Latest news with #FirstAlertNeighborhoodWeatherNetwork
Yahoo
17-04-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
Buresh Blog: La Nina is no more
You can become a part of the First Alert Neighborhood Weather Network. Scan below &/or click * here *: NOAA has declared the weak La Nina that lasted just a few months as officially 'over'. While not particularly strong, this La Nina did seem to have some 'hallmark' impacts on the overall weather pattern over the Lower 48 of the U.S. including: (1) big winter temp. fluctuations which included 18 freezes in Jacksonville (most freezes since 2010-'11) as well as a 'winter storm' in mid to late January that brought snow & ice to parts of North Florida & the Panhandle. (2) an active late winter into spring tornado season. The image below shows the short mid winter period where La Nina conditions - a cooling of the equatorial Pacific - occurred. The graph below shows an essentially neutral forecast for the ENSO (El Nino-Southern Oscillation) through the upcoming summer. If true, there would be no major implications for the Atlantic hurricane season which is forecast - as of right now - to be 'somewhat' above average. There have been more than 5,000 severe storm (tornadoes, damaging winds, large hail) this year so far: Reported tornadoes so far:
Yahoo
03-04-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
Buresh Blog: Hurricane season forecast... Helene/Milton summaries... Retired ‘24 names...April avg's
You can become a part of the First Alert Neighborhood Weather Network. Scan below &/or click * here *: Dr. Phil Klotzbach has issued his annual spring forecast for the upcoming hurricane season. In a nutshell - slightly above avg. numbers for storms, hurricanes & major (Cat. 3+) hurricanes. Factors sited includes a neutral ENSO (neither El Nino or La Nina) & at least slightly warmer than avg. sea surface temps. For more info. go to the First Alert Hurricane page * here *. The hurricane season is from June 1 - Nov. 30th. While on the topic of the tropics, the Nat. Hurricane Center has issued storm summaries on two of the most damaging hurricanes of '24 - Helene & Milton. Both hurricanes made landfall in Florida with Helene having dramatic impacts far inland north & northeast into Georgia, S & N. Carolina & Tennessee. With 248 deaths, Helene is the deadliest U.S. hurricane since Katrina in 2005. NHC's Helene summary * here *. My blog summary on 'The Hell that was Helene' is * here *. The NHC Milton summary is * here *. Milton's U.S. death toll was 15 - all in Florida & will also be remembered for one of the greatest tornado outbreaks from a tropical system in Florida history. The Buresh Blog 'Mighty Milton' is * here *. And the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) has announced that Helene & Milton along with Beryl will be retired from the '24 list of Atlantic names (Milton had replaced Michael from 2018). Replacements will be Brianna, Holly & Miguel. The lists of names repeat every 6 years. We're now 4 months into 2025. The averages for JIA for April: Just back from one heck of a trip with my 85-year old dad.... to South Africa(!). Years ago, my Dad had an African safari on his bucket list. So off we went!....
Yahoo
10-03-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
Buresh Blog: Lunar eclipse... The Players... CoCoRaHS Network
You can become a part of the First Alert Neighborhood Weather Network. Scan below &/or click * here *: A full lunar eclipse will be visible in Jacksonville/NE Fl. & SE Ga. early Friday (March 14) morning. A lunar eclipse occurs when the earth is squarely between the sun & the moon casting a shadow of sorts on the moon. While not nearly as spectacular is a total solar eclipse, the moon eclipse is still interesting to watch though it will be during the middle of the night. Next two images from 'Sky & Telescope': Photo below by Gary Seronik during a 2019 lunar eclipse: It's Players week! The tournament has been played in March except for a stretch from 2007 through 2018 when the tourney was in May. The weather is more dependable in May, but the course & its challenges are more amplified in March. The weather looks really nice through the weekend for The Players with above average temps. & plenty of sun... & pretty breezy at times. And, of course, pollen will be flying too. Temperatures impact how far a golf ball travels after being hit. CoCoRaHS is making their annual appeal for weather observers - 'Rain Gauge Rally 2025″. There are thousands of folks taking measurements just in the U.S. Lower 48. CoCoRaHS officially began on June 17, 1998. With a few observers along Colorado's Front Range, we had no idea that the network would become what it is today, with over 26,000 active observers in the United States, Canada, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, Guam and the Bahamas. A truly remarkable effort by all of you. Here's to many more successful years on the horizon. To read about the first 25 years of CoCoRaHS click * here *. CoCoRaHS (pronounced KO-ko-rozz) is a grassroots volunteer network of backyard weather observers of all ages and backgrounds working together to measure and map precipitation (rain, hail and snow) in their local communities. By using low-cost measurement tools, stressing training and education, and utilizing an interactive Web-site, our aim is to provide the highest quality data for natural resource, education and research applications. The only requirements to join are an enthusiasm for watching and reporting weather conditions and a desire to learn more about how weather can affect and impact our lives.
Yahoo
26-02-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
Buresh Blog: Planetary alignment... NHC seasonal accuracy... March averages... NOAA budget cuts
You can become a part of the First Alert Neighborhood Weather Network. Scan below &/or click * here *: An interesting planetary alignment to round out the month of February a little after sunset. Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Venus & Mercury will all be visible with the naked eye while Uranus & Neptune can be seen with the help of binoculars or a telescope. Saturn will be low on the horizon but visible for a short time just after sunset. The National Hurricane Center has issued their verification report for the 2024 hurricane season. The forecast track record - see the image below - on record. From the NHC: The 2024 Atlantic hurricane season exhibited above normal levels of activity by nearly every metric (total number of tropical storms, hurricanes, major hurricanes, and values of Accumulated Cyclone Energy, a measure of the strength and duration of all tropical cyclones). NHC issued a total of 347 forecasts in the Atlantic basin in 2024, which is a little above the longterm (1990-2023) average of about 325 forecasts. The report - including intensity errors - can be found * here *. Averages for March at JIA: A lot of talk & discussion these days regarding federal funding cuts. The National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) may be in the crosshairs. NOAA's Primary Services: Weather Forecasting and Warnings * Operates the National Weather Service (NWS) to provide accurate weather forecasts, severe weather warnings, and emergency alerts, including hurricanes, tornadoes, and flooding. Climate Monitoring and Research * Studies climate change and variability, provides long-term climate predictions, and supports global climate initiatives. Ocean and Coastal Management * Oversees sustainable use and conservation of marine and coastal ecosystems, including fisheries management protected species, habitat and marine protected areas through the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) and National Ocean Service (NOS). Satellite and Data Services * Operates a fleet of environmental satellites that monitor weather, climate, and environmental changes globally through the National Environmental Satellite, Data, and Information Service (NESDIS). Marine and Weather Research * Conducts advanced research into atmospheric and oceanic systems through the Office of Oceanic and Atmospheric Research (OAR). Navigation and Charting * Provides nautical charts, tide and current predictions, and geospatial data to support safe maritime navigation. Environmental Monitoring * Monitors natural hazards like droughts, wildfires, and harmful algal blooms, and works to mitigate their impacts. Educational Resources * Offers public outreach, educational materials, and training on weather, climate, and marine science topics. From the American Meteorological Society Executive Committee & Staff: Over the past week, we have seen significant changes, including actual and proposed reductions in funding and staff across several federal agencies. These shifts, and associated uncertainty, are prompting concern across the weather and climate enterprise, as public safety, economic stability, and scientific research spanning government, academia, and the private sector may be impacted, directly or indirectly. Any funding cuts or reorganization must ensure that essential functions are not degraded. It is possible that many dedicated professionals in the weather, water, and climate (WWC) community—whose work has provided immense value to the nation—will feel the effects of potential changes. The American Meteorological Society stands in support of those who may be affected and recognizes their invaluable contributions.
Yahoo
05-02-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
Buresh Blog: Average date for last freeze...January numbers...Severe weather awareness...Night skies
You can become a part of the First Alert Neighborhood Weather Network. Scan below &/or click * here *: After a very cold January, it's spring fever for the first couple of weeks of February. January was the 9th coldest on record for Jacksonville... & the 8th wettest. Which begs the question 'Is Winter Over??' The short answer is probably not. Though as of this writing, no cold air is in sight for NE Fl./SE Ga. through at least Valentine's Day. But if history is any indication - not to mention what looks to be the evolving weather pattern over the U.S. Lower 48 - don't get too eager to begin gardening. The average last freeze for most inland areas of NE Fl. & SE Ga. is Feb. 20th or later & is Feb. 25th for inland Duval Co. For Jacksonville since 2022, the first 80s occurred in January but temps. as cold as the 30s - including inland frost - occurred well into March. And the latest freeze on record at JIA is April 8, 2007 (31 degrees). The week of Feb. 3rd is 'Severe Weather Awareness Week' - more info. * here * from the Florida Division of Emergency Management. February night skies courtesy 'Sky and Telescope': Feb. 6 (evening): The Moon, one day past first quarter, is 5° above Jupiter, with Aldebaran anchoring a ragged line. Feb. 9 (dusk): Look east to see the waxing gibbous Moon, Mars, and Pollux forming a flat isosceles triangle in Gemini. Feb. 12 (evening): The full Moon and Regulus, Leo's brightest star, rise in the east with a mere 1½° between them. Feb. 17 (morning): Face south to see the waning gibbous Moon 1° right of Spica, Virgo's lucida. Feb. 21 (morning): The waning crescent Moon accompanies Antares, the fiery heart of the Scorpion, as they rise above the southeastern horizon separated by only 1°. Feb. 24 (dusk): Look low in the west 30 to 45 minutes after sunset to spot Mercury and Saturn less than 1½° apart. You'll need a clear, long view to the horizon. Feb. 28 (dusk): The thinnest sliver of the Moon, just past new, is 3° below Mercury low in the west-southwest. You'll need binoculars to spot the lunar crescent. Venus blazes above them. Moon Phases First Quarter February 5 3:02 a.m. EST Full Moon February 12 8:53 a.m. EST (Snow Moon) Last Quarter February 20 12:33 p.m. EST New Moon February 27 7:45 p.m. EST
