If you didn’t heard much about Hurricane Kyle, it is probably because it was only scheduled to hit the State of Maine over the weekend. To say that hurricanes and Maine are a rare occurrence is an understatement. Since records have been kept, the only true hurricanes to hit Maine have been:

New England Hurricane of 1938

Atlantic Hurricane of 1944
Carol in 1954

Edna in 1954

Donna in 1960

Gloria in 1985

Bob in 1991

The first four were before my time and I don’t recall Donna. I was in Toronto, Canada promoting the Farmers’ Almanac during both Gloria and Bob.Then, this weekend, the media hyped a Hurricane Kyle strike and broke into programming for updates. The end result, Kyle went out to sea and hit the Maritimes in Canada.

In the South, people wisely evacuate when a storm approaches. Friends on the Coast told me it was crowded with people hoping to see the waves on the rockbound coast. As it ended, it was just a rainy weekend with little or no wind. Since the Farmers’ Almanac only called for rain, it was just fine by me.

by pgeiger
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The Great Debate - no not the one tonight between McCain and Obama but the debate that is raging across the country between  the two most formidable signs of winter weather. One side is the persimmon seed. Legend is that you cut open a persimmon and if the seed is in the shape of a spoon it indicates lost of heavy snow. A knife shape means bitter cold and fork shape indicates a lighter snow/ mild winter.

The lowly woollybear caterpillar just crawls along doing his or her thing. If it has a large band of orange color, the indication is that it will be a mild winter. If it is mostly black, then it will be a rough winter.

So, what are the candidate saying about winter. So far the persimmon seeds are all about snow. I have had 30 reports from 13 states and over 100 seeds. 98% are spoons (snow) and 2% are a knife (bitter cold). These reports come from New England through Texas. On the other hand, the caterpillar is being extreme. Nine people are seeing either an all orange or all black caterpillar. We have had 5 orange (mild) sightings and 5 black (rough winter) reports. It is still early and I may make up a special weather map based on the signs being reported.

Let the great debate continue….. 

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McCain, Obama, Great Debate, Persimmon Seeds, Woolybear Caterpillars

by pgeiger
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Our reputation as a “Brides Best Friends” remains intact!!  Last year we ran a contest concerning the worst wedding weather based upon the first wedding I ever attended during which it rained. I learned that it can be rather nasty when it is wet. But I also know that if the weather is bad, everyone remembers the day.

I have a good friend who teaches in a local school. In order for her daughter to plan for her big wedding, I provided a copy of the 2008 Farmers’ Almanac last fall. So, here is the rest of the story…

Hi Peter! Just wanted to thank you for giving us the Farmers’ Almanac! My daughter, Heather, got married this past weekend and the weather was fabulous. She picked her day by going through the Farmers’ Almanac. She actually wanted this coming weekend, but after seeing the forecast, changed her date. So, hip hooray for the Farmers’ Almanac!!!!, Sincerely, Kathi. 

Some of the weather experts say that one can’t predict more than 3 days out. But, to put it into perspective, last weekend was the most beautiful fall day. No clouds, bright sunshine, dark blue skies and comfortable temps. This coming weekend with be the combination of a couple tropical storms that will result in  heavy rain and winds.

So, if you are a bride to be and are planning your day, check out the 2009 edition. You can also go to www.farmersalmanac.com and download three months of future weather.

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Wedding Weather, Brides, Long Range Weather

by pgeiger
1 Comment »

NASA plans to hold a press conference today, concerning recent activity (or lack of activity) on the Sun.  By now, increasing numbers of sunspots should have begun appearing on the Sun . . . since the peak of the next solar cycle will be occurring less than four years from now.

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NASA, Sunspots, The Sun, Global Cooling?

by pgeiger
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When you watch the Weather Channel, there is always some bad weather somewhere. But, when a storms strikes close to home, it causes incredible stress. But, it is also an opportunity to bond with neighbors. When the Ice Storm of ‘98 stuck Maine, people lost power from 4 - 14 days during some of the year’s coldest weather. But, neighbors took generators and went door to door to raise the temperature in a house above freezing. Wood was carted around and batteries became a commodity that people shared with one another.

Hurricane Ike was a major event. For, those who watched it on television, we saw the reporters being blown in different directions. After it ended,  clear skies and billions of dollars in damage.  Just heard from a friend who lives in Houston. His comment….Our power just came on (6:21PM) Monday, after 10 days. We’re OK….NOW! 

Ten days without power is more than an adventure. It is my hope , like we did in Maine 10 years ago, that the ability of neighbors helping neighbors is one of the positives from Ike.  If you were impacted by Ike, I’d love to hear about how you survived and what has happened in your neighborhood (community) as a result.

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Hurricane Ike, Loss of Electricity, Neighbors

by pgeiger
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Autumn arrives on schedule today at 11:44am (Eastern Time). While fall is magnificent in the northern states, we are just one season away from what could be a numbingly cold winter….. and lots of snow.  There has been many comments on our blogs about what the signs of winter are saying. Whether it is birds, caterpillars, persimmon seeds or other favorite indicators, we are getting an earful.

Here are just a few observations:   * Here in Penn’s woods (PA) the changes are quite obvious. The Eastern Blue Jays have migrated. I have not seen any Blue Jays since July! Also, there has been quite a showing of aggressive wild turkey which doesn’t normally happen till the weather turns cool. As for a harsh winter, I am afraid it’s coming, but I don’t expect too much in precipitation. The continued dry air, in the Susquehanna Valley area, hasn’t changed for the past three years.

While golfing yesterday afternoon, I saw a completely orange wooly bear. I’ve never seen that before. The caterpillar was heading south if that means anything - Actually, complete orange means a hot summer and he should turn around and stay in the north. (actually, all orange means mild, so this guy is heading in the wrong direction)

  * Found five spoons in Mitchell, In. , Snow days ahead from work and school

  * Found spoons in Florence, Mississippi too. Wow, can’t wait to make a snowman this year!

  * I saw an all black caterpillar for the first time. I live near Erie, PA. I’m assuming we are in for a long hard winter.

  * Cut open three seeds from local trees. Found 2 spoons and a knife. Better go cut firewood. (Arkansas)

  * I found 4 spoons and 1 knife. Bring in the firewood and hunker down. (Georgia)

So, the seeds are primarily spoons (lots of snow). The caterpillar is a split decision although he will vary depending upon the location. I’ll be following the Woolley bear festival in Ohio in October. If you have observations you’d like to share, go to my blog at www.farmersalmanac.com and tell us about them.  I recently listed the 20 Signs of a Hard Winter. Tell us what you are seeing. 

While you are on our site, watch the video on why leaves change color. And, then click on the best viewing locations and dates. You don’t want to miss Mother nature at her very best! 

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Fall Foliage, Woollybear Caterpillars, Persimmon Seeds, Birds Flying South, Autumn

by pgeiger
1 Comment »

One of the most exciting aspects of the Farmers’ Almanac during recent years is the ongoing development of Farmers’ Almanac Television. The book has been in existence since 1818, but in the last three years Farmers’ Almanac –the TV show–has come to life on local public television stations (90% of US homes).
 
A third season has been produced and will find its way into your home this winter. Sandi and I had an enriching visit with the TV folks last week and are encouraged with the way topics only found in the Farmers’ Almanac are now expanded on TV. The quality of each show is what makes Farmers’ Almanac TV such excellent programming – the show makes television once again good to watch.

If you have never seen Farmers’ Almanac TV, check your local TV Guide, or go to our home page, and enter your zip code for time and station. And, if you have missed programs, there are hundreds of short videos from some of the shows you can views right here online. (Go to the video and TV link (http://www.farmersalmanac.com/video/) and you’ll be able to watch an array of fabulous video (entertaining and educating) on everything from fall foliage to weather lore to recipes.
 
Tell us what you think of the show and of the Almanac. We are always looking for ways to add to our Farmers’ Almanac content. Leave me a note here or feel free to email me direct at pgegier@farmersalmanac.com
 

by pgeiger
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In the 2009 Farmers’ Almanac we have included a couple new pieces of information we believe will be helpful. The first is a Hardiness Zone Map. It has now ben loaded on our site.  It is different from other more static maps. You scroll over you region and it becomes colored and relates to the suitability for winter survival  of a rated plant in an “average” winter. Here is a link http://www.farmersalmanac.com/weather/a/us-plant-hardiness-zones. 

As leaves start to change colors, we have listed the Peak Foliage Dates for the entire country.   This is found on page 72. Again,  you can go to our website and find a map which offers this information easily. Here is  the  link :   http://www.farmersalmanac.com/home_garden/a/fall-foliage-dates.   In Maine the leaves have already started to make the transition. Because of the wet summer, I believe we’ll have brilliant colors this fall.   

 Try both and spend time on our website. We are adding new features almost daily.   Sandi and I will be traveling to Savannah, Ga. to spend time with our friends at Farmers’ Almanac Television. I’ll return on Monday and offer insights into what is happening  in the world of TV. 

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Fall Foliage, Hardiness Map, Colors

by pgeiger
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 Last week we mentioned the weather-lore surrounding persimmon seeds. As the legend goes, if you cut open the seed and clearly see the shape of a spoon, a harsh winter with heavy wet snow. Is supposedly on tap.  Many of you have shared that a spoon is what you are in fact seeing. (A fork shape denotes a mild winter with light powdery snow, and a knife shape indicates an icy winter with cutting winds.) .

In February, we look to a groundhog for a weather prediction, but at this time of year, many of us (after we of course consult the new edition of the Farmers’ Almanac) look to a fuzzy little caterpillar which makes its appearance early fall each year. (They actually appear in the spring as well but seem to go unnoticed at that time of year.) These caterpillars, often referred to as Woo l ly  W orm or Woo l ly   B ear have a special ability (supposedly). Depending on the color of the bands, you may or may not be in for a rough winter.

Have you noticed these weather predictors crawling around your yard or sidewalk yet?  If so do share with us here so we can compare it to the persimmon seed outlook. 

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Woollybear Caterpillars, Weather Folklore, Woollybear Festival - Ohio

by pgeiger
79 Comments »

In the 2008 Farmers’ Almanac we have an article about ways to save electricity including the use of CFL light bulbs.We argue that the life of these bulbs is 8 years and if all homes used them we’d eliminate a  trillion pounds of greenhouse emissions. I received a call from someone who was shocked that we ( the Farmers’ Almanac) would make such a suggestion given the mercury contained in these bulbs.

I have concerns about mercury and would not want to exchange one problem for another. Since the introduction of the CFL bulb, the amount of mercury in each bulb has been reduced substantially. But, there is still mercury and what will millions of these bulbs do to our landfill? In Phillips bulbs the amount of mercury is 3.8 mg per bulb. That is small but still there.

In many states, CFL bulbs can be disposed of in trash but should not be incinerated. Burning will send mercury into the air. Bulbs can be returned to Home Depot stores or put out with household community hazardous waste collection, which will send it to a facility that can recycle safely. So, yes there is concern with mercury and CFL bulbs. Will the benefit of reducing emissions by a trillion pounds, outweigh other hazards?  Does the hazards of a CFL bulb containing mercury impact your desire to use them? is a great question and I’d love your input.  

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CFL Bulbs, Mercury, Gas Emissions

by pgeiger
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