Here's to blue skies (but just today)

Photo of the annular solar eclipse of 20 May 2012,
Monterey, California - by Sally Cullen

Today's message from the Cloud Appreciation Society:

Today, we finally accept the value of blue-sky thinking – but only along the path of totality for the forthcoming solar eclipse. This path stretches diagonally across the United States like an enormous sash of shadow. It is where the Moon, as it passes directly between us and the Sun, will obscure all but the solar corona. The shadow appears total because the Sun and Moon look almost exactly the same size in the sky. This is thanks to a cosmic coincidence: the Sun, which is 400 times wider than the Moon, happens also to be around 400 times more distant (though the distances vary at different points in the orbits). Celestial bodies move with such regularity that the precise times and locations of solar eclipses are easily calculated hundreds of years in advance. Compare that to the turbulent dance of water through our atmosphere. The ungovernable chaos of the clouds means we can barely predict a few hours in advance whether this grand display of celestial obstruction will itself be obstructed from view.

This photo (above) was taken by Sally Cullen during the annular solar eclipse of 20 May 2012 - the sun can be seen peeking through the Stratocumulus clouds over Monterey, California. An annular solar eclipse is when their relative distances from Earth mean the Moon appears slightly smaller than the Sun and so doesn’t cover it completely.

Seeking Photos for the 2018 Head in the Clouds Amherst Calendar!

Your photo could be featured (kind of like this) in our upcoming 2018 calendar!

CALLING ALL AMHERST-AREA (and AMHERST VISITING) PHOTOGRAPHERS:

Head in the Clouds Amherst is seeking photo submissions for our 2018 calendar. Back by popular demand, this year's calendar will once again feature monthly photos taken by 12 different photographers. You can see last year’s calendar, here. 

The deadline to submit is September 1, 2017. Submissions can be emailed or uploaded via Google Drive to CloudsAmherst@gmail.com. Please enter "HITC 2018 Calendar Photo Submissions" in the subject line.

Along with your photo(s), please include: a caption or title; who is in the photo (unless it's a crowd scene or taken from a distance), where it was taken, the photographer's name, and your contact information.

All submissions must have been taken in Amherst or feature a scenic view of Amherst. And photos must also depict scenes that evoke the seasons and the intersection of life and weather. In addition to those qualities, if your photo also captures one or more of these themes it will get special consideration:

• Amherst landmarks (popular gathering sites, university/colleges, museums, etc.)
• Amherst annual events and happenings 
• Clouds formations and weather phenomena (over or around Amherst)

Click on this link for additional tips on submitting winning Head in the Clouds Amherst photos. And keep in mind that we will not consider photos that are low resolution, low quality, or that contain inappropriate material. 

We welcome photos by professionals and amateurs, in color or black and white. And we’re also counting on friends of Head in the Clouds re-submitting photos you’ve already sent to us over the year. You can submit as many photos as you like.

If your photo is selected for the 2018 calendar, you will receive a free calendar and reduced rates on any additional calendars you opt to purchase. 

So what are you waiting for??? Start flipping through your photo collection – or grab your camera and make some new memories. We can’t wait to see what you’ve got!

Ski Buddies

Many of you were wowed by their amazing cloud pictures of the Great Divide Basin, which I recently posted right here (see July 17th entry). Now Dan and Elaine, my brother and sister-in-law, are the subjects of this 5-minute short film, released yesterday. They haven't even seen it yet, as they are still thru-hiking the Continental Divide Trail from Mexico to Canada. Enjoy!



If the video doesn't display for you, you can also access it here:

Twitter: http://www.skinet.com/warrenmiller/brightcove-video/ski-buddies

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/WarrenMillerEntertainment/videos/10154991530643719/

Along the Continental Divide Trail

Along the Continental Divide Trail - July 2017
Great Divide Basin, Wyoming
Photo by Dan Vardamis (and that's Elaine Vardamis walking ahead)

My brother and sister-in-law just passed the halfway mark on their spring-to-fall hike along the Continental Divide Trail from the Mexico/U.S. border to Canada. They're blogging the second half of their trek (link below), and just sent along these amazing cloud shots, taken from the Great Divide Basin in Wyoming. (Bottom photo is sunset - they've been hiking at night to avoid the heat.) Follow their journey at: https://altabackcountry.com/

Sunset, July 2016 - Great Divide Basin, Wyoming
Photo by Dan Vardamis

Chasing Saturday

This is a storm chasing day for sure - excited! A line of thunderstorms just sideswiped Amherst. More thunderstorms are forecast to follow during the afternoon and evening. This photo was taken from a Hadley farm, looking towards North Amherst. I just missed capturing a beauty of a cloud-to-ground lightning strike to the center-right of this scene - about 4 miles in the distance.

Saturday Storm Clouds - July 8, 2017
(looking towards Amherst from Hadley)
Photo by S. Vardatira

Jefferson, weather, and the temperature on July 4, 1776

Page from Thomas Jefferson's Weather Memorandum
Book showing his temperature observations for
the first two weeks in July 1776
(Library of Congress)

A little Independence Day Weather Trivia for you:

Thomas Jefferson, it turns out, was one of the most avid weather observers of his time. For more than 50 years, he kept careful, systematic records of temperature and other meteorological conditions, not only at his home in Monticello, but wherever he travelled. On July 1, 1776, while in Philadelphia for the Second Continental Congress, Jefferson purchased a thermometer from a local merchant, John Sparhawk, for £3–15 (the equivalent of more than $300 today). On July 4, 1776, Jefferson awoke to record a temperature of 68°F at 6:00 a.m. By 1:00 in the afternoon—about an hour before a final agreement on the Declaration of Independence was reached - the temperature had risen, most appropriately, to 76°F. It would cool down only two-and-a-half degrees by 9:00 p.m. Although local lore tends to recount the day as hot and sweltering, thanks to Jefferson we know that was not the case.

Jefferson continued his study of weather and climate, recruiting friends such as James Madison to take observations for comparison. (Both men lamented at the loss of their barometers to the hands of the British—Jefferson's was broken, and Madison's was stolen, along with his thermometer.) Jefferson’s efforts to establish a network of amateur weather observers laid the foundation for the current National Weather Service Cooperative Observer Program (Coop), and one of the most prestigious awards NWS presents to local observers each year bears Jefferson's name.

Jefferson made his final entry in his weather memorandum book just six days before his death, which occurred on July 4, 1826—half a century to the day after he took perhaps his most famous temperature readings ever.

(Excerpt from: Weatherwise Magazine, "Retrospect: July 4, 1776: The Declaration of Independence," by Sean Potter)

Nature's Fireworks

Featured photo for July in the 2017 Head in the Clouds Amherst wall calendar. Photo by Marian Wolfsun (thanks, Marian!) Many of you will remember this sunset from last year's (2016) July 4th festivities in Amherst. Indeed, a number of photographers submitted variations of this scene for inclusion in the 2017 calendar. We went with this photo, which (unlike many of the others submitted) was completely untouched/unedited. No need for purples or deep crimson hues to enhance this sky - Mother Nature painted it perfectly.

Weather this way comes

Storm clouds gathering (taken sometime in the past, not today)
Photo by S. Vardatira

For anyone who hasn’t already heard, we’re expecting isolated to scattered strong to severe thunderstorms over Western Massachusetts and North-Central Connecticut this afternoon and evening. Strong to damaging winds, frequent lightning and heavy rainfall, and flash flooding are the primary threats. Hail and perhaps even an isolated brief tornado are secondary threats. A Flash Flood Watch is in effect from Monday afternoon through late Monday night for Franklin, Hampshire, Hampden, Worcester and Northern Middlesex Counties of Western and Central Massachusetts and Hartford and Tolland Counties of Northern Connecticut.

I’m all set with my camera, umbrella, and rain jacket. Are you prepared?

Morning Fog at Campus Pond

Featured photo for May in the 2017 Head in the Clouds Amherst wall calendar. Photo by Stephanie O'Keeffe (thanks, Stephanie!)

UMass Peregrine Falcon Camera is Live for 2017!

The UMass Amherst peregrine falcon camera is live for the 2017 season!



Peregrine falcons have nested on the roof of the UMass Du Bois Library since 2003, with the nest box "live cam viewable" for the past five years (starting in 2012). As of today, April 13, there were four eggs in the nest box. Last year, the mated pair successfully raised one chick. He hatched in late May 2016 and left the nest about a month later. May the weather this season be kind to our chicks.... watch on!

Spring in the midst of winter

Despite the sub-zero wind chills, spring is in full bloom over at the Smith College Botanic Garden! For more information, click here.

Smith College Bulb Show - 2017
Photo by S. Vardatira

Smith College Bulb Show - 2017
Photo by S. Vardatira

Smith College Bulb Show- 2017
Photo by S. Vardatira

Smith College Bulb Show - 2017
Photo by S. Vardatira

Cold and Snow

Snow Falling at Cushman Brook, North Amherst
Photo by S. Vardatira

Winter isn't going anywhere for the time being, as we look towards a SIGNIFICANT WINTER STORM this upcoming week. Tonight’s temperatures bottom out at zero to 10 above, with bitter cold wind chills at around -5 to -15 late tonight and Sun morning. Another round of wind chill advisories will likely be issued for the higher terrain in Central and Western MA, where -15 to -20 wind chills are expected. Near record cold maxes are possible again Sunday with highs in the mid-20s, except upper teens in the higher terrain.

As for the storm possibility, confidence is increasing for a significant winter storm Tuesday into Tuesday night, and it will continue to be colder than normal for much of next week. Less clear is how, exactly, Tuesday's storm will affect us. As is often the case, storm track - and thus snowfall accumulation – is still a question. The energy associated with this system is still located in the Arctic, so it won't be until later today or even Sunday that computer models start to converge around what is likely to happen. Right now, some models show the system tracking off the southern New England coast, with others bringing it closer to shore. That said, models seem to be moving towards the system tracking closer to land. If that continues to be the case, we could be seeing more snow around here rather than less, easily reaching 6-12 inches with potentially 12-18 inches. But remember we’re still three days out, and the situation can change significantly before Tuesday.

Once the storm passes, we will continue with generally dry conditions and below normal temperatures as high pressure builds over the region. And just in case you're thinking this upcoming storm will be the end of it, another system approaches toward next weekend with the potential for rain/snow. Ah, winter. Seems the groundhog had it right!

Winter Fox

Fox in Winter ~ Eldora, Colorado
Photo by Dan Vardamis (2/23/2017)

Continuing our "Wildlife in Winter" theme, this photo comes to Head in the Clouds Amherst courtesy of my brother, Dan Vardamis. He snapped this incredible, evocative photo of a resident fox just this morning, outside his home high in the mountains of Eldora, Colorado. Dan’s caption: “And this morning winter is as she should be again.” A few days hence, and winter (sans fox) will also be revisiting us here in the Pioneer Valley of Western Massachusetts.

Bobcat in the Snow

Bobcat in the Snow - Hadley, MA (off North Maple Street)
Photo by Ken LeBlond, 2/15/2017

A bobcat family has taken up residence in a marshy area adjacent to where I work in Hadley. It's been very distracting. This photo of one of the adults, affectionately dubbed Bobbi by my colleagues (or is it Bobby?), was taken by Ken LeBlond. Thanks for sharing, Ken!