It's kinda late for the first "real" summer weekend, but Vermont's Agency of Natural Resources thinks this will be it, according to the press release I just received. Apparently, Jason Gibbs, commissioner of the Department of Forests, Parks and Recreation, really wants us all to go outside this weekend.
I'm pasting the (tongue-in-cheek?) press release below. And though it's probably going to be nice out, it is supposed to rain a bit on Sunday afternoon. Sorry.
**Official Recreation Weather Alert**
For Immediate Release:
Thursday, July 30, 2009
Beautiful Weekend Ahead!
Ad Hoc Commission of Meteorologists Issues Consensus Recreation Weather Forecast for Weekend
Waterbury, Vt. – Some of Vermont’s top meteorological minds have reached an important agreement: This weekend’s weather is going to be great for outdoor recreation.
Assembled by the Department of Forests, Parks and Recreation the provisional Blue Ribbon Consensus Recreation Weather Forecast Commission is composed of meteorologists Roger Hill from Weathering Heights and Radio Vermont; Gary Sadowski from WCAX/ Ch.3; Jim Moore from WPTZ/Ch. 5; Nick Johnson from WFFF/Fox44; and Andy Nash, Meteorologist-in-Charge at the NOAA/National Weather Service station in Burlington, Vermont. Their charge was to agree on a Consensus Recreation Weather Forecast for this weekend (August 1-2, 2009).
According
to the commission, the weekend is expected to begin with a spectacular,
sunny Saturday with temperatures easily topping the 80 degree mark.
Sunday will also be warm and sunny through the afternoon, with clouds
and the possibility of showers moving in from the west later in the
afternoon and evening– just as beach goers are rolling up their towels
and campers are heading home after the first “real” weekend of summer.
The
commission also noted that recent warm weather has also raised water
temperatures, making swimming delightful, the commission agreed.
“This
is the kind of weekend we’ve all been waiting for. We’re going to have
great park weather, great beach weather, great camping weather and
great summer recreation weather all around,” said Jason Gibbs,
commissioner of the Department of Forests, Parks and Recreation. “It’s
time for everyone to get outside and enjoy some safe, healthy and
uplifting summer time fun.”
Gibbs
also thanked commission members for their service. “I want to thank
each of the commission members and their organizations for contributing
to this important, but light-hearted, effort,” Gibbs said. “Vermont is
fortunate to have many skilled and energetic meteorological
professionals whom we can count on and who share our department’s
enthusiasm for encouraging safe, outdoor fun.”
Creation of the temporary commission was part of Operation Blue Sky, a comprehensive outreach effort launched by the Department of Forests, Parks and Recreation to encourage Vermonters, and visitors, to get outside and enjoy good weather this summer, whenever it comes along.
