July was 0.8 deg F above normal for temperature. The high for the month was 91.2 deg. F recorded on July 23. The low for the month was 50.0 deg F, recorded on July 4. There were 3 days at or above 90 deg F. There were 27 heating degree days and 275 cooling degree days.
July was a below-normal month for precipitation with 2.02 inches of rainfall recorded, which was 1.77 inches below normal. The maximum rainfall in a single day was 0.46 inches recorded on July 7. There were 8 days of rain >.01 in, 6 >.10 in, and 0 >1 in.
This article appeared in the July/August edition of Weatherwise (Vol 75, No 4, p 6)
The ongoing helium shortage has been worsened by the Russian Invasion of Ukraine, and the result could be challenging for weather forecasters, according to an investigation by KXAN-Austin, an NBC affiliate in Texas. The helium shortage, which began several years ago, is the result of multiple factors, including decreased production and increased demand. While the United States is a primary supplier of helium worldwide, Russia is also a large supplier, and the war in Ukraine has resulted in greater demand for U.S. helium.
This presents a problem for NWS forecasters who rely on helium to launch balloons twice daily in across the country to gauge weather conditions in the upper atmosphere. Several NWS sites in Albany, New York; New York City; Tallahassee, Florida; Greensboro, North Carolina; and Charleston, South Carolina, have reported having to reduce the number of balloon launches from twice daily to once daily.
However, the NWS says fewer balloon launches won’t have a major impact on local forecasts because radars and other sensors will be able to fill the majority of the data gaps.
The NWS is planning to find ways to reduce their reliance on helium in the coming years as a result of the shortage.
June was 0.1 deg F above normal for temperature. The high for the month was 93 deg. F recorded on June 22. The low for the month was 47 deg F, recorded on June 5. There were 74 heating degree days and 171 cooling degree days.
June was a below normal month for precipitation with 3.40 inches of rainfall recorded, which was 0.69 inches below normal. The maximum rainfall in a single day was 1.13 inches recorded on June 22. There were 12 days of rain >.01 in, 7 >.10 in and 1 >1 in.
Field Day has come and gone and I feel like I have had my best Field Day ever.
I made 80 unverified FT8 digital contacts with stations around The United States and Canada. Each of those contacts counts for 2 points for a total of 160 points. A 2x power multiplier makes that 320 points. I sent 59 and received 48 NTS formatted messages. Ten of those messages originated at my station and counted 10 points each. I also sent one to The Western Pennsylvania Section Manager which counted for 100 points during The Western Pennsylvania Phone Traffic Net. There are also 100 bonus points for submitting this post.
I have submitted my entry with a possible score of 670 points, which will be added to the results for my local radio club, The Nittany Amateur Radio Club.
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.
Stormstown Dispatch 