National Weatherman's Day

Sun-drenched Nome, Alaska

February 5th is the wacky holiday known as National Weatherman's Day.  It commemorates the life of Boston native John Jeffries, born February 5, 1744.  He was the first American to compile detailed weather reports beginning in 1774.  Jeffries is also famous for taking a historic hot air balloon ride across the English Channel in 1785.

Speaking of whacky, how about the weather this winter?  Nome, Alaska has never been above 50 degrees during the winter months, and on January 27th the high of 51 degrees made it warmer than New Orleans and Atlanta.

Where would weather nuts be without their favorite weatherpersons?  In Seattle, we have the brainy UW meteorological professor Cliff Mass, but Scott Sistek's KOMO weather blog has entertaining videos and beautiful photography.

It's bitter cold in Seattle his morning, but at 6 am people are already lining the streets for the Seahawks parade at 11. Some spent the night camping out on the sidewalk!

There's no precipitation expected here until Saturday, when it will probably start out as snow.   A perfect time to head south into the mild desert sunshine.  More on that plan later...