Today Gothamist Weather introduces a semi-regular (i.e. when we remember to do it) feature in which we compare the various forecasts for our area. Since we are easily confused we'll keep this simple and just look at one element of the forecast. In honor of our hot, humid weather here are today's predicted maximum temperatures:
National Weather Service (NWS) 90 (redistributed by Fox 5, WB 11, and Weather Underground)
NWS Model Output Statistics 87 what the forecast model spits out. Forecasters adjust this based on their experience.
Accuweather 82 (used by CNN)
Intellicast (WSI) 88
Weather.com 87 (used by USA Today)
WNBC 4 88
NY1 85
ABC 7 85
WCBS 2 87 (this might be a slightly modified NWS forecast)
We are under the influence of the Bermuda High, so we know it will be hot and humid. Without any fronts or upper-level disturbances, the maximum temperature is going to be determined by when clouds start forming in the afternoon. AccuWeather is gambling that the clouds will form earlier in the day, holding down temperatures, while all the other forecasts hold off cloud formation for a while. How will everyone do? Check back tomorrow. Duh!
To cool down on days like this Gothamist likes to make the cold brew sweet iced tea from the recipe in Iced Tea by Fred Thompson. Toss a few tablespoons of your favorite loose-leaf black tea into nearly half a gallon of cold water. Put in the fridge overnight. Make some simple syrup (put half a cup of sugar in three-quarters cup of water and heat until sugar dissolves). Cool the syrup to the same temperature as the tea. Strain the tea, then add the syrup. If that's too much work, Daisy May's and Amy Ruth's both have excellent sweet iced tea.
