Word has come down from on high that now that the latest El Nino, an anomalous warming of the sea-surface temperatures in the equatorial Pacific Ocean, has dissipated, growing in its place is its twin, the La Nina, an anomalous cooling. What does this mean for us?
Well, it could mean a milder summer. We've seen that happen here before when La Ninas were in evidence. But more importantly, La Ninas are typically associated with active hurricane seasons in the Atlantic, an impact opposite from what we see when an El Nino is present. You can read more about it here.
Turning now to Jovian news, the New Horizons space probe, on its way to visit Pluto, that tiny orb that used to be known as a planet, made a close pass of Jupiter early this morning. While in the gaseous giant's vicinity the probe will make some observations of Jupiter's magnetosphere. Read all about it.
The probe will also use the planet's gravity to shoot it a few thousand miles an hour faster toward Jupiter. And of course, New Horizons will take some pictures. Here's one shot as the probe was approaching today's pass.
Holiday Watch --- This is National Tooth Fairy Day. The tooth fairy, a character in Western culture, goes back to antiquity, but here was our question: What happens if you lose the tooth, and can't leave it for the fairy? Well, apparently, the tooth fairy knows all, and will still leave something for you under your pillow. How cool is that? Not very, but if you're a young child, maybe it is. This is also Andalusia Day in Spain, celebrating the autonomous region of Andalusia in that Mediterranean country.
And oh yeah, today's weather.....No headlines here. Look for an uneventful day with a high temperature around 46, close to normal, under partly cloudy skies.