FDC-couch

today

8:30 a.m. Audubon Society Field Trip See Event Description

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9 a.m. Arcata Farmers' Market Arcata Plaza

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9:30 a.m. Discovery Walk: Unknown Waterfront See Event Description

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9:30 a.m. Manila Dunes Restoration Manila Community Center

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10 a.m. Manila Dunes Guided Walk Manila Community Center

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10 a.m. Library Book Sale Humboldt County Library

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10 a.m. Dia de los Muertos and Mexican Folk Art Sale Private Eureka home

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10 a.m. Final Arcata Farmer's Market Arcata Farmers' Market (off the plaza)

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11 a.m. Donlin Foreman Dance Workshop Dell'Arte

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2 p.m. Humboldt Coastal Nature Center Draft Trails Plan Walk Stamps House

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5 p.m. Bati Zado and Show Redwood Raks World Dance Studio

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6 p.m. The Tumbleweeds Chapala Cafe

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6 p.m. Ali Chaudhary (jazz duo) Libation

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6:30 p.m. Not Evil, Just Wrong Humboldt Area Foundation

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7 p.m. Guitar Stan (country) Old Town Coffee & Chocolates

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8 p.m. Guitar Orchestra of Barcelona Arkley Center for the Performing Arts

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8 p.m. Stones in His Pockets Arcata Playhouse

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8 p.m. A Christmas Carol North Coast Repertory Theater

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8 p.m. Donna Landry Swing Dance Moose Lodge

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8 p.m. North Coast Wind Ensemble Fulkerson Recital Hall at HSU

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8:30 p.m. The Last Minute Men (international) Cafe Mokka

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9 p.m. Ian McFeron Band (folk rock) Six Rivers Brewery

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9 p.m. The Michael Paul Band WAVE @ blue lake casino

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9 p.m. The Generatorz (classic rock) Central Station Cocktail Lounge

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9 p.m. Taxi Bear River Casino

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9 p.m. VJ Itchie Fingaz Pearl Lounge

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9 p.m. Jack Ruby Presents + Blue Street + Acufunkture (DIY rock) Jambalaya

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9 p.m. 2nd Annual Scorpio Bash The Red Fox Tavern

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10 p.m. Music by DJ Sidelines

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10 p.m. DJ Icy Hot Aunty Mo's Lounge

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10 p.m. Jemimah Puddleduck (rock) Humboldt Brews

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10 p.m. White Manna + Midday Veil + The King Salmon Duo (rock) Jambalaya

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11 p.m. Radio Moscow (psychadelic blues) + Mosquito Bandito (one-man surf/garage) The Alibi Lounge and Restaurant

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previous columns

Jan. 31, 2008

Stick-Slip Slug Slime

Banana slugs evolved from snails, and both are classified as ...

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Jan. 24, 2008

Watts in Coffee, Pot and Brakes?

I am reading a full page ad in our local ...

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Jan. 17, 2008

What is Our Bedrock?

Our bedrock consists of an exceptional diversity of rocks spanning ...

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  • Diagram of atmospheric absorption of radiation ranging from ultraviolet to thermal infrared. By Don Garlick. Diagram of atmospheric absorption of radiation ranging from ultraviolet to thermal infrared. By Don Garlick.
Can You Predict Rain?

Can You Predict Rain?

By Don Garlick

Yes, by simply learning how to interpret available data. The best window into tomorrow's weather is a movie which compresses several hours of satellite-observations into a few seconds: Google "Eureka Weather" and click Current Conditions — East Pacific — Infrared — Loop. After some experience you will be able to reasonably forecast our weather by extrapolating those satellite observations. For precipitation within the next few hours, click Doppler Radar. The following is an introduction to the science behind these sophisticated tools.

The diagram plots the atmospheric absorption of radiation ranging from ultraviolet (wavelength < 0.4 microns) through visible light (0.4-0.7 microns) and reflected infrared (0.7-3 microns) to thermal infrared (wavelength > 3 microns). The UV absorption is due to ozone. Most of the rest is due to water vapor, excepting those bands shown darker which are due to carbon dioxide. Absorption near 13 microns is of global warming concern.

A geostationary satellite 35,786 km above the equator detects radiation at a variety of wavelengths. One detector near 0.7 microns provides the positive "VIS" image composed of reflected visible sunlight. One near 11 microns yields the negative "IR" image. It is centered on an atmospheric window which transmits thermal infrared energy from the Earth's surface, providing clouds are absent. When clouds are present, their cool tops radiate less energy (lighter tones in the negative image). When storm clouds reach very cold altitudes, the IR image is enhanced with false colors. A detector near 7 microns cannot see the Earth's surface because of intervening water vapor. However, when the atmosphere is drier it detects thermal radiation from lower warmer air. This detector yields the water vapor "WV" image (also negative). The IR and WV images are produced day and night. But don't let them keep you awake.

Rain-detecting Doppler radar is next-week's topic.

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