Tag Archives: holiday

Earth Day 2014

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Everyday is Earth Day, as the saying goes. Today, however, marks the official celebration.

The first Earth Day – spearheaded by Senator Gaylord Nelson of Wisconsin – was held on April 22, 1970. An estimated 20 million people attended rallies across the country to protest against rampant industrial pollution and the deterioration of the nation’s natural environment. Raising public awareness and shifting the political tide, these events helped put environmental issues on the national agenda. They lead to the creation of the EPA and the passage of the Clean Air Act, Clean Water Act, and the Endangered Species Act.

Today, forty-four years after the original, Earth Day is an international holiday observed in 192 countries across the globe. Some communities have even expanded the celebration into Earth Week. These continuing efforts to raise environmental awareness are more important than ever as we face the challenges of Climate Change.

To learn more about Earth Day events near you and actions you can take to help the environment, visit: http://www.earthday.org

Image Credit: NASA

Image Credit: NASA

Chilly St. Patrick’s Day in NYC

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A longstanding tradition in New York City, the St. Patrick’s Day Parade has marched in all types of weather.  This year, with temperatures in the mid-30s, parade goers had to wear a few extra layers of green.

While today was unseasonably chilly, it was not the coldest St. Patrick’s Day the city has experienced. That dubious honor, according to the NWS, is shared by both 1916 and 1967 when the high was only 26°F.  The warmest was in 1945 when the temperature soared to a balmy 75°F.

Happy St. Patrick’s Day!

Image Credit: Stutz

Image Credit: Stutz

National Weatherperson’s Day

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Today is National Weatherperson’s Day in the United States. Observed annually, it is a day to recognize the work of all individuals involved in the field of meteorology – not just famous prognosticating groundhogs.

According to the NWS, February 5, 1744 was the birthday of Dr. John Jeffries – one of America’s first weather observers.  As a Boston based physician with a deep interest in weather, he kept daily records from 1774 to 1816.  He also took the first known weather observation from a hot air balloon in 1784.

Recognizing the significant contributions Dr. Jeffries made to the science of weather, this day was chosen in his honor.

Groundhog Day 2014

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Today is Groundhog Day, the midway point of the winter season.

On this day, according to legend, the weather conditions for the second half of winter can be predicted by the behavior of a prognosticating groundhog.  If the groundhog sees its shadow after emerging from its burrow, there will be six more weeks of winter.  If it does not see its shadow, then spring will arrive early.

In New York City, our local weather-groundhog is Charles G. Hogg – more popularly known as “Staten Island Chuck”.  Earlier this morning, he saw his shadow and is predicting  another six weeks of wintry conditions for the Big Apple.

On the job since 1981, Staten Island Chuck’s “forecasts” have been correct about 82% of the time.

Staten Island Chuck, the resident weather groundhog at the Staten Island Zoo. Image Credit: SILive

Charles G.Hogg, VII – the resident weather groundhog at the Staten Island Zoo in New York City.    Image Credit: SILive

The Chances for a White Christmas

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The holidays are here and many people are dreaming of a white Christmas.  The likelihood of seeing those dreams come true, however, are largely dependent on where you live.

According to NOAA, a white Christmas is defined as having at least one inch of snow on the ground on December 25th.  In the US, the climatological probability of having snow for Christmas is greatest across the northern tier of the country. Moving south, average temperatures increase and the chance of snow steadily decreases.

Here in New York City, the odds of having snow on Christmas Day are, on average, less than twenty-five percent. This low probability is largely due to the city’s proximity to the Atlantic Ocean and its moderating influence. This year, despite some significant snowfall earlier in the month and the possibility of a light snow shower tonight, NYC is not expecting a white Christmas.

Snow or no snow, the Weather Gamut wishes you a very Happy Holiday!

Image Credit: NOAA

Image Credit: NOAA

High Winds and the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade

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The Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade is a long-standing holiday tradition in New York City.  This year, high winds could ground the event’s famous giant character balloons.

According to city guidelines, the multi-story balloons cannot fly if there are sustained winds in excess of 23 mph or gusts above 34 mph.  The current forecast for Thanksgiving Day expects winds close to this threshold.  Parade organizers say they will monitor the weather conditions and consult with the city on Thursday morning to decide if the balloons can fly and at what height.

While the parade marches in rain or shine, high winds are a serious threat to the massive balloons and the crowds of spectators that line the route.  In 1997, gusty winds sent the “Cat in the Hat” balloon careening into a light post, which caused debris to fall on parade goers, seriously injuring one person. Following this incident, a mayoral commission established the wind regulations currently in place.

With or without balloons, the 87th Annual Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade is scheduled to begin at 9 AM on Thursday morning.  Happy Thanksgiving!

“Hello Kitty” Balloon floats down Broadway as part of the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade.                         Image Credit: 1000cutethings.com

Earth Day

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Everyday is Earth Day, as the saying goes.  Today, however, marks the official celebration.

Gaylord Nelson, a US Senator from Wisconsin, is credited with organizing the first Earth Day on April 22, 1970.  Rallies were held across the country and millions of people came out to protest against rampant industrial pollution and the deterioration of the nation’s natural environment.  These events led to the creation of the EPA and the passage of the Clean Air Act, Clean Water Act, and the Endangered Species Act.

Today, 43 years after the original, Earth Day is an international holiday celebrated in 192 countries.  These continuing efforts to raise environmental awareness are more important than ever as our global society faces the challenges of Climate Change.

Earth

Image Credit: NASA

Groundhog Day 2013

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Today is Groundhog Day, the halfway point of the winter season.

According to folklore, on this particular date, the weather conditions of the second half of winter can be forecast by the shadow of a prognosticating groundhog.  Upon emerging from its burrow, if the groundhog sees its shadow, there will be six more weeks of winter.  If it does not see its shadow, then spring will arrive early.

In New York City, our local weather-groundhog is “Staten Island Chuck”. This year, he did not see his shadow and is predicting an early arrival of spring-like conditions for the city.

Staten Island Chuck, officially known as Charles G. Hogg VII

Staten Island Chuck, officially known as Charles G. Hogg VII

Image Credit: silive.com

White Christmas

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The holidays are here and many people are dreaming of a white Christmas.  The likelihood of seeing those dreams come true, however, are largely dependent on where you live.

According to NOAA, a white Christmas is defined as having at least one inch of snow on the ground on December 25th. In the Unites States – aside from mountainous regions – the greatest chance of seeing snow for Christmas is in cities across the northern tier of the country.  Average temperatures in that region are usually below freezing  by December.  Moving farther south, the probability of having a white Christmas steadily decreases.

Locally, here in New York City, the odds of having snow on Christmas Day are less than twenty-five percent. This low probability is largely due to the city’s proximity to the Atlantic Ocean and its relatively mild air. This year, despite some recent chilly temperatures, NYC is not expecting a white Christmas.

Snow or no snow, the Weather Gamut wishes you a very happy holiday!

white_christmas_noaa

Probability of a white Christmas based on data from 1981-2010.

Image Credit: NOAA

Chocolate and Climate Change

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Today is Valentine’s Day and the exchange of heart-shaped chocolates is a tradition for many couples.  The price of this customary gift, however, is forecast to increase as cocoa, the main ingredient in chocolate, faces the challenges of climate change.

Chocolate, a nine-billion-dollar global industry, obtains more than 50% of its cocoa supply from the West African nations of Ghana and Ivory Coast. A recent study by the International Center for Tropical Agriculture found that within the next 20 to 40 years, the climate of this region is likely to become too warm to continue growing the fragile cacao trees.  In the shorter term, extreme weather events like drought are threatening this sensitive crop.  As a result, supplies are likely to fall causing prices to go up.

So, enjoy your chocolate treat this Valentine’s Day and remember that this sweet gift is likely to be more dear in the future.

Chocolate Hearts for Valentine's Day

Image Credit: phoenixnewtimes.com