Anglers Looking Forward to Opening Day

Opening Day of the new fishing season is just three days away, but that didn't keep several of my neighbors from venturing to the lake to prepare for this Saturday. In fact, I spotted at least four neighbors inspecting their tackle boxes, casting their fishing lines, and speculating about the weekend weather. It looks as though much, if not all of the day, will be dry with a chilly morning low temperature in the mid 30s.

Fishing season officially opens this Saturday, and anglers young and old alike are looking forward to the day. Fishing is great family fun and a healthy outdoor activity enjoyed by everyone. The Department of Environmental Protection stocks many lakes and streams with a wide variety of fish species throughout the year. Some of the other programs developed by DEP to enhance fishing opportunities include fishing education for children and families and the creation of special fishing areas such as trout parks.

One of my neighbors told me that there's nothing quite like getting up in the middle of the night and heading to the nearest river or stream on Opening Day. "I always look forward to the first day of fishing season," said Greg. "I pack my breakfast and lunch, and I have my first cup of coffee by the water. I enjoy the peace and quiet, being surrounded by nature, and doing what I enjoy. That's what makes this day so special." I'm sure Greg's sentiments are shared by many others, too.

Connecticut is fortunate to have over 180 public lakes and ponds and thousands of miles of rivers and streams teeming with a variety of gamefish and panfish. Anglers from all over the country come to Connecticut to fish for prized trout in the Farmington and Housatonic Rivers. Eleven water bodies in Connecticut have been designated as Trout Parks. Trout Parks are located in easily accessible areas to enhance trout fishing opportunities for everyone.

The DEP Web site adds that anglers should consult their 2011 Angler’s Guide for the current fishing regulations that apply to the waters in which they plan to fish. Trout Parks and the many waters designated as Trout Management Areas, Trophy Trout Streams, Sea-Run Trout Streams, and Wild Trout Management Areas each have special regulations.

The 2011 Angler’s Guide is available at all Town Clerks Offices and at tackle stores selling fishing licenses. Anglers can now purchase their fishing licenses online, too. Both the Angler's Guide and the online licensing system can be accessed on the DEP web site at: www.ct.gov/dep/fishing. Good luck to all the anglers this Saturday.

Paul

The Answer is Blowin' in the Wind

One of the most popular songs of my youth was "Blowin' in the Wind," written by Bob Dylan in 1962 and performed by Peter, Paul, and Mary, among many others. It is an example of "the protest song" of the time, posing philosophical questions about  peace, war, and freedom. Its popularity and timelessness can be attributed to the fact that while the song asks questions, it does not refer to any particular political event.

The memorable refrain, "The answer, my friend, is blowin' in the wind," could very well apply to our daily weather here in southwestern Connecticut. If you're aware of the direction from which the wind is blowing, then you'll more than likely have the answer to the current weather from Greenwich to Woodbridge. Yesterday's high temperatures ranged from 80 in Danbury to 63 in Bridgeport to 51 in Groton. That's a 30-degree range due to a sea breeze along the shoreline and a mild wind inland!

Although the wind can blow from virtually any direction, we'll examine more closely the four points of the compass; namely, North, South, East, and West. The direction of the wind is determined by areas of high and low pressure. The wind blows clockwise around the center of high pressure, and it circulates counterclockwise around an area of low pressure.

An East wind means rainy and raw weather in April. That's what we'll experience tomorrow. Imagine a huge hair drier placed horizontally just above the ocean water and aimed directly at southwestern Connecticut. Make sure you have a jacket and umbrella handy whenever the wind blows out of the East in April, because temperatures are likely to be well below normal and rain will be falling. Just remember the famous weather adage, "Whenever the wind is out of the East, the weather is unfit for man and beast."

Pining for a mild, dry day? Just wait until the wind shifts out of the West. Whenever that happens, we have a continental air mass, since the wind is blowing across the land. That results in mild air and sunny skies. The West wind produced a temperature of 84 degrees at Sikorsky Airport in Stratford on March 13, 1990! Even along the shoreline, a West wind will bring milder air. Remember the saying, "Whenever the wind is out of the West, the weather is at its best!" So true, indeed.

The North wind brings much cooler and drier air. Imagine the wind flowing from Canada. Humidity levels will drop considerably, the sky will generally be clear and deep, and temperatures will run below normal. The North wind is most welcome during the Summertime, when the drier air brings relief from tropical humidity. However, during the Winter, a North wind, known as the "Polar Express," can bring brutally cold conditions and drop the mercury well below zero.

Finally, a wind out of the South results in warm, tropical, humid air. Those living along the Connecticut shoreline are directly affected by the temperature of Long Island Sound, though. During the Summer, temperatures are cooler by the water when the wind is out of the South, or directly off the Sound. In the Winter, a South wind brings a moderation to the temperature, and when a storm arrives, it usually results in rain or a mix along the shoreline, while neighbors living North of the Merritt or Wilbur Cross parkways are digging out of several inches of snow.

Oh, and what about the Northeast wind? Harry Nilsson sang about it in his song "Everybody's Talkin'." According to the lyrics, "I'm going where the sun keeps shining, thru' the pouring rain, going where the weather suits my clothes, backing off of the North East wind, sailing on a summer breeze, and skipping over the ocean like a stone." All of us are familiar with a Northeast wind in the Winter. That brings heavy snow, wind, and cold air to southwestern Connecticut. A Nor'easter delivers the moisture off the Atlantic Ocean, and the cold air from Canada.

So, the next time you want to know what kind of day we'll have weatherwise, just check the direction of the wind. I'm sure all of us can't wait for "The Summer Wind." Maybe I'll look for my Frank Sinatra record when I have a few moments. If I can't find that, I'll more than settle for Seals and Crofts' "Summer Breeze," 'cause it "makes me feel fine."

Paul

Snowiest Season on Record Came to a Close 15 Years Ago Tomorrow

A storm system moving across the mid Atlantic region is spreading some light rain as far North as New York City this afternoon. A few light showers are possible through early this evening, but southwestern Connecticut should be spared any rain as high pressure controls our weather. Tomorrow will be mostly sunny and pleasant with highs in the mid 50s. However, things were a lot different around these parts 15 years ago tomorrow. I remember it quite well.

Seasonal snowfall records were smashed across much of New England when heavy, wet snow buried Northern New England and delivered nearly a foot of snow (11.3″) to Sikorsky Memorial Airport in Stratford from the evening of April 9 through the morning of April 10, 1996. It was a fitting end to the Winter that just didn’t seem to want to end. In fact, the first snowfall of the season happened the previous November.

When the last flake had fallen, 75.8″ of snow had fallen in southwestern Connecticut that Winter, breaking the previous mark of 71.3″ established over 60 years earlier in 1933-34. Hartford finished the 1995-96 Winter with a record 114.6 inches, which eclipsed the previous mark of 84.9 inches only two years earlier. Here’s a look at snowfall records which were established in the Northeast during the 1995-96 season:

What I most remember about that snowstorm was a telephone call I received from my brother and sister-in-law, who were living in Jaffrey, New Hampshire, at the time. That little town at the base of Mount Monadnock made national headlines when the second major snowstorm in three days produced nearly two feet (21 inches) of snow. My brother and sister-in-law were convinced that they were snowbound for awhile.

We also laughed about how much we were looking forward to seeing the first-ever baseball game at the brand new New Britain Stadium just two days later. The Eastern League’s Rock Cats were unveiling their state-of-the-art ballpark against the rival New Haven Ravens, and we were convinced the game wasn’t going to happen. We had purchased tickets well in advance. However, the game did go on as scheduled, and we enjoyed the festivities, despite temperatures in the lower 30s and snow in the parking lot!

Consider that the normal average snowfall for southwestern Connecticut for the month of April is only 0.9″ based on 40 years of record-keeping, and the normal average Winter snowfall is about 26.3 inches. Comparatively speaking, this past Winter yielded five feet of snow. So, as you enjoy a pleasant day tomorrow, think back to 15 years ago when the last snowstorm of the snowiest Winter on record hit southwestern Connecticut. I know I will.

Paul

April Showers Wreak Havoc With Major League Baseball's Schedule

The major league baseball season is not even a week old, and the Yankees already had their first rain out. Last night's game between the visiting Minnesota Twins and host New York Yankees was postponed due to steady light rain, and no makeup date has been announced. The two teams will play just one game this afternoon before the Bronx Bombers travel to Boston to play the Red Sox in their home opener tomorrow afternoon.

Baseball and April weather in the Northeast just don’t mix very well. We’ve seen our fair share of rain, snow, wind, and below-freezing temperatures during April. Many fans come to the ballpark dressed as though they’re heading to a football game. They bring blankets, heavy coats, and even gloves. I’ve always felt that the baseball season shouldn’t start until May, but the bottom line is “the bottom line” in today’s big business world of professional sports, and more games means more money.

Consider what happened in April of 2007. Mother Nature played havoc with Major League baseball that month. Snow, rain, or threats of tornadoes forced postponement of 21 games during the month — including six games on April 15 —  the most for baseball’s first month of the season since 24 were postponed in 1997, according to the Elias Sports Bureau. In addition, four of the attempted makeup games were also postponed, meaning 25 games Major League Baseball tried to play in April couldn’t be played because of the weather.

While areas of the Northeast and Midwest were hardest hit, the postponements impacted all six divisions and all but six of baseball’s 30 teams. From April 3-17, at least one game was postponed because of weather every day except April 10. The only teams that were not involved in at least one weather postponement in April were the A’s, Reds, Diamondbacks, Dodgers, Padres and Rockies. One year earlier, a total of eight games were postponed due to inclement weather.

However, if you think April weather can be brutal in New York, Boston, Philadelphia, and the Northeast in general, imagine being a baseball fan in Seattle. Four years ago, no team lost more games to Mother Nature than the Mariners, who saw four games postponed because of snow, one by rain, and one at Texas on April 24 due to a tornado watch.

According to the Mariners, it’s the most postponements due to weather-related issues in club history, breaking the old mark of four set during the 1978 season. No American League team in the last 13 years lost as many games in April as Seattle did in 2007. Trying to reschedule the games can be extremely difficult, especially when traditional doubleheaders have become the exception rather than the rule, and other teams’ scheduling and travel plans need to be considered.

Fortunately, our weather in the Northeast will be fairly quiet and milder through the upcoming weekend, and that's good news for fans in Boston and New York, where the Mets will open their home season at Citi Field. Tomorrow will feature a mix of sun and clouds with a high in the 50s. Saturday will bring partly to mostly sunny skies with highs in the mid 50s, and Sunday will see increasing cloudiness with a high near 60 degrees off a morning low in the low 40s. Let's play some baseball!

Paul

Today Marks Anniversary of Snowiest April Day on Record

Today marks the 29th anniversary of the snowiest April day on record in southwestern Connecticut. Take a look out the window today, and it's hard to imagine that exactly a half-foot of snow fell on April 6, 1982. What made the storm even more memorable were the gusty winds and cold temperatures. Record lows of 19, 18, and 23 degrees were established from April 6 through April 8, respectively, well below the 38-degree normal low temperature for this time of the year. 

The snowstorm of Tuesday, April 6,1982, was one of the most remarkable late season snowfalls to strike the Northeast. Snowfall accumulations from 10 inches to over a foot occurred over much of Long Island, but the accompanying very cold temperatures and high winds caused extensive blowing and drifting of snow which was unprecedented for early April. Take a look at the following photo from New York City during the height of the storm.

More than a foot of snow (13") fell at Newark, New Jersey, 10 inches (9.8") blanketed New York City, and over two feet of snow was measured in upstate New York. The primary storm resurfaced off the New Jersey coast, producing gale force winds of up to 60 miles an hour. It was the heaviest April snow in New York City since April 3 and 4 of 1915 when 10 inches fell.

The heavy snow forced the cancellation of the Yankees’ 1982 home opener against the Rangers at Yankee Stadium. Even worse, the weather stayed cold, and the Yanks cancelled another game against Texas, two games against the White Sox, and they eventually opened on Easter Sunday, April 11, 1982, by dropping both ends of a doubleheader to Chicago.

While the storm of 29 years ago had a mid Winter look and feel, today will be much quieter across southwestern Connecticut. Early sunshine will give way to increasing cloudiness with a high temperature in the low to mid 50s. Some showers are likely from late this evening through tomorrow morning as a weak system crosses the region. No major storms are in sight ... at least nothing like the one we experienced 29 years ago today.

Paul

Uneventful March Milder and Drier Than Normal

One year after the wettest March on record, I was somewhat apprehensive about what the third month of the year would bring this time around. Fortunately, we didn't experience any powerful Nor'easters, flooding rains, or damaging winds this March. In fact, as difficult as it may seem to believe, last month was slightly milder and drier than normal. The accompanying photos were sent to me yesterday by viewer Ralph Fato.

 

The average daily temperature last month was 39.7 degrees, just 0.2 degrees above normal. That's somewhat surprising, considering that 12 of the last 13 days of March, including the last nine days, were colder than normal. However, eight of the ten days preceding that stretch were warmer than normal, punctuated by a record 76-degree high temperature on March 18. That certainly skewed the overall average temperature.

Just over three-and-a-half inches (3.61") of precipitation fell last month, well below the 4.15-inch normal for March. There were only nine days with measured precipitation in March, with the greatest 24-hour rainfall happening on March 6 (1.26"). Over an inch-and-a-half of rain (1.51") fell March 6 and 7, and over three-quarters of an inch (0.77") fell on March 10 and 11. The longest dry stretch was six days, stretching from March 25 through March 30.

We measured just 3.2 inches of snow last month, just over an inch below the 4.3-inch normal for the month. An inch-and-a-half of snow was measured March 23, and an inch of snow fell the following day. Although there were more than ten inches of liquid precipitation in March of 2010, there was only one-tenth of an inch of snow.

 

A warm front passed through southwestern Connecticut this morning, bring some showers late last night. This afternoon will become partly sunny, breezy, and milder with high tempertaures climbing well into the 50s, but it will be cooler along the shoreline. Tonight will be mostly cloudy and mild with rain developing late and a low near 50. Tomorrow will feature morning showers and thunderstorms followed by partial clearing with a high near 60.

Paul