How about weather…ON MARS!

Hey, if you’d like to follow weather on the Red Planet, all you have to do is follow the following feed on Twitter! It is so kewl! Weather conditions on Mars, all day every day: @marswxreport

Can weather make you suffer?

Old wives tales for years have said, “I can tell you when it will rain when my knee acts up.”
Well, here’s an article on just how weather can (adversely) affect many things in your health and well being on a daily basis. Check it out: http://www.arthritistoday.org/about-arthritis/arthritis-pain/living-with-pain/weather-pain.php

Couple things for the weekend…

First, the Mohawk Valley Astronomical Society (MVAS) will be holding both a Solar and Stargazing event on Sat May 11th 5 PM at the
New Hartford Sherrill Brook Park basketball court, Route 12 S, New Hartford, NY
Solar observing starts at 5 PM till dusk then Stargazing till 11 PM both clouds permitting…

But earlier in the day Saturday, the “Bikers for Animals” Benefit takes place, starting at Grossman’s Bargain Outlet in Whitesboro, with registration going on from 10:30am-Noon ($10), and the ride beginning there and ending in Stittville (VFW), a few hours later…with the auction starting when we arrive. All proceeds go to the Stevens-Swan Humane Society.
Both are weather-dependent, but I think both will be able to be held.

Fantastic Umbrella Giveaway!

here’s your chance to get your hands on station “swag”! Every night this week, I will be giving away one WUTR Eyewitness News umbrella. How do you win one? Simply watch Eyewitness News at 11, and during weather, at some point, I will say, “And you can quote me on this:_____________” and whatever I say next to complete the sentence, write it down or remember it, then go to cnyhomepage.com, click on the Weather tab, and then click “You can quote me” tab under that, fill out the form, and repeat back the phrase. Since there may be multiple “winners”, the winner each night will be the person who sends me the right answer…FIRST…since each message will be time-stamped.

You must quote me exactly in order to have a chance.
So, for example, let’s say at some point, I say”…so tomorrow will start out cloudy, but hazy sun will develop…and YOU CAN QUOTE ME ON THIS…the thermometer will reach 70 degrees tomorrow afternoon…”
Your correct response on the form would be, “the thermometer will reach 70 degrees tomorrow afternoon”.

5 nights, 5 chances to grab some swag.
Good luck!

SEVERE WEATHER

I wanted to get your attention with the headline, because the truth is, too many people do not take it seriously enough to plan for, until it is actually happening, which explains the chaos and death that always occurs.
So, I want to remind you that while severe (Summer) weather can happen anytime from March through September, it is most likely here in May. By severe weather, I am referring to high winds, flooding rains, and hail…in addition to the obvious tornado.
I cannot impress upon you how important it is to have a comprehensive and cohesive plan for the entire family, discussed with the entire family, and involving the entire family, for who does what and when, when severe weather is imminent. For instance, when high winds are expected, who gets the lawn furniture, and where does it go? When flooding rains happen, how do you prep the basement and who does what? If a tornado watch is in effect, is there a “point person” who contacts every family member…identifies where they are…tells them where to be and when to check in afterwards? Do all know where to go in the house, and why? Do you/they know to bring a blanket and or mattress into the bathroom and put it over you in the tub?
These are all things that the head of household should develop, discuss and parse out with the family, and make sure all understand what to do, why, and when.
In that vein, here is an article on how a recent storm in Wyoming has scientists in the field hoping it helps determine severe storms and may improve LEAD time to their arrival. Check it out: http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/capital-weather-gang/wp/2013/04/10/tornado-data-could-help-forecasters-increase-warning-times-and-reduce-false-alarms/

Did you know that America’s first “weatherman” was Benjamin Franklin?

Ok, you probably are aware that Ben Franklin made some discoveries regarding electricity, via his famous key-on-a-kite experiment, but did you know he actually made a number of weather discoveries…some of which would not be full understood OR accepted, for another century or two? Things related to storm motion (over America), wind motion and direction, barometric pressure, etcetera. No wonder he was a hit with the ladies! He was always experimenting, and he knew stuff no one else could know about a very cool subject!
Here is a great article on his many discoveries and ideas, that I found to be an excellent read.
Check it out: http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2013/04/14/benjamin-franklin-america-s-first-storm-chaser.html

For those of you who can’t keep your eyes off the sun!

Occasionally, I speak to people who are “up” on solar flare activity and such. I came across this article on a scientific group that is tracking such data. I thought since I did, I would pass it along, so that those concerned would be prepared when the big one hits, knocking out all power on planet Earth By the way, it’s pretty ironic to me, that the more high tech we get, the easier it is for nature to knock us down. Before electronics, who cared about solar flares? No one! Now that we are so dependent on our gadgets, every flair can adversely affect our daily activity.

http://www.mnn.com/earth-matters/space/stories/europes-space-weather-center-to-track-solar-storms