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9/9/2017

Del Rio Meteorologists Aid Hurricane Forecast Effort As Irma Nears South Florida

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Major Hurricane Irma as of 7PM on Saturday, September 9th, 2017
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8PM Saturday, September 9th, 2017 National Hurricane Center Forecast for Major Hurricane Irma
As Irma's first bands of damaging winds batter Key West, Florida, long-time Del Rio native & National Weather Service contractor - Dale Reed - readies the evening's weather balloon at Del Rio International Airport.  This specific balloon flew as high as 111,460 feet above sea level before bursting roughly 100 minutes later.

Generally, weather balloons are launched twice daily in Del Rio - rain or shine - once in the morning, and once in the evening.  
When inclement weather is expected, weather balloons are also launched mid-day and mid-night.  This was the case for Hurricane Harvey, and now for Hurricane Irma.  Since Del Rio's upper-atmospheric winds blow in a west-to-east direction, the data measured in the atmosphere by these balloons over Del Rio can be extrapolated by computers at the National Weather Service to help predict the future of the weather downwind - in this case, in Florida.

​Equipped with only a temperature sensor, a humidity sensor, a pressure sensor, and a GPS, these weather balloons provide arguably the most valuable weather data about the current dynamics of atmosphere to meteorologists around the globe.

When plotted together (as seen below), they paint a detailed picture of the flow of winds - especially the winds that steer storms, like Hurricane Irma - which are digested into computer forecast models. 

Although Major Hurricane Irma is nearly 1,300 miles away from Del Rio, Texas, local meteorologists and weather technicians are playing a vital role in predicting her projected path and intensity as she bee-lines for the Florida Keys. 

While Del Rio weather experts aren't creating any forecasts for Irma or predicting any adverse weather to the local region - they are making around-the-clock, highly valuable weather observations - both at ground level and aloft - which are then fed directly into the supercomputers in which the National Weather Service and the National Hurricane Center use to predict Irma's projected track and strength and warn the millions of residents in it's path just in time to evacuate.
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Dale ties a parachute together for use once the weather balloon pops at over 100,000 feet in the sky.
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September 9th, 2017's Del Rio's evening weather balloon is launched from Del Rio International Airport
These balloons are also extremely valuable for predicting severe weather outbreaks such as tornadoes, hail, heavy rains, flooding, and damaging thunderstorm winds. They even aid firefighters with information to assist with wildfire and smoke control.

Texas has 7 weather balloon launch facilities - one of those being Del Rio. 

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Weather balloon data from around the Southeast on the evening of Saturday, September 9th, 2017
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Computer model data for the southeast which is created in-part by weather balloon data. Hurricane Irma sits just south of Florida.
Meanwhile, at Laughlin Air Force Base, weather technicians observe the weather from the ground - 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.  These observations are taken hourly - occasionally more often in the case of nearby inclement weather - and much like weather balloon data are transmitted for use into weather forecast models.  Since weather only exists because of how the sun heats the surface of the earth unevenly across distance - surface weather observations (which contain a significant amount of weather data, as seen below) are essential to weather forecasting.  
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Surface weather observation text from the afternoon of September 9th, 2017 at Laughlin AFB.
Most surface weather observations across the United States are automatic - but these automatic stations don't always provide accurate weather data (such as clouds, visibility, thunderstorms, etc).  Because of this, most weather offices and commercial airports visually report the present and approaching weather and clouds while using the weather sensor to calculate pressures, temperatures, and winds.  

Due to Del Rio's somewhat remote location, accurate weather observations from Laughlin AFB around-the-clock play an integral piece in monitoring and forecasting weather across a wide region of west, central, and south Texas - and each weather observation is then ingested into global forecasting models which provide pin-point readings of weather data - such as atmospheric pressure and wind speed and direction - which is key to hurricane forecasting - even if it's over a thousand miles away. 
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Surface weather observations overlaid on a weather map on the evening of September 9th, 2017 as Hurricane Irma nears the Florida Keys.
Together, whether contracted with the National Weather Service or employed at Laughlin AFB, local weather experts are playing a much larger part in Hurricane Irma support than most Del Rioans could ever imagine.  

We never know when the next hurricane may take a path up the Rio Grande and we'll be hoping that other areas of the country are looking out for us - and they will be.  In the meteorology world - like many other public service careers - meteorologists are always standing-by, day or night, to observe, forecast, watch, and warn of hazardous weather - and in Del Rio Texas, you've got a great team.  

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8/1/2017

Del Rio Texas - August 2017 Weather Expectations

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August Weather Outlook for The United States (by the NWS Climate Prediction Center). Normal and Expected Del Rio August Weather Detailed In the Shaded Box Below The Map.
July was a long, hot month in Del Rio.  With sixteen days at or above 100°F and an average temperature 1.9°F warmer than normal, High Pressure, as predicted, played a very large role in setting 2017's high temperature record at a current 107°F while keeping rainfall at just over a half-inch in Del Rio locally through the month.  
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July 2017's Observed Rainfall (Left) and Departure From Normal Rainfall (Right)
In fact, much of Texas is either in - or  approaching - drought conditions to start off the month of August due to high temperatures combined with lower-than-normal rainfall in July.
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US Drought Monitor from July 25th, 2017
The question remains - will these drought-like conditions continue this month?

With rain in the forecast to kick off the first week - perhaps first two weeks - of the month, it would seem as if ample atmospheric moisture exists to pull much of South & Central Texas from drier-than-normal conditions.  Assisting this venture is the Jet Stream, which continues to ridge over the Western United States before dipping south in to the Southern & Central Plains, which would aid in both cooler and wetter weather locally.
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Mid-Troposphere (500-millibars) Flow Expected Mid-August
Overall, confidence in this forecast remains mediocre.  Just two weeks ago, the Climate Prediction Center (CPC) issued a forecast for August indicated above-normal temperatures, not below-normal as their current forecast shows.  Both indicated wetter-than normal conditions, but so did July's forecast - which turned out to be somewhat of a flop.  

However, after some personal investigation comparing the Del Rio 2016-2017 temperature trends to those of 1999-2000 - largely because of the similarities of experiencing warmer than normal winters, early spring seasons, and hot July's - I found that in August of 2000, temperatures were cooler than experienced in July (even though August is typically warmer than July) - which, when compared to the trends of 2017, could stand to back-up the cooler-than-normal forecast, statistically speaking.  

If, as advertised, August is wetter-than-normal, it would be no surprise to see cooler-than-normal weather simply due to the excess of cloud cover overhead.  Not only do clouds block incoming solar radiation, moisture itself takes longer to heat than dry air, basically not allowing afternoon temperatures to peak quite as high as possible under drier conditions.  

With that being said, I'll leave you with a cool infrared satellite loop from the University of Wisconsin for the past 7 days.  I could watch this over and over again!

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7/1/2017

Del Rio Texas - July 2017 Weather Expectations

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July Weather Outlook for The United States (by the NWS Climate Prediction Center), with Normal and Expected Del Rio July Weather Below
The NWS Climate Prediction Center continues to label Texas has "warmer than normal", however, this is hardly substantiated and ls largely carried over from the previous Presidential agenda. In fact, in June - Del Rio's average temperature was just below normal (although very marginally).

The trend continues with CPC's forecast - so, as skeptical as I am, forecast guidance does indicate strong, upper-level High Pressure over the Central United States over the next month - which is scientifically related to widespread warm weather.
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High Pressure (500 Millibars - roughly 20,000 Feet). This is known as the "Subtropical Ridge" during the Summertime
Locally, however, especially along the Rio Grande Plains, our temperatures are largely dependent on cloud cover - especially during the afternoon. So, if the High Pressure settles in a tad too far north this month, the local atmosphere may continue to route significant moisture (cloud cover) up the Rio and into the region, keeping our overnight temperatures warm, but afternoon temperatures cooler than normal (although it will still feel quite hot, no doubt).  Heat Advisories will likely the the story for much of the month, generally issued for Heat Index values (computed based on temperature and relative humidity) generally above about 105°F - or in other words, temperatures that "feel" like 105°F, usually because of the high humidity. 
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Low-Level Moisture Surging into Texas from the Gulf of Mexico. This is Generally the Cause of Low Morning Clouds
The positioning of the High Pressure also will dictate moisture sources and atmospheric dynamics/energy potential for rainfall, although CPC projects the Del Rio area as "normal".  Should we find ourselves too far south of the High Pressure, we could see substantially more rainfall - and even possibly tropical weather.  During the summer locally, rainfall is often accumulated in pockets due to afternoon thunderstorms.  It is uncommon for severe weather in July in Del Rio. However, strong thunderstorm wind gusts are the main threat.  It is always a good idea to keep your eyes on the Gulf of Mexico as well...as one Tropical Storm has made landfall this year. ​

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6/15/2017

Del Rio Texas - Chito Martiarena - What We Can All Learn From The Hardest-Working Man

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​Who is this guy?  Like just about everyone else that does a double-take the first time they see Chito, I didn’t know what exactly to think.  My first impression, however, was nothing further from the truth.

​Jose Angel “Chito” Martiarena – a Del Rio native often seen pushing a train of children’s wagons with flashy balloons and road cones attached to a lawnmower down Veteran’s Boulevard, continues to inspire me.

Before you read any further, you have to watch this 9-minute video from the Texas Country Reporter.

​Chito is – for lack of a better term – a landscaper.  His specialty is mowing lawns – but different from all other local landscapers, Chito almost exclusively mows for free – including the grassy medians of Veteran’s Boulevard.  He can be seen out there day, night, hot, cold – it doesn’t seem to matter – and he doesn’t take a cent. 
I had the privilege of crossing paths with Chito at AutoZone the other day.  I noticed Chito at the register counting coins to purchase a $2 Coca-Cola from the cooler at the store.  One-handed, he counted, one-by-one. 
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It was about 95 degrees outside, and I had noticed his lawnmower entourage coned off along the highway when I had driven in.  I’m sure he was exhausted and thirsty.  I was beat, and I had been working in an air-conditioned office all day.  The least I could do was buy his drink for him.
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Chito - Being Awarded the First "Del Rio Doin' Right" Award from the Del Rio Chamber of Commerce
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Dedication to his family.  Chito continues to mourn his beloved father’s death – and feels a responsibility to care and provide for his mother.  He mows lawns for free – although he apparently has a few paying customers.

​How does mowing for free provide for his family?  Although I can only speculate about the mystery of Chito’s mind, I honestly believe that Chito believes in earning his money.  While he may receive a monthly disability check in the mail, I think a strong case can be made that Chito feels compelled to “earn” this compensation by service to his community – Del Rio.  

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Chito - during an interview with the Texas Country Reporter
Chito doesn’t ask for money.  I had to convince him to even let me buy him a Coke – and I honestly feel like he more just didn’t want to argue with me about who would pay for it because he felt like he needed to get back to work along the busy highway in the scorching sun.  I don’t think Chito even asks for a “thank you”.  Chito just sees things a little differently than us narrow-minded, semi-successful citizens. 
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Chito - From Texas Country Reporter
But Chito didn’t seem to understand – in his mind, it was his own drink, so he should purchase it with his money.  After insisting – I think he finally got the point and began to put each coin, one-by-one, back into his pocket.  ​

Everyone wonders why Chito mows endlessly for free – especially because his disabilities prevent him from speaking.  In fact, his physical disabilities give him every excuse to not work at all, but he’s not that kind of man.  I believe that Chito understands more about hard work, community, responsibility, and family than any of us will ever be able to understand.  Each of us can learn from Chito’s example.
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Chito holds up a piece of cardboard littered on the side of the road
Community Pride.  Chito’s community is his life.  Del Rio is his life.  Born and raised here, Chito does everything in his power to beautify Del Rio.  While a one-man landscaping crew can only play a small part in maintaining the roadsides in a community as large as Del Rio, Chito continues to work longer and later than the highway department does.  Chito pulls the weeds, trims the grass, and collects trash up and down the streets of Del Rio – simply because needs to be done.  One article even commented that Chito believes that tall grass along the highway by the car dealerships prevents prospective buyers from seeing the cars – and he wants the dealerships to sell cars!
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One of Chito's Road Cones
He inspires us to give our time, effort, talents, and passions to our community, simply because it’s our home.  He inspires us to embody and encourage hard work and sense of duty over laziness and irresponsibility.  “Entitlement” doesn’t exist in Chito’s vocabulary, even though he has that right more than most of us.  Chito exemplifies how priorities should be arranged in life – family, community…and lastly – himself.  He is the epitome of a dedicated, hard worker – not because it results in personal gain, but because it’s just the right thing to do.  It’s not about glory, wealth, or even long-lasting health for Chito – it’s about using the gifts God gave him at their max potential solely for the purpose of making a difference here in Del Rio.  Chito has taught me more about life than any life-skills coach could ever teach me, and yet he hasn’t spoken a distinguishable word to me.

If you’re interested in supporting Chito, he’s not hard to find.  Look for the trail of wagons attached to an old lawnmower with a bunch of balloons and road cones.  Tell him you appreciate him, thank him, pat him on the back, and spend a moment or two talking to him (and he’ll understand you).  Chito gives it all for Del Rio, the least Del Rio can do for him is offer their gratitude (and a bottle of water, perhaps). 
​
-Dan

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6/8/2017

Del Rio Texas - It’s Watermelon Time! Summer Melon Business Booms For Local Farmers, Vendors

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It’s June in South-Central Texas, and local watermelon farmers in Quemado, a small town between Del Rio and Eagle Pass along Highway 277 and the Rio Grande, are harvesting sweet, savory melons by the ton. 
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It’s always about this time of year that local vendors park their pick-up trucks loaded with melons along the busy roadways of Del Rio.  If you’re like me, you drive past them every day and wonder who they are and how they make a living selling giant fruit on the side of the road. 
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Dionisio, A Watermelon Vendor on the Highway 90 Near Del Rio Middle School in Del Rio, Texas
​Well, curiosity finally reeled me in when I was thinking of my next article to write about the unique and awesome culture of Del Rio.  I decided to interview a couple of these local vendors to get a better idea of what exactly I’ve been missing on my way home from work every day this week. 

I didn’t really need to send any formal invitation for an interview – I just happened to pull off Highway 90 near the Del Rio Middle School and end up at Dionisio’s watermelon truck.  Dionisio has lived in Del Rio since 1957, originally growing up outside of Acuña.  He sells his watermelons for anywhere between $3 and $5, depending on the size, and has been selling them for about seven years.

​Dionisio fills his truck, equipped with a camper-top, full of melons for $390 from a farm in Quemado.  When I asked him how much money he made from his sales, he replied, “Not much…but it [gives me] something to do”.  Although not a man of many words, Dionisio explained that weekdays are not as good for business as weekends are.  “If they stop [to purchase a melon], they stop.  Otherwise they keep going,” he remarked as we watched rush hour resume on the highway, closing in on 5:00 PM.
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Jose's Seafood Stand "It's my wife's," he added. Across Veteran's Blvd from the Civic Center in Del Rio, Texas
​After purchasing a melon from Dionisio, I started making my way home in Alta Vista when I noticed another watermelon stand across the street from the Civic Center. I had to flip a u-turn at Cantu Road and swing back around south on Veteran’s Boulevard – and met Jose and Vicente at their shrimp cocktail stand and watermelon truck (quite the combination!).

Like Dionisio, Jose has lived in Del Rio for the vast majority of his life.  Vicente, his nephew, helps him with the watermelon business.  Jose and Vicente also purchase their melons from Quemado – a load costing about $180 to $200 – and roughly half the size of Dionisio’s produce selection.  Jose has been selling melons in Del Rio for about six years, and says that he only sells in town for a few weeks, then heads west to Odessa, Texas and other cities in New Mexico to ensure he catches the start of the produce vending business in that direction. 
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Similar to Dionisio’s watermelon business, Jose said that weekends were better for business – and that it wasn’t uncommon to sell his entire truck-load on a Saturday and profit about $200 or more – selling small melons at 2 for $5 and large melons for $5.
Despite slower business during the week, he said that sometimes on weekends he could sell his entire truck of about 175-200 melons out.  At an average of about $4 a melon, that’s somewhere between $600 and $800 per load – or a profit of about $200-$400.  For kicking back under a tree enjoying the outdoors – I’d say that’s worth it, too. 
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Of course, melons are only in-season for a short time each year, so Dionisio only vends for about five weeks each year.  “I’m retired”, he said, having worked construction and on farms most of his life.  I did get to see a sparkle in his eye when I asked about his wife. “She’s still kicking!” he chuckled, “we’ve been married since 1960.”
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Jose and Vicente's Watermelon Truck, Across Veteran's Blvd from the Civic Center in Del Rio, Texas
All-in-all, I ended up with two watermelons to bring home to my wife and baby daughter (who recently decided she loves watermelons – just in time!). 
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So, hurry up and grab yourself a locally grown watermelon the next time you drive past a roadside stand and support these local vendors!

​- Dan Schreiber

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    Dan Schreiber is a freelance meteorologist with experience 
    in aviation meteorology, resource protection, emergency management, wildfire weather behavior, forensics, among many other activities influenced by weather.  He holds a B.S. in Meteorology from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University in Prescott, Arizona, and an M.A. in Leadership & Management from Liberty University, and has been featured in numerous newspapers, including the Del Rio News Herald of Del Rio, Texas & the Curry Coastal Pilot of Brookings, Oregon.  Born in California, Dan lived for numerous years in the town of Brookings, Oregon, before attending college and since has lived and worked around the world as a meteorologist with the United States Air Force.  He is happily married to his wife, Shauna, and a proud father of their daughter Adelaide, and resides in Del Rio, Texas.

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