Cloudy moist conditions prevail the next week, along with some sunny intervals

This weekend is looking worse than hoped for. We may not get a dry day until Wednesday.

H1N1 Flu (Swine Flu)

H1N1 Flu website last updated May 1, 2009, 11:00 AM ET

U.S. Human Cases of H1N1 Flu Infection
(As of May 1, 2009, 11:00 AM ET)

States	# of laboratory confirmed cases	Deaths
Arizona	4
California	13
Colorado	2
Delaware	4
Illinois	3
Indiana	3
Kansas	2
Kentucky	1
Massachusetts	2
Michigan	2
Minnesota	1
Nebraska	1
Nevada	1
New Jersey	5
New York	50
Ohio	1
South Carolina	16
Texas	28	1
Virginia	2
TOTAL COUNTS	141 cases	1 death
International Human Cases of Swine Flu Infection See: World Health Organization

A LESSON FROM THE 1918 FLU

Those cities in the US that were the most proactive generally had the lowest mortality rates in the 1918 pandemic.

Why the 2009 flu is similar, in some ways, to the 1918 flu:
1 This is a new virus, no one is immune.
2 It transmits from one human to the next
3 Like the 1918 flu, most of the reported mortality is in the 20 to 40 year old group.
4 Like the 1918 flu, it broke out in March.

The 2009 flu may not be especially virulent, unlike the 1918 virus which was devastating. In the most extreme cases,back then. the flu symptoms began in the morning and the victim expired by sunset.

It remains to be seen if this is the 1st wave of the pandemic, to be followed by a more virulent form in a few months. Should that occur, it would be a repeat of the 1918 event. In that year, a spring outbreak was relatively mild, which was then followed by a second wave, in August, that was deadly.

As the Southern Hemisphere enters the regular flu season, everyone will be monitoring the progress of the outbreak.

SWINE FLU UPDATE

Dr. Besser of the CDC confirmed that the first death caused by the new flu infection occurred in the US A 23 month child in Texas was the first victim ..

Can people catch swine flu from eating pork?
No. Swine influenza viruses are not transmitted by food. You can not get swine influenza from eating pork or pork products. Eating properly handled and cooked pork and pork products is safe. Cooking pork to an internal temperature of 160°F kills the swine flu virus as it does other bacteria and viruses.

How does swine flu spread?
Influenza viruses can be directly transmitted from pigs to people and from people to pigs. Human infection with flu viruses from pigs are most likely to occur when people are in close proximity to infected pigs, such as in pig barns and livestock exhibits housing pigs at fairs. Human-to-human transmission of swine flu can also occur. This is thought to occur in the same way as seasonal flu occurs in people, which is mainly person-to-person transmission through coughing or sneezing of people infected with the influenza virus. People may become infected by touching something with flu viruses on it and then touching their mouth or nose.

U.S. Human Cases of Swine Flu Infection
(As of April 29, 2009, 11:00 AM ET)

States	# of laboratory confirmed cases	Deaths
Arizona	1
California	14
Indiana	1
Kansas	2
Massachusetts	2
Michigan	2
Nevada	1
New York City	51
Ohio	1
Texas	16	1
TOTAL COUNTS	91 cases	1 death
International Human Cases of Swine Flu Infection See: World Health Organization

Hundreds of Swine Flu Cases in New York City

The number of swine flu cases in New York City is increasing rapidly. There are now hundreds of cases reported in the city as well as cases reported in other parts in New York. There are now many cases originating from the St. Francis Preparatory school in Queens, which was closed earlier this week. Teachers and parents have fallen ill after catching the swine flu from students.

Brush fire danger subsides tonight with showers and cold front after midnight.

90 degree temperatures will be only a memory tomorrow. Rain squalls will move through late tonight and 60's will prevail tomorrow with morning showers giving way to clearing skies. Fair Thursday

. The weekend will start with clouds and showers Friday night and Saturday morning. Improving weather in the afternoon. Showers may return Sunday afternoon.

SWINE FLU UPDATE

More data is needed to figure out how much danger the current outbreak represents. Until as recently as Monday, there were only two labs in North America that could test for swine flu. Test kits were shipped out Monday, by the CDC, to additional lab locations, and shortly, new reports will start coming in.

No one knows how many people were sick in Mexico, so it cannot be said if the number of deaths there is a high or low number. The outbreak in the US seems mild, so far. It may remain that way, or a second wave, months from now, could emerge with greater virulence. Only time will tell.

...more below....

U.S. Human Cases of Swine Flu Infection
(As of April 28, 2009 11:00 AM ET)

State	# of laboratory confirmed cases
California	10 cases
Kansas	2 cases
New York City	45 cases
Ohio	1 case
Texas	6 cases
TOTAL COUNT	64 cases
International Human Cases of Swine Flu Infection See: World Health Organization

The human swine flu outbreak continues to grow

Why does a flu begin so often in Asia or a less developed country?

Farming practices can help promote flu evolution. In many areas, small farms have a pond, ducks,chickens and pigs all very near each other. Potential flu viruses are constantly being passed from one animal to the next. When just the right genetic mutation occurs a new infectious virus emerges. Changing these traditional farming methods could reduce the risk of a new virus beginning to spread to humans.

More below

Spring heat wave continues through Tuesday

Not as hot today and continued warm through Tuesday. Wednesday we go back to the 60's for the remainder of the week. Showers Tueday night into Wednesday.

Next weekend is likely to be mostly cloudy with on and off showers.

MORE BELOW INCLUDING FLU UPDATE

Swine flu outbreak update

State	# of laboratory confirmed cases
California	7 cases
Kansas	2 cases
New York City	28 cases
Ohio	1 case
Texas	2 cases
TOTAL COUNT	40 cases
International Human Cases of Swine Flu Infection See: World Health Organization

My thermometer hits 92

Yikes it is hot. A tad cooler tomorrow but no real change until Tuesday night. Wednesday is mostly cloudy and cooler with showers possible.

Moose Report

Too hot for the usual doggy activities until Wednesday. The weekend is cooler and cloudy with a few showers.

MORE BELOW

Is this swine flu weather?

No, we are nearing the end of flu season. The influenza virus is more easily passed around in the cold months. Viruses are fragile in warm air but cold air acts as a preservative for them. Human to human transmission is critical in starting a flu pandemic. Our unusually warm weather should work in our favor!

The swine flu outbreak may subside shortly, only to return next autumn. This will give the authorities time to prepare a defense for it. So far, from the reports, this sounds like a serious problem, but not a catastrophe.

The Southern Hemisphere is about to enter it's cold weather season and it will be interesting to see if the swine flu takes hold there soon.

What would be a flu pandemic worst case scenario? 40 to 80 million influenza deaths worldwide and in monetary damage, 4 trillion dollars across the globe... so let us hope we are not headed down that road.

Today's weather forecast is below.

More summer-like heat through Tuesday,April 28

Record breaking heat today with a slight risk of showers or thundershowers mostly in areas to our North. About 90 degrees is the likely high temp. Cooler at the Jersey shore.

The heat wave continues, although not as hot tomorrow, until a cold front passes through Tuesday night. Cloudy cooler conditions will follow along with some showers.on Wednesday. More seasonal temperatures will follow Thursday and Friday.

Belmar at the Jersey shore forecast: mostly sunny high in the mid 70"s.

Next weekend will be seasonal along with some clouds and showers,

Over 80 this weekend, bring on the lemonade!

Fair and very warm weather will hold for the next several days with a slight risk of an afternoon or evening shower or thundershower. Possible record breaking warmth Sunday.

Next weekend, the first in May, will turn cloudy and cooler with showers possible.

Today's good deed was to help a Robin stuck behind a fence. Afterwards I saw my first bee for this spring. Yesterday, I rescued a chipmunk stuck in a container of water that I had set out. Since I put out the container, I won't take credit for that one.

Very much warmer this weekend.

Mild weather will be the rule until early May when a cool , damp period is likely.
Saturday and Sunday look like beach weather. Remember to bring a jacket in case a sea breeze develops, it will quickly chill off.


Meanwhile, in Siberia

Temperatures went above freezing to 35 degrees.

SHOWERS TONIGHT then a long spell of mild and fair weather. Very warm this weekend.

Showers tonight and tomorrow,heat this weekend

Some strong rain showers will move through tonight. Cloudy and showers possible Wednesday. Sunny mild weather Thursday and Friday. Warm this weekend with 80 degrees or more possible.