Lovely End to 2011

2011 is going out like a lamb here in central Va., it's almost hot outside feeling more like September than December. So get out and enjoy it. Just be careful tonight, there will be a lot of amateur partiers out there and they tend to make bad decisions. Don't you be one.
Sunny and mid sixties today with a south breeze and on into 2012. A cold front Monday will bring in some January air and we may dip into the teens for the first time this winter season. Enjoy the warmth while it's here winter will be back.
A 2.0 aftershock early morning xmas eve was the last quake in the central Va. quake zone where it has certainly been a wild year. We'll have to wait and see what 2012 has in store for us. Hang in there!!!

Cloudy and Mild December Tuesday

After a long break, the TOE returns on a fairly mild (seasonal, actually) December day in Central Va. The clouds will be around for awhile; a chance of rain will be in the forecast from late today all the way through  Christmas. Temperatures will remain high enough that it will be rain throughout although the mountains of Va. and WVa will likely see some of that moisture as snow. The blizzard in the southern plains will continue eastward but the warm air in the south and the jet stream way to the north is going to calm that wild storm down before it gets here.
La Nina seems to be settling in and is likely to make for a milder (can you say, "Global Warming", I knew you could) winter after two colder than normal years. Milder has been the trend for the 4 of the last 6 winters. But, it will still be winter and that officially starts at 12:30 EST early Thursday morning.

World Population Update

The world population  is expected to hit eight billion on march 15
2029, it will rech nine billion on 2050

top 5 countries in 2050:
1. China (1,303,723,332)
2.India (1,656,553,632)
3. United States (439,010,253)
4. Indonesia (313,020,847)
5. Brazil (260, 692,493)

Cloudy and Warm Tuesday

After an overnight low that was near the average high temperature, Tuesday will only get warmer before a more November-like turn tomorrow and Thursday. A powerful cold front is slowly working our way bringing much cooler temps for late week. Rain chances increase dramatically tonight, tomorrow and even early into Thursday before the clearing and new batch of cool air.
Leafs continue to fly, helped by the wild SW wind ahead of the front and trees are suddenly mostly bare; the oaks persist in hanging onto their leaves as do some low, young beeches. The view through the forest has opened up and the aftershocks are way down and much weaker.
A light shower has just wet things. There's lots more coming.

Indian Summer Continues

After a very chilly Saturday morning Central Va. warms to a lovely day, a mild night (low 40's) and an even warmer Sunday - and it's going to continue for a few more days; maybe this global warming is real!
A few clouds will be around and it will be a little breezy but it's going a fine Sunday if you don't mind a few leaves flying around.
A tiny aftershock here late morning yesterday that didn't even make the 1+ list was just a little reminder we live in an earthquake zone.
Congrats to the Lions for a big OT win Friday night. Powhatan this Friday.

Boreas and Helios rule the day

The north wind and the sun are in charge and clashing today:sun wants you warm , wind wants you cold.

A Cool Leaf-fall Day

A cloudy, cool Thursday with a light wind (it will get windier) has leaves flying here in the forest. The colors are subsiding, deeper shades of the reds, oranges, browns and yellows that two weeks ago were bright and showy, more gaps where those early changers have flown away letting the low fall sun get through.  Not as bright but still a pretty scene.
The clouds are with a cold front, the trailing edge of a massive Low that has hammered the middle of the country, T-storms in southern plains and snow to the Great Lakes region, but most likely to only bring us some clouds and a slight chance of rain AND a big temperature change for a couple of days. Friday will see the return of the sun but Boreas, god of the north wind, will make that sun feel much less warm. The weekend afternoon temperatures will make the 60's with a shot at 70's again early next week before the next system arrives.
Aftershocks continue to slow here in the central Va. quake zone, a good trend.

Indian Summer Reigns

The lovely spell of Indian Summer weather continues while our next chance of rain lingers and ravages the central US. Highs near 70 today and tomorrow remind us that November in Va. can be quite nice. A chance of storms and rain Thursday will change that before bringing another nice weekend.
Oklahoma's aftershocks slow but a 4.7 quake this morning leads one to believe they are going to continue for awhile. After Sunday's 5.6 quake we'd like to say, "welcome to our world", sorry, you had to join us.
Va. last noticeable aftershock was las Thursday: 2.3 on the Richter scale.
How about 10 points on the quiz for blog comments!!!!

Lovely Start to November

A mid-30's start here in central Va. but the day warms quickly and looks to be a lovely one. No rain in sight until late Thursday/Friday with a nice looking weekend in the forecast. Aftershocks have calmed significantly here (let's hope that continues) and November is off to a nice start. Leaves are near a peak of color and vibrancy; the forest here at the tirehouse is stunning. Time to get out and enjoy it hope you do the same on your chunk of the planet.

Sunny and cool Sunday

The rain is gone but the cold remains; frost in most of central and western Va. Warmer temps will return by mid-week and the sun today will make it feel a little warmer than the air will feel. Halloween will be a cool evening and we are down to one week of daylight saving time.
Morning light will return and dark will be early, right after school is out for Louisa.

Warm, cloudy, leaf fall day

The cloudy light and changing colors of leaves make for a lovely late October morning here in central Va. A cold front will sweep through later on today and return the temperatures to fall normal: cool. There is a chance of rain today and tomorrow and Saturday, unlikely a washout at any time but a fair chance nonetheless. Snow in Colorado and the northwest is a little early but not that unusual for Halloween season. Turkey's aftershocks have slowed as they continue recovery/rescue efforts.
Earth is still, just doing what it does.

A Fine Fall Day

Tuesday dawns cool and clear but is warming quickly and will be near 70 today. Leaves are not quite at a peak but are lovely, nonetheless. A little shower yesterday afternoon wet down our world as a weak cold front swung through but the real chance for rain will come later in the week; starting Thursday and going through Saturday with the best chance Saturday. And, then it will get a little cooler, still.
Turkey is still rocking with aftershocks after their 7.2 quake Sunday.

Wild, Windy & Cool

Welcome to Fall!! The leaves are colorful and flying; maples red, poplar and hickory bold yellow and the oaks are still green while the dogwoods and gum in the understory shimmer red. The rain is gone, leaving over an inch and a half in the gauge, the tropical system from the south swept out by the deep low pressure of a powerful cold front and we are left with a cool day made cooler by a blustery north wind. Hats will be flying.  Cumulus clouds have begun to roll in, formed from all the moisture, and are darkening what was a brilliant sunny day.  Get out the sweaters and enjoy.

One more warm day, rain coming

One more warmish mid-October day, but clouds are thickening and two storm system are going to do a meet and greet over Virginia for Wednesday. The track of the storm will determine the rainfall totals and right now they are guessing eastern Va. will get much more than central with the Valley almost left out.
Not much in the way of aftershocks after last Wednesday's 3.0 quake, couple of rumbles Saturday but hopefully things will continue calming here. Arkansas continues to rumble, couldn't be the salt water the gas companies are pumping into the ground...

Rainy 100th Post

My 100th blog on an off day Thursday, is to report rain, lots more rain.  The leaves are far from a peak but the colours are starting to show here in the forest, more rain might delay that process a little more. The subtropical Low is moving out, pushed by a front finally on the move from the west that, if we see some sun, could bring some wild weather; the usual cold front stuff, T-storms, heavy rain, wind and even a chance of twisters.
Pay attention today, it's hard to tell the aftershocks from the thunder! It should all be moving on tomorrow and bring us another lovely, if cooler, weekend.
A 3.0 aftershock rattled the building and nerves yesterday and a rainy evacuation reminded us of the precarious planet we are living on. Earth Rules!!

Clouds Return for Tuesday, Rain Comin'

Tuesday starts off cloudy and mild with temperatures only 60-ish after days in the upper 40's and it's unlikely we will see the sun again until Friday. The subtropical storm that's been spinning over Florida for several days is headed north with lots of rain for late today and all day tomorrow. A stalled front on the plains will move it offshore Thursday and Friday and bring us a sunny cool weekend.
Raincoats and umbrella will be needed tomorrow with 1"+ rain expected.

Fine Fall Weather Continues

The stretch of dry warm days and cool crisp nights will continue for a couple more days with High pressure in charge. An unorganized Low over Florida is expected to get itself together as a subtropical system and head north by mid-week bringing and end to the dry and rain back to the eastern seaboard.  But for now, get out and enjoy today and the next couple before the rain returns.

The Sun Returns with Warmth

The lingering Low that has been our weather for almost 2WEEKS is finally moving out into the Atlantic and allowing sunshine and warm air to return to the east coast without much threat of rain. A day without many clouds and no rain is just what we need after almost a fortnight of warm and wet quickly followed by cold and wet. Get out and enjoy.
A small aftershock this morning was actually the first I'd felt in days; another nice break from the shaky action.

Fall is Here!

Sunday dawns with clouds and a north wind, Boreas stirred up, and temperatures in the 40's. And, only into the mid-50's by early afternoon. With the sky looking like there will be no sun showing up, it's likely going to stay in the 50's today. Fall officially started 9 days ago but it waited until October to really get our attention; get out the sweaters and jackets!
And, this is still the big cut-off Low that when west of us for over a week was dragging steamy tropical air up from the Gulf and now east of us is dropping the chilly arctic air down on us. One wild storm!!

A Hint of Pleasantness

It's still humid, there is still a chance of showers but the weak cool front that slide through yesterday has made today's air feel a little more pleasant. Occasional sunshine helps. Big changes are coming: a Canadian air mass will finally (the day it's going to happen continues to be pushed back) move the cut-off low out of the Great Lakes and allow some cool, dry air to move in here - maybe by the weekend.
Central Va. aftershocks are fewer and farther between, much to our relief but likely to continue for a while longer. The trend is looking good for eventual relief but, there is always a but, we live on an active planet and it will continue to shake and shimmy.

Still Cloudy, Still Chance of Rain

An early morning shower, an early morning aftershock and Sunday looks much like the last several days: damp, dreary, muggy, with temperatures stuck around 70. With the big Low to our west still cut off and spinning we are likely to have a couple of more days like this. Clearing should happen by Wednesday as a cold front finally moves the lost Low and another front will chill things down for next weekend and it will once again feel like Fall, which it is.
Enjoy the gloom.

Clouds Continue

After over 2 inches of rain yesterday, Saturday dawns cloudy and in the 60's. No rain so far and there are actually hints of the sun busting through the cloud cover...but no sun yet, just a little lighter sky. Wait, wait, I can actually see the sun in the sky!! A nice change from grey and dreary and wet. We are up to 13 inches of rain since August 1st (there are likely places in Va. with TWICE that.
A lull in the local aftershocks; but talking to anyone around here we know there will be more and we are still edgy, waiting.

A Rainy Spell

We are settled into the middle of a cloudy, mild, damp period here in Virginia. A huge Low over the western Great Lakes is stuck and flinging moisture our way and the front that went through several days ago has drifted back our way and reformed as a coastal Low just offshore and is contributing to the damp conditions. About 2/3" so far with 3 days of clouds/rain - a heavy shower this morning making up most of the total.
No strong aftershocks here but things are still rumbling; seems like the shakes are moving off to the east a little. Readjustment in the earth continues.
Tropical Storm Ophelia is slowly spinning westward but not affecting any land yet. Japan has it's own hurricane (typhoon) issues. 'Tis the season.

Little Rain, Little Sun

A gentle rain to start the day and then gradual clearing and some blue sky to finish on a late summer Tuesday.  Cool temperatures hang on, a nice pleasant day. Hope you enjoyed it.
3 small aftershocks late last night but today seems to have been mostly quiet.
Ophelia will be the next named storm of the hurricane season and she may be getting her act together far out in the Atlantic, still not organized.

Fall-like Sunday

The cool weekend with aftershocks continues here in central Va. No rain and a bit of sun make for a nice mid-October day but it's only mid-September. There is no normal on earth only humans averaging numbers and coming up with normal. The planet is doing what it does. Our part will warm up by mid-week.
Aftershocks don't seem as strong today but do continue. Rumbling on.
Pay attention earthlings!!!

Cool, cool, cool with clouds-and aftershocks!!

That is going to sum up our weekend; cool and cloudy, as the combination of cool Canadian air and the low pressure that brought that air here with Thursday's cold front combine to bring us an air flow from off the Atlantic. Rain in the southeast and a slight chance here - but cool until mid-week.
And, then there are the aftershocks, which after a break have returned with somewhat of a vengeance - one just startled me and rattled the tirehouse. That was above the 2.0 range of yesterday and earlier today.
That was a 2.6 (@11:33) with the epicenter near the back entrance of Twin Oaks Community.  Whoa!
Guess we're back to hanging on and in warm clothing

Taste of Fall

The fall equinox is still 8 days away but Va. is going to get an early taste as a cold front slides through later today. That front will bring a pretty good chance of showers but the real change will be temps in the upper 40's for lows and only the upper 60's for highs for Friday and Saturday. Sweater time!!! The clouds are already thickening and while today may warm into the low 80's that will be the last warm until the middle of next week.
Aftershocks here in the Central Va. Earthquake Zone have subsided; we hope that is a trend and not just a lull in the shaky action.

Cool start, Warm end Tuesday

With an overnight low in the upper 50's, Tuesday starts cool but with dry air around will warm into the mid-80s with another slight chance of showers this evening. Trop Storm Maria is slowly drifting our way in the Atlantic but has weakened and forecasts are predicting a turn away from the coast later in the week, pushed by a strong cold front that will increase the chance of rain Thursday/Friday and then bring in a fall-like chill for the weekend. Lows in the upper 40's and only low 70's for highs.
Fall officially begins 10 days from now, on the 23rd at 5:05am EDT.

September 11, 2011

The eleventh of September dawns cool and crisp and lovely just as it did ten years ago, a hint of fall on a later summer day. We all hope today will only stir memories and not add new fears to our sadly fearful world. The emotions of that day remain strong with all who lived through it and our hearts go out to all those families who lost loved ones in those heinous, twisted attacks. Fanaticism, superstition, ignorance are still pervasive in a world made better by science and logic and an understanding of the realities with which Earth restrains us.
Spend time and share love with family and friends today and strive to make your part of our world a nicer place. We are all on this big chunk of rock, flying through space, together.  Only together we can make it a nicer place for all the lives we share the planet with.

More Sunshine

Another sunny and, hopefully, dry day here in soggy Va. A few cumulus clouds should be around and there is a very slight chance of showers but I think we can enjoy a nice weekend. Aftershocks still remind us on occasion of our new shaky world status but they are less frequent and softer. Everyone I have spoken to is beginning to relax, a little.
Enjoy!

The Sun Returns

A cloudy morning gives way to a sunny afternoon in central Va. There is a slight chance of showers this afternoon but just seeing the sun reduces those shower worries. While cloudy here yesterday there was really no measurable rain unlike the eastern part of the state where western bands from Katia and the remains of Lee dumped over 10 inches of rain in places; flooding an obvious problem for those folks.
Aftershocks continue to calm, the almost full moon should make for a lovely evening.
Maria continues to charge across the Atlantic while Nate spins aimlessly in the Gulf of Campeche. Hurricane season at it's peak.

Thursday in the Rainforest

Thursday continues the cloudy damp tropical moisture trend we have been locked in since late last week. Change and sunny skies are coming but probably not until Saturday. We may see hints of sun today and more tomorrow but chances of showers linger. Rain is lighter here in central Va. but little showers overnight have kept our world wet. Umbrellas and raincoats should not be put away.
Aftershocks are fewer and weaker but the tension remains both in the earth and our minds; when will the next shake occur. Deep breaths central Va.!!!!

Rain and Humidity Linger

A stalled front and remnants of Lee continue to make for damp conditions here in the mid-Atlantic. The cold front that made it to NC and southeastern Va oozed back north today and set up light rain in the west and storms in eastern Va.  Swollen streams and flooded streets and yards make it a messy, somewhat dangerous world. One more day before a better chance of dryness and a little sun will return.
Katia lost strength again today, but continues to head our way; forecasters seem pretty confident she is going to swing  away and miss us. Maria, newly formed and named is zooming across the Atlantic with sight perhaps on the east coast and the N storm looks to impact Mexico, missing Texas fires and drought again.
Aftershocks continue here, but fewer and weaker a trend we are hoping will continue.

Rainy Tuesday

The remnants of tropical storm Lee drift northward today bringing rain to the entire eastern seaboard. The farther west you are in Va. the more rain you got. Reports from Charlottesville of 6"!! Only 1 1/2 inches this morning in central Louisa. Lee and the cold front that it's hanging with right now will linger at least until Thursday and then (according to forecasts) push Cat. 4 Hurricane Katia off it's northwest track right at us into a big boomarang turn to the northeast causing only massive beach erosion along the east coast and not destruction like Irene.
A 2.5 aftershock yesterday early afternoon and a 1.8 about 5 am this morning remind us here in the zone that we are far from done with the quakes. Glad I wasn't here for the first and slept through the second.
HANG ON, FOLKS; EARTH IS IN CHARGE!!

Don't Labor Today

Labor Day dawns mild and hazy here in Va with the likelihood of rain increasing to near 100% as a cold front moves through to meet up with the remains of tropical storm Lee which slowly works out of the deep south and into the mid-Atlantic. All will linger here for a day or more as it soaks an already soggy region but will issue in much cooler temperatures.  It might stay dry for awhile today but rain gear will be needed later on.
Texas and the southwest get heat relief but continues in the rain-free zone. Fall is coming as frost warnings are issued for northern Wisconsin and the UP of Michigan.
I was out of the aftershock zone yesterday and today so am not sure if the lull in the rumbling continues. No aftershocks made the USGS list.

Quiet Sunday, So Far!

Sunday dawns mild and with hazy sunshine but a chance of showers will increase as today goes on. Trop Storm Lee continues to linger along the gulf coast, dumping rain, waaaay too much rain. It will slowly move north, affecting the mid-Atlantic by midweek. Katia continues to move west toward the US, a minimal hurricane but not what the battered east coast needs.
Aftershocks in Va. have calmed, I'm not sure that's a good thing but it has sure settled our nerves here. We are hoping there isn't a bigger quake in our immediate future.
Pay attention, Earth is in charge!!

Cloudy Saturday

Saturday starts mild and cloudy and I'm not sure if it's weak aftershocks or distant thunder that is rumbling outside. Wind is swirling and it looks like rain is coming but no drops yet. It is shaping up to be a cloudy unsettled Labor Day weekend with more rain coming by mid-week complements of Trop Depression Lee.
Lee looks to drop more than a foot of rain on the deep south as it comes ashore and stalls, flooding and levee issues may create more burdens on a weary east coast; Texas continues to suffer from lack of rain.
Hurricane Katia continues to move west, defying early predictions of a north east turn, and needs to be watched headed right at the trashed mid-Atlantic coast.
Aftershocks have subsided (a temporary thing, I fear) here in central Va., today's rumbles seem to be thunder.
Earth continues solidly in charge.
Louisa's trouncing of Orange (48-21) after Thursday night's vandalism of stadium and field sure helped local community spirit and pride. WE GOT THIS!

Sky rumbles today

The aftershocks gave us a break in central Va. last night but thunder from passing T'storms took up where the earthquakes left off early this morning. And, there will be more aftershocks, the earth is not settled. At least, a bonus from the rain showers was a rainbow as the sun snuck under the storm clouds.
More unsettled weather is on tap for the weekend and Katia has taken a more southerly turn and is being watched closely in the Atlantic. Soon to be named, Lee is getting itself together in the gulf and seems likely to bring copious rain to the deep South as it slowly works north into next week.
Earth continues to dominate the news, we continue to adapt.

A lovely shaky morning

Another lovely, cool, dry morning is rocked by another aftershock (3.4) at 5:09, waking many or making sure those awake didn't drift back to sleep any time soon. Another coolish day awaits us tomorrow for the Lion's home opener against Orange but the weekend will see temps back near or in the 90's.
Hurricane Katia is growing rapidly in size and strength in the mid-Atlantic but appears to pose little threat to land (so far). Unnamed and disorganized, what may become Lee is swirling in the Gulf of Mexico and may impact the gulf coast and southern states early next week.
Pay attention, Earth is in charge!!!

Cool and shaky Tuesday

The aftershocks continue here close to the epicenter but the weather makes it easier to deal with. One of the coolest (actually, it's been about average) Augusts I can ever remember here in Va is winding down and the low humidity, cool nights and pleasant days have been one positive in our shaken, powerless state. Tonight should be into the mid-50's and only low 80's (if that) today and tomorrow.
Tropical Depression Katia is building in the far southeast Atlantic and headed west but forecasts right now are predicting it will swing north and then back east before encountering land. It's a week plus away but looking like it will soon be a hurricane and they really have no rules.
Hang on folks!!

Cool lovely (still shaky) Monday

The debris cleanup continues and hundreds of thousands in eastern Va. are without power but for late August we can't complain about the weather. The "taste of fall" August continues, cool, dry Canadian air has helped push Irene east and away and settled in and a reinforcing shot of cool will occur later today as another cold front approaches, with a slight chance of rain, and even cooler weather for late week. Enjoy! Is that setting us up for an early fall or a September heat wave?
Yes, the aftershocks continue, one at 2.5 according to the USGS last night at 11:15, and less than a mile from my house. But, there are still more, not recorded (or published). Shaky times!!!

Clear air, lots of debris

Irene continues to zoom up the east coast, now past NYC and dumping rain copiously on New England. The air in Va. smells of fresh cut foliage but it's from freshly ripped and torn foliage, shorn from the forest and strewn about, the mess after the storm. But, a lovely day greets cleanup crews. Much of eastern Va. is without power and is likely to remain power-free for some time. Amazingly, like after Tuesday's quake, injuries and loss of life seems to have been minimal. Preparedness does matter.
Aftershocks continue here but far fewer and and not quite as strong; still they startle and cause tension in my already nervous self.
Hang on out there and check of folks!!

Irene Arrives!! Aftershocks slow!

A mild, cloudy and increasingly breezy day here in the central piedmont, but today's story is south and east of here (right now). Now category 1, Hurricane Irene is making landfall just south and west of Hatteras and looks to slide right through Va. Beach today and rake the entire Eastern Seaboard with wind and rain. The wind is certainly up here and light rain has already made a first appearance this far west.
In more local news, AFTERSHOCKS continue here in Louisa and although far fewer than right after the quake still set off adrenaline burst into my system. Today will be a wild ride on this part of Earth.
Hang on!!!

Irene

An increasingly cloudy day and the first, far-flung band from Irene signal major change for the east coast. NC is already getting hammered with rain as well as southeast Va. Inland we will stay dry until morning but it's going to be a wet and wild, windy Saturday. Irene will dart up the coast; gone from Va. by early Sunday leaving a lovely cool, school-less week ahead. Hang on.
To the relief of all of us in Louisa, aftershocks have calmed today, but any rumble is leaving us all a little jumpy.

Shaky world

Central Virginia has turned into a very scary, shaky place since 1:51 Tuesday afternoon and perhaps even scarier, Irene careens toward us. Two lovely days of high pressure, cool mornings and warm afternoons with low humidity have ended and we have a warmish, humid day brewing with a good chance of afternoon T'storms as a cold front pushes the high off shore. That push will affect Irene but only Irene knows how and she's not talking unless you can read the wind, 120mph wind.
Aftershocks continue with a very unnerving 4.5 shake just after 1: 00 early this morning. Listen with your ears and bones for them to continue for weeks (only those of us right here are hearing and feeling all of them and while a few have made Richter notice we hear and feel them all -dozens of them).
Hang on Louisa, our shaky time in the spotlight is, sadly, long from over.

Lovely day for an earthquake!

Today turned out to be a lovely day to have to evacuate for an EARTHQUAKE!! Cool and dry, low 50's to start and barely into the 80's but a front Thursday will change that and perhaps push Hurricane Irene a little farther off shore instead of slamming the Carolinas and Virginia. But, after today's 5.8 quake centered right here in central Va. the hurricane has been put on a back burner for a day or two.
Aftershocks continue to rumble into the late evening.

Warm muggy Sunday

A loud, flashy cloudburst in the middle of the night drops 0.4" of rain quickly and leaves us with a muggy Sunday morning and a chance for more showers this afternoon and evening. Still, average temperatures for August and showers are sure better than 100+ degrees heat that we had last year.
Tropical Storm Irene jumped together yesterday and appears to be ready to rake the northern Caribbean before turning north and taking a shot at south Florida and perhaps the southeast. Keep an eye out, Irene is looking like it could be the first big bad storm of the season.

Average August Weather

The summer of 2011 is shaping up to be fairly close to average after a couple of cookin' hot years. We're not done but temps in the upper 80's and lows in the upper 60's (lower 60's out here in the forest lands) is average for this time of year.
The weekend will see temperatures a couple of degrees above that average with a better chance of showers Sunday than Saturday. The seasonal temps continue into next week.
If you're headed to the beaches of Va. & NC be prepared for SMOKE. The Great Dismal Swamp fire of '11 continues and with southerly winds the Tidewater area is in the RED air quality warning zone. It will be pretty nasty down there.

Amazing weather for mid-August

The cool nights and mid-80's days continue with a little change coming tomorrow but really more of the same expected for next week. A system will pass through the area tomorrow and Friday with an increased chance for rain but it should be a dry and seasonal weekend with temps approaching 90.
Enjoy it while it lasts.

Cool for Mid-August

A low sixties start and only into the 80's makes for a nice mid-August day. Low humidity adds a bonus to the comfort of today in central Va. One more cool dry day is coming before the next system arrives late Thursday bring a chance of showers but without the stifling heat.
Enjoy it while you can, it may not last.

Rain is gone, cool remains

The weekend storms and the big low and cold front that caused them is drifting off the east coast but the counterclockwise flow is bringing in clouds and cool air off the Atlantic. There may be some pop up storms today but things will clear and the week ahead will feel much nicer; highs in the 80's, lows in the 60's.
ENJOY!!!! It's still the middle of summer.

Smoky Saturday

Fires in the Dismal Swamp continue to burn and with wind changes much of Va. is in the smoke zone. Much of today's haze is cloud cover but the smoke is making it even thicker. Good news will be the rain on the way; showers tonight and more tomorrow with potential for severe weather Sunday. Pay attention, you are on Earth!! Rain will possible put out the fires, and we need the water (and air cleaning).

After the system passes we will settle into a slightly cooler pattern for the back to school week ahead.

4 storms in the Atlantic have varying potential to turn into hurricanes but with current strong westerlies winds are unlikely to make the US mainland. We are deep in the heart of Hurricane Season and it is always when, not if, one will affect us.

Hot Days/Cool Nights

The first of the August cool waves has entered Va. and given us a brief chance to open windows at night and let some cool air in. A powerful storm system is headed our way for tomorrow with the storms arriving by late afternoon and Sunday looking fairly wet and stormy.
The school year will start on a coolish and dry note. Low sixties in the morning, mid-80 days. Pretty nice for August.

Last hot day!!

Today will get warm again and then a (dry) cold front will slide through the mid-Atlantic and bring much cooler and drier air into Va. for Thursday and Friday. Another front late on Saturday will bring a pretty good chance for rain that evening and then more cool air with the school year starting off on a mid-August cool note.
Turn off those AC's tonight and let the cool night air in!!

Dry times continue

There was rain on southside Va. this weekend but none in the north central part and things remain parched here. Slightly cooler, drier air has moved in but August will continue with the heat that July left behind. Tropical storm/depression Don was a bust for Texas, staying south and just dissipating into dry air inland into Mexico. Unnamed, but likely to be soon, what will be Emily is getting itself together out in the south Atlantic. Hurricane season is about to crank up. You have to be careful what you wish for but we could use a good dose of tropical moisture...
Stay cool!

HOT!!!

Today is shaping up as the hottest day of the week, it's already 95 in the shade, in the woods and it's only 12:15. Humidity is low but hot is still hot and today's word is simply: HOT! Lots of water and stay in the AC if you can. There is coolness coming with a front tomorrow (and a chance of much needed showers) but be careful today. HOT!! It's HOT!!

Heat building back!

After a couple of hot and dry days the humidity will build back in with the heat as a big high pressure ridge over Tenn./Kent. continues to ooze eastward. Mid 90's today and over 100 tomorrow in eastern Va. We will probably stay in the upper nineties here in the forest. T'storms will begin to pop up Saturday and the chances will increase Sunday. July is going out like July does, hot.
Tropical depression Don is building in the southern Gulf of Mexico and is expected to bring much needed relief to south Texas by the weekend. It may reach Cat. 1 hurricane status by landfall.

Hot but dry

Today brings another hot July day but with low humidity, always a welcomed relief in Central Va. The cold front that brought in the dry air is down in the Carolinas but of course there is change coming and that means back to heat AND humidity. Triple digits will return for the weekend and another chance of showers Sunday through next Tuesday.
No chance of forgetting it's SUMMERTIME!!!!

Scary Heat

Stay inside if you can and live on the east coast; it's scary out there, killing heat. Stepping outside is like walking into the mouth of a foul-breathed monster , you just want to be back in conditioned air as quick as possible. It was above 96 here in the shade in the forest yesterday and will probably be hotter today. A chance of showers comes into the forecast tomorrow but it's slight and they'll be spotty but the heat will fade slightly after two more brutal days.
Hang on and stay cool.
And, HAPPY 89TH BIRTHDAY TO MY MOM, OPHELIA ANN SMITH HOLLADAY!!!

Nasty Heat!!

Va. has finally and fully been included in the nasty heat wave that engulfs much of the US. Heat indexes will be well above 100 again and it's almost dangerous to be outside for long. Caution is urged and fluids must be consumed (water, obviously the best). But, get used to it, it's only mid-July and this pattern seems to be locking in (?welcome to the new hotter Earth???).

The Muggys are back

Heat and Humidity, that summertime couple, settle into Va. today with high heat indexes and a general yucky-ness to just breathing when you step outside. And, while some showers may cool things briefly if they fall on you today, that will be short lived and just reinforce the humidity. July is getting serious now and lots of fluids and time in the AC is suggested. It's 94 at LCHS with a heat index of 102 at 12:30. My guess is both of those numbers will go higher.
Slow and steady with lots of breaks!!

Heat returns!

The heat of July is back, although not as hot as it's going to be for this week. A weak front will approach and dissolve over the area tomorrow bringing a slight chance for storms before the real hot air gets here Friday and Saturday.
Think cool thoughts!!

Last of the coolness

Sunday starts cool and hazy but this might be the last day for awhile that windows can be left open at night with the AC's turned off. The cool flow is changing and Va. will begin to feel the heat that has plagued the southern plains for the last week. Enjoy today, 90's are coming back with a shot at 100 degrees by Friday.

Coolness Returns

Last night's storms ahead of a cold front sweep in cool air to Va. with low humidity and bring relief from the heat. It is gorgeous today! Get outside and enjoy it. Low 80's today with temps into the 50's tonight (yes, 50's for the ides of July). The cool dryness will linger through the weekend as high pressure to the north takes control.

Waaay Hot

Richmond sets record for highest low temperature ever recorded (in 114 years) at 81 degrees, first time it hasn't gotten below 80.  July 12 is also the only day in July without a 100+ temp.
One more cooking day on Wednesday and then relief.

HOT, HOT, HOT

Summer is in full swing in central Va. with temps expected into the 90's (we'll see if it makes it here in the woods - it only hit 88 yesterday) today. It's already 81 at 10:15 with haze and humidity so thinking cool thoughts may not be all that's needed to stay cool today. A cool front approaches tomorrow with temps only in the 80's for week's end. That front will bring with it a chance of showers.
Stay cool!!

Nice Saturday!!

After a hot, muggy, and then stormy Friday, the cold front clears the area and the air and leaves Va. with a cool, drier day for July 9. With all the moisture dumped on the state recently we'll have some cumulus clouds build today but the rain chances should be slim. Sunday will see the heat begin to build back into the low 90's with an even hotter Monday; it is mid July so heat's to be expected.
Get out and enjoy today!!

Sultry in Va.

After several days with wild storms scattered all over VA and NC (most missing Louisa) it's just July heat today; still a chance of storms but less so than yesterday. Humidity will be in the mix after all the moisture that's been added to this part of the planet lately.
Think cool!!

Hot and Sultry

July is here: big storms, heat and humidity. The storm chance drops today after the last two wild days but with the moisture that's fallen recently and the heat that will build today there is always a chance of a late afternoon shower.
Stay cool and listen for the thunder rumble!

A cool start to July

It's hard to complain about July starting off with a low of 61 and dry air; but enjoy it today because the big High that's bringing the cool dry air will slide south and east today and tomorrow will feel the like south in the summer, hot and humid.
The season's first tropical storm, Arlene, has formed in the Gulf of Campeche and headed into Mexico bringing way more rain than anyone needs at one time. Hang on down there!!
Get out and enjoy today in Va.

Cool and Dry June Goodbye

A lovely way to end June; low temps, low humidity and clear blue skies. Get out and enjoy this one, there won't be many of this days come July.

Humidity's gone!

A lovely summer day is brewing in central Va. A cold front's passage brought in dry air and while it's going to be warm today it will be pleasant without the mugginess. Get out and enjoy the next few days, the heat will be back for the weekend.

The TOE is back!

After a long break, Mr. H's TOE makes a summer appearance! Today feels like summer in VA: Hot and Humid, the Va. standards with the obligatory chance of T'storms. A cold front heads our way tonight bringing humidity relief for a couple of days before the humid southern air returns for the independence day weekend. But, it's summer, it's supposed to be hot: enjoy!

Hot Easter

Sunshine and haze with quickly warming temperatures gets Easter Sunday started. Temperatures should be well into the 80's today with the usual slight chance of a T-storm. The pollen is flying, the dogwoods still blooming and today will be a taste of summer still almost two months away. The heat will continue into the early week.
Stay cool!

Changin' Saturday

After a wet and chilly Earth Day in central Va. Saturday continues that trend with lots of clouds and a look of more rain. Only a 1/4" fell here yesterday and while it looks like more might be coming Saturday is poised to do an abrupt turn around as the warm front moves through and the hot southern air rolls in. An afternoon in the 70's is predicted today with Easter Sunday jumping into the mid-80's with parts of south side Va. in the low 90's.
The quick changes of spring; get out and enjoy.

Cool EarthDay

Earth Day kicks off with a brief morning shower, and a little sun but clouds and cool temps will rule today with afternoon and evening rain coming for central Va. Temperatures are not expected to reach 60. Sounds like a good day to help Earth (and the inhabitants) by planting some trees.
Enjoy your planet and remember; it's why we are here!!

A lovely Thursday

A sunny, cooler Thursday feels pleasant after the heat of yesterday. No T-storms in Va. yesterday as the moisture to fuel them stayed to our north. Another chance looms tomorrow afternoon on what looks to be a cool Friday.
The forest continues to green as leaves get closer to full grown and the pollen continues to fly; if you want to live on Earth getting out and breathing a little in teaches your body to deal with it. A little rain to wash some away would be nice.

Hot Wednesday

A sunny and warm start and it's only going to keep getting warmer today; into the mid 80's. That warm southwest air will be swept out later today as a t-storm bearing cold front approaches and brings us a cooler tomorrow and late week.
Pay attention out there, Earth will be in charge in central Va. today!!!

Rapid Greening Tuesday

The mallow green of spring's new leaves has taken over in Central Virginia on a warmish, hazy Tuesday. The contrast of the white Dogwood blossoms and the strengthening green of the forest grows daily and is both lovely and a hinderance to the long views of the winter forest. The south wind brings in warm air that will feel more like summer as today goes on and will make for a oven like Wednesday. It won't last long as a cold front's passage will cool things back down for weeks end.
Spring: a new adventure everyday!
Enjoy!

Hazy Monday

A sunny, spring Sunday gives way to a hazy Monday morning. Mild temps seem to be in store for the week. The dogwoods are peaking here in Va. with the woods dotted with their white blossoms.
Get out and check out your world.

Return of the Toe: Wild Saturday

A wet start to our spring (easter) break as a big storm systems rolls on leaving destruction and snow in it's wake. Rain started earlier than predicted and continues in fits and starts as the day slides past noon. Big storms are likely headed out way.
Pay attention, Earth is still in charge.

One more warm and stormy day

The TOE returns on another mild early spring day with T'storms looming for much of Va. The temp was slow to rise but finally made the low 60's without the help of much sun. The front that slid south last night oozed back north and put us back in the warm air by afternoon but the big low and related cold front was headed our way to chill things back down for week's end and weekend and even into next week. Winter mix next Tuesday will usher March out like a lion.
Earth has not given up on winter.

March 16

A foggy start but the sun finally burns the low clouds away but not the higher ones. A cool late winter day but spring like days are ahead (and then summer-like).

Fat Tuesday!!

An upper 20's start and a low 50's finish is right about where we should be for early March. Lots of sun today but clouds will return tomorrow and lots more moisture will arrive late tomorrow and linger for most of Thursday.
That storm is making for a wet Mardi Gras in the Big Easy.

Rain, rain, rain

A rainy Sunday settles in with temperatures in the mid-50's and waves of moisture headed our way. Half an inch or so has fallen in central Va. with the heaviest band yet to come.
Rain gear is needed for today but it's a quick mover and should be gone by late tonight.
This will help as we try to catch up from last year's moisture deficit and the small one already building this year. More may arrive Thursday.

Roller Coaster Week

The blog returns after a wild weather week typical for the Feb/March boundary. A wild storm line Monday, cool clear Tuesday, mid 60's Wednesday, mid 40's Thursday and Friday brings clouds and sun and 50's with Saturday setting up for a wet Sunday by warming quickly.
Southwest breezes and haze make warn of a change to come. Raincoats for Sunday (or be good with an umbrella).

A mild, hazy Sunday

We don't get near freezing last night and the temperatures climbs quickly into the 50's with a little SE breeze. As February winds down, hints of spring to come are pointing to March coming in like a lamb. And, no winter weather in a forecast; actually, chances of thunderstorms tomorrow.
Hang onto your hat.
If you see the lightning, it's 5 seconds per mile till the thunder rumbles. If you hear it, you're probably too close, get inside!!

Semi-sunny Saturday

Mid 20's overnight after yesterday's big rain and wind that wasn't really that big finds a cloudy start and a morning of filtered, not so warm, but ok for February, sun.

Wild Friday

A wild, windy, wet Friday finds Louisa lingering on the cold side of the warm front early but it clears and warms by late morning. Another round of heavy rain is due this afternoon and then the wind will crank it up and move light weight lawn furniture all over the yards of central Va.
Hold onto your hats.

Sunny & cold Wednesday

It feels cold and no jets trails today. The sun is heating pretty good. The sun warms us but the wind cools us. Jackson

Warm start, cold finish

Upper 40's with high clouds early but the cold front sweeps the warm air out and it's back to February by mid-afternoon with a cold wind and thickening clouds.
Pretty typical for the first day of spring sports.
Upper 30's and the rain starts about 11pm.
Little snow by morning?????
There will be weather!!!!!!!

Calmer Sunday

The wild and crazy winds of Saturday begin to subside into the wee hours of Sunday and the temp continues to drop. A clear night with a bright waning moon lights things up outside.
Feeling like February again.

Breezy Saturday

The reality of the cool side of the cold front arrives on Saturday with wild wind. Yesterday's hazy warmth has been replaced with the reality of "we are still in February". Although today's temperatures headed into the low 60's are well above average the wind at 20+ mph average all day will not allow it to feel warm. Already a gust of 35 at LCHS and a dew point of 3, pushing the humidity down to 12% is going to make this a dangerous day for fires.
The sun feel nice through the glass here at the tirehouse but that wind...looks wild out there.
Hang onto your hat and NO FIRES!!!!

Thursday's Weather

Today was about 10 degrees warmer then yesterday, it was also less depressing: so that's always a plus. :) There was SUN!!! The wind was barely a light breeze, although it added a little bit of a chill to the air. Since the jet-streams were expanded that means there was a little moisture in the air. The clouds were thin and waaaay up in the Troposphere so that obviously means they were Cirrus clouds. Oh, before I forget, there is a full moon tomorrow night so be sure to check it out. :)
-Olivia

Wednesday

Cold air was on the ground this morning. As the day went on the temperture raised a little. The wind was kinda heavy. It was blowing towards the southwest and up in the sky cirrostratus clouds were happening because of jet streams.   Hunter

Today as soon as you step outside it hits you that it's really cold and the wind is even colder and it's kinda gloomy without the sun and very cloudy; these clouds are called cirrostratus.    Chris

Today was about 38 degrees, but the nippy wind made it feel about 10 degrees colder. It is still dry & no rain in the forecast. Today was a gloomy foggy day. The light gray, airy, cirrostratus clouds covered the sky; cross your fingers for warmth and rain.    Olivia

Cool Tuesday

The wild wind is gone but after the dry cold front slides through yesterday our temperature drops into the upper 20's overnight and only into the upper 40's on this sunny day.
We jump 10 degrees every day for the next three days until hitting the mid-70's by Friday. The air remains bone dry.
Enjoy the increasing warmth.

A lovely Valentine's Day

A night above freezing and breezy day in the mid-60's with no clouds makes for a lovely mid-February day.
One of few this winter. The trend will continue all week with a dry cold front passing thru overnight and a little cool down Tuesday and Wednesday.
By Friday we should be in the 70's, the highest temps so far in 2011 here in central Va.

Semi-sunny Sunday

A mild (for February) overnight and a cloudy, breezy morning with temperatures quickly climbing into the 40's. Looks like we are headed for a warmish, dry stretch of weather, quite a change from the cold pattern we've been in. A needed break and hint of spring not too far away.
The moon was actually right above Aldebaran, the eye of Taurus, last night but as it continues it's trip around the earth it will be more directly above Orion tonight.
But, you have to go out and look around to see it. Check it out.

Nice Saturday!!

A cold start and some morning clouds but then a day of sunshine and wild air, the wind calming by afternoon.
A waxing moon sits high in the south at dusk above Orion and the other brilliant stars of winter.  Jupiter in the southwest mirrors Sirius in the southeast, both bright, one twinkling the other shining steady.
It's cold out there but worth a peek.

Cold start, nice day

A 10 degree, dry start that turns into a lovely warm day quickly. A quarter moon flies high in the chilling evening sky on a day with no clouds.  Another cold evening before an above average temp weekend awaits.
Get out and enjoy.

Snow Day!!

The 8th snow day of the school year: a little wave of moisture slides through above the main bulk of another southern storm and coats our world in a thin layer of white.
By mid-morning the sun is bright and the thin white layer begins to disappear. A warming trend is just beginning that will bring temps into the 60's this weekend and possibly 70 this time next week.
It's your planet get out and see it!

Snow? How much?

The question for this cloudy, cold day was, "what about the snow"? Seems like we might get a little dusting but nothing like the southern plains where they got 2+ feet.
As I post this the ground is white but it's not enough to really measure, yet.
We'll see.

Cold

Clouds are gone and cold air is here. VERY light snow may make an appearance tomorrow night.
A little sun will give way to the clouds ahead of the storm and 40 degrees will be tough to reach on the 9th.

Sunny, blustery Tuesday

More and more daylight as we creep closer to spring makes for a bright Tuesday morning. Venus still shines brightly in the pre-dawn sky but has settled lower as it pulls away from Earth.
Tuesday will be remain mostly sunny here in Va. but much colder than yesterday and with a breeze out of the northwest will feel even colder than the 40 degrees temperature reads.
Hang onto your hats.

Sun Clouds Rain

That describes today in central Va. Sun early with clouds thickening in the afternoon and rain/sleet on the way for tonight and tomorrow morning.
But it was only in the mid-20's overnite and got very close to 50 today. Daylight hours are gettin' longer.
Raincoat in the morning!!!!

Sunshine!!

At last the sun returns to Va. and it warms into the 50's. A lovely day.
Hope you got out and enjoyed it.

Cold Saturday

Clouds it is on Saturday! And, a little rain overnite with misty drizzle most of the day. The temperature has begrudgingly climbed into the low 40's but doesn't seem inclined to be going up much higher. There are rumors of sun tomorrow for Super Bowl Sunday.
The bulk of the storm seemed to miss us to the south but there is more winter left to go. Enjoy it while you can.

Friday!!!!!!

Winter continues; cold, cloudy start with evening rain coming for Va. Snow in south Texas and the northeast continues to dig out as the winter of 10-11 rolls on. Here at Louisa Co. H.S. were are working our first 5 day week in 2 months and we're all exhausted.

A wild day yesterday: snow and ice and frigid temps to our north, cold start here with overnight rain, mid 60's by afternoon and back into the 20's last night.
Today dawns in the upper 20's with clouds and is likely to not make 40. No shadow for the groundhog so an early spring; my guess is, "NOT!!"

Today in central Va.

A chilly (20 degrees) start that takes awhile to warm with morning clouds and the lingering snow but actually gets close to warm. Just close, not really warm. Afternoon sun and clearing skies help the temp get into the mid 40's. It will be chilly tonight, though.
No quakes here in Va. but I'm betting things were shakin' elsewhere.