Belmont is in need of some negativity

If you’ve been thinking like we have, you’re probably wondering when will the weather get a little warmer.

The wind has been relentless this month. Our Davis weather station located at our home in the Hallmark area of Belmont, has been collecting data since we moved to from Barclay Way in 2001. We’ve been broadcasting it live since January 2002 and it receives more hits than any of our other web pages each month.

A recent software upgrade has allowed us to extract data for analysis and this is my first graph. It illustrates the wind at time intervals for the Month of May, 2008—to date.

Belmont_wind_508

Notice that there hasn’t been one day so far this month that there hasn’t been any wind between the hours of 12:45 PM to 11:00 PM!

The positive ions wind can create may actually have a negative affect on the body by raising stress levels. Ever wonder why lying near a stream or waterfall feels so relaxing? Moving water creates negative ions which counteract the effects of positive ions created by the wind. Try washing your face with water after a bike ride. We hear it’s not just the coolness of the water that feels so good; it’s the positive ions being cancelled out by negative ones that have a calming effect. Admittedly these articles are not from scientific scholars, but sometimes experiencing something for yourself is all the affirmation one needs.

After awhile, the wind begins to grow a little tiresome and we’re just waiting for a calm mild day—I know a lull before the storm.

Hunter’s Moon–October 26th 2007 The biggest of them all…

Today marks the occasion of the “Hunter’s Moon”. A full moon which occurs each October but this year is special. Huntersmoon Tonight’s full Moon is the biggest full Moon of 2007. It’s no illusion.  The Moon’s orbit is an ellipse with one side 30,000 miles closer to Earth than the other. The full Moon of Oct. 25-26 is located on the near side, making it appear as much as 14% bigger and 30% brighter than lesser full Moons we’ve seen earlier in 2007.

This can be found on NASA’s web site, “According to folklore, October’s full moon is called the "Hunter’s Moon" or sometimes the "Blood Moon." It gets its name from hunters who tracked and killed their prey by autumn moonlight, stockpiling food for the winter ahead. You can picture them: silent figures padding through the forest, the moon overhead, pale as a corpse, its cold light betraying the creatures of the wood.

So how many moons do we really have? Twelve to be exact:

  • January – Wolf Moon 
  • February – Snow Moon 
  • March – Worm Moon 
  • April – Pink Moon 
  • May – Flower Moon 
  • June – Strawberry Moon 
  • July – Buck Moon 
  • August – Sturgeon Moon 
  • September – Harvest Moon 
  • October – Hunter’s Moon 
  • November – Beaver Moon 
  • December – Cold Moon

Ever wonder why the moon appears so large at the horizon and so small up in the sky? This phenomenon referred to the “Moon Illusion” is best explained by scientists but it has everything to do with your brain’s perception of relative size as it compares the moon to objects on the horizon. Try taking a picture of the same moon and you’ll be sorely disappointed that your camera doesn’t see things quite the way you do.

Enjoy the show tonight and as the moon rises near sunset and appears to fill the sky.

Which Way is the Wind Blowing in Belmont?

WHICH WAY IS THE WIND BLOWING IN BELMONT?

Belmont Hallmark View

There are a many hot topics in Belmont that can cause the debate around water coolers to boil over, though normally our weather isn’t one of them. Being nestled between the Pacific Ocean and the San Francisco Bay keeps the weather in Belmont relatively cool in the hot summer months and mild the rest of the year.

But what about the so-called microclimates we hear so much about? Having personally lived in three distinct neighborhoods in Belmont we noticed each one benefited from individualistic weather nuances.

If one were to drive around Belmont in a convertible, on a motorbike or bicycle on a summer day they’d no doubt experience dramatic variations in temperature from one neighborhood to another; for those who live and work in Belmont it comes as no surprise to find the temperature in one part of Belmont completely different from another. These so called “microclimates” exist all over the Peninsula but in some cities such as Belmont, they are found within the city itself.

Back in the day before air-conditioning, choosing a mild climate was key to comfortable summers. In the 1860’s, William Chapman Ralston picked a strategic place in Belmont to call home when he bought Count Cipriani’s chateau on what is now Ralston Avenue. Located near the bustling downtown section of Belmont, yet secluded inland far enough to be protected from the cooler San Francisco Bay winds, this area today remains known for its superior microclimate.

Other microclimates can be found elsewhere in Belmont such as in the hills overlooking the bay. These higher elevations are affected two fold; by more exposure to the wind and their inherent altitude. Also referred to as the “lapse rate”-for every 1,000 feet in elevation, temperatures are around 3.5 degrees lower. So it stands to reason that a home up in Belcrest Gardens or Belmont Heights near Highway 92 would be slightly cooler than a home in Sterling Downs. It’s not just elevation which accounts for the differential in temperatures. Microclimates created by the shelter of a hillside, ravine or eastern exposure can provide a protected environment free from cool afternoon winds which can drop temperatures as much as 20 degrees in the course of just a few hours.

The temperature in Belmont peaks most days in the afternoon and has cooled considerably by early evening. Want to know what time of day is typically the warmest? On average it’s 2:10 in the afternoon.

Belmont is a city with mild seasons and is ideally situated between Silicon Valley and San Francisco with easy access to three international airports. Once you’ve found Belmont, you’ve found home!

 

weatherstation_pic*Our NOAA registered weather station is located at our home in Belmont and provides real-time weather reports. You can find our Belmont Weather station by clicking here!

 

 

 

 

Disclaimer:

Drew & Christine Morgan are REALTORS/NOTARY PUBLIC in Belmont, CA. with more than 20 years experience in helping sellers and buyers in their community. They may be reached at (650) 508.1441.

The information contained in this article is educational and intended for informational purposes only. It does not constitute real estate, tax or legal advice, nor does it substitute for advice specific to your situation. Always consult an appropriate professional familiar with your scenario.

© D. Morgan, 2007