Old Farmer's Almanac's Long-Range 2011 Weather Outlook For Brooklyn

Since 2010 ended in one of the biggest snow storms in New York City history, I decided to check the Old Farmer's Almanac to see what we can expect here in Brooklyn for the rest of this winter. Not quite sure how a farmer would go about predicting the weather here in Brooklyn, but there doesn't seem to be anything too out of the ordinary in January and February's forecast. Snow, rain and cold. The usual stuff. But before you despair, you may be happy to know that there are only 76 days left till Spring. That's not so bad, is it?

Old Farmer's Almanac 2011 Long-Range Weather Forecast for Brooklyn, New York

2-Month Weather Forecast

JANUARY 2011: temperature 30 ° (3 ° below avg.); precipitation 2.5" (1" below avg.); Jan 1-5: Snow, then sunny, very cold; Jan 6-11: Snow showers, then sunny, cold; Jan 12-17: Rain and snow, seasonable; Jan 18-21: Snowstorm, then sunny, very cold; Jan 22-24: Snow, then sunny, cold; Jan 25-31: Snow, then sunny, very cold.

FEBRUARY 2011: temperature 35 ° (2 ° above avg.); precipitation 4" (1" above avg.); Feb 1-3: Sunny, turning mild; Feb 4-6: Heavy rain, mild; Feb 7-10: Rain to snow; Feb 11-16: Snow showers, then sunny, very cold; Feb 17-20: Snowstorm, then sunny; Feb 21-24: Rain, then sunny, mild; Feb 25-26: Rain, mild; Feb 27-28: Sunny, mild.

Annual Weather Summary: November 2010 to October 2011
Winter will be colder and drier than normal, on average, with below-normal snowfall in New England and above-normal snowfall elsewhere. The coldest periods will be in mid-December, January, and mid-February. The snowiest periods will be in early January and mid- and late February.

April and May will be cooler and drier than normal.

Summer will be drier and slightly cooler than normal, with the hottest periods in mid- and late June, early July, and early to mid-August.

September and October will be much cooler and rainier than normal.

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Best Comment Of The Day: Pollution Shows No Respect For Neighborhood Boundaries

Adam A Left the following comment on the post "Stop The Idling...Join A Rally In Support Of "Shore Power" At The Cruise Terminal"

I'm sure you're aware that this is not only about air quality in Red Hook - the pollution from the ships shows no respect for neighborhood boundaries and affects all of our neighborhoods - Cobble Hill, Carroll Gardens, Columbia Street, and beyond. Ship pollution - from all types of ships - is a problem for our entire city. Mitigating the cruise ship pollution in Brooklyn would be the first small step in eliminating these harmful yet avoidable emissions from our air, and our kids' lungs.

That shouldn't downplay the importance of ths plan, however. The Port Athority, in a statment made to the Public Service Commission in support of this plan, stated (read my latest post for the link to their statement) that plugging the Brooklyn cruise ships in to shore power would save an estimated $9 million per year in health costs to Brooklyn residents.

That means that currently the yearly monetized health cost to Brooklyn residents of the cruise ship pollution alone is $9 Million - that's per year, in cancer, asthma, heart disease and premature death.

That's important.

Thanks again for covering it. See you at the rally.

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January Fog Over Carroll Gardens

This foggy rooftop shot was taken yesterday morning by reader M. who wrote:

"No, that's not a giant birdcage rising from the fog, it's the horror of Carroll Street."

She also included this view of Carroll Gardens backyards with what remains of the snow.

Reader M writes: " The other photo is a huge, wonderful tree , showcased inside the French plan courtyards of Carroll Gardens, partially obscured by fog and chimney smoke."

Both are amazing. If it weren't for the steel cage on top of 333 Carroll Street, the roof line and the houses look virtually unchanged since they were built so long ago. Thank for sending the photos my way, M.

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Was Everyone In The Neighborhood At Union M*rket This Afternoon?

With most stores in the neighborhood closed for this first day of the New Year, it would seem that Union Market on Court Street became everyone's favorite food market by default.

From the cheese display, to the meat counter, all the way to the checkout, there were long lines. One would have thought they were giving food away....

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After Snow Fiasco, Sanitation Back To Picking Up Trash (But No Recyclables) Starting Monday

After last week's snow fiasco, the NYC Department Of Sanitation is ready to pick up the trash again on Monday, but only on a limited basis. According to the Department web site, we'll have to hold on to our recyclables for a bit longer, though by now, your bins are probably overflowing like mine.

As per DSNC:

"The New York City Department of Sanitation announced today that it will resume limited garbage collection around the city on Monday, January 3rd.

Those who normally receive Monday collections should place all of their garbage bags, pails and containers out at curbside on Sunday night. The Department will not be collecting recyclables until further notice."

Also, DSNY will start Christmas Tree Pick-Up this coming week:

"Residents can also place out their discarded Christmas trees for pickup.
The NYC Department of Sanitation will be conducting special collections for mulching and recycling of Christmas trees.
Collections will take place beginning on Monday, January 4, 2010 through Friday, January 15, 2010 .
Residents are encouraged to put out their discarded trees at curbside as early as possible during the collection period.
DSNY asks residents to remove all tree stands, tinsel, lights, and ornaments from trees before placing them out for collection. DO NOT place trees in plastic bags. Trees will be chipped into mulch that will be distributed to parks, playing fields, and community gardens throughout the city.

New Yorkers can also participate in NYC Parks & Recreation Mulchfest by bringing their holiday trees to designated sites throughout the five boroughs on Saturday and Sunday, January 9 & 10, 2010 from 10 am to 2 pm.

All of the trees will be chipped into mulch that will be used as ground cover to nourish plantings across the City. Before dropping off your tree, please remove all tree stands, tinsel, lights, and ornaments from trees.

Free mulch will be available at Mulchfest locations —bring a bag if you would like to take home some mulch."

Related Reading:
Mulchfest 2011: Start The New Year Green By Recycling Your Christmas Tree

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Year Round Carroll Gardens Green Market Starting January 2nd? Cool!

CARROLL GARDENS GREENMARKET

Yes, folks! The Carroll Gardens Green Market is coming back tomorrow, January 2nd, and will be held on Sundays year round from now on. How cool is that?

See you there tomorrow?

From the Grow New York Organization web site:

Schedule: Sundays, Year Round, 8AM-4P

Going into its 4th successful season, this much loved Sunday market located across from Carroll Park and in front of PS58 is a great destination for neighbors, shoppers, families and Sunday brunch goers. With an incredible array of regional products from Cheryl Rogowski the first farmer to win a McArthur Genius Grant, to award-winning Vermont cheesemaker Consider Bardwell keeping a 150 year old farm from development, to a group of young farmers at Fishkill Farms proving that farming is back in style, this market has it all. Also coming back are Grazin’ Angus’ grass-fed meats, Milk Thistle’s organic milks and yogurts (named the best in New York by NY Magazine), and Hector Perez’s beautiful flowers, plants and affordably-priced vegetables--why shop anywhere else? Don't forget the weekly fun-filled family activities, seasonal events and tasty demos we have planned all season long!

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"Twas Almost 2011 On The Brooklyn Heights Promenade

The view from the Brooklyn Heights Promenade on the last night of 2010

and at the beginning of 2011!

It was almost midnight, but not quite.

Happy 1.1.'11 Everyone

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