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A Quieter Earth

I have been reading articles about how much quieter the earth has become with much of the world’s industry closed for business.  Seismometers may be built to detect earthquakes, but their mechanical ears hear so much more: hurricanes thundering hundreds of miles away and meteoroids exploding in the skies on the other side of the planet. Even the everyday hum of humanity — people moving about on cars, trains, and planes — has a seismically detectable heartbeat.

Noise levels around cities have dropped up to 60% or more in some cases.  Scientists are now able to better hear the planet’s natural tectonic soundtrack. With the volume of humanity reduced, smaller earthquakes can be felt and detected by seismographs.

A cleaner and more frequent detection of Earth’s seismic activity gives seismologists a less filtered look into the planet’s interior. Although many seismometers are purposefully located far from cities, plenty of urban areas — especially those in seismically prone parts of the planet — are peppered with seismometers. In this time of human quiet, the creaking of some potentially dangerous faults may be detected better than ever.

I hadn’t really given it much thought until I started to research it – it does make sense given the movement of several billion people going about their business on a daily business when times are ‘normal’.  It just goes to show how large our footprint has become in our modern age of industry and transportation.


These are the hail reports from the 7th – you can see the multiple reports between Otsego and Plainwell, I think my report of up to golfball sized hail is buried under one of the green dots.  We did get a few dings in the car.  I wonder how the wildlife held up during the storm, especially the deer who had to be out in it.  I can’t imagine being outside with that hail bouncing off my body – ouch!

We had a light dusting of snow overnight – yesterday we had some snow mixed with graupel.  The current temp is 35° at daybreak.

We are keeping our eye on the next storm system coming in late Sunday into Monday – it may be interesting what this one may bring – time will tell…


 

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INDY
INDY

I was just reading the NWS says Mondays storm could be the strongest storm in the last 30 years in April due to the deepening of the low pressure and the winds possibility of 60mph that’s huge …. can we say bombogenesis my favorite …INDY

Andy W
Andy W

Yeah, I am more worried about the winds INDY! Need power to work from home! Guess I better gas up the generator!

INDY
INDY

It’s probably a good idea there maybe major power outages stay safe bud have a sprite tonight I am lol…INDY

Andy W
Andy W

You too INDY! Looks like we may only be looking at a 5 day cool down next week. Keep them bonfires stoked up!

https://weather.com/weather/tenday/l/7f39432f98eef2d300f773cf914253d5f248e7131cb69cb63b087ebda662f574

Andy W
Andy W

Kirkwood showed the storm as all rain too. Let’s hope that is the case!

Nathan (Forest Hills)
Nathan (Forest Hills)

Let’s hope we do not lose power on Monday. I have no idea how I’d be able to keep working from home.

INDY
INDY

Wind advisories and warnings coming …INDY

Andy W
Andy W

Here is what the GRR NWS discussion said from this morning:

Heavy rain is possible depending the track, the GFS ensemble mean is giving GRR and MKG around 1.5 inches of rain. The ECMWF mean is closer to an inch. One way or the other this will be significant rainfall event.

Some snow is expected later Monday into Monday night but at this point this does not look to be to big of a snowfall event.

Mr. Negative
Mr. Negative

No news here…it’s Winter in the Southern Arctic, with snowfall for seven months.

INDY
INDY

The latest GFS model shows west Michigan getting walloped with snow on Wednesday will be it cold enough bring it on …INDY

INDY
INDY

Lol I got so excited that would be Monday not Wednesday …Shuuuuu INDY

Rocky (Rockford)
Rocky (Rockford)

Check it out. A lot of snow in the US for mid April! incredible!

https://www.instantweathermaps.com/GFS-php/conussfc.php?run=2020041006&time=PER&var=ASNOWI&hour=384

INDY
INDY

Winter storm watches in April Slim calling on you have we ever had one?? INDY

Barry in Zeeland
Barry in Zeeland

I’ve read several articles about that as well MV. Also the smog/pollution levels are way down around big cities because of far less cars and trucks driving around and big factories being closed.

INDY
INDY

Let’s hope the storm on Monday brings all snow to west Michigan that would be amazing …Day 2 of the below normal stretch least the sun is shining have a super Good Friday! ….INDY

Rocky (Rockford)
Rocky (Rockford)

Rock on Indy!

INDY
INDY

Did you hear Terri deboer this morning wood TV 8 some of west Michigan could see the most snowfall all of Winter in Mondays storm that would be amazing especially talking about a winter storm on a WEATHER BlOG in April this is a weather blog ?? Lol…INDY

Rocky (Rockford)
Rocky (Rockford)

I had not heard that.

Barry in Zeeland
Barry in Zeeland

Who on earth would anyone hope for that with what’s going on in the world right now?? My parents are in their 80’s and 90’s and the only thing they can do right now is get outside to walk and you want to take that away from them? That is just sad even thinking that way.

Rocky (Rockford)
Rocky (Rockford)

How many times do I need to explain this to you?? What we say on this blog has ZERO impact on the actual weather! It we get a snowstorm, just make the best of of it! If not make the best of that! Give it up Barry!

Barry in Zeeland
Barry in Zeeland

And some one needs to explain to you that I could care less about the weather unless it’s smoking hot. What I do care about is the elderly like my parents who would have to deal with such impacts. Quit being ignorant and think of someone other than yourself for once.

Rocky (Rockford)
Rocky (Rockford)

Wow, I think the stay at home order is wearing on someone! Have a great day and make the best of whatever weather comes you way!

Barry in Zeeland
Barry in Zeeland

Nope. Actually I got called in to work for a while today. And yes I always make the best of whatever weather we have except the hot weather.

INDY
INDY

Blog politics Rocky Blog politics … Anyways currently it’s 38* degrees with some snow flakes falling out at thee YARDofBRICKS NE of GR feels a lot like Fall not mid April outside..INDY

Slim

There is enough snow here that the ground and roofs have snow on them. The current temperature here is now at 32 With that trace of snow on the ground. If the storms on Sunday into Monday plays out t could be a very windy one for sure. While today’s NWS discussion mentions a once in a 30 time event is possible (it may or may not happen) I remember a system that happened on April 30th 1984. I remember this because that was the day I started my job here in Grand Rapids. At that time I was living… Read more »