WEATHER CENTRAL:

WILL THERE BE SCHOOL?

During my student teaching days in good old room 216B, I became the school meteorologist (weatherman for those of you without a dictionary). How did this happen? Well, it is quite simple. I predicted the closing of school the day before our first storm. From that day, whenever there was a chance for snow, I was bombarded with "Are we going to have school tomorrow?" or "Do you think we will have a delay?" or my personal favorite, "Should I do my homework tonight?" As the year went on, I continued to make accurate predictions, and more and more students would come to me praying that I would give them a reason to keep their textbooks closed for a night (although I would never condone such behavior). This continued the following year when I once again predicted a few snowdays correctly (running my record to 14 consecutive correct predictions, but whose counting?) There was even an article about my predicting expertise in the school newspaper last year. (Mr. Karl, I am expecting another one this year, thank you.) Last year, I was not as perfect. The pressure from the students and teachers alike may have gotten to me, but I have cleared my head, and I am prepared to return to the glory days of perfection this year. In light of this phenomenon, I have decided to dedicate part of my website to calm those anxious minds of the Norwalk High School student body. Whenever there is a possibility of snow, come here and see if I can regain my predicting prowess. You will see the past two years up here as well in case you are interested.

Warning: Contrary to popular belief, I am not psychic. Please, do your homework. This is for entertainment purposes only, and I will not be held responsible for missing assignments! Now, without further ado, Weather Central is open for business:

2006/2007 School Year:

Case 1- 12/2/06: There is a small chance of snow showers on Sunday night into Monday morning (12/4).

Prediction: Do your homework. Go to bed early. Be ready for the sound of that 7:25 warning bell!

UPDATE: The precipitation should begin at around midnight or a little after and will probably start as rain. It should change over to a mix and then all snow by the morning, but while you may see snowflakes when you wake up, you will continue to see those snowflakes as you are on your way to school. In short - the prediction above stands. There will be school!

Case 2 - 1/30/07: Unfortunately, while weather.com may excite you with the possibility of 2 inches of snow tonight into tomorrow, that prediction is, in fact, false. We will be EXTREMELY lucky to see even 1 inch, and a dusting is more likely. There will definitely be school, with the very very very slim possibility of a delay. Do your homework and be sure to check back here Thursday night as there should be better news, concerning Friday.

Case 3 - 2/1/07: This is quite a tricky storm to call. There will not be very much snow. A max of one inch, but I doubt that we will get even that. The good news is that the snow will mix with rain which could cause very slippery conditions during the rush hour commute. The prediction is tough, although it is safe to assume that there most definitely will be school tomorrow, but there may be a delay. I would plan for a full day of school, but hold out hope for a delay. One thing is for sure, and that is that we will be walking those beautiful halls of NHS tomorrow morning!

Case 4 - 2/13/07: Finally, some good news! This storm will make the roads impossible to travel on tomorrow morning. By the end of the storm Wednesday night, we will have about 3-4 inches of snow with some ice mixed in. There will not be school tomorrow, 2/14, and as of now I am predicting a 2 hour delay on Thursday (although that may change). Enjoy your Valentine's Day! See you on Thursday.

Update: Right Again!

Case 5 - 2/26/07: I must say that one more day wouldn't be so bad, would it? As of now, and it is 4:12 pm on Sunday, I would say that school will be canceled tomorrow. By Monday night, we will have approximately 4 inches of snow. Enjoy. Check back later for a possible update.

2007/2008 School Year:

Case 1 - 12/2/07: Normally, I wouldn't even post anything with such a miniscule "storm", but being that it is the first bit of snow of the year, I have decided to keep you updated. This bit of snow/ice/sleet/freezing rain will change to all rain by early tomorrow morning, if not tonight. There will be school, and I sincerely doubt any type of delay. Do your homework, and I will see you tomorrow!

Case 2 - 12/12/07: Get ready for our first real snow of the winter. The good news is that the winter weather watch has been upgraded to a winter storm warning. That means that the chance of snow has increased to the point of almost certainty. The bad news (for those of you hoping to not have school) is the timing of the storm. It looks as though it will start late enough so we will have at least some school tomorrow, and stop early enough so there will probably be school on Friday. Now, the smart thing to do would be to cancel school tomorrow, but this is Norwalk , and my prediction is that we will begin school and have some sort of early dismissal. My early prediction for Friday is a 2 hour delay, although since it should stop around 8 pm tomorrow, they may be able to clear the roads in time for 7:30, but once again, this is Norwalk, so I doubt that will happen. Now, my fingers hurt...too much typing. Expect about 4-5 inches when all is said and done and a bit of ice on top. See you tomorrow!

Case 3 - 1/13/08: Sorry for the delay, but here is my prediction for tomorrow, 1/14/08. (I am updating this at 8:18 pm on Sunday night) We will not have school tomorrow. There will be probably about 4-6 inches when all is said and done at around 12 noon tomorrow. I will see you on Tuesday. That is all.

Update: It is 9:36 on Sunday night and I am reversing my decision. I think the meteorologists really missed this one. We may not even get 2 inches. I am guessing that there is a possibility of a delay, but there may even be a full day. Either way, I am predicting that there will be school in some capacity tomorrow. Sorry! I hope I am wrong!

Case 4 - 2/12/08: It is 9:21 pm on Tuesday night. I am in the middle of watching American Idol, and a kid named David is singing right now. Not a bad singer, although he looks like he is about five years old. Anyways, I think we will have a full day of school tomorrow. There is a slight chance of a delay because we have gotten more already than the weather geniuses expected, but it should be all rain by about 2 am, which I am thinking will melt all of the ice and just make it a miserable, cold, rainy mess tomorrow morning. Again, probably a full day of school, but a slim chance of a delay. Either way, there will be school in some fashion. Peace!

2008/2009 School Year:

Case 1 - 12/19/08: Welcome back to Weather Central. We are so close to our Winter Break, yet so far away! Or are we? We may already be on break right now as you waste a few minutes of your life reading this report. Your hope, of course, is that I will sit here, as I prepare for the last bowling night of the 2008, and reveal that there will not be school tomorrow. But, is that truly what we want? Do we want to stay one day later in June, when we can come in tomorrow and have a nice, relaxing day right before the holidays? Yes, you are right, we sure do want that, and by golly, I think we might get it! It is a tricky call as it is not supposed to start until mid morning, but the National Weather Service just changed their report from a Winter Storm Watch to a Winter Storm Warning, and because of that, I am going to predict that school will be closed tomorrow. If it is, I hope everybody has a restful, relaxing, and fun break. See you all in the new year. For now, Segers...Out!

Outcome: Correct (of course)

Case 2: 1/6/09 - 5:43 pm

Let me first start off by saying that this will probably be one of the toughest predictions that I will make this year. I am not confident at this point in time, so be sure to check back later tonight for an amendment to this prediction. As of now, 5:44 on Tuesday evening, I will predict a two hour delay due to the ice. My gut tells me that I should be predicting a full day of school, which may still happen later tonight, but Norwalk does not usually mess around with the ice. There still is a chance that we will not get any ice, and it will be all rain, but I  will be more clear as the night progresses. Check back at around nine or ten tonight (after you have completed your homework) and I will have a more definitive prediction. For now, Segers...Out!

Update: 9:33 pm

While I hope that I am wrong, I think we will have a full day of school tomorrow. Do your homework! See you tomorrow at 7:30.

Outcome: Incorrect (Hey, it happens!)

Case 3 - 1/14/09 - 5:59 pm

What a crazy winter already! This is already the third possible storm in less than one month of winter. This is another tough prediction, but I must regain my credibility. As of now, they claim that the heaviest snow will come between 7 and 11 tomorrow morning. That would obviously make it rather difficult to have school. The only factor that worries me right now is that the National Weather Service (in Upton) has only issued a Winter Weather Advisory. Now, for all of you meteorologically uneducated mortals, that may not seem like a problem, but that is why you are reading this report, is it not? An advisory means that it is a possibility, but if that changes to a Winter Weather Warning, then will be home from school tomorrow. You learn something new everyday. As of now, I am going to say that we will have school. Once that Advisory changes to warning, I will predict no school. Check back between 9 and 10 tonight more clearly defined prediction. Enjoy dinner and the talent show!

Update: 9:57 pm

Well, American Idol was not bad. I can't wait until House returns next week on its new night, Monday. The Winter Weather Advisory remians in effect, and every time I look, the reports seem less and less reliable. With that in mind, my prediction is as follows: I think we may have a delay, but I don't think that school will be canceled. See you tomorrow. Segers...Out!

Outcome: Correct. I am back on track!

Case 4 - 1/27/09 - 10:01 pm

I apologize wholeheartedly for the delay, but I was at Trinity Catholic all day with the basketball teams. It was not a good day for Norwalk High Basketball, as the freshman team, coached by yours truly and Mr. Pagano, lost for the the first time. The JV and Varsity followed suit which made for the first 0-3 day of the season. On to the weather...As I left school tonight, approximately thirty minutes ago, our wonderful custodian, Joe, swore on his grandfather's grave that there would be no school tomorrow. Now, who can argue with that? A full blooded Italian (not one in name only like our friend Chief) swearing on a grandfather's grave? It's automatic. No school tomorrow. Feel free to send me emails tomorrow telling me how great I am. It's always nice to get a little stroke of the ego once in awhile. See you Thursday! Segers...Out!!!

Outcome: Correctomundo! As LL Cool J AKA Ladies Love Cool James (Little piece of useless trivia) would say, "Don't call it a comeback, I've been here for years!"

Case 5 - 2/2/09 - 6:48 pm

So, I sit here after a wonderful dinner at my parents' house (chicken and broccoli casserole), and I am once again placed in a a heckuva predicament. Another iffy "storm" that just under a week ago had the meteorologists basically calling for all Fairfield County residents to begin hibernation as there would be so much snow that we wouldn't get out of our houses for days. Now, they claim that we mights get 1-3 inches. The bad news for all of you no school wishers is that it isn't supposed to get too bad until the afternoon, and snow showers and light snow will take place in the morning. With all that said, I am going out on a limb, taking a ginormous risk of my credibility and saying that we will be in school at 7:30 tomorrow morning. Well, time to go watch UCONN kick some Cardinals' butt! U-C-O-N-N...UCONN  UCONN  UCONN!!!!!!!!

Segers...Out

ps: Faulkner, I hope I posted early enough for you this time, so I don't get scolded again.

Outcome: Must I even say it? Okay, I will...Correct

Case 6 - 3/1/09 - 6:25 pm

Here we are on the first day of March, waiting for the flowers to bloom, the smell of spring in the air, spring training games are underway in Florida, and yet I am here updating a site dedicated to snow. Go figure. Well, while it may be March, and usually the snow is well behind us, we are bracing for the biggest storm of the season. 10 - 14 inches is the latest! Obviously, no school, and I am going to go out on a limb and make a 2 hour delay prediction for Tuesday. I have no idea what this means for CAPT, but I am sure we will find out.

Segers...out!

2009/2010 School Year:

Case 1 - 1/28/10 - 9:59 pm

Hello, fellow Norwalk Highers! I am back for another year of making your lives much, much easier. I have heard the recent grumblings around NHS and I  was even reprimanded by Mr. "Man of the People" Simonsen for not posting during the previous dustings that we received. So, here I am, two hours past my bedtime, ready to give my long awaited first prediction of 2010. It's a new decade, but have no fear, I am the same Nostradamusesque meteorologist. Just think, most weathermen are wrong fifty percent of the time, yet I am correct over ninety percent. Maybe I can get a part time gig on CBS or something. Enough small talk; here we go:

As I  was driving home from bowling, I was unpleasantly surprised with the ease of which my crappy Cavalier maneuvered the roadways. Everybody was telling me how icy it was going to be, yet I slipped not once! It will not get any icier; in fact, with the sanding/salting overnight, it will become less icy. With that being said, I am sorry to say that you will most definitely be hearing that 7:30 bell (or tugboat if you are near my classroom) tomorrow morning. If you are reading this right now, you best get to sleep! See you tomorrow.

Segers...Out!

Outcome: Oops!

Case 2 - 2/2/10 - 10:00 pm

Back from a long evening at NHS. Tough loss tonight for our beloved Bears. Great crowd though! Enough small talk. I am tired and sure could use a 2 hour delay tomorrow. I also need a correct prediction to boost my wavering confidence after last week's misstep. The news is calling for anything from a dusting to 2 inches, which makes this prediction extremely difficult. However, I am going to go out on a limb, and using past data, I am going to make a prediction based on what I think this new regime downtown will call. Any good scientist looks for patterns and collects data, and because of that simple fact, I am going to go against my rather large gut and predict a 2 hour delay. Maybe this is just wishful thinking, but it sure would be great. Either way, I will most definitely see you tomorrow (hopefully at 9:30)!

That's it for now. Segers...Out!

Outcome: I am back on track!

Case 3 - 2/9/10 - 10:41 pm

Hello again to all of my faithful followers. I have just returned from the weekly Penny's dinner following another long night of basketball. Obviously, it is already too late to make a prediction for tommorrow, but I am going to give all of my Segaholics a little treat. What, you ask? Oh, this is completely out of character, and a bit risky, but one can't live life to its fullest without a few risks here and there. So. here it is: I am going to make a preliminary prediction that there will be no school on THURSDAY! Exciting, huh? I feel like I owe this to all of you who have clicked that little "x" in the upper right hand corner of your Internet browser after coming to this site and finding an unupdated Weather Central. I feel your pain. I realize that you all rely on me, and once basketball season is over, I will recommit to timely and efficient predictions. Wee, I am quite tired now, so I will leave you with a few parting words: SEE YOU FRIDAY! (Be sure to check back tomorrow by 7:00 pm for an updated Thursday prediction.)

Time for bed. Segers...Out!

Update - 2/10/10 - 7:15 pm

Well, the weather outside is frightful, but having no school is quite delightful! Spending over 100 dollars on a plow for my driveway, however, really stinks! I think the general perception is that there will be a 2 hour delay tomorrow, but I am never one to follow a consensus. I do think it is a possibility, but you do not rely on me for possibilities. No, no, you rely on predictions, so that is what I will give you. I believe (not that I can fly or touch the sky) that there will be another cancellation tomorrow. It may even happen tonight, so be sure to check your local news station or ctweather.com to find out if you will need to set that pesky alarm for tomorrow morning.

That's it for now. Segers...Out!

Outcome: I guess I overthought that one. Don't lose faith. I will turn this ship around!

Case 4 - 2/24/10 - 2:05 pm

Okay, so this crazy weather is not making it easy for me to make predictions. I guess that's why they pay me the big bucks. Since I have a basketball game tonight, I have decided to give a preliminary prediction for tomrrow. I will update again tonight when I get home around 10:00, but here we go. This insane weather is seemingly changing by the minute. Every news channel and website is saying something different, so I must now try to make sense of this nonsensical weather pattern that we have been blessed with. It will most likely start out as a mix of rain, snow and sleet tonight at around 9:00. Then, after midnight sometime it will change to snow, which will cause a couple of problems for the city of Norwalk. Number one, the rain will turn to ice and number 2, there will be a layer of snow on top of the ice making it nearly impossible to clear the roads for school tomorrow. Therefore, , my preliminary prediction is no school tomorrow; however, this storm has changed paths about twenty times over the last day, so it is quite possible that we can receive all rain, which would mean a full day of school. For now, I am predicting a cancelation. See you Friday and check back tonight at 10:00. Segers...out!

Update - 10:27 pm

Sorry everybody, but my update will not please any of you. We will be in school for a full day. No delay...No cancelation...No early dismissal...Goodnite and see you at 7:30. Faulkner, if you are reading this, I apologize for the delayed posting. Peace!

Outcome: Hip hop hooray...Ho...Hay...Ho

Case 5 - 2/25/10 - 9:09 pm

Yo yo yo, it's the Notorious S-E-G up in the house bringing you another prediction. I know that all of you little children are looking out your windows right now and panicking as you watch your basements flood (sorry Nakita) and your yards turn to Lake Eerie, but do not fret my loyal Segerites becasue while you are dreaming of Odysseus blinding the Cyclops or some Shakespearian character dying tonight, this ridiculous downpour will gradually change to snow causing the floods to turn to ice and adding about 5 inches of snow on top of it when all is said an done on Saturday morning. I know that I have had a hiccup or two this year, but I  am personally guaranteeing this prediction to be correct! Be careful shoveling tomorrow as the snow will be extremely heavy...Remember my friends, lift with your legs, not your back! Goodnight, sleep tight...don't let the bedbugs bite and have a great three day weekend. May Zeus bless you all (shoutout to George Bellos on that one). Segers...Out

PS: I need a new closing. Segers...Out was so last year. Email me ideas, please. Thanks everybody. And I would like to give a warm shoutout to Rob Romano. Why, you ask? Because I want to! Goodnight.

2010/2011 School Year:

Case 1 - 1/7/11:

Oh, Mother Nature has sure chosen to make my life difficult tonight. This storm is a tough one to predict, but nothing is too tough for Segersdamus! Many new factors come into play this year and the biggest one is our new superintendent. I know nothing about her likelihood to call school and while many people like to speculate, I am not one to buy into rumors. I attempted to make some calls to some of her old school districts, but they cited some sort of privacy issues and would not reveal any information. So, I go into this prediction like the great musician, Ray Charles, blind! But, Pressure is my middle name (odd choice by my parents, huh?), and I am always able to move past any roadblocks. The predicted storm is to start after midnight tonight. There is about a forty to sixty percent chance of snow until about 11:00 tomorrow morning. Then, the real storm is supposed to sweep through our area. Now, an early dismissal would put us leaving school right in the middle of the worst part of the storm. With that informatin at my disposal, I have no choice but to predict no school for tomorrow. This is probably one of the less confident decisions that I have ever made, so this time more than ever, please make sure you do your homework. See you Monday. Shout out to Danny Barrand!

Outcome: Wow. My first ever 0-1! Don't lose faith.

Case 2 - 1/11/11:

Here we go again. Less than a week after my slightly incorrect prediction, I have been blessed with the opportunity to redeem myself. Here I am at 5:59 pm, as my Village Gourmet gets cold on the dinner table, and after a lovely afternoon at the Pagano residence, so our dogs could get their pre-storm energy out together, ready to make not one, but two predictions for you. I think by now it is a forgone conclusion that tomorrow will be a school-free day, but how about Thursday? I am going to predict that Thursday will be, at the very least,  a 2 hour delay, but I absolutely believe that there is a real possibility that we will not have school. If I do not update this site by 9:00 pm tomorrow, then this prediction stands, but be sure to check back just to be sure. Be sure to make your last minute runs to Stew Leonard's for some water, bread and milk, and maybe some rock salt and a shovel. Something tells me this Winter is going to be out of control. Anybody else agree? Well, I am hungry and I don't want Butters to eat my egg roll. See you Thursday (or Friday). Shout out to Paige, and if you are a member of one of my classes, you better read the assigned pages!!!! Later Gators.

Outcome: I am giving myself a 2-2 on that last one, bringing my yearly total up to 2-1.

Case 3 - 1/20/11:

Goodness gracious!!!! This has been a crazy winter already, and yet here we are again, awaiting another, this time minor storm. As I sit here at 8:11 PM, I have no choice but to predict yet another cancellation of school, sending midterms back another day and our school year back another June day. But, hey, who cares? We get another 3 day weekend and ample time to study for those upcoming exams. I have to run. My wife and I are making a cake for my mom's birthday party tomorrow. I should have some stories to tell on Monday about this possible fiasco. Shout out to Mike P. Peace.

Outcome: Rightio!

Case 4 - 1/26/11: 10:27 pm

1....2....3....and to the 4....Snoop Segie Segs is back for more. Sorry for the late prediction. I fell asleep watching American Idol. As my phone began to vibrate uncontrollably with the emails from the angry, studied-out students of NHS, I realized that the only way that I will get more sleep is if I hurry up and predict. So, here is my groggy and sleepy prediction. First, I predict that all of you, no matter what is written on the next couple lines, will continue to study for your midterms tomorrow. Second, it won't matter because there will not be school. No way....No how! Now I am back to bed. Shout out to the woman known simply as W and to my main man David Jarrett. Peace.

Outcome: Yup!

Case 5 - 1/27/11:

Hello my loyal followers. I hope you had a wonderful day of shoveling and studying. I went out a little while ago to pick up dinner and the roads were not great. Some were not even plowed. With this information at my disposal, I must declare that tomorrow will be at the least, a two hour delay. This news is a bit upsetting, as a delay during midterms actually really stinks, but beggars can't be choosers. I'm pretty sure that last little cliché didn't even make sense in the context I wrote it. Anyway, sweet dreams and see you tomorrow at about 9:30. Shout out to the Big Cat! Peace.

Outcome: Correctamundo!

Case 6 – 1/31/11:

Here I am back again for our weekly storm prediction. In case anybody is keeping score at home, I have now made 5 consecutive correct predictions, including one very difficult and gutsy 2 for 1 prediction. Since “Gutsy” is my middle name, I will now do the same thing. Due to heavy snow followed by significant icing, there will be no school tomorrow AND no school on Wednesday. Should I go crazy and predict a 2 hour delay on Thursday too? No, not yet. Check back tomorrow evening for any updates and again on Wednesday for any update on Thursday. As always, be sure to study just in case I happen to be wrong. Shout out to W!

Outcome: 7 in a row!

Case7 – 2/2/11:

After slipping down my driveway today as I attempted to ice it, then paying my plow guy to sand it, only to find out that he sanded about 5 percent of it, leading to me shoveling the ridiculously heavy ice, I was finally able to relax. I watched The Social Network, which was good, but stupid at the same time, as they attempted to make it look like nonfiction, when it was clearly told straight from the mouth of a bitter, bad businessman who lost billions of dollars because Zuckerwhateverhisnameis is just plain smarter. Anyhoo, on to the prediction. While the roads seem fine, I do not think there is any way the district will risk attempting to get us there for 7:30. It seems that a couple extra hours to make sure all roads are safe to travel on would be the best bet. Therefore, I predict a 2 hour delay. Sleep tight. Shout out to Angelica S. A former student who transferred to that other school in town, but still is a loyal follower of Weather Central. I appreciate it! Maybe I should try to sell Weather Central for 50 billion dollars. Facebook did it, why can’t I? Peace.