STORM2K

It's been years in the planning, some streets have been closed well in advance, and we hear that some 70 aircraft are participating in securing the perimeter for this Sunday's Super Bowl game here in Phoenix (the suburb of Glendale, which is on the west side of town). I don't know if the game itself will live up to its hype, but it is an interesting matchup with a lot on the line, especially for the Patriots.

This city is swarming with visitors and media even moreso than most years at this time. Today, the FBR Open golf tournament gets off the ground and will do so under mostly sunny skies, some breezes, and a chilly day by January standards here. We might see 60 degrees.

Should be a nice Friday and Saturday with highs about 62. Sunday is "iffy" for the close of the golf tourney and the big game on the other side of town. Weather at game time is no big deal as there is a roof to close if need be.

So, with a few hundred thousand people joining the FBR gallery in the next four days and another gazillion people here for the big game, we plan to lay low and avoid the restaurants and other busy places where all will gather. With the golf tournament just 10 minutes from the house, it will be the traffic we want to be wary of...not the crowds themselves.

In any event, Phoenix is electric this weekend with these big events in town.

We're on the approach path for the nearby Scottsdale airport and we've already seen an unusual number of jets and other aircraft arriving.

But good weather or not, I wouldn't want to be on the 101 Freeway on the north side of town midday on Sunday. The golf tournament ends about an hour before the big game begins.

And the 101 is a beeline shot from one to the other.

Enjoy from where you are, but check out the weather in our greater Phoenix neighborhood this weekend as you watch the events on TV.

Stay home, have a glass of wine and just think of those tax dollars streaming into your town. Actually this year, golf sounds better to me than football!! (Sad Steeler's fan)

Karan, two weeks ago I spent 8 days in the tundra of northern Illinois. I love my granddaughters, but subzero temps followed by snow followed by subzero temps was not much fun.

We do plan to kick back (a glass or two of wine sounds good already) and enjoy the weather and the festivities....just from a little distance!

Hope you are off to a safe, healthy, and happy 2008!

Steve

Latest forecast is increasing the chances for showers and thunderstorms on Sunday night. Could be a feisty night both inside and outside the University of Phoenix stadium!!

Some clouds and breezes will announce the arrival of a rather fast moving, but ill-timed, storm and frontal passage here in Phoenix. Increasing chance of rain and wind along the possibility of thunderstorms late today into tonight will take away from what has otherwise been a cool but enjoyable pre-Super Bowl week here in the desert.

The FBR Open, poised to set a record for attendance again, will be threatened by those elements more than the Super Bowl itself since thee is no roof large enough to cast over the TPC here in Scottsdale!

People who love those sports will enjoy them regardless of conditions!