Solar Minimum and Gray Skies
A solar minimum is the reduction in sunspot activity. Right now, this is affecting cloud formation in the Atlantic and is also causing a high pressure below Iceland. This in turn redirects the jet stream south and on land we get the wind blowing down from the Arctic.
More current data can be had from the U.S. Department of Commerce Space Weather Prediction Center and NASA Science News (some general information about sunspots).
Anyway, due to the reduced sunspot activity, Germany seems to be turning ever greener. 31% of the land area is already covered with forest anyway, but the green seems to be spreading. I am talking about oncoming mold in our shoes. Stuffing your shoes with newspaper helps (we learned that from three rainy seasons in Japan).
It has been rainy and gray which makes for an unusual May.
The poinsettia enjoys the solar minimum.
Even the poinsettia refuses to die (it usually does around March). Instead, the plant has been sprouting green leaves at a very fast rate.
Tags: Artic, blocking, Germany, high pressure, jet stream, poinsettia, solar minimum
May 16th, 2010 at 12:01 am
It was sunny in Bonn, but not so strong and optimal for jogging! Today, horses were not wearing anything. It was a proof that it was getting a litte bit warmer. Have a nice sunnday.