Today – February 5

Every year, February 5 is the day to honor the meteorologists, weather forecasters, and reporters of the weather. It is also an occasion to appreciate the presence and beauty of western monarch butterflies. Butterflies simply make the gardens more alive! Western monarch is the most studied butterfly species. 

National Weatherperson’s Day 

We can know the weather today by just switching on the TV, or taking a look at our phones. But is weather prediction that easy? Committed meteorologists, technicians, and weather forecasters are attentively creating reports to help you plan your day by issuing warnings. Weathermen are always taken for granted and are also sometimes blamed for the weather itself. 

Air traffic, marine, agriculture, forestry, utility companies, military, and many other commercial companies are sectors that need specialist services for weather forecasting. Temperature forecasts are important for the farmers to keep in track of the precipitation and humidity. Thus, markets and retailers indirectly depend on it too. Outdoor events and daily wears are scheduled based on the climate.

It takes extensive technical knowledge to gather previous records and note the pattern of weather to predict upcoming weather based on just numerical values. Weather prediction is known as forecasting and not fortune-telling for a reason. Models and systems are not always accurate, we citizens should appreciate the hard work and extensive effort put into forecasting daily weather.

History

John Jeffries is considered as one of the first observers of weather in America. His birthday, February 5 is nationally commemorated across the United States as National weatherpersons day. In 1784, Jeffries along with Jean-Pierre Blanchard crossed the English Channel in a balloon. Thus, becoming the first human beings to cross the Channel by air to make balloon observations of the weather.

How to celebrate it?

Weatherperson’s day is not about complex algorithms and unknown parameters. It can be a day of fun and interesting revelations.

Head out to your nearest meteorological department with kids. You may discover the techniques to learn about the detection of an earthquake, you may have hands-on experience with instruments to measure rain-gauge, calculate wind speed and direction. You can even get a chance to look at the weather museum with old and priceless types of equipment that were used before. They will give you a detailed explanation about the weather on the planet or just your local area.

Watch a documentary about weather forecasting. We will never be able to appreciate the weathermen and women unless we see them work. Weather forecasting is a documentary that will show you all the kinds of instruments and techniques used to forecast the weather today.

Take this day as an excuse to thank all those men and women who work tirelessly to give us valuable information for all television and commercial services.

To read more articles related to weather click here.

Western Monarch Day 

Western monarch butterflies have brilliant colors. They are one among the most easily recognizable of the butterfly species that belong to North America. They have two sets of wings and a wingspan of three to four inches. 

Their wings are a deep orange with the underside as pale orange. Black veins upon butterfly wings are the perfect hue to accompany such sunny golds. It has white markings on the border of its wings. Male monarchs have two black spots in the center of their hind wings. They are scent glands that help males attract female monarchs. In contrast, the females own thicker veins than males.

Unfortunately, there is a decline in the population of Western monarchs. This is mainly due to the fact that milkweeds are less in population. Milkweed is the only place the monarchs breed. The lessening of milkweeds and climate change are the main reasons for the survival threat to western monarchs.

History:

This day is to celebrate the return of western monarch butterflies, where they spend their winters. California has a holiday dedicated to this occasion. Parks and gardens organize special events where thousands of people gather together to view these beauties. All due to, California legislature established February 5 as Western monarch day in 2004.

How to celebrate it?

• Follow the monarch count. 

Click here to keep yourself aware of the real situations regarding this species.

• Share a little garden with them.

Plant milkweeds in your garden so that monarchs can breed.

• Take your children to the monarch show parks.

We can never appreciate beauty unless we see through our own eyes.

• Additionally, learn about the conversation groups that are working hard to save these species. 

Donate to these organizations to help them manage land for pollinators, replenish milkweed, raise awareness, and gather new scientific evidence to better understand monarchs.