Captain's Log 30 MAR '20 Ready to MOW? Ready for La Nina?

We hope and pray that you and family are doing well and staying healthy.

Let's hope COVID19's peak is like SARS back in 2003 with a middle April peak and then trailing off into May. And if we're really luck it never really comes back like SARS. CLICK ON IMAGES FOR A LARGER VIEW.



World March temperatures trends vs last year show the U.S. was the bigger winner with much warmer YOY temperature trends with the 3rd warmest March in 35 years for the U.S. overall, greatest YOY change toward warmer weather since 2012. Snowfall was also 3rd least in 35 years but wettest in 4 years, 8th wettest in 35 years.



This week (30 Mar - 5 Apr) was showing sings that we might get a glancing shot of the Polar Vortex but models flip flopped for a week now so it doesn't appear to be anywhere near as cold as projected. The week still looks to trend 2.2F warmer than last year, warmest in 3 years and 16th warmest in 35 years. Rainfall is on the drier side trending driest in 5 years, 9th least in 35 years but snowfall (mainly NW and Plains) up vs LY and 10th most in 35 years.



When soil temperatures go above 50F, things like grass start to grow and we're seeing that now from Central Illinois to New Jersey. 14-day soil temperature and moisture forecasts are available around the world with wt360.com tools. As you'll see in today's video...the fish begin eating too so we fed the hungry fish this weekend. :)



Back to the weather...a weak system will bring some light snow to the NW and Plains so no mowing there just yet.



Next week (6-12 Apr) shows the same general trends of warm East, cool West. Nationally temps look to trend 0.6F warmer than a year ago and 3rd warmest of the past 35 years with much above average national temperatures. Rainfall the wettest in 7 years and 3rd wettest in 35 years with some risk for severe weather from TX to the Ohio Valley. Snowfall the most in 7 years and 4th most in 35 years for the higher elevations of the West.



Clear signs we're headed for a La Nina pattern for the next 1 to 1.5 years looking at the Pacific Ocean temperatures. Models still showing a weak La Nina event by early Summer and then moderate maybe strong by Fall. This is a dry cycle but of course the atmosphere can take weeks or a couple months to fully respond.



If you like celestial events, you're in luck this week as Venus goes right through the Pleiades Friday evening. The Pleiades kind of look like the little dipper only much smaller.



The little Angelina Kirk will be out for sure as she LOVES the stars and planets which plaster the ceiling in her basement "castle."



With millions of us getting used to working from home, not easy for those of us who enjoy being around people, the benefit is more family time together. The sunny warm days are certainly better for everyone's moral and good to soak up natural Vitamin D, thankfully we had some of that here in Eastern PA.



The little "Captain Angelina Kirk' is certainly enjoying more time with Daddy. :) We hope and pray your families are growing closer together too!



Have a great week and don't forget to follow us on social media for frequent updates. Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, Pinterest and Linkedin

- Captain Kirk out (actually in...day 12...32 to go?)