What's the temperature where you are???

[Ponypoor]

Happy Winter Solstice to all of you in the Northern Hemisphere. And to anyone in the Southern Hemisphere, such as myself, a happy longest sunlight day to you. Our Summer Solstice day is 29 degrees Celsius (84,5 degrees Fahrenheit) ...and it is predicted to be 34 degrees Celsius on Christmas day (93,2 degrees Fahrenheit).

Cape Town sunrise today: 05:32
Cape Town sunset today: 19:57

A total of 14 hours 25 minutes of day light.

And sunset is less than a hour from now.

Nice temps

 

[Ponypoor]

Sunday 22nd of December 9.47a.m. heavy grey overcast. 5.5 / 9.3kph NE, Hg 55%, top of 24C / 75F. Marine wind warning.

Moon is 54%

Why cicadas seem so much louder this year​

4h ago

Cicadas have favourable weather conditions to thank for their particularly active summer. (ABC Mid North Coast)

If you've stepped outside in recent days, you might have noticed the familiar sound of cicadas buzzing.

And while it's a soundtrack heard every summer, you wouldn't be wrong in thinking the insects have turned the decibels up further this year.

So why are cicadas so noisy this year?​

Dr Michael Elias, an affiliate with CSIRO's Australian National Insect Collection, said it just came down to there being more cicadas this year.

"That's most likely because of the weather conditions we've been having for the last few years," he said.

"In most of eastern Australia, the ground's been pretty wet the last few years, which leads to increased plant growth."

During their juvenile stages, cicadas live underground and feed on sap from plant roots to survive.

"So with more plants being around, there's a lot more food available for them, so you get lower mortality in juveniles."

This year, Australia experienced its wettest January to August period since 2011 and monthly rainfall records have been shattered in parts of the country.

It's been the fifth consecutive year of above-average rainfall.

Australia has experienced a string of wet years. (Supplied: Daniel James)

You have Cicada there? That’s awesome!

 

[Ponypoor]

The shortest day of the year
338 pm 51f48 or 54

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Niiiice! I can only dream…

 

[Nomadicus]

38° and dropping. Should see 29° by daybreak.

 

[Ponypoor]

19:55hrs

-13C (9F), low tonight will be around -22C - brrr!

Only 149 days till ‘summer’ - I keep telling myself….

 

[Debbie292d]

38° and dropping. Should see 29° by daybreak.

Whoa, you don't usually get THAT low there do you?

 

[Debbie292d]

Only 149 days till ‘summer’ - I keep telling myself….

In the USA, Spring begins March 20th. 89 days.

 

[Ponypoor]

In the USA, Spring begins March 20th. 89 days.

Spring also starts then here, but until it gets above 20C I say it’s still winter hahaha.

And n May we have our May 2 4 weekend (this year it’s 19 May - 149 days) which is Canada’s unofficial start to ‘summer’.

But the really hot sticky weather doesn’t arrive usually until beginning of July and last till mid Aug.

So we take advantage of those short 6 weeks!

March is usually snowy and early April also, not till end of May until steady nicer weather arrives.

I want to move to The Turks and Caicos

 

[Nomadicus]

We are down to 34° now and dropping fast with no clouds to help trap heat for us.

 

[kikiruru]

Saturday 856p 38f33 look at forecast 5 am brrr