Despite hot and humid weather this long holiday weekend with temperatures in the upper 80s to lower 90s across southwestern Connecticut, our planet is actually at its farthest point from the Sun today. According to the U. S. Naval Observatory, the Earth reached a point in its orbit called "aphelion" at 11 o'clock EDT this morning. The Earth's aphelion is the point where it is the farthest from the Sun than at any time during the year.
The Earth is typically about 93 million miles from the Sun. However, because our planet's orbit is not a perfect circle but an ellipse, it has a farthest point and a closest point to the Sun. In case you're wondering, the Earth's closest approach to the Sun is called perihelion, and that occurs in early January. The Earth is exactly 3,104,641 miles (or 3.28 percent) farther from the Sun than at its closest approach. The Earth actually receives about seven percent less heat at its aphelion than at its closest approach, according to researchers.
Although the date for both will vary from year to year, the Earth will always be closest to the Sun in early January and the farthest away in early July. Not surprisingly, that comes as a surprise to most people. At perihelion, our planet is about 91 million miles from the Sun. It moves outward to about 95 million miles from the Sun at aphelion. Naturally, some people have the mistaken impression that our seasons are caused by the changes in Earth's distance from the Sun, but this is not the case.
The temperatures and the seasons are not affected by the proximity of the Earth to the Sun or even the rotation of the planet on its axis. Rather, it is the tilt of the Earth that determines the climate. When it is at perihelion in January, the Earth is tilted away from the Sun in the Northern Hemisphere, and the sunlight is not "getting a direct hit" on the Earth's atmosphere. However, when it is at aphelion in July, the Earth is tilted toward the Sun.
Officially, at Sikorsky Memorial Airport in Stratford, the high and low temperatures today were 92 and 74 degrees, respectively, for an average of 83 degrees. That's ten degrees above normal. So, as you cool off at the pool, beach, or by the air conditioner today, take comfort in the fact that our planet is farther from the Sun today than at any other day of the year.
Paul
Friday, July 5, 2013
Wednesday, July 3, 2013
"Dog Days" of Summer Have Arrived
The “Dog Days” of Summer officially start today. No, that’s not because I relented and turned on the air conditioners. Most people casually refer to the "Dog Days" as a period of hot and humid weather. But did you know that the dog days are a 40-day period which last from early July through mid-August?The dog days of Summer run from July 3 through August 11 in the Northern Hemisphere and have to do with the star Sirius, known as “the dog star.” Sirius is the brightest star in the Northern Hemisphere other than the Sun, and it is found in the constellation Canis Major, thus the name “dog star.”
In the Summer, Sirius rises and sets with the Sun. During late July, Sirius is in “conjunction” with the Sun. The ancients believed that its heat added to the heat of the Sun, creating a stretch of hot and sultry weather. They named this period of time, from 20 days before the conjunction to 20 days after, the “dog days” after the dog star.
In ancient times, when the night sky was unobscured by artificial lights and smog, different groups of peoples in different parts of the world drew images in the sky by “connecting the dots” of stars. The images drawn were dependent upon the culture.The Chinese saw different images than the Native Americans, who saw different pictures than the Europeans. These star pictures are now called constellations, and the constellations that are now mapped out in the sky come from our European ancestors.
They saw images of bears (Ursa Major and Ursa Minor), twins (Gemini), a bull (Taurus), and others, including dogs (Canis Major and Canis Minor). The brightest of the stars in Canis Major (the big dog) is Sirius. The star can be seen prominently in the Winter in the Northern Hemisphere, adjacent to Orion the Hunter.
The conjunction of Sirius with the Sun varies somewhat with latitude. Also, the constellations today are not in exactly the same place in the sky as they were in ancient Rome. Although we are in the middle of the dog days of Summer right now, the heat is not due to the added radiation from a far-away star, regardless of its brightness. The heat of Summer is a direct result of the earth’s 23.5 degree tilt on its axis, meaning the Northern Hemisphere is tilted toward the Sun during the Summer.
So, the "Dog Days" of Summer have officially arrived. It will certainly feel hot and humid through the upcoming holiday weekend. In fact, the Independence Day high and low temperatures at Sikorsky Memorial Airport in Stratford were 88 and 74 degrees, respectively, for an 81-degree average. That's seven degrees above normal. The heat index as of 5 o'clock this afternoon was 94 degrees.
Welcome to the "Dog Days."
Paul
Tuesday, July 2, 2013
National Weather Service Confirms Tornado in Greenwich & Stamford
The National Weather Service has confirmed that a tornado moved through Greenwich and Stamford Monday morning, July 1, 2013. The tornado touched down on North Street in Greenwich just North of the Merritt Parkway. It continued East/Northeast into Stamford and lifted on Janes Lane, approximately a half-mile West of Scofieldtown Road.
Extendive tree damage was observed along the tornado's path, starting on Taconic Road and continuing onto Skyridge Road. The worst stree damage was observed just South of the intersection of Stag Lane and Stanwich Road. Tree damage continued onto Carrington Drive and at the Mead House Farm. The tornado began to weaken as it moved into Stamford, just South of Web Hills Road and Lynam Road. There were no injuries, and no visible structural damage was observed during the survey.
According to Dan Warzoha of Greenwich Emergency Management, "The first initial reports were (of a) thunderstorm, possibly (a) microburst. When we got crews to the area, it was evident to us something more forceful had happened."
The estimated time of the tornado was between 10:58 and 11:08 a.m. EDT, and the estimated maximum wind speed was 80 miles per hour. The maximum path width of the tornado was 150 yards, and the path length was 3.7 miles. Governor Dannel Malloy signed an emergency order after the tornado swept through the region.
Paul
Extendive tree damage was observed along the tornado's path, starting on Taconic Road and continuing onto Skyridge Road. The worst stree damage was observed just South of the intersection of Stag Lane and Stanwich Road. Tree damage continued onto Carrington Drive and at the Mead House Farm. The tornado began to weaken as it moved into Stamford, just South of Web Hills Road and Lynam Road. There were no injuries, and no visible structural damage was observed during the survey.
According to Dan Warzoha of Greenwich Emergency Management, "The first initial reports were (of a) thunderstorm, possibly (a) microburst. When we got crews to the area, it was evident to us something more forceful had happened."
The estimated time of the tornado was between 10:58 and 11:08 a.m. EDT, and the estimated maximum wind speed was 80 miles per hour. The maximum path width of the tornado was 150 yards, and the path length was 3.7 miles. Governor Dannel Malloy signed an emergency order after the tornado swept through the region.
Paul
Monday, July 1, 2013
June Featured Soaking Rains & Above-Average Temperatures
It's official. Last month was the third wettest June on record across southwestern Connecticut. Nearly ten inches (9.48") of rain fell at Sikorsky Memorial Airport in Stratford, which is nearly a half-foot above normal. Hurricane Agnes contributed to nearly a foot-and-a-half of rain in June of 1972, while nearly a foot (11.53") of rain was measured in June of 1982.
Thirteen of the 30 days (43%) last month featured measured rain, including 4.30" on June 7. That happened during a stretch of eight wet days out of 12. The three-day total of 4.60" from June 6 through June 8 was followed by a two-day total of 1.42" on June 10 and 11. During the first 18 days of June, there were just seven completely dry days. The driest stretch of weather happened from June 19 through June 25, when just 0.04" fell on June 24.
Although last month's rain was impressive, it pales in comparison to June of 1972. In fact, more rain fell over a three-day period in June of '72 than all of last month! The monsoon began June 17, 1972, with nearly two-and-a-half inches (2.37″) of rain. The next day, June 18, brought nearly an inch (0.98″). But the deadliest blow happened the next day — June 19 — when over a half-foot (6.18″) of rain buried the region. Cumulatively, 9.53″ of rain fell at Sikorsky Airport.
This June was also warmer-than-normal. The average temperature of 70.0 degrees was 1.3 degrees above the normal average of 68.7 degrees. The hottest temperature last month was 90 degrees on June 25. Twenty of the 30 days (67%) featured an average daily temperature at or above normal. The temperature climbed to 80 degrees or higher 13 days last month. Take a look at this graphic provided by local climatologist Ralph Fato comparing this June to the previous six:
There were 10 days which were cooler-than-normal, including a stretch of three in a row from June 5 through 7 and three in a row from June 18 through June 20. The coolest stretch of weather happened from June 13 through June June 20 when six of the eight days were cooler-than-normal. The coolest temperatutre last month was 53 degrees on June 14. In fact, twelve days saw low temperatures fall into the 50s.
Paul
Thirteen of the 30 days (43%) last month featured measured rain, including 4.30" on June 7. That happened during a stretch of eight wet days out of 12. The three-day total of 4.60" from June 6 through June 8 was followed by a two-day total of 1.42" on June 10 and 11. During the first 18 days of June, there were just seven completely dry days. The driest stretch of weather happened from June 19 through June 25, when just 0.04" fell on June 24.
Although last month's rain was impressive, it pales in comparison to June of 1972. In fact, more rain fell over a three-day period in June of '72 than all of last month! The monsoon began June 17, 1972, with nearly two-and-a-half inches (2.37″) of rain. The next day, June 18, brought nearly an inch (0.98″). But the deadliest blow happened the next day — June 19 — when over a half-foot (6.18″) of rain buried the region. Cumulatively, 9.53″ of rain fell at Sikorsky Airport.
This June was also warmer-than-normal. The average temperature of 70.0 degrees was 1.3 degrees above the normal average of 68.7 degrees. The hottest temperature last month was 90 degrees on June 25. Twenty of the 30 days (67%) featured an average daily temperature at or above normal. The temperature climbed to 80 degrees or higher 13 days last month. Take a look at this graphic provided by local climatologist Ralph Fato comparing this June to the previous six:
There were 10 days which were cooler-than-normal, including a stretch of three in a row from June 5 through 7 and three in a row from June 18 through June 20. The coolest stretch of weather happened from June 13 through June June 20 when six of the eight days were cooler-than-normal. The coolest temperatutre last month was 53 degrees on June 14. In fact, twelve days saw low temperatures fall into the 50s.
Paul
Sunday, June 30, 2013
July Preview
Half the year is over. Now that July is just about here, it’s time to look ahead at what the month brings climatologically to southwestern Connecticut. Not surprisingly, July is the warmest month of the year with a mean temperature of 74 degrees. The hottest temperature ever recorded at Sikorsky Memorial Airport happened July 22, 2011, when the mercury topped 103 degrees, tying the record originally set in 1957. The following day, July 23, 2011, another record high of 96 degrees was recorded.
The mercury reached the century mark two other times — July 2, 1966 and July 5, 1999. In fact, the average daily temperature climbs from 72 degrees at the start of the month to 75 by July 31. The warmest July on record happened 18 years ago, in 1994, with an average temperature of 78.4 degrees. However, last July was one of the warmest on record with an average temperature of 77.6 degrees.
July of 2010 was another hot one. You may recall the heat wave over the Independence Day holiday weekend. The high temperatures from July 4 through July 7, 2010, were 97, 93, 98, and 95 degrees, respectively. In fact, record high temperatures were established July 6 and 7. The mercury also reached 95 degrees July 24. The average temperature for the month was 78 degrees, just shy of the all-time record.
Many people have asked me why the hottest time of the year happens over a month after the first day of Summer. Well, it takes the Earth awhile to absorb the heat. As the Sun’s angle gets higher in the sky and the days grow longer in May and June, the Northern Hemisphere slowly starts to warm.
It’s much like warming your home. When you turn your thermostat up to 72 degrees after being away all day in the Winter, it will take awhile for the house to warm up. It doesn’t happen instantly. That’s why our hottest days are typically in July and early August.
On the flip side, the coolest temperature ever recorded in these parts in July was 49 degrees on July 1, 1988. Aside from that, every record low for the month is in the 50s. Believe it or not, according to the National Weather Service record book, a trace of snow fell at the airport on July 4, 1950. I find that too hard to believe.
As far as precipitation is concerned, the wettest July on record happened in 1971 when over a foot of rain (12.84″) fell. The average monthly rainfall is 3.77 inches. There have been several memorable rainstorms in July. For example, nearly a half-foot (5.95″) of rain fell on July 19, 1971, and nearly four inches (3.93″) was recorded on July 29, 1990. Two other days delivered well over three inches of rain — July 30, 1960 (3.57″) and July 23, 1953 (3.45″).
The length of daylight actually decreases next month. For example, on July 1, the Sun rises at 5:23 and sets at 8:30. By the middle of the month, on July 15, the Sun rises at 5:32 and sets at 8:24. However, at the end of the month, it rises at 5:47 and sets at 8:10, meaning we lose 44 minutes of daylight. Remember, the “longest” day of the year happened at the Summer Solstice in late June.
Our weather will be warm and humid today with a good chance of showers and thunderstorms, some of which may produce locally heavy rain. High temperatures will climb into the 70s to close to 80 degrees. More of the same is expected tomorrow, although there will be breaks of sunshine, with highs in the upper 70s to close to 80 degrees. The weather pattern will quiet down later this week, though, before it turns hotter for the Independence Day holiday weekend.
Paul
The mercury reached the century mark two other times — July 2, 1966 and July 5, 1999. In fact, the average daily temperature climbs from 72 degrees at the start of the month to 75 by July 31. The warmest July on record happened 18 years ago, in 1994, with an average temperature of 78.4 degrees. However, last July was one of the warmest on record with an average temperature of 77.6 degrees.
July of 2010 was another hot one. You may recall the heat wave over the Independence Day holiday weekend. The high temperatures from July 4 through July 7, 2010, were 97, 93, 98, and 95 degrees, respectively. In fact, record high temperatures were established July 6 and 7. The mercury also reached 95 degrees July 24. The average temperature for the month was 78 degrees, just shy of the all-time record.
Many people have asked me why the hottest time of the year happens over a month after the first day of Summer. Well, it takes the Earth awhile to absorb the heat. As the Sun’s angle gets higher in the sky and the days grow longer in May and June, the Northern Hemisphere slowly starts to warm.
It’s much like warming your home. When you turn your thermostat up to 72 degrees after being away all day in the Winter, it will take awhile for the house to warm up. It doesn’t happen instantly. That’s why our hottest days are typically in July and early August.
On the flip side, the coolest temperature ever recorded in these parts in July was 49 degrees on July 1, 1988. Aside from that, every record low for the month is in the 50s. Believe it or not, according to the National Weather Service record book, a trace of snow fell at the airport on July 4, 1950. I find that too hard to believe.
As far as precipitation is concerned, the wettest July on record happened in 1971 when over a foot of rain (12.84″) fell. The average monthly rainfall is 3.77 inches. There have been several memorable rainstorms in July. For example, nearly a half-foot (5.95″) of rain fell on July 19, 1971, and nearly four inches (3.93″) was recorded on July 29, 1990. Two other days delivered well over three inches of rain — July 30, 1960 (3.57″) and July 23, 1953 (3.45″).
The length of daylight actually decreases next month. For example, on July 1, the Sun rises at 5:23 and sets at 8:30. By the middle of the month, on July 15, the Sun rises at 5:32 and sets at 8:24. However, at the end of the month, it rises at 5:47 and sets at 8:10, meaning we lose 44 minutes of daylight. Remember, the “longest” day of the year happened at the Summer Solstice in late June.
Our weather will be warm and humid today with a good chance of showers and thunderstorms, some of which may produce locally heavy rain. High temperatures will climb into the 70s to close to 80 degrees. More of the same is expected tomorrow, although there will be breaks of sunshine, with highs in the upper 70s to close to 80 degrees. The weather pattern will quiet down later this week, though, before it turns hotter for the Independence Day holiday weekend.
Paul
Monday, June 24, 2013
Tornado Ripped Through Bridgeport Three Years Ago Today
It only took a matter of minutes, but a violent thunderstorm spawned a tornado which ripped through the Greater Bridgeport area three years ago today, resulting in much damage, destruction, and a loss of electricity for thousands. A powerful cold front collided with a hot and humid air mass to set the stage for a Tornado Warning and a strong thunderstorm cell between 2 and 3 o'clock Thursday afternoon, June 24, 2010.
The temperature soared to 90 degrees for the second day in a row at Sikorsky Memorial Airport in Stratford that day, but the dew point --- or moisture content in the atmosphere --- was extremely high. As the front approached, the sky darkened, the heavens opened up, and vivid lightning along with hurricane-force wind gusts ripped through the Park City. Here is a photo of Washington Park in Bridgeport taken by one of our viewers, Melissa, following the storm.
There was dangerous cloud-to-ground lightning and a wind gust of 78 miles-an-hour in Bridgeport. The average wind speed during the height of the storm was 43 miles-an-hour. Nearly a half-inch of rain fell in a short period of time, resulting in some minor flooding of low-lying areas. But, it was the wind damage which caused a state of emergency to be declared in Bridgeport. Take a look at this picture of a fallen tree in the Park City taken by Takina.
Bridgeport Mayor Bill Finch and former Governor Jodi Rell arrived on the scene to survey the damage from the storm. "It looks like Godzilla went through and ripped roofs off and threw cars around and tore wires down," Finch said as he spoke with reporters and residents who had gathered in the streets. "I mean, it's really amazing," he added. Shelley sent two photos of the damage on East Main Street.
Bethany sent the following photo of downtown Bridgeport.
Personally, my family and I ran to the basement that afternoon once we heard a Tornado Warning was issued and the skies darkened. In a matter of minutes, the wind began to howl and heavy rain fell. My sons were worried that a tornado would rip apart our home. Not unexpectedly, the power went out, but the storm exited shortly thereafter. We didn't get our electricity back until just before midnight. Here's one more photo taken by Amanda of minor flooding on James Street in Bridgeport.
Paul
The temperature soared to 90 degrees for the second day in a row at Sikorsky Memorial Airport in Stratford that day, but the dew point --- or moisture content in the atmosphere --- was extremely high. As the front approached, the sky darkened, the heavens opened up, and vivid lightning along with hurricane-force wind gusts ripped through the Park City. Here is a photo of Washington Park in Bridgeport taken by one of our viewers, Melissa, following the storm.
There was dangerous cloud-to-ground lightning and a wind gust of 78 miles-an-hour in Bridgeport. The average wind speed during the height of the storm was 43 miles-an-hour. Nearly a half-inch of rain fell in a short period of time, resulting in some minor flooding of low-lying areas. But, it was the wind damage which caused a state of emergency to be declared in Bridgeport. Take a look at this picture of a fallen tree in the Park City taken by Takina.
Bridgeport Mayor Bill Finch and former Governor Jodi Rell arrived on the scene to survey the damage from the storm. "It looks like Godzilla went through and ripped roofs off and threw cars around and tore wires down," Finch said as he spoke with reporters and residents who had gathered in the streets. "I mean, it's really amazing," he added. Shelley sent two photos of the damage on East Main Street.
Bethany sent the following photo of downtown Bridgeport.
Personally, my family and I ran to the basement that afternoon once we heard a Tornado Warning was issued and the skies darkened. In a matter of minutes, the wind began to howl and heavy rain fell. My sons were worried that a tornado would rip apart our home. Not unexpectedly, the power went out, but the storm exited shortly thereafter. We didn't get our electricity back until just before midnight. Here's one more photo taken by Amanda of minor flooding on James Street in Bridgeport.
Paul
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