Viewer Tip: Install a rain gauge on your property in an open area away from trees, buildings and other structures to record the amount of rainfall supplied by nature.  Irrigation should only be used to make up the difference of what is still needed by your plants.

For more information on installing and using a rain gauge, visit: www.uri.edu/ce/healthylandscapes/raingauge.htm.

This message is brought to you by the Water Conservation Garden. Learn more at www.thegarden.org.

Viewer Tip: Clean, healthy rivers are vital to our health, safety and quality of life. Conserving water saves energy and money – and also keeps more water in rivers and streams to support fish, wildlife and recreation. Try these simple tips to save water at home:

• Fix dripping faucets and running toilets. A leaky faucet that drips at a rate of one drop per second can waste up to 2,700 gallons a year.
• Ready for an upgrade? Choose water-efficient faucets, showerheads, toilets and other appliances by looking for EPA’s WaterSense label.
• If you have a yard, consider installing a rain barrel to collect rain from home downspouts that can be used to water plants.

This information is provided by Living Lands and Waters.  Learn more at www.livinglandsandwaters.org.

Viewer Tip: Apply a two- to three-inch layer of mulch around plants in the fall or winter to keep soil temperatures even and reduce water evaporation.  Organic mulch can also be applied to unplanted raised beds as a top dressing.  A variety of organic and inorganic mulches are available on the market and materials for mulch may be found right in your yard.  Mulch options include shredded tree prunings, bark chips, raked leaves, grass clippings, and rocks or pebbles.

For more information on using mulch in your garden, visit: www.ccwater.com/files/Drought101Mulch.pdf.

This information is provided by the Water Conservation Garden. Learn more at www.thegarden.org.

Viewer Tip: No matter where you are in a watershed, what you do on your property can affect the overall hydrologic system. An easy way to protect water quality at home is to keep rain water on your property by directing downspouts onto a lawn or grassy area, away from driveways and sidewalks.

You can learn more about the watershed you live in, both at a local and regional scale, by contacting your local Department of Natural Resources office or visiting their website.

This information is provided by Living Lands and Waters. Learn more at www.livinglandsandwaters.org.

Wild Weather

As record has it, the English settlers and Wampanoag Indians had nice weather during the first Thanksgiving harvest celebration in 1621 – but not every Thanksgiving holiday has been so pleasant. A major winter storm in the Eastern United States in 1950 generated near 100-mile per hour wind gusts in the northeast, crop damage and record-low temperatures in the south and southeastern states, heavy flooding along the northeastern coast and significant snowfall in Ohio, Pennsylvania and West Virginia. On Thanksgiving Day, Springfield, Illinois set a rainfall record of 1.47 inches in 1968; Buffalo, New York saw record snowfall of 10.3 inches in 1952. Oakland, California even saw a record low temperature of 36 degrees last year. More memorable Thanksgiving weather events.

The number of long-distance trips increases by 54 percent over the Thanksgiving holiday. Whether you are traveling 50 miles or 500, it is important to be ready for all kinds of weather.

Stay Safe on the Roads

• Get a check-up. Check tire pressure when tires are cold and adjust as necessary (don’t forget the spare!), replace worn or broken wiper blades, add freeze-resistant windshieldwiper fluid if needed, and check battery connections and cables. If your car battery is more than three years old, you may want a professional to test it.
• Build an emergency kit. Make sure your car is equipped with a scraper, flashlight, blankets, cell phones, booster cables and emergency flares or cones. Have water and non-perishable food like energy or granola bars on hand, too.

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• Slow down. Allow yourself at least eight to ten seconds of stopping time – even longer if driving on ice.
• Stop before you talk. If you need to use your cell phone, pull into a parking area or to the side of the road before making the call.
• Steer clear. Know what to do if your car skids:
  • Rear wheels skid: Remove your foot from the gas pedal, steer the wheel in the direction you want your car to go and pump the brakes gently if you have standard brakes or apply gentle pressure to the brakes if you have anti-lock brakes (ABS).
  • Front wheels skid: Remove your foot from the gas pedal and put the car in neutral. The wheels will start to skid and slow the vehicle down, as traction starts to return steer the car in the direction you want it to go then put the car in drive and accelerate gently.
• Be ready for rain. During periods of heavy rain, reduce your speed and put on your car’s hazard lights so that other drivers can see you more easily. If it is difficult to see through heavy rain, pull over and wait for the storm to pass.

Save Gas

• Carpool. The average long-distance trip during Thanksgiving is about 215 miles. If you have friends and family nearby that are going to the same place, travel together to save gas and reduce the number of cars on the road.
• Go easy on the gas pedal. Accelerate gradually to get better gas mileage.
• Don’t idle. If you stop to eat or stretch your legs, turn the car completely off. Idling for two minutes uses the same amount of gas used to drive one mile!
• Pack lightly. Extra weight in the car or trunk decreases fuel efficiency.

Snow image above courtesy of NOAA.

(Sources: Examiner. “Thanksgiving cold weather breaks record across California.” http://www.examiner.com/top-news-in-san-francisco/thanksgiving-cold-weather-breaks-records-across-california; AAA. “Five Things AAA Says Drivers Should Do Before Thanksgiving Road Trips.” http://newsroom.aaa.com/2010/11/2010-thanksgiving-road-trips; Research and Innovative Technology Administration. “U.S. Holiday Travel.” http://www.bts.gov/publications/america_on_the_go/us_holiday_travel/html/entire.html; Iowa DOT. “Safe-driving tips for the holidays.” http://www.iowadot.gov/tips.pdf; Environmental Protection Agency. “Tips to Save Gas and Improve Mileage.” http://www.epa.gov/otaq/consumer/17-tips.pdf; Green Your. “Avoid Car Idling.” http://www.greenyour.com/transportation/car/car-driving/tips/avoid-car-idling)

• Pacific Northwest: There are several volcanoes in the Pacific Northwest, including Mount St. Helens, Mount Rainier and Mount Hood. Volcanic eruptions can impact local weather. Eruptions emit particles and gases into the atmosphere, creating a haze. This haze can remain in the air for years, reflecting the sun’s rays and reducing temperatures at the Earth’s surface.

  (Image right: Aerial view of Mount St. Helens. NASA Earth Observatory)

• Western US: The Sierra Nevada Mountains that run north-south through California basically separate the Western United States into a wetter (west) side and a drier (east) side. Storms come off the Pacific Ocean from the west and get lifted up by the Sierra Nevada Mountains – a process called orographic lifting. As these storms rise, they cool and condense, raining a lot of water back onto the ground.

  But, as the storms continue to make their way over the top of the mountains to the east, they don’t dump as much rain because they have already lost a lot of moisture. This causes a rain shadow to form on the east side of the mountain range where there is a low amount of rainfall. The rain shadow from the Sierra Nevada and Cascade Mountains impacts the weather in the Great Basin, which covers most of Nevada and parts of Utah.

  (Image right: Rain shadow formation. Wikimedia Commons)

• Great Lakes: The Great Lakes region is known for its lake effect snow. As cold air passes over the Lakes, warmer lake water below evaporates and heats the bottom layer of cold air.  Warm, moist air rises and cools, causing condensation and cloud formation. If humidity is high enough and temperatures are cold enough, snow falls.  Winds push these clouds over land, where increased friction slows the winds, leading to more snowfall accumulation.  As winds move farther inland and encounter hills, rising air cools even more, creating even more snow!

  (Image right: Lake effect snow over the Great Lakes. NASA Earth Observatory)

• Great Plains: The Great Plains may be known as Tornado Alley, but their topography allows for another weather phenomena – blizzards! The Rocky Mountains to the west are the driving force for blizzards in the Great Plains.  A cold polar air mass that moves off the Rockies pushes southward accompanied by high winds, intense cold and considerable amounts of snow that can last for several days.

  (Image right: Blizzard conditions over the Great Plains. NASA Earth Observatory)

• South Central US: Droughts are periods of unusually dry weather that the South Central United States experiences at times – including right now.  Droughts can bring upon dust storms, which are common in arid and semi-arid regions.  A dust storm occurs when a gust of wind blows loose sand or dust particles off the ground, breaks down the particles and keeps them suspended in the air.  Dust storms can spread over hundreds of miles and well over 10,000 feet into the air.

  (Image right: Dust storm in Phoenix, 2011. NOAA National Weather Service)




• Eastern US: One geographic feature that affects the entire East Coast is the Atlantic Ocean.  The ocean plays a big role in determining the temperatures near the coast.  During  fall and winter when the ocean is warmer than the land, the coastal regions experience warmer temperatures than inland areas.  In the springtime, ocean breezes keep temperatures along the coast cooler than inland areas.

  (Image right: Sea breeze diagram. Wikimedia Commons: Jesús Gómez Fernández)

Learn more about Geography Awareness Week: www.nationalgeographic.com/geography-action/index.html.

(Sources: National Science Teachers Association, “Earthquakes, Volcanoes, and Tsunamis”, http://www.enviroliteracy.org/nsfmod/NaturesFury.pdf, “A Rain Shadow”, http://bcs.whfreeman.com/thelifewire/content/chp56/5602001.html, “Warm water helps create Great Lakes snowstorms.” University Corporation for Atmospheric Research. 2008, US Department of State, “The Great Plains and Prairies”, http://countrystudies.us/united-states/geography-17.htm, Kidz World, “Dust Storms”, http://www.kidzworld.com/article/707-dust-storm-on-the-loose, “Cold air damming can bring ice to East.” http://www.usatoday.com/weather/tg/wcolddam/wcolddam.htm, “Warm water helps create Great Lakes snowstorms.” University Corporation for Atmospheric Research. 2008., United States Search and Rescue Task Force, “Predicting Weather”, http://www.ussartf.org/predicting_weather.htm)

Viewer Tip: Hurricane Irene, which caused extensive flooding and damage along the East Coast this summer, illustrates other, potentially more damaging problems: stormwater discharge and marine debris. While estuaries and their ecosystems are extraordinarily resilient—much natural damage is repaired with months or a few years—human-caused damage can be more destructive and last longer. Live in a coastal area (or in a watershed that drains to the ocean)? Keep lawn fertilizers to a minimum or use none at all. Have a septic tank? Make sure it’s secure and in good working order; coliform bacteria are notorious pathogens. Loose items around your house and in your yard? Store them where they can’t blow into streams or rivers that feed into nearby estuaries.

This information is provided by Restore America’s Estuaries. Learn more at www.estuaries.org.

Viewer Tip: Keep your leaves out of storm drains this fall.  Compost leaves or use them to cover flower beds for the winter.  Using leaves as mulch will protect your plants from the cold and add nutrients to the soil for the next growing season.  Also check with your garbage hauler – they may have a leaf composting program just waiting for your leaves!

This information is provided by Great Lakes Aquarium. Learn more at www.glaquarium.org.

• Wet and soggy: Too much rain can cause crops to rot. Mildews, which thrive in wet conditions, can damage leaves and stems or kill pumpkin vines and fruits. During spring of this year, heavy rain delayed pumpkin planting the northeast, which in turn delays harvest time. Then, Hurricane Irene flooded pumpkin fields throughout the northeastern United States in September. (Photo at right: Powdery mildew makes leaves on pumpkin vines brittle and dry)
• Hot and dry: Dry, hot weather can cause pumpkins to produce too many male blossoms and too few female blossoms, resulting in a smaller harvest. Lack of water during droughts can also result in smaller and lighter-weight pumpkins. Pumpkin harvest in Texas dropped 40 percent or more due to drought conditions in the state this year.
• Chilly: An early freeze can kill pumpkins. And, chilly weather in the spring can prevent pumpkin blossoms from germinating. Why? Because bees – which carry pollen from plant to plant – don’t fly until the temperature is at least 55 degrees. Without bees and pollination, there are no pumpkins.

Viewer Tip: Despite a rough year for pumpkin patches, many farmers are meeting demand by bringing in pumpkins from other areas. If you are carving or cooking this year, put the whole pumpkin to use!  If you don’t eat the seeds yourself, spread them outside as a snack for birds and squirrels.  And, instead of weighing down your trash bags and sending past-their-prime pumpkins to the landfill, put them to use in your garden.  Pumpkins can be added to compost piles, where they will decompose and add nutrients to your compost.

(Sources: University of Illinois Extension. “Pumpkins and More: Pumpkin Facts.” http://www.urbanext.uiuc.edu/pumpkins/facts.html; The National Center for Appropriate Technology. “Organic Pumpkin and Winter Squash Production.” www.attra.ncat.org; USA Today. “Northeast Farmers Warn of Irene Pumpkin Shortage.” http://www.usatoday.com/weather/news/story/2011-09-19/northeast-pumpkin-shortage-hurricane-irene-floods/50466270/1; Houston Chronicle, “Drought takes bite out of Texas pumpkin harvest,” http://www.chron.com/business/article/Drought-takes-bite-out-of-Texas-pumpkins-2186331.php; Portland Tribune, “Pining for the Pumpkin Patch,” http://www.portlandtribune.com/news/story.php?story_id=131863808601002000)

Photo courtesy of Maine.gov.

• 75 percent of the Earth is covered in water – oceans, lakes, rivers and streams.
• 25 percent is dry land area, but half of that is desert, swamp, polar and mountainous regions where conditions are too hot, too cold or too high in elevation to be productive.
• Of the remaining area (about 12 percent), nine percent is too flood-prone, too poor-quality or too hot for food production. The remaining three percent represents the area of Earth developed by humans. Just a small fraction of this area is made up of soil that we depend on for food and other uses.

Viewer Tip: Scientists estimate that we are losing soils 10 to 40 times faster than they can be replaced – 60 percent of soils are washed into our rivers, streams and lakes where they can decrease channel depth, increase potential for flooding and smother aquatic wildlife habitat. You can help control erosion at home by using mulch to cover garden beds and other areas of exposed soil. Planting ground-cover plants or small shrubs will also help stabilize soil.

(Sources: Oklahoma Cooperative Extension Service, Division of Agriculture Sciences and Natural Resources, in cooperation with Oklahoma Department of Agriculture, Food and Forestry and Oklahoma Department of Education. “Ag in the Classroom: How Much Soil is there?” https://www.soils.org/files/about-soils/earth-science-week-2007.pdf; Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History. “Dig It! The Secrets of Soil.” http://forces.si.edu/soils/index.html; EPA Office of Wetlands, Oceans, and Watersheds. “Watershed Tips.” epa.gov/owow)

Viewer Tip: Try using weather-based controllers, which can save water by sensing changes in the environment, like rainfall and soil moisture. These devices will automatically adjust the amount of water applied to your landscape to prevent overwatering.

For more information on smart irrigation controllers, visit www.epa.gov/WaterSense/products/controltech.html and www.a4we.org/Smart_Irrigation_Controllers_Introduction.aspx.

This information is brought to you by the Water Conservation Garden. Learn more at www.thegarden.org.

Viewer Tip: You can help scientists study phenology by tracking the timing of leaf emergence, leaf drop and other life-cycle events in your own backyard. Visit the USA National Phenology Network at www.usanpn.org/participate/observe to learn how to observe plants and animals at home and share your data.

(Sources: USGS. “How will Climate Change Impact Leaf Fall?” www.usgs.gov; William Deedler, National Weather Service. Faster Fall Foliage? http://www.crh.noaa.gov/dtx/foliage.php)

Viewer Tip: Rain gardens function like miniature marshes. They prevent untreated storm water from washing off yards and other properties into storm drains, where it makes its way into fragile bays and watersheds. The principles are simple:

• Choose a low-lying area on your property where water from drains and other areas can be directed or pools naturally.
• If the soil there is relatively impermeable and holds water for long periods, excavate six to eight inches down and lay in loose soils, sand, and gravel to allow water to percolate naturally and gradually into the existing soil and water table.
• Cover with mulch or wood chips to hold moisture and prevent erosion, and use native (area/region appropriate) plants to decorate.

Want to know more? Check out your area’s native plant society or go on-line. Fall is a good time to build a rain garden!

This tip is  provided by Restore America’s Estuaries. Learn more at www.estuaries.org.

Viewer Tip: This is a great time of year to add a tree to your yard. In the northeastern United States, new trees can be planted until early October. Cooler temperatures and rainfall help new trees establish healthy roots that will support new growth when spring rolls around next year.

• Find recommended native plant and tree species in your state: www.wildflower.org/collections/
• Calculate the benefits of planting other types of trees: www.arborday.org/calculator/.

(Sources: Lake Champlain International. “Tip of the Week #10.” http://www.mychamplain.net/lci-protect-lake-champlain-tip-week-10; National Arbor Day Foundation. “National Tree Benefit Calculator.” http://www.arborday.org/calculator/

Viewer Tip: When the water goes down, keep these tips in mind to assess damage and begin clean-up activities safely:

• Pay close attention to your local media for information on areas of your community that are not safe. Do not enter any neighborhood or building that officials have deemed unsafe.
• Use Common Sense. Flood waters can weaken building foundations, damage electrical systems, and may contain bacteria or viruses that can make you sick.  Winds have downed power lines, and broken trees and windows.  If you have technical questions or are not sure about the safety of your home or building, call a professional for help.  Many cities impacted by storms will set up help lines for residents.
• When you enter any area affected by the storm, use extreme caution.
  • Wear sturdy shoes to avoid cut feet – a common injury during clean-up activities.
  • Use battery-powered lanterns or flashlights.  Check for fire hazards, such as broken gas lines or damaged electrical wires and appliances.
  • Check walls, stairs, doors, windows, and foundation for damage, and leave immediately if the building appears unstable.
  • Check for sewage or water line damage.  If you suspect damage, avoid using the plumbing, and do not use tap water.
  • Keep an eye out for animals, who may have been displaced from their homes.  Snakes and rodents may be hiding in flood waters or confined areas.

  Learn more about returning home after a natural disaster at www.ready.gov/america/beinformed/hurricanes.html.

(Sources: The American Red Cross and National Disaster Coalition. “Repairing Your Flooded Home.” http://www.redcross.org/services/disaster/0,1082,0_570_,00.html)

Viewer tip:  Find out if you live in a potential flood zone by visiting www.floodsmart.gov. Prepare a flood emergency action plan before a storm hits and evacuate immediately if told to do so.  Try to keep track of road conditions through your local radio or television station and stay away from flooded roadways.  Just six-inches of flowing water can knock you off your feet and most vehicles can be swept away in just 18- to 24-inches of water.  

(Sources: National Hurricane Center: Flooding: http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/HAW2/english/inland_flood.shtml; NOAA National Weather Service, http://www.nws.noaa.gov/, NWS TADD Campaign: www.weather.gov/os/water/tadd)

There are many sources of nitrogen and phosphorus, including agricultural livestock waste and fertilizer; fertilizers and pet waste from home yards and gardens; and detergents and soaps. Rain water can pick up these substances and carry them into storm drains and local water bodies. Sometimes, nitrogen and phosphorus can impact waters far from where the nutrients originate.

Viewer Tip: Reducing nutrient pollution at home will help protect waters nearby and downstream.

• Apply fertilizer and other yard care chemicals only when necessary.  Wait for dry weather to apply.
• Pick up pet waste at home and on walks. Avoid walking pets near streams and other waterways.
• Use a commercial car wash that filters and recycles water. Or, wash your car on a grassy or gravel-covered area where water can soak into the ground. Use soap sparingly.

(Sources: United States Environmental Protection Agency. “Nutrients: The Problem,” http://water.epa.gov/scitech/swguidance/standards/criteria/nutrients/problem.cfm and “Nutrients: Take Action,” http://water.epa.gov/scitech/swguidance/standards/criteria/nutrients/action.cfm

Viewer Tip: Whether you live on beachfront property or miles away from the coast, land owners can take simple measures to protect the shoreline like reducing their use fertilizers containing phosphorus. Beachfront property owners can take bigger steps like removing algae or even raking beaches with a thatching rake. According to the Alliance for the Great Lakes, raking the sand to let it lie exposed to the air and sun can reduce contamination. The organization recently launched a Shoreline Property Stewardship Program in which shoreline owners can become certified once they receive stewardship training and improve their shorelines. Learn more about the program at www.greatlakes.org.

This information is provided by the Alliance for the Great Lakes. Learn more at www.greatlakes.org.

Viewer Tip: About 80 percent of pollution in our oceans and lakes comes from the land. No matter where you live, you can help protect water quality at local beaches by always picking up after your pet on walks and in your yard. Dispose of waste in a trash can or flush it down the toilet. To help control waste from wild animals, don’t feed geese and other water fowl. This encourages flocks to hang around shorelines and stay put through the winter months.

(Sources: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. “Beaches.” http://water.epa.gov/type/oceb/beaches/index.cfm; Long Island Sound Study, “Sound Health: Status and Trends in the Health of Long Island Sound,” http://longislandsoundstudy.net/2010/12/sound-health-2010/)

Viewer Tip: In 2011, there have been 13 lightning fatalities* in the United States – all of them have occurred outdoors. Lightning may strike up to ten miles outside of heavy rainfall.  Keep these tips in mind to stay safe.

• Look and listen for cues. If you hear thunder, you are in danger from lightning.  Seeing lightning and hearing thunder very close together means that lightning is striking nearby.
• Avoid “natural lightning rods.” Lightning is attracted to metal, poles and rods.  Avoid golf clubs, baseball bats, fishing poles, bicycles, tractors and camping equipment during a storm.
• Find shelter. A sturdy building is the safest place during a thunderstorm.  Avoid gazebos, baseball dugouts, picnic shelters, golf carts, bleachers and other isolated objects in open spaces.

Find more lightning safety tips from National Weather Service: www.lightningsafety.noaa.gov/overview.htm.

*This number has been updated. For the latest statistics, visit http://www.lightningsafety.noaa.gov/fatalities.htm.

(Sources: National Weather Service. “When Lightning Roars, Go Indoors!” http://www.lightningsafety.noaa.gov/ and Coalition of Organizations for Disaster Education. “Talking about disaster: Guide for standard messages.” https://www.crossnet.org/disaster/disasterguide/; NWS Lightning Safety: Fatalities, http://www.lightningsafety.noaa.gov/fatalities.htm)