Clear Skies and Perfect Weather Make for Wonderful Evening at Provident Bank Park

The weather was just about perfect for my first trip to Provident Bank Park in Pomona, New York, Saturday evening, August 24, 2013. Clear skies, comfortable temperatures, and low humidity were on the weather menu for the Saturday evening Can Am League game between the New Jersey Jackals and the host Rockland Boulders.

The ballpark is located in picturesque Pomona, New York, just off the Palisades Parkway and North of the Tappan Zee Bridge, and it has been the home of the Boulders since it opened in June of 2011. I've always been a fan of Independent baseball, especially the Can Am League, since my then-12-year-old son was a batboy for the erstwhile New Haven County Cutters during the Summer of 2006.

The Boulders returned from a lengthy ten-game road trip after stops at Fargo, ND, Lincoln, KS, and Kansas City, KS. Not surprisingly, a crowd of over 5,485 attended the game, which the Jackals won, 5-3, to increase their lead over the Boulders to four games for the last playoff spot. It was 1970s "Disco Night," and there was a fireworks show after the game. Many of the fans wore Boulders' jerseys, tee shirts, and caps. The team is extremely popular.

This is the most beautiful and attractive minor league ballpark I've ever visited. There is a walkway around the entire park, which includes a train station and a miniature train ride across the outfield concourse. There is a bar under a bridge in left field, which is modeled after Citi Field in New York, according to one of the ushers. A green monster in center field mirrors the famous one at Fenway Park in Boston. And the "Short Porch Cafe" in rightfield is reminiscent of the short porch in right at Yankee Stadium.

The children's area in right field offers a complete playground, including slides, gym equipment, and an inflatable bounce area. There is a nearby picnic area, and there are plenty of concession stands around the ballpark. It seems just about everywhere there is a place where one can sit and relax and take in the game from just about any vantage point at the ballpark.

The scoreboard, which is located in left field, includes a huge video board which shows game replays, fans, and between-innings promotions and attractions. The video is crisp and clear, and there many cameras throughout the stadium. There is another scoreboard located along the first base line between the first and second deck which includes the inning-by-inning score, and the balls, strikes, outs, and time of day (to the exact second). There is no doubt I will visit this ballpark again. I love it. 

Paul

Essex Steam Train and Riverboat Offers Idyllic Summer Getaway

If you've never experienced a trip aboard the Essex Steam Train and Riverboat, let me assure you that it's arguably the most nostalgic day trip you can take in Connecticut. The weather was just about perfect yesterday, so I decided to make the one-hour trip to the Connecticut River Valley for the three-hour round trip aboard the train and boat.

The Essex Steam Train, which is operated by the Valley Railroad Company, is just off exit 69 of I-95. Visitors purchase tickets at the train station, which is off exit 3 of Route 9 in Essex. The train is powered by coal and water and travels through some of the most beautiful country in the state. I saw forests and streams, beautiful vistas and nostalgic towns, and some incredible views of the Connecticut River.

The steam train has two coal-fired locomotives available to pull its collection of fully-restored railroad cars. Passengers can hear the hiss of steam, the blast of the whistle, and the clickety-clack of the tracks while experiencing a trip back in time to the days of steam-powered trains. 

The train travels northward at about 20 miles an hour through the scenic towns of Deep River and Chester. I gazed out my window to see meadows, picturesque farms, a millpond with waterfall, and several bridges over rivers and creeks. The train slowly journeys along the Connecticut River near Deep River, where I clearly saw the undeveloped Selden Neck State Park, which is accessible only by boat.

I saw several coves and preserves that are inaccessible via car. The train passed near tidal wetlands, which provide a perfect habitat for birds. Cormorants, ducks, swans, Greenland geese, blue heron, egrets, and red-winged blackbirds were easily spotted, and at certain times of the year, Bald Eagles have been seen along the river.

Finally, at Deep River Station, passengers who are taking the river boat ride disembark and board the riverboat for a relaxing and informative ride up the beautiful Connecticut River, from Deep River to East Haddam. The Becky Thatcher takes us on a 90-minute ride along the river, which is alive with recreational boaters and vacationers during the waning days of Summer vacation.

We passed bridges, ferries, and river-front homes. The highlight of the trip, though, was seeing the historic Goodspeed Opera House and Gillette Castle (below). One of the boat's staff provided colorful stories and commentary about the history, natural wonders, and local legends while passengers enjoyed the view from one of the three decks aboard the ship. There is also a well-stocked refreshment stand on board, too. What a great ride.

Finally, we disembarked at Deep River Station for the short train ride back to Essex. Needless to say, the three hours passed in a flash. The views of the sparkling water and neighboring coastal areas were breathtaking, and Mother Nature cooperated by delivering one of the best days of the year. There's no question I'll be back again.

Paul

Summer Nature Walk Through Wildlife Sanctuary

I enjoy a good, long walk, so today I traveled to the Connecticut Audubon Society on Burr Street in Fairfield to explore the wonders of nature by hiking three miles through its scenic wildlife sanctuary. Although the weather was warm and humid, plenty of sunshine and a light wind made for a pleasant walk. Of course, I brought my camera along for the lengthy hike.

Located in the historic Greenfield Hill section, the Connecticut Audubon Society Center at Fairfield was constructed in 1971 and is adjacent to the 155-acre Roy and Margot Larsen Wildlife Sanctuary. The sanctuary features rolling woodlands, meadows, streams, marshes and ponds with raised boardwalks and bridges. They allow access to a variety of habitats, over seven miles of trails, an observation platform, and an Algonquin wigwam replica. Here is the entrance to the sanctuary.

The wildlife walk has become a tradition each Summer. Not long after entering the trail, hikers see incredible scenery, hear chirping birds, rustling leaves, and running streams. It is an escape from the frantic world in which we live. It's refreshing, and I thoroughly enjoy walking through the sanctuary. Come along for the walk as I entered the trail.

There are many paths from which to choose within the sanctuary, and they are well-defined. Most of the walking trails are dirt-covered, although there are some grassy trails, and a number of wooden bridges to cross. There are several eye-opening views within the sanctuary, especially those out in the open fields. Here are some scenic photos I took midway through my walk.

I have always had an affinity for nature and the annual hike affords me the opportunity of "getting away from it all," even for a little while. The walk offers time for peace and reflection. Generally, the three-mile hike takes about an hour, and before long I've completed the circuitous journey along the well-trodden path. I urge anyone who enjoys hiking and nature to make the pilgrimage to the audubon society. Here's another part of the walk I enjoyed.

According to its Web site, the Connecticut Audubon Society (CAS), founded in 1898, conserves Connecticut’s environment through science-based education and advocacy focused on the state’s bird populations and habitats. The society operates nature facilities in Fairfield, Milford, Glastonbury and Pomfret.

The goal of the center is to promote awareness of Connecticut's terrestrial and freshwater wetland ecosystems and foster their preservation through hands-on experience and learning and related activities. It's a great place to bring the family.

Paul 

August's Full Sturgeon Moon Illuminates Late-Summer Night Sky

We'll have a wonderful view of the Full Sturgeon Moon this evening. Skies should be mostly clear to partly cloudy at 9:45 p.m. EDT when the Moon is Full. However, it will be a mild and more humid evening with temperatures generally in the 70s if you're out for a late-evening walk. The Moon rises at 7:13 EDT this evening, and it sets tomorrow morning at 6:47.

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.

As for our weather, it will be warm and humid through Thursday with daytime highs in the 80s and nighttime lows in the 60s and lower 70s. A cold front will approach later Thursday, bringing showers and thunderstorms to the region. Behind the front, however, pleasant weather is expected Friday through the upcoming weekend under mostly sunny skies, lower humidity, and comfortable temperatures.

Paul

Dwindling Daylight Marks Summer's Final Month

This Friday marks eight weeks since the Summer Solstice, and the Autumnal Equinox is just a little more than one month away. Summer officially began on Friday, June 21, while Fall starts in the Northern Hemisphere on Sunday, September 22 at 4:44 p.m. EDT. Where has the time gone?

I'm sure you’ve noticed by now that our days are getting shorter. In fact, today's sunrise at 6:01 EDT marks the first time since April 23 that the Sun rises after 6 o'clock. This evening's sunset is at 7:53 p.m. The times of sunrise and sunset on the first day of Summer were at 5:19 a.m. & 8:30 p.m., respectively. That means we’ve lost one hour and 19 minutes of daylight over the last eight weeks. And, daylight will continue to dwindle.

By the end of August, the sun rises at 6:18 and sets at 7:27, meaning that over an hour of daylight will have been lost in the evening alone since the first day of Summer. Just over one month from now, on the Autumnal Equinox, the sunrise is at 6:38 a.m. and sunset is at 6:53 p.m. The loss of daylight accelerates through the three months of Autumn.

A very nice stretch of weather is ahead through the start of the weekend. A cold front cleared the region last night after delivering less than a quarter-inch of rain (0.19") at Sikorsky Memorial Airport in Stratford yesterday. The monthly total (0.84") is still nearly an inch below normal (1.72") through yesterday. The average temperature this month is 72.8 degrees, which is 1.5 degrees below normal.

Enjoy the next couple of days and the last month of Summer!

Paul

Marking the Anniversary of Hurricane Connie in 1955

A fairly quiet and warm day is ahead under partly sunny skies and high temperatures in the lower 80s. If you have the day off, I certainly envy you. Aside from a cold front approaching tomorrow, most of the week looks great. However, things were quite different 58 years ago today. Nearly four inches (3.92") of rain fell on August 12, 1955. Take a look at the front page of The Bridgeport Telegram from Saturday, August 13, 1955.



Long-time area residents will never forget August of 1955 when two of the most memorable hurricanes --- Connie and Diane --- battered the Northeast. Hurricane Connie soaked New England with torrential rains on August 12 and 13, 1955. Then, just five days later, Tropical Storm Diane followed suit creating massive flooding not seen since the 1930s. Take a look at the front page of The Bridgeport Telegram from Saturday, August 20, 1955.




The combination of Connie and Diane yielded rainfall totals close to 25 inches in some areas, resulting in unprecedented flooding. Nearly all of the major rivers in the lower Connecticut Valley exceeded flood stage. Some rivers rose more than 20 feet over their banks. Read the Valley News archive of daily weather events from August of 1955 to gain a better understanding of the power of those two August hurricanes!

While the two hurricanes affected the entire Atlantic coast, Connecticut suffered the most damage. For example, of the 180 lives that were lost, 77 were in Connecticut. Of the 680 million dollars in property damage, over 350 million dollars occurred in Connecticut. Over 200 dams in New England suffered partial to total failure. Many of these were in the area immediately south of Worcester, in the Thames and Blackstone headwaters. Here is a photo of Winsted, Connecticut, virtually devastated following the flood.



If August was not bad enough, two months later, a four day storm dumped an additional 12-14 inches of rain in southwestern New England. This event was not as widespread as the August storms, but record flood levels were achieved in some locations of the Housatonic and Hudson River basins.

The tropical season has been fairly quiet thus far, but things usually stir in late August and September. Tropical Storm Irene (2011) and Hurricane Gloria (1985) are two recent examples. For now, however, enjoy the day. However, make sure to bring your sunglasses and suntan lotion. The UV Index is high. That's quite a difference from this date in 1955!

Paul

Weekend Weather Forecast

Keep the umbrella handy for periods of rain, locally heavy downpours, and potentially strong to severe thunderstorms today as a cold front approaches the region. It is quite humid this morning with dew points in the 70s and an air temperature in the low-to-mid 70s.

The key ingredient for potentially strong thunderstorms is the destabilization and warming of the lower-levels of the atmosphere. Cloud cover will hamper diurnal destabilization today, though. Any lingering rain and thunderstorm activity will end later this evening as the front accelerates and crosses the region. Tonight's lows will drop into the 60s under clearing skies late.

The silver lining is the weekend forecast. It looks like a winner. Tomorrow will feature a mix of sunshine and afternoon clouds with a high temperature in the mid 80s. The dew point is expected to drop into the 50s later in the day, according to the latest NAM/MOS guidance. Sunday will be mostly sunny, dry, and delightful with a high in the upper 70s to close to 80 degrees. Enjoy the weekend.



Paul

Little League Weather

The Westport Little League all-star team has cruised through its first three games of the New England Regional tournament in Bristol, Connecticut, this week. The locals defeated Vermont, 9-2, Maine, 8-0, and New Hampshire, 12-2. Equally impressive has been the weather at Breen Field this week. The last two days, especially, featured sunny skies, low humidity, and comfortable temperatures in the upper 70s to lower 80s.

Westport's 12-year-old heroes play the Massachusetts representative from Newton South East Little League this afternoon at 4 o'clock. Game conditions are expected to be fairly good, although the humidity will be higher and skies will become partly to mostly cloudy. The high temperature is expected to climb into the upper 70s with a Southeast wind at 10 miles an hour. However, any shower threat should hold off until after the game.

If Westport completes its perfect 4-0 run in pool play, the team will be the top seed in the regional semi-finals tomorrow. The locals would play the fourth seed in the second semi-final game at 1 o'clock. Unfortunately, tomorrow's weather doesn't look as promising. It will be mostly cloudy and more humid with scattered afternoon showers and thunderstorms, some of which may be strong, especially later in the day. The high temperature will reach the upper 70s with a South wind at 5 to 10 miles an hour.

The championship game is scheduled for this Saturday evening at 7 o'clock. Fortunately, Mother Nature should cooperate after a cold front pushes through the region early in the day. Skies are expected to be mostly clear with lower humidity and a temperature falling through the 70s. The wind will be North at 5 miles an hour with the humidity dropping to 70 percent. Sunset is at 7:58 p.m.

This is the fourth straight year a local Little League team won the state championship and advanced to the New England Regional tournament. The Fairfield American all-stars won the state 12-year-old title the last three years, advancing to the Little League World Series in 2010 and 2012. Here's hoping that neighboring Westport can book its trip to Williamsport next week. We're rooting for both the boys and Mother Nature to pull through!

Paul

Summer's Halfway Point

Today marks the official midpoint of Summer. It has been 46 days since the Summer Solstice, and the Autumn Equinox is 46 days from today. It seems like the Summer is flying by. The brutal heat and humidity of July have been replaced by delightful mid Summer weather once again today under mostly sunny skies, low humidity, and temperatures in the upper 70s to close to 80 degrees.

The first 46 days of Summer this year have been record-breaking. For starters, July was the hottest month on record at Sikorsky Memorial Airport in Stratford with a daily average temperature of 78.5 degrees. That eclipsed the previous record of 78.4 degrees set in July of 1994. In addition, there were two heat waves last month, including the first-ever seven-day heat wave on record, which included the highest temperature of the month, 95 degrees, on July 16.

There have been 12 days with a high temperature of 90 degrees or more since the Summer Solstice compared to 11 last year and just six at the midpoint of Summer in 2011. Similarly, there were two heat waves during the first half of last Summer. The first heat wave last year happened from June 29 through July 1 with high temperatures of 91, 92, and 92 degrees, respectively. The second heat wave happened July 16 through 18 when the mercury hit 91, 93, and 95 degrees on successive days.

The first half of each of the last two Summers featured 14 days (30%) with measured rain. This year, 16 of the first 46 days of Summer (34%) have had measured rain, including four of the last ten days in June, 10 days in July, and two of the first five days of August. There were four rainy days from June 21-30, 2011, while the last 10 days of June 2012 featured five days with measured rain. The last two July's each featured eight rainy days. August 1-5, 2011, had two days with measured rain, and last August 1 through 5 had just one rainy day.

Our weather will become unsettled by the end of the week. Tonight will become partly cloudy and slightly more humid with lows in the 60s along the shoreline and upper 50s inland. Tomorrow will become mostly cloudy and more humid with a high in the mid-to-upper 70s. Thursday features a few early showers followed by late-afternoon showers and thunderstorms with a high near 80. Stronger storms are likely later Friday and Friday night before showers taper early Saturday.

Paul

Hottest July on Record

It was a close call, but this was the hottest July on record in southwestern Connecticut. The average temperature of 78.5 degrees topped the previous record of 78.4 degrees in 1994 by the slimmest of margins. It was also the hottest month on record at Sikorsky Memorial Airport since record-keeping began in 1948. The month will be remembered for two brutal heat waves, the second of which was a first-ever seven-day heat wave from July 14 through July 20.

How hot was it last month? Just two of the first 20 days in July were cooler-than-normal, and eight days featured an average temperature of at least 10 degrees above normal. The first heat wave happened July 5 through July 8 with high temperatures of 92, 92, 93, and 90 degrees, respectively. The hottest temperature last month was 95 degrees on July 16, which happened during the brutal seven-day heat wave. In addition, the temperature never dropped below 62 degrees (July 25 & 26) last month.

July was the most uncomfortable month on record, too. Why? The dew point climbed to 70 degrees or warmer for 31 straight days from June 24 through July 24. That streak is unprecedented in these parts, and it dwarfs the previous record of 21 straight days in 1988. When the dew point reaches 65 degrees or higher, it becomes uncomfortable. The air is tropical and oppressive once the dew point reaches 70 degrees. That happened every day for over four weeks!

July was also quite dry with just over an inch-and-a-half (1.59") of rain. That's nearly two inches below the normal of 3.46" based on 40 years of climatology. Just ten days featured measured rainfall with the highest single-day total of 0.67" on July 23. The longest stretch of dry weather happened July 14 through July 20, and there was a six-day dry streak from July 3 through July 8. The wettest stretch from July 21 through July 26 featured five days of measured rain and one day with a trace of rain.

Now that the record heat is behind us, our focus turns to the weekend, which should be fairly nice. Today will be mostly sunny, warm, and slightly less humid with a high temperature in the low-to-mid 80s. There is a chance of a late-day or evening spot shower, but it shouldn't upset any outdoor plans. Tomorrow will be partly sunny with a shower or two from mid-morning through midday, but the remainder of the weekend looks fine. Have a good weekend.

Paul