So... Mother's Day 2010 ... 51 degrees, WNW winds 20 to 30mph, with gusts to 45mph. I refuse to talk about wind chills in May.

What's the reason? For starters an unusually intense cold front, and an upper level Low over the Northeast, with high pressure building in from Canada into the Great Lakes. You stick a strong Low next to a strong High; you get strong winds. It's called a pressure gradient. It's also called a somewhat bummer of a day for Moms.

Me? I was kinda bummed that I had to work and couldn't hang with Moms who lives a few states away. Then I looked out the window of the train on the way to work and saw a cemetery. There, groups of children and adults brought flowers to graves of Mothers and Grandmothers. You feel me?

We have phones, emails, twitter, facebook, skypes and the good ol' fashion United States Postal Service to tell Mom we love her and appreciate her. Distance doesn't matter, and gosh darn it the cold shouldn't either.

In the meantime, I will try to warm it up a bit in the Five Day.

Yours in Weather,
Chris Knowles

So... back in the Weather Center after some time off. Got to spend time with Mom and Dad, and Grandparents. They are 89 and 90, and will have been married 70 years in September. Amazing.

Hurricane Preparedness Week begins Sunday. Can tropical weather hit us? Surely. Remember Gloria in '85? After coming ashore at the Outer Banks, it made additional landfalls on Long Island and Connecticut. Hurricane season begins June 1st. Hopefully we won't have much to talk about this year.

What did the hurricane say to the other hurricane?
I have my eye on you.

Yours in Weather,
Chris

Who's ready for summer?

Ready or not, temps are creeping up this week. On average, we typically hit the lower 70's for an afternoon high in Central Park. By midweek, we'll be nearly 10 degrees better than that.

This is all leading up to Memorial Day Weekend, or the unoffical start of the summer season. While today marks the start of National Hurricane Preparedness Week, it's also the start of National Safe Boating Week. It's the National Weather Service's way of saying welcome to summer... have a good time... but be safe.

Warmest ever New York Memorial Day? 1942. 92 degrees.

We're still a week away, and I don't know about you, but I'm ready for the warm up.

Yours In Weather,
Chris

Pools are opening, oceans are beckoning and the weather is cooperating. Memorial Day will be quite decent, temps in the 80's -- then maybe a night time shower or a passing t-storm north and west of the City.

My kids spent Sunday at the pool. After slamming down hot dogs and Sponge Bob popsicles, they went home to nap, only to wake up hours later to do it all again. God Bless their mother for dealing with them and their caravan of essentials that must travel wherever they go. Kids are like little hoarders. They must recreate their home setting no matter where they go. Pack rats.

While we're enjoying the awesome weather, let's take a sec to realize why some of us are off Monday. We remember those who died in our country's service, and honor them for it. My grandfather "Jake" fought in World War II. He's nearly 90 and can still remember the names of his friends that made it, and those who did not. Thanks, Pop -- to you and everyone who's served our great nation.

Yours in Weather,
Chris

Pretty awesome weekend as far as weather goes. Yeah, saw a few spot showers move through Monday night. But near record temps and plenty of sun sort of made up for it, I would think.

Saw a bunch of sailors in the City. Bought a few rounds after work to say thank you. It's fun to see these young dudes roll into Gotham for this first time. They see Metropolis a lot differently than we do. Seems like when they see places like Wall Street, Times Square, the Chrysler Building and Central Park; their job takes on a deeper meaning. Look I'm not suggesting that New York is the center of the universe, or that these brave and determined young folk fight for our right to lay claim to the home of the free world. But I think it means something to them to see up close and personal urban American landmarks that they've only previously seen through the eyes of Hollywood.

See, people live here-- American and otherwise -- in the shadows of certain symbols of freedom and liberty. So seamen -- thanks for coming to hang, and thanks for your service. The next one is always on us.

Yours in Weather,
Chris