Monday, July 10, 2023

A black swallowtail at Alburgh Dunes State Park

Morning Observation:

This morning in North Hero at 7:05AM it’s currently 69 degrees and raining lightly under overcast skies. Winds are out of the southeast at 3-5 mph. Relative humidity is 96%, dewpoint 68, barometric pressure 29.79”. We picked up 0.14” of rain yesterday and 0.15” so far today. Yesterday’s high was 81, and yesterday’s low was 67. The overnight low got down to 68.

This morning in Huntington it’s currently 65 degrees and raining steadily under overcast skies. Winds are calm. Relative humidity is 97%, dewpoint 64, barometric pressure 29.79”. We picked up 0.62” of rain yesterday and 1.65” so far today. Yesterday’s high was 84, and yesterday’s low was 63, The overnight low got down to 65.

There is a Flash Flood Warning in effect for Huntington until 8:00AM this morning.

Forecast Discussion:

Morning radar imagery shows deep moisture over the region, and the NWS reports that we are on track to unfortunately meet the highest predictions of rainfall, especially over the spine of the Greens and southern Vermont. As much as 7″ of rain may fall along the spine of the Greens today with 5″-7″ likely in other warning areas. Numerous Flash Flood Warnings (not just Watches!) have been posted for many locations in Vermont including Huntington, so please take them seriously! Rain will persist throughout the day today and into Tuesday before finally winding down Tuesday late afternoon. An active weather pattern is expected for the rest of the week, however, as an upper level low takes up residence over Hudson Bay and rotates a series of troughs through the North Country. While not a washout any particular day, chances for showers will exist each day heading into next weekend. Temperatures are expected to remain seasonably muggy through the period. This seems to be out lot this summer…

3-Day Forecast:

We’ll see cloudy skies today with rain and afternoon thunderstorms possible. Some of the storms could produce heavy rainfall. Highs will be near 72 with east winds 5-7 mph. Chance of precipitation is 100% with rainfall amounts between 3″-4″ possible in Huntington and 1″-2″ in North Hero. Tonight should be cloudy with rain. The rain could be heavy at times. Lows will be around 62 with southwest winds 5-8 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80% with rainfall amounts between 1″-2″ possible in Huntington and North Hero.

Tuesday should be cloudy with rain and thunderstorms before 4:00PM. Some of the storms could produce heavy rainfall. High near 82. West wind around 7 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%. New rainfall amounts between 0.25″-0.50″ are possible. Tuesday night should be partly cloudy with a low around 64 and southwest winds 7-9 mph.

Wednesday should be mostly sunny with a 40% chance of showers and thunderstorms. Highs will be near 82 with southwest winds 5-9 mph. Rainfall amounts of less than 0.10″ are possible with higher amounts possible in thunderstorms. Wednesday night should be mostly cloudy with a low around 62 and southwest winds 3-6 mph.

Almanac:

Last year on this date in Huntington we had a high of 80 and a low of 43.
Last year in North Hero we had a high of 79 and a lo low of 58.

Burlington averages for this date are a low of 62 and a high of 83.
The record low was 45 in 1954.
The record high was 95 in 2020 (we had a high of 89 in Huntington).

The Lake Champlain lake level in Burlington is 96.23′.
The water temperature is 77˚.
Last year’s lake level was at 95.59′.

Sky Notes:

Sunrise: 5:17AM
Sunset: 8:36PM
Length of day: 15:18:56
Today will be 1:16 shorter than yesterday.

The Moon is a waning crescent, 22 days old with 47% illumination.
Moonrise: 12:29AM
Moonset: 1:58PM

About Today’s Photo:

I came across this (and another) black swallowtail at the head of the “trail” to the old commercial campground section of Alburgh Dunes State Park. The pair was quite attracted to something in a pile of topsoils that was next to a newly constructed home by the shore. You’ll often see butterflies of various species attracted to minerals in soils and even roads where the remnants of winter road salts still exist.

Sony A7II, Sony 24-240mm lens @ 240mm, ISO 1250, f/8, 1/1600″ exposure