Ken Kaye's Storm Center

Does rain ... yawn ... make you sleepy?

Sat, 11 Jul 2009 06:00:25 -0500

Why does rain make people sleepy?

Perhaps it’s the staccato of raindrops on the roof. Maybe it’s the gentle patter of a drizzle against a windowsill.

But with each passing shower, many folks feel a horrible urge to crash on the couch.

That has been often lately. South Florida saw a lot of stormy days in June; more than 17 inches fell in some areas, the National Weather Service said.

Actually, lots of people get heavy eyelids and for a variety of reasons, said Ken Kronheim, a licensed mental health therapist who is an expert on this rain-sleep thing.

For starters, the rain produces “white noise,” which suppresses the senses, he said.

“You don’t hear a lot of the outside environment,” said Kronheim, who also is an assistant fire-rescue chief for the Broward Sheriff’s Office. “It almost puts you in a trance.”

Further, it tends to be dark outside when it’s rainy and overcast.

“It’s a very sleepy environment when you think about it,” he said.

Then there is the humidity, which makes the air feel heavy and your head feel fuzzy, he said.

Some might think rain reduces barometric pressure, prompting people to snooze. Indeed, one study conducted by The Boeing Co. in 2008 – on how pilots are affected by hypoxia – found that lower pressure means less oxygen in the atmosphere, which results in less oxygen in your body which translates to sluggishness.

Kronheim, who was once a flight medic for the Sheriff’s Office, said he thinks the study is probably right.

“One of first signs of a lack of oxygen is drowsiness and fatigue,” he said.

On the other hand, according to weather service meteorologist Andy Tingler, barometric pressure remains about the same or slightly increases during a rainstorm.

While Kronheim has conducted no studies of his own, he has done in-depth research into sleep, what enhances it and what hurts it. Along the way, he found something interesting: “Statistics show people sleep better when the weather is nice.”

The basic reason behind that is rain is sometimes accompanied by cracks of thunder and lightning and, “any kind of stimulus will disrupt sleep,” he said.

From a more psychological standpoint, he said the sound of water can take a person back to the safety and warmth of a mother’s womb. Talk about sleeping like a baby.

Rain doesn’t make everyone sleepy. Some get hungry; some feel amorous. Others charge to the bathroom on the power of suggestion.

Scott Weiner, who runs a home business in Fort Lauderdale, said he keeps working when it pours.

Carlos Salgado, of Boca Raton, who sells computer software, said he much prefers sun.

“When it rains all day long everyday, I don’t feel energetic,” he said. “The feeling is not good.”

Capt. Don DeLucia of Palm Beach County Fire Rescue said he doesn’t get zonked out when it’s raining because he and his crew of paramedics frequently respond to calls when it’s storming.

On the other hand, he admitted, “If I’m laying around the house and not doing anything, I’ll fall asleep from boredom, and the rain is just an excuse.”

Marge Merriman, 87, said rather than make her sleepy, rain gives her enjoyment.

“I truly love the rain because it keeps my garden green and everything beautiful and blooming,” said Merriman, of Boca Raton. “I go out on the patio, have my coffee and watch it.”

Today's forecast: Partly cloudy skies with a 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Highs in the low 90s, lows in the upper 70s.

Slightly cooler and possibly stormy today

Fri, 10 Jul 2009 05:00:28 -0500

It should be a degree or two cooler today thanks to a wind shift, the National Weather Service in Miami said.

It also might be stormy, as there is a 50 percent chance of rain.

"We are expecting scattered thunderstorms, and some of the storms could be strong to severe with gusty winds, large hail, frequent lightning and heavy rainfall," said Robert Garcia of the weather service.

Officially, the forecast calls for mostly cloudy skies with highs in the low 90s and lows in the upper 70s.

The weekend should be steamy with a 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms on Saturday and a 30 percent chance on Sunday.

For the past few days, the winds have been coming out of the southwest, pushing hot air off the Everglades toward us.

As of today, there should be more a southeast sea breeze, forecasters said.

El Niño arrives in time for hurricane season

Thu, 09 Jul 2009 09:40:28 -0500

It’s official. El Niño has arrived just in time to greet the meanest stretch of the hurricane season, government forecasters said today.

That’s welcome news for hurricane-vulnerable zones, because the large-scale atmospheric condition inhibits tropical storm formation.

Yet it would be foolish to let your guard down, officials at the National Hurricane Center said. After all, Category 5 Hurricane Andrew demolished much of Miami-Dade County in 1992, an El Niño year.

“Even if the season produces one hurricane, that one could come here,” said James Franklin, branch chief over the center’s hurricane specialists.

Just the same, El Niño is one of the main reasons forecasters predict a relatively subdued storm season. Additionally, sea surface temperatures are cooler than normal.

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration calls for nine to 14 named storms, including four to seven hurricanes. Colorado State University forecasters William Gray and Phil Klotzbach predict 11 named storms, including five hurricanes. An average season sees 11 named storms, including six hurricanes.

Klotzbach said El Niño “does reduce landfall risk slightly.”

He said on average, Florida faces a 50 percent chance of a hurricane landing and a 25 percent chance of being hit by a major hurricane, with sustained winds greater than 110 mph.

When only El Niño years are considered, the probability drops to 37 percent for a hurricane and 18 percent for a major hurricane, he said.

El Niño forms as a result of abnormally warm waters in the equatorial Eastern Pacific Ocean. At the end of June, that region was about 2 degrees warmer than normal, NOAA said.

Although currently considered weak, the El Niño is expected to strengthen by the heart of the hurricane season, August through October.

El Niño suppresses storms by increasing thunderstorm activity off the west coast of South America. That, in turn, creates atmospheric instability and wind shear, which interrupts tropical storm formation, Franklin said.

In 2006, the last year that El Niño made an appearance, nine named storms developed, including five hurricanes. None made landfall.

However, in 2004, the previous El Niño year, 15 named storms formed, including nine hurricanes. Four of them —Charley, Ivan, Jeanne and Frances — killed more than 85 people and caused more than $44 billion in damage in Florida alone.

So far this year, no named storms have formed in the Atlantic basin and none were on the horizon, said hurricane specialist Lixion Avila.

“It’s very nice and quiet, which is normal for this time of year,” he said.

South Florida unlikely to see a hurricane in July

Sat, 04 Jul 2009 07:00:01 -0500

If history is any indicator, South Florida likely won’t see a hurricane this month. Since 1851, when tropical records started, no hurricanes have hit this region in July.

Knock on wood.

Four tropical storms have, however.

According to the National Weather Service, the last one was Tropical Storm Bob on July 23, 1985. It first hit the West Coast then aimed toward Lake Okeechobee.

Before that, unnamed tropical storms arrived in July of 1936, 1899 and 1878.

1878? That was the year Thomas Edison patented the phonograph. (For you youngsters out there, a phonograph was the 1800s' version of a DVD player.)

All this is to say July is rather slow, tropically speaking. Yet, on average, the first tropical storm spins to life by July 10.

Fireworks should fly without much threat of rain

Fri, 03 Jul 2009 06:00:31 -0500

Fourth of July fireworks should fills the skies on Saturday night without much threat of rain, the National Weather Service in Miami said.

During the day on Saturday, the chance of rain is 50 percent, easing to 30 percent in the evening, meaning there could be some scattered showers or even a thunderstorm.

"By 9 p.m., most everything should have moved offshore," said weather service specialist Bob Ebaugh. "So there's a good possibility you'll see fireworks."

Otherwise, afternoon storms are likely throughout the long holiday weekend. The chance of rain is 60 percent today and 40 percent on Sunday.

Storms still possible into the evening

Thu, 02 Jul 2009 15:25:13 -0500

Update as of 4 p.m.

The National Weather Service has issued a flood advisory for southeast Broward, mainly Hollywood and Hallandale, as well as northeast Miami-Dade County through 5:30 p.m. today.

That comes after storms produced up to 2 inches of rain in that area since 2:30 p.m. today, flooding some streets and low-lying areas.

Original blog:

The strong storms that buffeted South Florida this afternoon for the most part have moved offshore, the National Weather Service said.

Just the same, isolated showers and thunderstorms could continue through this evening, particularly in Palm Beach County, said meteorologist Gordon Strassberg.

"We can't rule out that things won't re-fire again," he said.

Earlier this afternoon, the weather service received a report of a tornado forming near North Miami Beach and issued a tornado warning. However, the report was unconfirmed, Strassberg said.

"We didn't receive any reports of damage," he said.

The unsettled weather is the result of tropical moisture flowing into the area combined with a strong sea breeze, Strassberg said.

Less rain, more heat today

Thu, 02 Jul 2009 05:00:59 -0500

We’ll probably see rain again today – but also more sun.

That means more heat.

Today’s forecast calls for a 60 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Afternoon temperatures are expected to be in the low 90s with heat index values as high as 105 degrees.

This evening, the rain chance eases to 30 percent with low temperatures in the upper 70s.

June rain: As you might guess, June was wetter than usual.

A National Weather Service recap shows most areas received more than 10 inches of rain, or about 1 to 3 inches more than average.

Miami Beach was swamped; it saw more than 17 inches, or almost 11 inches more than normal.

Curiously, Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport received 6.86 inches, or 3.15 inches below normal.

Someone must be holding an umbrella over that particular rain gauge.

Rain shouldn't wash out the Fourth

Wed, 01 Jul 2009 05:00:57 -0500

You know how it works; there are no guarantees when it comes to the weather.

Yet forecasters think the widespread rains of the past few days should taper off by the weekend and you should be able to see fireworks under mostly dry conditions on Saturday night, July 4.

Today's forecast calls for mostly cloudy skies and a 60 percent chance of rain. Highs in the low 90s and lows in the mid 70s.

The rain chance is expected to ease to 50 percent on Thursday and 40 percent on Friday.

The weekend should be relatively nice with a 30 percent chance of rain on both Saturday and Sunday.

"Then, unfortunately for the people who love sunshine, it could be raining again by Monday," said meteorologist Andy Tingler of the National Weather Service in Miami.

Soggy afternoon ahead

Tue, 30 Jun 2009 13:55:14 -0500

We've seen a few breaks of sun today, and we'll probably see a few more.

But overall, it should continue to be a rather drizzly gray day, the National Weather Service in Miami said.

"We'll continue have showers on and off through the afternoon and into the early evening," said meteorologist Andy Tingler.

Tingler said some storms earlier today generated wind gusts up to 40 mph, particularly along the coast.

While the heavy rains should let up by this evening, there could be some scattered showers and thunderstorms before midnight, he said.

Yet more showers are expected on Wednesday.

The rainy conditions are the result of tropical moisture flowing in from the Gulf of Mexico combined with a cold front descending across the state, Tingler said.

More rain, storms on the way

Tue, 30 Jun 2009 05:00:00 -0500

Expect another soggy and at times stormy day today, the result of tropical moisture streaming out of the Caribbean and Gulf of Mexico.

The forecast calls for an 80 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms, and some of the rain could be heavy. Highs in the upper 80s, lows in the mid 70s.

Again, the main reason we’re so waterlogged this week: The remnants of that tropical disturbance in the Gulf continue to stream in this direction.

We'll probably see more rain, clouds and storms on Wednesday, the National Weather Service in Miami said.

Tropical disturbance is dead but its rain lives on

Mon, 29 Jun 2009 10:15:00 -0500

You know that tropical thing in the Gulf? It's gone.

But as anyone who forged through this morning's rush hour knows, it's still pushing a lot of rain toward South Florida.

Expect that rain to continue on and off through the day and into the evening, the National Weather Service in Miami said.

At times it will be heavy, said meteorologist Dan Gregoria.

"Most of the showers and storms will contain very heavy rain and the potential for gusty winds, up to 40 mph," he said.

Officially, today's forecast calls for an 80 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Highs in the upper 80s, lows in the mid 70s.

Gregoria said the rain likely will continue for the next few days because of the "deep tropical moisture" flowing toward Florida out of the southwest.

Rainy and hot today

Mon, 29 Jun 2009 05:00:54 -0500

Although the tropical disturbance in the southern Gulf of Mexico appears to be fizzling, it still was expected to produce 1 to 2 inches of rain over South Florida today and Tuesday.

"We’re going to have a very moist atmosphere," said weather specialist Bob Ebaugh of the National Weather Service in Miami. "You’ll have places where you could have heavy rain."

The forecast calls for mostly cloudy skies and a 70 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Highs in the low 90s, lows in the mid 70s.

Tuesday also could be stormy, as tropical moisture from the sloppy expansive system flows this way.

The disturbance was drifting northwest toward Mexico or Texas. On Sunday, the National Hurricane Center in Miami-Dade County gave it a low chance of developing.

Tropical disturbance unlikely to develop

Sun, 28 Jun 2009 14:10:34 -0500

The tropical disturbance in the southern Gulf of Mexico still has a chance of developing.

"But it's a very low chance," hurricane specialist Richard Pasch of the National Hurricane Center in Miami-Dade County said.

As of 2 p.m. today, the system was little more than a sloppy mass of clouds and low pressure, slowly drifting northwest toward mainland Mexico or Texas.

Just the same, the hurricane center has a hurricane hunter aircraft ready to investigate it on Monday "if necessary," Pasch said.

"It's a very, very weak trough," he said. "But, given that it's hurricane season and it's out over the Gulf,- we just need to keep an eye on it."

The fringes of system were expected to produce showers over South Florida today through Tuesday, the National Weather Service in Miami said.

Tropical disturbance expected to bring rain to Florida

Sat, 27 Jun 2009 14:14:44 -0500

The tropical disturbance in the western Caribbean doesn’t look like it will turn into a serious threat for South Florida. Just the same, it would be smart to keep an eye on it.

Though models are far from in agreement at this point, most predict it will aim north or west over the next two or three days, toward Texas or Louisiana.

Some intensity models say it could strengthen into a weak Category 1 hurricane or a strong tropical storm along the way. That assumes it will survive long enough to move into the Gulf of Mexico.

If it does, it will find a favorable environment, as the wind shear is light and the waters warm, forecasters say. If it reaches tropical storm strength, it would be christened Ana and become the first named storm of the Atlantic season.

The National Hurricane Center plans to dispatch a hurricane hunter aircraft on Sunday – if necessary – to investigate it. As of 2 p.m. today, the center said it has a 30 to 50 percent chance of developing into a depression a storm over the next two days.

One way or the other, the system is expected to bring showers and storms to South Florida, the National Weather Service in Miami said.

How much rain depends on its ultimate path and how strong it gets, said meteorologist Barry Baxter. For now, it is expected to produce about 2 inches between Sunday and Tuesday, which would be nothing unusual, he said.

“It could bring some heavy rainfall,” he said. “But it shouldn’t be a wipeout.”

The disturbance has been producing heavy rains and gusty winds over Mexico’s Yucatan and western Cuba.

Muggy weekend; forecasters monitor disturbance

Sat, 27 Jun 2009 06:30:31 -0500

Expect a hot muggy weekend with a good chance of storms in the afternoon.

High temperatures today and Sunday are forecast to be in the low 90s with a 50 to 60 percent chance of afternoon showers and thunderstorms.

You still should be able to get some beach time. But you should plan to go in the morning or by early afternoon.

Low temperatures both days should be in the mid 70s, the National Weather Service in Miami said.

Meanwhile, the National Hurricane Center in Miami-Dade County was monitoring a disturbance in the western Caribbean near Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula.

Forecasters said the system might develop into a depression or storm after it moves into the southern Gulf of Mexico today or Sunday.

On Friday, the disturbance was drifting west, producing heavy rains over Cuba, the Cayman Islands and Central America.