Trading Winter Weather Predictions with WJLA News 7 Meteorologist Eileen Whelan
January 5, 2015
SILVER SPRING, MD--Back in the fall, many weather prognosticators called for a cold, snowy winter in the mid-Atlantic. Through early January, however, less than an inch of snow had accumulated at Baltimore-Washington International (BWI) Thurgood Marshall Airport!
Predicting the weather is a dynamic challenge in this region, even for the experts. That's why it was so informative to host WJLA News 7 (ABC) meteorologist & weather producer Eileen Whelan on December 3rd.
During her visit to Riderwood, Eileen talked about the science of forecasting and the challenge of "doing the weather" for local television newscasts & websites. She took questions from the audience of sixty residents about topics such as technology and climate change.
Following her presentation, Eileen showed off the equipment on the ABC News 7 Storm Chaser Hummer. She uses the vehicle to provide live, on-air weather updates to viewers in Virginia, Maryland and Washington, D.C.
Twenty residents also entered the "Guess the Snow Total" contest for the 2014-15 winter season. The challenge is to predict the snowfall total at BWI Marshall Airport from December 1st through March 31st. The winner will be announced in early April.
The entries range from 4.2 inches to 63 inches, and Eileen's official prediction is 33 inches. Stay tuned! For each contest entry, the Public Affairs Department made a donation to the Montgomery County Coalition for the Homeless.
Many thanks to Riderwood resident Bob Sprinkle for being the inspiration to our morning of talkin' weather with Eileen.
About Riderwood: Riderwood is one of eighteen continuing care retirement communities managed by Erickson Living. Located in Silver Spring, Maryland, the scenic 120-acre campus is home to more than 2,500 residents. Riderwood is the ideal greater Washington, D.C. retirement destination offering a true sense of community, convenience beyond compare and a sensible financial structure.