The West Island Weather Station of Fairhaven Massachusetts is one of the most technologically advanced PWS weather stations in the world. WIWS is recognized by both national and International weather organizations and continues to achieve high rankings.
Tuesday, January 26, 2010
January 25th Gale
brought in warmth from the South
PUBLISHED JANUARY 26, 2010
BY MLBARON
A mild spring like storm brought in temperatures above 55 degrees, on Monday, that’s 20 degrees above normal. Potent southeasterly gales pumped in the juicy tropical air from down south.
Rainfall measurements varied from .92" at WIWS to over 2" inland. The Barometer bottomed out at 29.24 at 6:34PM. The high winds were persistent most of the afternoon with several gusts over 50MPH. The peak wind gust at WIWS was 55.2MPH at 5PM.
(Above: No flipping burgers today, just the grill. This heavy duty grill was no match with today's high wind gusts exceeding 55MPH.)
There were a few bands of heavy tropical downpours especially when a last wave of energy transited the area around 7PM. More than half of West Island lost power including a few other isolated pockets elsewhere. Fairhaven had several reports of trees down including a few that completely blocked roadways.
(Above: A vessels bow always points towards the wind direction, especially when the winds exceed 50MPH. This West Island lobster boat rides out a mild January 25th gale)
The causeway fared well at the high tide cycle around 3PM and remained passable throughout the storm event. The New Bedford-Fairhaven Hurricane barrier closed to marine traffic during the height of the gale.
More seasonal temperatures consistent with mid-winter arrives shortly with all eyes focusing on a possible snow event this weekend. The bottom line is, it’s going to get cold again, but cheer up, the spring countdown is now only 52 days away! (as of Jan 26, 2010)
80 YEAR OLD FAIRHAVEN AIRPORT PHOTO LINKS OREGON GREAT GRAND DAUGHTER ON GOOGLE SEARCH By M.L.Baron
When Melissa Hart of Oregon searched for info about her great grandfather on the internet, it brought her back 80 years to the The Town of Fairhaven. A photo of pilot Harold Hart by his bi-plane nicknamed "Hap-Hazard" was taken at the Fairhaven Airshow, March 1930 at the airfield on Mill Rd.and Bridge St. (now the Titleist Heaquarters)
The story of Fairhaven Airport in it's hey day, along with many planes displayed at the Airshow in 1930 is featured on the West Island Weather Station web site.
"I just wanted to thank-you for a delightful surprise this morning-I looked for my great grandfather "Hap Hazard" on Google and found a photo of him that I've never seen before with the Fairhaven Airport story on your web site" Melissa stated in a recent email.
Ms. Hart, who's an Author and Journalism teacher at The University of Oregon is compiling a book on the aviation/circus and vaudeville days of her great grandfather "Hap Hazard" and his wife and co-pilot Mary Hart. "They flew from theater to theater along with fairs and other events in the 1920's and 30's." she said.
Sadly, Harold "Hap Hazard" Hart died in a plane crash in 1974 in Salinas, California. He apparently pushed his home built plane too far doing some barrel rolls and crashed.
Melissa Hart's book is sure to be a fascinating look back at the early days of aviation, especially with this unusual husband and wife team of aeronautical entertainers.
