Extreme Southwestern Connecticut Remains in a "Moderate Drought"

Extreme southwestern Connecticut remains in a "moderate" drought, according to the latest Drought Monitor Index released Thursday, August 25, 2022. pic.twitter.com/Nq1nzP2jmp

— Paul Piorek (@PaulPiorek) August 25, 2022

Restrictions on Water Use Are Increasing Across Connecticut

Although parts of eastern Connecticut received significant rain Monday and Tuesday, southwestern Connecticut was able to muster little --- if any --- rainfall. In fact, the Bridgeport climate station at Sikorksy Memorial Airport in Stratford recorded only three-hundredths of an inch of rain Monday.

As a result, the monthly rain total through August 22 is still less than one inch (0.81"), and August is the seventh month out of eight this year with below-normal precipitation at Bridgeport.

Restrictions on water use have increased across Connecticut. Here is the latest information, courtesy of Connecticut News Junkie: 

https://ctnewsjunkie.com/2022/08/23/water-use-restrictions-popping-up-around-connecticut-as-drought-conditions-worsen/.

"We desperately need rain," is a refrain we've heard all-too-frequently across southwestern Connecticut this Summer.

Paul

"Moderate Drought" Continues for Southwestern Connecticut

Southwestern Connecticut is officially in a "moderate drought," according to the latest Drought Monitor Index, released last Thursday, August 18, 2022. We desperately need rain.

However, there is hope this week. About an inch-and-a-half of rain is expected across southwestern Connecticut through Thursday evening, according to the latest precipitation forecast issued by the National Weather Service.

The precipitation statistics for August and for the calendar year at the Bridgeport climate station are quite alarming:

During the first three weeks of August at the Bridgeport climate station there have been just four days with measured rain. However, that includes one day with only one-hundredth of an inch. Southwestern Connecticut remains in a "moderate drought." pic.twitter.com/Zps0Hpd1WS

— Paul Piorek (@PaulPiorek) August 21, 2022

With the exception of February, every month this year at the Bridgeport climate station has featured below-normal precipitation. The annual preciptation total (21.32") is more than a half-foot below normal (27.86"). pic.twitter.com/UyTksL8EMU

— Paul Piorek (@PaulPiorek) August 21, 2022

Paul

My Letter to the Lake Hills Association Regarding the Proposed Roundup and Killing of Canada Geese

Good morning.

I am a lifetime resident of Lake Hills, having lived in Fairfield for all of my nearly-64 years.

It has come to my attention that several neighbors are proposing a “round-up” and killing of Canada geese due to the nuisance and inconvenience they create.

Lethal roundups are ineffective and unacceptable, and there are other methods to control the goose population.

To the best of my knowledge, there haven’t been any health issues or sickness due to the geese, and I have lived here since 1958. This is simply a case of a few neighbors being “inconvenienced.”

According to the Humane Society of the United States, “In some communities, Canada geese are rounded up and killed because people find them to be a nuisance, particularly when goose droppings accumulate. This is wrong. It is not ethical to kill wild birds merely because their mess bothers us or we find them a nuisance, and it’s not necessary to kill geese to resolve conflicts.”

As a Fairfield professional educator who works closely with the Mill River Wetlands Committee each month throughout the school year, my students learn about river and lake habitats and ecosystems. We are “stewards” of the environment and learn the key and critical piece played by each living organism.

As you may know, I am a former 25-year local television and radio meteorologist who continues to maintain a database of environmental and meteorological daily records for the Mill River along Brookside Drive. My Earth Science students and I take seven monthly water quality tests at the river for the MRWC. I respect and value all life forms. 

We should not kill Canada geese simply because of their “inconvenience.” This should not even be an “issue.” They have always been a part of the fabric of our Lake Hills community.

Please see the following website: https://www.humanesociety.org/resources/problem-canada-goose-round-ups

I would be happy to speak with you concerning this matter.

Thank you for your time and courtesy.

Sincerely,

Mr. Paul Piorek

Fairfield, CT

August's Full Sturgeon Moon Happens This Thursday Evening

The Full Sturgeon Moon happens this Thursday, August 11, at 9:36 p.m. EDT. This will be the fourth supermoon in a row, and the last one of 2022. As summer slips into autumn and nights begin to grow longer, the final supermoon of the year will make a big splash 

So, how did the August full Moon get its name? The fishing tribes are given credit for naming it, since sturgeon, a large fish of the Great Lakes and other major bodies of water, were most readily caught during this month. A few tribes knew it as the Full Red Moon because, as the Moon rises, it appears reddish through any sultry haze. It was also called the Green Corn Moon or Grain Moon.

Thunder and lightning are quite frequent with Summer storms in August. So, this month’s full Moon also goes by the name of the Lightning Moon for the Summer thunderstorms. Other names given to the Moon in August are the Red Moon and the Dog Moon. 

Full Moon names date back to the days of the Native Americans, in what is now the Northern and Eastern United States.

The tribes kept track of the seasons by giving distinctive names to each recurring full Moon. Their names were applied to the entire month in which each occurred. There was some variation in the Moon names, but in general, the same ones were current throughout the Algonquin tribes from New England to Lake Superior.

Paul