Take a look at this beautiful photo sent to me from Josh Smith on Jacksonville's Northside. Notice the rainbow-effect above the towering cumulus/cumulonimbus cloud which was caused by the sun's rays shooting through high level cirrus clouds made up of ice crystals. This creates a prism effect as the sun reflects & refracts off & through the ice crystals -- gorgeous!
Earth Gauge: Caught in a Storm
Many people will be visiting lake or ocean beaches, camping, hiking, and participating in other outdoor activities during the summer months. As you plan for outdoor recreation activities, remember to keep lightning safety in mind. In 2008, there have been 11 lightning fatalities in the U.S. (one in Florida), and all of them have occurred outdoors.
Tip: Always check your local weather forecast before heading outside and plan ahead. If you do not think outdoor activities will be safe, consider rescheduling for another day. If you do find yourself outside during a thunderstorm, these tips can help you stay safe in various scenarios:
Camping: The best place to seek shelter from a thunderstorm is in your car. Tents and picnic shelters will keep you dry, but offer no protection from a lightning strike.
Lake or Ocean Beaches: Again, head for your car. Beach picnic shacks and pavilions will not offer protection from lightning.
On the Water: Most lightning injuries and deaths happen on small boats that do not have a cabin. If you are on a small boat and lightning is imminent, anchor the boat and get as low as possible. Larger boats with cabins (especially those with lightning protection systems), are relatively safe - stay inside the cabin and avoid touching metal objects.
No Shelter Available: If you absolutely cannot find shelter during a thunderstorm, you should squat out in the open in a low-lying area on the tips of your toes in a “crouch” position, away from other members of your group. Do not lie down. Stay away from tall, isolated objects (such as lone trees), and avoid contact with fences, poles, and backpacks, which can conduct electricity.
(Sources: National Weather Service. "2008 Lightning Fatalities."; "Lightning Risk Reduction Outdoors.")
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Climate Fact: Higher Lows
Getting a break from exposure to hot temperatures is important for preventing heat related illnesses. While people usually associate extreme daytime temperatures with heat stroke, if it does not cool sufficiently during the night, the body will not get a break from the heat. In North America over the last 50 years, average nighttime low temperatures have risen faster than average daytime high temperatures. There has been a 50 percent increase in the number of unusually warm nights, and nights with temperatures that would have fallen into the top tenth percentile during the 1950’s now fall into the top fifteenth percentile. Almost all of this increase has occurred since 1975.
(Source: United States. Climate Change Science Program. Weather and Climate Extremes in a Changing Climate. Synthesis Assessment Product 3.3: GPO. 2008.)
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Climate in the News – "Climate Change Brings Jellyfish Plague to Europe's Beaches ." – Deutsche Welle, July 5, 2008. Warming waters, which have lengthened jellyfish reproductive cycles, and overfishing have allowed jellyfish populations to increase along Europe's coastlines.
Personally.....a somber day....it was on this day -- July 10th last year -- that my mother was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. May She Rest in Peace. "My Journey".
Out of the office 'til Mon.....have a nice & safe weekend.
