Today we are kicking off our new Link Exchange program at WeatherDefender.com! This is exciting news for us and all our fellow weather buffs. To do this, we've created a special section of our site dedicated to housing links to weather resources and preparedness-related websites.
So, if you would like to have your link featured on our website, please visit our link submission page:
http://www.weatherdefender.com/LinkExchange.aspx
We will post links on a first-come, first-serve basis so if you want your site listed please be sure to submit your website details on our Link Exchange Form today!
Thanks and we look forward to your help in creating a library of helpful links for our visitors.
One of the most common compliments we receive about Weather Defender is how easy it is to use. Just how easy is it? Take a look at this weather forecast put together by one of our younger clients:
Custom snow forecast by KC Cornette (click to enlarge)
Kasey Cornette, age 10, writes:
"These colors show the amounts of snow i expect from the storm we are now experiencing which will not be over until Tuesday Feb 16th."
I asked Kasey how he created this forecast and he replied:
"I start with a blank Weather Defender page. I go to map,and I click on screenshot and save it to desktop. Then open,and left click on windows paint. I use a variety of modles to get snowfall averages, and coler the map accordingly."
Well done, Kasey!
Another major storm headed to snowy Mid-Atlantic:
CNN Reports: "Another massive snowstorm barreled toward the mid-Atlantic region Tuesday, as forecasters told residents still reeling from a paralyzing weekend blizzard to prepare for more of the same.
Hundreds of flights were canceled, and airlines were waiting to see whether they would have to cancel more. Federal workers and schoolchildren in the nation's capital were told to stay home for a second consecutive day.
The National Weather Service predicted another 10 to 20 inches of snow for northern Virginia, eastern Maryland and Washington beginning Tuesday afternoon and continuing through Wednesday."
It's been said that 4 out of 5 companies fail in the first 5 years. And of those that remain, 4 out of 5 fail in the next 5 years. As we enter our 10th year in business at SWIFT Weather, this milestone is undoubtedly a proud achievement for us.
The last decade has seen a lot of changes. I'll admit it was rarely easy. But what a rewarding experience it has been to build a business devoted to protecting communities and saving lives.
As we look ahead, things only get more exciting. Thanks to the tremendous response to Weather Defender, our company has more than doubled in size in the last year and continues to grow. There are more enhancements, more clients, and more new projects than ever before. The future is looking bright, indeed.
My sincerest thanks to all of you, our customers, who have made this possible. You shared our vision for safer communities and citizen preparedness, and you make this vision a reality through your on-going support.
And my deepest thanks to the SWIFT Weather team: Mark, Doug, Liz, Emily, Bill, and Becca. This wouldn't be possible without you.
Best Regards,
Rory Groves
Founder & CEO
SWIFT Weather
When we at SWIFT Weather equipped our latest version of Weather Defender 1.1 with the ability to track natural disasters on a global scale, we had no idea the kind of devastation that would happen just a few months later. As our customers already know, the Ranger Weather Map in Weather Defender 1.1 includes an Earthquakes tracking layer, as shown here:
Unfortunately, we have no way to predict where earthquakes will strike next. All we can do is offer our support after the fact to those who need it most. That is why we have contributed to the American Red Cross Haiti Reflief Fund, and we would encourage anyone who is able to contribute what they can:
Haiti Relief Fund
From the Midwest down to Miami, the conditions outside sure make it seem like we're all extras in the movie, "The Fog." However, as frustrated drivers and delayed travelers can attest, there's nothing entertaining about this latest weather plague. Here are some of the common fog-related advisories being issued at the moment:
Freezing Fog Advisory: icing is possible on roads and walkways, especially bridges and overpasses. Especially dangerous for pedestrians and drivers.
Dense Fog Advisory: visibilities could fall below a quarter-mile, making almost any kind of traveling exceptionally dangerous. Drive slowly, with low beams on, to minimize accidents.
Though it's best to postpone travel plans when a thick fog rolls into your area, here are some of the best tips to stay safe throughout the foggy weather:
- Fog can cause an illusion that you are traveling in slow motion, when in reality you may actually be speeding. Keep an eye on the speedometer for accuracy.
- Contrary to what you may be inclined to do, drive with your low beams on. High beams can reflect off the fog and cause more visibility problems.
- Since drivers tend to follow the lights of the car in front of them when it's foggy, make sure you turn the lights off if you are experiencing car troubles. Pull over and step away from the vehicle for maximum safety.
- If the fog is really thick, unroll the driver-side window and listen for traffic. You can also keep an eye on the right side of the road for a guide.
What have your experiences been with the fog so far? Leave a comment and let us know - or send me your fog pictures: emily@swiftweather.com
Fog photo by Daniel Muller - Omaha, NE
Tags: fog,
foggy,
foggy weather,
ice,
slippery,
driving conditions,
safety,
roads,
travel,
delays,
car trouble,
icing,
accidents
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We are pleased to introduce the newest member of the SWIFT Weather team: Emily Belden.
Emily brings several years of advertising experience and will be assisting with various marketing initiatives around here, as well as helping to launch new products currently under development.
We are very excited about Emily joining our company and the creativity and enthusiasm she brings.
Welcome, Emily!
"15 Inches In Some Areas; State Of Emergency In Wisconsin"
Chicago (CBS) - "The first major winter snowstorm of the season made life miserable throughout much of the Upper Midwest and the governor of Wisconsin has already declared a state of emergency.
"Winter Weather" Map in Weather Defender keeps track of Winter Hazards & Snow Reports
"Five deaths are reported and hundreds of flights canceled, as the same storm that clobbered us is now moving north and towards the East Coast. In Wisconsin, the situation was far worse. The snow slammed the state so severely that Gov. Jim Doyle declared a preemptive state of emergency."
"Frigid temperatures to follow heavy snow..."
Des Moines (AP) - "Commuters from Des Moines to Chicago were warned of morning temperatures reaching 10 degrees at best and icy roads. Wind chill values could dip to as low as minus 25 in parts of Wisconsin, Iowa and Illinois, according to the National Weather Service.
Temperature Layer activated in Weather Defender to show regions of extreme cold
"Wind gusts that reached more than 50 mph and built snow drifts between 8 and 15 feet tall had died down by Thursday, but officials still warned of blowing snow and treacherous driving conditions.
"Take some extra time because the roads are gonna be slick," said Lori Getter, spokeswoman at the Wisconsin Emergency Operations Center."
SWIFT Weather Founder & CEO Rory Groves was a guest on "Code Red!" this morning, the only radio & webcast show specifically dedicated to Personal Security, Safety and Emergency Preparedness issues worldwide.
During the 30-minute interview with host Alfred McComber, Rory discussed the story behind Weather Defender and how the innovative technology was designed to save lives and protect families in disaster-prone areas known as Tornado Alley.
Listen to the interview segment here:
Code Red! broadcasts daily at 10:30 AM - 12 noon Eastern (9:30-11am Central).
Tune in live or listen to archived shows at:
www.coderedradioshow.com