Thursday, April 11, 2024

A pair-a-herons on their nest

Morning Observation:

This morning in Huntington at 7:05AM it’s currently 46 degrees under mostly cloudy skies. Winds are calm. Relative humidity is 95%, dewpoint 44, barometric pressure 29.99”. We picked up 0.25” of rain yesterday. Yesterday’s high was 63, and yesterday’s low was 39. The overnight low got down to 43.

This morning in North Hero it’s currently 45 degrees under mostly cloudy skies. Winds are calm. Relative humidity is 93%, dewpoint 43, barometric pressure 29.99”. We picked up 0.13” of rain yesterday. Yesterday’s high was 56, and yesterday’s low was 44. The overnight low got down to 43.

Forecast Discussion:

We’ve got a rainy several days ahead of us as low pressure currently over the mid-Mississippi Valley slides northeastward into the Great Lakes today. The low will lift a warm front into the North Country during the day accompanied by numerous shower which should be moving into the region by midmorning. A dry slot is expected to move overhead later this afternoon bringing a pause to the rainfall action, but showers will likely return tonight and through the overnight hours. Highs today will top out in the upper 50s to low 60s once again. As the low lifts into Ontario & Québec on Friday, it will drag a cold front through the region bringing renewed chances for showers along with some rumble of thunder and gusty southeast winds. Even with the “cold” front, however, temperatures will continue to unseasonably warm in the mid 60s on Friday. Showers will linger into Saturday, diminishing into Sunday as the low slowly pulls away to the northeast. Highs on Saturday will be more seasonable—in the upper 40s with mid to upper 50s expected for Sunday. Dry conditions return briefly for Monday with more rain and warm temperatures expected for midweek.

3-Day Forecast:

We’ll see mostly cloudy skies today with rain showers likely. Winds will be out of the southeast at 8-16 mph. Chance of precipitation is 90% with rainfall amounts of less than 0.10″ possible. Tonight should be cloudy with showers, mainly after 8:00PM. Lows will be around 52 with southeast winds 21-26 mph gusting to 39 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80% with rainfall amounts between 0.10″-0.25″ possible.

Friday should be cloudy with showers, with thunderstorms also possible after 1:00PM. Highs will be near 65 with southeast winds 18-24 mph gusting to 36 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80% with rainfall amounts between 0.25″-0.50″ possible. Friday night should be mostly cloudy with showers likely, mainly before 8:00PM. Lows will be around 43 with south winds 14-16 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60% with rainfall amounts between 0.10″-0.25″ possible.

Saturday should be cloudy with showers. Highs will near 49 with south winds 10-15 mph becoming westerly in the afternoon. Chance of precipitation is 80% with rainfall amounts between 0.10″-0.25″ possible. Saturday night should be mostly cloudy with a 50% chance of showers. Lows will be around 38 with west winds 11-17 mph gusting to 24 mph. Rainfall amounts between 0.10″-0.25″ are possible.

Almanac:

Last year on this date in Huntington we had a high of 69 and a low of 42.
Last year in North Hero we had a high of 66 and a low of 44.

Burlington averages for this date are a low of 34 and a high of 53.
The record low was 12 in 1974.
The record high was 84 in 1945.

The Lake Champlain lake level in Burlington is 97.97′.
The water temperature is 41˚.
Last year’s lake level was at 97.68′.

The Mt. Mansfield snow stake depth is 81″ (reported 4/9).
The average depth for this date is 70″.

Mt. Washington Summit Conditions
Current Temperature: 38˚
Winds are out of the south at 22 gusting to 33 mph
24 hr Precipitation: 0.28″ rain
Visibility: less than 1/16 mile in fog

Sky Notes:

Sunrise: 6:14AM
Sunset: 7:32PM
Length of day: 13:17:55
Today will be 2:58 longer than yesterday.

The Moon is a waxing crescent, 3 days old with 9% illumination.
Moonrise: 7:36AM
Moonset: 11:46PM

About Today’s Photo:

We visited a heronry in the islands the other day and there was quite a bit of activity as nesting season is getting underway. There were a few pairs already set to go, and several solo birds working industriously on their nests. The heronry is on private land so I’m not at liberty to divulge its location.

Sony A7II, Sigma 100-400mm lens @ 400mm, ISO 125, f/10, 1/500″ exposure