March Goes Out Like A Lion

In The Weather Alternative's March 8th post entitled Thoughts About the End of March, I focused on the storm-breeding potential of the Full Moon Chart. Based on this, the forecast stated major weather changes will be underway for the West Coast, Great Basin, and Rockies starting around March 26th and continuing through the 30th. The most likely scenario is that a very strong low pressure system or cold front will penetrate the Pacific Northwest with high winds and storms as it pushes eastward into the Great Basin and Rockies.



Results


On the 26th, the Weather Channel reported


Active Northwest and Midwest


A storm system will impact the Pacific Northwest today, bringing rain, mountain snow, and gusty winds to area.
Gusty winds will be felt as far south as southern California.
Snow advisories are in effect for much of the Oregon Cascades and the coastal range. Snow levels around 1000 feet, could drop to 500 feet by tonight.


The Weather Channel's report for the 27th read


A new storm system will bring a cold front into the Pacific Northwest on Friday, renewing the threat for heavy rain over western Washington and Oregon, but also extending that threat into northern and central California.
Heavy snow will increase through the Cascades, into the northern California Mountains.
Gusty winds will also develop through the Northwest, and extend into parts of the Southwest as well.


Similar reports were issued on the 28th, 29th, and 30th confirming the long-range forecast.




The same post warned about a planetary set-up over Kansas, which would affect the Plains. The forecast stated When this is triggered between March 28-30, we can expect an important low pressure system to develop in the Plains and push toward the Mississippi Valley potentially creating severe weather conditions. More information about this was included in my original forecast for March 2008.



The Accuweather map at left above for March 29th called for a potentially serious situation in the country's midsection with possible rainfall amounts of 4 to 5 inches and more flooding.

At the same time a storm brought howling winds and snow to the northern Plains.

Finally, The Weather Alternative long-range forecast called for a low pressure system and possible blizzard conditions for the Northeast from the 27th through the 31st.

The Weather Channel map at left for the 28th shows a low pressure area bringing rain and snow over the Northeast and New England. Tomorrow, April 1st, locally heavy rain and gusty winds are expected but no blizzard conditions have been mentioned.

All in all, the Full Moon indications have played themselves out very well, and have been a good indication of the weather that resulted.

March Forecasts

Thoughts About the End of March

April Forecasts

Introduction to the Weather Alternative

How Long-Range Forecasts Are Made

Temperature Monitors Report Widescale Global Cooling

Anti Global Warming Skeptics are a Tiny, Tiny Minority, says Gore. However, science is not based on what the majority says but on observation and experimentation. Many popularly held theories were wrong as history attests.

“If you had a million dollars in the bank but didn’t know how to write a check, it wouldn’t do you much good, would it? If you had a car in your garage but had lost the key with which to start it, you wouldn’t get anywhere very fast, would you? That’s about the way humanity is operating today. Quite a few years ago, when I was unhappy and greatly troubled, I found out how I can call upon a power that, if I used the right key, would always give me everything I needed . . . Why not try God?” --Mary Pickford

Parade of Moisture

The storm conditions for the eastern Plains and Mississippi Valley referred to in The Weather Alternative's long-range forecast for March 27-30 have materialized right on schedule. The wet weather, due to the Mercury and Venus conjunctions to Uranus, manifested as a large corridor of rain, in some places 2 to 3 inches, from the southern New England coast all the way west to the Midwest.


The Weather Channel map for March 28th above shows a low pressure area over the eastern Plains and rain over the Mississippi Valley.

Today Accuweather reports that The South Central states will have thunderstorms today as...Warm, moist air from the Gulf of Mexico will interact with a low pressure system coming out the Rockies today to ignite the storms. There is the threat for damaging winds, hail and isolated tornadoes with these storms.

March Forecasts

April Forecasts

Introduction to the Weather Alternative

How Long-Range Forecasts Are Made

Temperature Monitors Report Widescale Global Cooling

Anti Global Warming Skeptics are a Tiny, Tiny Minority, says Gore. However, science is not based on what the majority says but on observation and experimentation. Many popularly held theories were wrong as history attests.

Defeat

Defeat in due course comes in one way or another to everyone. So the question isn't whether or not you experience defeat, but how you handle it.

What are you going to do with defeat? Let it destroy you, or turn it into a positive, creative experience from which you can extract much know-how and wisdom; and thus gain strength to stage a comeback? The individual who has at the center of his thinking the affirmation "I can do all things through Christ" can recover from any defeat and creditably handle any situation. -- Dr. Norman Vincent Peale

The Mercury-Venus Conjunction and Weather

Portions of central and southern Texas had a wet and dreary Easter Sunday in accordance with The Weather Alternative's long-range forecast for March 23-25. The conjunction between Mercury and Venus, which centered over 99 west longitude was the astrological reasoning behind the forecast that call for a warm and moist air mass to be pulled northward over Texas and the Plains setting off storms.

The wet weather was pretty much confined to the Texas area and not to the rest of the Plains as the forecast suggested.

March Forecasts

April Forecasts

Introduction to the Weather Alternative

How Long-Range Forecasts Are Made

Temperature Monitors Report Widescale Global Cooling

935 False Statements?

"Spectacular achievement is always preceded by unspectacular preparation." -- Dr. Robert Schuller

Often our low status in life is not because our abilities are inferior, but because our opinion of ourselves is inferior. Reevaluate yourself. Maybe you're a superior type who has settled for being a lesser personality. If so, make up your mind today, right now, to re-gear your thinking, revise your strategy and rebound from where you are to where you should be. Let the contagion of enthusiasm grip your mind. It can make all the difference. -- Dr. Norman Vincent Peale

Sun Square Pluto and Heavy, Wet Snow

The Weather Alternative's long-range forecast for March 20-22 specified that A front or low-pressure system tracks through the eastern U.S. bringing storms from Michigan through the Southeast. The forecast took into consideration the Sun's square to Pluto on the 21st.

The accompanying Accuweather map for Friday, March 21st shows a band of heavy, wet snow affecting Michigan and surrounding states, and enumerates other weather woes such as delayed flights, treacherous travel, and downed branches and wires. The low pressure system dumped over a foot of snow in some areas. The Southeast was untouched.

March Forecasts

April Forecasts

Introduction to the Weather Alternative

How Long-Range Forecasts Are Made

Temperature Monitors Report Widescale Global Cooling

935 False Statements?

Let Bing Tell You

Attitude. (Charles Swindoll)

The longer Ilive, the more Irealize the impact of attitude on life. Attitude, to me, is more important than education, than money, than circumstances, than failures, than success, than what other people think or say or do. It is more important than appearance, ability, or skill. It will make or break a company, a church, a home.

We have a choice every day regarding the attitude we will embrace from that day. We cannot change our past, we cannot change the fact that people will act in a certain way. The only thing that we can do is play on the one string that we have, and this string is attitude. Iam convinced that life is ten percent what happens to me and ninety percent how Ireact to it. And so it is with you. We are in charge of our attitudes.

Mississippi Valley Storms

The Weather Alternative issued a long-range forecast at the end of February calling for storms over the Mississippi Valley between March 17-19.

The Weather Channel map at right shows a low pressure system on the 19th soaking the Mississippi Valley. The following comment is from the Weather Channel on the 18th:

Over the Southern Plains and Lower Mississippi Valley, both severe thunderstorms and heavy rain will cause problems today. The severe threat today will be large hail, damaging winds, and tornadoes, with thunderstorms organizing into a squall line late today into tonight over East Texas through the Lower Mississippi Valley and the severe threat shifting to more of a high wind threat...Flood and flash flood watches extend from Central Texas through the Mid-Mississippi and Ohio Valleys into central Pennsylvania.

March Forecasts

April Forecasts

Introduction to the Weather Alternative

How Long-Range Forecasts Are Made

Temperature Monitors Report Widescale Global Cooling

935 False Statements?

Let Bing Tell You

A Few Forecasts For April 2008

April's weather in the United States will be affected by a number of planetary alignments including squares from Mercury and Venus to Pluto, as well as squares from Mercury and Venus to Mars to name a few.

The Sun's ingress into Aries takes place on March 19th and is one of the main charts to consult for the development of weather patterns. The following forecasts are based on this chart. Time permitting, I'll post other forecasts for April based on other key charts.

April 2-5
Storm emergencies center around 85 west longitude (from Michigan south through the Florida Panhandle) due to Mercury's square to Pluto, which is now stationary and turning retrograde. By the 5th storms affect the mid-Atlantic and Southeast with potential for damaging winds. (Comment added March 23: Indications in the New Moon chart suggest a low pressure area will center over or pass through the Ohio Valley region.)

April 9-11
An outbreak of storms is indicated over the mid-Atlantic and Southeast. As Mercury perfects its square to Mars storms and windy conditions are shown for New England.

April 13-15
The Sun and Mercury will sextile Neptune, which will coincide with warm and fair conditions over the western U.S.

April 18-22
A series of trines and parallels from both the Sun and Mercury to Saturn will lower temperatures over the Rockies and may trigger precipitation.

April 22-24
Cool and breezy weather is indicated over the eastern Plains and Mississippi Valley.

April 24-26
Venus now sextiles Neptune bringing an increase in temperatures and fair conditions over the western states.

April 27-29
Cool and fair conditions are expected over the Rockies and Plains.

April 28-29
A storm system, brought on by Mercury's square to Neptune will enter the West Coast.

March Forecasts

Introduction to the Weather Alternative

How Long-Range Forecasts Are Made

Temperature Monitors Report Widescale Global Cooling

The Calm Before the Storm

Accuweather warns us that Another significant storm is set to develop over the Plains during the next couple of days and move eastward. This system will begin to build Thursday, then strengthen Friday and Saturday while heading for the mid-Atlantic. Ample Gulf moisture and a deep low pressure system will combine to create violent, severe storms along the low's track.



This will coincide with The Weather Alternative's long-range forecast for March 14-16: Another potentially active period over the Mississippi Valley and eastward. Severe thunderstorms are possible.

The Weather Alternative also carries a long-range weather forecast for this weekend for out West.

March 15-19

This will be an active period for the West Coast. Mercury and Venus will perfect their oppositions to Saturn. All of these are located along the California coast and promise a parade of storms over the area between these dates.

The Accuweather map above shows a storm that will produce rain and mountain snow showers this weekend, although they are unaware that the oppositions from Mercury and Venus to Saturn are behind the storm.

The Weather Alternative forecast for March 11-13 called for Windy conditions or storms packing dangerous winds are indicated over the Mississippi Valley area.

So far this forecast period, which ends tomorrow, has not shown much in the way of winds. There have been a few reports, however, from Louisiana, Arkansas, Oklahoma, and Missouri. The National Weather Service reported today that:

SHREVEPORT LA 521 AM CDT WED MAR 12 2008

ON THURSDAY AS THE SURFACE HIGH IN THE GULF MOVES EAST AND A SURFACE LOW TAKES SHAPE OVER THE PAN HANDLES OF TEXAS AND OKLAHOMA. THE PRESSURE GRADIENT WILL BE TIGHTENING ACROSS THE FORECAST AREA ON THURSDAY AS WE WILL BE BETWEEN THE LOW TO THE NORTHWEST AND HIGH OFF TO THE EAST. EXPECT SURFACE WINDS TO INCREASING FROM THE SOUTH AND APPROACHING LAKE WIND ADVISORY CRITERIA INTO THE MID DAY HOURS AND INTO THE AFTERNOON.

THIS OUTLOOK IS FOR NORTHWEST AND WEST CENTRAL ARKANSAS AS WELL AS MUCH OF EASTERN OKLAHOMA.

BREEZY ...BUT CONTINUED WARM TEMPERATURES WILL BE THE RULE TODAY AS THE PRESSURE GRADIENT TIGHTENS BETWEEN LOW PRESSURE TO THE NORTH AND HIGH PRESSURE TO THE SOUTH.

THIS HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK IS FOR PORTIONS OF THE MISSOURI OZARKS AND EXTREME SOUTHEAST KANSAS.

MODERATELY GUSTY SOUTHWEST WINDS WILL LEAD TO AN INCREASED RISK FOR RAPIDLY SPREADING GRASS FIRES..

March Forecasts

Introduction to the Weather Alternative

How Long-Range Forecasts Are Made

I Would Like To Buy A Hamburger- Inspector Clouseau

Thoughts About the End of March

The Full Moon of March 21, 2008 promises some severe weather patterns for the U.S. at the end of March. As can be seen from the astro-locality map on the right, a number of planets occupy angular positions (represented by the different colored lines on the map) at the time of the Full Moon. In addition to this, these planetary lines cross with each other at different locations especially over the western U.S. and over the Plains. I've circled these crossings or "parans" to make them more obvious.


These crossings, along with planetary aspects in the most recent lunar eclipse chart, indicate that major weather changes will be underway for the West Coast, Great Basin, and Rockies starting around March 26th and continuing through the 30th. The most likely scenario is that a very strong low pressure system or cold front will penetrate the Pacific Northwest with high winds and storms as it pushes eastward into the Great Basin and Rockies.


The planetary crossing over Kansas involves the Sun, Moon, and Jupiter at the time of the Full Moon. The Sun and Moon will be square Pluto at the time of Full Moon adding storm-breeding potential to the mix. When this is triggered between March 28-30, we can expect an important low pressure system to develop in the Plains and push toward the Mississippi Valley potentially creating severe weather conditions. More information about this was included in my original forecast for March 2008.


In that same forecast, I mentioned that the Northeast would be affected by storms between March 29-31. After studying the New Moon map for March, I believe indications in this chart will amplify the time period somewhat.




New Moon indications show that weather changes are underway for the Northeast as early as March 27th when a low pressure system infiltrates the region with perhaps blizzard conditions. I say this because today (March 8th) the Northeast is experiencing just that--blizzard conditions, and these are due to the Sun's conjunction to Uranus in the very New Moon map that took effect yesterday, and which will be triggered on March 27th.

March Forecasts

Introduction to the Weather Alternative

How Long-Range Forecasts Are Made

Interesting Clips

The Coming One-World Government

Spiritual Power

Sun-Uranus: Winter Storm Saturday

This Saturday the Sun conjoins Uranus, a planet traditionally associated with cold air masses. The Weather Alternative made note of this conjunction in its long-range weather forecast for March 5-8, 2008. The forecast noted that in key charts the Sun-Uranus conjunction would affect the Rockies and the Northeast.



March 5-8

Aspects between the Sun and Uranus are known to lower temperatures and bring cold, dry air. The Rockies is the focal point now. Storms are likely to be triggered as the colder air mass moves into the region. A similar setup is shown over the Northeast.


Here's the tie in: Today a storm system is forming over the Rockies. It will then intensify over Texas and possibly become a major snowstorm over the Northeast by Saturday.

Here's the snow storm in the Rockies:

URGENT - WINTER WEATHER MESSAGE
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE
PUEBLO CO 302 PM MST WED MAR 5 2008

...WINTER STORM IMPACTING PORTIONS OF SOUTHERN COLORADO....HEAVY SNOW IS EXPECTED OVER THE SANGRE DE CRISTO MOUNTAINS...THE SOUTHEAST MOUNTAINS AND THE ADJACENT PLAINS TONIGHT AS AN UPPER LEVEL STORM SYSTEM MOVES ACROSS NORTHERN NEW MEXICO.

The Accuweather graphic above shows the storm as forecast for this Saturday over the Northeast.

In an earlier forecast for March 4-7, The Weather Alternative pinpointed the Mississippi Valley as an area where storms would be triggered. The map at left for March 4th shows storms traversing the area.

Today, the 5th, another low pressure area can be seen in the map at right over the northern Mississippi Valley.

March Forecasts

Introduction to the Weather Alternative

How Long-Range Forecasts Are Made

The Coming One-World Government

Venus, Pluto and Midwest Weather

On February 28th, Venus formed a parallel to Pluto. This was the basis of the Feb 28-Mar 1 Weather Alternative long-range forecast that called for a stormy period for the Mississippi Valley area due to Pluto's position in the winter solstice chart. The forecast read:

A stormy period looms for the Mississippi Valley area. A cold air mass will swirl into the area prompting potentially severe storms.

The accompanying Weather Channel map for February 29th shows snow and rain affecting the forecast area. Storms did stay below severe limits.

March Forecasts

Introduction to the Weather Alternative

How Long-Range Forecasts Are Made

The 2008 International Conference on Climate Change

The 2008 International Conference on Climate Change is the first major international conference to focus on issues and questions not answered by advocates of the theory of man-made global warming.

Hundreds of scientists, economists, and public policy experts from around the world will gather on March 2-4, 2008, at the Marriott New York Marquis Hotel on Manhattan’s Time Square, to call attention to widespread dissent in the scientific community to the alleged “consensus” that the modern warming is primarily man-made and is a crisis.


The global warming debate that the public and policymakers usually see is one-sided, dominated by government scientists and government organizations agenda-driven to find data that suggest a human impact on climate and to call for immediate government action, if only to fund their own continued research, but often to achieve political agendas entirely unrelated to the science of climate change. There is another side, but in recent years it has been denied a platform from which to speak.

The 2008 International Conference on Climate Change promises to be an exciting event and the point of departure for future conferences, publications, and educational campaigns to present both sides of this important topic.

http://www.heartland.org/NewYork08/newyork08.cfm

Mars triggered the March 18, 2007 Solar Eclipse on February 26th. When outer planets reach the conjunction, square, and opposition of eclipse degrees there is usually a weather reaction over the places where the Sun and Moon were angular.





The Weather Alternative forecast for this period called for inclement weather for the Pacific Northwest and British Columbia in Canada.



The Pacific Northwest has pretty much remained unscathed by any inclement weather during this period. British Columbia, however, has been hit by a pacific frontal system. Here is an example of one of a number of weather warnings posted by Weather - Environment Canada.



WarningsCentral Coast - coastal sections


4:30 AM PST


Tuesday 26 February 2008


Wind warning for Central Coast - coastal sections continued
Southeast winds of 60 to 90 km/h will ease this evening.
This is a warning that potentially damaging winds are expected or occurring in these regions. Monitor weather conditions..Listen for updated statements.

A pacific frontal system approaching the north coast is spreading strong southeast winds of 60 to 90 km/h over the Queen Charlottes and coastal sections of north and central coast this morning. The winds are expected to abate this evening as the front moves inland.



The long-range forecast also called for a moisture-laden air mass to push up over the Southeast into the Ohio Valley prompting storms along the way.

Accuweather reported on the 26th that storms producing damaging winds, hail, and isolated tornadoes would hit the Southeast, especially Florida.

This next Accuweather map for the 26th shows the Ohio Valley being hit by a low pressure system that brought cold winds, heavy snow, rain, and a mix of wintry precipitation to the area.

February 2008 Weather Outlook

March Forecasts

Introduction to the Weather Alternative

How Long-Range Forecasts Are Made

What Enthusiasm Can Do For You

One of the greatest human needs of our time is a weapon to fight mediocrity, one that will teach us how to make use of zest and vitality and the creative forces buried deep within us. What we so desperately need is the capacity for exercising enthusiasm.

Having carefully observed people over many years, I am convinced that the individuals who achieve the most in life are invariably activated by enthusiasm. The men who do the most with their lives are those who approach human existence, its opportunities and its problems—even its rough moments—with a confident attitude and an enthusiastic point of view. Therefore, it seems timely to stress the vital power of enthusiasm and to suggest ways to develop and maintain this powerful and precious motivating force.

Enthusiasm can truly make a difference—the difference in how your life will turn out.

Enthusiasm Makes a Difference by Norman Vincent Peale

Venus Warms the East; Saturn Storms the West

The transit of Venus over the U.S. Northeast in this month's long-range weather forecast was the basis for predicting warmer temperatures over the area between February 24-26.



Accuweather reports today that an area of high pressure will provide tranquil days for the Northeast into Monday (25th). Sunshine will dominate a large part of the region. Since the high has not originated from the Arctic, temperatures will warm to typical late-February values.

On the other end of the nation, the Sun's opposition to Saturn (exact on the 24th) falls along the West Coast in the all-important Solar Ingress chart. This was the basis for predicting a stormy period for the area with rain, higher elevation snows, and cold temperatures. Saturn is living up to its long-established reputation.

Accuweather reports heavy rain and blizzard conditions over northern and central portions of the Sierras. High winds, between 50-70 mph will lash the Bay area on Sunday and push southward to the Los Angeles Basin. Soaking rains are in store for the northern two-thirds of California as well.

The Weather Alternative forecast also calls for severe weather over the Mississippi Valley are between the 23rd and 26th as an intensifying low pressure system sets off severe thunderstorms.

The next Accuweather map shows a low pressure area scheduled to hit tomorrow (25th) over the nations midsection. They foresee a major snow storm that will dump a swath of 3-6 inches of snow from the Midwest to the Northeast.

February 2008 Weather Outlook

March Forecasts

Introduction to the Weather Alternative

How Long-Range Forecasts Are Made

Worry

The word worry derives from an old Anglo-Saxon verb wyrgan, meaning to choke or strangle. If someone were to grasp you around the neck with two hands, pressing as hard as possible, and thereby cutting off your air supply, he would be doing to you dramatically what you gradually do to yourself as a confirmed worrier. Through worry you are actually strangling your creative powers. In an early Anglo-Saxon illustration, worry is graphically depicted as a huge angry wolf with teeth in a man's neck.
Relief from worry is what this book is endeavoring to provide. Even more than relief, it offers a positive cure in the form of vital enthusiasm which can actually cancel worry.

I have always liked that familiar and reassuring statement by Victor Hugo, "When you have accomplished all that you can, lie down and go to sleep. God is awake."

Enthusiasm Makes the Difference - Norman Vincent Peale

March Forecasts

The Capricorn Solar Ingress finishes up its three month tenure on the 19th of March and makes way for the Vernal Equinox chart to begin its reign over our spring weather. There is quite an array of angular planets across the U.S. Of the 10 heavenly bodies, 7 of them are lined up across the a 35 degree span that covers the western U.S., the Rockies, Plains, and East Central States.

The Sun is positioned at 85 degrees west longitude through the Deep South and in close square to Pluto. I'm hoping this will continue to bring needed rain for the Southeast, something that the Capricorn Solar Ingress helped to deliver.

The following forecasts are based on the Solar Ingresses mentioned above. Of course other charts must be consulted as well, such as lunations, eclipses etc. Time permitting, future posts will focus on their role in our 2008 spring season.


March 4-7
Mars now transits over the Mississippi Valley stirring up heat and triggering storms.


March 5-8
Aspects between the Sun and Uranus are known to lower temperatures and bring cold, dry air. The Rockies is the focal point now. Storms are likely to be triggered as the colder air mass moves into the region. A similar setup is shown over the Northeast.


March 11-13
Windy conditions or storms packing dangerous winds are indicated over the Mississippi Valley area.


March 14-16
Another potentially active period over the Mississippi Valley and eastward. Severe thunderstorms are possible.


March 15-19
This will be an active period for the West Coast. Mercury and Venus will perfect their square to Saturn. All of these are located along the California coast and promise a parade of storms over the area between these dates.


March 17-19
A cold front over the Mississippi Valley triggers storms.


March 20-22
A front or low-pressure system tracks through the eastern U.S. bringing storms from Michigan through the Southeast.


March 23-25
The conjunction between Mercury and Venus centers over 99 west longitude. A warm and moist air mass will be pulled northward over Texas and the Plains setting off storms.


March 27-30
Both Mercury and Uranus are considered "cold" planets in astrometeorology. Their conjunction on the 27th will set in motion the Jupiter-Uranus sextile, which is exact the day after. We expect lower temperatures and fair conditions from the Jupiter-Uranus sextile, but Mercury's conjunction to Uranus as well as Venus' conjunction to Uranus on the 28th may add a stormy factor to this set up. The areas to be affected are from the eastern Plains and western Great Lakes southward.


March 29-31
The Sun's square to Mars affects the Northeast U.S. The storms that affected the eastern Plains around the 27th will most likely arrive over the Northeast now.

February 2008 Weather Outlook

Introduction to the Weather Alternative

How Long-Range Forecasts Are Made

Reject rejection.
(Lisa Jimenez) Rejection to the sales person is the greatest form of failure. No one would want to be rejected, right? Wrong! There is one kind of person who doesn't mind rejection. This person is someone who understands the Law of Averages (LOA). He or she knows that it often takes ten rejections to get one yes. Thus rejection simply means you are that much closer to making a sale or getting a yes. Rejection is just a part of the journey to success. Reject rejection by accepting the Law of Averages.

Mercury Does It Again

The Weather Alternative's long-range forecast, based on Mercury's recent direct station on the 18th of February, called for colder air to be drawn into the Mississippi Valley, Southeast, and mid-Atlantic regions, with particularly intense storms over in and around the Carolinas between Feb 18-20.



Results

The Accuweather map at left for February 18th shows severe storms over North Carolina. The Weather Channel worded it as follows:



In the Southeast, some severe storms are possible this morning from the Delmarva Peninsula to the Florida Peninsula with the greatest risk along the North Carolina Coast. Damaging wind, large hail, and a tornado or two is possible in these areas.

Cold air engulfed the region as can be seen from the next Accuweather map and forecast:

After mild air overtakes the East ahead of the next storm to affect the region, another cold snap will be delivered by Tuesday (Feb 19th). Consolidating over the Great Plains today, the cold outbreak will sweep eastward to the central and southern Appalachians by Monday night (Feb 18th), then on to the Eastern Seaboard Tuesday. Temperatures will plummet for the middle part of the week with temperatures dipping below normal for at least two days. Following the departure of the cold front, frigid winds will make it feel even colder. At the same time, the cold winds will blow across the Great Lakes and trigger snow to the lee of the lakes.

February 2008 Weather Outlook

Introduction to the Weather Alternative

How Long-Range Forecasts Are Made

The Historian Josephus on Abraham

Berosus mentions our father Abram without naming him, when he says thus: "In the tenth generation after the Flood, there was among the Chaldeans a man righteous and great, and skillful in the celestial science."

Now Abram, having no son of his own, adopted Lot, his brother Haran's son, and his wife Sarai's brother; and he left the land of Chaldea when he was seventy-five years old, and at the command of God went into Canaan, and therein he dwelt himself, and left it to his posterity. He was a person of great sagacity, both for understanding all things and persuading his hearers, and not mistaken in his opinions; for which reason he began to have higher notions of virtue than others had, and he determined to renew and to change the opinion all men happened then to have concerning God; for he was the first that ventured to publish this notion, That there was but one God, the Creator of the universe; and that, as to other [gods], if they contributed any thing to the happiness of men, that each of them afforded it only according to his appointment, and not by their own power. This his opinion was derived from the irregular phenomena that were visible both at land and sea, as well as those that happen to the sun, and moon, and all the heavenly bodies, thus: - "If [said he] these bodies had power of their own, they would certainly take care of their own regular motions; but since they do not preserve such regularity, they make it plain, that in so far as they co-operate to our advantage, they do it not of their own abilities, but as they are subservient to Him that commands them, to whom alone we ought justly to offer our honor and thanksgiving." For which doctrines, when the Chaldeans, and other people of Mesopotamia, raised a tumult against him, he thought fit to leave that country; and at the command and by the assistance of God, he came and lived in the land of Canaan. And when he was there settled, he built an altar, and performed a sacrifice to God.

A Little Warmth

The Weather Alternative's forecast for Feb 13-15, 2008 was based on the Sun's trine to Mars. It read:

Forecast
Feb 13-15
A warm and dry air mass moves northward over Texas into the Plains.

The Accuweather map at left shows the warmth that will embrace the region today and tomorrow. It will be short lived however, but long enough to justify the long-range forecast. Afterwards a storm system will approach the area.

The National Weather Service in Oklahoma and Kansas reported:

NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE
NORMAN OK
610 AM CST WED FEB 13 2008

TEMPERATURES TODAY WILL REACH THE MID AND UPPER 60S ALONG WITH RELATIVE HUMIDITY VALUES FALLING TO 15 TO 20 PERCENT...AND SOUTH WINDS OF 15 TO 20 MPH.

NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE
DODGE CITY KS
250 AM CST WED FEB 13 2008

.STRONG SOUTH WINDS WILL DEVELOP DURING THE AFTERNOON. AS TEMPERATURES WARM...RELATIVE HUMIDITIES WILL ALSO TUMBLE.

February 2008 Weather Outlook

Introduction to the Weather Alternative

How Long-Range Forecasts Are Made

Ding Xiuling, a leader of China's Christian community, was imprisioned in October 1989.

Ding shared her faith with many of the prisoners, and they came to rely on her leadership. In one incident, which she described as a "miracle," she told the prisoners under her charge to take a break from working on a brick wall and sit down at a distance on the grass because it was such a pleasant day. Just then an explosion in a chemical factory next to the prison destroyed the wall where the prisoners had been working. The prison officials were frightened, but not a single prisoner was hurt. Ding recalled, "One of the officials grabbed my hand and said, 'Your God is truly a great god.'"

Strong Front and Storms Right On Schedule

The long-range forecast issued on January 23rd foretold of a storm system or strong cold front to affect the Southeast and mid-Atlantic area between February 9-11, 2008. The Weather Alternative forecast was based on the Sun's aspects to Neptune and Mercury.



According to the Weather Channel, an Arctic cold front moved through the Northeast and mid-Atlantic today bringing falling temperatures and snow. There were widespread wind, snow and cold-related watches, warnings and advisories in effect across the region.


The National Weather Service in Charleston, South Carolina reports that this strong cold front will advance through the Southeast overnight. No precipitation is involved with the front, but wind advisories have been issued for Virginia and South Carolina.


February 2008 Weather Outlook

Introduction to the Weather Alternative

How Long-Range Forecasts Are Made


God's Wonderful Creation

ScienceDaily (Feb. 9, 2008) — Natural flyers like birds, bats and insects outperform man-made aircraft in aerobatics and efficiency. University of Michigan engineers are studying these animals as a step toward designing flapping-wing planes with wingspans smaller than a deck of playing cards.

A Blackbird jet flying nearly 2,000 miles per hour covers 32 body lengths per second. But a common pigeon flying at 50 miles per hour covers 75. The roll rate of the aerobatic A-4 Skyhawk plane is about 720 degrees per second. The roll rate of a barn swallow exceeds 5,000 degrees per second.

Deadly Tornadoes and Midwest Snow

Tuesday, the deadliest outbreak of tornadoes in over 20 years killed more than 50 people across Arkansas, Tennessee, Mississippi and Alabama. The storm on Wednesday produced blizzard conditions across Wisconsin, while snow in Chicago forced the cancellation of at least 900 flights at O'Hare Airport.




Major weather concerns are usually connected to eclipse charts. In this case the lunar eclipse of August 28, 2007 placed a potent Venus-Neptune opposition over the eastern Plains and southern Mississippi Valley. The opposition at 19 Leo/20 Aquarius was triggered on the 3rd and 4th by transit Mercury and was part of the basis for the February 3-6 Weather Alternative forecast calling for precipitation over the Plains and Mississippi Valley on those dates.




A 20 to 30 degree temperature drop is on the way for the country's midsection accompanied by biting winds tomorrow (8th) into Saturday (9th) fulfilling the next Weather Alternative long-range forecast. This one called for strong winds to afflict the Mississipp Valley area between February 6-8.

February 2008 Weather Outlook

Introduction to the Weather Alternative

How Long-Range Forecasts Are Made


When Darwin wrote The Origin of Species, he could offer no good cases of natural selection because no one had looked for them. He drew instead an anal­ogy with the artificial selection that animal and plant breeders use to improve domesti­cated varieties of animals and plants. By breeding only from the woolliest sheep, the most fertile chickens, and so on, breeders have been spectacularly successful in al­tering almost every imaginable characteris­tic of our domesticated animals and plants to the point where most of them differ from their wild ancestors far more than related species differ from them.

The analogy to artificial selection is misleading. Plant and animal breeders employ intelligence and specialized knowledge to select breeding stock and to protect their charges from natural dangers. The point of Darwin's theory, however, was to establish that purposeless natural processes can substitute for in­telligent design. That he made that point by citing the accomplishments of intelligent designers proves only that the receptive audience for his theory was highly uncritical.

Darwin on Trial by Phillip E. Johnson

The Latest Conjunctions and Our Weather

The conjunction of Venus and Jupiter on February 1st and Mercury's conjunction with Neptune on the 2nd were the basis for The Weather Alternative's long-range forecast issued on January 23rd.



Forecast
Feb 1-3
A cold air mass descends over the Mississippi Valley area and heads east only to clash with a warm, moist air mass over the Southeast and mid-Atlantic regions resulting in storms.A storm system pushes into the West Coast states continuing through the Great Basin area and into the Rockies.


Results
As can be seen from the Weather Channel map above, a major winter storm impacted the eastern United States on the the 1st and 2nd. Treacherous ice created hazadarous travel and severe thunderstorms blasted the Southeast.


The long-range forecast also called for a storm system to push into the West Coast States. As shown in the Accuweather map at left, an area of low pressure in southwestern British Columbia, Canada fueled snow showers for the Cascades and northern Rockies. The Oregon Cascades were forecast to receive over 6 inches of snow.


The next Weather Alternative forecast for February 3-6 is beginning to shape up. The forecast calls for precipitation to affect the Plains and Mississippi Valley between these dates.

Accuweather reports that a new storm is underway and will develop late this weekend over the Plains and will track east-northeast through the Midwest and Great Lakes by Tuesday (5th).

February 2008 Weather Outlook

Introduction to the Weather Alternative

How Long-Range Forecasts Are Made

Enthusiasm

Sir Edward V. Appleton, the Scottish physicist whose scientific discoveries made possible worldwide broadcasting and won him a Nobel prize, was asked for the secret of his amazing achievements. "It was enthusiasm," he said. "I rate enthusiasm even above professional skill." For without enthusiasm, one would scarcely be willing to endure the self-discipline and endless toil so necessary in developing professional skill. Enthusiasm is the dynamic motivator that keeps one persistently working toward his goal.

Enthusiasm Makes the Difference - Norman Vincent Peale

Mars Rocks the Plains

Mars began its direct motion on January 30th after being retrograde since November 2007. The winter seasonal map shows Mars on the Midheaven over the central U.S. at 99 west longitude.



The Weather Alternative forecast based on this celestial event was published on December 20th, 2007 and predicted that the position of Mars "affects southern Texas northward through the Great Plains where we should see an increase in temperatures and dry conditions" between January 29th and February 2nd.



Well, Mars is giving us more bang for its buck than anticipated. A major storm has formed over the area and as of midday today up to 10 inches of snow has fallen in Southeastern Kansas. The storm will continue eastward and will impact a fairly sizeable area from Missouri to the Great Lakes.

All is not lost, however. The warm and dry conditions mentioned in the long-range forecast will arrive within the forecast period. The Accueweather map at left shows that by the 2nd of February temperatures will make a splendid recovery over the forecast area. A warm air mass from Mexico will push temperatures into the 60s and 70s in Texas, while 50s will be common in Arkansas and Oklahoma.

February 2008 Weather Outlook

Introduction to the Weather Alternative

How Long-Range Forecasts Are Made

LI TIANEN--Christian leader in Communist China

In 1960, when Mao's Utopian Great Leap Forward experiment was approaching its climax, Li was caught in yet another roundup of potential oppositionists. He was sentenced to ten years in prison.

Li was assigned to a labor camp in Anhui Province, digging and moving iron ore. Two prisoners were assigned to cell beds next to him to ensure that he didn't move his lips in his bed, and thus pray. If they reported to the prison authorities that he had done so, he was forced to stand against a wall, sometimes in winter, without a shirt, for up to six hours, with his arms and feet splayed out. He says that during these punishment sessions he never felt the cold.

Once, he tumbled thirty feet down from an ore heap and was thought to have died. During this time Li says his soul was flying around the camp and observing what was going on, "like an eagle." "I was dead for more than ninety minutes," he said. Meanwhile, the camp doctor was working on him, trying to see if Li could be resuscitated. He evidently thought not, and was ordering the inmates to prepare a grave when Li suddenly opened his eyes. Seeing he was coming to, the doctor bent over him and asked him who he was.

"I am Li Tianen," he replied right away.
"Do you believe in God?"
"Yes, I do."
"I believe in God now," said the doctor. He could not understand how life had returned to a prisoner who had stopped breathing and had no discernible pulse.

Jesus in Beijing by David Aikman

Southern California Storm

Tonight through Sunday, a big storm will unleash rain, mountain snow, and high wind over southern California. This latest storm, one that follows torrential rains that hit the area this week, is connected with the Full Moon of January 22nd.

As can be seen in the simplified astro-locality map at left, Jupiter was on the ascendant over the western United States at the time of full moon. Presently, Mercury is semi-square (45 degrees) Jupiter. Squares (90 degrees), semi-squares and ses-squares (135 degrees) are disruptive to the atmosphere. This is somewhat of a special case this time with Mercury since it is about to begin its retrograde movement. Because of this Mercury is lingering a bit longer in aspect to Jupiter than usual.

Mercury, which was rising over the Southeast U.S. at the time of
full moon, is having its own effect on the weather there. A weak area of low pressure is bringing rain there, while further north along the Mercury line a low pressure area will intensify over the Delmarva Peninsula generating high surf, gusty winds, and precipitation northward.

The Weather Alternative issued a forecast back in December for the period of January 23-27, 2008.

Forecast January 23-27, 2008

The eastern Plains and the Mississippi Valley are the focal points for severe weather during this five-day stretch. As is the case in most severe weather scenarios, warm and cold air masses collide resulting in storms. The 26th and 27th seem to be the most intense days.

The Weather Channel map at left for January 25th shows snow over Iowa, which moved through Illinois and Wisconsin. A wintry mix can be seen over Texas and the southern Plains into the Mississippi River Valley.

The Accuweather map at right is for the 23rd, which shows a low pressure system over the forecast area. The weather over these days was not as severe as anticipated.




February 2008 Weather Outlook
Some Observations About January's Weather Patterns 2008
Introduction to the Weather Alternative
How Long-Range Forecasts Are Made

Guan Zhuang Village

In the summer of 2002, I visited a home in the village. I wanted to learn how the Fangcheng fellowship, now estimated to number in the millions throughout China, had gotten started in this rural corner of Henan.

There were only six Christian believers in this village in the late 1960s, out of a population of close to two hundred. (Today, only three families in a village population of 170 are not Christians.) They began to meet secretly in homes for prayer and worship. Chen Yurong said her younger brother was a Communist Party official in the village who persecuted her fiercely. He had two boys, aged nine and five. One day, they were playing near the village well. Chen, at prayer not far away, felt an intense urge to go there, intuiting that one of her nephews might drown. As she approached, the nine-year-old cried in terror: his younger brother had fallen into the well. "Lord, save this boy! Let me die instead," Chen suddenly shouted out.

Somehow, as other villagers gathered around to see what they could do, the boy spluttered to the surface. Ropes were let down and he was pulled out. "Did you swallow a lot of water?" someone asked anxiously. "No," said the boy. "There was a man in white holding me up." After this, Chen's brother backed off from persecuting his sister.

Jesus in Beijing by David Aikman