Members and staff of Weather Research Center gathered on Wednesday October 15, 1997 to celebrate a historic occasion - the end of Phase I in the development of the Weather Museum. A gathering which included the board of directors, members and friends marked the occasion with an Under Construction Party which was held in the soon-to-be museum.

Plans are now underway to secure funding for the remodeling of the interior of the building and erecting the museum displays. The Museum will be open by appointment only to see the historical data and old equipment, as well as to view other weather information. The Weather Museum continues to look for gifts-in-kind and volunteers to help with some of the designing, remodeling and the building of displays. If you are interested in volunteering, please call the Center at (713) 529-3076. Also, there is still plenty of time to become a founding member of The Weather Museum. For information about membership, just call the Center or visit our web site at www.wxresearch.com.

Hurricane Erika was the only tropical cyclone to occur in the month of September which marks a rare occurrence. Since 1900, there have been 13 years when there was only one tropical cyclone (hurricane or tropical storm) in the North Atlantic Ocean Basin during the month of September, this according to research meteorologists Jill F. Hasling and Dr. John C. Freeman. The last time there was only one September storm was back in 1946. In addition, there was on average one to two storms in October and November over those 13 years. The years with only one September storm were: 1902; 1904; 1911; 1912; 1914; 1919; 1922; 1925; 1929; 1930; 1938; 1939 and 1946.

Weather Research Center's 1997 hurricane outlook called for seven named storms in the Atlantic Basin with four reaching hurricane intensity. So far this year there have been seven named storms: Ana, Bill, Claudette, Danny, Erika, Fabian and Grace. Three of these storms (Bill, Danny and Erika) intensified into hurricanes. Hurricane Erika has been the strongest - a Category 3 storm with maximum sustained winds of 125 MPH.

In the 13 years with only one tropical cyclone, there were 11 years which had storms in October and November. The two years without October or November storms were in 1914 and 1930 - both El Nino years. On average, there were 4.2 storms per season during those 13 years. The total number of storms in the 13 years ranged from one to eight storms. Eight out of the 13 years were El Nino years. A strong El Nino event probably attributed to this season's lack of tropical activity. In any event, there is still a chance that there could be another storm before the season ends on November 30.

Attention golf addicts: the1998 Weatherman's Classic golf tournament will be held on Monday, April 20, 1998 at Hearthstone Country Club in Houston. Plans are currently underway for teams and sponsorships. Please contact the Center at (713) 529-3076, or email at wrc@wxresearch.com if you or your company would like to be a tournament underwriter, team sponsor or hole sponsor. All proceeds from the tournament benefit The Weather Museum.

If you think The Weather Museum is a great idea, but just haven't gotten around to making out that donation check, there are several other painless alternatives that will allow you to contribute. The Weather Museum is participating with several Houston area grocers. Every time you shop at Randall's, Kroger and Gerland's, these grocery stores will donate a percentage to The Weather Museum based on the total amount of your bill. In addition, every time you use your phone could also mean a donation to The Weather Museum. If you sign up with Excel Communications, that phone company will donate so many dollars based on the phone bill. For more information on how to participate in any of these important programs, please contact us at (713) 529-3076 or e-mail wrc@wxresearch.com.

Anna Magwood, a senior at Spring High School, is participating in a mentoring program at the Center. Anna is learning what it takes to be a meteorologist. Her future plans include attending college at Carlton University in Ottawa, Ontario Canada and then returning to the U.S. to earn her graduate degrees. Her interests include music, singing and reading.

ABOVE: The long range temperature outlook for November 1997. The graphic indicates above normal temperatures for a majority of the country. However the preliminary outlook for the months to follow are indicating below normal temperatures, especially in January and February.

Warmer than normal sea surface waters may have caused this year's stronger than normal hurricanes off the west coast of Mexico. Hurricanes Linda, Nora and Pauline blossomed into major storms this year. By far, Hurricane Pauline was the most devastating as it hit directly upon the Acapulco area packing winds of 145 mph and caused deadly flooding and mass destruction. The Red Cross estimated 400 dead and 20,000 left homeless. About 70 percent of the residents lost access to fresh water. If these figures are confirmed, Pauline stands to be the deadliest hurricane to strike Mexico since Hurricane Gilbert ripped the Yucatan Peninsula and Northeastern Mexico back in 1988.

Rainfall along the Gulf Coast continues to run well above normal. Some of the more recent episodes include heavy rains and flooding from Brownsville, through Corpus Christi into Houston. Houston's rainfall is running about 13.5 inches above normal for the year. On average, Houston receives about 47 inches per year and already 51.43 inches has fallen which outs the Bayou City on a possible 60 inch-plus season. Other Gulf Coast locations soaking in the rain include Corpus Christi with 33.99 inches which is 7.65 inches above normal; Lake Charles has had 54.11 inches which is 10.12 above normal.