Sorry this is late today, I couldn’t find my weather shoes. Anyhow, Hurricane Earl is still a Cat 4 as of 5 am EDT, with 135 mph sustained winds. He brushed Puerto Rico overnight, and is headed to WNW. It’s currently going through an eyewall replacement cycle. This is pretty typical in powerful hurricanes. Another eyewall forms around the original, and the inside one erodes away. At this point, the storm loses some strength. The new eyewall begins to contract, and then the storm picks up wind speed again. It’s awesome to watch on a radar, and I have it for you from San Juan.

Rip currents are going to be a big factor again tomorrow through Monday for the East coast, more details on that late. Full forecast track is on the show.

Fiona is behind Earl, but only a tropical storm. More on her on the show too.

The Midwest will fire up severe storms today (MN, WI, NE, IA) and the heat is back for the NE. 97 in Boston.

The NW will feature rain too, and I’ll have that on the show as well.

Posted by: Meteorologist Bob Van Dillen
Filed under: Earl • Fiona • Hurricane • tropical storm • Weather

Hi guys! My name is AJ, I’m one of the floor directors on Morning Express. That's me with Ryan Smith above. People always ask me what it’s like to work on such a cool show, so I thought I’d give you all a taste of our world behind the scenes. Check back every so often for the dirt on your favorite morning crew and some show secrets, too.

Have you seen this guy around lately? Ryan Smith is our new contributor, bringing you all of the in-depth details on the day’s news. He’s also a host of In Session on our sister network TruTV, so he comes to us with some serious credentials. "I bring the energy," Ryan says. "I want to dig deeper into some of the big stories of the day, whether it be politics, sports, or crime." He also loves his visuals, so expect to see a lot of props and hands-on action. Want to know more? I picked his brain and found out a few things you gotta know about our newest addition to the team.

1. A native of Philadelphia, PA, Ryan’s a tried and true Philly sports fan.

2. He graduated from Columbia Law School

3. Favorite food? Chocolate chip pancakes – he loves them.

4. He’s had a colorful career, including stints at the NFL as an executive for the Jacksonville Jaguars, and on Animal Planet as the host of Underdog to Wonderdog.

5. Despite his new early morning schedule, Ryan says he’s trying desperately to avoid developing a coffee habit!

6. And this one’s from me – he’s always smiling, even at six am! Now that’s a morning person.

Posted by: Morning Express Floor Director AJ
Filed under: Behind the Scenes • Ryan Smith

Like a 1990s MLB slugger, Hurricane Earl is starting to juice up. He is now a Cat 2 storm, with winds around 105 mph. The storm looks a little more healthy right now, and is expected to gain CAT 3 status later today or tonight. That would mean winds over 110 mph and would make it a major hurricane. There are warnings for the Northern Leeward islands as well as the U.S./British Virgin Islands, and a tropical storm warning for Puerto Rico. From the National Hurricane Center:

WIND...HURRICANE CONDITIONS ARE NOW SPREADING INTO THE NORTHERN
LEEWARD ISLANDS...AND WILL SPREAD WESTWARD INTO THE VIRGIN ISLANDS
LATER TODAY. TROPICAL STORM CONDITIONS ARE EXPECTED TO SPREAD OVER
PUERTO RICO TODAY...WITH HURRICANE CONDITIONS POSSIBLE THIS EVENING
AND TONIGHT.

The path looks to parallel the US East Coast, but the entire coastline from the Outer Banks of NC to ME are in the cone of error. I’ll show you the timing and the projected path of Earl on the show.

Earl isn’t the only tropical problem by the way.

The East coast is going to be hot again, and hot for most of the week. A major ridge has built in, and that means drier air and a big warm up. I’ll have that too. The Western half of the nation will be a bit cooler, and rain will be a theme for you from NM to MT. Some showers in OR and WA will be around, but the severe weather threat for today is mainly in the Dakotas, MN, and NE. I’ll have that map.

Hey- I’ll see you out there.

Posted by: Meteorologist Bob Van Dillen
Filed under: Earl • Hurricane • Severe Weather • tropical storm • Weather

Here comes the Tropical Conga Line. Hurricane Danielle has turned into a beast of a CAT 4 storm, with winds sustained at 135 mph. The good news is that it will most likely miss Bermuda, but the wave action is already there. I expect to see the initial swell from Danielle reach the East Coast today and build through the weekend. This means rip currents are possible Saturday through the beginning of next week, as Tropical Storm Earl will start being felt by then too.

My mouth is watering here though. Speaking as a surfer for my entire life, this weekend will rock. The waves from Danielle should reach 3-5’ later today from the NE to Jersey, Peaking at about 6’ Sunday and Monday. The Outer banks get the best waves though, peaking around 7-9’ my Sunday afternoon. I am seriously thinking of going out there to catch this swell.

Behind Danielle is Tropical Storm Earl, with 45 mph winds. He may turn into a hurricane in 2 days, and then head towards the US next week. Still lots of time to watch him. And the dance line continues: a new tropical wave behind Earl has a good chance of turning into a depression, maybe even ‘Fiona’. I’ll show you all the tropical stuff on the show.

The US weather isn’t bad at all. The Southeast gets hit with more rain, as does the SW. The NE will enjoy a great day today, but the heat is headed back and it will reach the mid 90s Sunday in NYC, DC, and the like.

A little windy in MN, IA, SD, NE and OK today, so the air travel will get bumpy, but delays should be kept to a minimum.

The NW will see a few showers, but the dry air is in place for NE, WY, SD, CO, NV. All have red flag warnings up for potential Fire danger this afternoon.

See you out there, ya nut you.

Posted by: Meteorologist Bob Van Dillen
Filed under: Danielle • Earl • Fiona • Fire • Hurricane • tropical storm • Tropical Wave • Weather

Anybody else feel that this weekend should be the Labor Day Weekend? It just seems way to late this year. Maybe I’ll take Monday off and act like I didn’t know. My H.S. guidance counselor told me “what you don’t know could fill a warehouse” after all. Moving on:

After about four straight days of rain and showers, the skies are finally clearing up for the NE and Mid Atlantic today. For the most part. The upper level cool pocket of air that was sitting in place and causing trouble got uprooted overnight by a cold front slamming in for the West. That will make for a nice few days for the NE, but still some rain hanging in the lower East Coast as the cold front edges in. I’ll show you the radar.

The Midwest, Plains, and Rockies look great. Light rain is possible in the Desert SW with a return of monsoonal moisture, and the fire danger is high in the NW.

Now for the Tropics: Danielle is a CAT 2 storm with 105 mph winds. The path looks like it goes close to Bermuda, but wide right on Sunday. They will still get the high surf at the very least by Saturday morning.

Tropical Storm Earl is a little more problematic. It’s only a 45 mph wind tropical storm, but the path is flatter to the South and may have a chance of nailing the East Coast sometime next week. It is forecasted to gradually strengthen into a Hurricane as well. We have about a week to watch it, so keep coming back for the morning updates.

Posted by: Meteorologist Bob Van Dillen
Filed under: Danielle • Earl • Hurricane • tropical storm • Weather

Wednesday, looking a lot like Tuesday. Hurricane Danielle is still out in the Atlantic, churning up Cat. 1 winds of 85 mph. It still looks like a fish storm, but may get close to Bermuda by Sunday afternoon. I still think it will get pushed wide-right, but I’ll keep tabs on it. Right behind is a strong tropical wave that may turn into something today or tonight. If that one gets a name, it would be Earl. Stateside, the upper-level cool pocket of air is still swirling around the East Coast. Cool air on top of warm air is always unstable, so the clouds, showers, and wind will be a factor for New England and the NE. Travel delays will be around Boston and NYC, so I’ll update that too.

The gulf coast will become stormy again today, but the rest of the nation is really very quiet. It’ll heat up again in the desert SW, and more heat advisories are around the Bay Area. San Jose will hit 97 today! This is the last day for big heat in CA, the whole air mass slides eastward for tomorrow.

We had our first football practice last night, and we look tough to beat. These six and seven-year-olds can throw and catch with some skill already. Since we are the Broncos, I’m going to ask our 6-year-old QB to get the Friar Tuck haircut for our first game. The crazy kid might even do it. Then I’m in trouble.

Posted by: Meteorologist Bob Van Dillen
Filed under: Behind the Scenes • Danielle • Earl • Hurricane • Weather

On Friday, Morning Express with Robin Meade did a story on the “cougar” trend of older women dating younger men. It seems like it’s becoming more popular, but a psychology professor in the U.K. found that cougars are far from becoming a norm.

I could’ve told you that! When I was born, my mother was 43 and my father was 20. But in my parents’ case, Dad was the cougar. He pursued Mom relentlessly. One time he secretly followed her to the mall and left a note on her car! People always thought Mom was the predator because she was older and would sometimes ask her, “How’d you get him?” To that Dad would interject, “You mean, how did I get her?”

Despite their tremendous age difference, they had a lot in common including a shared faith, similar sense of humor, a love of sports and, eventually, me.

My parents were together more than 20 years and married 18. There was no adjective to describe them. Many people called them crazy or weird, but to us, their being together was normal. The only time I thought about their ages was if someone brought it up. When my classmates would see Dad for the first time sometimes they’d ask, “Is that your brother?” or “Is that your grandmother?” upon seeing Mom.

Recently, I asked Dad if he ever felt like he’d missed out on any part of his youth by becoming a dad and husband at such a young age. Without hesitation he answered, “Never.” I was dumbfounded that anyone could feel that way about taking on such huge responsibilities at 19, but it seemed logical to Dad.

When my mom died in 2005, I watched Dad mourn the loss of his best friend. They had divorced a few years before—the reason for which had nothing to do with age—but mended what was fractured in the breakup.

“Cougar” connotes an older woman only looking for a sexual fling with a virile young man—a plaything, if you will. Some women claim that title because that’s all they’re looking for. But what my parents had was far from that. It was a relationship. Sure, that included sex (I’m here, aren’t I?) but it also included working things out and loving each other even when one of them did or said something unlikable.

That’s why their bond couldn’t be shaken by time or age.

Devin Parrish
Senior Writer, "Morning Express with Robin Meade"

Note: Devin is the author of a book about about her life and her parent's unique relationship called "God's Favorite 21st Century Angel, A Collection of Memories." This love story between a daughter and her mother lasts 27 years. Their frank exchanges about God, love, sex, food, patience and even each other inspire each page. It's available at Amazon.com.

Filed under: Extras • Morning Express crew

Where were you 18 years ago on this date? Hopefully not Southern FL, b/c that’s when Cat 5 ‘cane Andrew came roaring into the state. I was a sophomore in college not having much luck with the ladies.

The tropics are starting to get some action going, with Cat 2 ‘cane Danielle strengthening overnight, and a brand new tropical wave off the African coast that may turn into a tropical depression today or tomorrow. It looks organized already on the satellite. I’ll have the latest on the show.

Otherwise, the upper-level low is still hanging around the NE and Mid Atlantic this morning, and it will make things unsettled from the NE to the Carolinas. Air travel delays will be back from Boston to DC, so I’ll have an update on that too. Heavy rain will ease back into FL today, and some storms are firing along the gulf coast too. The heat is back for Houston (100) and Phoenix alike (111). There’s also an excessive heat warning for parts of Southern CA.

A good patch of rain is moving through MN and goes all the way down to NM/CO right now, but I don’t think severe weather will be an issue today. Good news there.

Hey…see you out there on a Tuesday edition on the BVD-Cast.

Posted by: Meteorologist Bob Van Dillen
Filed under: Andrew • Danielle • Heat • Hot • Hurricane • Tropical Wave • Weather

Like a rowdy, half-naked, chick at the Jersey Shore, tropical storm Danielle may go unnoticed. Yeah, I spent my summers as a 'yute' (I’m sorry, youtttthhh) there, and that kind of thing was the norm.

Danielle may turn into a hurricane today or tonight, but it is a fish storm right now, way out in the atlantic bothering nobody. In 5-6 days it may edge near Bermuda, but it still doesn’t appear that it will cause much concern. Check back later though, things could change.

The big weather story state-side is the upper level storm that will meander around the NE and Mid Atlantic through Thursday. Rain, wind, storms, they will all affect air space in the NE today so the delays will begin to mount. I’ll have the real-time travel delays for you.

Heavy rain is again in store for FL, Parts of GA and the Gulf coast, and the heat is back for TX, AR, LA, and the Low Country. Los Angeles will see a high near 100 today and even hotter tomorrow as a ridge builds in, so if you are headed to South CA, be prepared for the heat.

Heavy rain is in MT, WY, and parts of CO right now too, and that heads to the central plains today. No organized threat for severe weather today, so at least that is good.

Later!

Posted by: Meteorologist Bob Van Dillen
Filed under: Danielle • Heat • Hot • Hurricane • Rain • tropical storm

Hey everybody, it’s Friday and I’m about to ‘hit the slide’ and get outta here for the weekend. So here are the weather headlines headed into the day:

I’m watching some heavy rain in MN, WI, and striping down to KS. This is ahead of an impulse that will strengthen today, and I think the severe storms come back later. Tornadoes are possible close to the surface low pressure center, and that will edge into WI and northern MI today. Just a heads up if you hear the siren.

Outside of the upper MW and Great Lakes, the heat will be back for parts of TX, LA, OK, AR and SC/GA. I’ll have the heat advisories for you.

The SE is looking a little unstable today too, with a front draped across the region. Some storms are firing in AL, GA, and the Carolinas right now. I think they grow in size later. The good news is that it stays away from central TN today. Remember they got slammed with close to 10” rain Wednesday. It’s dry today, but the rain comes back this weekend for them.

The NE looks just fine for the afternoon with a weak front washing out over NY state. Great day to be in Seaside Heights NJ too, high of 86 there. The sunset will be as orange as Snookie’s jumpsuit. Oh wait, she didn’t have to go to jail. Man I wish I was a kid at the Shore again.

The west will start to warm up again, with a high of 90 in LA and fog in the Bay Area. That’s it though, all the rough weather is in the middle section of the U.S.A.

Later.

Filed under: Heat • Rain • Tornado • Weather