about girls in science. Thanks to the wonderful young ladies, mentors, and IBM program organizers for a great time this morning, and good luck the rest of the week!

Posted under KTTC, just cool

Storms are popping ahead of a cold front moving through.  We’ve had reports of funnels west of Rochester this afternoon, but no warnings, and no tornadoes, and nothing more than some gullywashers and lightning.

The winds in the atmosphere, along with the slightest amount of instability, have made for the possibility of weak rotation, but that’s where all the good stuff stops (there’s flat out nothing to support tornadoes today).

Look for the front and t-storms to clear the area by later this evening, west to east. Then enjoy the sun and stuff for Wednesday.

For the record, Thursday looks like a fairly decent chance for severe weather, and we are under a slight risk for that day.

Posted under KTTC

4th and 5th graders at Rochester Montessori School

Today I visited Rochester Montessori School and Mrs. Bredemus’s 4th and 5th grade students who just finished learning about weather. What a bright and curious group, even this last week of school! Thanks for having me!

Posted under KTTC, School Visit, Uncategorized, just cool

My new husband and I took our honeymoon in Costa Rica last week, and it was very much like the weather here the week prior to that : warm & humid, and it rained nearly every day, especially toward the end of our trip.

Magically (thankfully?) the clouds parted enough for us to enjoy a sunset over the Pacific on our last night there. The weather the next few days here at home will be somewhat tropical, especially this weekend; I like to think I brought some of it home with me!

Sunset over the Pacific Ocean from Costa Rica, June 5th, 2010

Posted under KTTC, just cool

Tune in Monday at 6:30 pm for our severe weather special, “Precision Alert: When the Sky Turns Dark”. Afterwards, you’ll be able to join us for a live chat!  Check KTTC.com for that from 7:00-7:30pm on Monday. 

If you want an opportunity to see the International Space Station, head out around 8:55pm tonight. Look in the WNW horizon, about 30° above the horizon. It’ll be fairly bright. You’ll also be able to see Venus and the waxing crescent moon tonight – beautiful!

Hope you are enjoying our drier and mild weather. We’ll have more of it for this week, with an outside chance of a shower on Thursday/Friday. The humidity, winds, and 80s look to return for the weekend, with some t-storms looking possible on Sunday. But that’s a whoooooole 7 days out…

Posted under Astronomy, KTTC, just cool

We’re excited to welcome back the Garden Gallery for another year – and we’ll be kicking things off the week of May 17th.

Whether you’re a Garden Guru or Garden Gopher or Garden…Gullible (“But I thought you said rabbits won’t like what I’m growing!”), as long as you’re growing something, you’re eligble.

Send us a photo of your labor of love this season. Then sit back and watch the NewsCenter at 6, Monday through Saturday, to see if you’re a winner. Winners receive a $10 gift certificate from Sargent’s Gardens in Rochester, and will also have their photo on our weatherblog’s Garden Page, along with on air.

For more information on how to send stuff in – click here . Good luck!

Posted under KTTC, gardening

Showers and t-storms have been slow on the move eastward this morning, but they will continue to do so. Rainfall amounts coming in from around Mason City have been about a quarter of an inch, a little heavier than previously expected, but as I mentioned, these guys are slow movers.

Wouldn’t be overly surprised to see some rainfall amounts edge closer to the .40-.50″ amounts by the time the rain’s out of here this afternoon, especially if you get under a heavier shower/t-shower.

These storms aren’t severe here, but a few could teeter on the stronger side, with some pea-sized hail.

Blame it on a warm front near us! Shower chances will back off this evening and overnight, with a warm & breezy Tuesday. With that front hanging out nearby us, t-storm chances will be possible the next couple of days, especially Wednesday. The mild weather stick around for the week.

Posted under KTTC

Tom Sawvell, Rochester

The spring flowers are starting to pop, and so will a lot of other spring-y things this week. Thanks to Tom Sawvell for sending in his picture!

Highs will be back in the mid to upper 60s for Sunday, with lots of sun. We’ll have the 60s and even 70s this next week, but with that will come a bit more active weather, with several chances for some showers and t-showers. For those of you itching for some rollin’ storms, sorry, nothing looks to have much severe potential right now.

Posted under KTTC, spring

To get you ready for severe weather season, and in light of this week being Severe Weather Awareness Week in Iowa (April 19-23 for Minnesota and Wisconsin!), we have a new severe weather awareness section on our blog. Check it out! Just another way to help you prepare for this year’s severe weather.

Posted under KTTC, severe weather

More on the storms that rolled through on Friday, including some damage reports in Iowa. Thanks to the NWS in La Crosse for the link!

No severe weather today, nor tonight or tomorrow. We’ll have a slim shot at some showers or sprinkles overnight, with more clouds than anything.

Aside from dodging some raindrops for the first part of your Easter Sunday morning, look for clouds to break up by the afternoon. Highs should make their way to the lower and middle 60s, with a southwest breeze.

Have a happy Easter!

Posted under Holidays, KTTC, severe weather