OTSEGO AND DELAWARE COUNTY, NY WEATHER FORECAST

Tuesday, September 7, 2010

Today: Mostly sunny and very warm with low humidity. High: 82-87.

Tonight: Partly cloudy and mild. Low: 55-60.

Wednesday: Partly sunny, breezy and cooler. High: 73-78.

Wednesday Night: Partly cloudy and cool. Low: 50-55.

Thursday: The chance of showers in the morning, otherwise partly sunny, breezy and cooler. High: 62-67.

Friday: Mostly sunny, breezy and cool. High: 65-70.

Saturday: Mostly sunny and warm with low humidity. High: 70-75.

Sunday: Partly sunny, breezy and warm; the chance of a shower in the afternoon. High: 70-75.

Monday: Mostly sunny and warm with low humidity. High: 72-77.

Daily Weather Gazette

Monday, September 6, 2010

Labor Day was just another spectacular day in the Western Catskills, with high pressure settling right over eastern Pennsylvania. It was a crystal clear early morning with a low of 45 degrees at our weather station in Otego; the low was 39 degrees at Glens Falls. Skies were mostly sunny in the morning and partly sunny through mid-afternoon, with a southwesterly flow of warmer air. Highs were in the low 70’s with low humidity as dew points stayed in the mid-40’s. As a warm front lifted northward to western New York, clouds took over during the late afternoon and evening.

LANDSCAPE CLIMATOLOGY

Landscape Climatology is a very unique service offered to sellers of houses in two regions:

1. The area served by Westchester-Putnam Multiple Listing Service: The Bronx, Westchester, Putnam and Dutchess Counties. Mark Hanok, Realtor with Gains Realty in Thornwood, is offering this service for free to sellers who decide to list their properties with Mark.

2.Fairfield and Litchfield Counties, Connecticut – for a charge of $700 per report, for homes with up to one acre of land, plus $300 for each additional acre.

The objectives of a Landscape Climatology evaluation is to sell a home faster due to potential buyers knowing that they can save in energy costs based on the location of the property, and the risk of flooding. The summary will include three important features:

An assessment of the location of the house in relation to solar exposure and wind patterns. For example, a house on a south-facing slope will use less energy heating the house than a similar property that is on the north side of a hill. There are two reasons for the energy savings: more direct sunlight warms the house, and less heat is lost since north and northwest winds are partially deflected by the hill. These lower energy costs are not related to installing solar power, just due to the micro-climate of the property.

2. Whether or not the location of the house is suitable for the installation of solar panels and where these solar panels can be located. There are no recommendations for solar energy companies or installers, and no guarantees or estimates on energy savings.

3. Whether or not the location of the house is suitable for the installation of wind turbines, and where these turbines can be located. There are no recommendations for wind power companies or installers, and no guarantees or estimates on energy savings.

Here’s one example:

North Looking South House, White Plains, New York

Description: A remarkable house situated at an unusual location on a steep hillside overlooking downtown White Plains and beautiful Silver Lake to the east. The house is on the northeast side of the hill, but the property faces south. That's because there's a ridge that suns just north of the house, then lower elevations to the north of that ridge. The top of the hill on the highest street, Mohawk Trail, is 410 feet above sea level -the highest hill within two miles. Orchard Hill is two miles to the west. From the east side of the hill, Quarry Heights with elevations up to 500 feet, can be seen two miles to the east. There’s a steep gradient downhill to the east, just a block away from North Facing South House, and the Bronx River is a half-mile to the east. While generally open to the west, the north side of the hill rises in elevation to the west of North Facing South House, so it isn't a clear view to the west. However, the landscape gently slopes in a westerly direction and the Hudson River is only five miles to the west. The house faces south, with a nearby overlook to the southeast and east.

Solar Energy Advantages:

Although North Facing South House is actually on the north side of the hill, there's a very good southerly exposure, not only because the house is on the north side of the street but there's open land in a southerly direction. Solar panels can be placed on a southerly exposure on the roof, as there's sunlight here at least half the day even when the sun is lowest in the sky. they can be put on the east and west sides and get nearly full sunshine throughout the day. The eastern horizon can be seen from the front yard. In addition to the advantage of nearly full sunshine in the morning and early afternoon, mainly deciduous trees allow for more sunlight in winter than in summer.

Wind Power Advantages:

Thanks to its unique location, wind power can be an important source of energy at North Facing South House. No matter which direction the wind is blowing, there can be wind energy from wind turbines. Even though the house doesn’t face west, the westerlies are the prevailing winds, so there's sufficient wind velocity from this direction. East and northeast winds are actually the strongest winds at North Facing South House, since the steep gradient of the hill slides to the east and northeast to the Bronx River Parkway and North White Plains. Since there’s an open expanse to the east and northeast, when winds blow from these directions, the wind velocity is much higher than just a few blocks to the west and slightly lower in elevation. Highest winds from this direction are not as favorable as when the highest winds are out of the west, but these storm winds can provide abundant wind power.

Late Fall and Winter Benefits: The slope of the land is slightly upward to the east, so this is a positive factor for morning sunshine that can heat the house in the winter at the coldest time of the day. The slightly higher elevation, trees and houses to the northwest, are a positive factor, blocking to some extent the strong northwesterly winds during the cold weather months. Even though North Facing South House is located on a street looking north, the southerly exposure of the front yard and the open space toward the south, ensures that this is a warmer location in late fall and winter, compared to many other locations in the neighborhood. The westerly exposure, with open views to the west, allows drying prevailing winds to blow across Mohawk Hilltop.

During the coldest time of year, the downsloping effect greatly benefits North Facing South House. West to northwest prevailing winds in winter, blow across the Catskills and the Hudson Highlands, warming up and losing moisture, just like in a high pressure system. The result is much warmer air in Westchester than over central New York and the Catskills. In fact, there may be some days when it's snowing and 30 degrees at Oneonta, while 50 degrees and mostly sunny at North Facing South House.

Late Spring and Summer Benefits: When sea breezes develop in late spring and early summer, North Facing South House is well-positioned for the greatest benefits. Long Island Sound is only 7 miles to the east and south, so there’s a definite advantage here compared to places further inland. Another important feature is that the top of the hill is 410 feet above sea level, or 400 feet for the front yard. That may not seem like a high elevation, but what matters is that it’s high relative to surrounding places such as the Bronx River nearly 200 feet lower, the same elevation as downtown White Plains. Locations like Elmsford just west of North Facing South House are about 250 to 300 feet in elevation. The relatively high elevation of Mohawk Hilltop House equals cooler air on the hottest summer days, or about 5 degrees cooler than downtown White Plains or Elmsford.

At an elevation of 410 feet above sea level, temperatures on the hottest days are actually about five to ten degrees cooler than New York City, and there’s usually a breeze at Mohawk Hilltop House, especially when the winds are blowing out of a southwest, southerly, or southeasterly direction. The same towering trees to the south that allow the warm sunlight to reach Mohawk Hilltop House in the winter, shade the landscape in summer. The hilltop doesn’t heat up as rapidly as at locations without this early morning shade. In addition, these forests at Travis Hill Park serve to cool the air in the direction where most of the hot air is coming from: to the south toward New York City.

INTERPRETIVE WEATHER HIKE AT ROCKEFELLER STATE PARK IN POCANTICO HILLS, NEW YORK

Wind Direction and Barometric Pressure

Fall 2010

Presented by Mark Hanok, meteorologist on WRCR in Rockland County, NY

OBJECTIVES

1. To increase scientific literacy through integrating the essential elements of meteorology with the Earth sciences, mathematics, geography, natural history, and language arts, in a way that is immediately relevant to elementary and middle school students.

2. To explore the interrelationships between micro-climates, topography, and eco-systems.

3. To build an understanding of and appreciation for our planet and its atmosphere, through interactive learning and guided discovery.

This workshop meets the following New York State learning standards:

The Arts

Standard 2: Knowing and using arts materials and resources

English Language Arts

Standard 3: Language for critical analysis and evaluation

Standard 4: Language for social interaction

Mathematics, science, and technology

Standard 1: Analysis, inquiry, and design

Standard 3: Mathematics

Standard 4: Science

Standard 6: Interconnected - common themes

Standard 7: Interdisciplinary problem-solving

Social Studies

Standard 1: History of the United States and New York

Standard 3: Geography

PROGRAM

1. Introduction to weather: Uneven heating of the Earth’s surface caused by differences in the angle of the sun and the intensity of incoming solar radiation from the equator to the north and south poles, causes weather. Clouds provide important clues about the weather; we can forecast the local weather by looking at the sky and observing the wind direction.

2. Interpretive weather hike:

A. The theme is interrelationships as we go on a hike on the Overlook trail. This habitat is an upland hardwood forest, and the trees reflect this eco-system. The elevation is higher, so it’s a cooler location. We can look down at Swan Lake and see that it’s at a lower elevation. We’re looking east toward Swan Lake, and there are no hills blocking the wind, so from this location on the Overlook trail, the highest winds are usually from the east and northeast. On the opposite, or east side of Swan Lake, facing west, the highest winds are usually from a westerly direction. When we arrive at Swan Lake, we explore two very distinct micro-climates: the south and north sides of the lake. The north side is the warmer side since it faces south and gets the most direct sunlight; the south shore faces north, and gets cooler north and northwest wind, while facing away from the direct sunlight.

B. Majestic rock outcroppings overlook this very diverse landscape like sentinels. They are relics of the last Great Ice Age. These unique rock formations create their own micro-climates, blocking cold north and northwest winds. We’ll discover how prevailing west and northwest winds downsloping off the Catskill Mountains and Hudson Highlands, can bring mild, dry weather to Rockland County, while lake-effect snow showers occur in central New York.

3. Building weathervanes: Students work in small groups and construct weathervanes using a variety of simple materials. Blacks of wood 3" square, are given to each student and the different directions are written on the block of wood: N, NE, E, SE, S, SW, W, NW. Wooden dowels are placed in the hole in the center of each block. Next, students cut the weathervane arrows out of cardboard and staple to a straw; the straw is then placed over the dowel in the center of the block. Each student can draw pictures on the arrows.

4. Using weathervanes to determine wind direction: First we find north. The sun rises in the east and sets in the west; the sun moves from east to south to west. In the middle of the day the sun is in the southern sky. Look in the opposite direction to find north. Facing north, east is to the right and west is to the left. One group of students can go to the north side of an open field while the other group goes to the south end of the field. Students can hold the weathervanes in the wind, and find the wind direction. In this way, we discover important differences in wind velocity and temperature from one side of the field to the other side of the field.

5. Conclusion: Students look at the relationship between wind direction and the local landscape. We’ll discuss the links between topography and micro-climates. Finally, students draw pictures that highlight some of the unique characteristics of the local landscape.

The same format of this workshop can be applied to any park or nature center, for the general public or any elementary or middle school group. For additional information or to schedule a weather workshop, contact Mark Hanok, at weathergazette@aol.com or call WRCR radio at (845) 624-1300.

TUTORING IN GRADES K-12

Mark Hanok, Interpretive meteorologist

Certified teacher

Earth science

middle grades math

K-12 reading

K-6 elementary

Masters Degree in Literacy

Tutoring and homework help for elementary and middle grades students in the following regions:

Rockland, Westchester, Putnam and Dutchess Counties, New York

Otsego, Delaware, and Chenango Counties, New York

Fairfield and Litchfield Counties, Connecticut

Berkshire County, Massachusetts

Mark will tutor students in any subject area in grades K-8, and Earth science grades 6-12. One-hour tutoring sessions are held once per week during the school year, at a local library or at the home of the student.

For complete information and a list of local references, e-mail westerncatskillsmath@gmail.com. Or call WRCR radio at (845) 624-1300.

Mark Hanok's qualifications are very impressive. Mark's professional work experience and outstanding teaching qualifications in elementary and middle school mathematics and science; innovative, interactive approach to teaching these subjects; exceptional classroom management skills; and the fact that I very much enjoy working with elementary school students and as a team player with other teachers; adds up to an excellent match for an Earth science, middle school math, or K-12 reading teaching position at a school in New York, Connecticut, or Massachusetts, where Mark is a certified teacher. Mark uses a teaching model that favors integrating math, science, social studies, and language arts, with real world connections.

Currently Mark is writing a book on hands-on math activities for sixth through eighth graders, entitled Middle School Math and Weather Connections. I presented a seminar Representing Middle School Math Concepts through Hands-On Weather Workshops, at the Association of Math Teachers of New York State annual conference in Saratoga Springs in October 2006, at the NCTM Annual Meeting and Exposition in Atlanta in March 2007, and at the Association of Math Teachers of New York State annual conferences in Rochester in October 2007 and in Rye, NY in November 2008.

From November 2006 through February 2007, Mark was employed at Woodlands Middle School in Hartsdale, NY, for an interim position. He worked with 154 students in nine different seventh and eighth grade classes, and this proved to be a very rewarding teaching experience. Using a teaching model that favors integrating middle school math, science, and English language arts, Mark worked with students who required special instruction in order to pass the New York State middle school math assessments.

For many years Mark has served as a meteorologist in Rockland County, New York, including Radio Rockland WRCR in Nanuet, NY, since 1999. He's been the editor of the Western Catskills Weather Gazette since 1991, and the Cooperstown Weekly Weather Column since 1995.

During the past ten years Mark has conducted 220 very successful, hands-on weather workshops for elementary, middle, and high school students in New York State and Connecticut. Mark has presented these workshops at schools in rural, suburban, and urban settings, including working with the New York City Parks Department at parks and recreation centers in the Bronx. He also has presented these unique programs at environmental education centers in Westchester County and in Connecticut. The workshops weave together some essential elements of Earth science, with mathematics, geography, and natural history, in a way that is immediately relevant to elementary and middle school students.

Mark Hanok looks forward to working at your school. To schedule an interview, contact Mark at (607) 988-6391, or e-mail westerncatskillsmath@gmail.com.

CUSTOMIZED WEATHER SERVICE FOR HIGHWAY DEPARTMENTS ANYWHERE IN THE NORTHEAST

ONE YEAR CONTRACT - July 1 - June 30

1. Detailed sky conditions for each day and night for the next seven days, including cloud cover, and the times of days with the most and the least amount of sunshine.

2. Precipitation forecasts for the next seven days, including the estimated times that rain, mixed precipitation or snow will begin and end, and what type of precipitation is likely at certain times of the day and night.

3. Specific temperatures at your location at different times of the day and night, for the next seven days, including minimum and maximum temperature forecasts.

4. Specific wind forecasts, including wind direction and velocity for each day and night, for the next seven days.

5. Relative humidity and dew point temperatures for each day and night, for the next seven days.

Weather services described above, e-mailed every day of the year:

$1950.00

To subscribe to this unique weather service, or for additional information, e-mail westerncatskillsmath@gmail.com, or call WRCR radio at (845) 624-1313.