ALERT NEWSLETTER – May 2019

Hi Everyone,

I hope this finds you well.

The sunny weather we are seeing deceptively distracts from the fact that Alabama is still in the midst of a severe tornado season.

As of April 25 Alabama has been struck by 53 tornadoes, causing 23 fatalities and 198 injuries.

The 53 tornadoes make 2019 13th in the number of annual tornadoes since 1950.

53 tornadoes before the end of April ranks second behind the all-time totals of 2011.

Though the Midwest storms of the last couple of days may change things, Alabama, as of April 29, is currently second nationwide in tornadoes, with Mississippi leading with 75 tornadoes.

As our season continues through May remember not to let your guard down, as our threat is far from over.

Be ready for more callouts to come.

Our next ALERT meeting will occur May 14.

I hope to see you there!

……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

Reminder on ALERT Operations Current Practice:

(Subject to change – times are changing!)

1. ALERT does not run nets from K4NWS, but we do follow the storms to different repeaters.
2. We are roaming operators, so we are not guaranteed to be on a specific repeater, and we may secure from a given analog repeater at any time. We may be on your repeater, but we may also be silent/not talking unless necessary.
3. We work with existing weather nets, where they exist, and follow directions/guidance from any club/ARES/Skywarn net control on the local net, if present.

Places that we can definitely be reached:

1. Internet: We monitor BMXSpotterChat in case of any reports from non-ham radio spotters, OR the ALERT Facebook page for reports from social media followers. We can relay information direct to NWS via NWSchat.
2. Digital Ham Radio: We monitor D-Star XRF334C (accessible by Peanut software also), 31013 on DMR (ALERT DMR), Yaesu Fusion ALERT-K4NWS 41300, Echolink and more.
   **DMR/D-STAR(XLX) / YSF / AllStar / EchoLink / HamShackHotline are bridged together.
   https://alert-alabama.org/blog/?page_id=1736
3. If someone is physically at K4NWS, we use REF058B on the local D-Star repeater KI4SBB or K4DSO.

Casey Benefield – NZ2O

…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..

New/Draft D-Star REF058B – Multi-User Ops Procedure

In ALERT/K4NWS’s last callout activation 4/14/2019, K4NWS was joined on the D-Star reflector 058B by the NWS Mobile, AL Skywarn group – Rural Radio Preparedness. We’re happy to hear another Skywarn group coming back up to speed.

There were a few questions after the event from Birmingham operators/spotters. After discussing with RRPA, we feel we have a good plan for directing spotter report traffic to the appropriate NWS station.

If you’re a Skywarn spotter or NWS Station Operator, here is how K4NWS would operate when sharing digital:

Operating Digital with Multiple Served Agencies

Foreword:

The following is written as a memo of understanding, to inform storm spotters and other NWS Skywarn groups on how ALERT/K4NWS will operate when in a situation where there is more than one served agency on frequency.

Skywarn/ARES Storm Spotters:

No significant operational change for storm spotters.

Storm spotters may make storm reports on the reflector as they always have, by calling either KBMX/Birmingham NWS via K4NWS or KMOB/Mobile NWS, prior to giving your storm spotter report. This keeps it clear which office the report was intended for.

Generally, REF058B does not go into a true directed net status. In the rare event that REF058B is activated into directed net by any other group, a KBMX/K4NWS area storm spotter may request direct contact with K4NWS from the acting net control, with priority, at any time. *Keep in mind, emergency traffic comes before priority traffic. As with any directed net, please follow net control’s guidance and directions.

The Procedure for K4NWS Operators:

When multiple NWS/Skywarn groups are on the same D-Star reflector, the ALERT operator representing K4NWS will recognize other NWS partner stations by their tactical callsign(s), if they do not have an official club call for the station.

Skywarn for Mobile NWS will identify themselves as KMOB or Mobile NWS.
ALERT (Skywarn) for Birmingham NWS will identify as “K4NWS Birmingham.”
Other NWS offices may likewise choose to identify with tactical callsigns.

A station operator with either group may need to occasionally remind operators that it is a statewide reflector. Example: “Multiple NWS stations are currently available on this reflector in Alabama, and listening for storm spotter reports as priority traffic, for each area.”

*NOTE: When using tactical callsigns, the stations who are doing so must additionally identify themselves with the callsign of the control operator present, in accordance with applicable FCC Part 97 regulations, at the start/end of communication and every 10 minutes during continuous operations.

Nets on REF058B

Generally, REF058B does not become called into an active / directed net status during severe weather.

In the unlikely event that REF058B is called into an actual active net status by another group, K4NWS should act as a served agency liaison, and proactively report to net control that we are here for receiving any reports for NWS Birmingham’s area. Much like we would participate in county nets, we would participate in any other net.

Note: This is subject to change, based on feedback from our partner NWS offices, Skywarn groups, storm spotters, reflector users, and K4NWS members.

We appreciate the work that our other regional and county Skywarn groups, such as RRPA and NALSW – North Alabama Skywarn with KHUN NWS Huntsville. Thank you all for your continued partnership as we all work toward the mission of the National Weather Service: Protect life and property.

Casey Benefield – NZ2O

………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….

Zone Assessment For Emergency Preparedness And Mitigation

In preparing for possible emergencies having a well thought out organized approach or methodology proves much more effective than a haphazard hit and miss “I got my kit” approach.

All too often people will make a cursory effort at preparation, maybe reading an article or two, buying a few items and then putting them away in a closet for “when” and then never taking them out, testing them or remaining up to date in their emergency preparedness training.

Knowledge and preparations are both perishable commodities. Knowledge fades, equipment deteriorates as items either go out of date or corrode. Then just when you need them the most you can find that the “security blanket” that gave you comfort is as worthless as wet leaves.

While you don’t want to be a morbid “Gloomy Gus”, you want to make emergency preparedness a priority, and in fact a way of life.

You want to study and learn and then apply that knowledge to your own individual lives and circumstances in an organized fashion for maximum effect.

One example of an organized approach is the “Zone Assessment” concept.

In doing a Zone Assessment you divide your corner of the world in “Zones” or concentric circles in ever increasing size or range, giving you five Zones:

Zone I – Personal / Physical
Zone II – House / Property
Zone III – Local / Neighborhood
Zone IV –State / Region
Zone V – National / International

Let’s see how this works.

ZONE I – PERSONAL / PHYSICAL

To paraphrase an old song, “I just dropped in to see what condition your condition is in”.

As with any activity in life, the starting point in emergency preparedness starts with YOU.

How are you physically?

Many people have no clue of what their true physical condition is because they are simply afraid to go to a doctor fearing “they will find something wrong.”

Well, it’s not a math quiz. If there is something wrong with you, you want to know this, for, knowing this and treating or correcting the condition might give you many good years ahead, while not knowing you have a condition, or ignoring a known condition can be a time bomb waiting to go off at any time.

For example, I have high blood pressure. Ignoring it will leave me vulnerable to a stroke, but, it is being treated, so my risk is much less than it would be otherwise.

Get a physical, if you have a problem, treat it, and as the pointy eared gentleman said “live long and prosper.”

Been to a dentist lately? If not, and if you still have chompers to worry about, you want to do so. For having a rotting tooth deciding to abscess during the aftermath of a tornado is not a good thing.

How physically fit are you?

Before I begin, I’ll be the first to admit that at 61 I will never be confused with an Olympic Gymnast.

People in the world of preparing have a tendency to overestimate their self-image of strength and endurance, preparing packs of equipment they are sure they can carry 25 miles, while nearly passing out just going from the sofa to the toilet.

Very few preparedness and survival books cover this subject and I am by no means an expert, but, assuming you are physically cleared by a doctor, which you should have done first, and are physically able to do so, try to get in as decent a shape as you can get in. For in an emergency you may need to lift debris, walk long distances or otherwise extend yourself far beyond your normal levels.

Some may opt to go to gyms for a supervised gung ho workout, which is perfectly fine. I can do it once, full bore, feel macho and then not be able to move for three days. I know this for I have
done this, proving that the song “I’m not as good as I once was, but, I’m good once as I ever was” is loaded with truth.

For me, doing a heavy workout after a full day of work is not wise, as I am tired and more prone to injuring myself, and timewise it is not possible anyway. Doing one before work leaves me worn out with a full workday ahead and everyone thinking I’m mad or sad, since I’m not my chipper self. Plus I have a condition called RBF, which basically means if I’m not grinning like a possum I look like I’m heading toward the gallows – no matter how happy and good I may feel.

So what can I do? Do what I can do.

Ignoring a book that seem to assume you are already a Navy SEAL, and picking the one that starts slowly and steadily increases your activity, I start by stretching out, running in place, increasing the time with time, and working with some weights, light at first and adding little things that others try to omit. Such as taking the stairs, parking at a safe distance and walking that distance, arguing “no thanks I don’t need help with my groceries, thank you” as I wrestle the cart away and pass the 20 year olds that have 65 year old baggers pushing their buggies to the car, and just trying to act consistently active.

Then when a setback occurs, such as illness or a time crunch, and I have to quit, I just either pick up where I left off, or start over again.

Can I run a marathon? No. But, I can probably hike you out of your shoes. Not the easy trail either.

Keep your mind active. Long ago I read that after graduation 50 percent of the American population never read another book and only 20 percent read more than one. That is sad.

Read. Exercise that mushy brain, for it needs a workout also.

Take time for you. Try not to get in ruts, or become an “appliance”, which is someone who somehow ends up doing everything and it just becomes an expectation from folk that you will keep doing so, without them considering that maybe you would like to do a few things and have “me time” also.

This can kill you both emotionally and physically.

Don’t neglect yourself spiritually also. Whether you are a person of faith or believe it is all hogwash we are spiritual creatures.

Many times leaning on “a power that is higher than I” has given people the hope, will and drive to go on when every circumstance shouted it “hopeless”.

I am a Christian. Perfect? Are you kidding? But I have seen times in life when it was all that kept me believing things would be ok.

Another aspect of the human spirit is you have around you. If you are surrounded by negative, critical people, you will become the same way, and that will damage or kill your survivability. For if you expect nothing but doom and disappointment, a completely survivable situation may become unsurvivable.

You need a balanced life – physically, mentally and spiritually.

That way you can deal with the emergencies should they arrive, and help others also.

Zone II – HOUSE / PROPERY

Here is a quick list of things to ask yourself.

Do you have a NOAA weatheradio?
Does your house have smoke and CO2 detectors?
Do you have a fire extinguisher and has it been checked recently or ever?
Do you have an escape plan for if there is a fire?
Do you have a sheltered area should a tornado threatens your home?
Do you know how to shut off the gas and water?
Do you have a list of emergency numbers posted so you won’t lose time looking for a phone book?

Emergency numbers to include are:
Police Precinct number (911 has been known to fail)
Fire Department Direct Number
Power Company
Phone Company
Gas Company
Water Company
Primary Care Physician
Pharmacy
Poison Control
Designated Family Contact
NWS Emergency Number 1-800-856-0758

Just as with people, every house has their strengths and weaknesses. For instance, a house that is well-built, but the roof leaks like a shower.

Learn the strengths of your house and property and capitalize on these. For example, use the strongest part of the house for your tornado shelter. Try to overcome, repair or compensate for the weaknesses you find.

One weakness that all homes are gaining is the push to have home phones tied to the internet. If you lose power your home telephone will die as soon as either the Wi-Fi router loses power or the UPS’s battery dies. If your cellphone battery dies or the cell tower is knocked out all you have left is RF. This is why we still keep the house phone “wired to the pole” – reliability for emergencies.

ZONE III – LOCAL / NEIGHBORHOOD

How well do you know your neighborhood, the area around your workplace and the route there and back?

One thing one should always do is to learn about your neighborhood, your workplace and their vicinity and its unique dangers, vulnerabilities and assets. Then if something happens you are already one step ahead in the game.

For example, the area in which I live has no flood threat, as it is on the side of a small hill. On the other hand I am very close to an Interstate and a main traffic artery. It is entirely possible that a tanker truck could wreck, release hazardous materials and endanger my neighborhood.

Once in my old neighborhood they were going to evacuate us at 3AM because a broken valve on a railroad tank car was venting anhydrous ammonia into the air.

Much more recently I was travelling to the doctor and found HWY 280 blocked as there had been a chemical accident at the Birmingham Water Works which had injured several people. People in the vicinity were told to shelter in place and the Brookwood Mall area had a distinct smell of chlorine in the air, prompting me to check the wind direction to see if the plume might be headed for my neighborhood a few miles down the road. If it was, though we had not been told to, we would have sheltered in place anyway.

So I know it CAN happen.

Add to this the ever-present tornado threat, a low-level earthquake threat and the ever-growing danger of unkind hooliganism, and I have a decent idea of what is possible and I should prepare for.

As for assets, in my immediate vicinity there is a fire station and two “doc in a box” clinics within walking range, a veterinarian, three drug stores, two grocery stores and there is a hospital three and one half miles away.

I also know the traffic access and choke points in case I have to make an emergency run.

The primary chokepoint is the entrance to my subdivision. If it becomes blocked for any reason, I am cut off, vehicle wise anyway from reaching or leaving my house.

The same is true at work. My workplace has one access road, lined by trees. If the trees are blown down blocking the road, we are cut off from emergency response. Until they can cut through the blockage we are on our own and if there were casualties I would have to use my CERT training to triage and treat those casualties.

I also learned all of the entrances, exits and good areas to “shelter in place” either for weather emergencies, fires or active shooters, as we live in an increasingly violent world, whether due to the possibility of former employees “going postal”, civil unrest or, the ever growing terrorist threat.

I have a “get home bag” and spare, non-conspicuous clothes in the car and locker and have mentally mapped out four possible routes to reach home from work and I know that all else failing, even my GPS, I know home is on a 220 degree compass bearing if I had to hike overland through areas where all normal landmarks have been obliterated.

Do know your neighbors?

When I was a child everyone knew each other, both good and bad, but, not so much so now.

It pays to get to know them. Even if it’s for just learning who to avoid, as not everyone is “nice”.

ZONE IV – STATE / REGION

Our primary state and regional vulnerabilities are tornado outbreaks, inland hurricanes and for North Alabama an earthquake risk from the New Madrid Fault in Missouri.

Tornados, whether from isolated supercells or from major tornado outbreaks like April 27, 2011 are all too familiar to us and aren’t going away.

Inland hurricanes can produce severe wind damage as Opal did in 1995, a tornado outbreak as Rita did when a single feeder band dropped 21 tornados in 2005 and intense flooding.

We don’t think about earthquakes much. But, from 1886 to March 2019 Alabama has had 374 earthquakes.

I’ve slept through each and every one that has occurred in my lifetime.

Between 1811 and 1812 a series of earthquakes near New Madrid Missouri occurred, estimated to be between Magnitude 7.0 – 8.0. It is believed that the question isn’t whether this event will be repeated, but, when.

If and when it does occur it will cause damage in Alabama.

A 2009 study estimated that a 7.7-magnitude New Madrid event could cause $1 billion in damages to roads and bridges in Alabama, hundreds of miles away from the epicenter.

One simulation showed Birmingham having Magnitude 6.0 earthquake damage.

My house would definitely have damage. What about yours?

Oh, at the risk causing bread and milk riot, should I even think of whispering “snow”?

No, I don’t think so either

If you haven’t already, you should get storm spotter training, have a NOAA weather radio and multiple warning sources, including news apps on your phones. I get notifications from INWS – Interactive NWS https://inws.ncep.noaa.gov/ As an ALERT member you are considered a “core partner (emergency management community, government partners of an NWS office” and qualify to sign up for these alerts.

I also subscribe to Baron Weather’s Alabama SAF-T-NET, which gives notifications of potentially severe storms about to strike my neighborhood or workplace. https://www.baronweather.com/alabamasaftnet/

If you are a Ham Radio Operator get involved with ALERT, SKYWARN, ARES and your local Ham Clubs.

For more information on earthquake preparation go to https://www.shakeout.org/centralus/alabama/

ZONE V – NATIONAL / INTERNATIONAL

One of the earliest memories I have was a bright and sunny October day when I was 4 years old playing in the back yard and hearing a strange noise in the sky. Looking up I saw a pretty formation of eight planes high overhead. I thought it was the neatest thing I had ever seen.

In those days little kids weren’t expected to have knowledge and opinions on geopolitical happenings. We were only expected to be kids playing in the dirt. So this little kid did not know that he was seeing US Airforce strategic bombers, all loaded with thermonuclear weapons, being deployed to South Florida, as the US and the USSR were on the brink of nuclear war, an event now known as the Cuban Missile Crisis of 1962.

The next time we drifted towards the brink was in 1973 when Egypt and Syria attacked Israel, and reports circulated that Soviet ships and troops were heading to Egypt. I remember my teacher coming in and saying “did you know we are on nuclear alert?”

The US vs USSR – back then this was the biggest threat to the United States and the worlds existence.

Though the threat somehow seems more distant, it is still very real. Plus now other international players have appeared on the scene.

Last year it seemed as if the US and North Korea were edging towards the brink. IF this had actually played out, and North Korea actually does have the capabilities they claim, Hawaii and the West Coast could have been targeted and inland areas downwind could have had to deal with the plumes of radioactive fallout.

A nuclear war between the US and Russia probably would not be a surprise attack, where Putin or Trump were having a bad day and just decided to “press the button”. Or at least I hope so.

Rather there would be a clear triggering incident that escalated, from shooting to heavy weaponry to tactical nuclear weapons to strategic nuclear weapons.

Some flash points would be a Russian invasion of Eastern Europe, Russia invading or “intervening” in the Middle East and advancing on Israel or the oil fields of the Persian Gulf, North Korea invading South Korea or attacking Japan, who the US is committed to defend.

Warning signs that things are more serious than usual saber rattling by leaders would include reports of the US fleet suddenly sortieing out of East Coast and Pacific naval bases. Reports of the Russian fleet sortieing out of their ports in Murmansk and Vladivostok. And, of course actual breakouts of fighting, either by NATO allies or direct fire between US and Russian forces.

That’s why having access to and keeping an eye on news sources is important. As this will let you know if things are about to become serious and not just tomcats hissing at each other.

Another nuclear threat is terrorists getting a nuclear device or constructing a “dirty bomb” designed to spread radioactive materials, or chemical weapons.

In a US vs Russia scenario Birmingham is a valid target due to it being an industrial center, a rail hub, having major highways intersecting and it being a population center, not including contamination from strikes on major Gulf Coast ports.

In a foreign terrorist scenario, they target “symbolic” targets, such as military, government and financial centers, and areas with large masses of people. So, Birmingham might not be a target rich environment in such a scenario. But, who can predict what a home grown nut will do?

Attacks do not have to be weapons of mass destruction. We all remember, or should at least September 11, 2001 when 2996 were killed in a well-planned and coordinated terrorist attack.

The threat of these types of attacks is just as real today as they were then. Terrorists, both infiltrated, imbedded, homegrown recruits and domestic could strike at any time. Whether it’s using vehicles as weapons, actual weaponry or psychological warfare designed to help them “divide and conquer” using the “A nation divided against itself cannot stand” principle, these threats are very real.

One should “be street wise”, being vigilant, with eyes and ears open, but, not acting like scared rabbits.

Well, now that I’ve cheered your lives, I will mention that there has never been a period in human history that there has not been threats, dangers and disasters.

What do you do?

Take reasonable precautions, keep your eyes open and go camping. In other words live life and have fun.

Mom once said “most of the things you worry about never happen anyway.”

But, Mom believed in being prepared also.

My parent’s generation survived a world-wide depression and world-wide war for national survival. Their generation canned and preserved, always has a stocked pantry, planted gardens and we’re hesitant to throw things out, as they valued things, knowing that might become scarce again. They were largely self-reliant.

Their children mockingly spoke of them hoarding, never throwing things out “after all they are the Depression Generation.”

Their grandchildren and great-grandchildren are watching tutorial videos, surfing websites and devouring books on how to can and preserve, build a stocked pantry, plant gardens and stockpile needed items that may become scarce during an emergncy. They are striving to be more self-reliant.

Though I don’t like the term “prepper” or “survivalist” as I don’t like pigeon holing and stereotyping, it has occurred to me that my parent’s generation we’re never “hoarders” at all. They were the first “preppers”.

As for me, I don’t call it “prepping”. I call it “stacking the deck in my favor.”

Hopefully this article will help you stack the deck in your favor also.

………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….

Mark’s Almanac

May is the fifth month & third month of the Roman calendar. May is named for the Greek goddess Maia, who was identified with, Bona Dea, the Goddess of Fertility, who was celebrated in May.

Since ancient times the first day of the month, “May Day” has been a time of celebration. In Rome it honored Flora, the goddess of flowers.

On May the fifth Mexican’s celebrate Cinco De Mayo, the celebration Mexico’s 1862 victory over Napoleon III’s forces at Puebla. This is not, as many assume, Mexico’s Independence Day, which is actually on September 16.

Rainfall decreases in May as the Azores-Bermuda High strengthens, expands Westward over the Southeastern US & begins rerouting storm systems northward.

The door opens to the Gulf of Mexico & Gulf moisture spreads northward over the continent.

The center of maximum tornadic activity also shifts northward over the Nation’s Heartland. May is the peak tornado month, with a 42% increase over April’s amount.

Eastern Pacific hurricane season begins May 15, and although the North Atlantic hurricane season has not arrived, occasionally a tropical system will form in the Gulf of Mexico. From 1851 to 2018 there have been 24 Tropical Storms and 5 Hurricanes, including an 1863 Category 2 storm, the knowledge of which is based on historical reanalysis by NOAA’s Michael Chenoweth and Cary Mock in 2013 and posthumously given the name Hurricane Amanda, named after, a Union ship the storm washed ashore. It made landfall near Apalachicola Florida.

60% of off-season Hurricanes occur in May

Colorado State University has issued its outlook for the 2019 tropical season.

The forecast predicts 13 named tropical systems, with five of those systems becoming hurricanes. Of those storms, two are forecasted to become major hurricanes with winds at category 3 strength or higher.

A “Normal” season sees about 12 named storms, 6 hurricanes, and 3 major hurricanes.

CSU says a currently weak El Nino will stay in place through the summer and fall. This will keep the average sea surface temperatures slightly below normal and the North Atlantic unusually cooler than usual. With cooler waters in place, tropical systems which need warmer water to gain strength will have trouble organizing and gaining strength.

The Atlantic Hurricane names for 2019 are: Andrea, Barry, Chantal, Dorian, Erin, Fernand, Gabrielle, Humberto, Imelda, Jerry, Karen, Lorenzo, Melissa, Nestor, Olga, Pablo, Rebekah, Sebastien, Tanya, Van and Wendy.

Hurricane names are recycled every 6 years, so this is the same list as used in 2013. The only change is Imelda, who replaces Ingrid, whose name was retired after devastating Northeastern Mexico in September 2013.

Days continue to grow longer as the Sun’s angle above the noonday horizon increases from 71.6 degrees at the beginning of the month to 78.4 degrees at the month’s end. Daylight increases from 13 hours 31 minutes on May 1 to 14 hours 13 minutes on May 31.

Sunrise and sunset times for Birmingham are:

May 1 Sunrise 5:59 AM Sunset 7:30 PM
May 15 Sunrise 5:47 AM Sunset 7:41 PM
May 30 Sunrise 5:39 AM Sunset 7:52 PM

Looking towards the sky, Mercury, magnitude -0.3, is sinking very low in the brightening dawn. He will pass behind the Sun on May 21.

Venus, magnitude –3.9, is very low in the brightening dawn. Pick up Venus just above the due-east horizon about 20 minutes before sunrise.

Mars, magnitude +1.6 in Taurus, glows in the west during and after dusk, and is getting lower every week now. He is almost as far from Earth as he ever gets.

Jupiter, magnitude –2.4, at the eastern foot of Ophiuchus, rises in the southeast around 11 – Midnight, He shines highest in the south before dawn begins.

On May 20 he will pass just South of the Moon.

Saturn, magnitude +0.6, in Sagittarius. rises around 1 AM. As dawn begins, he is the “star” 27°, almost three fists at arm’s length, to bright Jupiter’s left.

On May 22 he will pass just South of the Moon.

Uranus is moving behind the Sun.

Neptune is still deep in the glow of sunrise.

New Moon will occur May 4 at 5:46 PM CDT or 22:46 UTC. The Moon will located on the same side of the Earth as the Sun and will not be visible in the night sky This is the best time of the month to observe faint deep sky objects such as galaxies and star clusters, as there will be no moonlight to wash out the evening sky.

The Eta Aquarids Meteor Shower, an above average shower, peaks May 6 & 7. It is capable of producing up to 60 meteors per hour at its peak, but, most of the activity is seen in the Southern Hemisphere. In the Northern Hemisphere, the rate can reach about 30 meteors per hour, which is still a decent shower. It is produced by dust particles left behind by comet Halley, due to return in a mere 42 years in the summer of 2061. The shower runs annually from April 19 to May 28. It peaks this year on the night of May 6 and the morning of the May 7. The thin crescent moon will set early in the evening leaving dark skies for what should be a good show. Best viewing will be from a dark location after midnight. Meteors will radiate from the constellation Aquarius, but can appear anywhere in the sky.

The Moon will be at Perigee, or her closest point from the Earth on May 13 at a distance of 229296 Miles.

Full Moon will occur May 18th at 5:11 PM CDT or 21:11 UTC. The Moon will be located on the opposite side of the Earth as the Sun and its face will be will be fully illuminated. May’s Moon is “Flower Moon” in Native American folklore, because of the abundance of spring flowers. It has also been called “Corn Planting Moon” & “Milk Moon”.

Since this is the third of four Full Moons in this season, it is known as a Blue Moon. This rare calendar event only happens once every few years, giving rise to the term, “once in a Blue Moon.” There are normally only three Full Moons in each season of the year. But since Full Moons occur every 29.53 days, occasionally a season will contain 4 Full Moons. The extra Full Moon of the season is known as a Blue Moon. Blue Moons occur on average once every 2.7 years.

The Moon will be at Apogee, or her farthest point from the Earth on May 26 at a distance of 251117 Miles.

3944 planets beyond our solar system have now been confirmed as of April 18, per NASA’s Exoplanet Archive http://exoplanetarchive.ipac.caltech.edu/.

………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

This month’s meeting will be on May 14 at 7PM at the National Weather Service Forecast office at the Shelby County Airport.

If for some reason you cannot attend the meeting in person, you can still participate via telephone. The teleconference number is 1-877-951-0997 & and the participant code is 741083.

Hope to see you there!

Mark / WD4NYL
Editor
ALERT Newsletter

www.freewebs.com/weatherlynx/

Mark’s Weatherlynx
Weather Resource Database