Shortly after 1pm on December 3, 2012, thermometers rose to 69 degrees in Rockford.  This replaces the old record high of 65 degrees from 1970. What’s even more astonishing is the fact that Monday’s 69 degree reading was the warmest temperature EVER recorded in Rockford in December!  The previous warmest December temperature was 67 degrees set on December 5, 2001.

Posted under 13 Climate Authority, BBQ Alert, climate/climate change, heat wave, record weather, statistics, weather

Since Thanksgiving always falls on the 4th Thursday in November and not on a particular date, it is impossible to pinpoint weather averages for the holiday.  However, we do have a general ballpark figure.  The end of November usually comes with high temperatures in the lower 40s across our region.  This year, Thanksgiving falls on November 22.  The average high on this date is 44 degrees and the average low is 27 degrees. 

Mild weather has a grip on the center part of the nation, including Rockford.  High temperatures for the holiday are poised to be over 15 degrees above average! Current trends have us touching 60 degrees and perhaps a degree or two more on Thursday.  Looking back in the history books, Rockford has only had a high temperature at or above 60 degrees 5 times.  And many of us have not witnessed a Thanksgiving so warm.  The last time we broke that 60 degree mark was on November 24, 1966!

Will we have a BBQ Alert on Thanksgiving?  I’ll let Eric make that call!

-Joe

Posted under 13 Climate Authority, BBQ Alert, record weather, statistics, weather

The addendum to the official BBQ Alert guide says I can issue an official proclamation only on specified holidays. Now, I am in search for a good turkey-grilling recipe. If someone can figure out how to BBQ a turkey, be sure to let me know. You can post it on the 13 Weather Authority Facebook page. Link to the right.

I do know for a fact that Tyler, Texas based “Greenberg Smoked Turkeys” does smoked turkeys quite well…I spent many a Thanksgiving there early in my career.

As far as the nation’s airports go, we’ve got no big problems right now. According to the data at 6pm from the FAA, only Boston and San Francisco are seeing significant delays. There was a storm system bringing rain and inland snows to the Northeast. That has since moved off the Atlantic coast.

Have a happy Thanksgiving!

Posted under BBQ Alert, news

Check this out! Futuretrack is showing a distance of 1,520 miles between storm systems! This means we’ll have a gorgeous weekend with abundant sunshine. As the low over Utah heads into Minnesota by Saturday (yeah, that low sure is a scooter) we’ll increase the wind quite a bit. While a few models have a shower dotting our skies on Sunday, I am going to continue favoring a dry forecast.

Posted under BBQ Alert

On 13News at Six, I invited one and all to submit your favorite BBQ recipes.

As I get them in, I will post below. My apologies if the weather-purists are upset that the Friday blog post gets a little lengthy. I’m very hungry. -ES

DR PEPPER RIBS (by Jimmy)
Make this sauce throw ribs on the grill and reapply as necessary

Posted under BBQ Alert

During my “dinner break” (appropriate tonight), I headed to the Winnebago County Fair in Pecatonica. Lemme tell ya, I HAVE to have a pork chop sandwich from the Stephenson County Pork Producers tent at their fair. At the Winnebago County Fair, I’ve got to visit with Allen and Sharon Ferling who run Burritt Meat Products. If you’re lost, just look for someone in a pig costume…then you’ll know you’re in the right place. They get only a few hours of sleep each night of the fair because they serve breakfast in the morning and then grill all day for fairgoers.

From jambalaya to hamburgers and hotdogs, Philly cheesesteaks to ribs, they’ve got it and lemme tell ya, IT’S GOOD! It’s so good they go through 1,700 pork chops, 1,100 servings of pulled pork, 850 hamburgers, and 32 slabs of ribs all cooked using nearly a ton of Kingsford Charcoal. Now that’s a serious BBQ Alert! -ES

Posted under BBQ Alert, event

If temperatures dip to 57° tonight, it’ll be the coolest night since July 2nd! Clear skies, dry air, and high pressure are just a few things to thank for the cool weather tonight and Friday.

It’ll also be gorgeous for Friday and you know what that means: BARBEQUE ALERT! However, before we go out and celebrate let’s take hold of a more threatening forecast for next week. It appears our luck will run out very quickly.

I am becoming more concerned about severe weather and flooding rains that may occur repeatedly Sunday through next Thursday. This pattern is one that could bring some weekly totals in excess of 6 inches! Something no one wants to hear for sure, especially for areas that are in the midst of a huge clean up from weeks of rain. We’ll be on the edge of a dome of  high pressure setting up a near-perfect scenario for additional flooding rains and damaging thunderstorms here with triple digit heat not too far to the southwest. Going to be an interesting week to be sure…stay tuned! -ES

p.s. Another odd post from yours truly that deserves three tags at once: BBQ Alert, flooding, and severe weather.

Posted under BBQ Alert, flooding, severe weather

You may have noticed my absence in the weather center last week. I had the opportunity to utilize the fantastic AeroMexico non-stop flight from Rockford to Cancun. What a wonderful thing it was to go directly from home. The flights/packages are VERY reasonable for anyone. In fact, I am going to cut out some of the fast-food and plan for another trip this fall/next winter. Some highlights: monkeys, friendly people, great food, wonderful beaches, warm water, and of course a few sips of tequila.
Photo1: VW’s are very popular. You can walk up to this one and get food!
Photo2 (right): Downtown Playa del Carmen. The Royal Resort on the right.
Photo3: Yours truly at the Rockford airport before the flight to Mexico.
Photo4: On the beach in downtown Playa del Carmen.
Photo5: The first time I’ve ever seen monkeys in the wild. Wild!
Photo6: On Cozumel Island there is a very tall lighthouse. For a small fee you can go up and it’s worth it! The view was one of the most beautiful I’ve seen.
Photo7: Nothing like seeing my hometown on the airport board in CUN!
Photo8: The red flag means you can’t get in the water because of waves/rips but the chase lounges are okay in the meantime.

Posted under BBQ Alert

In a fall where below average temperatures were the rule, we have fianlly been able to top the 70 degree mark. I did a little digging, and in fact, with the exception of one warm October day, we have not hit 70 degrees for 40 days! Pretty much all of the stateline was able to get in on the warmth today with most locations hovering right around 70 this afternoon. Sunday looks to be warm as well with highs in the upper 60′s, so make sure you get out and enjoy it!

Posted under BBQ Alert, weather

BREAKING NEWS: The 13 Weather Authority has issued a Barbeque Alert that will remain in effect through Saturday afternoon. Watch for rapidly cooking meats during the late afternoon along with flaming marshmallows over open fires at night. Watch for anyone doing any work in the kitchen and warn them of the dangerous consequences. Again, a BBQ Alert is in effect through Saturday.

Posted under BBQ Alert