Always lots of questions about weather, forecasting and 7NEWS broadcasts. And I'm happy to answer them. Provided those questions are within the bounds of good taste and aren't of a very personal nature like, "Does Rob Krone wear pants when he's behind the desk reading sports?" You don't want to know the answer to that one anyway. If you have a question, e-mail me at "rdefranco@wwnytv.net" or you can leave it as a comment to this web page. Now we're off like a winter coat on a warm spring day...

QUESTION ONE: I heard you say it was going to get cold next week. Do you think we will get snow?

ANSWER ONE: Maybe. But if we do, it won't last. The sun is getting too high in the sky to allow snow to stick very long. But next weeks temps will be a lot lower. All week we will be in the mid 30's to low 40's for highs. That is slightly below normal temps for this time of year and it could afford us the chance for snow showers several days next week. If you thought we were going to hop, skip and jump right into warmth...next week reality will smack you harder than a prize fighter with a bad attitude.

QUESTION TWO: When we were visiting our relatives in Colorado we saw some clouds that looked just like giant flying saucers. I've never seen clouds like that here. Do they look like that because of the mountains?

ANSWER TWO: They do. What you saw were most likely lenticular clouds. These clouds occur in high altitudes and are formed by moist air flowing up over mountains causing the air to drop to the dewpoint. On the downwind side of the mountains a lens-shaped standing-wave cloud appears, and your description is perfect. They look very much like other-worldly flying saucers...minus the little green men.

QUESTION THREE: Anne, Brian and Mel seem to answer your weather class question correctly quite often. Do you give them the answers?

ANSWER THREE: No. Occasionally I may give them a hint though. If the money is right.

QUESTION FOUR: You call your doppler "Real-Time Radar" and some other stations call their doppler "Live Radar." What's the difference?

ANSWER FOUR: About nine seconds. Live radar is just that...live. Our radar signal travels to us via satellite and is under ten seconds old.

QUESTION FIVE: What's your favorite weather to forecast?

ANSWER FIVE: Sunny and 82. That's actually my favorite weather. For the challenge, fun and interest, my favorite weather to forecast is any type of winter storm. Especially that pesky lake effect snow.

QUESTION SIX: Did you ever think about anchoring the news rather than just the weather?

ANSWER SIX: Nope. News isn't my deal. I enjoy forecasting weather. I enjoy learning new things about weather. I enjoy talking about weather. That pumps me up more than what the city council did last night. Unless they voted to raise my taxes.