Heating Degree Days

Chilly today.  And this is Memorial Day, the unofficial first day of summer.  Well not today.  56 degree F....brrrr.

I know something is wrong when I hear the furnace fire up.

https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File%3AUnited_States_Heating_Degree_Day_map%2C_1961-1990.jpg

That brings me to the subject of Heating Degree Days, and for normally this time of the year, Cooling Degree Days.  For a formal definition try this link.

This date in 1969

Do you remember what you were doing on this date?  I do!  I was sitting in a tent at summer camp (Broad Creek) listening to the radio as Neil Armstrong was climbing down the ladder to step on the moon.  I remember it took what seemed to be forever and every step was carefully planned.

This is one of those remarkable memories.

Memorial Day 2015

American's claim today to be the first day of summer, but geographers know it actually is a few weeks later in June and is called the solstice.

But for today, let's honor all military who served their home lands.  According to Wikipedia:

"Memorial Day is a federal holiday in the United States for remembering the people who died while serving in the country's armed forces. The holiday, which is observed every year on the last Monday of May, originated as Decoration Day after the American Civil War in 1868, when the Grand Army of the Republic, an organization of Union veterans — established it as a time for the nation to decorate the graves of the war dead with flowers. By the 20th century, competing Union and Confederate holiday traditions, celebrated on different days, had merged, and Memorial Day eventually extended to honor all Americans who died while in the military service. It typically marks the start of the summer vacation season, while Labor Day marks its end."

Finally summer here in the Northeast!

Unlike those folks in the midwest, that are enjoying triple digit temps (see http://blogs.wlfi.com/2009/07/02/wlfi-climate-summary-for-june-2009/) summer finally arrived yesterday with warm temps and the humidity. Ahhhh the humidity. Now all we need is the steamed crabs for a great Maryland picnic.