The weekend will be very warm with still a few showers, especially Sat. along with a few inland t'storms. Temps. will jump well into the 80s to around 90 inland...mid 80s at the beaches. Onshore east winds will bring some cooler air to the area during the upcoming workweek along with some Atlantic moisture that will bring some more showers by mid to late week.
Though it'll still feel like summer, Sat. at 10:49am will be the start of fall - the autumnal equinox. We'll have roughly 12 hours of daylight & darkness for the next few weeks & we're not actually equally divided (12 hours) until late this month. We lose an average of several minutes of daylight per day for the next couple of months. Click here for more info. on the autumnal equinox.
Earth Gauge: Nutrient Pollution Encircles the Globe
Nutrient pollution, also known as nitrogen and phosphorus pollution, is one of the most pervasive and elusive forms of water degradation in the United States. Within our borders, there are approximately 101,000 miles of nutrient-impaired rivers and streams – a distance great enough to encircle the globe… four times over! These rivers and streams represent only a fraction of the more than 15,000 water bodies across the U.S. that are contaminated by nutrients. When conditions are just right, nutrient pollution fuels overgrowths of algae and cyanobacteria that can wreck ecosystems close recreational areas, decrease property values and threaten public health.
Tip: Excess nutrients make their ways into our rivers and streams by seeping into our groundwater or catching a ride whenever it rains. At home, nitrogen and phosphorus are found in our fertilizers, septic tanks, laundry detergents, yard waste and pet waste. You can reduce your impact with these tips:
· Smart about Septics – learn how to manage your septic tank properly.
· You’re the Lawn’s Doctor – learn how to fertilize your lawn correctly.
· A Toast to Compost – find out how composting can reduce nutrient pollution.
· Picking Up – learn how pet waste contributes to nutrient pollution.
· Squeaky Clean – learn how to pick out phosphate-free detergents.
(Sources: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, 2009, “National Summary of State Information: Causes of Impairment in Assessed Rivers and Streams,” ATTAINS database, Accessed Online July 31, 2012; U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, “The Problem,” Nutrient Pollution Website)
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State of the Climate Report - Highlights from NOAA’s National Climatic Data Center. Visit here for more information.
Climate Fact: Cool and Wet: Isaac Soaks South Florida
August 2012 featured normal to below normal temperatures across most of the Southeast region. Average monthly temperatures were one to two degrees Fahrenheit below normal across parts of Florida, central Georgia and Alabama, parts of South Carolina and the United States Virgin Islands. Temperatures on August 25 in Key West only managed to hit 81 degrees, tying the record for lowest August daily high temperature. Overall, the region had 200 daily low temperature records set during August and only 30 record high temperature records set. Most locations had above average precipitation during the month, with south Florida being particularly wet: both Niceville and West Palm Beach had their wettest August on record. Hurricane Isaac was responsible for much of this heavy rainfall, dumping as much as 10 inches on parts of South Florida from August 26 to 28. The heavy rains led to an improvement, for the second straight month, of drought conditions in the Southeast. Unrelated to Hurricane Isaac was the 11.5 inches of rain Roanoke Rapids, North Carolina received on August 25, setting a 24-hours precipitation record.
For more information click here.
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Climate in the News: “Sky News: Voyage to uncover Antarctic secrets” – Sky News, September 17, 2012 – Australian researchers are embarking on a mission to study the largely unknown thickness of Antarctica's sea ice and sea ice ecosystems.
Have a great & safe weekend!
