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Blue Hill
Observatory Sky-mail |
Legendary Meteorologist to Step Down
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Dick Albert Announces Retirement
(Reprinted with permission from TheBostonChannel.com)
Note: Dick Albert's last television forecast will air on WCVB-TV/DT Channel 5 on Thursday, February 26, 2009.
Dick Albert: 'It's Been A Wonderful 31 Years at Channel 5, But I Am Eager To Start The Next Chapter Of My Life'
 Dick
Albert, WCVB-TV/DT Channel 5's longtime co-chief meteorologist,
announced his plans to retire from the station at a meeting in the station's newsroom on February 4. The affable
Albert, known as "Dickie" to viewers, joined WCVB in 1978. In his
thirty-one year tenure, Albert was the dean of New England's
meteorologists. In his announcement, Albert said, "My career has been a
gift. I've worked with the best in the business and enjoyed every minute
of it."
One
of the most recognized and beloved personalities in local television, Albert
said, "I'm not going away. Everyone knows that I am passionate about the
weather. It's not only my vocation, but my lifelong avocation. As
much as I will miss my Channel 5 colleagues and the legions of New England viewers, I will be out in the community,
speaking and teaching. I'm also developing a website, www.DickAlbert.com to
continue to share my love of the weather."
WCVB
President and General Manager Bill Fine said, "Dick Albert's passion for
meteorology, coupled with his ability to deliver the most accurate information
to New England viewers, is extraordinary and
well recognized by all. He is a valued colleague, friend and mentor. All
of us at WCVB will miss his daily presence, as will New Englanders who
completely trust and admire him."
Albert
has received many accolades in his storied career, including multiple regional
Emmys. He was recognized with the prestigious Silver Circle Award for
Lifetime Achievement by the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences in
2004. Albert was voted the second most popular weathercaster in
the nation by "Television/Radio Age." His work has contributed to
countless station-wide honors, including Associated Press, RTNDA Edward R.
Murrow and National Headliner Awards.
The
University of Michigan graduate has been a frequent
guest speaker at schools around the region. He is a member of the
American Meteorological Society (AMS) and holds the AMS Television Seal of
Approval. Albert is also a member of the National Weather Association.
In
addition to daily forecasting, Albert has worked on children's specials, "Use
Your Smarts" and the educational vehicle, "Albert's Weather Wagon." He
has traveled the country, doing many special news series and stories about Mt. Washington's
weather, tornado alley, the Blizzard of '78, the 1954 Worcester
tornado and New England hurricanes.
Albert
and his wife, Mary Ann, are the parents of two sons, Marc and Matt. They
are also the proud grandparents of Heath and Cassie. He said, "I've been
blessed with a wonderful family. I look forward to spending more time
with them and my friends. I'm also excited to pursue other interests
including oil painting, tennis and lifelong learning."
Longtime
close friend and co-chief meteorologist Harvey Leonard will take on Albert's
duties at 5 and 6pm. His final forecast will be Thursday, February
26 at 6pm. Viewers are invited to post their thoughts and messages to Albert on
WCVB's website, www.TheBostonChannel.com.
Use this link to access a video tribute to Dick Albert, online discussions, and other related information: http://www.thebostonchannel.com/news/18640398/detail.html
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Vote for Blue Hill Observatory for New Series of United States Quarters
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Your vote counts!!
The United States Mint will be launching a new
series of quarters starting in 2010 called America's Beautiful National Parks Quarters, which
will commemorate one historic site from each of the states and territories over eleven years.
You can vote for the Blue Hill Meteorological Observatory to be the selected design for
Massachusetts by calling 1-800-227-MASS [6277] through February 26th. Choose extension 5, and
when prompted we suggest identifying your selection as "Great Blue Hill Weather Observatory,
Milton".
As a National Historic Landmark with unique contributions to the science and education
of meteorology, and the relevant issue of climate change, the Observatory is a worthy site.
Use the link below to the Governor's Office for more information on this program, and phone in
your vote for the Observatory today!
http://www.mass.gov/?pageID=gov3utilities&sid=Agov3&U=quarters_program
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Notes from the Observer's Office
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January 2009 Temperature & Wind; December-January snowfall
TEMPERATURE
The temperature in January never made it above 39 degrees, which is a new record for the lowest Monthly Maximum Temperature on record for the month of January.
January Coldest Maximum
Temperature (deg F)
1) 39 in 2009
2) 40 in 2003
3) 41 in 1896
41 in 1948
5) 42 in 1925
42 in 1941
42 in 1985
The average monthly temperature of
21.8 degrees was about 25th coldest on record and only coldest since 2004.
Coldest January average temperatures (deg F)
Jan. 1920....15.5
Jan. 1888....16.3
Jan. 2004....17.2
WIND
The average corrected monthly mean
wind speed of 13.1 MPH was the second lowest for any January on record
checked back to 1885.
January Lowest Wind Speed
(MPH)
1) 12.2 in 2001
2) 13.1 in 2009
3) 13.3 in 1984
4) 13.4 in 2005
5) 13.9 in 2008
The peak gust of 48 MPH is second
lowest on records for January checked back to 1965 (behind
43 MPH in 2001). Prevailing wind direction
from west at 36% is an unusually high percentage.
SNOWFALL
The December-January
snowfall total of 55.1 inches is the 7th greatest
on record.
Dec-Jan Highest Snowfall
(inches)
1) 95.8 in 1947-48 [136.0
seasonal total]
2) 72.9 in 1995-96 [144.4
seasonal total]
3) 67.8 in 1922-23 [102.5
seasonal total]
4) 62.0 in 1903-04 [103.4
seasonal total]
5) 61.0 in 2004-05 [119.4
seasonal total]
6) 57.1 in 1945-46 [91.2
seasonal total]
7) 55.1 in 2008-09
8) 49.6 in 1976-77 [81.2
seasonal total]
There were no new daily records in the month of January.
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WINS Girls Visit the New England Aquarium
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 The Women in Natural Science (WINS) program is an educational
initiative of the Blue Hill Observatory geared toward middle- and high-school-aged girls from Boston and surrounding communities. WINS seeks to inspire girls to learn about math, science, and technology
using a natural science curriculum and "hands-on minds-on" learning
experiences.
A group of WINS girls spent a day at the New England Aquarium during February vacation week.
The girls visited the Amazing Jellies exhibit and asked some great questions, such as, "Do jellies have brains??" (the answer is no, they have loose network of nerves called a nerve net rather than an organized central nervous system). After being entertained by the penguins, the girls spent most of the morning spiraling up the ramp around the Giant Ocean Tank, admiring sharks, rays, eels, and fishes.
If your school, church, or community group would like to participate in the WINS program, please contact Stephanie Radner by phone: (617) 696-0562 or email: sradner@bluehill.org. WINS programs make great after-school or weekend activities for girl scout troops, Big/Little Sister groups, Campfire girls, or any other youth organizations with programs for girls.
We would also like to congratulate one of our WINS girls, Nicole Forsyth, whose poem "Ode to the Isle" was recently accepted for publication in Teen Voices. Nicole's poem was inspired by a WINS trip to Isle au Haut, Maine. Please follow this link to read Nicole's poem.
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| From the Observatory Store |
 What Products Would You Like to Purchase From the Blue Hill Observatory Gift Shop?
Purchases from the Observatory gift shop and online store
benefit all aspects of operations. If you have seen a product that you
think we should sell, please tell us about it. If we decide to stock
your suggested product, you can purchase any quantity of that item for
25% off the retail price. Please contact Don McCasland with your
product suggestions (see contact information below).
New Merchandise Arriving in April!
Don
spent an entire day at the Toy Fair in New York City and found a lot of
great merchandise. The educational toys include a wide range of
science kits, a collection of geology lessons and materials (including
several rocks and minerals kits), and fun toys including Whirl-o
Hurricanes.
To help prepare for the new merchandise, we are having a store-wide clearance.
From now until March 27, print and present the coupon below for a 10% discount off
your entire purchase including already marked-down merchandise.
The Observatory gift shop is open from 10:00 AM
until 4:00 PM on weekends and many holidays. You can arrange to visit
the gift shop by appointment 7 days a week. For more information, to
get a product list, place an order, or schedule a visit to the gift
shop, please contact Don McCasland by phone: (617) 696-0562 or email: dmccasland@bluehill.org.
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Save
10%
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Print this coupon and bring it with you to the Blue Hill Observatory gift shop and receive a 10% discount off your entire purchase, including already marked-down merchandise.
Blue Hill Observatory Members save an additional 10% off all purchases.
Print this coupon and bring it with you, or just mention this offer when you come to the gift shop or call to place a phone order (617) 696-0562.
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Offer Expires: March 27, 2009
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Blue Hill Observatory and Science Center
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Blue Hill Meteorological
Observatory, located at the top of a scenic mountain range south of Boston, is a
unique American institution. Founded in 1885 by Abbott Lawrence Rotch as a
private scientific center for the study and measurement of the atmosphere, it
was the site of many pioneering weather experiments and discoveries. The earliest
kite soundings of the atmosphere in North America in the 1890s and the
development of the radiosonde in the 1930s occurred at this historic site.
Today, the Observatory is a National Historic Landmark and remains committed
to continuing its extensive, uninterrupted climate record with traditional
methods and instruments. The recently established Science Center expands
this mission by enhancing public understanding of atmospheric science.
We are grateful for the generous support of members, friends, and corporations who make it possible to continue our benchmark climate observations and educational outreach programs. Please contact Charles Orloff by phone: (508) 776-1879 or email: corloff@bluehill.org if you would like to make a donation to the Observatory.
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Future Events
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Monday April 20, 2009Patriot's Day Kite Fly and special kite tours of the Observatory.Hours: 10AM - 4 PMKite Tours: $5/adult, $3/youthBuild and decorate your own kite for just $5. April is National Kite Month. BHOSC will be participating in most events. For a full list of events, please check the NKM website: http://www.nationalkitemonth.org
Saturday May 16, 2009 Annual Blue Hill Observatory and Science Center Spring Open House.Hours: 10AM - 4 PMAdmission is free. There will be many activities throughout the day, including crafts, kite building, self-guided tours, and more. Check the BHO Events page for updates: http://www.bluehill.org/events.html
Monday May 25, 2009
Memorial Day Kite Fly and special kite tours
of the Observatory.
Hours: 10AM - 4PM
Kite Tours: $5/adults, $3/youth
Build and decorate your own kite for just $5.The gift shop, educational programs, and tours of the Observatory are available by appointment almost every day of the year. Please call ahead (617-696-0562) if there are questionable weather conditions. |
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| Blue Hill Observatory Links |
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Subscribe to Sky-mail
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 Charles Orloff, Executive Director corloff@bluehill.org
(508) 776-1879
Don McCasland, Program Director
dmccasland@bluehill.org
(617) 696-0562
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