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The life of a morning meteorologist is different than you might think. There are a lot of misconceptions, such as I show up at 5 a.m., a stylist is here to do my hair and make-up, and I just go on the air. Unfortunately that is not the case. First of all, I come in to work at 3 a.m., and I work until Noon. My whole life has been shifted around because I go to bed between 6 p.m. and 7 p.m. on weekdays. I eat lunch at 9 a.m. and I eat dinner around 2 p.m. Fortunately for me, I was also the morning meteorologist at my last station, so I am used to the schedule. It's not ideal, and I probably don't want this schedule for the rest of my life... but it has a few perks. My Friday afternoons are always free, and that's great when I travel to a race or go home! When I get in at 3 a.m., I usually go on the internet to look up my forecast data. Yes, I make my own forecast, and I usually compare mine to Lauryn's from the night before to make sure we are on the same page.
Here is an example of one of the maps I look at when making my forecast.
The next thing I do is make graphics on my weather computer. Most of the current temperature maps, radars, and satellites are already made and update automatically. I go in and make things like the five day outlook, the today and tonight graphics, the NASCAR forecast, and the surface maps. It's pretty easy to do the five day because I have it set up so I can just select the weather icon and retype the temperatures. Something like the NASCAR graphic takes more effort because I have to reposition the view of the United States and add pictures and weather conditions... it's like editing a mini-movie because I have to set points and put it into motion.
After my maps are made, I get out my make-up mirror and do my make-up. By the way, I do my own hair at home before I come in. Next, I copy my weather forecast in a text version and load it into our teleprompter for closed captioning purposes. That's usually followed by the taping of two weather cut-in's, one around 17 seconds and one around 30 seconds. They air during Good Morning American when Sam Champion says it's time to get a look at your local weather. Then there is a little bit of time to relax before the show starts at 6 a.m.
Following Good Morning Winchester are the Good Morning America cut-in's. We do four live cut-in's everyday. The first half is always news, and the second half is always weather. At 9 a.m. I take a break and eat my lunch. The rest of the morning I work on graphics I'll need for the next day, work on my blog, update the Community Calendar portion of our website, and I occasionally give tours to school groups. By the way, I am the only person who updates the Community Calendar, so if you would like something posted please go here http://www.tv3winchester.com/community and scroll down to "Submit an Event." I know it says we need two weeks notice, but if you email me I can put anything on up until the day before the event.
I really enjoy my job and this station! The morning staff is great. Hopefully as the weather gets warmer (and the sun rises earlier), I can go live outside on our weather deck! If anybody has any other questions about what I do, feel free to leave a comment below.
Now on to your racing forecasts:
IndyCar Series - *SUNDAY UPDATE: Well, the folks in Indianapolis were fortunate because the weather is pretty nice! The cold front is south and east of Indy now (actually sending showers over us in Winchester) and qualifying will go on! Temperatures will be in the upper 60's this afternoon with a few clouds popping up. You can catch Bump Day RIGHT HERE ON TV3 from Noon - 3 p.m., then it switches to ESPN2 from 5 p.m. - 6:30 p.m.* Qualifying Saturday (5/17), ESPN2, 4 p.m. - 6:30 p.m. ET, Bump Day Sunday (5/18), Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Congratulations to Scott Dixon for winning the pole last Saturday. Unfortunately, Sunday qualifying was rained out. More unsettled weather is on tap for IMS as northwesterly flow aloft sets up across the region. This pattern will guide weak systems through the area, providing breezy conditions and a chance of showers on Saturday and Sunday. It shouldn't be a washout, more like hit or miss activity, and some sun may peek through the clouds occasionally. Temperatures will be in the mid to upper 60's each day, but a prolonged amount of sunshine could bump temps closer to 70. On the other hand, mostly cloudy skies could yield cooler temperatures in the mid 60's.
American Le Mans Series - Utah Grand Prix in Tooele, Utah on Sunday (5/18) at 3 p.m. ET on SPEED. Tooele is one of the lucky places under an area of strong high pressure this weekend. Expect lots of sunshine with very warm temperatures near 85 degrees at race time.
Grand-Am Rolex Series - Laguna Seca Raceway in Monterey, CA on Saturday (5/17) at 4:45 p.m. ET. High pressure dominating the west will bring sunny skies and nice temperatures. Expect a race time temperature near 70 degrees.
NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series - Friday (5/16) in Charlotte, NC at Lowe's Motor Speedway at 7:30 p.m. ET on SPEED. A cold front advancing from the west will scatter some showers and thunderstorms across the Charlotte area on Friday. Temperatures will rise near 80 under partly sunny skies.
Sprint Cut Series - Saturday (5/17) in Charlotte, NC at Lowe's Motor Speedway at 7 p.m. ET on SPEED. It's the All-Star Race! A weak ridge of high pressure will build in Saturday, providing mostly sunny skies. Temperatures will be nice in the upper 70's with a race time temperature near 77.
Winchester Speedway - Armed Forces Night Saturday (5/17), gates open at 4:30 p.m., racing at 7:30 p.m. Saturday will be partly sunny with clouds increasing late. A few showers are possible as a weak system moves through the region at night. Temperatures will top out near 70 with a race time temperature near 67.
As always, I will try to keep the forecasts updated. Be sure to check out my blog next week for the Indy 500 forecast!! And if you have any pictures, send them to cassie@tv3winchester.com
My friend Theresa went to Pole Day last weekend, and here are some of her photos.
Tony Kanaan goes out to qualify.
Helio Castroneves with his crew on pit road.
Pole winner Scott Dixon and crew on pit road.
Marco Andretti goes through tech inspection. I like the Indiana Jones car!
The Pagoda on Sunday in the rain.
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