Real Independence Only Half Captured; A Cold Story January 14, 2009

 On This Date in History: The independence of this nation was finally ratified on January 14, 1784. The Battle of Yorktown was fought in 1781. The Colonial Army, under General George Washington combined with French forces under General Rochambeau, boxed the British Army in at Yorktown with the French Navy blocking their retreat in the Chesapeake Bay. British General Lord Cornwallis surrendered and the war was over. But, it took until November of 1783 for a final treaty to be signed. This was called the Second Treaty of Paris because there had already been a Treaty of Paris to end the 7 years war. The painting above by Benjamin West was supposed to be of the signing ceremony…but its unfinished because the sore loser British delegation refused to show up and pose. So, its the most famous unfinished painting in history. It wasn’t until this date in 1784 that the treaty was ratified by the United States Congress.

So even though we declared independence in 1776 and finished off the crown in 1781 and a treaty was signed in late 1783 and the last British troops finally left shortly thereafter, Congress didn’t get around to putting the official stamp on the end of hostilities until January of 1784…and Congress has been dragging its feet ever since.

 

GFS Snow Total Thru Midday Sunday

Even The NAM Fri AM near 0

Weather Bottom Line: One of my regular viewers, Eric, claims that I am out on a limb by myself regarding the duration of the cold spell.  I would say that my limb is getting larger and that others will join.  In fact, I saw one outlet that changed their weekend forecast to keep us at or below freezing.  It will be interesting to see if we get above freezing for a time on Wednesday.  I’m not buying it and the 18Z NAM is even only going to 33 or so.  I say nyet.  Won’t really matter though because if we do, it won’t last and will be largely an academic because the mercury will fall rapidly thereafter.   I’m looking at the 18Z Tue WRF and it even has the 540 Thickness line way out to our West and way South at 6Z Saturday.  Even though that there is another strong short wave diving down through the flow, I suggest that even with this model that has been the warmest outlyer, it will be difficult for that 540 line to get to our north or east. 

NAM Midday Fri less than 15

Now, the previously mentioned short wave diving down, I suspect that will represent our best chance for some decent snow for Sunday or so.  It’s too far out to say with any certainty but right now the 12Z ECMWF wants to to take the surface low almost right over the top of Louisville. Typically, the best snow would be to the north of the system so that’s pretty close.  Now, the CMC and the GFS prefers to keep the parent low well to the north with upper support swinging through over us.  That scenario would squeeze out some flurries or light snow but nice accumulations I would think would not be likely.  The GFS is actually advertising another short through the flow for Monday or Tuesday that would bring another chance for snow. 

NAM Fri Eve Still Below 15

So, the song remains the same…several opportunities for light snow from time to time but really nothing huge.  The story is the cold.  There is some indication that the big ridge out west will not really move but instead broaden in breadth.  This is the first indication that I have seen for a change and would mean warming conditions by next Wednesday.  I still think snow will be minimal. I had previously suggested 1-2 inches maybe at best over 84 hours with never that much on the ground.  Well, Monday night the temps were generally above freezing during the best precip, which wasn’t much.  Temperatures were in the 20′s by midday but only a few flurries fell.  So, the moisture will be limited ,the tracks of the clippers will most likely be too far north and we therefore can expect the cold to be the story.  Still think a low close to zero with some perhaps below zero on Friday morning…teens Thursday and Friday will be the best we can do…some folks perhaps in the low to mid teens.

“Christmas” Parade Name Change OK For Christians? What About Evacuation Day? November 25, 2008

And Take Your King With You!!

As expected, we had our rain on Monday. Most places got between a half inch and an 8th of an inch. A shade more than I had thought but my plants are happy. Its gong to be chilly on Tuesday then the sun breaks out on Wednesday and Thursday. Not out of the question that we have consecutive days in the 50′s on Wednesday and Thanksgiving. That’s a nice change. Last week, we averaged a low of 27 and a high of 44. The average high and low for February 7th are 44 and 27. Yes, it’s too cold so enjoy Thanksgiving while it lasts because chillier air returns at the end of the week and holds through the weekend into next week. We had rain in the forecast for Friday but this weekend the models were coming around to advertise a low coming out from the west would stay to our south so we took the chances out. Early Tuesday morning, that data continues to be coming more in the form of a consensus so Light Up Louisville still looks to be dry.

Christmas tales: We watched a story on TV Monday night regarding Patchogue, New York that changed the name of their Christmas Parade from the Christmas Boat Parade to the Holiday Boat Parade. Of

Patchogue Holiday Boat Parade?

course, the interviews were all of people who objected for a variety of reasons. Most of the reasons had to do with the religious aspects of the day though some were more into the tradition angle. But, Snow White came up with an observation that I had never thought of before. The origin of the term comes from what was celebrated in the church, which was the Mass of Christ. Now, over the years, people have long complained about the commercialization of Christmas. It took Linus to explain the true meaning of Christmas to Charlie Brown. So, people didn’t like the Santa Claus and presents and decorations and stuff because it was overwhelming the meaning of the day, as

Linus Talks to Chuck

Charlie Brown found out. So, the question then arises, shouldn’t these folks be happy that they have taken Christmas off the title of these events? I mean, in doing so, they don’t take the commercialization of the season out of it but instead, takes out the religious reference involved in the commercialization. It seems to be a plausible discussion point that the term Christmas should be disconnected from the secular aspects of the season, thereby elevating the day back to one of Holy reverence. By insisting that the reference be included in parades that generally are filled with elves, candy canes and winter scenes but are generally absent of religious symbols it can be argued that doing so merely perpetuates the distraction of the meaning of Christmas. It could be considered wanting things both ways. Just some things to consider…

From Left To Right: John Jay, John Adams, Ben Franklin, Henry Laurens, William T. Franklin...the rest were too Chicken to Show up

On This Date In History: On September 3, 1783 the Treaty of Paris was signed by Ben Franklin and his

Van Arsdale Raises The Stars and Stripes

delegation as well as representatives of the English Crown. The Revolutionary War was officially over. On November 25 1783, the last of the British forces left the US on what is known as “Evacuation Day.” The Brits thought they’d get the last laugh by nailing the Union Jack atop a greased flag pole in New York. Much to their chagrin though, an American Patriot named John Van Arsdale put on spiked boots and climbed the pole, replacing the British Flag with an American Flag. The Brits on the ships leaving New York Harbor must have been very disappointed when they looked through their spy glass and saw old glory flapping in the breeze.

Apparently, there was a lady named Mrs. Day who got a little overzealous and whipped out the American flag on her flag pole before the redcoats had left. A British officer yelled at her so she pummeled his face with a broom stick.

Gen. Washington Entered New York After the Redcoats Left

There were really a bunch of Evacuation Days as various towns celebrated the day that the British troops left their particular town. I believe that there are still some towns that have holidays marking the day. But, in New York, after celebrating big time on the centennial of Evacuation Day in 1883, the celebratory atmosphere began to wind down. By the turn of the century, many New Yorkers didn’t even know what was evacuated or by whom. Following World War I, the day sorta fell by the wayside…I mean the English were our allies during that conflict.

Regardless of the public memories, the British memories at the time were quite scarred. They were sore losers. Prior to the shenanigans of the flag episode, a painter asked that the members of the peace delegations at the Treaty of Paris to pose for a painting of posterity to commemorate the occasion. Note that painting above by a man named Benjamin West. It is incomplete because the British delegation refused to pose like the sore losers they were.