WEATHER EXPOSED

0912-estero-cover-storyjpgSatellite, Doppler Radar, the Barometer, Humidity, Precipitation...Forecasting the tropical south Florida weather is complicated. Meteorologists carefully review the variety of tools available to forecast the weather before each report however, the current conditions and the atmosphere can change quickly. There will always be some degree of error.
Our highly educated local meteorologists help clarify why the power of Mother Nature makes weather exciting!

ROBERT VAN WINKLE-
Robert Van Winkle has been Director of Weather Services and Chief Meteorologist at WBBH in Fort Myers since 2003. He recently moved to the morning shift at NBC2, starting his day at 4:30 a.m. In August 2004, Van Winkle was the first meteorologist to detect a shift in the track of Hurricane Charley, giving Southwest Florida residents a few extra hours to prepare before Charley made landfall.

Why did you choose to become a meteorologist?
I started my career in meteorology when I joined the U.S. Navy. I was trained and worked on the aircraft carrier USS Nimitz. I can’t say that I always wanted to be a weatherman, but the training and on-the-job experience in the Navy really suited me. I was the designated weather briefer on the Nimitz and did the TV news when we were at sea. I also found myself giving weather briefs to Rear Admirals and Captains at the ripe age of 21. It was a pretty cool start to a career in weather.

BREVA THE MANATEE

It was really touch-and-go when an adult female manatee was rescued on January 24th of this year. She was suffering from ‘red tide’ and thanks in part to two kayakers who found the huge marine mammal upside down in a Bonita estuary, the story had a happy ending!
After its rescue by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC), the manatee was rushed to the Miami Seaquarium. Breva… the name given to the ‘survivor’ by workers at the Miami Seaquarium, was nursed back to health with TLC… tender, loving care! When we say Breva was a survivor, it’s because 16 manatee deaths due to red tide related causes were documented in the area earlier this year.

ESTERO'S OUTSTANDING FATHERS

ADAM RAMBO
How many children do you have? I have one daughter, Amelia May. She is six and a half months old.

Where do you work? I work for the Estero Fire Rescue as a Firefighter/Paramedic.

What are your favorite hobbies? Listening to the Stan and Haney radio show on 96.1 K-Rock, backwater fishing, scouting ice hockey games, playing softball, kornhole and relaxing with family and friends.

What would the perfect day spent with your daughter include? Taking Amelia May and her mother to Disney World, watching the fireworks and then spending the night in a nice hotel.

What do you and your wife do on date night? My wife and I enjoy going to dinner at Ruth’s Chris several times a year followed by a movie at the theater.

How would you describe yourself in one word? Hardworking.

How do you stay involved in the community? I am active in many charity events such as American Lung Association Stair Climb, FF Calendar and raising funds for local Red Cross.

Where can you be found on your day/night off when you’re not with your children? Working for my dad’s lawn care and landscape business.

What’s the greatest thing about being a new father? Having a fresh, new perspective on life.

FGCU BASKETBALL CHAMPS

Many loyal Estero fans watched in agony as the Florida Gulf Coast University (FGCU) women’s basketball team lost in the final minutes of an overtime heartbreaker against St. Bonaventure in the Eagles’ first appearance in the NCAA Tournament. Competing in post-season play was a major accomplishment for the young program, crowning its tenth season with a conference championship, a perfect 18-0 conference record and an overall record of 29-3.