Full Worm Moon is a "Super" Moon

This month's Full Moon will be the first "Super" Moon in 18 years. The March Full Worm Moon rises Saturday at 2:10 p.m. EDT, and we should be able to view its rare size and beauty beautifully tomorrow evening. It's called a "Super" Moon because it will arrive at its closest point to the Earth this year at 3 o'clock tomorrow afternoon. The Moon will be just 221,565 miles away from the Earth.

When the perigee Moon lies close to the horizon, it can appear absolutely enormous. That is when the famous “Moon illusion” combines with reality to produce a truly stunning view. For reasons not fully understood by astronomers or psychologists, a low-hanging Moon looks incredibly large when hovering near trees, buildings and other foreground objects. The fact that the Moon will be much closer than usual this weekend will only serve to amplify this strange effect.

That means that at its peak, tomorrow's "Super" Moon may appear 14 percent larger and 30 percent brighter than most other Full Moons or when the Moon is at its farthest distance from Earth. Yet to the casual observer, it may be hard to tell the difference. Although a Full Moon theoretically lasts just a moment, that moment is imperceptible to ordinary observation.

Why is this month's Full Moon called the Worm Moon? Well, as the temperature begins to warm and the ground begins to thaw, earthworm casts appear, signaling the return of the robins. The more northern tribes knew this Moon as the Full Crow Moon, when the cawing of crows signaled the end of winter, or the Full Crust Moon, because the snow cover becomes crusted from thawing by day and freezing at night. The Full Sap Moon, marking the time of tapping maple trees, is another variation.

This time of the year, the sunlight is getting stronger, temperatures are slowly rising, and the frozen ground begins to thaw. You can tell the worms have begun to come awake when you find the little curly mounds of dirt on the ground. These mounds, or castings are part of nature's way of preparing the Earth for new growth. Then the flowers and herbs and trees and green grass suddenly burst out and let us know Spring is here.

Full Moon names date back to 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.

By the way, did you know that if the Full Moon happened just two days later, Easter would be a week from Sunday? That's because Easter falls on the first Sunday after the first Full Moon following the Vernal Equinox. The Vernal Equinox is this Sunday evening, March 20, at 7:21 EDT. Enjoy the Full Worm Moon and the "Super" Moon. Have a great weekend.

Paul

Spring Officially Arrives This Sunday

Tomorrow is the last full day of Winter. Spring officially arrives this Sunday at 7:21 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time. That's the time when the direct rays of the Sun pass over the Equator, technically creating "equal day and equal night" over the face of the Earth. Actually, yesterday, March 17, we experienced exactly 12 hours of daylight and 12 hours of darkness. The days will only get longer for the next three months. I don't know about you, but after this Winter, I'm counting the minutes until the Vernal Equinox.

I've always observed the change of seasons with more reverence and awe than New Year's Eve. After all, the beginning of a new year is an arbitrary date which can actually be recognized just about any time during the year. However, an equinox or a solstice is a much more meaningful "event" and can be explained astronomically. The time is exact and changes every year although, for the most part, the date doesn't vary much.

The change of seasons is due to the 23.4 degree tilt of the Earth's axis. Because of the tilt, we receive the Sun's rays most directly in the Summer. In the Winter, when we are tilted away from the Sun, the rays pass through the atmosphere at a greater slant, bringing lower temperatures. If the Earth rotated on an axis perpendicular to the plane of the Earth's orbit around the Sun, there would be no variation in day lengths or temperatures throughout the year, and we would not have seasons.

Now that Winter is just about in our rear-view mirror, how did we fare over the last three months as far as snow is concerned? Officially, just about five feet of snow (59.4") fell at Sikorsky Memorial Airport in Stratford. That's more than three feet above the normal (22.9") through this date and well above last year's total of 38.1" of snow. Most of the snow fell from late December through January. Snowfall was well below the record of 78 inches, which was set in the Winter of 1995-96.

Our Springlike weather will continue for at least one more day. Today will feature a mix of sun and clouds with high temperatures reaching the upper 60s inland and close to 60 degrees along the immediate shoreline. It will be quite windy, though. The record high temperature for this date is 68 degrees, established in 1999. A cold front will pass late tonight and early tomorrow with a threat of a brief shower or sprinkle. Tomorrow will become mostly sunny and much cooler with highs close to 50.

Happy Spring!

Paul

Fourth Anniversary of St. Patrick's Day Snow and Ice Storm

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

It looks like the luck of the Irish will shine brightly across southwestern Connecticut today. We'll enjoy mostly sunny skies with high temperatures climbing into the 50s along the shoreline and close to 60 degrees inland. Tomorrow will be even milder as the mercury soars into the 60s. However, four years ago today, Old Man Winter was still going strong, delivering an unforgettable snow and ice storm.

I experienced one of the most difficult drives to work in my many years of providing morning weather to our viewers, Saturday, March 17, 2007. My car was a block of ice. My kitchen door froze after I shut it, locking me out of my own house while I attempted to get into the car. The battle with the car door to get it open took me about 10 minutes. And, I had to wake my son out of a sound sleep to accompany me on my harrowing drive to work.

The drive was, without question, extremely difficult. The roads were covered with ice and snow, and snow plows created some embankments at intersections, making it difficult to drive through the mounds of snow and ice. I got stuck twice in "cakes" of snow and ice. Our morning news anchor told me he "did a 360" on the turnpike, and he was obviously unnerved before we went on the air.

According to Lieutenant Paul Vance of the Connecticut State Police who appeared on our morning newscast that day, "Troopers have responded to over 477 accidents. We've been non-stop, busy, constantly during this whole storm. There are really treacherous conditions out there," emphasized Vance. "Many motorists have been stuck."

The storm began on Friday, March 16, 2007, with a moderate snow blanketing the region. The numbers were very impressive for mid March. Easton (6.5 inches), Fairfield (6.4"), New Canaan (6.0"), and Darien (6.0") each received at least a half-foot of snow unofficially. Even Bridgeport (5.0") had substantial snow. The average monthly snow for March is 4.3 inches based on 40 years of climatology. One of our viewers sent this photo from Norwalk.

"It was a tough storm," admitted John Kerry of the Department of Transportation storm center. "We're telling people that if they can hold off on their travel they will probably be in a lot better shape. We are seeing spin outs because the roads are slippery." One snow plow driver was asked by News 12 Connecticut's Kristi Olds if this was the worst storm of the Winter. "This one was," he answered immediately. "This one was by far the toughest. All the snow, the ice, and wind. It was tough!"

Nora Massella of Milford, who is a devoted viewer to our morning newscasts, sent this photo of her home and neighborhood. Nora wrote, "Paul, my husband, Mike, tried to get out and it was impossible. When he put down onto the snow, it was thick, thick ice. In order to get rid of this ice, you have to chop it and crack it in order to get rid of it. Our cars are frozen closed."

Thankfully, Mother Nature is giving us a preview of Springtime weather three days early! Today will be a great day to spend time outside and soak up the sun. March is one of the most unpredictable months for weather in southwestern Connecticut. Fortunately, we won't have to worry about any major storms over the next few days.

Paul

Celebrate National Wildlife Week

This is National Wildlife Week. According to the National Wildlife Federation, the annual week-long observance has been essential to wildlife conservation, bringing awareness about the issue to people of all ages since 1938. Observing National Wildlife Week is a time to honor wildlife, bring communities together through service, ignite the minds of children and adults, and instill an absolute love of nature.

Children are especially encouraged to celebrate National Wildlife Week by doing what comes naturally. Whatever you do --- at home, school, or play --- do it outdoors and have fun! Climb trees, chase butterflies, dig in the dirt, and celebrate nature. You’ll become healthier, happier, and more connected to the world around you.

Research shows that a daily "Green Hour" improves one's physical, mental and emotional well-being. This is especially important for children who typically spend hours in front of electronic gadgets. Additionally, families and communities connected to nature raise healthier kids and inspire a life-long appreciation of wildlife and the environment.

The federation's Web site includes ideas and activities for young children, teens, parents, and educators. One of the easiest and most enjoyable ways to celebrate this week is to go "wildlife watching." It's a great time to head outside and see what's going on in the natural world as Spring arrives. Carefully and quietly observe your surroundings.

Parents are urged to make time in their children's lives for unstructured play and interaction with the natural world. Children can celebrate the wonderful wildlife that lives around them and explore outside. Teens can make a difference in the community for wildlife and the environment. Educators can find fun ways to get their students excited about studying nature and wildlife, and spending more time outdoors.

Start a new family tradition this year with National Wildlife Week. With the exception of rain tomorrow, the remainder of the week looks good. Today will be mostly sunny and pleasant with a high in the mid-to-upper 40s. A half-inch to an inch of rain is possible tomorrow before much milder air arrives by the end of the week. For more information, visit the National Wildlife Federation Web site.

Paul

Flood Safety Awareness Week

Despite a dry weekend, a Flood Warning remains in effect for the Housatonic River at the Stevenson Dam through this afternoon. The stage was 11.2 feet as of late last night, slightly above the 11-foot flood stage. The river is forecast to continue to fall to below flood stage as of this morning. More rain is expected by this Wednesday, though it shouldn't aggravate any current flooding problems. The remainder of the week and this weekend should be dry and milder.

The National Weather Service has designated this week as its annual Flood Safety Awareness Week. It floods someplace in the United States or its territories nearly every day of the year. In the past 30 years, floods have killed an average of 95 people a year and have caused an average of $7.5 billion dollars in damages annually.

Generally, March and April are the two months each year we experience severe flooding. The goals of Flood Safety Awareness Week are to heighten public awareness of the risks associated with floods and flash floods, inform the public about forecast and warning services, provide flood safety information, and empower citizens to take actions necessary to protect their lives and property.

Americans depend on river and flood forecasts issued by the NWS throughout the year. Each geographic region of the United States has one or more times of the year when flooding is an increased concern. In the late Fall and Winter, powerful Pacific storms can strike the West Coast, causing extensive flooding. From late Winter into Spring, people living across the northern third of the nation closely monitor the forecasts when snow and ice can melt quickly, resulting in river flooding.

In the Spring and Summer, the threat of a flash flood from a thunderstorm is always a possibility almost anywhere in the country. Each Summer and Fall, millions of people living near the Gulf and East coasts listen keenly to tropical weather reports to determine if their area will be impacted by a flood from a tropical storm or hurricane.

Gary Carter, Director of the NWS Office of Hydrologic Development, said, “Water resource issues, including floods, profoundly affect our nation’s economy, policies and regulatory frameworks. To address the growing water challenges and guide critical decisions, NOAA is leading an interagency consortium called Integrated Water Resources Science and Services (IWRSS), which consists initially of NOAA, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, and the U.S. Geological Survey."

This consortium will unify and leverage each agency’s water science, observation, and prediction capabilities to improve water resources forecasts, foster better communications, and provide the common operating picture required to mitigate the death and destruction caused by major floods, according to Carter.

The Advanced Hydrologic Prediction Service (AHPS) is the National Weather Service's frontline solution for providing improved river and flood forecasting and water information across America. AHPS provides a suite of graphical and numeric products over the Internet to assist the public, community leaders, and emergency managers in making better life and cost saving decisions about evacuations and movement of property before flooding occurs.

Most flood-related deaths occur in motor vehicles when people attempt to drive through flooded roadways. Don’t underestimate the power of flowing water across a road. The National Weather Service developed the flood safety slogan: "Turn Around, Don’t Drown," and hopes people will remember these words when faced with a flooded roadway. Be especially cautious when driving at night when it is harder to recognize flood dangers.

Paul

Sunday Marks Anniversary of Three Memorable Weather Events

Now that the rain is moving away and we can enjoy a relatively quiet weekend, you may recall that this Sunday marks the anniversary of three unforgettable weather events which happened in southwestern Connecticut over the last 21 years. What makes the events even more significant is that they illustrate just how unpredictable March weather can be in New England.

As hard as it may seem to believe, the temperature climbed to an incredible 84 degrees at Sikorsky Memorial Airport on March 13, 1990. That established a record high for the date, month, and the Winter season. The normal high temperature for this date is only 45 degrees, and the normal low is a chilly 31. Although it feels rather balmy today with the mercury climbing into the 50s, it's still 30 degrees cooler than that very warm day 21 years ago.

During March, a battle rages between the Spring and Winter seasons, and that makes predicting the temperatures during this month as difficult as any time during the year. The amount of daylight continues to grow longer each day, and the Vernal Equinox, the first day of Spring, is still a more than a week away. But, Old Man Winter has no intentions of packing his bags just yet.

I distinctly remember watching the temperature climb that day due to a strong Westerly wind. The wind direction was extremely important, since the flow didn't come from the cooler waters on Long Island Sound. I was the evening weather anchor at News 12 Connecticut 21 years ago, and our "weather video" showed people flocking to a local beach to soak up the sun and warm temperatures. I'll never forget that day.

Then, just three years later, Saturday, March 13, 1993, the famed Storm of the Century pounded the Eastern seaboard from Florida to Maine. Locally, over a foot of snow fell across southwestern Connecticut, winds gusted over 40 miles an hour, and wind chills hovered at or close to zero throughout the day. It was the second snowiest day on record for March, and it will always be remembered because it affected such a large area.

Very heavy snow accumulated in the south. Birmingham, Alabama, picked up a foot of snow. Snow covered the ground from Mississippi to the Florida Panhandle. The heavy snow spread northward along the East Coast to Maine. On Saturday, March 13, every airport in the Eastern states was closed. Snowfall ranged up to four feet on Mount Mitchell, North Carolina. Atlanta, Georgia, picked up three inches. Chattanooga, Tennessee, received up 21 inches. During the peak of the storm, about 30 percent of the entire country was hit by the rough weather.

Very warm, humid air moved across central Florida and, combined with the energy of the storm, helped spawn the 27 tornadoes. Winds were clocked at 99 mph on an oil platform off the Louisiana coast. Overall the storm took 285 lives, mostly because of tornadoes. The storm became the costliest nontropical storm in Florida's history. States of emergency were declared throughout the eastern portion of the country. The adjacent map shows the total snowfall for the storm.

I was called in for storm coverage that Saturday morning, and we remained on the air for more than 12 hours. Aside from the heavy snow, what I remember most from that day was the rapidly falling barometer. The pressure dropped to 28.35 inches in parts of New England, which is usually only observed in hurricanes. They peak at almost the exact opposite time of the year. By comparison, this morning's barometer read 30.18 inches, and the normal average barometer reading for southwestern Connecticut is 30.02 inches.

The storm was deepening and intensifying as it moved toward New England, and the howling winds didn't let up. In the wake of the storm, back-to-back record low temperatures of 16 and 12 degrees were established on March 14 and 15, respectively, at Sikorsky Airport.

Then, last year, a powerful Nor'easter hammered Connecticut and, specifically, Fairfield County. The damaging wind gusts of 60 to 65 miles an hour, flooding rains, massive power outages, impassable roads, and week-long school closings won't soon be forgotten. We received incredible videos and photos of the widespread destruction across southwestern Connecticut. The following photos were sent by News 12 Connecticut viewers.

Former Governor M. Jodi Rell announced that the storm caused more than $7 million in damage statewide, and she requested a visit from Federal Emergency Management Agency officials to assess the damage. The Connecticut Department of Emergency Management and Homeland Security estimated $2.8 million worth of damage in Fairfield County alone. Fairfield County qualified for federal disaster assistance.

Preliminary damage estimates in Norwalk totaled more than $335,000, and damage to private homes was even greater. Damage to public buildings and parks, and the cost of funding police, fire, and city employee overtime reached about $335,065, according to the city's director of finance. The scoreboard at Brien McMahon High School was the single most expensive piece of property destroyed in the storm. It was estimated at $18,000.

Stamford officials estimate private property damage at $3.58 million. Damage to public property was estimated at $262,000, and total overtime for city crews at $143,086. Tens of thousands of people lost power, and three school systems were closed for a week. Heavy rain delivered up to one-half inch per hour during the afternoon of March 13. Here is a sampling of area rainfall totals for that day:

• New Canaan: 4.34"
• Easton: 4.33"
• Wilton: 4.01"
• Stratford: 3.33"
• Woodbridge: 3.12"
• Westport: 2.97"
• Milford: 2.91"

Fortunately, the weather should be quiet this weekend. Sunday, March 13, will be fair and seasonable with daytime high temperatures in the upper 40s. The weather will remain dry through most, if not all, of the upcoming week with daytime highs in the 40s to close to 50 degrees, and nighttime lows in the low-to-mid 30s. I can't take another storm!

Paul