How is the weather?

[DavidW]

Hurricane forecasts are a great practical example to show my students the importance of presenting uncertainty with measurements. 

[Pohjolas Daughter]

@krummholz Hope that you don't get inundated yet again. 

I've been lucky to have been sheltered from the storm.  Just twenty miles away there has been flooding.  And then, as I'm sure everyone knows by now, the low country took a pounding.

Glad that you're o.k.  Any idea how much rain fell in your area?  And any tornado watches in your area; I just turned on the Weather Channel, so am trying to catch up.

PD

[Pohjolas Daughter]

Hurricane forecasts are a great practical example to show my students the importance of presenting uncertainty with measurements. 

Trust that you are including death and taxes in your measurements?

PD

[DavidW]

@krummholz Hope that you don't get inundated yet again.  :(Glad that you're o.k.  Any idea how much rain fell in your area?  And any tornado watches in your area; I just turned on the Weather Channel, so am trying to catch up.

PD

Only like 3 inches total, and no tornadoes to worry about here, there is not even any wind. And the storm is passing through my neck of the woods right now.

[krummholz]

The remnants of Debby are here, and they are overachieving *massively* compared to forecasts so far. Last night's NWS forecast was for up to 0.25" of rain. Overnight we received 36mm - well over 1". We are in an area covered by a Flood Watch, but only because soils here are already saturated, not because of expectations of excessive rainfall. I don't know how much has fallen so far in nearby Barre, but given how devastated the city is already, it wouldn't take much to create another flood emergency there.

I'm in no danger whatever from flooding, being on high ground well away from the floodplain, and the Dog River itself rarely floods (last time was July 2023 and it was minor compared to other area rivers). I am concerned, though, about topsoil on the hillside that begins in my landlords' backyard loosening enough to bring down a large tree that overhangs my apartment. Treefalls are getting more and more common in that forest, and their tree WILL come down someday - it's a matter of when, not if.

[Pohjolas Daughter]

The remnants of Debby are here, and they are overachieving *massively* compared to forecasts so far. Last night's NWS forecast was for up to 0.25" of rain. Overnight we received 36mm - well over 1". We are in an area covered by a Flood Watch, but only because soils here are already saturated, not because of expectations of excessive rainfall. I don't know how much has fallen so far in nearby Barre, but given how devastated the city is already, it wouldn't take much to create another flood emergency there.

I'm in no danger whatever from flooding, being on high ground well away from the floodplain, and the Dog River itself rarely floods (last time was July 2023 and it was minor compared to other area rivers). I am concerned, though, about topsoil on the hillside that begins in my landlords' backyard loosening enough to bring down a large tree that overhangs my apartment. Treefalls are getting more and more common in that forest, and their tree WILL come down someday - it's a matter of when, not if.

Would some judicious pruning of said tree make much of a difference?  Trees are great for a number of reasons (including shade), but can cause big problems when they come down; I know.

Knock-on-wood, so far anyway, we've avoided most of the heaviest of the rains, but more expected this afternoon and tonight.

Wonder how @T. D.  is faring?

PD

[NumberSix]

Temp 65/18 here, aiming to a high of 75/23. 

[Pohjolas Daughter]

Temp 65/18 here, aiming to a high of 75/23. 

Sounds wonderful!    Are you up in the foothills or mountains or on the plains?

Relatively cool here at the moment though with Deborah coming to pay us a visit, it's supposed to get increasingly muggy.  Bleh!  As long she's here for a short and calm visit, I'll be happy.  I did turn up (down really) the temp in my chest freezer somewhat--just in case the power goes out.

PD

[NumberSix]

Sounds wonderful!    Are you up in the foothills or mountains or on the plains?

Relatively cool here at the moment though with Deborah coming to pay us a visit, it's supposed to get increasingly muggy.  Blah!  As long she's here for a short and calm visit, I'll be happy.  I did turn up (down really) the temp in my chest freezer somewhat--just in case the power goes out.

PD

I'm on the north side of Denver, in the city, so not up in the hills. It's been terrifically hot in the last month or two, just as it has been everywhere, so it's pleasant to have a few days of reasonable temperature in the middle of August. I suspect it won't stay this way.

[Pohjolas Daughter]

I'm on the north side of Denver, in the city, so not up in the hills. It's been terrifically hot in the last month or two, just as it has been everywhere, so it's pleasant to have a few days of reasonable temperature in the middle of August. I suspect it won't stay this way.

Yup, cities are hot!  At least it's dry there (vs. humid)--though that has its own problems.

PD

p.s.  Getting a bit hairy around here...as in the winds have picked up quite a bit; tornado watch 'til late this evening.   

[krummholz]

Would some judicious pruning of said tree make much of a difference?  Trees are great for a number of reasons (including shade), but can cause big problems when they come down; I know.

Sounds like you've learned the hard way... sorry.

And yes, pruning is exactly what I hope they'll do. If they resist, I'll suggest it - but I don't want to push too hard on this as housing in VT is extremely tight. If they really won't do anything I'll take the risk, since the alternative is moving back to Michigan.

If the tree comes down it is unlikely to injure me, but could crush the only stairway to the outside and would, of course, render the building uninhabitable.

Knock-on-wood, so far anyway, we've avoided most of the heaviest of the rains, but more expected this afternoon and tonight.

Yes, it looks like most of the rain is well west of us over the Adirondacks. We're just catching some intermittent light showers now, much less than was forecast for today. Tonight is still forecast to be very wet.

Best of luck, stay dry!

[SonicMan46]

Tropical Storm Debby

Well, reporting back from Piedmont, NC - ended up with about 3-4 inches of rain (could have been much worst) - basement remained dry and no power outages - Dave

[Pohjolas Daughter]

Sounds like you've learned the hard way... sorry.

And yes, pruning is exactly what I hope they'll do. If they resist, I'll suggest it - but I don't want to push too hard on this as housing in VT is extremely tight. If they really won't do anything I'll take the risk, since the alternative is moving back to Michigan.

If the tree comes down it is unlikely to injure me, but could crush the only stairway to the outside and would, of course, render the building uninhabitable.

Yes, it looks like most of the rain is well west of us over the Adirondacks. We're just catching some intermittent light showers now, much less than was forecast for today. Tonight is still forecast to be very wet.

Best of luck, stay dry!

Well, maybe think of these factors:  1) Obviously, they don't want damage to one of their properties (I get the sense that they don't live in the same building as you--perhaps I'm wrong?)--repairs aren't cheap even with insurance; 2) That would mean lack of tenant(s?) and lack of income (or lower) for them--not good!  Better for them to be proactive vs. reactive.  Basically, it's maintenance.  And I also suspect that you've been a long-term and a good tenant (pay on time, look after the place, don't cause problems, etc.).    In short, I highly suspect that they are very lucky to have you as a tenant.   

PD

[Pohjolas Daughter]

Tropical Storm Debby

Well, reporting back from Piedmont, NC - ended up with about 3-4 inches of rain (could have been much worst) - basement remained dry and no power outages - Dave

Yay!  Happy for you! 

PD

[krummholz]

Well, maybe think of these factors:  1) Obviously, they don't want damage to one of their properties (I get the sense that they don't live in the same building as you--perhaps I'm wrong?)--repairs aren't cheap even with insurance; 2) That would mean lack of tenant(s?) and lack of income (or lower) for them--not good!  Better for them to be proactive vs. reactive.  Basically, it's maintenance.  And I also suspect that you've been a long-term and a good tenant (pay on time, look after the place, don't cause problems, etc.).    In short, I highly suspect that they are very lucky to have you as a tenant.   

PD

Basically, the problem is denial on their part. The tree has been there for decades, why should it come down now? I've broached the subject with them before - most recently, soon after last July's flooding in fact - and so far they do not seem to take the danger seriously. No they do not live in the same building, mine is a workshed / garage with a converted upper floor. THEY are in no danger at all, physically, if the tree comes down, it will just cause a lot of property damage. I don't think these people think that far ahead, though, they're very laid back about pretty much everything.

And yes, I always pay my rent on time - it's set up via electronic banking so I couldn't even miss a payment by mistake.

[krummholz]

Tropical Storm Debby

Well, reporting back from Piedmont, NC - ended up with about 3-4 inches of rain (could have been much worst) - basement remained dry and no power outages - Dave

Great news!

[krummholz]

Power is finally stable (so it appears anyway) after 2 hours of on and off. I was blissfully unaware of how much wind there was in town today until I ventured to campus for internet access and saw lots of downed tree limbs and even a broken telephone pole on the side of the highway alongside the university. The area where power outages were expected is farther west, in and west of the Champlain Valley. That expectation reckons without that fact that in much of central Vermont, the electrical infrastructure is ready to fall apart at the drop of a hat. And it appears that this wind event was a little more than that.

[Pohjolas Daughter]

Power is finally stable (so it appears anyway) after 2 hours of on and off. I was blissfully unaware of how much wind there was in town today until I ventured to campus for internet access and saw lots of downed tree limbs and even a broken telephone pole on the side of the highway alongside the university. The area where power outages were expected is farther west, in and west of the Champlain Valley. That expectation reckons without that fact that in much of central Vermont, the electrical infrastructure is ready to fall apart at the drop of a hat. And it appears that this wind event was a little more than that.

More tax money to cover more tree trimming...or??? 

PD

[krummholz]

More tax money to cover more tree trimming...or??? 

PD

Considering that much of the length of the power lines here runs along cuts through nearly inaccessible forest, that's not likely to happen anytime soon. Vermonters are already facing a 14% hike in property taxes this coming year to make up shortfalls in public education funding.

[DavidW]

When I think the bad weather is over... the forecast for today says, "Humid with clouds and sunshine; a heavy thunderstorm this afternoon; storms can bring flooding downpours."