| If Johannes Kepler, the renowned 17th century | | | | Gilma (2000), and Tropical Storm Claudette |
| astronomer and discoverer of the planetary laws | | | | (2003). |
| of motion, could speak from the heavenlies, he | | | | Based on Kepler's method, some of the best and |
| might have a few words of wisdom to share | | | | worst weather for April 2005 is as follows: |
| with the National Weather Service. Although | | | | April 1-3: A southerly airflow kicks in over the |
| Kepler's name is not normally associated with | | | | western Gulf of Mexico bringing warmer |
| meteorology, he was quite the weather | | | | temperatures for the Deep South and on into the |
| forecaster in his day. His first claim to fame, by | | | | East Central States. Due to this increase in |
| the way, was not due to his discovery of those | | | | temperatures and humidity storms erupt over the |
| planetary laws, but because of his accurate | | | | area. |
| long-range weather forecast of the severe winter | | | | The western U.S. is also slated for a warm up. |
| that put Styermark, Germany on ice in 1593. | | | | April 5-7: The Southeast, East Central and |
| Kepler's genius and outside-the-box thinking led | | | | western U.S. continue warm and fair. |
| him to equate terrestrial weather patterns with | | | | April 8-10: A storm system affecting the Ohio |
| the geometrical formations made between the | | | | Valley and Southeast spreads inclement weather |
| earth and planets. Since these formations could be | | | | in the Northeast U.S. Low pressure brings |
| calculated in advance, he reasoned, their effect on | | | | thunderstorms to the Rockies and Plains. Special |
| the weather could be as well. Through the | | | | intensity is shown over New Mexico and |
| publishing of his almanacs, the Royal Astronomer | | | | Minnesota. |
| helped make ends meet when at times the kings | | | | April 11-14: Cool and fair conditions are shown for |
| who employed him were delinquent in their | | | | the Plains, the Ohio Valley and Southeast. The |
| payments. | | | | Pacific Northwest is in store for an influx of very |
| Kepler's contribution to meteorology, along with | | | | moist warm air around the 13th giving way to |
| his long-range forecast method, have all but been | | | | thunderstorm activity, which then continues |
| forgotten. And as would be expected, present | | | | westward over the Rockies. |
| day meteorology, ashamedly, has no real | | | | April 15: The Middle Atlantic States turn stormy |
| long-range weather forecast capability. Even | | | | generating a low pressure system that heads |
| armed with the most advanced weather | | | | across New England toward Nova Scotia. |
| computer, whose lightning fast calculations | | | | April 18: The Pacific Northwest continues with |
| approach about 400 million per second, its | | | | higher than normal temperatures and humidity. |
| three-day forecasts are speculative, and its six to | | | | With enough moisture in place, storms will fire up |
| seven day forecasts are worthless. | | | | throughout the West Coast States. Temperatures |
| In this day and age when the flaws and limitations | | | | are on the upswing over the Rockies and Front |
| of many conventional procedures and methods | | | | Range as well. |
| have come to light, man is seeking and finding | | | | April 19: A front cutting through the Middle Atlantic |
| solutions in alternative methodologies. Just about | | | | States triggers storms, which continue through |
| every area of life boasts of some alternative | | | | New England. |
| option. So why not alternative weather forecasts | | | | April 22-24: Fair conditions embrace the Plains and |
| based on natural, environmentally safe, and | | | | Intermountain West. Cool and clear weather finds |
| providentially-provided processes? | | | | its way over the Rockies and from the Southeast |
| Wouldn't it be great to know the times and places | | | | into New England. |
| of hurricane formation and landfall months in | | | | April 26-27: Storms are triggered over the |
| advance? How about the when and where of | | | | Southwest U.S. and Rockies. |
| other weather anomalies such as deep freezes, | | | | April 27-28: Moisture is drawn up from the central |
| severe storms systems, and high velocity winds? | | | | Gulf of Mexico over Louisiana increasing |
| All this is possible with Kepler's method and would | | | | temperatures and leading to storm activity |
| be a welcomed alternative for weather sensitive | | | | throughout the Mississippi Valley, Deep South, and |
| businesses like agriculture, the weather derivatives | | | | East Central States. |
| market, transportation etc. Although no forecast | | | | April 29-30: Most of New England sees fair |
| system, be it conventional or alternative, is 100 | | | | weather except for Maine. The Pacific Northwest |
| percent accurate, it is worth noting that based on | | | | succumbs to storms while the Rockies are cool |
| this method my published long-range hurricane | | | | and clear. Moisture continues northward from the |
| forecasts, prepared months in advance, were | | | | Gulf toward the Great Lakes setting off storms |
| fulfilled in Hurricanes Isis (1998), Alberto (2000), | | | | over Indiana and the surrounding area. |