The largely gorgeous weather in recent weeks has led to a growing dry spell that now covers about half the Garden State. That could spell trouble later. The dry spell encompasses North and Central Jersey, including nearly all of Monmouth County and part of northern Ocean County, according to the U.S. Drought Monitor… “It’s particularly worrisome when you see this in the middle of May because last year, like it or not, we had a flood on the first of May from very heavy rain on the 30th of April,” said David A. Robinson, the New Jersey state climatologist based at Rutgers University… Robinson said nearly everywhere in the state has received less than a third of an inch of rain since a storm on April 20 and 21. That’s about 10 percent of the norm of about 3 inches. It’s also been largely warmer than normal with low humidity, he said.
Wonderful Weather, but Wildfire Danger in NJ
The weather’s wonderful, but lingering dry conditions pose a wildfire risk for NJ. The wildfire danger is very high, up from high last week, according to the New Jersey Forest Fire Service… That means fires start easily from all causes, immediately spread rapidly and increase quickly in intensity, according to the service. Spot fires are a constant danger. Fires burning in light fuels may quickly develop high-intensity characteristics, such as long distance spotting and fire whirlwinds when they burn into heavier fuels…”We are in need of a good soaking,” said David A. Robinson, the New Jersey state climatologist at Rutgers University. “There’s just no question about it. It’s been over two weeks since we’ve had really any appreciable rainfall in the state and it’s been warm at times.”
Wildfire Risk and Freeze Watch in NJ
Talk about a bizarre combo, in this case hot and cold. There’s a risk of too much heat today and too much cold late tonight through Saturday morning, according to the National Weather Service… More specifically, there’s an enhanced threat of wildfire…
Billions of Dollars in Debt
U.S. millennials have more than $1 trillion in outstanding student loan debt, according to data from the U.S. Department of Education. In New Jersey, total student loan debt hovers around $30.8 billion, which is just shy of the amount that’s needed to run the state of New Jersey in 2015… The skyrocketing cost of education and the Great Recession forced many students to finance their education with loans. Officials say as they graduate into the real world with significant debt and, in many cases take low paying jobs they’re overqualified for, economic activity isn’t as significant as it’s been when past generations were coming into adulthood…”There are a whole lot of people out there living postponed lives,” said Barbara O’Neill, a personal finance professor at Rutgers University New Brunswick. “It’s got a dampening effect for people of all ages- not just the young people themselves. It ripples.”… Debt prevents millennials from forming households, which means they’re not renting apartments or buying homes. With 80 million nationwide, they could be boosting the economy, O’Neill said. But they’re not — and it’s because of their debt.
Winter’s Back: Flurries and Freeze Watch
Spring sprang more than a month ago, but winter-like cold is back and a little snow is possible. A few flurries are possible through Thursday afternoon, mainly in southeastern Pennsylvania and northern New Jersey, but no accumulation is expected, according to the National Weather Service Mount Holly Office… “It’s been a very late spring,” said William Sciarappa, Monmouth County agricultural agent with Rutgers Cooperative Extension. “It’s more like an extended winter.”… The local freeze watch follows an abnormally cold and snowy winter in New Jersey, and temperatures are expected to be largely below average for the next two to three weeks, according to David A. Robinson, the New Jersey state climatologist at Rutgers University.
Nuclear War Could Ignite ‘Global Food Crisis’
I recently absorbed some alarming information on nuclear weapons and the catastrophic global impact of even a small-scale nuclear war… For starters, a very interesting article in The New Yorker focused on three Plowshares peace activists, including a…
Pair Encouraged Autistic Man to Plunge in Icy Ocean
Battered by waves off Manasquan, in frigid water over his head, the 19-year-old autistic, diabetic Howell man struggled to make it back to shore- while two other young men laughingly taped him with a cellphone as he fought to stay alive. The men, Drake…
Snow Possible Friday as Spring Arrives in NJ
Spring arrives on Friday, but winter won’t be letting go without a fight. Forecasters expect snow to begin early Friday morning in Monmouth and Ocean counties but change over to rain fairly quickly… David A. Robinson, the New Jersey state climatologist based at Rutgers University, said “It looks like it could be the nuisance variety of snow. But it’s the type of snow that- unless it comes down in a big burst- tends to melt on roadways and such”…. “It’s tough to get it to stick on roadways unless it’s coming down hard,” he said.
RU Survey: Summer Classes at Shore Would be Popular
Rutgers University-New Brunswicks Summer Session, with more than 2,200 course sections, already one of the nations largest summer programs, is adding a new component with 17 courses at the Jersey Shore… The decision to establish RU at the Shore for 2…
More Snow Heading This Way; Find Out How Much
Up to 8 inches of snow may fall in Monmouth and Ocean counties tonight into Thursday, following a wintry mix of snow, sleet, freezing rain and rain that began Tuesday, according to the National Weather Service… The late Wednesday- Thursday snowstorm …