Farewell to MOL's Foul-Weather Friend

She answers to Ellie, Alison and Mom, but if you follow weather via MaplewoodOnline.com, you know her as USMNTFan. This weather bug has gained a loyal following, and many locals don’t plan events without a quick weather check-in first. Now Alison Auerbach is moving west to a whole new set of atmospheric conditions.

A weather bug from way back, Auerbach began tracking winter storms when her each of three children was born. She jokes that, because they’re winter babies, there are family photos of them with televised weather reports in the background. “It was always a concern when family wanted to come the new baby.”

Auerbach, who has worked in South Orange and lives in Millburn, blogs about weather. She also posts on MaplewoodOnline, where her Boxing Day blizzard thread saw hundreds of replies.

“I’ve always been interested in weather,” she explains, though she tends to post most when severe weather is expected. And what she is able to do is, “take denser stuff – such as National Weather Service charts and graphs – and parse it out into regular English.” She finds satisfaction in taking data and making it into narrative, or “giving it that personal touch.”

The question people ask most often isn't weather-related; it's about her MOL screen name. Auerbach explains, "USMNTFan stands for US Men's National Team fan- that'd be the soccer team which plays on the international level for the US."  While she's a soccer fan still, Auerbach has found that following weather is just as consuming. "I just really like tracking and speculating on the weather, particularly severe weather. Over the years, I've learned a bit, however I'm constantly learning more."

Auerbach has discovered that she’s not alone in following weather closely. “There are a lot of us out here,” she laughs.

With luck, locals will find someone to take Auerbach’s place as weather guru for South Orange and Maplewood. Auerbach, a widow with three children, is moving to Ohio next month. While she has loved this area, she explains that the offer of a house and proximity to family made the move attractive.

 And the chance to report on a whole set of atmospheric conditions might also be tempting. “Storms are likely,” says Auerbach with a laugh.

Fair skies and farewell, USMNTFan!