Your outdoor fireplace tools will depend on the type of fireplace you have, gas or wood. With a wood burning fireplace, you need tongs, poker, brush and a shovel as well as a stand to keep them handy and something to hold the wood. There are sets where the stand that holds the wood also holds the tools, cutting down on clutter while keeping everything at your fingertips.

The thing you must remember when you are buying outdoor fireplace tools or any other accessories is that, unlike a fireplace inside the house where it is protected from the weather, it will probably be exposed to all the elements. You will want to choose what materials the tools are made out of carefully, such as stainless steel which is durable and rust proof. Wrought iron is proven to withstand moisture, sun, and temperature change, but you should read all the instructions and qualities before buying any type of tools.

The Outdoor Cooking Authority website is full of good advice about all kinds of cooking, from an open campfire to the outdoor kitchens and everything in between including fireplaces. You may decide to buy more accessories for your fireplace instead of tools when they explain how to cook different types of food in it. The truth is, more people are looking to their patio for a place to go and relax and eat, and the barbeques that used to be for camping or special summertime holiday dinners are now much more common.

Your outdoor fireplace tools should be durable and weather resistant, with a minimum of tongs, poker, and brush and shovel if it is a wood burning fireplace. The rack to hold the wood is a great idea, but not something you need immediately if you cannot buy everything at once. A screen to keep hot embers from falling out is much more important.

Weather forecasting is the use of science to predict the state of the atmosphere for a future time at a specific location.

People have tried predicting weather for a very long time now using a number of different methods, some of which proved effective while others did not work at all. Some people used a certain plant and looked at the flower of that plant to predict the weather, while others observed animal habits and predicted the weather according to their behavior.

Later on humans discovered that data collection of the current state of the atmosphere and use of knowledge of the atmospheric processes in order to predict the weather proved to be a lot more effective than observing animal and plant behavior.

Much later on, humans developed various instruments to measure things like pressure and temperature. The barometer, a device used to measure atmospheric pressure, proved extremely useful in weather prediction and is now still being used to predict the weather. The thermometer helped with checking the current temperature of the atmosphere and with enough of quantitative data collection and knowledge of the atmospheric processes, the future temperature can now be predicted.

Weather prediction is now a very essential part of our day to day lives as it helps us plan out the activities for the coming week. Without weather prediction, we would be left helpless and in total chaos. Weather forecasting has helped us to travel safer without getting caught in bad weather conditions like rain, snow, hail and fog. Without weather forecasting, our airplanes would be going down every day causing a lot of damage and loss of human life.

Weather forecasting has also helped the farmers who supply most of the food to the human populous. It helps them decide when to grow their crops and when to take extra care of them. With weather forecasting farmers can now be prepared for any bad weather which can possibly harm their crops.

There are a lot of instruments that are available in the market today to help us predict weather. A weather forecaster, home weather station or an electronic weather station are the three options of forecasting instruments you can get. Technology has played a major role in helping us predict the weather more accurately and with a lot less effort.

There are numerous different electronic weather forecasting instruments that are made for amateur meteorologists and you no longer have to depend on the television forecasts or the daily newspaper. Weather forecasting is a great achievement for the human race and the techniques used for predicting the weather will definitely become more accurate.

The Global climate change has started affecting the climate of Pakistan; especially of Lahore where huge anomalies have been observed both in temperature and precipitation in the current winter of 2017.

The impact of global climate change is of such a magnitude that this year winter departed as early as the first decade of February 2017. After February 10, temperatures were continuously recorded that were above 80 F in the day time. This a huge anomaly as such temperatures are unknown at this station before the start of March.

The nights also followed suit and on a number of occasions the nighttime low crossed 59 F whereas the long term average is 49 F – a deviation of 10 F.

The precipitation was also severely affected as the total monthly rainfall was not more than one-fifth of an inch whereas the long term average is 1.5 inches- a deviation of -34 % from the normal.

This all resulted in shirking of winter season which is becoming a norm at this location for the last few decades. In the era prior to the 1970s, the winter season at Lahore used to begin in November and continued up to the end of March. Presently the onset and withdrawal months are December and February so consequently winter season has been reduced by full two months in the past forty years.

In terms of long term average if we take into account the data of the last 100 years, the average temperature of the Month of February at Lahore has already increased by 4 degrees F which is more than double the world average.

These temperature and rainfall anomalies pose a serious threat to cash crops of Central Punjab where Lahore is located. Wheat being on the hit list. This is going to be ultimately affect the economy of the country which is mainly agro based.

Although there is a difference of opinion between meteorologists regarding the temperature projection of Lahore for the coming 50 years, but the dominant opinion is that the temperature may increase 5-10 degrees F in the coming decades. If this happens then considering the rapidly diminishing rainfall amount, the crops will have to face severe hydrothermal stress that will impede their growth and development.

In short the developing countries are bearing the brunt of global climate change and the climate change phenomenon is posing a real threat to the economies of these countries. The need of the hour is to take effective measures globally to check or a least slow down the global warming trend in the coming years.

As I sit down to write this short article, it is 23 degrees outside in Austin, Texas, with an overnight low forecasted to hit a record-breaking 15 degrees; the television is humming in the background with non-stop chatter about the winter blast that is sweeping the central and eastern United States and trapping hundreds of motorists in white-out conditions, and there are reports of unseasonably cold weather from around the globe. So far more than a dozen deaths have been attributed to the harsh cold of what will no doubt go down as one of the most frigid winters in record. And we are only two weeks into the official winter of 2010…

As a mountain climber and outdoor enthusiast, I have learned over the years that while harsh winter weather is not something to be feared, it is definitely something to be respected. History has taught us that even the best weather forecasts are destined to be wrong, and that old’ Mr. Murphy and his law that if anything can go wrong – it will – is alive and well in the complex world of weather prediction. It is for this reason that seasoned climbers follow a simple rule: plan for the worst and hope for the best. In fact, if you study climbing accidents and fatalities (something I did for many years), you will almost invariably discover that the climber(s) in question failed to follow this simple rule. Not giving adequate respect to Mother Nature and her penchant for sudden fits of fury can get you into a whirlwind of trouble. Quite literally.

It is for this reason that mountaineers have developed their list of 10 Essentials. Pick up any book on mountaineering or take any course on climbing and you will quickly be introduced to the 10 Essentials. Years of experience and hard luck have taught climbers that there are 10 tools that you must never leave home without – to do so will put you and your team at unnecessary risk. Likewise, if you always have the 10 essentials with you, chances are you can survive even the worst of conditions. If you are adequately prepared, you can survive almost anything.

So, how do we prepare for this harsh winter, especially if we are out in it? Ensure that you have the 10 Essentials to Survive! It doesn’t matter if you are a climber or not, the principle of preparation is universal and severe weather is everywhere. We should all be familiar with the 10 Essentials and take the necessary steps to ensure that both our homes and vehicles are equipped for survival.

Below are the 10 Essentials for winter weather survival that you should never leave home without (or stay home without), slightly modified for the non-climber.

1) Clothing & warmth. You should always have fleece or pile socks, pants, shirts, jackets and hats in your car. A fleece blanket and goose down jacket and sleeping bag will ensure your comfort should you be stranded for any length of time without power or assistance. Remember, climbers live for days in negative degree temperature through some of the worst conditions – in tents – simply because they have the right clothing.

2) Non-perishable food. You should have three days worth of food storage in your vehicle during the winter. Store MRE’s or other dehydrated foods and power bars to stave off the hunger in the event of a prolonged stay in your car.

3) Water and/or water filtration capability. When you are surrounded by snow, you are surrounded by water, assuming you have a means to melt and purify the water. Water purifiers and purification tablets are a must for the climber, and you should have both in your car emergency kit. Remember, the human body can last weeks without food, but only a matter of days without water.

4) Knife, lighter, duct tape, utility tool and string. The simplest tools are always the ones that are the most missed in an emergency. Remember Cast Away with Tom Hanks? A simple knife and lighter would have changed his circumstances considerably and you should have both in your car at all times. Also, duck tape in an emergency is a must, you can manufacture any number of inventions with a little duct tape.

5) Communication. Your cell phone is vital. Make sure you have the means to recharge your phone with a crank device in the event you are without battery power. If you can’t communicate with the outside world, you are really on your own.

6) Heat and stove. Your car emergency kit should include a camp stove and fuel for melting water and cooking food. A warm meal or drink soothes the soul in a long winter emergency, and will provide an indirect source of heat to boot. (Remember that a camp stove emits dangerous carbon monoxide, so you should only use one in a well-ventilated space. Open the car windows or cook outside when you use one.)

7) GPS. If you don’t know where you are…you are truly lost. A good GPS unit will give you a sense of direction, but more importantly, it will give you a position for rescue. A portable GPS unit is a great addition to your car emergency kit.

8) Light. You should always carry a crank operated light and/or lantern for those unforeseen emergencies. Flash lights are good, but they rely on batteries that run out of power. Crank operated lights and snap lights for those long dark knights are the best companion you can buy in a winter emergency.

9) Hygiene & first aid. Don’t forget to take care of yourself. Sanitation wipe for those wilderness privy’s and cleaning needs are a must, and there is nothing better than brushing your teeth with real toothpaste after a long day in the wilderness. Basic cleaning soaps, gloves, lotion, essential medications (Benadryl, Tylenol, etc.), and basic first aid tools should be key ingredients in your safety kit.

10) Survival Book. There are many out there and I recommend you research them. Find your favorite and make sure you keep it in your car emergency kit. You never know, one day you may need to make fire from sticks…without a how-to guide, you may never see the glow or warmth of fire.

I am from Texas, so I don’t usually keep all of these essentials in my car. But if I know I’m headed into cold climates, I never leave home without them. The importance of the 10 essentials was made profoundly clear to me one winter day 8 years ago when I became trapped in the worst white out snow storm I had ever experienced in the Silverton Pass in Colorado. I was in my Dodge pick-up (equipped with the 10 essentials) when a rogue storm hit the pass. I was completely blinded by the storm and had to stop my vehicle for hours on the road while snow piled up all around me. While I was nervous, I knew without a doubt that I could weather the storm because I had the 10 essentials.

It’s all about preparedness. Remember, when the time for action is upon you, the time for preparation is gone.

Stay safe. Stay Informed. Be Prepared.

Kevin

Many accidents happen during rough patches of weather, and most insurance companies do not claim weather related accidents. Since hazardous conditions have so many loopholes, any accident involving bad weather escalates into a complex legal case. Some insurance companies do offer an extra fee to add coverage to you and your vehicle for weather related cases.

What Causes Hazardous Conditions?

There are two cases of hazardous road conditions: unsafe roads left from construction companies (which depending on whether a private company or actual government company left it there is a different battle) or weather that constricts a drivers vision. This usually includes black ice and heavy downpours. For weather purposes, insurance companies rely on their customers to use a certain level of caution when driving.

What Action is Acceptable?

Sadly, no one can accurately predict the weather, and because of this natural setback, insurance companies expect their drivers to drive smart when weather hazards are involved. If the driver is in an accident during, say- a snowstorm; as long as they were driving cautiously when they were struck, or skidded into a telephone pole, chances of them not being covered are slim to none. Instead, if they decided to speed during a downpour instead of pulling off to the side of the road and an accident occurred, they are more likely to be denied a claim.

Weather Liability

While some states and insurance companies find that the driver is at fault (most of the time), and that the driver should have known better than to speed down a slick interstate, there are some states that are working on fixing that loophole policy. Alabama, for example, understands that weather accidents are 9 times out of 10 not the drivers fault, which keeps the driver safe from any insurance spikes, cancellations, or future denial of the drivers policy.

To be safe from any loopholes or insurance spikes, keep in touch of your insurance company’s policies, and always drive safe. Stay in a lower gear to keep from skidding, and if skidding is unavoidable, drive in the direction of the skid to take back control of the vehicle. If budgets are strict, try using public transportation while the weather is bad, to keep you and your car safe. The certified driver can worry about the road while you catch up on a book, texting, or simply a catnap to recharge your batteries.

The most important aspect of driving is to reach the desired destination ALIVE! Hazards come secondary when defying death becomes the main aim during a weather atrocity. Bad weather can have disastrous effects on certain lives that do not follow the safety precautions while driving. The following are the safety tips for driving amidst such bad weather:

• Check your VEHICLE thoroughly before you set out. Make sure that the vehicle is fit to withstand the weather; this includes examination of lights, indicators, brakes, tires, wipers, steering wheel and exhaust system for any petty issues that can irritate you on the way. Any major faults should be cleared at the service station instead. Avoid getting stranded without fuel, plan in advance where you will refuel. Most importantly, the vehicle must not be overloaded.

• Plan your ROUTE in advance and inform about it to a responsible friend or family member who is not travelling with you. This should be done before starting to travel. Updates about the course of the journey should also be given if possible. This keeps them alert and you have somebody to ask for help if you get stuck just nearby a safe location. Finally inform them on reaching the destination safely.

• WEATHER reports should be checked for the areas along the route that you will be driving through before leaving the home. It is particularly important for you to be updated about the current scenario. This helps you getting prepared for the possible risk of driving in heavy rain or snow. While driving, turn on the car’s radio to a station that will alert you about any approaching dangers like storms in the area.

• Maintaining a DEFENSIVE behavior not only helps in your own safety but also aids in the safety of other travelers. One needs to avoid distractions such as using your cell phone and focus on the road. Reduce your speed (slow down by 10 miles per hour) below the actual speed limit. Lights should be kept on during any situation with lowered visibility because being visible is another important aspect of safety on the highways.

• DO NOT expect others to be as obedient to the law as yourself! Dip your headlights before a vehicle approaches within the range of the main beam. Driving on the blind spot of other vehicles or urgent braking should be avoided; these can lead to unexpected collisions. Maintain a safe distance at all times, especially at night and during foggy or snow conditions. Overtake with caution, only when it is absolutely safe to do so.

Carefully evaluate beforehand, whether to follow your travel plan and risk your life or instead let the bad weather to pass. The single most recommended tip to be kept in mind – if you are unable to handle your vehicle safely, you should NOT be driving! Once you get that feeling of being uncomfortable, you should STOP your vehicle as soon as you can safely do so. Sometimes uncertainty can be certainly dangerous.

A weather vane (or wind vane) is an instrument for measuring wind direction. It is a simple instrument, consisting of an arrow, or any figure, mounted on a rod. This rod moves in the direction of the wind when there is breeze. The front part of the vane is more or less pointed and the back end is wide, so that even the slightest breeze will move the vane. The arrow turns until the wind is equally distributed on either side of the weather vane, making the front part indicate the exact direction of the wind. Wind vanes are placed in open and high places to catch the wind.

Weather vanes are one of the oldest wind instruments used by man. The oldest wind vane has been traced to the Tower of Winds in Athens, Greece, and dates back to 48 BC. Over the centuries, weather vanes have been used as ornaments to display the icons of various cultures, religions and countries. At one point of time, these weather vanes were most likely used as flags, as the origin of the word “vane” seems to have come from the Anglo-Saxon word “fane”, which means flag.

Weather vanes have no doubt been used to represent patriotic feelings as depicted by the Federal Eagle and the Goddess of Liberty vanes. Weather vanes, even today, are used more as ornaments on buildings than for any other specific purpose. Even office buildings are sporting weather vanes with corporate logos etched on them. They can be custom designed, from the size of the vane, to the material used, and of course the design. Modern wind vanes are also mounted with an anemometer, a device for measuring the speed of the wind. They may also be connected to a remote reading station. Modern weather vanes are rust free and maintenance free.

Weather vanes are available in hundreds of models and designs. They can be crafted to suit the exact feature of the house, its location, and the unique taste of the customer. Weather vanes are available in wrought iron, aluminum, copper, brass, bronze or steel. They are made in different shapes ranging from simple arrows to shapes of animals, birds, humans, crests, exotic figurines, or a combination of these themes. Antique weather vanes are so much in demand that there are some dealers who specialize in recreating weather vanes to look like antiques. Though weather vanes are more popular for the “country” or “farm” look, they can add a graceful touch to any building. Weather vanes are also used as decorative items inside the house or even on desktops.

Well old man winter arrived early and looks like he is here to stay! Our temperatures in PA went from 50 and 60 degrees right down into the 20’s and 30′ around Thanksgiving. Any stucco remediation contractor trying to button up or finish a project was caught completely off guard by the early arrival of colder temperatures. The problem with stucco is that you can’t apply stucco in temperatures below 40 degrees! Every winter, I hear of more and more people who want to add anti-freeze or accelerators to their stucco mix – not a good idea and I have addressed this in previous articles and blog posts.

A few weeks ago, we were lucky and the temperature stayed above freezing for a very short two day period. We were able to apply our scratch coat at our residential project so that it will be left protected throughout the winter. As we know, stucco needs to be installed in 3 coats for a total thickness of 7/8″. The scratch (first) coat should be applied at 3/8″, the brown (second) coat at 3/8″ and the finish coat at 1/8″. There must be 48 hours of curing time without letting it freeze between the scratch and brown coats.

When the temperatures drop and you are forced to apply stucco, you subsequently are forced to tent and heat your project in order to have a successful stucco cladding system. This consists of draping tarps over your scaffolding, securing your structure and running propane heaters to keep the stucco mix from freezing and not curing properly. Stucco remediation is very expensive when performed in this fashion and most likely an expense your homeowner would not want to consider. You will go through 7 pounds of propane each hour and you will have to have your staff there 24/7 for fire watch. Applying stucco in this fashion can add $3,000 to $4,000 per elevation for an average residential stucco project.

When we left off last, we were safe and sound in Tacoma and the Christmas holidays were fast approaching. I promised you that we would let you know how the RV handles freezing weather.

Lessons in Cold Weather RVing:

It was December, but temps below freezing in Tacoma are rare. So, when the temperature the first night there got down into the 20s (-9 C) we were totally caught off guard.

Here’s what happened:

• The hose connecting us to water froze
• The plastic pipe leading to the fresh water tank froze
• The gas/propane furnace ran most of the night

I need to tell you, our Rexhall Aerbus is a good quality motorhome and all the pipes are enclosed and access is through a sealed exterior bin. We thought that would be enough if the temps got down to freezing or just below. Truth is, had is only been a couple of degrees below freezing, we probably would have been OK. The problem was that it got more than just a little below freezing!

Lesson #1 – How to Keep Pipes From Freezing

If your water connections or any of your water lines are exposed to the outside, even temperatures just below freezing can freeze and crack your lines. Even if your lines and fill points are enclosed in bins or compartments, if those areas are not heavily insulated and heated, just having the sewer line or water hose coming up through an access hole can bring in the freezing temps and problems… as we found out first hand.

Our simple solution was to wrap a heat tape with a built in temperature sensor (about $20.00 US) around the exposed pipes and valves. We got it from the local hardware store. It’s the kind meant for outside or crawl space water lines. It looks like an electrical extension cord that has no plug at the end.

When we are in an area that has possible freezing temps, we just plug the heat tape into our full hookup power box via an extra extension cord (heavy duty) and the sensor takes care of turning on when needed.

That’s all we needed to keep the bin and connections from freezing. We don’t connect the water hose in freezing temperatures, we just fill the fresh water tank as needed. If you were staying in one place for the winter, you could use another heat tape and some insulation wrapped around it on the hose to keep your hose from freezing too.

For boondocking or dry camping, you could also stuff the compartment full of insulation or heavily insulate your exterior water lines to keep them from freezing in all but the coldest of temps.

Lesson #2 – Heat Guns and Plastic Water Lines Don’t Mix

My dad had a heat gun he used for heat shrink on wires and windows. We decided to use that to heat up the pipes and get the water pump working again.

BIG MISTAKE!

Well, using the heat gun was a good idea, we just didn’t know how warm and how fast it could work. Instead of just slowly warming the whole compartment, I made the mistake of blowing directly on the plastic water lines.

In less than two minutes, I had heated up the plastic water line so well that it became soft and with the water line pressurized from the pump… It formed a bubble just like bubble gum and popped.

I was lucky, my dad had just been remodeling his kitchen and had just the right size plastic water line on hand. So, all I had to do was finish thawing things out, slowly, and then fix the popped water line. That was just two fittings, about 8 inches of new plastic water line, the heat gun to warm the ends and it all screwed back together in less than 30 minutes. Like I said, I was lucky to be where I had the tools and supplies to fix it myself.

It easily could have been a couple hundred dollars of repairs if I had to have a repair shop do it.

In Conclusion: Motorhomes, 5th Wheels and other RVs can handle below freezing temperatures. You just need to use a little common sense and have a back up plan for when things don’t work out.

• Don’t let the colder weather stop you from enjoying your RV year round.
• Do test it’s cold weather abilities close to home or family, just in case.
• Keep extra incandescent lights & insulation handy for backup & repairs
• Always thaw frozen pipes and tanks slowly – To fast and thinks can break

As we travel year round, we’ll keep you up to date on what we learn (the hard way) and how you can avoid the same mistakes (the easy way).

The climate of the Bahamas varies from subtropical to tropical, and the islands are usually warm and sunny throughout the year. The weather in the island nation, particularly in the winter, is greatly influenced by the waters of the Gulf Stream, a powerful, warm and swift Atlantic Ocean current that influences the climate of the east coast of North America.

The tropical weather makes the Bahamas a pleasant destination year-round, with the Gulf Stream and trade winds maintaining an even temperature ranging from 20 to 30 degrees Celsius during the day and 17 to 21 degrees Celsius at night. However, it is advisable to carry lightweight, tropical clothing and a light sweater or wrap for eveningwear while visiting the islands. Dress codes are integral to Bahamian culture, thus, some hotels may require men to wear a jacket and tie for dinner. Beachwear is considered inappropriate in downtown Nassau’s churches, restaurants and casinos.

A typical rainy season in Bahamas is from month May to October, which is also considered to be the off-season. However, many visitors enjoy traveling to the islands during the off-season because of the discounts given by most hotels. Sometimes hurricanes also occur from July through November, which makes the island quite dangerous during the summer and autumn season. In case of hurricane warnings, most hotels issue a refund; it is advisable to check directly with the lodging management or the travel agent before booking your reservation.

The best season to visit the Bahamas is between the months of January through May, when the trade winds provide a constant breeze, making the island warm and pleasant. Although the weather is somewhat unstable, it remains nice through out the year, though it is advisable to schedule your vacation outside the hurricane season.