Condition Monitoring Star of the Week, September 22nd-28th - Madison County, NC

Our Condition Monitoring Star of the Week was reported by CoCoRaHS observer with station number NC-MS-5 on September 26th.  We chose this report for several reasons: 1) it encompasses multiple impact categories it encompasses, 2) it notes how much rain was received when a front passed over their area, 3) the observer specifically identifies the types of plants are showing fall colors and 4) observer recorded happenings in both their yard and the surrounding community. Reports like this one are incredibly helpful because of it's attention to many impacts in both the household and community.  It is also very detailed which helps us understand what's, which's, when's and where's of impacts. This is truly a stellar report.  High five NC-MS-5!

Categories 

Energy
Plants and Wildlife
Tourism and Recreation
Water Supply and Quality

It's been a dry week. On the Autumnal Equinox, we had a front pass through with a brief, hard rain of .12". That's it for the whole week. The French Broad River is low--876 cfs. I talked to some rafters who said it was slow, but pretty. Rafting companies still get good business on weekends. We turned off our microhydro. Fall color is showing on sourwoods, dogwoods, sumacs, and maples. The tulip poplars are dropping brown & yellow leaves. While the resident hummingbirds left, I seen two travelling hummers on separate days. I'll keep the feeder available for other stragglers. At least one broad-winged hawk is still here, but some migrating hawks have been seen over the Blue Ridge. Our drinking spring quality & quantity is unchanged.

Condition Monitoring Star of the Week, September 15th-21st - Horry County, SC

Our Condition Monitoring Star of the Week is a report posted by observe with station number SC-HR-14 in Horry County, South Carolina.  We like their report because it compares present precipitation patterns with those in the past. Historical and present day records are very important for climate science because they allow us see weather and climate patterns and their effects over time.  We know last year was very rainy.  Therefore, comparing precipitation amounts in Horry County with those of 2013 really helps us understand how much precipitation they have received.  It's also fun to look up climate records for your area and compare them to what you're observing. You can visit the North Carolina State Climate Office or South Carolina State Climate Office websites to find some these data sources.  Great job SC-HR-14!

Categories:
Plants & Wildlife
 
Last week we recorded another 1.27" of precipitation. We are currently just a few hundreths of an inch short of the total rainfall recorded in 2013! So it has been a very wet year so far. There was still standing water in the wetlands earlier in the week but has since drained. Still, everything is very green and moist with no need for any supplemental irrigation at this time.

Condition Monitoring Star of the Week, Sept 1st - 7th - Orange County, NC

This week's Condition Monitoring Star of the Week was posted on September 3rd by observer with station number NC-OR-34.  In their report they discuss the effects of low water levels on water quality.  As we read through your reports, we notice that few observers report on water quality.  This is a great idea for impacts you can include in your reports. The observer also notes how quickly their lawn rebounded from dry conditions. Plant resilience can also help us better understand drought. Do plants rebound quickly, slowly or not at all once they receive precipitation after a dry spell?  You can observe about plants in your yard, neighborhood fields or those in wilderness areas. Don't forget to try to include the names of plants species in your reports. Thanks for offering such great ideas NC-OR-34!  

Categories

Plants and Wildlife
Water Supply and Quality

This week I had to start watering the plants again, and I noticed that the raw water from well was turning red again which sometimes happens when the water level gets low. When we had a lot rain, the raw water was almost clear. Since the arrival of the rain, my lawn seems almost entirely green again; however, the moss that grows under the trees is still brown. I do not see any standing puddles in the usual spots on the property so the rain is soaking into the ground.

What's Your Anti-Bird Setup?

Anti-bird setup. http://www.wxforum.net/index.php?topic=4458.0

 

Recently, a CoCoRaHS observer emailed us asking what she could do to prevent birds sitting and leaving droppings on her rain gauge. Sometimes droppings can block the opening that funnels precipitation into the gauge. Since this seems to be a common problem we want ask observers if they have any inventive solutions. There are a few anti-bird setups that can be found online.  The picture at right shows a homemade anti-bird setup posted on WXForum.net. There are variety of setups you can do depending on the types of birds that visit your gauge.  Do you have an anti-bird setup?  What do you do to discourage birds from perching and pooping on your rain guage?  Post your comments here
or email us!  We'll post your suggestions here in a few weeks!

Condition Monitoring Star of the Week, August 25th - 31st - Sumter County, SC

Our Condition Monitoring Star of the Week was posted on August 31st by observer with station number SC-SM-1 in Sumter County, SC.  We chose this report because the reporter offers excellent examples of how dry their area has become. For example, they not only report that the ground is dry but they give a visual description of the dust and dirt that's produced as a result.  They are also specific about what species of trees are turning color prematurely.  These kind of details make reports more useful because they offer information that is specific to place, time and conditions.

We post great reports like these because we want to encourage observers to learn from one another.  How can you make your reports more detailed?  Instead of noting trees or other plants impacts, can you include more information about what kind of plants you're referring to?  These are just a few ideas to help you think about ways you can enhance your reports.

Thank you for an outstanding report SC-SM-1. Keep up the good work!

Categories

Agriculture : $50.00
Plants and Wildlife

 
Ground conditions are very dry. Grasses are dying once cut by lawn equipment and this is causing excessive dust and dirt and clippings to be scattered about once lifted by either the wind or lawn equipment. Red Leaf Maple leaves are prematurely falling and Dogwood leaves are starting to prematurely turn from green to red. A false autumn.