And the good news keeps rolling in! Yesterday I discussed a recent study showing a decrease in carbon emissions during recessions and reminded everyone of how the U.S. emissions are the lowest in 20 years! The tone of the study was pessimistic, preaching to everyone that we are still screwed (wrong for multiple reasons) even if the recession continues, which – by TRADITIONAL metrics - is quite likely….because…. the birth rate in most of the world continues to decline, including in the U.S. In fact, the birth rate in the U.S. in 2011 hit an ALL TIME LOW of 1.9 per woman!

The article I linked to paints this in a negative light. Don’t fall for it. This is great news in most regards – especially for the environment and for future generations. Hear me out here.

Sprawling Freeways in the U.S.

The negative spin on the low birthrate is that social/government programs (in developed nations) such as Social Security/retirement, Healthcare, various forms of government “insurance” will suffer. Why is this? Because in a very ponzi-like manner, these systems and government programs were designed upon the idea that the economy will grow forever because the population will grow forever. We tried that. We filled the world with people and pollution (worse pollution in some areas, getting better in others). In the U.S. we built huge sprawling environmental disasters we call cities with pavement, freeways, McMansions, power lines, gas stations, and strip malls as far as the eye can see. It is most likely that we over-built. Now 10 of millions of houses, office spaces, and retail spaces sit empty and rotting. We can barely pay for our infrastructure anymore. Some people say we are losing that battle.

So for a nation OVER $16 trillion in debt, with way too much far-flung expensive infrastructure, with basic commodities (even water) becoming more scarce and expensive, why would we want a population explosion? Just to build, buy, and consume more crap in order to fulfill some archaic economic models and support too-big-to-fail banks?

Poorly Built Urban Sprawl in Brazil

As I have mentioned many times before, if we start defining “growth” more along the lines of health, happiness, and efficiency, we will be much better off. We can still take care of the people who need support and were trapped into dependency. Focusing on the community and a future NOT defined by consumption, is a better way forward, in my opinion.

Population growth is slowing. Many people will try to tell you this is a bad thing. They have an agenda. Building more stuff and having more children just for the sake of economic “growth” is a 20th century idea. The world is crowded enough. It is the 21st century. Time to start thinking differently.

Have a pleasant Tuesday! Meteorologist Justin Loew.

Posted under Community, Environment, Pollution

Are you a punctilious prognosticator of precipitation? Do you have a sense for when the next storm will strike? Did you know you could win a big prize from the R-stores of Northcentral Wisconsin by predicting the first inch of snowfall in Wausau this Fall? Maybe you did know because you entered the First Snowfall Contest last year. Well, it is time to have some fun once again! The entry period for the 2012 First Snowfall Contest begins today and continues through the end of the day (midnight, central U.S. time) on Friday October 5th. I could go through all the rules right here in the blog, but it would be better if you just head over to this page, or here, to read for yourself. It is pretty simple really. You can enter online at our website, you can text your entry in (just text “snowfall” to 28214) , or you can snail mail it to WAOW-TV.

I want to make sure that everyone knows that even though the contest rules state you must predict the first 1 inch of snowfall in Wausau, it is for anyone in the viewing area to enter. There are R-stores all over Northcentral Wisconsin where you can spend/use the prizes. So all you folks from Wisconsin Dells all the way up to Mercer, put on your thinking cap and get your entry in before October 5th.

And…no retroactively guessing September 22nd. For those unaware, last weekend there was some snow in the western and southern part of the area. From the viewer pictures that were sent in, it looked like there could have been an inch in some spots – but of course it was not in Wausau, so it would not have counted anyway. It was a fairly spectacular event none-the-less, in the nearly 120 year recorded weather history in Wausau, there has only been one record of measurable snow in the month of September. There have been a handful of “trace” amounts of snow, but only September 26th of 1942 had more than a trace – it was 0.30 inches.

2010 Awareness Ride

Besides the snowfall contest, I would also like to mention another event where you could win some prizes, all the while raising awareness and research money for the fight against breast cancer. The Sports Den of Marshfield and the Marshfield Clinic sponsor this event. You can register online for the event here. See some past pictures of me and others here. The walk/run/ride event isn’t until Saturday October 6th, but I wanted to mention it now since there is something special that could be available if 100 people register (online) for the event by Tuesday September 25th (so through tomorrow, kind-of short notice). If 100 people pre-register, then the Trek corporation will donate a brand new bike to be given away at the event! If you are planning on going, why not register today?!

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In a follow up to last week’s solar power promotion (yes, I admit, I take sides, at least a little), the city tree specialist has tried to contact me about the trees that block my solar power designs, but we have not talked yet. Phone tag, you know how that goes. Until I have more news, how about some other news from the world of solar power:

*Imec research has set a new world record for organic solar photovoltaic cells with an efficiency of 5.5%. I know, it doesn’t sound like much but progress is usually incremental and organic solar cells could end up being much cheaper and more flexible than pure silicon cells.

*Heliatek has a product ready to go. It is also a form of organic solar cell, and they already claim an efficiency of 10% hopefully rising to 12% in a little over a year. It probably isn’t priced competitively at this point but Heliatek is being cautious in the market in order to weather the current slump in the solar market.

*Silevo, a Fremont California-based solar company (with manufacturing plants in China) claims its hybrid solar cell has achieved 21% efficiency and they are ramping up production.

*Semprius is holding on in their effort to build cheaper and more powerful concentrated photovoltaic solar cells.

*Crystal Solar is moving forward with their method of making crystalline solar cells with very thin wafers. Cutting down the amount of silicon they use should cut the cost of the solar panels even more.

*Even outside of improvements in direct sunlight conversion efficiency, there are new innovations leading to more cost effective solar panels. STMicroelectronics has created a new silicon carbide diode that reduces the energy lost when boosting DC power or converting DC to AC. Their diodes could possibly cut the losses in energy by 70%! Every little bit matters.

*Due to the lower cost of solar panels (which has brought me into the market), U.S. solar panel adoption is experiencing a minor boom. Yay U.S.! The market is certainly tough for the producers with such an over-supply on the market, but the side benefit is that more clean energy production is being installed. Thanks to all the forward-thinking people who are jumping on the bandwagon right now. Hopefully it will lead to a cleaner environment in the future.

*Solar powered desalination could end up helping the water situation in the desert southwest of the U.S.

*Lastly, storing the intermittent output from solar panels (and wind turbines) could be getting a lot cheaper as Aquion ramps up production of their simple and cheaper large storage battery.

Have a pleasant Monday! Meteorologist Justin Loew.

Posted under Alternative Energy, Community, First Snowfall 2012, Technology

A blog reader asked a question the other day about late snowfalls in Wisconsin – wondering if snow had ever fallen in June. Officially, in Wausau, the answer is no. The latest official snowfall in Wausau occurred on May 30th. It was a trace of snow and it fell in 1989 and way back in 1897. The heaviest well-documented snowfall in Wisconsin was on Memorial Day weekend of 1947 in the southern half of our viewing area. Up to 8.4 inches fell on that weekend in Pine River (Waushara county). You can read a lot more about that snowstorm here in this past blog post.

As far as June goes, I have heard stories about accumulating snow in early June but I have not been able to find any supporting documentation. Does anyone out there have a story about snow in June. Any pictures would be great. Maybe some old newspaper clippings? My grandparents claimed there was a year about a century ago when there was a least a trace of snow every month of the year – here in Wisconsin! I haven’t found any historical records of that , but looking at some of the cold temperature records from the late 1800s and early 1900s, one could not rule it out.

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Also, I wanted to share with you a picture of a great group of folks. These are the StormTrack9 Weather Watchers (most of them, plus some of their significant others). We got together for a party/recognition event this past weekend. These are the people who take the time out of their day to report daily high and low temperatures and precipitation from around the area. They also help out in times of severe weather, letting us know what is going on and what damage has been done in different locations. I salute their efforts and hope that they will continue weather watching many years into the future. For those that were unable to attend, I hope we are able to catch you the next time around.

On a side note, we could use a new weather watcher in the Northwoods. If there is anyone out there reading the blog today that is from Oneida, Vilas, or Forest county, who likes to keep a daily log of the weather, who will probably be at their current locations for at least a couple years into the future, please let me know. You can leave a comment here in the blog or you can email the weather department at weather@waow.com

Have a nice Wednesday! Meteorologist Justin Loew.

Posted under Community, Records, Weather History, Winter Weather

Though the bulk of the heavy snow from this weekend’s storm system is tracking north of the major metro areas in Central Wisconsin, other communities are bracing for snow.  And a lot of it!

 Given current forecast projections, the arrowhead region of Minnesota will “take it on the chin” so to speak.  Areas there are expecting 5 to 8” by the end of the weekend with stretches along the western shores of Lake Superior preparing for around 10”.

If you are doing any traveling Sunday or Monday into northern Minnesota, northwestern Wisconsin or portions of the Upper Peninsula of Michigan you could be greeted with some brutal driving conditions. 

Before you hit the road this weekend, check out this website: http://www.crh.noaa.gov/news/display_cmsstory.php?wfo=dlh&storyid=59787&source=0.  It shows you a map of the major roadways in Wisconsin, Michigan, Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota, Iowa, Missouri, Illinois, Indiana and Kentucky.  The map also overlays current advisories, watches and warnings issued by the National Weather Service.  You’ll also notice that some roads are green, others yellow, and some red.  Linking information provided by each state’s department of transportation that will tell you where travel conditions are good, fair or hazardous. 

The page also includes a mobile link so you can take it on the road. 

Stay safe if you’re traveling this weekend!

Posted under Community, Environment, Seasonal Items, Storms, Travel, Weather Safety, Winter Weather

Weather or the lack of real winter weather has been a major topic of conversation this winter of 2011-12 around here and much of the country.  Some friends of mine from Medford, Loretta and Hildegard Kuse were kind enough to share some newspaper clippings from the winter of 1890-91 with me.  As you can imagine, weather was a major topic of conversation back then as well.   Enjoy the news snippets below which deal with birds, warmth, cold, snow, and logging in Taylor County, WI at that time.

Taylor County Star and News. January 24, 1891, Star, Vol. XV, No. 34, News, VOL. XII, No. 50.

Barney Ackerman is our authority for the statement that last week, while at work in the lumber woods, Peter Molitor and Mike Greisch discovered a bird’s nest with two live young birds comfortable ensconced therein.  It is supposed that these birdlings are of the cross-bill variety, and it is not know that they habitually next in winter.  No case of a similar kind has ever come to the writer’s knowledge in all his life in the wooden county but it tallies exactly with all the signs and omens that have been forthcoming of late, signs and omens that promise a continuous mildness during the balance of this unparalleled mild winter.

Taylor County Star and News. February 7, 1891, Star, Vol. XV, No. 36, News, VOL. XII, No. 52.

The thermometer reached forty below, Wednesday morning.  The birds that built nests got fooled after all.

Taylor County Star and News. February 7, 1891, Star, Vol. XV, No. 36, News, VOL. XII, No. 52.

Two weeks ago we reported the finding of a bird’s next in the town of Molitor with two live young birds therein.  We are under obligations to Mr. W.F. Webster, of Oshkosh, for the information that the regular nesting time of the cross-bill is from December to March.  They are a very hardy bird, being found as far north as Hudson’s and Baffin’s Bays, and Mr. Webster believes that they feed upon pine seeds, their bills being peculiarly adapted for extracting the seeds from the tough burrs.  He also says that their eggs sometimes freeze in very cold weather, as they are careless in building their nests, frequently using for that purpose holes made by the woodpecker.  Mr. Webster’s information removes this find from the list of remarkable occurrences.

Taylor County Star and News. February 7, 1891, Star, Vol. XV, No. 36, News, VOL. XII, No. 52.

The snow storm was not an unmixed blessing, after all.  The developments in the science of logging road building during the past few years has made snow a luxury, not a necessity.  When the time came for hauling logs last fall, and the snow did not come with the time, lumbermen proceeded to make roads by digging trenches for the sleigh runners, and filling them with broken ice and water.  The result was good roads for the horses would travel on the solidly frozen ground and the runners of the sleigh would follow in the trenches of ice.  The snow came and covered the trenches to the depth of a foot or more, so that they could not be seen, and the sleigh runners would cut through the loose snow to the ground.  It took several days to get a good road-bed after the storm.  Hence we say the snow was not an unmixed blessing.

Did you notice the writing style and word choice was a fair amount different than what you would see in a newspaper today as well?

Posted under Ag Weather, Community, Seasonal Items, Weather History

Satellites from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration helped rescue 207 people in 2011 across the United States and surrounding waters.  The communications they provide are the key.  Of the 207 rescues, 122 were on water, 14 involved aviation, and 71 were land situations.  Of the land events, Alaska had the most with 39 followed by Florida with 11 and California with 8.

Rescue Helicopter: credit (NOAA)

The NOAA satellites are integrated into an international search and rescue satellite aided tracking system called COSPAS-SARSAT.  Since 1982 this system has supported 30,000 rescues worldwide.  You can read much more about it at the NOAA link here.  http://www.noaanews.noaa.gov/stories2012/20120123_sarsatrescues.html

credit: (NOAA)

Posted under Community, Natural Disasters, Science, Technology, Weather NEws

Before I delve into any science or weather related news of the day I wanted to mention that I will be at a fundraising event on Friday evening at Nicolet college in Rhinelander. The event proceeds will go toward the culinary arts program at Nicolet.

Hearing that the event will support the culinary arts program, you can probably guess that there will be some good food available. You can in fact bid on a 3 course meal prepared by the competitors in a “Iron Chef” competition – starring yours truly. I am pairing up with culinary arts instructor Kevin Brown. We have an hour to prepare 5 servings of a 3 course meal. We are competing against a couple other cookswhom I hear do mac-n-cheese and oatmeal pretty well, but I haven’t heard about more advanced preparations.

Instructors in the Iron Chef Challenge

The fundraising fun time will be held this Friday (the 9th) from 5:00pm to 6:30pm in the Nicolet college theatre. Besides being able to watch the iron chef competition, you can bid on 40 different silent auction items and sample foods prepared by students at the College. Admission is free if you bring a non-perishable food item. Come out, say hi, and enjoy a delicious time at Nicolet College this Friday in Rhinelander. I hope to see you there!

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When discussing the environment and weather you never know what parts of life one might touch upon. This week I was caught up in a dilemma revolving around sport – in particular, college football. As a fan of the Badgers and the sport in general, I have followed the topic of conference re-alignment. We are of course recently familiar with the movement of Nebraska to the Big Ten conference. This made some sense to me since Nebraska relatively close to the other teams in the conference and the University shares a cultural tradition with the Midwest of the U.S. What doesn’t make sense to me is the recent decision for some teams from the western mountain states to join the Big East. I know it has to do with money but it doesn’t make sense on many levels including pollution and the environment. Back in the day, when sporting conferences were created, they were based on geographic proximity. Today it seems they are based on finance and money. Two of the teams that will be joining the Big East conference are Boise State and San Diego State. You couldn’t pick two more culturally divergent or geographically distant Universities to join a conference “based” on the East Coast.

Besides just being against this move from a sports fan perspective, it is most certainly environmentally unsound. Teams travelling by airplane from Idaho and southern California many times a year to the east coast will produce many times more pollution than by just travelling around the inter-mountain west. In an age where we are supposed to be environmentally-conscious, and we are often admonished by UNIVERSITY professors to act more responsibly, this conference re-alignment does not make sense. It is the exact opposite of what should be happening if we want to keep the environment cleaner.

Let us not forget that college tuition continues to sky-rocket and travelling farther to “play games” will certainly cost a lot more.

Have a good Wednesday! Meteorologist Justin Loew.

Posted under Community, Education, Pollution

The majestic whooping cranes were on the verge of extinction in the 1940s.  Today, there are about 575 known birds with about 400 of those in the wild.  Hopefully the upward trend will continue.   Through the efforts of Whooping Crane Eastern Partnership (WCEP), 96 juvenile whooping cranes have been released into the wild to date.  Eight of those were set loose Sunday, October 23rd at the Horicon National Wildlife Refuge in Dodge County, WI.  The young cranes were put into the company of older cranes from whom the young birds will learn the migration route southward.

The group along with Operation Migration using ultralight aircraft began leading another group of 10 young whooping cranes south on October 9th.  They took off from the White River Marsh State Wildlife Area in Green Lake and Marquette Counties in Wisconsin.  They will be leading the birds all the way down to Florida for the winter.

This is really exciting that humans, machines, and birds can work together for the common good!  If you would like to learn much more about whooping cranes, their migrations, and these projects please visit http://www.bringbackthecranes.org/

Posted under Community, Ecology, Nature

Tens of thousands of acres have already been burnt.

Since we have seen a good deal of clouds, spotty showers and cool temperatures over the past few days thanks to a stubborn upper-level low pressure system, the wildfire in Minnesota has fallen out of the headlines.

But what ever happened to it?

The Pagami Creek Wildfire burning in the arrowhead of Minnesota not far from the Ontario border quickly became the talk of the town a few weeks back.  Many people across Central Wisconsin could smell and see the haze when northwesterly winds pushed the smoke in our direction.

Despite the cool and wet weather that wildfire is still burning, and according to the Superior National Forest website is still only 45% contained.

The wildfire has been burning for well over a month.  Started by a lightning strike on August 18th, the Pagami Creek Fire has torched 93,459 acres so far.

For updated reports on the progress firefighters are making on the blaze, check out the Superior National Forest Incident Information System website for more details.

Posted under Community, Environment, Fire, Nature, Seasonal Items, Uncategorized, Weather NEws

Enter today to win some great prizes from the R-Store!

Are you ready to enter a contest with truly epic prizes?  It’s your turn to take a hand at forecasting with our Storm Track 9 “Guess the first inch of snowfall in Wausau” contest!

It’s simple.  What date do you envision as the first day of the year where we see at least one inch of snow fall in Wausau?  Send in your guess by midnight on September 30^th and then sit back and wait. 

Guess the right date and we’ll enter you into a drawing for some very cool prizes.  First place takes home a year’s worth of FREE car washes courtesy of the R-Store (that’s a whopping $500 value!) plus a $50.00 R-Store gift card.   

Second place goes home with a $150.00 R-Store gift card, third place a $100.00 R-Store gift card and fourth place enjoys a $50.00 R-Store gift card.  And everyone else who picks the correct date will get a free premium car wash courtesy of the R-Store. 

So how do you enter?  It’s a snap.  Follow this link to our Storm Track 9 homepage.  It has all the details you’ll want to see.  Follow the banner link directing you to the contest where you can enter online. 

Have your cell phone in hand?  That works too!  Text the word “Snowfall” along with your guess to “28214”.  Or if you want to help keep the Postal Service afloat, you can mail in your guess to:

Good luck!

Posted under Community, Environment, Nature, Seasonal Items, Snowmelt 2011, Winter Weather