Ladies and gents, meet your weatherMann

Just in case some of you haven’t heard the latest news regarding Cliff Harris’s Weather Gems column, he has retired after 25 years. Honestly, I thought I would retire before him, and I’m 52 years old. But beginning today, it will be my job, and pleasure, to provide readers of the Press this weekly weather and science column.

It really is hard to believe I have worked with Cliff for over 25 years. Within that time, we have written thousands of articles for our long-range weather and commodity service for the DTN network. We’ve also compiled about a dozen weather almanacs in Burlington, Vt., and Frederick, Md. Cliff and I also put together several local weather calendars.

To give everyone a brief history, I began my weather career interning for a Sacramento TV station at the age of 14. Instead of playing football, baseball and other sports like most kids, I was spending my free time learning the weather at KCRA in Sacramento from my long-time friend, Meteorologist Tom Loffman.

In 1988, thanks to Tom, I discovered that Cliff needed someone to help him with his long-range weather business. I got his attention when I converted some of his hand-written weather charts into computer graphic form. Copies were sent to him with the hopes I would get a little money, as funds were tight. He actually sent me $75, which was very cool and helped me out at the time.

I have greatly appreciated the friendship and support of Cliff and his wife, Sharon. My wife Sally and I met them in person at their home in Magalia, Calif. Cliff scheduled it for a Monday afternoon and evening in the fall of 1988. We graciously accepted their offer, but there was a problem. The San Francisco 49ers were playing the Denver Broncos on Monday Night Football, which was a game I couldn’t miss. So I dug out my bulky portable TV, which weighed about 10 pounds, and took it with me in hopes of watching the game in the car when we drove back home that evening.

Somehow, Cliff and Sharon knew something was up and I confessed my overwhelming desire to see this contest. Cliff was a football fan and we all watched the game. Yes, the 49ers won. I was always a big 49er guy (sorry Seahawks fans).

After about seven years of working together in a limited capacity, Cliff and I decided to join forces in Burlington, Vt., in 1995. It was a big move for all of us. I also got to be the Chief Meteorologist for a new TV news operation in Burlington for four years. But, after many years in northern Vermont fighting the ferocious winters, it was time to head west as opportunities opened up here in Coeur d’Alene.

In 2004, the Coeur d’Alene Press offered me their daily weather page, which I still do with the occasional help of Michelle Bos, another KREM meteorologist. Her help is always appreciated. Within a short time of signing on with the Press, Tom Sherry called me and asked if I would do the weekend weather at KREM. Of course I said yes and got to work with him and my friend Daryl Romeyn. My wife was also offered a counter manager position the Bon Marche, which is now Macy’s. She’s still there after 11 years. We literally started all of this within days of moving to Coeur d’Alene and the rest is history.

I can’t help but look back, and even forward, at some of the amazing opportunities here in North Idaho. Since our arrival in 2004, I’ve met a lot of great people. It’s been a blast teaching Physical Geography at North Idaho College for nearly six years. I want to thank Bill Richards, the head of the Geography and Geology Department and Peter Zao, the Department Chair, for giving me the chance to teach at NIC. Peter once told me it was the greatest job in the world and I think he’s right.

Many others have been gracious to me including Coach Herb of the senior (yes, senior) softball league for asking me to play even when I can only muster about a half-dozen hits per season. I’ll do better Herb! He’ll never let me forget when I answered a call from my wife while I was playing in the outfield several years ago. Also, thanks to my bowling buddies, Bill, Dale, Terry, Phil, Al and others who put up with my competitive nature. By the way, I finished last season with a 208 average, the highest ever for me. There was one 300 game in my career and I have the ring to prove it.

I want to thank Mike Patrick, the editor of the Press and Jim Thompson, the publisher, for giving me the daily weather page and now the chance to write about a subject that I love.

I have to admit, despite my best efforts, I have made a few mistakes (just a few) when typing the weather columns, including Cliff’s last one a week ago by giving the wrong name of the Sower bookstore where Cliff is selling his book. I think I called it “Solar.” I’m getting to an age when I think it’s close enough to declare “a senior moment.” I’ll be more careful, as I hear spell checks work quite well.

I’ll always be grateful for the amazing opportunity Cliff has given me. I’ll do my best to live up to the quality of his work. It’s my hope that the readers will find my columns to be interesting, informative, at least mostly accurate (long-range weather isn’t easy), and most of all, make Cliff, the Press and everyone proud.

Most of all, I couldn’t have done all of this without the support of my lovely wife, Sally. We’ve come a long way as she’s put up with my constant pacing and other quirks for over 31 years. Also, I think she’s one of the best cosmetic associates in town.

So where do we go from here? I still plan to give you the short and long-range weather. Cliff will still provide the Weekly Weather Almanac, Daily Gems in the Weather Page and be consulted at times, so he’s not getting off that easy. There will be many topics to inform and amuse, and articles will be shorter than this one. I’m not big on social media, but there will be tweeting of upcoming columns, current weather and perhaps a few forecasts at MannWeather on Twitter. Some columns will likely end up on the CDAPress Facebook page. Perhaps I’ll toss in an online video of a seasonal forecast or other topics.

I can’t end this without a forecast. The recent rainfall has certainly been appreciated as these storms have helped to clear up the air and bring us some much-needed moisture. The cooler temperatures have also helped the brave firefighters in the region, but there’s still a long way to go before all of the blazes are under control. Don’t be surprised to have at least a few more days of smoke in the air between now and late October.

The big high pressure that has brought our region one of the hottest and driest summer seasons in history, will rebuild over us next week. Conditions are looking dry and warm after Labor Day until at least the middle of the month. Moisture totals should start to increase to near or above normal levels by October and continue into November. But, our winter still looks warmer thanks to El Nino. More on that later.

By the way, I’m always looking for ideas and questions for future articles. You can send them to randy@longrangeweather.com. Thanks so much!