Ticker for October 9, 2013

                
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October 9, 2013    October 9, 2013    October 9, 2013    October 9, 2013


Supposed to

"Supposed to" ... two of the most hated words of weather folk. We get asked this
stuff alot:

Is it "supposed to" rain this week?
Is it "supposed to" get cold tomorrow?
Is it "supposed to" tornado tonight?
Are you "supposed to" drink on the job?

That last one is mostly during furlough hours, but "supposed to" is a deadly
phrase when you normally communicate in chances. Over the last three years, it
has "supposed to" rain quite a few times with little success. However, if you can't
beat 'em, join 'em, right?

Yes, it is "supposed to" rain this weekend (if not sooner).  The NWS offices
(staffed by folks who are "supposed to" get paid ... good luck!) are giving us
some good graphics on what to expect.







Wow, I see numbers on there like 30%, 40%, all the way up to 50%. It is
"SUPPOSED TO" rain, right? Not only that, over the next 7 days, it's "supposed
to" rain up to 2 inches across the eastern half of the state. Sweet!



That much rain in some areas would ruin this U.S. Monthly Drought Outlook from
CPC, which said the drought was "supposed to" persist across those areas.



Which should also give you pause with this map, which says that drought is
"supposed to" persist through the end of the year.



OU is "supposed to" beat Texas.
OSU was "supposed to" beat West Virginia.

I was "supposed to" have this type of hair when I got older.



So here's the big secret about "supposed to": we don't hold the keys to the
make-things-happen machine.

Part of my good fortune is that in my job, I'm "supposed to" tell you what
happens AFTER it occurred, as well as before. And that's a whole other
proposition.

That was "supposed to" be my parting shot, but I'll go ahead and leave you with
one more. It's "supposed to" be a nice today. Now that one I think we have
covered!

** 


**DISCLAIMER: Not responsible for things that were "supposed to" happen but
didn't.

Gary McManus
Associate State Climatologist
Oklahoma Climatological Survey
(405) 325-2253
gmcmanus@mesonet.org