What Do YOU Want To Hear From My Blog?

UPDATE: I'm adding +'s and -'s to the items below as I get feedback, thanks! Added "How Are Regions Defined?" (thanks Nadine), Added "How To Become A Meteorologist" (thanks Shane), Added "How Long-Range Forecasts Are Made" (thanks Wendy). Added "HOW TO... Read Computer Forecast Model Maps" below (thanks Jennifer)"

To avoid breaking my promise of daily blogs while I'm on vacation at the end of this month, I'll be pre-writing entries again this year. Here are some ideas that I'm considering for topics, but I want to know what YOU want me to cover - so drop me an email or leave me a Comment below if you like, or dislike any of the suggested topics below, or if you want to know anything else that I haven't considered. I can't promise everybody I'll blog about everything suggested but I'll take them all into account. Is there something you've always wondered about Weather, but couldn't get a straight answer on the Internet?

The first group of possible topics is a "how-to" series where I break through all the corporate propaganda and meteorological jargon, and tell you the facts, in an honest and concise fashion that you haven't seen before on the web. I'm not going to give you a lesson in meteorology, I'm going to give you quick easy steps to do what you need to do quickly, efficiently, and accurately.

• HOW TO... Forecast For Your Friends & Family

• HOW TO... Photograph & Video Weather

• HOW TO... Do Panorama Photos & Timelapse Videos

• HOW TO... Read Computer Forecast Model Maps

• ++ HOW TO... Photograph Lightning

• + HOW TO... Install Your Own Weather Station

• HOW TO... Install Your Own Weather Camera (Webcam)

• HOW TO... Write Your Own Weather Blog

• HOW TO... Find & Photograph Rainbows

• HOW TO... Chase Storms in Your Area

• HOW TO... Forecast Hurricanes

• HOW TO... Survive A Hurricane

• HOW TO... Figure Out "Is That Cloud a Tornado?"

• + HOW TO... Become a Meteorologist

• HOW TO... Find Historical Weather Data

Here are some other ideas I'm tossing about:

• - How To Become a Meteorologist (School & Jobs)

• + - How Meteorologists Make Forecasts

• + - How Are Regions Defined (Ozarks, Arklatex, Etc.)?

• + - Climate Extremes: Not Lows, Not Highs, But Extreme Ranges

• - Cloudbusting: Can You Really Kill Clouds With Your Mind?

• - How Hot Is Too Hot For Pets In Your Car? (You Might Be Surprised)

• - Best Of The AccuWeather.com Photo Gallery (Themes - Animals, People, Buildings, Etc.)

• - A Virtual Tour of AccuWeather

• ++ - Who's In My "Blogroll" At Right And Why I Read Them

• - What Is A Typical Day At My Job?

• ++ - How Did I Get Interested In Weather? What Weather Events Inspired Me In My Youth?

• - The Lost July Storm Chase (a great storm I videoed, but never released in the blog last July)

• - The Best Weather Pictures From My 20 Years Of Vacation To The Beach

Of course, if there is something unusual going on in the weather that isn't being covered elsewhere, I will have Internet access at my vacation home so I will still blog about it, and if I see any interesting weather while at the beach, I'll show you the pictures. But I wanted to have some fall-back entries in case I eat too much pizza and doughnuts and pass out in the hammock.

Comments (10): James Kirslis:

I'd be interested in all of these:

HOW TO... Forecast For Your Friends & Family HOW TO... Read Computer Forecast Model Maps HOW TO... Write Your Own Weather Blog HOW TO... Chase Storms in Your Area HOW TO... Forecast Hurricanes HOW TO... Figure Out "Is That Cloud a Tornado?" HOW TO... Become a Meteorologist HOW TO... Find Historical Weather Data How Hot Is Too Hot For Pets In Your Car? (You Might Be Surprised) How To Become a Meteorologist (School & Jobs) How Meteorologists Make Forecasts A Virtual Tour of AccuWeather What Is A Typical Day At My Job?

Posted by James Kirslis | July 20, 2009 1:17 AM Fran Rautiola:

Jesse After reading Joe's column this morning on his up coming bike ride. And earlier about his triathalon race. I sugest the following, based on the view from your vacation spot photo, You should spend the week swiming back and forth in the ocean, then some running up and down the beach, and some bike riding on the road. After this you could chalenge Joe on his next trathalon race. The loser would have to wrestle Joe Bastardi. Ps I enjoy your column.

FROM JESSE: Ha! Joe will remain unchallenged there, though I will reveal in an upcoming blog entry that more walking at the beach is in my vacation plans this year.

Posted by Fran Rautiola | July 14, 2009 11:55 AM Thomas F. Giella:

I like to see current weather events info.

FROM JESSE: I admit I don't do as much of that as I used to, and will probably do less while on vacation and somewhat "unplugged" from the weather news world - so monitor AccuWeather.com while I'm gone - the news writers there do a great job.

Posted by Thomas F. Giella | July 14, 2009 11:32 AM dave oneil:

I'd love a how to series! thanks, Dave

Posted by dave oneil | July 13, 2009 4:03 PM David:

Tell us more about interesting weather events and long range patterns.

Posted by David | July 13, 2009 3:17 PM WasatchFront Weather Team:

Great list of how to topics, would like to read about them all, but most especially the how to photograph lightening and how to tell if a cloud is rotating from a distance, or is is a tornado. We have had a lot of those rotating clouds lately this topic would be very useful. And love anything to do with the photo gallery, always lots of fun.

You are awesome Jesse, thanks for keeping up with the blogging even while on vacation. Have someone take a picture of you passed out in your hammock, we want to see.

Posted by WasatchFront Weather Team | July 13, 2009 3:01 PM Shane:

As a meteorology major, I would definitely like to see some behind the scenes type coverage. Maybe also some pointers on how to be successful in the field and how to get a job!

Posted by Shane | July 13, 2009 2:17 PM Joanne:

I like the virtual tour of Accuweather idea!

Posted by Joanne | July 13, 2009 1:36 PM Wendy:

I'm interested in learning more about long-range forecasting and global weather patterns.

Enjoy your vacation!

Posted by Wendy | July 13, 2009 11:29 AM Jenn Grover:

I kept getting an error message when I tried to post:

I love the idea of the "how to" series. I would add, "how to read a weather model (i.e. 18z)" Of the listed "how to's", I like: HOW TO... Forecast For Your Friends & Family HOW TO... Photograph & Video Weather HOW TO... Photograph Lightning HOW TO... Install Your Own Weather Station HOW TO... Write Your Own Weather Blog HOW TO... Find & Photograph Rainbows HOW TO... Chase Storms in Your Area HOW TO... Forecast Hurricanes HOW TO... Survive A Hurricane HOW TO... Figure Out "Is That Cloud a Tornado?" HOW TO... Become a Meteorologist

I think I would avoid things like install a webcam, as that could easily be found on other web sites like Youtube or MonkeySee.

Thanks for taking care of posts, even when you will be away!

Posted by Jenn Grover | July 13, 2009 11:23 AM