A first-timer sent us these questions:
– 10 day weather forecast isn’t looking good.
– How many times has ESP been clouded/rained out in the past?
– Has ESP always been around this time of year?
ESP is scheduled for 6 nights, which gives the greatest chance of observing under clear skies, and during a month that provides the best possible observing conditions based on historical weather records, as you can see at:
http://www.srh.noaa.gov/sjt/?n=climate-sjtcloudiness
ESP has been very successful in our 10 year history with typically little or no rain, which you’d expect in our west Texas conditions. ESP typically occurs in October.
You can find long-range predictions (10 days?) from a variety of weather providers, but these predictions become much less reliable beyond more than a few days. And often when you compare these forecasts, one provider may be predicting rain or clouds and another weather source may be calling for clear skies!
While on Oct 16 you reported the “10-day forecast isn’t looking too good”, I find on 19 Oct that the 10-day forecast is calling for clear skies!
Even short-range forecasts have problems, but this you probably already know from your efforts to observe near your home. Even Clear Sky Clock can miss the boat!
This year we are adding a new resource to help provide you with the latest on observing conditions at X-Bar Ranch! Starting Sunday night you can see postings from our roving reporter, Chuck Baker on our user Forum at:
https://eldoradostarparty.org/forums/forum/general-discussion-2/
You can also find Chuck posting about ESP on Twitter and Facebook!
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