Torch Tiger

1 hour ago, Ginx snewx said:

Not knowing Gypsy Moths are an invasive species and letting them prosper and calling it nature taking its course is  uneducated

From Joe Courtney 

This morning, I joined representatives from the Connecticut Department of Energy & Environmental Protection (DEEP), the University of Connecticut Extension Service, the federal Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), and our local “Friends of the Pachaug Forest” advocacy organization for a tour to survey damage in the Pachaug State Forest caused by an infestation of gypsy moth caterpillars. The caterpillars, which feed on the leaves of a variety of trees, have caused widespread defoliation and a glut of dead and severely compromised trees throughout the Pachaug Forest a potentially major forest fire risk that will be costly to clean up. 

On our tour, we focused on new approaches to help address the gypsy moth outbreak at the federal level. I’ve been supportive of efforts by Connecticut DEEP to secure federal funding through the NRCS’s Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP), which would make funds available to agricultural producers throughout state and private forests for help in clearing out dead and dying trees, and I’ve long been an advocate for supporting forest management by expanding the definition of “biomass” within the federal Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS).  
Congress actually has a chance to help private citizens and our region as a whole find a way to turn this problem into an opportunity by expanding the uses for biomass within the RFS there is a goldmine of viable biomass to be found in the dead wood littered throughout the Pachaug Forest as a result of gypsy moth damage. Clearing out the dead trees and converting them into usable energy would be a win for everyone involved. As a carbon-neutral source of energy, biomass is a clean energy alternative that Connecticut should be taking full advantage of, and I’m working with a bipartisan group in Congress to pave the way for putting those resources to work. The severity of this issue requires a multi-faceted response from various levels of the government, and I am committed to working at the federal level to help secure resources needed to combat this mounting crisis. 

Kill a 'munk, save a 'pillar

8 minutes ago, Damage In Tolland said:

Big big hatch today . We on the move 

Great job with your farm, those look healthy.

Debbie after Debbie post lately en masse. Then the awful pictures of patchy old, crusty brownish glacier on a remote mountain. It's like some are stuck in the past and still in denial.

2 minutes ago, Damage In Tolland said:

Most of that rain looks like it stays north of pike. That’s where the forcing is most prevalent. Probably a thin line of weakening showers this afternoon 

Yeah, looks pretty dry.

12 minutes ago, Damage In Tolland said:

Another day promised to rain ends up with at least some sun. Just now from the THS wx stem cam.

Yeah, looks like a fine day down there. Maybe a light sprinkle later but nbd.

2 hours ago, #NoPoles said:

88 and humid today, storms missed to my west and east

Summer

We're all excited to know that more seasonable conditions are coming soon. Pretty much all LR guidance shows a general mild up to more routine 60s and maybe some 70's, save NNE. Of course May is usually littered with a few bad stretches but that is not unexpected. Winter is long in the rear view mirror as we transform into summer. 

3 minutes ago, moneypitmike said:

Those are some pretty weak leaves if that's summer.   

A nice spring picture though.

Looks leafy, dare I say full leaf out.

20 minutes ago, Brian5671 said:

hanging onto sun here-temps have leveled out at 65, but it feels great out there.

Wow, that looks summery

It's like this is the first early summer ever for some forecasters.

6 minutes ago, CoastalWx said:

 I’ll be enjoying the dews and the RSW area starting tomorrow for several days. Thinking of you, Dr. dew

Hydrate and remain safe

7 minutes ago, moneypitmike said:

I'm glad I've had the heat to keep my misinformed ass warm the last several days that never got out of or 40's/low 50's.

Heat?? Lol

ACATT hangry

12 minutes ago, metagraphica said:

Drizzle/mist down here all night and no sun in sight.

Pattern looks quite promising for seasonally increased heat and dews. 

A light downpour overnight. 47.3

What a 0z gfs run. Just endless active wx the entire run, awesome. We avoid summer doldrums.

As we thought all along, a few showers with an isolated light banger to begin May. Loving this drenching pattern,

Certainly quite a bit of doom and gloom in this thread. Not sure what it is...lack of sun, SAD?

Anyway, looks very Dr. Dewey through most of this month. Record low pollen counts. Lots of rain chances, with heavy areas of mold and mildew. Hopefully the fog horns are tuned up for our coastal folks.

5 hours ago, moneypitmike said:

It's the April equivalent to September 15 foliage.

...summer

That's the spirit. Widespread wind damage and frantic lightning.

Lol

Summer hankerings. 

15 hours ago, Cyclone-68 said:

We’re long overdue for a derecho. Maybe this summer will deliver 

Two or three

National Guard standby?

1 minute ago, powderfreak said:

Yup it's creeping in.  Soon that right side will start to take on a light green shade while the left side still has white as the green moves up the hillside towards the higher terrain.

I see you're golfing up there. That's a good sign.