Blue Hill Observatory Announcements

April 2012 Was Third Warmest on Record Temp, Precip, Snow
The April average temperature (adjusted to 24 hours) of 49.9 deg F was more than 5 deg F warmer than the long-term 1891-2000 mean making this the third warmest April on record. This was also the fifteenth consecutive month to be warmer than average. The January to April mean temperature of 39.7 deg F is the warmest start to any year on record, surpassing the previous record in 2002 by more than a degree. The highest temperature for the month was 89 deg F on the 16th, which surpassed the previous daily record for that date by 2 degrees. There were no maximum temperatures cooler than 50 during April, which has never occurred before. The low temperature for the month was 31 deg F on the 3rd, 6th and 28th, which ties for the warmest April monthly minimum on record. Precipitation during April was about a half inch less than the long-term average at 3.52 inches, though most of this, 3.15 inches, fell during a single storm on the 22nd-23rd. The year so far has been the second driest on record with only 9.61 inches being measured over the first four months. Only a trace of snow was observed in April, leaving the seasonal total at 24.2 inches. The average wind speed for the month was 13.2 mph with a prevailing direction of NW, and the average wind speed for the year to date of 13.1 mph is the slowest on record for the first four months of the year. The observed bright sunshine was 64 percent, which is 15 percent more than the long term average, making this the fifth sunniest April on record.

Observatory Will Host Forecasting Summer Workshop Notice, Register
The Blue Hill Observatory announces a summer workshop for students called 'Launch Your TV Weather Career" to be held the week of July 9th-14th, 2012. Each day, students will receive four hours of intensive instruction from professional broadcast meteorologists during the morning, followed by an afternoon field trip for hands on weather forecast training. Participation in this workshop is limited to 16 students aged 15 to 20 years. Click on the 'Notice' link above for further details, and click on the 'Register' link to download the application, which has information on the cost, how to apply and where to mail the application materials. This workshop will fill quickly, so send us your application early if you would like to participate!

Blue Hill Observatory Science Center Registered With Causes Donate
Now you can support the non-profit Blue Hill Observatory Science Center through the online web site Causes.com. Click on the Donate button above to find out more and to support our educational mission!

Use the GoodSearch Toolbar to Help the Blue Hill Observatory Science Center!
Now you can add the free Blue Hill Observatory Science Center GoodSearch toolbar to IE or Firefox! Once you add this custom toolbar for IE or Firefox, each time you shop at one of the more than 1,300 participating stores, a percentage of what you spend will be donated to the BHOSC at no extra cost to you! You could even save money as the toolbar provides coupons and deals. The toolbar also has a search box, and each time you search the Internet about one cent is donated to the BHOSC. No registration is required so use the link below to install your BHOSC toolbar today!
http://www.goodsearch.com/toolbar/blue-hill-observatory-science-center

Blue Hill Observatory Science Center Registered With GoodSearch and GoodShop
Now you can help the non-profit Blue Hill Observatory Science Center while you search and shop on the Internet. The Observatory is registered with GoodSearch.com and GoodShop, which will make a donation to our cause each time you begin your Internet searching or shopping through the GoodSearch web site. Click on the GoodSearch button below to support the Observatory today!

Help Wanted - Paid and Volunteer Positions at the Observatory
Are you interested in the weather? Do you have computer or office skills, or like to work outdoors? Do you share our goal of educating the public about meteorology? Then you can help us! Paid and volunteer positions especially on weekends are available at the Observatory for tour docents, greeters, sales associates and other help. If you or your group would like to be paid or to volunteer to help these efforts, then please contact us for more information.