The Weather Alternative

Summer 2008: The Plains and Mississippi Valley- Part 1

Check out my article and interview in Saptarishis Astrology Volume 3

Wednesday, August 20, 2008

Fay, Why Florida? -- Other Weather Patterns

It's apparent that T.S. Fay is the offspring of the Mars-Pluto square that was exact on August 17th. But why Florida? I was expecting tropical activity further west along the Gulf Coast as posted in Solar Eclipse Time. Our all-important Cardinal Solar Ingress chart has some answers.

As shown in the astro-locality map at left, the Pluto line at the time of the Mars-Pluto square ran across Cuba (see diagonal white line). But there are two positions to choose from when looking at planetary lines. The position that I normally use is the zodiacal position.

The other position is the inmundo position as shown in this next astro-locality map for the moment of Mars square Pluto. Most planets, except Pluto, don't vary much when switching between these two positions. Because of Pluto's rather eccentric orbit there is a considerable difference at times.

Comparing Pluto's inmundo position to Fay's actual path as shown on this Weather Channel map, one can see that Fay was hugging the Pluto line in it's trip across Florida.

The geographical area mentioned in Solar Eclipse Time has been active nevertheless. The forecast called for an outbreak of storms or tropical activity along 88 west longitude roughly between August 17-19. The Accuweather Map at right shows drenching storms that have been over this general area lately.

Originally I had said the period starts on the 16th and 17th with severe weather over Arkansas. No severe weather was reported, but further south over Louisiana a front had stalled bringing numerous thunderstorms over the area.

Solar Eclipse Time
Summer 2008: The Eastern United States
Summer 2008: The West Coast Part 1
Summer 2008: The Rockies Part 1
Summer 2008: The Plains and Mississippi Valley- Part 1
Introduction to the Weather Alternative
How Long-Range Forecasts Are Made

Risk Taking

Sometimes the risks you take might even cost you. Not every single venture will be immediately successful. Some might not be successful at all, and that also applies to the opportunities that come your way. But it’s better to try something new and to discover that it doesn’t work than to never try anything different or outside-of-the-box.

Saturday, August 16, 2008

Saturn Lives Up To Its Cold, Dreary Name; TS Fay

Traditionally, Saturn’s astro-meteorological influence brings excessive cloudiness, wetness, and subnormal temperatures. It’s conjunction with Venus lowers the barometer, produces easterly winds and increasing cloudiness with characteristic dull, leaden skies.

The Weather Alternative forecast for August 12-15 has definitely been fulfilled. The forecast read:

Aug 12-15

The conjunctions and parallels of Mercury and Venus to Saturn will bring a storm system to the Rockies lowering temperatures after its passage.

The Accuweather weather maps shown here for August 13th and 16th show the easterly component of this weather pattern as well as the cold, and rainy side. The dull atmosphere and increased cloud cover are mentioned in the following Accuweather statements as well.

Dreary Weather, Heavy T-Storms Updated: Saturday, August 16, 2008 7:24 AM
Cooler flow will continue to wedge against the Rocky Mountains with an upper-level storm over the Four Corners
region today. This will cause dreary weather over the Colorado Rockies and over the Front Range. Thick clouds will
cover these areas. Areas of drizzle and light rain will add further misery to the gloomy, unseasonably cool weather.

The Weather Channel August 15th:
Meanwhile, a cold area of low pressure aloft and an easterly upslope flow will keep temperatures way below average over parts of Wyoming, Colorado and New Mexico.
Areas from Wyoming to eastern Colorado may see rain and highs in the 50s. Some very high elevation snow in the Rockies above 9000 to 10,000 feet is possible.
Rain and thunderstorms will plague the eastern sections of the central and southern Rockies and adjacent high Plains through the weekend.

Meanwhile in the tropics, Tropical Storm Fay has taken shape over the Dominican Republic. Present thinking has Fay developing into a stronger storm and moving into the Gulf and making landfall along the Gulf Coast area that I mentioned in a recent post. (See Solar Eclipse Time)

Solar Eclipse Time

Summer 2008: The Plains and Mississippi Valley- Part 1

Summer 2008: The Eastern United States
Summer 2008: The West Coast Part 1
Summer 2008: The Rockies Part 1
Summer 2008: The Plains and Mississippi Valley- Part 1
Introduction to the Weather Alternative
How Long-Range Forecasts Are Made

Wind of Love, Wind of God

Do you hear the wind? Listen to the wind of My love. Let the gentle breeze pick you up and carry you into My arms where you can abide with Me in sweet communion. Let it blow away all of your cares, all of your worries, and all of your burdens. The wind of My love will also whisper in your ears the love words that I wish to speak to you.

Let the wind of love cleanse you, carry you, and whisper to you. Let the wind of My love blow gently upon the embers of your spirit and light the fire of love in your heart so that it may burn brightly for Me.

Wednesday, August 13, 2008

Solar Eclipse Time

No, we're not expecting a solar eclipse, but Mars will trigger two past solar eclipses in the next few days. As we've shown a number of times on The Weather Alternative, when one of the outer planets makes a hard aspect to a recent solar eclipse degree, there is an atmospheric reaction over the geographic area where the Sun and Moon were angular. This reaction is in accordance with the nature of the planet making the hard aspect.

The first eclipse to be triggered is the March 18, 2007 solar eclipse. Mars will oppose this degree on August 18th. As shown in the map above, the Sun-Moon line ran through the central Atlantic around 38 west longitude. At the time of the solar eclipse, the Sun and Moon were square Pluto. On the 18th when Mars triggers this degree, Mars will also be square transit Pluto. This location should be watched roughly from August 17-20 for the formation or strengthening of tropical weather systems. Lately there has been concern amongst conventional meteorologists that the Atlantic hurricane season will spring to life soon. This is one indication that backs their concerns. There are others as well.

If we take a look at another view of the same eclipse, we see that the Sun and Moon descended over the eastern Pacific at that time. The southern part of the Sun-Moon line (at 128 west longitude) is another area to watch for hurricane formation between the same dates (Aug 17-19)--roughly between 15 and 25 north latitude. Further north, off the U.S. coast a front or low pressure system could develop in response to this and move inland. (For more info about this period see Summer 2008: The West Coast --link below)

The September 22, 2006 solar eclipse is the other one that will be triggered by the conjunction of Mars on the 18th. In a recent post we saw the effect Mars had on U.S. weather when it triggered a recent heat wave. This time, as seen in the astro-locality map at left, the 88th degree of west longitude will be triggered. My forecast for August 16-17 for this area already warns of severe weather over this area. (See Summer 2008: The Plains and Mississippi Valley--link below) This will extend the period a bit. Once again we're watching from August 17th to 19th. Other factors involved here indicate that a tropical system could result in the Gulf and Yucatan of Mexico.

FATHER FORGETS
W. Livingston Larned
Listen, son: I am saying this as you lie asleep, one little paw crumpled under your cheek and the blond curls stickily wet on your damp forehead. I have stolen into your room alone. Just a few minutes ago, as I sat reading my paper in the library, a stifling wave of remorse swept over me. Guiltily I came to your bedside.

There are the things I was thinking, son: I had been cross to you. I scolded you as you were dressing for school because you gave your face merely a dab with a towel. I took you to task for not cleaning your shoes. I called out angrily when you threw some of your things on the floor.
At breakfast I found fault, too. You spilled things. You gulped down your food. You put your elbows on the table. You spread butter too thick on your bread. And as you started off to play and I made for my train, you turned and waved a hand and called, "Goodbye, Daddy!" and I frowned, and said in reply, "Hold your shoulders back!"

Then it began all over again in the late afternoon. As I came up the road I spied you, down on your knees, playing marbles. There were holes in your stockings. I humiliated you before your friends by marching you ahead of me to the house. Stockings were expensive—and if you had to buy them you would be more careful! Imagine that, son, from a father!

Do you remember, later, when I was reading in the library, how you came in timidly, with a sort of hurt look in your eyes? When I glanced up over my paper, impatient at the interruption, you hesitated at the door. "What is it you want?" I snapped.

You said nothing, but ran across in one tempestuous plunge, and threw your arms around my neck and kissed me, and your small arms tightened with an affection that God had set blooming in your heart and which even neglect could not wither. And then you were gone, pattering up the stairs.

Well, son, it was shortly afterwards that my paper slipped from my hands and a terrible sickening fear came over me. What has habit been doing to me? The habit of finding fault, of reprimanding—this was my reward to you for being a boy. It was not that I did not love you; it was that I expected too much of youth. I was measuring you by the yardstick of my own years.
And there was so much that was good and fine and true in your character. The little heart of yours was as big as the dawn itself over the wide hills. This was shown by your spontaneous impulse to rush in and kiss me good night. Nothing else matters tonight, son. I have come to your bedside in the darkness, and I have knelt there, ashamed!

It is a feeble atonement; I know you would not understand these things if I told them to you during your waking hours. But tomorrow I will be a real daddy! I will chum with you, and suffer when you suffer, and laugh when you laugh. I will bite my tongue when impatient words come. I will keep saying as if it were a ritual: "He is nothing but a boy—a little boy!"

I am afraid I have visualized you as a man. Yet as I see you now, son, crumpled and weary in your cot, I see that you are still a baby. Yesterday you were in your mother's arms, your head on her shoulder. I have asked too much, too much.

Friday, August 08, 2008

Tropical Storm Edouard and Other Weather

The Solar Ingress map for the summer season, as you recall, placed Uranus angular through the Plains. The astro-locality map at left shows Uranus as a yellow line. Transit Mars opposed Uranus on the 6th as Tropical Storm Edouard made landfall along the Texas coast and pushed westward.

The Weather Channel map at right shows Edouard's position on the 6th. The Weather Alternative forecast for August 5-7 stated "Mars-Uranus signifies storm emergencies and windy conditions, which will hit the Plains. Tornadoes may be a by-product of these storms."

Besides Edouard's arrival, Accuweather reported on the 6th that "Strong thunderstorms will unleash torrents of rain across a large swath of the country Wednesday night and Thursday. These storms have enough moisture to dump 2-3 inches of rain on some locations causing temporary flooding. Tornadoes are unlikely, but some of the storms will produce wind damage." This area included the Plains.

Another Weather Alternative forecast for August 6-8 stated "More moisture is pumped into the western US resulting in a low pressure area or front that sets off storms. Wind may be a salient feature."

On the 7th, Accuweather reported "...some moisture will make its way into the Sierra and Cascades, increasing the potential of dry thunderstorms in the tinder-dry areas that have not already burned." So although moisture was pumped into the western US, it did not make it to the Pacific Northwest as I anticipated.

The last Weather Alternative forecast was for August 7-9. It read "Chilly and damp weather develops over the Great Basin and Rockies." The Accuweather map at right shows a cool air mass pushing into the Pacific Northwest but not fully entering the Great Basin and Rockies as forecast.

However, damp conditions will exist as thunderstorms will be focused...across the mountains of eastern Arizona, New Mexico, Colorado and Utah according to Accuweather.

Summer 2008: The Plains and Mississippi Valley- Part 1

A Hurricane For Haiti
Summer 2008: The Eastern United States
Summer 2008: The West Coast Part 1
Summer 2008: The Rockies Part 1
Summer 2008: The Plains and Mississippi Valley- Part 1
Introduction to the Weather Alternative
How Long-Range Forecasts Are Made

Got a Problem? Try Thanking God For It

One Army wife came to me, convinced that her problem had but one solution. Her husband had developed an excessive drinking problem and for the past several years had been an alcoholic. Often he would pass out drunk on the living room floor where the wife or his teenage children would find him, stark naked. In this condition he'd also been found in the hallway of the apartment house where several other families lived.

In final desperation the wife decided to take the children and leave. Friends persuaded her to at least come talk to me first.

"Whatever you say, Chaplain, don't tell me to stay with him," she said. "I just can't do it."

"I don't care whether you stay with him or not," I said. "I just want you to thank God that your husband is like he is."

Carefully I explained what the Bible had to say about thanking God for all things, and that if she tried it, God would be able to solve her problem in the best way.

She thought it sounded ridiculous, but finally agreed to kneel while I prayed that God would release in her enough faith to believe that He is a God of love and power who holds the universe in His hand.

At last she said, "I do believe."Two weeks later I called her."I feel absolutely marvelous," she said. "My husband is a different man. He hasn't had a drink in two weeks."

"That's wonderful," I said. "I'd like to talk to him."

"What do you mean?" She sounded surprised.

"I just think it would be good if I talked to your husband about the power that is working in your lives."

"Didn't you tell him already?" She sounded puzzled.

"No, I haven't met him yet."

"Chaplain, this is a miracle," she cried out. "The day I was in your office he came home from work and for the first time in seven years he didn't go to the refrigerator for a beer. Instead he went into the living room and talked to the children. I was sure you had talked to him." --Merlin Carothers

Monday, August 04, 2008

Heat Wave

This is from a 2002 news article.

One deadly natural disaster: The heat wave

By Tara Bahrampour, NY Times News Service

Natural disasters usually come rife with drama. Hurricanes, tornadoes, forest fires, earthquakes-all make for good headlines and even better visuals.

But it would be hard to make a blockbuster movie about a heat wave. Heat waves come on subtly, raising summer temperatures just a little higher than normal and then receding. But they kill more people in the United States than all other natural disasters combined.

According to the Center for Climatic Research at the University of Delaware, an average of 1,500 American city dwellers die each year because of the heat. Annual deaths from tornadoes, earthquakes and floods together total fewer than 200.

The most deadly US heat wave in recent years occurred in Chicago over a week in July 1995, when temperatures hovered around 100 degrees. Then, over 50,000 people were left without electricity, nearly two dozen hospitals closed their doors to new patients, ambulances lined up around the block waiting to drop off victims, and the county buried 68 people in a 160-foot-long trench. Scientists say that 739 people died that week.

For context, the great Chicago fire of 1871 killed half that many. The San Francisco earthquake of 1989 killed 62, and Hurricane Andrew in 1992 killed 26.

People find it hard to consider heat as a disaster, said Dr. Eric Klinenberg, a sociologist at New York University and the author of Heat Wave: A Social Autopsy of Disaster in Chicago. Heat waves cause little visible destruction. "If a tornado touches down, the moment it hits, you can assess the damage," he said. With heat, at worst, roads buckle, trains derail and livestock die.

It does not take a lot of extra heat to kill the vulnerable. "The body works in a very small temperature range," said Dr. Lawrence Robinson, deputy health commissioner of Philadelphia. "The body circulates blood to the skin and perspiration removes heat from the skin. In extreme heat, the heart has to pump faster and harder," leading to heart attacks or strokes. Even a healthy person who overexerts in the heat can die of heat stroke.

Thursday, July 31, 2008

Sun-Mercury Storms Haiti; Mars Heats Up The U.S.

In my July 17th post "A Hurricane for Haiti?" I presented a couple of possible weather scenarios for the Dominican Republic and Haiti. The Sun-Mercury conjunction of July 29th lead me to believe that a tropical storm or hurricane might hit the island between July 28-31. If not a hurricane, I conjectured that a severe weather system producing dangerous thunderstorms might hit the island.

Tonight the Weather Channel reports "A tropical wave moving through the eastern Caribbean Sea has enhanced activity across Puerto Rico and will do the same to the Dominican Republic and Haiti through Friday. Flash flooding is possible along the mountains of both islands."

The Dominican Republic's weather service is calling for downpours, gusty winds, and flooding in low-lying areas. The infrared weather map above shows the system approaching the island.

The next post entitled Mars and the Solar Eclipse of Sept 11, 2007 explained how transit Mars would trigger last September's solar eclipse degree. Since the Sun-Moon eclipse line ran through the Rockies and Mexico, I concluded that nature's heat element would be active over theses areas and could even produce a tropical system along the Mexican coast south of Guadalajara between July 30th and August 2nd.

Here's how things are shaping up:

Nature's heat element is definitely at work over the Rockies. Accuweather reports "A dome of high pressure over the Four Corners is producing the blazing sunshine and triple-digit temperatures. Increasing humidity east of the Rockies will create RealFeel® temperatures that will make it fell hotter and more uncomfortable."

The heat is also expanding eastward into the Plains. According to the Weather Channel "Both Saturday and Sunday, afternoon highs will reach the lower 100s over much of the southern Plains, Texas, and parts of the Lower Mississippi River Valley, with middle and upper 90s across the rest of the Deep South."

Further south in Mexico, their weather service reports that a tropical wave around 101 west longitude is causing strong convective activity along the coasts of Guerrero, Michoacán, Colima y Jalisco where strong to intense rains may fall. Since Guadalajara is located in the state of Jalisco, we're right on target.

Thank God For Everything?

One couple heard me speak on praising God for everything and went home quite disturbed. For months they had grieved over the condition of their daughter who had been committed to a mental institution and had been diagnosed as hopelessly insane.

Prayer groups across the country had been asked to intercede for her, and daily the parents had pleaded with God on their knees to heal their daughter. Her condition remained unchanged.

Their initial response to the challenge that they should praise God for the condition of their daughter had left them distraught and unhappy.

But finally they decided, "We have nothing to lose, do we? Why don't we try it?"

They knelt together. "Dear God," the husband began, "we know that You love us and that You love our daughter even more than we do. We're going to trust that You're working out in her life what You know is best for her; so we thank You for her sickness, thank You that she's in the hospital, thank You for the doctors who haven't found a way to help her. We praise You for Your wisdom and love toward us ... "

The longer they prayed that day, the more they became convinced that God was indeed doing what was best.

The next morning the hospital psychiatrist called.

"Sir, there's been a remarkable change in your daughter," he said. "I suggest you come and see her."

Within two weeks she was released from the hospital.

A year later a young man came up to me after a meeting. He introduced himself as the girl's brother and told me that she was married, expecting a baby, and "is the happiest girl in the world!"--Power in Praise by Merlin R. Carothers

Thursday, July 24, 2008

Mars and the Solar Eclipse of Sept 11, 2007

On July 31st, transit Mars will conjoin the Sept 11, 2007 Solar Eclipse degree. Astrometeorologists know that the conjunctions, squares, and oppositions to Solar Eclipse degrees by the outer planets provoke an atmospheric reaction over the places where the Sun and Moon were angular at the time of the eclipse.

The astro-locality map above has been stripped of all other planetary lines to show the position of the Sun-Moon Ascendant line at the time of the Sept 11, 2007 eclipse. The line ran through the Rockies and down through Guadalajara, Mexico to the southern Mexican coast.

Mars' influence relates to heat and is usually pretty energetic. Around this time, let's say from July 30th through August 2nd, nature's heat element should be active over these areas. This may provoke storms over the Rockies, and may even attract a tropical storm along the coast of Mexico south of Guadalajara.

A Hurricane For Haiti

Summer 2008: The Plains and Mississippi Valley- Part 1

Problems vs. opportunities. (Zig Ziglar)

Be grateful for your problems. The problems or challenges we face force us to grow and become more capable. The long-distance runner who trains for the Olympics by running downhill will have no chance of winning the medal. The runner who trains by running uphill is far more likely to develop the speed, mental toughness and endurance which it takes to win the medal.

The best thing that ever happened to boxer Gene Tunney was that he had weak hands. His manager felt that he could never punch hard enough to be the heavyweight champion. Instead, Tunney decided that he would become a scientific boxer, not a slugger. Boxing historians will tell you that he developed into one of the best boxers who ever fought. Tunney would never have been champion had he not had the problem of his weak hands. So the next time you encounter a difficult climb, obstacle, or "problem," you should smile and say, "Here’s my chance to grow."

Tuesday, July 22, 2008

Dolly's Landfall and Mississippi Valley Severe Weather

Tropical Storm (soon to be Hurricane) Dolly is approaching southwestern Texas and northeastern Mexico. It is expected to make landfall somewhere in that area some time tomorrow. Why is it headed there? Notice the "crossing" of Mercury and Uranus in the Cancer Solar Ingress map over that very area. These Cardinal Solar Ingress maps are key maps for long-range weather forecasting. The crossing is being activated at this time.

The Weather Alternative's long-range forecast for July 22-24 called for the following:

July 22-24
Mercury trines Uranus over the Plains and brings cool, dry air southward. Mars influence adds stormy and windy conditions over the Mississippi Valley.

Notice the cooler air indicated on this Accuweather map and the storms forecast for today that will bring heavy downpours, gusty winds, and hail.

A Hurricane For Haiti
Summer 2008: The Eastern United States
Summer 2008: The West Coast Part 1
Summer 2008: The Rockies Part 1
Summer 2008: The Plains and Mississippi Valley- Part 1
Introduction to the Weather Alternative
How Long-Range Forecasts Are Made

Success in Life

Your success in life depends on your motive. There is an old fable about a dog that boasted of his ability as a runner. One day he chased a rabbit and failed to catch it. The other dogs ridiculed him on account of his previous boasting. His reply was, "You must remember that the rabbit was running for his life, while I was only running for my dinner." The incentive is all-important.

Sunday, July 20, 2008

Tropical Storm Cristobal and the Northeast

The Weather Alternative's long-range forecast for July 18-20 called for stormy conditions throughout the Northeast due to Mercury's opposition to Jupiter on the 19th and their contraparallel on the 21st.

Storms began to assail the Northeast on the 18th. Accuweather reported "Thunderstorms pounded portions of New York, New Hampshire and Maine on Friday afternoon (July 18). Some areas received pea- to marble-sized hail. Thunderstorm winds downed trees in Ferrisburg and North Hero, Vt."

More storms are expected today over New York and New England with strong wind gusts and hail.

It looks like Tropical Storm Cristobal will add to the mix. Today, conventional forecasters are noting that drenching showers and locally gusty thunderstorms are spreading slowly northward from the Carolinas to the Delmarva Peninsula and surrounding areas. Cristobal's expected path is seen at right.

A Hurricane For Haiti

Summer 2008: The Plains and Mississippi Valley- Part 1

"In many churches Christianity has been watered down until the solution is so weak that if it were poison it would not hurt anyone, and if it were medicine it would not cure anyone!" --A.W. Tozer

Thursday, July 17, 2008

A Hurricane For Haiti?

Haiti is one of the worst places to take a direct hit from a hurricane. The devastation and loss of life can be tremendous. The Atlantic Basin is already active as we speak, and planetary alignments do promise some hurricane or severe weather in and around Haiti and the Dominican Republic.

Specifically, February's lunar eclipse localizes the Sun-Mercury conjunction of July 29th over the island of Hispañola. In season, Sun-Mercury conjunctions are known to produce hurricanes or severe weather systems that generate strong winds.

The chart at right is a view of the Sun-Mercury conjunction as seen from February's lunar eclipse over Haiti. Notice the Sun and Mercury conjoining on the Midheaven and squaring the Ascendant.

So roughly between July 28-31, 2008 a tropical storm and/or hurricane is possible over this area. If not an actual tropical system, the next scenario would be a severe weather system producing dangerous thunderstorms over the island.

Summer 2008: The Eastern United States
Summer 2008: The West Coast Part 1
Summer 2008: The Rockies Part 1
Summer 2008: The Plains and Mississippi Valley- Part 1
Introduction to the Weather Alternative
How Long-Range Forecasts Are Made

O'er uncharted sea
To their hearts' desire
Do men of faith set sail,
While the beaten men
Walk with fearful hearts
Along life's beaten trail.

The men of faith will challenge
Both men & Satan's wrath,
But the beaten men will compromise
And walk the beaten path.

Beaten roads are for beaten men,
As they walk with measured tread,
With tuneless souls they move along
To dwell among the dead.

But men of faith climb unscaled walls,
And sail uncharted sea.
They dare to cross convention's bounds
To set the captives free.

-- Thomas Wyatt

Sunday, July 13, 2008

Here Comes the Sun (Trine Uranus)

Do you see that cool and dry air mass over the U.S. midsection on the Accuweather map? That's the result of the Sun trine Uranus. The Weather Alternative's long-range forecast for July 13-15 specified that cool and fair conditions would embrace the Plains at this time.

The Accuweather Midwest report for yesterday said " As the storms move into the Northeast tonight, the region will experience cooler temperatures and a break from thunderstorms starting on Sunday, due to unseasonably cool air moving southeastward from Canada. "

The Weather Alternative forecast for July 11-13 was less successful. The forecast expected a low pressure area or moisture to be drawn up from the south and generate storms over the Pacific Northwest.

While the Weather Channel spoke of a return of moisture from the south in their weather summaries on the 11th and 12th, the moisture has not been able to penetrate as far as the Pacific Northwest.

"First they ignore you, then they laugh at you, then they fight you, then you win."--Mohandas K. Gandhi

"I have not failed. I've just found 10,000 ways that won't work."--Thomas A. Edison

Thursday, July 10, 2008

Bertha, The Northeast, and Western Weather

All eyes have been on Hurricane Bertha, and here at The Weather Alternative I've speculated that Bertha may fulfill my long-range weather forecast for July 9-11. This forecast called for a front or low-pressure system off the coast of the Carolinas to affect the New England area. The forecast is being fulfilled but not by Bertha. Let's look and see.

First of all, here's the original forecast:

July 9-11 The Sun's opposition to Jupiter and Mercury's opposition to Pluto at the time of the First Quarter Moon show the potential for a low pressure system or front to develop off the U.S. East Coast around the latitude of North Carolina and bring severe weather to the New England area.

As shown in the Accuweather map at right for July 9th, some severe storms were expected Wednesday. Today Accuweather reported "Storms pounded New England on Wednesday. Trees and power lines were toppled in Brattleboro, Vt., while North Adams, Mass., recorded 2.64 inches of rain in the 24-hour period ending today at 2 a.m. EDT."

As for the low-pressure area off the coast of North Carolina, the Accuweather forecast map at left shows tomorrow's weather scenario (July 11th). And there sits the low-pressure area off of North Carolina.

The Weather Alternative forecast for July 7-10 awaited severe weather over the Great Basin and Rockies. Here's the original forecast:

July 7-10 Mars will parallel Saturn on the 7th and conjoin Saturn on the 10th. The Mars-Saturn conjunctions usually result in destructive, windy storms due to the clashing of contrary air masses.

The Accuweather map for today at right shows areas of the Southwest, particularly Arizona and New Mexico being affected by drenching showers and thunderstorms due to a plume of monsoon moisture. Thunderstorms also erupted over the Sierra Madre on the 9th. These storms brought dangerous lightning strikes but little moisture.

Further north over Idaho, Montana, and Wyoming the National Weather Service has issued High Wind Warnings as an upper level trough of low-pressure brings strong sustained winds of 30 to 40 mph with gusts up to 60 mph.

Summer 2008: The Plains and Mississippi Valley- Part 1

The Power of a Compliment

We all want to know how to get along with difficult people. Dale Carnegie's (How to Win Friends and Influence People) basic principle for winning friends is to give compliments, to find something genuinely good in everyone.

A young man lived with his brothers and widowed father. His one sister kept house for them all, and her services were taken for granted. Because of his assignment (to give genuine compliments for a week), he looked around at home for something to compliment and noticed some new flowered drapes. He told her how beautiful they were, and she replied, "I'm glad someone finally noticed. I made them months ago and I felt none of you even cared. You're the only one who's noticed." The next day when he came home from work, there was a new sweater on his bed with a note: "Because you noticed."

How to Get Along with Difficult People--By Florence Littauer

Sunday, July 06, 2008

Mercury Square Uranus--Flooding Downpours and Large Hail

A potent cold front is advancing over the Plains today eliciting strong and severe storms from Michigan to Nebraska. According to Accuweather forecasters, the violent collision of air masses will cause storms that will produce flooding downpours, hail, strong winds and even an isolated tornado.

The present weather fulfills The Weather Alternative's long-range forecast for July 5-8, which was posted on June 13th. The forecast read as follows:

July 5-8

Mercury descends along the entire East Coast and squares transit Uranus on the 5th. Venus trines Uranus on the 6th, and the Moon conjoins Uranus on the 8th. A cold air mass descends over the Plains out of Canada setting off storms. A cold front along the East Coast brings storms from Florida to New England.

These next Accuweather graphics show the storms predicted for the East Coast from Florida to New England. Today, Accuweather meteorologists report that "As a high over the western Atlantic forces a sultry flow up the Eastern Seaboard, more storms will fire over the mid-Atlantic and southern New England... Locally drenching downpours will still affect the region, but no widespread strong or severe storms are expected."

Here we see the storms along the southern portion of the East Coast. According to Accuweather "Thunderstorms will again be a concern for Sunday afternoon across the southeastern part of the country... The greatest threat with these thunderstorms will be small hail and gusty winds. Brief, heavy rain and vivid lightning will also accompany the thunderstorms, which will be slow moving due to the light winds higher in the atmosphere."

Character

It's what you do when you have nothing to do that reveals what you are.
What lies behind us & what lies before us are tiny matters compared to what lies within us.
Reputation is what you need to get a job; character is what you need to keep it.

Friday, July 04, 2008

Will Tropical Storm Bertha Fulfill Long-range Prediction?

Meteorologists are keeping their eye on Tropical Storm Bertha in the Atlantic Basin. The National Weather Service's 5 day track forecast places Bertha headed toward the United States by July 8th.

The Weather Alternative posted a long-range weather forecast for July 9-11 back in mid-June. The forecast read as follows:

Bertha may be the fulfillment of the low-pressure system forecast off the North Carolina coast.

Summer 2008: The Plains and Mississippi Valley- Part 1

Love is in the air in classrooms. (Thomas Bell, The Telegraph)

The Singapore government is offering students lessons in seduction to boost the city state’s flagging birthrate. Students at two polytechnics can earn two credits towards their final degree by choosing the love elective. Activities include watching romantic films, holding hands and "love song analysis."

Wednesday, July 02, 2008

California Heat and Fires-- Northeast Storms

The Solar Ingress chart for the summer season (June 20, 2008) placed Mars on the Midheaven along the U.S. west coast. Mars traditionally is know for heat, dryness, and regional fire hazards.

Check out Accuweather's headlines for the western U.S. for the last week:

7/2 More Hot, Dry Days • 7/1 No Fire Relief • 6/30 Heat, Fires and Storms • 6/30 Hot, Dry and Smoky • 6/29 Heat Continues, Relief For Some • 6/28 Dry Thunderstorms Increase Fire Threat • 6/27 Severe Weather Causes Fire Threat • 6/27 Storms Ignite New Fire Threat • 6/26 Weekend Storms, Fire Threat

The astro-locality map at right shows transit Mars' position as of today in the Solar Ingress map: smack dab over the Intermountain West. When compared to the Accuweather map (above left), the correlation between the West Coast heat wave and Mars' position is impressive.

The Weather Alternative's forecast for July 1-3 called for precipitation over the New England area. Such is the case, as shown in the Accuweather graphic at left. New England will have strong, scattered thunderstorms today. The stronger storms will bring hail, gusty winds, torrential rainfall and frequent lightning. A front will stay put over the region through July 4th.

Money buys happiness—if you spend it on someone else.

(Reuters) Money can buy happiness, but only if you spend it on someone else, researchers say. Spending as little as $5 a day on someone else could significantly boost happiness, the team at the University of British Columbia and Harvard Business School found.
Their experiments demonstrated that "Regardless of how much income each person made, those who spent money on others reported greater happiness, while those who spent more on themselves did not," reported Elizabeth Dunn, a psychologist at the University of British Columbia.

Friday, June 27, 2008

Uranus Retrograde and Central Plains Weather

Severe thunderstorms, capable of producing large hail and damaging winds, are traversing the northern Plains and parts of the Midwest in fulfillment of The Weather Alternative's long-range forecast for June 25-29, 2008. The forecast called for a strong cold front to push southward over the northern Plains lowering temperatures and triggering precipitation and windy conditions. The forecast was based on Uranus' retrograde station, and was posted on May 12, 2008.

Accuweather reports the following today:

Severe Storms Rock Flood Zones Heavy thunderstorms will blast the Upper Midwest and central Plains today...

The Severe Weather Center warns a cold front diving down from Canada's Prairie Provinces today will ignite an outbreak of severe weather across the Upper Midwest and central Plains. The thunderstorms will erupt as incoming cooler air slices into the warm, moist air flowing north from the Gulf of Mexico. The presence of a strong jet stream will add to the instability in the atmosphere...

The strongest thunderstorms will be capable of producing damaging winds, pounding hail, frequent lightning and drenching downpours. The greatest threat for tornado development will be over the central Plains.

The long-range forecast also called for the possibility of a low pressure system to affect Brownsville and southern Texas. No low pressure system has been reported over the area as of yet. The map at right from Mexico's National Weather Service for yesterday, June 26th, shows the Brownsville area subjected to high wind warnings (zona de viento fuerte).

Summer 2008: The Plains and Mississippi Valley- Part 1