High Wind Forecast

High Wind Warnings have been posted for portions of the NEWS7 viewing area. A strong and fast moving cold front, will move through the area tonight, kicking up winds in its wake. Isolated thunderstorms are also possible along the boundary. The recent string of warm days will come to an end by tomorrow.

Some gusts tonight could top 50mph. NOW is a good time to tie down anything that you have outdoors like trashcans and lawn chairs. Bring them inside if you can. NOW is the time to prepare and protect your property.

It was only a year ago another strong cold front barreled through the area bringing damaging winds. On February 10, 2008 the cold front caused winds in excess of 60mph all over the NEWS7 viewing area. Here were some of the gust reports:

Hot Springs: 74mph; Fairfield: 75mph; Christiansburg: 70mph; Roanoke (WDBJ studios): 67mph. For a complete list, visit this NWS site: http://www.erh.noaa.gov/rnk/events/2008/Feb10-11Winds_Wildfires/KRNKPNSRNK_20080211_1619.txt

This high wind event also helped fuel many wildfires across the region. Over 8,200 acres burned in the NEWS7 coverage area. There were about 200 wildfires throughout Virginia.

Every year, the National Weather Service in Blacksburg releases a "Top 5" list of weather events for our area. In 2008, that High Wind event was listed as number one!

So learn from recent history. Prepare for tonight's gusty winds. We'll stay windy into Thursday as well!

Winter Continues! (or does it?)

At 7:30 this morning, Punxsutawney Phil was removed from his hole in the ground by handlers John Griffiths and Ben Hughes. Phil's forecast: 6 more weeks of winter weather!

Legend has it that if Phil sees his shadow on February 2, there will be six more weeks of winter weather. If he doesn't, expect an early spring.

Groundhog Day is a tradition in the small Pennsylvania town of Punxsutawney. It dates back to the 1880s. Over the years, Phil has seen his shadow 98 times. 15 years he has not. So, is Phil good at his job? In a word: NO. He is only accurate about 39% of the time. Ouch!

This morning, while most of Pennsylvania was still celebrating the Steelers victory in Super Bowl XLIII, the weather was 29-degrees with overcast skies on "Gobbler's Knob" when Phil made his prediction.

So, for another year, Phil will retreat to his climate-controlled home at the Punxsutawney Library eating his favorite diet - dog food and ice cream - only to return next February with his furry forecast.

Highly Trained Weather Boys

Recently, our promotion and art departments got together with the SkyTracker 7 Meteorologists for a photo shoot. You'll probably be seeing a lot of fresh shots of us in the coming weeks - so here's a preview. I may have lost 23 pounds the last year, but that 6 year old suit still looks good!

Merry Christmas from the Webb Family

The trees are up (that's right, we have two), the stockings are hung (even the dog has one), and the Christmas cards have been addressed and stamped (but not sent yet). It's Christmas time at the Webbs! My wife has done an excellent job decorating and keeping the house smelling like fresh cookies this year. Today she bought two 5-foot pre-lit Christmas trees to upgrade from our old 4-foot trees which greet guests at our front door. Maybe I'll get around to rigging them up this weekend. Happy Holidays from the Webbs. Here's to a great 2009! --Jay, Sarah, Parker and Niles

Ready For Some Action!

Don't get me wrong. I really enjoy snow. Notice I didn't say I "love" it. The problem is, in my business you rarely get to enjoy snow. A snow storm can mean a solid 24, 36 or 48 hours at work. But this year - I'm ready! We're overdue for a big one. Forget these little "skiffs" of snow we've had the last few years. Forget the ice. I'm talking about SNOW! In one shot, I want at least six to eight inches of snow; if not more.

The last "big one" in my book goes back to early January 1996. I was a student at Emory & Henry College then. Emory prided itself for never cancelling classes. That happened with this storm. I remember walking across the snow-covered campus the night the snow started. It was beautiful. I remember how quiet it was, until the old trees on campus started to fall under the weight of the snow. You could hear people scream as huge branches nearly struck them. Minus that - it was an awesome snow!

All-time snowfall records were achieved from Virginia, to New Jersey, New York and Pennsylvania. Roanoke reported around two-feet of snow! The storm was classic. Low pressure over the Gulf of Mexico rode up the Atlantic seaboard, while high pressure to the north channeled in cold air. The eastern U.S. was paralyzed by the storm. Interstates were closed. Air travel was haulted.

I bring all this up because it's November. Folks are already asking when the first snow is coming. Will it be a snowy winter? Will we have one 'big one' or several small ones? These are all questions that will be answered in the coming months; but just know that if you're a snow lover - here's at least one meteorologist who's cheering for snow - even if it means working long hours with my weather buddies here at the station!

Trick or Treat

Going "Home"

Do you ever have one of those weekends that's over in the blink of an eye? Since I work weekends, that rarely happens for me; however, next weekend my wife and I are going to our Alma mater, Emory & Henry College for Homecoming. It's hard to believe it's been nine years since we graduated! If you've never been there, Emory is a beautiful campus. This time of the year is especially nice with the autumn color and crisp fall air. It was truly a wonderful school. I received a solid education there, and met some great friends. While next weekend will probably be over in the blink of an eye, I'm going to enjoy it... thoroughly! Have a great week! --Jay