The Nature of Things with Jim Gilbert
Posted
on Feb 24, 2015
Our program on February 24th was a presentation by Jim Gilbert. Truly a person who needs n
o introduction, Jim is a former teacher, author, naturalist, consultant, record keeper, nature observer, and is
which meteorologists use in their predictions. Ice out date on Minnetonka was covered, and Jim said that the ice on Minnetonka is 24 inches thick (same for Lake Waconia), and that will have an effect on when the ice melts this year (Darel predicts April first this year, by the way).
featured on WCCO radio every Sunday morning. He spent time as an Excelsior resident, and now lives in Waconia.Jim said that he does not predict weather or other natural phenomenon. He told us that Colonel Josiah Snelling (of Fort Snelling fame) started keeping temperature records in 1820, so there is a large data
base for weather data. He takes that body of data and gives averages and extremes
which meteorologists use in their predictions. Ice out date on Minnetonka was covered, and Jim said that the ice on Minnetonka is 24 inches thick (same for Lake Waconia), and that will have an effect on when the ice melts this year (Darel predicts April first this year, by the way).
A good observer will see the signs of the coming spring. On February 11th, greenhouse plants start to grow because of the increased sunlight. Each day, we receive at least 3 more minutes of sunlight. On March 1, meteorologists say it’s the beginning of spring in our area. The oak leaves that have held on to the trees all winter start to fall, and robins arrive on March 11th. The ninety coldest days of the year are all before March 1st . All of these subtle changes ensure the arrival of spring and spring weather soon.
Jim has astounding information on his 7:15 AM WCCO-Radio show each Sunday.