Weather Maps provided by the

Advice of the Day

For good luck, always remove the left shoe before the right.

Question of the Day

When you have a light switch on without a light bulb in the socket, is it still using electricity?

Weather News provided by The Farmer’s Almanac©

• 1818 Rooster Thermometer
  Our Vintage Rooster Thermometer is a great addition to your patio, garden, barn, or garage. Features large, easy-to-read numerals, in both Fahrenheit and Celsius. A great gift for the weather enthusiast. Measures 12.75" in diameter, indoor/outdoor use.
• Best Day Tasks for August 14, 2018
  Bake, Cut Firewood, Mow to Increase Growth, Dig Holes, Wax...
• Current Moon Phase: Waxing Crescent
  The Moon's current percentage of illumination is 17%.
• Gardening by the Moon for August 14, 2018
  Excellent for sowing grains, winter wheat, oats, and rye. Plant...
• Fishing Calendar for August 14, 2018
  Evening - POOR
• Moon's Astrological Place for August 14, 2018
  ♎ Libra - Balance (Reins)
• Reserve your copy of the 2019 Farmers' Almanac Today!
  The 2019 Farmers' Almanac is available for pre-order! (Ships August 13th)

Weather Reports provided by The American Meteorological Society©

• If You Can Make Climate Resilience Here, You Can Make It Anywhere!
  The 10th International Conference on Urban Climate and 14th Symposium on the Urban Environment, co-hosted by AMS at City College of New York, kicked off Monday with a number of comments not only about recent extreme weather events but also the appropriateness of meeting in the Big Apple. From the opening sessions, here are remarks […]
• Oh Say Can You Breathe? The Impact of Fireworks on Air Quality in the United States
  by Perry Samson, Climate and Space Science and Engineering, University of Michigan On July 4th last year, in an attempt to entertain my two grandchildren, I set off what I felt was a modest display of fireworks in our front yard. A monitor that measures the concentration of particles (PM2.5) in the air was mounted […]
• Kids in Hot Cars: Tragic Misconceptions
  Two tragedies last week were reminders of a continuing and underrated weather hazard: people continue to leave children in their parked automobiles, where the heat is ever escalating. The victims in the separate incidents in Oregon and California on June 20 and 21 were both under two years of age. An average of 37 children each year die from […]
• Small Numbers, Big Impacts
  Thanks to Markeya Thomas of Climate Signals and Climate Nexus for posting about her video on Twitter for Juneteenth yesterday. Her interview is with two of “Weather’s Hidden Figures,” the still disturbingly small number of African-American meteorologists—barely 2% of  the AMS membership. Professors Greg Jenkins of Penn State University and Deanna Hence of the University of Illinois speak eloquently on what […]
• Future Hurricanes a Bit Stronger and Slower, but Much Wetter in a Warmer Climate
  It’s been more than 8 months. Since Maria. Irma before. And Harvey before that. For many who endured them, it was yesterday. And here we are at the start of another hurricane season. What can we expect? It is nearly indisputable that there will be hurricanes. NOAA’s forecast issued last week calls for 5-9 of […]
• Lubchenco: Let’s “Embed” Science in Society
  In a “post-truth” world of contemporary politics and culture, “it’s easy to assume that science is really in trouble and everything is bad,” said Jane Lubchenco in her James R. Mahoney Memorial Lecture in Washington, D.C., last month. In fact, science does have its image problems: most people don’t interact with science and don’t know scientists. A recent study […]
• Your AMS Community Online
  by Jordan Stillman, AMS Community Coordinator After a successful soft launch to AMS board and committee members this past winter, the AMS will be opening up our new online platform, AMS Community, to all AMS members as a new member benefit this May. The goal of the AMS Community is to enhance communication and improve […]
• Small-scale Vortices Enhanced Winds and Damage in Hurricane Harvey
  Severe but highly variable wind damage to homes & infrastructure is a hallmark of intense tropical cyclones. Until recently there was only speculation that such damage, which appears in short swaths, was the work of tornadoes. Now, there’s first-ever proof that tornadoes and other small-scale phenomena did indeed enhance the winds and damage in Hurricane […]
• Mentoring365 and You!
  by Tanja Fransen, AMS Councilor and Mentoring Program Ad-Hoc Committee Chair AMS has a wealth of talent and we’d love to see more of our members signed up for the Mentoring 365 program as mentees, mentors–maybe both!  We should never stop learning. When I started in college and early in my career, I hadn’t even heard […]
• Satellites Capture Weather History in the Making
  Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellite 16, now GOES-East, became operational in December and this eye in the sky is capturing stunning color weather imagery daily. Today, it’s the third nor’easter in two weeks explosively developing into a blizzard off the Northeast Coast.   Following on the heels of the deadly and damaging storm of March 2, […]

BBC News Science & Environment©

• Being human: Big toe clung on longest to primate origins
  Our big toe was one of the last parts of the foot to become human-like, as our early ancestors evolved to walk on two legs.
• Palm oil: A new threat to Africa's monkeys and apes?
  Large-scale expansion of palm oil in Africa will very likely risk the lives of primates, a study finds.
• Next few years 'may be exceptionally warm'
  The next few years could be "anomalously warm", according to a new study.
• Tax haven link to rainforest destruction and illegal fishing
  Deforestation of the Amazon and illegal fishing have both been linked to tax havens according to a new study.
• Winged reptiles thrived before dinosaurs
  A newly discovered species of pterosaur that lived about 210 million years ago has been found in the Utah desert.
• Jakarta, the fastest-sinking city in the world
  With frequent floods, sinking markets and engulfed homes, by 2050 parts of Jakarta will be underwater.
• Parker Solar Probe: Nasa launches mission to 'touch the Sun'
  The US space agency launches a probe that aims to travel closer to the Sun than ever before.
• The Meg: the myth, the legend (the science)
  What to we really know about the giant prehistoric shark reincarnated by Hollywood?
• Killer whale mother finally lets dead newborn calf go, after 17 days
  After 17 days, the orca at last stops carrying her newborn and begins chasing salmon off Canada.
• Hippo bite kills Taiwan tourist in Kenya
  The animal turned on the Taiwanese man after he got too close with his camera at Lake Naivasha.
• Weedkiller glyphosate 'doesn't cause cancer' - Bayer
  The new owner of the Monsanto group insists glyphosate use is safe despite a cancer payout.
• Rise in wolf attacks alarms Dutch sheep farmers
  After one wolf killed 26 sheep Dutch farmers worry about installing costly electric fencing.
• Organic solar cells set 'remarkable' energy record
  Cheap, flexible solar panels could become a reality as organics achieve the same power efficiency as silicon.
• Primate speech: How some species are 'wired' for talk
  Primate brain study reveals a "wiring" key to our ability to talk.
• Coral reefs 'weathered dinosaur extinction'
  Researchers have found that the algae living in coral reefs may have evolved 160 million years ago.
• Online dating: Aim high, keep it brief, and be patient
  Researchers say that contacting people "out of your league", can be a successful online dating strategy.
• The unpleasant reason men navigate better than women
  Scientists show innate ability is not the explanation for men navigating better than women.
• Elusive nightjar back at RSPB Sandy reserve
  A pair have been spotted breeding at the Bedfordshire site for the first time in 45 years.
• Climate change: 'Hothouse Earth' risks even if CO2 emissions slashed
  Researchers warn that even limited climate warming could trigger conditions not seen in a million years.
• Why stealthy viruses are making you ill
  Newly discovered trick used by viruses makes them more dangerous.
• Plastic food pots and trays are often unrecyclable, say councils
  The majority of plastic containers used for yoghurts, ice cream, ready meals and fruit end up in landfill.
• Rare Chinese tree's flowers attract visitors to Roath Park
  The Chinese tree has flowered for the first time since it was planted in Cardiff more than 100 years ago.
• Going plastic-free with kids
  Reducing your dependence on plastics can be daunting, especially if you've got a young family.
• The farmers using sewage to make saris
  As groundwater supplies dwindle in rural India, farmers turn to wastewater to grow crops like mulberry, which is used to make silk.
• US mid-term elections: Truth-seeking scientists run for office
  "Scientists are not natural politicians... but they solve problems," says one of the record number running in the US mid-term elections.
• Nasa's Parker Solar Probe spacecraft launches successfully
  Nasa's Parker Solar Probe spacecraft has taken off on its mission to 'touch the Sun'.
• Parker Solar Probe: How Nasa is trying to 'touch' the Sun
  Nasa's Parker Solar Probe will get closer to our star than any other in history.
• How Greenland scorched its underside
  The world's largest island ran over Iceland's volcanic hotspot and has the rocky scar to prove it.
• Beastie joys: Photographer's love of Scottish bug life
  A woman passionate about insects and photography shares images of some of Scotland's colourful bug life.
• Meet the nuns helping save a sacred species from extinction
  The axolotl - a salamander unique to Mexico - has almost been wiped out by pollution and over-fishing.
• It'll be toasty
  When the Bloodhound supersonic car attempts to break the land speed record, managing heat around the vehicle is going to be important.
• Big pong
  Temperatures hit the 30s and there were no proper drains, bringing flies, disease and panic.
• Rush to dam
  Developing economies around the world are investing in hydropower.
• Heathrow high
  It's Europe's busiest airport but why is Heathrow also a magnet for hot weather?
• Crop-spraying drones
  Drones are now delivering pesticides, fertilisers and crop monitoring to farms around the world.
• In pictures
  Parts of eastern Australia are suffering their worst drought in memory, as these aerial images show.
• Lovell lights
  How the giant Lovell radio telescope at Jodrell Bank is transformed into a 3,200 tonne art installation.
• Having all the fin
  Research suggests new kinds of shark could migrate to UK waters as the oceans warm.
• Turn the clock back
  Travelling in time might sound like fantasy, but some physicists think it might really be possible.
• Charcoal grilling
  A growing taste for al fresco dining is driving record charcoal sales in the UK but is it also fuelling global deforestation and climate change?
• Curious camera
  A new exhibition reappraises the work of Harry Burton, who photographed the decade-long Tutankhamun excavation.
• Stephen Hawking: A life in pictures
  The physicist, who battled motor neurone disease for most of his life, has died at the age of 76.
• Stephen Hawking dies: Scientist's most memorable quotes
  Remembering some of the key theories and quotes of the world renowned physicist, who has died.

National Geographic©

• Chemical Exposure Linked to Billions in Health Care Costs
  Chemicals that mimic estrogen and other hormones are costing the EU $175 billion per year in health care, according to new research.
• As Smog Thins in L.A., Dramatic Evidence of Kids' Healthier Lungs
  New study shows Los Angeles-area kids have fewer breathing problems now than they did in the 1990s.
• Lack of Snow Leaves California's 'Water Tower' Running Low
  Rising temperatures and declining snowpack in the mountains mean that the drought across the western U.S. is about to get even worse.
• Arctic Ship Breaks Free of Ice for Historic Expedition
  A Norwegian research vessel will spend six months on the sea ice to study the changing Arctic.
• How Geothermal Could Cleanly Power the Planet: Indonesia's Tale
  The Earth's heat could power homes and businesses worldwide, but it's barely been tapped. Indonesia is trying to change that.
• Dramatic New Video Shows Volcano Forming an Island
  A fast growing island off Japan is seen in new video from the Japanese Coast Guard.
• Corn for Home Heat: A Green Idea That Never Quite Popped
  Some enterprising Americans burn kernels to keep warm in winter, but there's a reason the green heating concept hasn't taken off.
• What You Don't Know About History's Most Famous Scientists
  In the 11th and 12th centuries, Muslim scientists were way ahead of contemporaries in Christian Europe.
• New Theory Behind Dozens of Craters Found in Siberia
  Scientists say melting pingos, and not methane hydrates, are likely to blame for the dramatic craters.
• Miami's Choice: Bigger Ships or Coral Reefs?
  Dredging in Biscayne Bay inflicts heavy damage on North America's only coral reef tract.
• Quirky Winds Fuel Brazil's Devastating Drought, Amazon's Flooding
  With severe water shortages in Brazil's cities and destructive floods in the Amazon, the boom-and-bust phenomenon may be South America's new normal.
• 'Shark Lady' Eugenie Clark, Famed Marine Biologist, Has Died
  Eugenie Clark, a marine biologist and ichthyologist, who died on Wednesday, helped the public understand and appreciate the much maligned shark.
• Canadian First Nations Seek to Protect Forest Homeland
  By winning protection for their boreal forest, indigenous Canadians help slow global warming.
• Panama Canal: Superhighway for Invasive Species?
  The Panama Canal is being widened. That means bigger ships and more cargo for Gulf and East Coast ports-and more alien species too.
• 'This Is Really Extreme Science': Adrift in the Arctic Ice With a Shipload of Norwegians
  Our correspondent reports from a Norwegian research ship that's drifting inside the Arctic ice cap, gathering data needed to predict its future.
• Two Reasons Why Obama's Keystone Veto Won't Decide Pipeline
  The never-ending saga of the Keystone XL pipeline gets new twists with potential problems in Nebraska and South Dakota.
• New U.S. Dietary Recommendations First to Consider Environmental Impact
  "Linking health, dietary guidance, and the environment will promote human health," new guidelines say.
• Ancient Fellowship of Fishermen, Dolphins at Risk in Myanmar
  Fishing gangs on the Irrawaddy River use electricity to illegally increase their catch.
• Nearly 200 Whales Stranded on New Zealand Beach
  Nearly 200 pilot whales are stranded on a New Zealand beach, prompting a massive rescue effort.
• 100 Years Later, Antarctic Explorers' Huts Look Frozen in Time
  Whiskey and all, the wooden dwellings of early explorers now look as they did during the first treks to the continent, thanks to a decade-long restoration effort.
• New Study Shows Plastic in Oceans Is on the Rise
  The amount of trash flowing into the world's oceans is worse than thought—eight million tons a year, says new study.
• Mysterious Sea Lion Die-Off Strikes Again on California Coast
  Tiny sea lion pups are washing up on beaches in unusually high numbers—for the third winter in a row.
• Fighting Over Herring—the Little Fish That Feeds Multitudes
  Pacific herring stocks are shadows of their former abundance. But the Canadian government wants to reopen fishing off British Columbia.
• To Save Coral Reefs, First Save the Mangroves
  Coral reefs are in danger of bleaching in open water, but in the sheltering roots of mangroves, some have found a home.
• National Academy: There’s a Good and a Bad Way to “Geoengineer” the Planet
  We should be figuring out how to pull CO₂ back out of the atmosphere, says a National Research Council report. But we should be wary of launching a planet-cooling chemical sunshade.