Saturday, April 30, 2011

Home Weather Stations: Solution to Sudden Weather Changes

By Mildred R. Gatewood


At some point in our lives we probably have experienced our plan getting ruined by sudden change of the weather, like, going out for a date at the beach. You have carefully planned the things to bring and wear for that date the night before. The next day, the sky's clear and the sun shines brightly in the horizon. You even checked weather updates on the internet to make sure your day will be perfect. You arrived at the beach and you haven't spent five minutes basking in the sand and enjoying the sun, the sky started to get dark and it began to drizzle. Soon, the heavy rain poured. So much for your perfect day, isn't it?

This kind of situation is common. People believe the weather reports and predictions of the day and end up getting unpleasant surprises that destroy their plans. So, what can be the done to avoid such situations? How will you get ahead of the weather and make alternative plans? What you will need is a weather station at home.

Weather is somehow localized. This means that changes in weather sometimes occur in short distances. Like when travelling to another city, it is somehow normal to experience rain in one area and then just few miles ahead, the sky is clear. This is the reason why plans of most people are ruined by the weather because it changes unpredictably.

Improbability of the weather can be decreased once you have your own weather station. You can now plan your daily activities without worrying about the weather. Such equipment can be installed in the house and still give you correct weather details outside.

It will be such a great help if you get to know the condition of the weather for the day. Through this you will be aware if your plan to have a picnic at the park few blocks away from your house will be a great idea for the day.

Nowadays, there are a lot of home weather stations that you can find in the market. All you need to do is choose the kind of station that suits your weather update needs and your budget. For beginners, wireless weather station is good for you do not have to worry about the cables and tripping accidents.

These weather devices are meant to record the wind's direction and strength, rainfall, temperature and humidity. Back in the old times, people make use of analog thermometer and rain gauge to predict the weather. They are somehow inaccurate because telling the weather relies on the person reading the instruments' eyesight and his capacity to read and interpret the details from them. Today, weather stations are digitalized which lessen the human error and effort.

Wireless weather stations come with sensors that help the gadget give the reading. To make it work, the range of the sensors should be enough. Moreover, these sensors must not also be blocked or obstructed by houses, trees or buildings.

If you are sick and tired of making guesses and predictions of the weather, then buy your very own weather station today. With that little equipment, it will be unnecessary to open your computer to check the weather news or turn on the TV for weather updates because you can instantly determine the weather condition for the day since you already have a weather station inside the house with sensors just right at your backyard.




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Saturday, April 2, 2011

NE-NAO - WEEKLY INDICE REVIEW - Legend

official product of... New England NAO

consists of two-parts:

          1. ANALYSIS -
an analyzation of the NAO, AO, & PNA GEFS & Operational GFS Teleconnection Indice Forecasts from NOAA's Climate Prediction Center (CPC). The EPO & WPO GEFS Teleconnection Indice Forecasts from 
NOAA's Earth System Research Laboratory (Physical Sciences Division)
(ESRL/PSD) & NCEP... are also included, as well as the AAO GEFS Indice Forecast from CPC. Each Indice Forecast includes an analyzation of current deviation from normal-mean through use of a color-scale, which is meant to provide a better understanding of "current" trends with each indice.

          2. INTERPRETATION -
an interpretive overview from the author's understanding of the Analysis, which is made-up of 
two-subparts: 

A. EXTENDED OUTLOOK

B. LONG RANGE THOUGHTS

New England (NAO) Region - Massachusetts, Vermont, New Hampshire, Maine, Connecticut, & Rhode Island
           3. This LEGEND is to provide the viewer with a better understanding of
color-scale used during updates of
The NE-NAO - WEEKLY INDICE REVIEW :

neutral - demonstrates a zonal
or de-amplified pattern.

North Atlantic Oscillation (NAO) - This light blue (aqua) shade demonstrates a very weakly or weakly
Negative NAO,
-0.1 Standard Deviation (SD) to -1.5.
This color-scale would also apply to other Teleconnection indices of this deviation from normal-mean. 

Arctic Oscillation (AO) - This true standard blue shade demonstrates a moderately, strongly, or extremely Negative AO, -2.0 Standard Deviation (SD) and greater.
This color-scale would also apply to other Teleconnection indices of this deviation from normal-mean.

Pacific-North American Oscillation (PNA) - This orange shade demonstrates a very weakly or weakly
Positive PNA, +0.1 Standard Deviation (SD) to +1.5.
This color-scale would also apply to other Teleconnection indices of this deviation from normal-mean.

Eastern Pacific Oscillation (EPO) - This true standard red shade demonstrates a moderately, strongly, or extremely Positive EPO, +2.0 Standard Deviation (SD) and greater.
This color-scale would also apply to other Teleconnection indices of this deviation from normal-mean.

          4. New England NAO (NE-NAO) common abbreviations & contractions used:

A. -NAO - demonstrates a general Negative Phase of the North Atlantic Oscillation (NAO) pattern... this contraction would also apply to other teleconnection indices when applicable, such as:
-AO, -PNA, -EPO, -WPO, & -AAO

B. +NAO - demonstrates a general Positive Phase of the North Atlantic Oscillation (NAO) pattern... this contraction would also apply to other teleconnection indices when applicable, such as:
+AO, +PNA, +EPO, +WPO, & +AAO.


Tuesday, March 8, 2011

The Advantages Of An Electronic Rain Gauge

By Ned Dagostino


It's not just for measuring rainfall, an electronic rain gauge is much more. We all, both adults and children, tend to be fascinated by weather. This gauge will fuel that fascination. Your portable weather station will not be complete without it, and when it comes to learning, it is a great tool.

Ok, you built a new rain gauge for your kid or, even saw your kid make it, but how accurate is that? It certainly can't beat the electronic rain gauge in accuracy as well as professionalism! These are ideal instruments for a school and seats of learning and education. Therefore, the wise thing is to go for an electronic rain gauge. Hands on experience of these weather analysis instruments helps build up a better understanding of how weather works and various weather patterns.

And advances features are also available. For instance you can not only measure the precipitation, but also spillage on some models. It is, without a doubt, a must have tool for everyone from the weather fanatic to those with just a casual interest in the weather who like to keep an eye on what's happening. And if you've got a portable weather station, simply measuring wind speed and the heat index is not enough. Rainfall measurement is an important parameter as well.

Here is another interesting and yet common use. Some people like to use weather gadgets as part of their home decor. Yes it's also about making your home look nice as well as for educational and hobby purposes.

Home gardeners also can make good use of an electronic rain gauge. For starters, armed with this information you'll know more about your soil patterns. Plus knowing how much it rained is important to determine how much water you need to add, if any. This is true for a master gardener or someone with a small vegetable garden in their back yard.

When picking your gauge, try to choose one with a wireless data transmission base. After all, you don't want to have to go outside on a stormy night to get and record your data. Not only will you stay dry, but a wireless base will stream real time live data right into your home. You'll get precipitation totals and current temperatures if you have the unit set up within a few hundred feet of your home.

A newer version electronic rain gauge has other functions such as temperature and humidity measurement sensors. Buy these only if you don't have other instruments already taking these measurements.

Sure you can set up a standard rain measurement gauge in your yard, but it won't be nearly as accurate as an electronic rain gauge. It also won't record and track the data for you. If you are a serious weather fanatic, or just need the information to make sure your yard or garden are getting the proper amount of water, an electronic gauge is by far your best option.




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Tuesday, February 22, 2011

HIGH LATITUDE BLOCKING IN-RELATION TO THE QUASI-BIENNIAL OSCILLATION (QBO)


The Quasi-Biennial Oscillation (QBO) is changes in equatorial zonal wind between easterlies and westerlies in the tropical stratosphere. (Defined partially From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.) The map above from NOAA's Climate Prediction Center (CPC) demonstrates Two Phases of the QBO, which are termed East QBO & West QBO. The relationship between oscillating wind regimes and High Latitude Blocking is significant, due to changes between the easterlies & westerlies. The Easterly Phase QBO encourages high latitude blocking because westerly trade winds are weaker, while the Westerly Phase is not supportive of long-term blocking due to stronger westerlies. On February 28 to March 1, 2010 a major longwave pattern change took place over the Northern Hemisphere. This major change was also associated with a change from an East QBO to West QBO, which resulted in a complete different summer pattern during 2010 in contrast to 2009. The QBO has primarily been in a Westerly phase since the beginning of last March, which in return discourages a long-term Negative AO & NAO (associated with a classic old-fashioned March in New England.)        

Saturday, February 19, 2011

Outdoor Survival Skills Survival Supplies, And Tips

By Ben Kingston


With an unknown future, one must be prepared. With the collapse of world currencies and the predilection of war around the corner is daunting; the future seems up for grabs.

Look at the conditions in Europe prior to WW1. Europe was rich, it was an economic strongman. Germany was advanced culturally, relatively pacifistic and an all-around stable nation. It had a history of being less involved in war than any of the neighboring nation in Europe. This era was about to embark and keep continuing in great and noble advances for the nation and mankind. However, complete chaos broke down any chance of forward progress when Word War 1 began.

Our era is not any different. Governments are growing more fascistic, bailing out banks, seizing sectors of the economy, bailing out politically connected companies formulating unsustainable debts loads for citizens. There is a danger of mass currency collapses, a breakdown of the markets and civil unrest could lead to civil war. Also the potentiality of beginning a war is a ploy used to another way out turning a different direction. Statist powerbrokers will find an excuse, false flags, provocations, etc to force a war.

We are warned by the Discovery Channel about natural disasters originating outside the earth as well. Similarly, in case of an EMP (electromagnetic pulse) from a weaponized high-altitude electromagnetic pulse explosion, gasoline, paper money, transportation will disappear. It's bad news for pacemakers.

Non-nuclear electromagnetic pulse (NNEMP) from super solar flares from the sun and result in a geo-magnetic tempest are another probability. Computers would not work. Satellites would cease to function, no TV, radio, phones and any device, plane or car with computer chips in their system will not function. It will be every man for himself. Starvation, disease and random violence would likely claim millions of lives. A survival food supply is a fundamental necessity.

If we have a large non-nuclear electromagnetic pulse resulting from a super solar flare like the one that occurred back in 1859 (the 1859 Carrington event) , that would shut down the whole grid for quite a long time. Some estimate the damage between $1 trillion and $2 trillion in damages, and living could be terrible if in fact you were without electricity for any length of time. With survival kits to make life possible, you survive.

Prevention is better than cure. After the disaster, you'll be left short if you are not prepared. Start out with a survival pack or storage area that contains emergency food supplies as well as water resources.




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Thursday, February 17, 2011

Is Your Family Prepared For A Natural Disaster?

By Bobby Ugene Johnathis


There are a lot of things in this world that are definitely dangerous. Some of these things we know little about, or when they could occur. The same is true with man made or natural disasters. These could happen at any moment and it is crucial to know some tips on preparing for a man made or natural disaster to increase the chances of your survival.

Prior to acknowledging the many different strategies to implement within your day-to-day life, you must realize that cost should not be an issue. These things are not expensive and they can be done by any average person as long as you find the best deals.

The most important item you must have is water. It is a good idea to measure out about six gallons per family member, and hold them in a specific safe location. You should also prepare this location with food. Only invest in nonperishable items such as canned goods. Just make sure you get enough and that you have the tools you need to eat.

Also, make certain you have an appropriate container for necessities. It should be made out of a thick, heavy material and waterproof. It might be a good idea to bolt this to the floor. Regardless, you will need to fill it with batteries, clothing, and flashlights; along with anything else you feel is important to have on hand.

It is also a good idea to store other important health-related items within this container. A first-aid kit containing pain relievers, headache medicine, burn ointment, Band-Aids, and gauze pads is highly suggested to have. As is medication that one of the members of your family may need. For instance, asthma medication should be held within this case.

While the entire location is prepared with items and emergency equipment, it is crucial to have access to that area. The last thing you want is to be cut off from the one area in your home that is efficiently prepared after all. To prevent this from happening, make sure you select an area that is easy to get to for the entire family and that there is no clutter in the way of it.

In terms of your family, you are going to want to ensure each and every individual knows how to use a fire extinguisher correctly. You may also want to practice with your family the process you would go through if a disaster occurred.

These catastrophes can happen at any second. Even though your home is fully prepared in the event of a natural or man made disaster, the other areas of your life are not. Take a moment to examine your workplace and research what safety precautions you can enforce there. Your car should always have a half tank of gas and be in pristine condition. Make sure you have flashlights, Band-Aids, and a first-aid kit in it.

It is important to understand these tips on preparing for a man made or natural disaster and implement them within your daily lifestyle. Such events could happen at any second and any location in the world. It is pivotal to take the correct precautions necessary and ensure you and your family is safe.




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Tuesday, February 15, 2011

Do You Know The Difference Between Weather And Climate?

By Andreas Sosadi


What's the difference between weather and climate? And why is it important to you?

You may not think about it, but weather and climate have a huge bearing on how we live. Here is an overview of how weather and climate work.

We humans want to understand how the world works. We have always watched weather conditions, the day-to-day temperature, pressure and precipitation changes. As we compared those conditions over long periods of time (that is, more than 30 years), we establish the climate, the average conditions for that region: temperature, pressure, precipitation, amount of sunshine and cloud, wind speed and direction etc.

Many countries have weather data up to 200 years old. That may sound like a lot, but it is really miniscule when we realize that climate changes may take place over thousands of years. However, by studying such information, we now know a lot more about weather and climate.

In order to understand the data that has been collected over the years, it is important to classify it. For example, we now have established global climate zones. These are bands circling the globe based on latitude. These zones are: the Polar Regions, the high altitudes, Artic and Antarctic Circles, the middle latitudes, the low latitudes and the Tropics of Capricorn and Cancer.

Each zone has its own particular conditions, including seasonal activity and precipitation. For example, the Polar Regions have long, cold winters and summers that are only slightly warmer. However, the middle latitudes have four seasons with varying temperatures. The low latitudes are humid because they get a lot of rainfall and a lot of the sun's heat.

Each of these zones has variations within it. There may be continental and maritime regions depending on the land masses within the zones. Continental regions are those with large land masses, while maritime regions are those with large bodies of water. Such conditions affect whether a region is hotter or colder, wetter or drier than surrounding areas.

While these classifications help explain and predict weather, other factors must be taken into account. Mountains, as an example, can greatly affect weather patterns. Also, a natural catastrophe such as a volcanic eruption can change a region's climate for years to come.

By studying these classifications, we not only can predict weather, but we can also understand how to invent things to make our lives easier. By understanding wind, we were able to invent the vacuum cleaner. By understanding the electricity in storms, we were able to harness electricity for lighting and other uses.

When you stop to think about it, weather and climate are probably the most important factors in our world. Wouldn't it be wise to learn more about these subjects and understand how our world works?




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Thursday, January 27, 2011

WHAT IS THE NAO?

North Atlantic Oscillation (Positive Phase)
1.
The North Atlantic Oscillation (NAO) is part of an overall High-Latitude Atmospheric Blocking scheme, which oscillates between a North-South Center dipole of two anomalies. When the NAO is in Negative Phase or North Centered, an intensifying High pressure anomaly center becomes established over the *southern-tip of Greenland... commonly referred to as the Greenland Block. Which in-return blocks, buckles the jet-stream (upper-air flow) from moving straight west to east... establishing a Meridional north to south flow. Sending air of polar origin south into middle latitudes of eastern North America & western Europe. *The Negative NAO influence is often noted as West-based or East-based, and although the overall -NAO loading-pattern effects New England with below to well below normal temperatures...where the blocking takes place in the North Atlantic is important. The West-based -NAO directly impacts New England & especially the Mid-Atlantic, as a result of the blocking high pressure anomaly center near or just off the southern-tip of Greenland. This pattern, teleconnecting with the Arctic Oscillation (AO) often produces text-book...                         
2.

Nor'easters
. Due to a deep trough associated with an intense cold building High to the north, over Ontario, Canada ... that often becomes negatively-tilt as the downstream trough lifts-up along the U. S. Eastern Seaboard. 

For more information on Nor'easters, please visit... 

The East-based -NAO effects are less pronounced over New England & especially the Mid-Atlantic... due to the blocking High pressure anomaly to the east of Greenland. This pattern is still associated with below normal temperatures, however it usually does not teleconnect with the Arctic Oscillation... allowing it's influence to be short-lived. Also, with the High further east... the downstream trough is also further east, that is positively-tilt. In return, this significantly limits development along the U. S. Eastern Seaboard & promotes Miller Type B cyclogenesis that does develop... to move East-northeast from the East Coast.


3.
When an intensifying High pressure anomaly center builds off the southeastern 
United States coast or near Bermuda... commonly referred to as the 
Bermuda High,
the NAO is in a Positive Phase or South Centered. Unlike the Negative Phase, the Positive Phase enhances the westerlies... establishing a Zonal flow, or west to east orientation of the jet-stream, preventing buckling. Allowing for a pronounced south to southwest flow... at all levels of the atmosphere in middle latitudes.

Other major steering mechanism's of the
Northern Annular Mode (NAM), such as the
Arctic Oscillation (AO) strongly influence the NAOWhen an intensifying High pressure anomaly center becomes established over the Arctic or 
North Poleblocking the Polar jet-stream from moving straight west to east, expanding a developing Polar/Arctic Vortex southeast (over Hudson Bay, Ontario, Canada)... the
AO is in a Negative Phase or North Centered. Due to building heights in high northern latitudes of central & eastern North America... a Greenland Block often becomes established, producing a classic 
-AO / -NAO Couplet, fostering below to well below normal temperatures and strong potential of
Miller Type A cyclogenesis over central & eastern North America.
      
When an intensifying High pressure anomaly center builds over the U. S. Gulf Coast states or
Gulf of Mexico, encouraging a stronger than normal middle latitude & sub-tropical jet-stream, with above to well above normal temperatures over central & eastern North America... the AO is in a Positive Phase or
South Centered. As a result, High pressure also intensifies over the central Atlantic, encouraging establishment of a Bermuda High. Due to the highly influential AO, over NAO anomalies... it significantly influences the 
500-millibar Height Pattern over central and eastern North America.
 
Both the AO & NAO are part of the
Northern Hemisphere Teleconnection Longwave Pattern, and are observed through current trends & Indice Forecasts (of Operational Models & perspective Ensemble Members) from NOAA's -
NCEP Global Forecast System (GFS) and the
European Centre for Medium-range Weather Forecasts (ECMWF) in the
United Kingdom. Each Indice Forecast from it's perspective model measures the AO & NAO in-respect to normal-mean by an algebraic measure of variability, known as the
 Standard Deviation (SD)... defined by Wikipedia, the free online encyclopedia.

1. The first image above from NOAA's Climate Prediction Center (CPC) - demonstrates the NAO in a
classic Positive Phase.

2. The second image above from NOAA is of a March 2014 Nor'easter

3. The third image above of the
Trans-Atlantic continents - an area highly influenced by the
AO & NAO Teleconnection. 

4. The fourth image below from NOAA's Earth System Research Laboratory (Physical Sciences Division) & NCEP - demonstrates the NAO in a
classic Negative Phase.

4.
       
                 
In meteorological history the NAO was originally identified in 192by 
British Meteorologist Sir Gilbert Thomas Walker, with particular attention placed on sea-level pressure changes in the North Atlantic, as a result of Low pressure over Iceland and intensifying High pressure through the Azores.