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Unpredictable Weather
Okay, does anyone know where that East Coast blizzard came from last week?
What was supposed to be a light dusting of flurries, caught everyone off
guard. The airlines delayed and canceled thousands of flights all over the
country. I was in Colorado for a conference and ended up having to fly
back to Washington, D.C. via Los Angeles.
Now, just a couple of weeks ago, it was warm, almost spring-like on the
East Coast. Then, suddenly, it turns cold ... and then, this huge storm.
Is it just me, or does the weather seem to be getting, well, more
unpredictable?
I asked the expert: Paul Douglas. He's a meteorologist up in chilly
Minneapolis. He told me, yes, in fact, for the last 20 years or so, the
weather's been getting even more wild and extreme.
Douglas: "But the question is, are those extremes, are those swings of the
pendulum becoming even greater over time. And there's a fair amount of
evidence that, yeah, something is going on. And we're not exactly sure
why, but the atmosphere does seem to have more a tendency to throw a
tantrum."
Last week's storm is a great example of one of those tantrums. But what we
got, they need out West. Yeah, for a while it was looking like the
Jefferson Memorial would have more snow than Snowmass, Colorado. But Paul
told me that's changing too. The wind patterns that usually shift south
and bring snow to the big ski resorts are finally arriving...just a little
late.
Douglas: "I have tickets for a big Colorado ski vacation in early March.
And I am not worried in the least. I think we're getting a late start, but
based on the maps I'm looking at, the storm track's taking a more southern
route, I think I'm going to be skiing in fresh powder."
Snow's predicted to fall this weekend in Colorado and Utah. So, I'm with
Paul...and heading out there the first chance I get.
Fuel Surcharge Abounds
But here's the bad news, the price we pay to get there -- or anywhere in
the U.S., really -- just went up. By now most every U.S. airline has
adopted this new "fuel surcharge" on domestic flights. And now, United and
American are raising international rates as well. The tricky thing to
remember about this surcharge is that it's not listed in the fare. So when
you go to book your flight, be sure to ask the total before you buy.
Obscenity on Brazil's Beaches
Of course, most everyone knows the beaches of Brazil...Copacabana, Ipanema
.... and most everyone also knows Rio is home to the thong and the even
tinier fio dental -- that's Portugese for "dental floss." But now,
police are cracking down on those bathers who bare all to mother nature.
That's right, nude sunbathers face heavy fines and even jail time for
their, well, what the police are calling obscene behavior.
Travel Advisory
with Cheryl Glaser
Oil in Brazil
A huge oil slick in Rio's scenic Guanara Bay is threatening, but has so
far drifted clear of popular Brazilian tourist beaches, though it has
blackened miles of nature preserves. Environmentalists are calling it
Brazil's worst ecological disaster in 25 years.
Not So Grand Opening in London
Meanwhile in London, a high-tech disaster has art lovers fuming. The famed
Royal Opera House at Covent Gardens re-opened last December ... and now
some say it should close again until major computer glitches are fixed. So
far, nine performances have been canceled due to the break downs. It's
worth a call if you've booked tickets.
Paris Metro Strikes
Finally, Paris Metro workers have announced a strike for this Tuesday. If
it goes as planned, the city's subway and bus systems will be crippled.
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