What a difference a year makes! I'm sure you remember last July, which was the hottest month ever on record at Sikorsky Memorial Airport in Stratford. There were two heat waves, including an unprecedented seven-day heat wave, and 11 days featured high temperatures at or above 90 degrees. The average temperature last July was 78.5 degrees, which was a whopping 4.2 degrees above normal.
Now, fast forward to this July. Incredibly, there was only one day when the mercury touched 90 degrees (July 8), and the average temperature for the month was 75.1 degrees. That was less than one degree above normal (74.3). However, the temperature never dropped below 60 degrees. The coolest temperature was 61 degrees on the mornings of July 6th and 30th.
Although the first half of the month featured average daily temperatures slightly above normal, cooler air arrived for the second half of the month. In fact, the average daily temperature was below normal five straight days from July 17th through July 21st. Eleven of the last 16 days of July were cooler-than-normal. On the flip side, only one of the first 16 days of the month was cooler-than-normal.
Interestingly, July's total rainfall measured just about three-and-a-half inches (3.46"), which was exactly normal for the month. There were nine days with measured rain, including three days in a row from July 2nd through July 4th. The greatest 24-hour rainfall (1.65") happened on July 14th and 15th. There were five days with at least a trace of rain, and 17 of the days were completely dry.
Paul
Saturday, August 2, 2014
Thursday, July 31, 2014
August Traditionally Hot & Tropical
I'm sure many people won't be too happy to see July end. It's been a typical July weatherwise. In fact, the monthly rain total of 3.46" is just 0.14" above normal. The average temperature of 75.2 degrees is just 0.8 degrees above the norm. You may recall last July was the hottest month ever on record at Sikorsky Memorial Airport with an average daily temperature of 78.5 degrees, which was 4.2 degrees above normal and 0.1 degree above the record of 78.4 degrees set in 1994. There were two heat waves, including a record-setting seven-day heat wave from July 14 through July 20. However, August can be just as hot and oppressive.
You may recall that August of 2010 was much warmer than normal. We experienced a heat wave the last three days of the month, and the average monthly temperature (75.1 degrees) was less than one degree from the record of 76 degrees set in 1955. Eight years ago, we christened August with a heat wave when the first three days established record high temperatures of 95, 96, and 97 degrees, respectively, at Sikorsky Memorial Airport in Stratford.
Traditionally, August is the second warmest month of the year with a mean average temperature of 73.1 degrees, just behind July's average of 74 degrees, based on 40 years worth of data. The mercury has actually climbed to 100 degrees twice --- on August 9, 2001, and August 27, 1948. In fact, the daily record highs for the month never dip below 90 degrees. The warmest August on record (1955) featured two of the most potent rainstorms.
However, there are subtle signs that Summer is in decline over the next four weeks. The normal high temperature falls from 82 degrees on August 1 to 78 degrees by the end of the month. The overall mean temperature drops from 75 degrees to 70 by August 31. In fact, the record low temperature on August 29 is 44 degrees!
Daily sunshine continues to dwindle, too. We'll enjoy 14 hours and 21 minutes of daylight at the start of the month. But, by the last day of August, the Sun is out for 13 hours and nine minutes. We lose about an hour and a quarter of daylight over the next 31 days. In fact, sunrise occurs at 6:18 and sets at 7:27 by August 31. Remember, on the first day of Summer, the Sun set at 8:30.
As far as rainfall is concerned, the month averages about 3.75" of precipitation. The wettest August happened in 1952 when 13.29" of rain fell. There have been some drenching rains in August, including 4.66" on August 19, 1991, 4.01" on August 27, 2006, 3.99" on August 11, 2000, 3.92" on August 12, 1955, and 3.69" on August 21, 1952. Remember, we are in the heart of hurricane season, and tropical moisture is always a threat.
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 13, 1955. Just five days later, Tropical Storm Diane followed suit creating massive flooding not seen since the 1930s.
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. There was tremendous destruction in the Naugatuck River Valley, especially in the city of Ansonia.
Summer officially reaches its halfway point this weekend. Another fairly nice day is ahead, but there is a threat of a shower later this afternoon and this evening with a high temperature in the upper 70s to close to 80 degrees. Unfortunately, it looks like the weekend will begin on a rainy note, as an area of low pressure moves North along a stationary front. Hopefully, we'll be able to salvage the latter half of the weekend. The start of next week promises to be fair and quite warm with daytime highs in the lower 80s. Good-bye, July!
Paul
You may recall that August of 2010 was much warmer than normal. We experienced a heat wave the last three days of the month, and the average monthly temperature (75.1 degrees) was less than one degree from the record of 76 degrees set in 1955. Eight years ago, we christened August with a heat wave when the first three days established record high temperatures of 95, 96, and 97 degrees, respectively, at Sikorsky Memorial Airport in Stratford.
Traditionally, August is the second warmest month of the year with a mean average temperature of 73.1 degrees, just behind July's average of 74 degrees, based on 40 years worth of data. The mercury has actually climbed to 100 degrees twice --- on August 9, 2001, and August 27, 1948. In fact, the daily record highs for the month never dip below 90 degrees. The warmest August on record (1955) featured two of the most potent rainstorms.
However, there are subtle signs that Summer is in decline over the next four weeks. The normal high temperature falls from 82 degrees on August 1 to 78 degrees by the end of the month. The overall mean temperature drops from 75 degrees to 70 by August 31. In fact, the record low temperature on August 29 is 44 degrees!
Daily sunshine continues to dwindle, too. We'll enjoy 14 hours and 21 minutes of daylight at the start of the month. But, by the last day of August, the Sun is out for 13 hours and nine minutes. We lose about an hour and a quarter of daylight over the next 31 days. In fact, sunrise occurs at 6:18 and sets at 7:27 by August 31. Remember, on the first day of Summer, the Sun set at 8:30.
As far as rainfall is concerned, the month averages about 3.75" of precipitation. The wettest August happened in 1952 when 13.29" of rain fell. There have been some drenching rains in August, including 4.66" on August 19, 1991, 4.01" on August 27, 2006, 3.99" on August 11, 2000, 3.92" on August 12, 1955, and 3.69" on August 21, 1952. Remember, we are in the heart of hurricane season, and tropical moisture is always a threat.
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 13, 1955. Just five days later, Tropical Storm Diane followed suit creating massive flooding not seen since the 1930s.
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. There was tremendous destruction in the Naugatuck River Valley, especially in the city of Ansonia.
Summer officially reaches its halfway point this weekend. Another fairly nice day is ahead, but there is a threat of a shower later this afternoon and this evening with a high temperature in the upper 70s to close to 80 degrees. Unfortunately, it looks like the weekend will begin on a rainy note, as an area of low pressure moves North along a stationary front. Hopefully, we'll be able to salvage the latter half of the weekend. The start of next week promises to be fair and quite warm with daytime highs in the lower 80s. Good-bye, July!
Paul
Wednesday, July 30, 2014
Devil's Den Nature Preserve Offers the Perfect Summer Getaway
Devil's Den Nature Preserve in Weston encompasses 1,756 acres and is the Nature Conservancy's largest preserve in Connecticut. The Den provides a valuable oasis for species that require interior woodland for successful reproduction. Research has shown that such large unfragmented forest areas are vital to the health of a variety of species.
Devil's Den also represents a significant portion of the watershed of the West branch of the Saugatuck River, a habitat for many of aquatic species, including several uncommon species of mussel.
Devil's Den is also of historical significance. Archaeological evidence indicates human use of the area, mostly for hunting, as long as 5,000 years ago.
The remains of an up-and-down sawmill below Godfrey Pond testify to the importance of the lumbering that dovetailed with charcoal burning. The production of charcoal was an important commercial activity in the 1800s and marks dozens of sites.
The Den was created by the late Katharine Ordway through a series of donations from 1966 through 1968, beginning with an 1,100-acre purchase from the Bridgeport Hydraulic Company.
The Lucius Pond Ordway/Devil's Den Preserve is the Connecticut Chapter's largest continuous preserve and the largest tract of protected land in densely developed Fairfield County. Its patchwork of woodlands, wetlands and rock ledges and a series of north-south ridges and valleys woven with streams and swamps make the Devil's Den ideal for low-impact outdoor activities such as hiking and bird watching. My sons and I enjoyed a seven-mile, two-and-a-half hour hike through the preserve this past Saturday.
The preserve's 20-mile trail system winds past dramatic rocky crests, outcroppings, and cliffs forming high ledges partly covered with grasses, mosses, and lichens. The preserve features more than 500 types of trees and wildflowers, including the beautiful pink lady's slipper, cardinal flower, and Indian pipe. Devil's Den is home to red fox, bobcat, coyote, Eastern copperhead, wood duck, ruffed grouse, pileated woodpecker and more than 140 other bird species.
The Den was created by the late Katharine Ordway through a series of donations from 1966 through 1968, beginning with an 1,100-acre purchase from the Bridgeport Hydraulic Company.
Paul
Friday, July 25, 2014
A Summer Reality Check
We're off to a beautiful start this morning. Clear skies and light winds allowed the temperature to drop into the 50s in some local communities. A refreshing breeze out of the Northwest is delivering much lower dew points and humidity levels through the start of the weekend. Dare I say it almost looked and felt like early Autumn outside this morning.
Believe it or not, yesterday marked the midway point of Summer vacation for my younger son. How is that possible? It seems like only yesterday we were helping them celebrate the last day of school. That was more than four weeks ago. In less than five short weeks, the students and teachers will be heading back to the classroom once again.
The days are indeed getting "shorter." In fact, we have lost nearly 40 minutes of daylight since the first day of Summer. Sunrise on June 21st happened at 5:19. This morning's Sunrise was at 5:44, 25 minutes later. Sunset is now at 8:17, 13 minutes before the latest Sunset, at 8:30, on the Solstice.
By the end of the month, sunrise occurs at 5:47, while the Sun sets at 8:10. Two weeks later, by mid-August, the shorter days become even more pronounced, with Sunrise and Sunset times at 6:02 and 7:51, respectively. The "shorter" days have to do with the Earth's revolution around the Sun, and the 23.5 degree tilt on its axis. By the end of September, the Autumnal Equinox begins a six-month period of longer nights and shorter days in the Northern Hemisphere.
Need further proof that we're moving through Summer rather quickly? My favorite NFL team, the New England Patriots, opened training camp yesterday in Foxboro, Massachsetts. Their first exhibition game is scheduled for Thursday, August 7, against the Washington Redskins at FedEx Field. That's less than two weeks away! Before you know it, the regular season will be here.
Make sure you get outside and enjoy the beautiful weather day. It will be picture-perfect under mostly sunny skies and seasonably warm temperatures. Tonight will be mostly clear and comfortable with lows in the low-to-mid 60s. Tomorrow will be partly sunny and pleasant before a warm front arrives early Sunday, bringing a threat of a shower or thunderstorm. Our streak of nine consecutive weekends without measured rain may come to an end.
Paul
Believe it or not, yesterday marked the midway point of Summer vacation for my younger son. How is that possible? It seems like only yesterday we were helping them celebrate the last day of school. That was more than four weeks ago. In less than five short weeks, the students and teachers will be heading back to the classroom once again.
The days are indeed getting "shorter." In fact, we have lost nearly 40 minutes of daylight since the first day of Summer. Sunrise on June 21st happened at 5:19. This morning's Sunrise was at 5:44, 25 minutes later. Sunset is now at 8:17, 13 minutes before the latest Sunset, at 8:30, on the Solstice.
By the end of the month, sunrise occurs at 5:47, while the Sun sets at 8:10. Two weeks later, by mid-August, the shorter days become even more pronounced, with Sunrise and Sunset times at 6:02 and 7:51, respectively. The "shorter" days have to do with the Earth's revolution around the Sun, and the 23.5 degree tilt on its axis. By the end of September, the Autumnal Equinox begins a six-month period of longer nights and shorter days in the Northern Hemisphere.
Need further proof that we're moving through Summer rather quickly? My favorite NFL team, the New England Patriots, opened training camp yesterday in Foxboro, Massachsetts. Their first exhibition game is scheduled for Thursday, August 7, against the Washington Redskins at FedEx Field. That's less than two weeks away! Before you know it, the regular season will be here.
Make sure you get outside and enjoy the beautiful weather day. It will be picture-perfect under mostly sunny skies and seasonably warm temperatures. Tonight will be mostly clear and comfortable with lows in the low-to-mid 60s. Tomorrow will be partly sunny and pleasant before a warm front arrives early Sunday, bringing a threat of a shower or thunderstorm. Our streak of nine consecutive weekends without measured rain may come to an end.
Paul
Tuesday, July 22, 2014
Sun's Angle Lower & Shadows Longer Since First Day of Summer
Even though we're just a little more than a month removed from the Summer Solstice, there are subtle signs that the "longest day of the year" was just over four weeks ago. You may have noticed that the days are getting shorter, since the Sun rises 19 minutes later and the Sun sets 11 minutes earlier than it did on the first day of Summer. However, less discernible is the change in the length of shadows. Believe it or not, the shadows have been slowly getting longer, and that's due to the Sun's lower angle in the sky.
The Sun reached its highest angle in the sky --- or declination --- in the Northern Hemisphere on the first day of Summer. The declination of the Sun is the measurement of the angle between the Sun’s rays and the Earth’s equatorial plane. The Earth’s axis is tilted by 23.5 degrees away from the solar plane. This explains why we have different seasons and why the Northern Hemisphere and the Southern Hemisphere always have contradicting seasons. When tilted towards the Sun, it's Summer in the Northern Hemisphere.
The Sun’s declination varies throughout the year. Its declination becomes zero during the Spring Equinox and reaches the maximum declination angle of 23.5 degrees during the Summer Solstice. It reverts to zero declination when the Fall Equinox occurs and drops to a negative 23.5-degree declination during the Winter Solstice.
Today, for example, the declination of the Sun is an 20.24 degrees North of the celestial equator. That's more than three degrees lower than where it was June 20. By the end of the month, it will be 18.5 degrees North of the celestial equator. The Sun's declination will be +14.15 degrees by August 15, and +8.52 on the final day of next month. By September 16, it will be just 3.16 degrees North of the celestial equator. As you can see, the Sun's angle will be dropping lower in the sky over the next two months.
The change in the Sun’s declination results in yearly cycles which are observed as each season progresses. The declination of the Sun has effects on its own altitude and to the duration of daylight. The Sun reaches its highest altitude above the horizon each day at noon in the Northern Hemisphere. With respect to the celestial equator, it reaches the highest altitude of 73.5 degrees the first day of the Summer, while its altitude reaches the minimum 26.5 degrees during the first day of Winter.
Yesterday marked one month since the Summer Solstice, and the Autumnal Equinox is two months away. Hot and humid weather is expected through tomorrow before a cold front arrives, triggering showers and thunderstorms. Much more comfortable weather will be with us later Thursday into Friday.
The Sun reached its highest angle in the sky --- or declination --- in the Northern Hemisphere on the first day of Summer. The declination of the Sun is the measurement of the angle between the Sun’s rays and the Earth’s equatorial plane. The Earth’s axis is tilted by 23.5 degrees away from the solar plane. This explains why we have different seasons and why the Northern Hemisphere and the Southern Hemisphere always have contradicting seasons. When tilted towards the Sun, it's Summer in the Northern Hemisphere.
The Sun’s declination varies throughout the year. Its declination becomes zero during the Spring Equinox and reaches the maximum declination angle of 23.5 degrees during the Summer Solstice. It reverts to zero declination when the Fall Equinox occurs and drops to a negative 23.5-degree declination during the Winter Solstice.
Today, for example, the declination of the Sun is an 20.24 degrees North of the celestial equator. That's more than three degrees lower than where it was June 20. By the end of the month, it will be 18.5 degrees North of the celestial equator. The Sun's declination will be +14.15 degrees by August 15, and +8.52 on the final day of next month. By September 16, it will be just 3.16 degrees North of the celestial equator. As you can see, the Sun's angle will be dropping lower in the sky over the next two months.
The change in the Sun’s declination results in yearly cycles which are observed as each season progresses. The declination of the Sun has effects on its own altitude and to the duration of daylight. The Sun reaches its highest altitude above the horizon each day at noon in the Northern Hemisphere. With respect to the celestial equator, it reaches the highest altitude of 73.5 degrees the first day of the Summer, while its altitude reaches the minimum 26.5 degrees during the first day of Winter.
Yesterday marked one month since the Summer Solstice, and the Autumnal Equinox is two months away. Hot and humid weather is expected through tomorrow before a cold front arrives, triggering showers and thunderstorms. Much more comfortable weather will be with us later Thursday into Friday.
Paul
Friday, July 18, 2014
"One Small Step for Man" Marks 45th Anniversary This Weekend
Some dates naturally carry more significance than others. Birthdays and anniversaries come to mind instantly. One such "anniversary" happened 45 years ago this Sunday. Those of you old enough to remember Sunday, July 20, 1969, no doubt can recall watching Apollo 11 astronaut Neil Armstrong descending the steps of the lunar module’s ladder and setting foot on the Moon for the first time. I was mesmerized by what I saw that night on the black-and-white Zenith television set in our living room.
Apollo 11, the fifth human spaceflight of the Apollo program, launched from the Kennedy Space Center four days earlier. As a young child of 10, watching the late Armstrong walk on the lunar surface was probably the most significant news event of my youth. I can still remember the late Walter Cronkite on CBS television describing the landing, and the bundle of nerves I felt for myself and the Apollo astronauts, Commander Neil Armstrong, Lunar Module Pilot Edwin “Buzz” Aldrin, and Command Module Pilot Michael Collins.
I was fascinated by the space program in the 1960s. Naturally, I couldn’t wait for the landing of Apollo on the Moon. As I recall, while on the far side of the Moon, the lunar module, called the Eagle, separated from the Command Module, named Columbia. Collins remained alone in Columbia, while Armstrong and Aldrin used Eagle’s descent engine to right themselves and descend to the lunar surface. The wait seemed interminable for this youngster, who couldn’t believe that we would actually see LIVE images from the Moon later that night.
I kept asking questions of my Mom and Dad all day and evening. “What will it look like on television?” “When will the astronauts climb out of the Eagle?” “How are we able to see it if they’re so far away?” They couldn’t answer most of my questions since this had never happened before. I still couldn’t believe what we were about to see. I’m sure it’s what ultimately piqued my interest in astronomy, subsequent space missions, and Science in general. This is what it looked like 45 years ago this weekend.
Our family gathered in the living room in front of the small TV set with rabbit ears and watched as Cronkite prepared us for the first step on the Moon. Just over six-and-a half hours after Apollo 11 landed on the Moon at 4:17 p.m., we sat in silence and awe as Armstrong made his descent to the Moon’s surface at 10:56 p.m. and spoke his famous words: “That’s one small step for man, one giant leap for mankind.”
I'm sure the momentous event will be featured on newscasts this weekend. Incredibly, more than half the people living in the United States today weren’t even born when Neil Armstrong became the first man to walk on the Moon. It was arguably the most historic event of the 20th century. I, for one, am glad I saw it LIVE, and I will never forget it for the rest of my life!
Paul
Apollo 11, the fifth human spaceflight of the Apollo program, launched from the Kennedy Space Center four days earlier. As a young child of 10, watching the late Armstrong walk on the lunar surface was probably the most significant news event of my youth. I can still remember the late Walter Cronkite on CBS television describing the landing, and the bundle of nerves I felt for myself and the Apollo astronauts, Commander Neil Armstrong, Lunar Module Pilot Edwin “Buzz” Aldrin, and Command Module Pilot Michael Collins.
I was fascinated by the space program in the 1960s. Naturally, I couldn’t wait for the landing of Apollo on the Moon. As I recall, while on the far side of the Moon, the lunar module, called the Eagle, separated from the Command Module, named Columbia. Collins remained alone in Columbia, while Armstrong and Aldrin used Eagle’s descent engine to right themselves and descend to the lunar surface. The wait seemed interminable for this youngster, who couldn’t believe that we would actually see LIVE images from the Moon later that night.
I kept asking questions of my Mom and Dad all day and evening. “What will it look like on television?” “When will the astronauts climb out of the Eagle?” “How are we able to see it if they’re so far away?” They couldn’t answer most of my questions since this had never happened before. I still couldn’t believe what we were about to see. I’m sure it’s what ultimately piqued my interest in astronomy, subsequent space missions, and Science in general. This is what it looked like 45 years ago this weekend.
Our family gathered in the living room in front of the small TV set with rabbit ears and watched as Cronkite prepared us for the first step on the Moon. Just over six-and-a half hours after Apollo 11 landed on the Moon at 4:17 p.m., we sat in silence and awe as Armstrong made his descent to the Moon’s surface at 10:56 p.m. and spoke his famous words: “That’s one small step for man, one giant leap for mankind.”
I'm sure the momentous event will be featured on newscasts this weekend. Incredibly, more than half the people living in the United States today weren’t even born when Neil Armstrong became the first man to walk on the Moon. It was arguably the most historic event of the 20th century. I, for one, am glad I saw it LIVE, and I will never forget it for the rest of my life!
Paul
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)