Cheryl Nelson
Meteorologist
CBM/AMS Seal

Many of our pets enjoy spending time outdoors.  However, when temperatures drop below 32 degrees, it is a good idea to bring them inside, if possible.  If pets have to stay outdoors, be sure they have a shelter with blankets to keep them warm.  Check and refill their water bowl often as the water freezes pretty quickly in sub freezing weather. 

If your pets are inside, be aware of the pests they may bring in with them (certain insects, etc may try to come inside to warm up too).    I do the “Pet of the Week” segment on WAVY-TV and have a genuine love for animals and their well-being.

If you haven’t thought about parasite prevention for your pet, now would be a good time to start.  Fleas may come inside with your pet, especially during the fall and winter when it gets cold outside.  Fleas can cause some bad diseases in your pet such as cat scratch fever and tapeworms.  Fleas also can irritate your pet’s skin causing him/her to scratch the itchy skin continuously.  Heartworms can survive in your pet’s lungs, heart, and blood vessels.  Other internal parasites like hookworms, roundworms, and whipworms can also infect your pets causing them gastrointestinal problems: kittens and puppies are most susceptible  to these parasites.

I hope your pets are warm, healthy and happy! 

To keep your pet healthy, talk with your veterinarian about parasite prevention.  If you have a story you’d like to share about how you keep your pet safe and warm during the winter months, let me know.  Please remember to spay or neuter your pet.  Microchipping is also a good idea.  All pets brought to shelters are scanned for a microchip- if you lose your pet, the chances of being reunited with him/her are much higher if the pet is microchipped.  It is a safe, quick and easy process.  Talk to your veterinarian if you would like additional information.   

I’d love to see your pet pictures too.  Feel free to send me an email at cheryl.nelson@wavy.com

Meteorologist Cheryl Nelson

The cold weather pattern we’re in is going to be around for quite a while.  Temperatures likely won’t get above 40 degrees all week.  In fact, after lows in the 10s and 20s, it will be a struggle for temperatures to crack 32 degrees in some locations during the day.  (Average high temperatures for this time of the year are in the upper 40s to near 50).

The wind chill will be an issue again today.  Northwest winds of 15-30 mph with higher gusts created wind chills in the single digits this morning and wind chills will be in the 10s and 20s this afternoon.  Winds will finally begin to slowly subside overnight, but it will remain frigid.  Please remember to keep your pets inside, if possible.  Any water in bowls outside will likely stay frozen for much of the night and even into the day due to very cold temperatures. 

Please also remember to look after each other.  I recommend a hat, scarf, gloves/mittens and a heavy coat in this kind of cold weather!

Another tip: please do not leave your car while it is running to let it warm up.  Leaving a vehicle running and unattended is a perfect invitation for someone to steal your vehicle and drive away.  If you do need to warm up your vehicle, please remain inside the car and keep it locked.

Stay warm and safe this week!

By the way, we are keeping an eye on a possible storm moving in from the southwest late Thursday into Friday that could bring us some snow showers.  The track, intensity and amount of cold air will all be key players.  It is too soon to make any other predictions at this time, but it could be interesting…stay tuned! 

Meteorologist Cheryl Nelson

YEAR          PRECIPITATION

1889                     70.72″

1877                    69.14″

1979                    64.96″

2009                   64.66″

Meteorologist Cheryl Nelson

While Virginia and North Carolina usually have less than a 25% chance of a White Christmas, this year will be much different for areas well north and west of Hampton Roads!  Saturday’s snowstorm blanketed the region and snow is still on the ground in places like Richmond, Washington, D.C, Harrisonburg, Charlottesville and Roanoke. 

Here is a look at the current snow depth:

If you want to see the snow, you’ve only got a couple of more days to “drive to it.”  Rain will wash the snow away on Christmas Day.

Happy Holidays!

Meteorologist Cheryl Nelson

Photo taken by Alan Dyer

Good news for some of us in Hampton Roads!  Skies are beginning to clear this evening which means that some of us may be able to view the Geminid Meteor Shower overnight.  The peak is around 2 AM and over 100 meteors are expected per hour.  A new moon will also help to create ideal viewing conditions.  If you plan on heading out, be sure to select a dark area away from city lights and look toward the eastern sky.  Temperatures will drop to the lower 40s in most locations so make sure you stay warm  Good luck! 

Feel free to send your photos to photos@wavy.com. 

Meteorologist Cheryl Nelson

From Jessica, student at JMU inHarrisonburg, VA

Here are some snow totals I found from today:

Harrisonburg  5.5″

Blacksburg  3.9″

Fairfax  3.5″

Roanoke  2.3″

Springfield  2.0″

Charlottesville  1.5″

Look for full sunshine and chilly temperatures on Sunday.  Have a great night!

Meteorologist Cheryl Nelson

November 30th marks the end of the 2009 hurricane season.  This year’s activity was below average with nine named storms, three hurricanes (Bill, Fred and Ida) and two major (category 3 or greater) hurricanes (Bill and Fred).  In an “average” hurricane season, there are eleven named storms, six hurricanes and two major hurricanes.  The 2009 season had the fewest named storms since 1997.  The reduced activity this year was caused by El Nino.  Wind shear in the Atlantic Basin resulted in fewer and short-lived storms.  Although a couple of Tropical Storms made landfall in the United States, there were no hurricane landfalls in the U.S. this year.

Meteorologist Cheryl Nelson

Whether you are driving or flying, expect more clouds and morning drizzle in Hampton Roads and northeast North Carolina.  The Northeast part of the country looks okay with mostly cloudy skies, but if you’re flying to the Great Lakes region (such as Detroit or Chicago), expect rain/snow showers and breezy conditions.  The inclement weather could lead to airport delays at the big hubs like Chicago O’Hare International Airport.  If you’re flying south to Florida, expect rain, heavy at times.  The Plains region will be quite chilly for this time of the year.  If you’re heading out west, high pressure will dominate providing plenty of sunshine.

Travel safely and have a wonderful Thanksgiving! 

Meteorologist Cheryl Nelson