Dennis Wrap-Up
* The worst of Dennis is over around here. The center of circulation is moving north, and all of the precipitation is north of the center - across northern and central Alabama, north of our area. I believe sunrise tomorrow will show that rural parts of southwest Alabama were hit harder than is known right now. We'll see....We'll also be watching for flooding problems across west Alabama.* How great is the VIPIR system? We were fortunate to have had the chance to use the system on a trial basis yesterday during our coverage of Hurricane Dennis. If you liked the new look, be sure to leave a comment and let us know! Hopefully with enough good response from you, we can make some upgrades in our weather department. While I'm thinking about it...
* Radar here is a problem. We are "in between" National Weather Service radars. Three radars are near us - Mobile, Jackson, and Birmingham. The problem is found in the way that radar works. Radar sends out a beam, and that beam rises higher and higher above the ground as you go away from the radar. By being so far away from ANY radar, we often can't see things in the lowest levels of the atmosphere. That's a big problem, because tornadoes form in these lowest levels!
* Tropical Depression 5 formed last night in the Atlantic. The official NHC forecast calls for the TD to become Tropical Storm Emily, and eventually strengthens the system into a hurricane. The forecast track from NHC takes Emily in the general direction of the U.S. No rest for the weary....
posted by WTOK Weather Staff @ 2:17 AM
19 Comments:
The VIPIR system seemed to be great! You are also correct about the radar in this area! Meridian has always been in the clear (while we were being blown away). I live north of Meridian and by the time a warning is issued, it is on top of us!
The VIPIR system was outstanding. I hope WTOK keeps this excellant weather tool. This type of radar will save lives in our area due to its excellant ability to track dangerous storms.
Bring on the VIPIR!!!
VIPIR made the hurricane coverage fantastic yesterday. Not that the weather and news people aren't good, but the VIPIR is such a great tool! I think VIPIR would really help with covering storms.
Just wanted to drop you guys a quick line about coverage during Dennis. The VIPIR radar package that was used during coverage was fantastic. I live just east of Meridian so I was paying extra close attention to the coverage. This radar would be a great tool for severe weather coverage. It would be a valuable assest on evenings like Nov. 10th, 2002.
The Hurricane Dennis coverage yesterday and last night was excellent! I really hope WTOK will be able to keep the VIPIR system. It makes it so much easier for the meteorologists to convey to the public where dangerous and threatening storms are located and where they are headed. It will also help save many lives within the coverage area.
I was watching WTOK via internet during the storm coverage. I understand the problem with living between radar sites, and the addition of the VIPIR radar would be great for the area of Meridian. The VIPIR Radar made a great difference in showing the dangers that were in the area, that you wouldn't have seen with the weather service radars. I hope that you keep the VIPIR system.
its about time Meridian got the vipir....we need to hang on to it
I love the new VIPIR system! This is the type of thing that makes (and keeps) WTOK #1. I felt completely up-to-date during Hurricane Dennis. A pat on the back goes out to Josh and the crew, Well Done.
Ronnie Simpkins
Butler, Alabama
Great Coverage last night! The Radar was great. The Vipir was excellent and will really help save many lives. I will definetly watch Channel 11 from now on, when there is severe weather.
Josh and crew,
I would like to see Meridian get the VIPIR weather radar. I think this would be a life saving tool for your station to have for the people in the area. I certainly encourage everyone to support efforts to obtain this up-to-date technology. Thanks to all of you for what you do for the people.
VIPIR! What a great potential life saving tool. I don't see how your meteorologist does with out it. I am a volunteer fireman and I can see this as a great tool for emergency service use in tracking potential life threatening storm cell paths. Early warning is the key to saving lives. Take it "Fireman Joe", VIPIR is a life saving tool that WTOK should provide for its listening audience. Buy it! It's the right thing to do.
JOSH,
THANK YOU AND ALL OF THOSE AT WTOK FOR WANTING TO KEEP PEOPLE UP-TO-DATE ON WEATHER CONDITIONS. I APPRECIATE KNOWING THAT OTHERS ARE CONCERNED FOR OUR SAFETY. I HOPE THAT YOU WILL HAVE A VIPIR RADAR IN THE VERY NEAR FUTURE. I'M SURE OTHERS FEEL THE WAY I DO. THANKS FOR CARING!
denis sucked
VIPIR was wonderful. Great life saving software. WTOK needs to step up and be advanced like other markets.
Josh and the gang,
I watched your streaming coverage for 6 hours, and I must say that the VIPIR display was incredible. It makes me wish that we had it back when we were covering Hurricane Ivan. You all used it and used it well, without getting too crazy with it or doing things that were hard to explain. Kudos to you and the weather team, and anyone who made using VIPIR a possibility. It will definitely have the potential to save lives in the future. It makes me proud to be a part of the WTOK (extended) family!
Derek Kinkade
The VIPIR radar system was excellent for Hurricane Dennis. I look forward to seeing it used in your severe weather coverage in the future, esp. for this Hurricane season.
The VIPIR system is a fantastic piece of technology but it is only as strong as the user. In this case VIPIR, the Meridian viewing area and those of us watching online were in very good hands.
Excellent work, Josh.
Vipir was great and in the proper hands (as it was) can be a very useful tool to keep us all apprised of any danger
Thanks to all a WTOK for helping us get through another one.
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