The Lion King

Today @ the Milwaukee Theatre - 1:00 & 6:30 PM

Feb. 03, 2008

midnight

When it debuted on Broadway a decade ago, The Lion King set a new standard for grand visual spectacle in musicals, and this colorful, elaborate production continues to be a top draw as it tours the country. Today, the musical begins its month-long run at the Milwaukee Theatre with two performances, one at 1 p.m. and another at 6:30 p.m.

Comments (4)

Comment Feed

Lately I've noticed that many of the network meteo...

Lately I've noticed that many of the network meteorologists in Milwaukee have become much more vague when it comes to the snowfall predictions. I'm guessing this may be the result of angry emails/letters from viewers throughout the past season (which one meteorologist addressed), when the predicted snowfall falls short of what was predicted. Even so, I'm a little disappointed that this week's forecast has repeatedly been 'a chance of snow later this week', without any details as to when and how much.

Anonymous more than 16 years ago

Snow/ice really is the toughest weather to forecas...

Snow/ice really is the toughest weather to forecast. Cloud physicists have a decent handle on warm-precipitation processes, for example your run-of-the-mill rain shower or thunderstorm, but cold-precipitation processes are very difficult to get right. Though the computer forecast models we have are very sophisticated, there are just some elements of cloud ice/water formation and aggregation, as well as heat transfer through various phases of water, we don't understand. Think about it. Within a cloud, you have several different ice species, as well as liquid water which is actually below freezing (called "supercooled drops"). You have to somehow devise mathematical equations to perfectly describe how these elements transfer heat to and from one another, and in what locations the ice crystals might be just "wet" enough in order to aggregate with or stick to others and become heavy enough to fall to the ground as snow. In addition to these thermodynamic processes, you have to get the dynamic processes, such as how much upward motion you have or how much moisture is being transported into a given location and multiple vertical levels, in the right ballpark in order to stand a chance that your cloud microphysics will be accurate. Then, once you determine that snow will indeed fall, you have to be able to predict the temperature near the ground well in order to get the right amount of snow. The temperature near the ground helps determine the final shape and density of the snow, as well as the temperature of the ground on which there is to be accumulation. So even if you accurately estimate the amount of precipitation to be generated, you may not get the accumulation total correct because the density of the snow or ground temperature or both may be just a little bit off. When snow is forecast by computer models, particularly more than 48 hours out, it's examined with a great deal of scrutiny and uncertainty.

But, you make a good point, and I think the way broadcast meteorologists handle snow events really varies on where you are. Here in Oklahoma, they almost always err on the side of caution, and give the worst-case scenario. People here just don't know how to drive in winter weather, so forecasting too much snow, though it may make you look bad, is probably the right thing to do in terms of public safety. In Milwaukee, you're more acclimated to living with snow, so a doomsday forecast that doesn't pan out is probably seen as more an annoyance than a calculated risk.

Anonymous more than 16 years ago

Argh, my last comment was cut off. I guess I wrot...

Argh, my last comment was cut off. I guess I wrote too much. Here's the rest:

I think a lot of it, too, boils down to pride. A broadcaster doesn't want the viewer to doubt what they say, so instead of being honest and describing the uncertainty associated the potential snow, they just give a generic forecast that's not very detailed. C'mon. It's no secret that weather is hard to predict and that we get it wrong a lot. Why not be honest with viewers? Talk through different potential scenarios and give a time table as to when the forecast might be clearer and more certain. Alas, this may be why I'm in graduate school and not on-air.

Anonymous more than 16 years ago

One of Milwaukee's most accomplished meteorologist...

One of Milwaukee's most accomplished meteorologists respectfully defended himself after receiving several emails from frustrated viewers following the last winter storm warning. Although a snowfall of 6 inches was predicted, we ended up with hardly an inch. He mentioned that despite the sophisticated technology that is available these days, the fact of the matter is that weather, aka Mother Nature, is unpredictable. We can study patterns, and make educated assumptions based on that knowledge, but from time to time, we'll be thrown for a loop. He then encouraged the viewer to visit some weather websites to educate himself on the topic. I too get frustrated when I change plans around weather predictions that don't pan out, but at the same time, found that this meteorologist handled himself in a very dignified manner, without being condescending, and had more respect for his work.

Anonymous more than 16 years ago