May was 1.3 deg F below normal for temperature. The high for the month was 87.7 F, recorded on May 21. The low for the month was 32.4 deg F, recorded on May 13. There were 0 days at or below 32 F. There were 297 heating degree days and 74 cooling degree days.
May was an above normal month for precipitation with 3.67 inches of rainfall recorded, which was 0.44 inches above normal. The maximum rainfall in a single day was 1.15 inches recorded on May 9. There were 10 days of rain >.01 in, 9 >.10 in and 1 > 1 in.
The high wind speed for the month was 33 mph on May 26.
April was 1.7 F below normal for temperature. The high for the month was 83.2 F, recorded on April 24. The low for the month was 26.8 F, recorded on April 11. There were 7 days at or below 32 F. There were 535 heating degree days and 14 cooling degrees days.
April was a below-normal month for precipitation with 2.84 inches of rainfall recorded, which was 0.67 inches below normal. The maximum rainfall in a single day was 0.65 inches recorded on April 7. There were 14 days of rain >.01 in, 6 >.10 in and 0 > 1 in.
The Western PA (WPA) Section Spring Simulated Emergency Test (SET) was held this morning from 9 AM until 12:30 PM EDT (1300-1630 UTC). I was an active participant serving as an official relay station.
The purpose of the SET was to find out the strengths and weaknesses in providing emergency communications. It also provided a public demonstration of the value to the public that amateur radio provides, particularly in time of need. It also helped radio amateurs to gain experience in communications using standard procedures and a variety of modes under simulated emergency conditions.
The emergency test scenario was as follows: freezing rain and dense fog made for hazardous road conditions. A train hit a tractor trader containing hazardous materials of unknown composition and several rail cars derailed. Local utilities were affected and power lines were arcing in the area. People are also experiencing eye and throat irritation. National Weather Service Skywarn and American Red Cross were activated.
The amateur radio propagation today was generally poor. However, radio messages were successfully handled. I was asked to monitor the 60-meter band but there was nothing but noise. I regularly checked into the WinLink digital stations WIAW and W6IDS. The latter had a significantly better signal on the 40-meter band. I also checked in with a local 2-meter station to pass messages (traffic), and into a voice net on the 75-meter band.
At end of the exercise, I had originated one message, sent 3, received 2, and delivered 1 for a total of 7 messages handled.
March was 4.1 deg F above normal for temperature. The high for the month was 71.5 deg. F, recorded on March 18. The low for the month was 12.5 deg F, recorded on March 4. There were 2 days where the maximum temperature was at or below 32 F, and there were 16 days where the minimum temperature was at or below 32 F. There were 741 heating degree days and 3 cooling degree days.
March was a near-normal month for precipitation with 3.25 inches of rainfall recorded, which was 0.13 inches below normal. The maximum rainfall in a single day was 1.25 inches recorded on March 31. There were 13 days of rain >.01 in, 9 >.10 in and 1 > 1 in. There was also 11.1 inches of snow. There was pea-sized hail observed during a severe thunderstorm on March 31.
We have five dogs now. I brought home our latest addition to the pack in December.
Toby
This is Toby, our male Scottish Terrier, and he is 6-years-old. He’s a bit of a kleptomaniac since he likes to steal shoes, gloves, etc. just to be chased. His other pastime is barking at rabbits. He loves belly rubs, but his dislikes are thunder, fireworks, and going to the vet.
Tillie
This is Tillie, a female Scottish Terrier, and Toby’s sister, who is also 6-years-old. She is the spokesdog of the pack. Tillie will remind us when it’s mealtime, when to put on their lighted collars, and when the other dogs are getting in trouble. She also serves as my alarm clock in the morning. One of her pastimes is chasing rabbits. Toby and Tillie’s Gotcha Day was October 13, 2015.
Trixie
This is Trixie, our female 5-year-old West Highland Terrier. She likes to play tug-of-war. She also likes playing with our older Scotties. She has the best wigglebutt around and is quite happy most of the time. Right now, she is dealing with being the middle child. Her Gotcha Day was March 3, 2017.
Tripper
Tripper is now 3 and a half years old and he has grown up a great deal. He is larger and heavier than his sister, Trixie, but he is still a puppy at heart. He is not a morning dog and is a bit grumpy when he gets up. Even so, his mood remains mercurial but less so as time passes. His gotcha day was August 17, 2018.
Trisha
Our newest member of the pack is Trisha, a female Scottish Terrier. She was rescued from a puppy mill in Ohio, and her gotcha day was December 16, 2021. Her age was not known until we discovered that she already had an ID chip. The chip was scanned and we found out her birthdate is 12/21/2018. She plays with every toy she encounters, especially if they squeak. She is still a bit shy around strangers but is slowly coming out of her shell. Otherwise, she is mischievous, playful, and very active.
February was 1.7 deg F above normal for temperature. The high for the month was 61.8 deg. F, recorded on February 21. The low for the month was 5.7 deg F, recorded on February 15. There were 6 days when the maximum was at or below 32 F and 25 days when the minimum temperature was at or below 32 F. There were 958 heating degree days and 0 cooling degree days.
February was an above-normal month for precipitation with 4.34 inches of rainfall recorded, which was 1.88 inches above normal. The maximum rainfall in a single day was 1.63 inches recorded on February 3. There were 13 days of rain >.01 in, 8 >.10 in and 2 > 1 in.
There were 3.4 inches of snow for the month, with a maximum daily total of 1.7 inches on February 25. The 3-day total recorded on February 1-3 was 14.9 inches.
The most significant event this month was the snow squall that passed through our area on February 20. There were whiteout conditions for a brief time.
January was 3.8 deg F below normal for temperature. The high for the month was 53.8 deg. F, recorded on January 1. The low for the month was -6.1 deg F, recorded on January 27. There were 18 days when the maximum was at or below 32 F, 30 days when the minimum temperature was at or below 32 F, and 2 days when the minimum temperature was at or below 0 F. There were 1261 heating degree days and 0 cooling degree days.
January was a below-normal month for precipitation with 1.29 inches of liquid precipitation recorded, which was 1.82 inches below normal. The maximum liquid precipitation in a single day was 0.37 inches recorded on January 1. There were 9 days of rain >.01 in, 4 >.10 in and 0 > 1 in.
There were 13.8 inches of snow for the month, with a maximum daily total of 5.1 inches on January 16.
December was 6.9 deg F above normal for temperature. The high for the month was 65.9 deg. F, recorded on December 16. The low for the month was 15.8 deg F, recorded on December 20. There were 17 days when the minimum temperature was at or below 32 F and 0 days when the maximum temperature was at or below 32 F. There were 816 heating degree days and 0 cooling degree days.
December was a below-normal month for precipitation with 2.69 inches of rainfall recorded, which was 0.44 inches below normal. The maximum rainfall in a single day was 1.05 inches recorded on December 28. There were 12 days of rain >.01 in, 7 >.10 in and 1 > 1 in.
Stormstown Dispatch 