9/18, bring your steel umbrella

Anyone else interested in doing 50mph followed by 5 mph speed runs over on Hains Point this afternoon? Just kidding, stay safe out there.

@creadinger 31385 wrote:

So for those that rode in today (props) if you can adjust your departure to avoid any squall lines later today then you should be fine. It will still be breezy and blustery all day, but nothing crazy.

Care to do a quick explanation/tutorial on how to know one is avoiding squall lines?

@ShawnoftheDread 31397 wrote:

Care to do a quick explanation/tutorial on how to know one is avoiding squall lines?

Uhhh, leave work now? The WunderMap makes it look like DC and the close in suburbs are going to be in a gap for the next hour or so.

Looks like anyone who can hit the road by 4PM should be OK – CWG has the worst of it heading our way between 4-8PM.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/liveblog/wp/2012/09/18/severe-storm-risk-in-washington-area/#liveblog-entry-1098

@Tim Kelley 31400 wrote:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=bLeBHI3LYAo

Best part of that video 0:30 – 0:35 seconds. White jersey is so disappoint.

@pfunkallstar 31398 wrote:

My main go to for avoiding the real heavy stuff is http://www.wunderground.com/wundermap/?lat=38.88659286&lon=-77.17978668&zoom=8&pin=Falls%20Church%2c%20VA. Most of the time you can shoot the gap, but you have to allow at least 30 minutes on each side of your normal departure time. Also, today is going to be tough given the fact that most of the really crappy stuff is coming from due south.

If anyone wants to tie a rope to my bike to form some sort of buddy system I’ll be heading out around 5pm ish from Metro Center to Falls Church.

Maybe I should grab on as you roll though the Rosslyn area.

@ShawnoftheDread 31397 wrote:

Care to do a quick explanation/tutorial on how to know one is avoiding squall lines?

Well that should be fairly simple and all you need is a few tools.

First, one needs to know what to look for when you’re trying to avoid a squall line. Make sure to avoid the trap of thinking of a squaw line instead of a squall line. A line of native american women would be relatively easy to avoid on a bike and successfully doing so would still leave you vulnerable to a squall line.

The safest way to identify and avoid a squall line is to look at the most recent radar loops on a computer or smart phone. Then if you can, adjust your departure time either earlier or later to make sure you are at home/work when it hits. Or some other indoor location partway home. 7-11 worked just fine for me 2 weeks ago in Gettysburg, PA.

The next best way to avoid squall lines is to look up. If you see roiling dark clouds heading your way with heavy shafts of rain just behind it and gusty winds preceding it proceed to the nearest shelter immediately. Even if it is behind you. The good news is that squall lines are usually NOT accompanied by tornadoes, (except for the cells on the ends) but if you get hit by a tornado on your bike then there’s no advice that can help you in that situation.