Frankenstein weather continues but this weekend brings fair weather.

We won"t see much sun until Saturday, so expect more of the same as in recent weeks. Showers may pop up at almost any time and to be sure, there will be brief sunny intervals at times.

We are nearing an official declaration of a flu pandemic.

Table. U.S. Human Cases of H1N1 Flu Infection
Web page updated June 5, 2009,
11:00 AM ET (Updated each Friday)
Data reported to CDC by June 4, 2009, 5:00 PM ET

States and Territories*	Confirmed and Probable Cases	Deaths
States
Alabama	94 cases	0 deaths
Alaska	3cases	0 deaths
Arkansas	9cases	0 deaths
Arizona	547 cases	4 deaths
California	973 cases	0 deaths
Colorado	75 cases	0 deaths
Connecticut	395 cases	1 death
Delaware	142 cases	0 deaths
Florida	247 cases	0 deaths
Georgia	33 cases	0 deaths
Hawaii	115 cases	0 deaths
Idaho	16 cases	0 deaths
Illinois	1357 cases	5
Indiana	173 cases	0 deaths
Iowa	92 cases	0 deaths
Kansas	92	0 deaths
Kentucky	96	0 deaths
Louisiana	134 cases	0 deaths
Maine	17	0 deaths
Maryland	89	0 deaths
Massachusetts	787	0 deaths
Michigan	298 cases	1 death
Minnesota	82	0 deaths
Mississippi	40 cases	0 deaths
Missouri	46 cases	1 death
Montana	15 cases	0 deaths
Nebraska	60 cases	0 deaths
Nevada	128 cases	0 deaths
New Hampshire	64 cases	0 deaths
New Jersey	148 cases	0 deaths
New Mexico	108 cases	0 deaths
New York	858 cases	8 deaths
North Carolina	30 cases	0 deaths
North Dakota	23 cases	0 deaths
Ohio	35 cases	0 deaths
Oklahoma	93 cases	0 deaths
Oregon	167 cases	0 deaths
Pennsylvania	299 cases	0 deaths
Rhode Island	18 cases	0 deaths
South Carolina	60	0 deaths
South Dakota	10 cases	0 deaths
Tennessee	104 cases	0 deaths
Texas	1670 cases	3 deaths
Utah	461 cases	2 deaths
Vermont	9 cases	0 deaths
Virginia	55 cases	1 death
Washington	577 cases	1 death
Washington, D.C.	24 cases	0 deaths
West Virginia	6 cases	0 deaths
Wisconsin	2217 cases	0 deaths
Wyoming	25 cases	0 deaths
Territories
Puerto Rico	1 case	0 deaths
TOTAL*(52)	13,217 cases	27 deaths
*includes the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico This table will be updated each Friday at 11 AM ET. International Human Cases of H1N1 Flu Infection See: World Health Organization. NOTE: Because of daily reporting deadlines, the state totals reported by CDC may not always be consistent with those reported by state health departments. If there is a discrepancy between these two counts, data from the state health departments should be used as the most accurate number. For more information about how these case counts are updated, see Questions & Answers About CDC's Online Reporting.

Table. U.S. Human Cases of H1N1 Flu Infection
Web page updated June 1, 2009,
11:00 AM ET
Data reported to CDC by May 28, 2009, 12:00 AM (midnight) ET
(Updated Mon, Wed, and Fri)

States*	Confirmed and Probable Cases	Deaths
Alabama	84 cases	0 deaths
Alaska	1 case	0 deaths
Arkansas	7cases	0 deaths
Arizona	547 cases	4 deaths
California	804 cases	0 deaths
Colorado	61 cases	0 deaths
Connecticut	196 cases	0 deaths
Delaware	121 cases	0 deaths
Florida	166 cases	0 deaths
Georgia	29 cases	0 deaths
Hawaii	73 cases	0 deaths
Idaho	13 cases	0 deaths
Illinois	1103 cases	3 deaths
Indiana	146 cases	0 deaths
Iowa	71 cases	0 deaths
Kansas	79 cases	0 deaths
Kentucky	77 cases	0 deaths
Louisiana	122 cases	0 deaths
Maine	11 cases	0 deaths
Maryland	48 cases	0 deaths
Massachusetts	470 cases	0 deaths
Michigan	234 cases	0 deaths
Minnesota	60	0 deaths
Mississippi	16 cases	0 deaths
Missouri	36 cases	1 death
Montana	14 cases	0 deaths
Nebraska	43 cases	0 deaths
Nevada	102 cases	0 deaths
New Hampshire	40 cases	0 deaths
New Jersey	74 cases	0 deaths
New Mexico	108 cases	0 deaths
New York	605 cases	4 deaths
North Carolina	14 cases	0 deaths
North Dakota	6 cases	0 deaths
Ohio	23 cases	0 deaths
Oklahoma	82 cases	0 deaths
Oregon	148 cases	0 deaths
Pennsylvania	123 cases	0 deaths
Rhode Island	14 cases	0 deaths
South Carolina	46 cases	0 deaths
South Dakota	7 cases	0 deaths
Tennessee	104 cases	0 deaths
Texas	1403 cases	3 deaths
Utah	247 cases	1 death
Vermont	3 cases	0 deaths
Virginia	31 cases	0 deaths
Washington	575 cases	1 death
Washington, D.C.	20 cases	0 deaths
West Virginia	3 cases	0 deaths
Wisconsin	1641 cases	0 deaths
Wyoming	2 cases	0 deaths
TOTAL*(51)	10,053 cases	17 deaths
*includes the District of Columbia This table will be updated Monday, Wednesday and Friday at around 11 AM ET International Human Cases of Swine Flu Infection See: World Health Organization.

Chilly morning in Pennsylvania

Lopez, PA had a morning low of 20 degrees and many locations were in the upper 20's to low 30's. There will be a big warm up over the next few days with temps reaching near 80 or better.

The weekend could see some showers late Saturday along with somewhat cooler temperatures. Sunday will be cloudy with temps. in the low 70's. Memorial Day may be the best day with sunny skies and a high about 75, The rest of the week will be mostly cloudy with showers from time to time.


Table. U.S. Human Cases of H1N1 Flu Infection(As of May 19, 2009, 11:00 AM ET)
States*
Confirmed and Probable Cases
Deaths
Alabama
61 cases
0 deaths
Arkansas
3 cases
0 deaths
Arizona
488 cases
2 deaths
California
553 cases
0 deaths
Colorado
56 cases
0 deaths
Connecticut
56 cases
0 deaths
Delaware
69 cases
0 deaths
Florida
103 cases
0 deaths
Georgia
25 cases
0 deaths
Hawaii
21 cases
0 deaths
Idaho
8 cases
0 deaths
Illinois
707 cases
0 deaths
Indiana
96 cases
0 deaths
Iowa
71 cases
0 deaths
Kansas
34 cases
0 deaths
Kentucky**
16 cases
0 deaths
Louisiana
65 cases
0 deaths
Maine
10 cases
0 deaths
Maryland
39 cases
0 deaths
Massachusetts
156 cases
0 deaths
Michigan
165 cases
0 deaths
Minnesota
38 cases
0 deaths
Mississippi
4 cases
0 deaths
Missouri
20 cases
0 deaths
Montana
9 cases
0 deaths
Nebraska
28 cases
0 deaths
Nevada
31 cases
0 deaths
New Hampshire
20 cases
0 deaths
New Jersey
18 cases
0 deaths
New Mexico
68 cases
0 deaths
New York
267 cases
0 deaths
North Carolina
12 cases
0 deaths
North Dakota
3 cases
0 deaths
Ohio
13 cases
0 deaths
Oklahoma
42 cases
0 deaths
Oregon
94 cases
0 deaths
Pennsylvania
55 cases
0 deaths
Rhode Island
8 cases
0 deaths
South Carolina
36 cases
0 deaths
South Dakota
4 cases
0 deaths
Tennessee
85 cases
0 deaths
Texas
556 cases
3 deaths
Utah
91 cases
0 deaths
Vermont
1 cases
0 deaths
Virginia
23 cases
0 deaths
Washington
362 cases
1 death
Washington, D.C.
13 cases
0 deaths
Wisconsin
766 cases
0 deaths
TOTAL*(48)
5,469 cases
6 deaths
*includes the District of Columbia
**one case is resident of KY but currently hospitalized in GA.
This table will be updated daily Monday-Friday at around 11 AM ET.
International Human Cases of Swine Flu InfectionSee: World Health Organization.

Showery weekend followed by a dry workweek.

Fair Friday with temps around 70 degrees. Numerous showers possible Saturday and Sunday. Next week is looking dry for the most part. The weather will gradually become quite warm by the end of the week.

Tip of the day

When you need an ice pack, an easy method is to use a plastic bag of frozen peas. The peas conform to the shape of your body and when finished with your treatment just put them back in the freezer to be re-frozen. All this in a convenient plastic bag to be used over and over.


U.S. Human Cases of H1N1 Flu Infection(As of May 15, 2009, 11:00 AM ET)
States*
Confirmed and Probable Cases
Deaths
Alabama
55 cases
0 deaths
Arkansas
2 cases
0 deaths
Arizona
435 cases
1 death
California
504 cases
0 deaths
Colorado
55 cases
0 deaths
Connecticut
47 cases
0 deaths
Delaware
60 cases
0 deaths
Florida
68 cases
0 deaths
Georgia
18 cases
0 deaths
Hawaii
10 cases
0 deaths
Idaho
5 cases
0 deaths
Illinois
638 cases
0 deaths
Indiana
71 cases
0 deaths
Iowa
66 cases
0 deaths
Kansas
30 cases
0 deaths
Kentucky**
13 cases
0 deaths
Louisiana
57 cases
0 deaths
Maine
14 cases
0 deaths
Maryland
28 cases
0 deaths
Massachusetts
135 cases
0 deaths
Michigan
142 cases
0 deaths
Minnesota
36 cases
0 deaths
Missouri
19 cases
0 deaths
Montana
4 cases
0 deaths
Nebraska
27 cases
0 deaths
Nevada
26 cases
0 deaths
New Hampshire
18 cases
0 deaths
New Jersey
14 cases
0 deaths
New Mexico
68 cases
0 deaths
New York
242 cases
0 deaths
North Carolina
12 cases
0 deaths
North Dakota
2 cases
0 deaths
Ohio
14 cases
0 deaths
Oklahoma
26 cases
0 deaths
Oregon
94 cases
0 deaths
Pennsylvania
47 cases
0 deaths
Rhode Island
8 cases
0 deaths
South Carolina
36 cases
0 deaths
South Dakota
4 cases
0 deaths
Tennessee
74 cases
0 deaths
Texas
506 cases
2 deaths
Utah
91 cases
0 deaths
Vermont
1 cases
0 deaths
Virginia
21 cases
0 deaths
Washington
246 cases
1 death
Washington, D.C.
12 cases
0 deaths
Wisconsin
613 cases
0 deaths
TOTAL*(47)
4,714 cases
4 deaths
*includes the District of Columbia
**one case is resident of KY but currently hospitalized in GA.

Gray weather,plenty of showers, a few breaks of sun the next few days.

Next weekend does not look that good either. The weather will grow warmer later this week. Wednesday may be the day with the most sun. All in all it is damp ahead.

Swine flu H1N1 virus appears less deadly than feared.

The CDC has stated today that the current virus lacks some of the deadly genetics of the 1918 flu. So we won't be needing to wear those spacesuits any time soon.

H1N1 Flu (Swine Flu)

Last updated May 2, 2009, 11:00 AM ET

U.S. Human Cases of H1N1 Flu Infection
(As of May 2, 2009, 11:00 AM ET)

States	# of laboratory confirmed cases	Deaths
Arizona	4
California	24
Colorado	2
Connecticut	1
Delaware	4
Florida	2
Illinois	3
Indiana	3
Kansas	2
Kentucky*	1
Massachusetts	8
Michigan	2
Minnesota	1
Missouri	1
Nevada	1
New Jersey	7
New York	50
Ohio	1
South Carolina	13
Texas	28	1
Virginia	2
TOTAL (21)	160 cases	1 death
International Human Cases of Swine Flu Infection See: World Health Organization *Case is resident of KY but currently hospitalized in GA.

CDC continues to take aggressive action to respond to an expanding outbreak caused by H1N1 (swine flu). CDC’s response goals are to reduce transmission and illness severity, and provide information to help health care providers, public health officials and the public address the challenges posed by this emergency.

CDC continues to issue and update interim guidance daily in response to the rapidly evolving situation. Early this morning, CDC provided interim guidance on school closures. Supplies from CDC’s Division of the Strategic National Stockpile (SNS) are being sent to all 50 states and U.S. territories to help them respond to the outbreak. In addition, the Federal Government and manufacturers have begun the process of developing a vaccine against this new virus.

Response actions are aggressive, but they may vary across states and communities depending on local circumstances. Communities, businesses, places of worship, schools and individuals can all take action to slow the spread of this outbreak. People who are sick are urged to stay home from work or school and to avoid contact with others, except to seek medical care. This action can avoid spreading illness further.

More on the Situation

• Reports & Publications
• Press Briefings
• Past Updates on the Situation

General Info on H1N1 Flu

• H1N1 Flu & You
• Antiviral Drugs
• Taking Care of a Sick Person
• Facemask & Respirator Use
• Images of the Virus
• Audio & Video

Info for Specific Groups

• Guidance for Professionals
• Parents & Caregivers
• Child Care Providers
• K-12 Schools
• Colleges & Universities
• Travelers & Travel Industry

What You Can Do to Stay Healthy

• Stay informed. This website will be updated regularly as information becomes available.
• Influenza is thought to spread mainly person-to-person through coughing or sneezing of infected people.
• Take everyday actions to stay healthy.
  • Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. Throw the tissue in the trash after you use it.
  • Wash your hands often with soap and water, especially after you cough or sneeze. Alcohol-based hands cleaners are also effective.
  • Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth. Germs spread that way.
  • Stay home if you get sick. CDC recommends that you stay home from work or school and limit contact with others to keep from infecting them.
• Follow public health advice regarding school closures, avoiding crowds and other social distancing measures.
• Develop a family emergency plan as a precaution. This should include storing a supply of food, medicines, facemasks, alcohol-based hand rubs and other essential supplies.
• Call 1-800-CDC-INFO for more information.

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