Tuesday, January 24, 2012

The Sun Returns

After a gloomy, icy, misty 4 days the sun returns to central Va. and brings warm temps with it. The storms that trashed parts of Alabama is rather benign by the time it arrives here and now it's gone. Cloud free skies and a southern wind will make it a lovely Tuesday. There is another lull in aftershock action and a fingernail thin crescent moon will be in the west tonight below bright Venus 9 (they will be close Wednesday and Thursday and the near quarter moon will be right and left of Jupiter next Sunday and Monday).
It's a warm January day, get out and enjoy!

Thursday, January 19, 2012

Shaky, Rollar Coaster January

The weather is warm, it's cold, it's really warm, it's really cold and it's mostly dry; that will sum up January so far in Central Va. A pattern change in this La Nina winter is bringing more snow to the ski areas (and everyone else) in the western US but only little shots of moisture here in the east. Be patient, there is always change. Today is sunny but cold, hints of frozen or freezing moisture are in the near forecast but for the most part, the weather will be a little above average for temperatures.
The Central Va. Equake Zone rumbled back to our notice yesterday with two 2.5 quakes (8:08am and 4:??pm) and a 2.0 after 11am. All 3 in different spots but all 3 in locations of other aftershocks since the big rockin' on Aug 23. It's almost 5 months since the big shake and, as predicted, the shakes continue. They are less frequent but that just makes them all the more nerve racking.
Earth is just doing what is does, enjoy your ride.
CONGRATS TO ALL EARTH SCIENCE STUDENTS FOR A GREAT JOB ON YESTERDAY'S TESTS!!!!!

Tuesday, January 10, 2012

Snow Monday, Sun Tuesday, Rain Wednesday

After a nearly 70 degree Saturday and then a much cooler Sunday, Monday arrives and clouds and light snow, rain and sleet take over. A 1/2 inch dusting on cool surfaces is a bit of a surprise and generates lots of talk at the high school as they leave for the day with huge flakes tumbling down and the football field white.
A foggy Tuesday morn quickly gives way to a sunny, cloudless late morning that warms fairly quickly. Clouds will return later today with about a 100% chance of rain tomorrow (maybe a little snow/sleet early am) and then a clearing end of week with a chilly weekend. Ahhh, Va. in January, you get a little bit of everything.
Here in the Earthquake zone the aftershocks have returned after an almost two week break. Late Friday night, Sunday morning, and another this morning at 8:09. They don't call it an earthquake zone for nothing...
Hang on, a shaky winter continues.