Prepared by FOX 6 Meteorologist Bart Adrian

3:45pm Thursday, August 28, 2008

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Synopsis: A few thunderstorms will develop in the  humid air ahead of an approaching cold front this evening. Once the front passes, cooler and less humid air will return as high pressure builds in for the weekend. The high will spell sunny, warm days and clear, cool nights for us right through Labor Day Monday.

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Tonight: Evening Thunderstorms, Then Clearing & Cooler

Low: 58-63

Dewpoint: Falling to 55-60

Wind: SW-NW 7-15 mph

 

Friday: Mostly Sunny & Pleasant!

High: 80 Inland, 74 Lakeside

Dewpoint: 50-55

Wind: NW-NE 7-15 mph

 

Friday Night: Mostly Clear

Low: 53-58

Dewpoint: 50-55

Wind: SE-SW 5-10 mph

 

Saturday: Mostly Sunny & Pleasant!

High: Near 82

Dewpoint: 50-55

Wind: SW-S 7-15 mph

Prepared by FOX 6 Meteorologist Bart Adrian

2:45pm Thursday, August 28, 2008

 

Rest of this Afternoon: Partly Sunny, Warm & Rather Humid, Thunderstorms Developing

High: Near 85

Dewpoint: 65-70

Wind: SW-S 7-15 mph

 

 

Toniight: Evening Thunderstorms, Then Clearing & Cooler

Low: 58-63

Dewpoint: Falling to 55-60

Wind: SE-NW 7-15 mph

 

Friday: Partly Sunny

High: Near 78

Dewpoint: 55-60

Wind: NW 7-15 mph

Syopsis by FOX 6 meteorologist Rob Haswell

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An interesting day today with a round 1 and round two of precipitation with one being much stronger than the the other.

This morning a slowly dieing line of rain and thunderstorms is moving over south-central and south-eastern WI. It will give the Milwaukee area a bit of light rain this morning but then fizzle to partly sunny skies for the mid-day.

Later this afternoon and this evening, we'll be watching the skies again for another round of storms across south-eastern WI. Some of those storms could be stronger and possibly severe although severe parameters are marginal.

The front clears overnight and we rapidly clear with cooler and drier air taking it's place over our area and we stay clear, sunny and seasonal for the rest of the week and right through the long weekend. It's a bikers and campers dream weekend! Enjoy!

Back to school should start on a sunny note too for most on Tuesday.

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Thursday: Mostly Cloudy

Showers & Thunderstorms Likely

High: 80 Inland, 74 Lakeside

Dewpoint: 60-65

Wind: SE-S 7-15 mph

Thursday Night: Evening Thunderstorms, Then Clearing & Cooler

Low: 58-63

Dewpoint: Falling to 55-60

Wind: SE-NW 7-15 mph

Friday: Partly Sunny

High: Near 78

Dewpoint: 55-60

Wind: NW 7-15 mph

Is this what rock stars feel like?  Or perhaps professional sports stars?  My reception at Suburban Motors Harley-Davidson late this afternoon was fit for a king.  And after motoring 1500 miles since last Friday, it was a treat to see so many people waiting for us.

Our day began in Bloomington, Illinois this morning with a nice, relaxed breakfast at the local Cracker Barrel.  That was a treat. For so many mornings this past week, Cary, Susanne and I grabbed a quick bite from the free continental breakfast at each hotel and then hit the road for our next destination.  There was no hurry today.

Our plan was to arrive at Suburban Motors in Thiensville around 5:45pm.  Ted Perry was to arrive about 30 minutes later.  Each of us would be outfitted with helmet cams that would transmit our video and audio live to Sky Fox 6.  The helicopter would then relay that signal to our studio live during FOX 6 News at 5 & 6.

The tricky part was timing out our arrival in Thiensville.  Just like in 2003 for the 100th anniversary ride, we stopped at a rest area this afternoon along I-43 near East Troy.  Our engineers hooked up the transmitters and antennas to our motorcycles, and Ted and I departed for Thiensville about 30 minutes apart. 

A pleasant surprise for me was the fine group of people who rode out to the rest area just to ride back with me into Milwaukee.  We had a group of about 15 bikes streaming down I-43 to 894 to Highway 45 to Good Hope Road to Green Bay Road and into Thiensville.  Just like in past anniversary rides, people were along the roads and the overpasses waving and holding "welcome home" signs.  It always brings chills when I see that type of welcome.  All of us on our bikes were in awe as we waved back.  I can only imagine how this type of welcome feels to people from all over the world riding into Milwaukee.  For anybody who owns a Harley, this city is truly their second hometown.

The helmet cam technology worked like a charm.  Hopefully it gave our viewers a unique look at our arrival into Milwaukee.  We'll use that same technology Saturday morning for live coverage of the 105th anniversary parade.

So a big thank you to our engineers for the technical achievements today, and huge kudos to Cary and Susanne, my producer and photojournalist, for being great company on the road.  Their tireless work made our coverage complete.  And thanks to you for tuning in and for your kind words and thoughts this past week.

New photos are posted in the MyRide section of our web site. Check them out HERE.
Dorothy was right.  There is no place like home.

Prepared by FOX 6 Meteorologist Bart Adrian

10:00pm Wednesday, August 26, 2008

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Synopsis: High pressure over the eastern Great Lakes will keep our weather quiet tonight. On Thursday, low pressure moving across southern Canada will drag a cold front across Wisconsin.  That will give us what looks to be our only good chance for rain before Labor Day, with showers and thunderstorms likely Thursday afternoon and evening.

_________________________________________

 

Overnight: Partly Cloudy

Low: 60-65

Dewpoint: 55-60

Wind: Light E-SE

 

Thursday: Mostly Cloudy, More Humid

Showers & Thunderstorms Likely, Especially Afternoon

High: 80 Inland, 74 Lakeside

Dewpoint: 60-65

Wind: SE-S 7-15 mph

 

Thursday Night: Evening Thunderstorms, Then Clearing & Cooler 

Low: 58-63

Dewpoint: Falling to 55-60

Wind: SE-NW 7-15 mph

 

Friday: Partly Sunny

High: Near 78

Dewpoint: 55-60

Wind: NW 7-15 mph

How did your garden grow this year? I would like to know.  Threw the summer I was up dating you on my garden.  My garden was better then last year. Last year we planted a garden down in the lowest part of the yard. We ended up being washed out  from the mas amount of rain last year.  This year we planted at the level part of the yard. We had a prety good turn out on the garden. We pulled the bean plants. We still have four watermelons on the vine. We have a whole bunch of tomatos and cucumbers every day. So how did your garden grow?

Prepared by FOX 6 Meteorologist Bart Adrian

3:45pm Wednesday, August 26, 2008

_________________________________________

Synopsis: High pressure over the eastern Great Lakes will keep our weather quiet tonight. On Thursday, low pressure moving across southern Canada will drag a cold front across Wisconsin.  That will give us what looks to be our only good chance for rain before Labor Day, with showers and thunderstorms likely Thursday afternoon and evening.

_________________________________________

 

Tonight: Clear Early, Clouds Late

Low: 60-65

Dewpoint: 55-60

Wind: E-SE 5-10 mph

 

Thursday: Mostly Cloudy, More Humid

Showers & Thunderstorms Likely, Especially Afternoon

High: 80 Inland, 74 Lakeside

Dewpoint: 60-65

Wind: SE-S 7-15 mph

 

Thursday Night: Evening Thunderstorms, Then Clearing & Cooler 

Low: 58-63

Dewpoint: Falling to 55-60

Wind: SE-NW 7-15 mph

 

Friday: Partly Sunny

High: Near 78

Dewpoint: 55-60

Wind: NW 7-15 mph

By now, many of you may have read the email about Mars being close to the earth tonight. Some of the emails even claim it will look like a second moon in the sky!

Well, I am sorry to tell you it won't be happening tonight or really any night as it's described in the email. It is a hoax.

The email has Mars closer to the sun that has been in over 5,000 years and goes on to say that if you look at Mars through a 75-power telescope that it appears as large as the moon does to the naked eye.

Nope. None of that is true.

You see, both planets are on elliptical orbits, with the earth going around the sun twice as fast as Mars so the two are at their closest about every 26 months.

The next time the orbits of Earth and Mars pass their closest is in 2010.

Mars was at its “closest” to the Earth in December 2003 but it can never look like the moon as Moon is always closer to Earth.

Astronomers will tell you that during August 2008 the view of Mars will actually be “at its faintest” after being somewhat closer to Earth during December 2007.

Synopsis by FOX 6 meteorologist Rob Haswell

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A cold front moving over the Dakotas today will arrive in WI tomorrow with rain and thunderstorms likely in much of our viewing area.  However, as quickly as it comes, it's gone again and won't likely do too much to break our near-drought conditions this month.

Sunshine returns Friday through Monday.

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Wednesday: Mostly Sunny

High: 80 Inland, 74 Lakeside

Dewpoint: 55-60

Wind: SE 7-15 mph

 

Wednesday Night: Clear Early, Clouds Late

Low: 58-63

Dewpoint: 55-60

Wind: SE-S 5-10 mph

 

Thursday: Partly Sunny, More Humid

Showers & Thunderstorms Likely, Especially Afternoon

High: Near 82

Dewpoint: 60-65

Wind: S 7-15 mph

The email that has become known as the annual "Mars Hoax" on the internet has returned. Here's a link to a good explanation from Sky and Telescope magazine: http://www.skyandtelescope.com/news/8708182.html 
...Sorry if I've disappointed anyone!

Prepared by FOX 6 Meteorologist Bart Adrian

10:00pm Tuesday, August 25, 2008

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Synopsis: High pressure centered over Georgian Bay will maintain control of our weather through Wednesday. That means yet another of these sunny days and clear nights with comfortable temperatures and dew points. On Thursday, low pressure moving eastward out of Saskatchewan will drag a cold front across Wisconsin.  That will give us what looks to be our only good chance for rain before Labor Day.

_________________________________________

 

Overnight: Mostly Clear & Cool

Low: 60 Lakeside, 52 Inland

Dewpoint: 50-55

Wind: NE-SE 5-10 mph

 

Wednesday: Mostly Sunny

High: 80 Inland, 74 Lakeside

Dewpoint: 55-60

Wind: SE 7-15 mph

 

Wednesday Night: Clear Early, Clouds Late

Low: 58-63

Dewpoint: 55-60

Wind: SE-S 5-10 mph

 

Thursday: Partly Sunny, More Humid

Showers & Thunderstorms Likely, Especially Afternoon

High: Near 82

Dewpoint: 60-65

Wind: S 7-15 mph

They are here from Mexico City and Brazil.  And all over the United States, too.  It is a gathering of motorcycles of all shapes and sizes, ridden by people of all shapes and sizes.  We are in Bloomington, Illinois and Chuck's Harley-Davidson dealership.  They are hosting a party for bikers that have travelled here from far and wide.

 

The riders from Mexico City spoke very little English, but they smiled amply when I told them to have a great time in Milwaukee.  The couple from Brazil has been here before.  They tell me the riding in Brazil is very scenic, but our roads in the U.S. are much more comfortable for riding.  (Have they tried some of our pot-holed streets?)

 

Ted Perry and his crew have arrived from their ride from Dayton.  They got caught in a huge traffic jam on I-70 due to an accident, so Ted rolled in about 15 minutes before we went live on FOX 6 News at 5.  I think the beard on ol' Ted looks pretty good.  Yes, there is gray in it, but so what.  It makes him look distinguished.  (Is that possible for Ted?)

 

It is now 8 p.m. in Bloomington and I am sitting outside in the parking lot surrounded by hundreds of motorcycles and typing this on the laptop.  Meanwhile, our engineers are working on attaching transmitters to my motorcyle and Ted's motorcycle so we can broadcast our ride in to Milwaukee tomorrow.  We will each be wearing helmet cams, and during the 5 and 6 p.m. news tomorrow it should make for an interesting view.

 

Our plan is to arrive at Suburban Harley-Davidson in Thiensville - me at around 5:45 p.m. and Ted around 6:15 p.m.  This could be a challenge as we negotiate the late-afternoon rush hour traffic from I-43 and the Hale Interchange all the way to southern Ozaukee County.  Can we arrive on time?  We'll see.  Check it out tomorrow.

 

Right now it looks like we will arrive via I-43 through the Hale, go north on I-894 to the Zoo, then north on Highway 45, exit on Good Hope Road, east to Green Bay Road, then north into Thiensville.

 

Tonight Ted is seated next to me writing his stories for the newscasts - I'm not sure what they will be about - I'll let it be a surprise.  Meanwhile the party is starting to thin out.  By the time we hit the air there may not be many bikes left.  Many people are leaving early tomorrow morning, so they want to get back to their hotels and get a good night's sleep.

 

Speaking of good night's sleep, did I mention how nice it is to be back in the Central Time Zone?  Our last live shot at 10 p.m. will actually be 10 p.m. instead of 11 p.m.  Woo-hoo!  And we can ride at a more relaxed pace tomorrow since we don't need to be in Milwaukee until later tomorrow afternoon.  This is all a good thing because I hear that Ted keeps sleeping late each day and missing breakfast.  Are we really going to need a wake-up call for this guy?

 

Well, tomorrow should be an exciting day.  Look for our adventures on FOX 6 News.  By the way, we have new photos now uploaded in the MyRide section, so check them out HERE.

 

See you on TV - with Mr. Graybeard.

Prepared by FOX 6 Meteorologist Bart Adrian

3:45pm Tuesday, August 25, 2008

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Synopsis: High pressure centered over Georgian Bay will maintain control of our weather through Wednesday. That means yet another of these sunny days and clear nights with comfortable temperatures and dew points. On Thursday, low pressure moving eastward out of Saskatchewan will drag a cold front across Wisconsin.  That will give us what looks to be our only good chance for rain before Labor Day.

_________________________________________

 

Tonight: Mostly Clear & Cool

Low: 60 Lakeside, 52 Inland

Dewpoint: 50-55

Wind: E-SE 5-10 mph

 

Wednesday: Mostly Sunny

High: 80 Inland, 74 Lakeside

Dewpoint: 55-60

Wind: SE 7-15 mph

 

Wednesday Night: Clear Early, Clouds Late

Low: 58-63

Dewpoint: 55-60

Wind: SE-S 5-10 mph

 

Thursday: Partly Sunny, More Humid

Showers & Thunderstorms Likely, Especially Afternoon

High: Near 82

Dewpoint: 60-65

Wind: S 7-15 mph

Prepared by FOX 6 Meteorologist Bart Adrian

1:15pm Tuesday, August 25, 2008

 

This Afternoon: Mostly Sunny & Pleasant!

High: 76 Inland, 70Lakeside

Dewpoint: 50-55

Wind: E 7-15 mph

 

Tonight: Mostly Clear

Low: 60 Lakeside, 54 Inland

Dewpoint: 50-55

Wind: E-SE 5-10 mph

 

Wednesday: Mostly Sunny

High: 80 Inland, 74 Lakeside

Dewpoint: 55-60

Wind: SE-E 7-15 mph

It’s all about teamwork.  Whether it’s in business or sports, the efforts of many exceed the work of one.  That is certainly the case on this journey.  As you know, I’m riding 250 to 300 miles per day on a motorcycle.  It is tiring, and after a few days of this type of riding, my brain tends to get mushy.  (No jokes about me getting older, c’mon.)  So it will come as no surprise when I tell you that my producer Cary Docter and my photojournalist Susanne Barthel are doing the thinking for me.

When we arrive at our destination, road fatigue renders me fairly useless.  But Cary and Susanne are full of good story ideas.  I simply follow their lead.  Monday we got lucky when we stopped at the Man O’War Harley-Davidson dealer in Lexington, KY.  I was ready for a bathroom break and to stretch my legs.

But when we pulled up to the dealership we met two couples from England.  They were great interviews on camera.  Then Susanne had a great idea about doing a video music piece on motorcycle clothing.  Boom - it was done.  Cary then cornered the service department manager and arranged for me to interview him about servicing the motorcycles of people driving through to Milwaukee.  By the end of our stop in Lexington we had several good stories put together for Monday evening’s newscasts.

This is my fourth anniversary ride I have worked for the TV station (90th, 95th, 100th, and now 105th) so I have run out of fresh ideas.  However, even though this is the third anniversary ride I have worked with Cary, he still is able to generate fresh angles to stories from the road.  That’s why he produces and I ride!

Susanne has shown this amazing ability to shoot stories, edit them on the laptop while riding in the van, and then generating more story ideas for the next day.  It seems like she can visualize the story through the lens of her camera, then execute the product.  That’s why she shoots and I ride!

When you think about it, I’m one lucky rider.

Today we are off to Bloomington, Illinois.  Our route will take us up Interstate 65 to Indianapolis, then Interstate 74 west to Bloomington.  It is freeway driving once again.  Not my favorite.  It’s no fun battling the wind as the trucks pass me by at high speed.  And there is no way to take in the scenery.  Driving a motorcycle at 70 miles per hour requires a lot of concentration.  So I’ll keep the tunes going on the iPod through the speaker system on the motorcycle, and enjoy some good riding weather.

And who knows what story ideas we will find along the route.

Teddy P. and I will see you on TV from Illinois later today

SYNOPSIS by Fox 6 meteorologist Rob Haswell

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High pressure in charge again today with sunny skies!  An east breeze around that high will keep things cooler lakeside but near seasonal temps are likely inland.

Another clear cool night tonight and then another day in the sun tomorrow.

However, late Wednesday and through the day on Thursday, a cold front will cross WI with a chance of rain and thunderstorms.

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Tuesday: Mostly Sunny & Pleasant!

High: 78 Inland, 71 Lakeside

Dewpoint: 50-55

Wind: E 7-15 mph

Tuesday Night: Mostly Clear

Low: 53-58

Dewpoint: 50-55

Wind: E-SE 5-10 mph

Wednesday: Mostly Sunny & Pleasant!

High: 80 Inland, 74 Lakeside

Dewpoint: 55-60

Wind: SE-E 7-15 mph

200 mile days!  are tuff? well looking at what yer riding and wearing I quest ,so have fun! Instead of ear plugs try stock pipes it will make your ride more pleasent and not PISS OFF the rest of the world who are going to get laws passed agianst us or those who support us. BISH

I forgot to warn Ted Perry before this motorcycle trip not to whack somebody in the head if they say "Hey, it must be nice to get paid to take a motorcycle trip."  Because they will say that to him.  I hear the same line every time I do one of these Harley-Davidson anniversary rides for the TV station.

 

I call this the anti-vacation because it is exactly the opposite of what you would do for an enjoyable motorcycle journey.  The ideal, of course, is to take your time and discover the side roads and the cool scenery.  Afterall, the journey really begins once you leave the exit ramp.  Today we were doing just the opposite - booking it down the interstate at 70 mph to get from Knoxville to Louisville, with a few stops in between.

 

I'm riding alone again today.  The West Bend HOG chapter riders stayed in Gatlinburg, TN last night while we went on to ride the Tail of the Dragon and then do our live reports from Knoxville.  Cary (producer) and Susanne (photographer) followed me in their van today as we got out of Knoxville just before a heavy downpour of rain moved in.

 

We stopped at London, KY in search of motorcycle riders and any other interesting stories, and stumbled upon a new Harley-Davidson dealership being built.  We then went on to Lexington and stopped at Man O'War Harley-Davidson, a wonderful new building with friendly folks.  Susanne put together a fun video piece of me trying on various motorcycle clothes (that will be on during our 9pm news tonight), and we spoke with two couples from England who are riding to Milwaukee.  One of the British couples now lives in South Carolina - the husband owns 11 motorcycles, including 8 Harleys.  Talk about brand loyalty!

 

This trip is all about the people.  Actually, motorcycling is all about the people.  Who you meet along the journey is the best part.  The British couples were a good example of that.  And the staff at Man O'War was as nice as can be.  We did another video segment on their service department.  H-D dealers all over the world help riders as they travel.  There can be mechanical breakdowns along the way, and local dealers are in place to get those riders back on the road to their destination quickly.

 

No doubt the local H-D dealers in the Milwaukee area will be mighty busy this week.  Stop by a local dealer and say hi.  The local dealers we have in town are outstanding, and you will meet riders from all over the world coming into town for the 105th.

 

Speaking of coming into town, Ted Perry and I will meet up in Bloomington, Illinois tomorrow night (Tuesday), then ride in together on Wednesday.  Our plan is to arrive at Suburban Harley-Davidson in Thiensville sometime during our 5pm and 6pm newscasts.  We will be broadcasting live via helmet cameras and Sky Fox 6.  I'm looking forward to seeing everybody back home Wednesday evening.

 

Meanwhile, tonight we are positioned in front of Churchill Downs here in downtown Louisville for our live reports.  It began to drizzle just before my 5pm live shot, but now as I get ready to do the 6pm live shot, it is cloudy but dry.  Let's hope it stays that way!

 

See you on TV.

Prepared by FOX 6 Meteorologist Bart Adrian

3:45pm Monday, August 25, 2008

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Synopsis: High pressure centered over the Upper Peninsula of Michigan will maintain control of our weather through Wednesday. That means a continuation fo thesunny days and clear nights with comfortable temperatures and dew points. On Thursday, low pressure will move this way and give us what looks to be our only good chance for rain before Labor Day.

_________________________________________

 

Tonight: Clear & Cool

Low: 57 Lakeside, 48 Inland

Dewpoint: 45-50

Wind: NE-E 5-10 mph

 

Tuesday: Mostly Sunny & Pleasant!

High: 78 Inland, 71 Lakeside

Dewpoint: 50-55

Wind: E 7-15 mph

 

Tuesday Night: Mostly Clear

Low: 53-58

Dewpoint: 50-55

Wind: E-SE 5-10 mph

 

Wednesday: Mostly Sunny & Pleasant!

High: 80 Inland, 74 Lakeside

Dewpoint: 55-60

Wind: SE-E 7-15 mph

Prepared by FOX 6 Meteorologist Bart Adrian

1:30pm Monday, August 25, 2008

 

This Afternoon: Mostly Sunny & Pleasant!

High: 74 Inland, 68 Lakeside

Dewpoint: 50-55

Wind: N-NE 7-15 mph

 

 

Monday Night: Clear & Cool

Low: 48-53

Dewpoint: 45-50

Wind: Light NE-E

 

 

Tuesday: Mostly Sunny & Pleasant

High: 78 Inland, 71 Lakeside

Dewpoint: 50-55

Wind: NE-E 7-15 mph