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What's up for April? The moon, Mars, and Saturn and the Lyrid meteor shower.
“You won't want to miss red Mars and golden Saturn in the south-southeast morning skies this month,” said Jane Houston Jones from NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Pasadena.
She said Mars shines a little brighter in April than in March. By April 7, the moon joins the pair. From a dark sky you may see some glow from the nearby Milky Way.
Midmonth, start looking for Lyrid meteors, which are active from April 14 through the 30, Houston Jones said. The meteors peak on April 22.
“In the early morning sky, a patient observer will see up to more than a dozen meteors per hour in this medium-strength shower, with 18 meteors per hour calculated for the peak. U.S. observers should see good rates on the nights before and after this peak,” she said.
A bright first quarter moon plays havoc with sky conditions, marring most of the typically faint Lyrid meteors. But Houston Jones said Lyra will be high overhead after the moon sets at midnight, so that's the best time to look for Lyrids.
Through a telescope, Jupiter's clouds belts and zones are easy to see. And watch the Great Red Spot transit – or cross – the visible (Earth-facing) disk of Jupiter every eight hours, according to Houston Jones.
Houston Jones said the Juno spacecraft continues to orbit Jupiter. And Juno's JunoCam citizen science team is creating exciting images of Jupiter's features based on the latest spacecraft data.
Next month Jupiter is at opposition – when it rises at sunset, sets at sunrise, and offers great views for several months, she said.
You can catch up on solar system missions to Jupiter (like Juno) and all of NASA's missions at: www.nasa.gov.
LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – After a day of heavy rain, Lake County and other parts of Northern California have been placed under a flood watch that will continue through Saturday evening.
The National Weather Service issued the flood watch, which took effect at 5 p.m. Friday and will continue until 5 p.m. Saturday.
For the northern third of the county, which include Mendocino National Forest lands, a wind advisory will be in effect from 12 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday.
The flood watch is due to a forecast of more rain to come due to a strong atmospheric river that began moving over the region on Thursday.
The heavy rain could cause creeks and streams to rise and flood, forecasters said.
The storm so far, which began late Thursday and continued through most of Friday, has brought some of the heavy’s heaviest rain so far.
The 24-hour rainfall totals through 5:45 p.m. Friday recorded by National Weather Service observation stations are as follows, recorded in inches:
– Boggs Mountain: 1.56;
– Clearlake city alert: 1.80;
– Clearlake, Mira Vista road alert: 1.67;
– Colusa County line: 2.07;
– Hidden Valley Lake: 1.75;
– Lakeport: 2.52;
– Lower Lake near Cache Creek: 1.50;
– High Glade Lookout (north of Upper Lake): 3.29;
– High Valley Road alert: 2.74;
– Indian Valley Reservoir: 2.33;
– Soda Creek: 3.91;
– Upper Lake: 2.82;
– Whispering Pines: 1.88.
On Friday evening, Clear Lake’s level had risen to about 4.2 feet on the Rumsey gauge, the special measure for the lake, according to the US Geological Survey stream gauge.
Moderate to heavy rainfall is expected to continue through Saturday, forecasters reported.
On Friday night, rainfall totals could range from three-quarters of an inch to an inch in Lakeport and Kelseyville, and between 1 and 2 inches in the Middletown and Upper Lake areas, according to the forecast.
Lesser rainfall amounts – totaling out at about a quarter of an inch – are forecast for Saturday, before conditions clear. Then forecasters predict chances of rain will return from Tuesday through Thursday.
Accompanying the weekend rain is wind, with gusts of more than 20 miles per hour forecast on Saturday and Saturday night.
Temperatures on Friday night are expected to drop into the 50s. On Saturday, daytime temperatures in the high 50s are forecast, dropping into the low 40s at night; Sunday will see slightly warmer temperatures into the low 60s at night but still in the 40s at night.
Slightly warmer conditions are forecast early in the new week before once again getting colder midweek.
Email Elizabeth Larson atThis email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. . Follow her on Twitter, @ERLarson, or Lake County News, @LakeCoNews.
The National Weather Service issued the flood watch, which took effect at 5 p.m. Friday and will continue until 5 p.m. Saturday.
For the northern third of the county, which include Mendocino National Forest lands, a wind advisory will be in effect from 12 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday.
The flood watch is due to a forecast of more rain to come due to a strong atmospheric river that began moving over the region on Thursday.
The heavy rain could cause creeks and streams to rise and flood, forecasters said.
The storm so far, which began late Thursday and continued through most of Friday, has brought some of the heavy’s heaviest rain so far.
The 24-hour rainfall totals through 5:45 p.m. Friday recorded by National Weather Service observation stations are as follows, recorded in inches:
– Boggs Mountain: 1.56;
– Clearlake city alert: 1.80;
– Clearlake, Mira Vista road alert: 1.67;
– Colusa County line: 2.07;
– Hidden Valley Lake: 1.75;
– Lakeport: 2.52;
– Lower Lake near Cache Creek: 1.50;
– High Glade Lookout (north of Upper Lake): 3.29;
– High Valley Road alert: 2.74;
– Indian Valley Reservoir: 2.33;
– Soda Creek: 3.91;
– Upper Lake: 2.82;
– Whispering Pines: 1.88.
On Friday evening, Clear Lake’s level had risen to about 4.2 feet on the Rumsey gauge, the special measure for the lake, according to the US Geological Survey stream gauge.
Moderate to heavy rainfall is expected to continue through Saturday, forecasters reported.
On Friday night, rainfall totals could range from three-quarters of an inch to an inch in Lakeport and Kelseyville, and between 1 and 2 inches in the Middletown and Upper Lake areas, according to the forecast.
Lesser rainfall amounts – totaling out at about a quarter of an inch – are forecast for Saturday, before conditions clear. Then forecasters predict chances of rain will return from Tuesday through Thursday.
Accompanying the weekend rain is wind, with gusts of more than 20 miles per hour forecast on Saturday and Saturday night.
Temperatures on Friday night are expected to drop into the 50s. On Saturday, daytime temperatures in the high 50s are forecast, dropping into the low 40s at night; Sunday will see slightly warmer temperatures into the low 60s at night but still in the 40s at night.
Slightly warmer conditions are forecast early in the new week before once again getting colder midweek.
Email Elizabeth Larson at
LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – Local organizations continue to collaborate and rebuild homes destroyed during the recent wildfires.
After the devastating wildfires recently swept through Lake County, many fire survivors found themselves in need of assistance to rebuild their homes.
Susanne Koester is one such survivor who lost her home during the Valley fire.
As the ashes settled, and like so many survivors, Koester found herself underinsured.
Thanks to the CalHome Loan Program, Koester is now living in her beautiful, newly built home on Cobb Mountain.
Her new home was built by Lake County Contractors and her CalHome loan covered the gap between her insurance payout and the cost of her rebuild.
“Between Lake County Contractors and the CalHome Loan Program,” said Koester, “I felt secure and was able to overcome all my doubts about going through this process.”
The CalHome Loan Program is funded through the California Department of Housing and Community Development, or HCD.
The program targets low-to moderate-income households who own or rented a home destroyed by the 2015 Valley fire, the 2016 Clayton fire and, most recently, the 2017 Sulphur fire. It provides a 30-year loan with 0 percent interest and is significantly easier to qualify for than a traditional mortgage or loan.
Today, 26 escrows are open for active projects planning to utilize the CalHome Loan Program.
Approximately $1.375 million in CalHome loans is expected to be awarded to eligible borrowers in Lake County by summer 2018.
Hammers for Hope was awarded the full grant from HCD totaling $4.6 million, and North Coast Opportunities Inc., or NCO, is the program operator.
The grant is being drawn down in smaller amounts as applications and projects are approved. Funds are still available to accept new projects.
“Hammers for Hope remains committed to helping people rebuild their homes despite any challenges we face,” adds Hammers for Hope Board Chairman Rob Brown. “This is the first time the CalHome Loan Program has been used for disaster response. We continue to work with local representatives like Senator McGuire, to create a solid and comprehensive system to support our community.”
The Hope City Crisis Network is another critical partner in the Lake County rebuilding efforts.
Established in 1999 in Indiana, Hope City is a nonprofit, faith-based humanitarian organization devoted to maintaining a holistic approach to disaster recovery, volunteerism, home rebuilding and much more.
During 2017, Hope City staff contributed more than 21,000 hours of site work in preparation for over 400 volunteers to contribute 14,000 volunteer hours to Hope City’s construction work in Lake County.
Hope City is devoted to helping at least 25 fire survivors return home in 2018, and they have already contributed more than 6,800 hours this year.
Five stick-built homes are scheduled to be completed in April with an additional seven homes slated to begin in the coming months. In addition, at least 10 Homes Direct manufactured homes will be installed this year.
“Hope City is making these rebuilds possible for our low-income clients due to the enormous volunteer labor they contribute, which significantly drives down the cost of the home rebuild, making this entire effort possible,” said Melissa Hughes, NCO’s housing programs manager.
Through Hope City the approximate average cost for a stick-built home is about $80,000, and the approximate average cost of a Homes Direct manufactured home is less than $90,000.
“We are experiencing a tremendous collaborative effort throughout the county,” said NCO Executive Director Patty Bruder. “NCO can provide administrative resources and infrastructure, but we are dependent on the expertise of Hope City and Hammers for Hope to help survivors return home. We’re all in this together.”
Funding is still available for the CalHome Loan Program and anyone who thinks they might be eligible is encouraged to contact one of NCO’s Disaster Case Managers at 707-994-2910 and complete a preliminary application.
If you would like more information about CalHome, Hope City, or Hammers for Hope, please contact Melissa Hughes at 707-994-4647 ext. 124 or by email at
Hammers for Hope was established in 2012 as a California nonprofit organization based in Lake County.
It was founded to assist seniors, low- to moderate-income individuals and families, and people with disabilities, in making minor home repairs to improve their comfort and safety. After the fires, Hammers for Hope shifted focus to help those in need of rebuilding.
For more information about Hammers for Hope or to apply for assistance, donate or volunteer, go online to www.hammersforhope.org.
North Coast Opportunities is the community action agency that serves Lake and Mendocino Counties, as well as parts of Humboldt, Sonoma, Del Norte, and Solano counties. NCO was established in 1968 as part of President Johnson's War on Poverty, with the mission of assisting low-income and disadvantaged people to become self-reliant. It provides a safety net of emergency assistance, employment, and training services for low-income individuals and families.
For more information, visit www.ncoinc.org.
LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – Several events are planned in Lake County to raise awareness of sexual assault and work toward communitywide solutions.
Each year in California and across the nation, April is designated as Sexual Assault Awareness Month, the goal of which is to increase public awareness about sexual assault and to educate communities and individuals on how to help prevent sexual violence and increase healthy sexuality and relationships.
The 2018 National Sexual Assault Awareness Month Campaign focuses on embracing voices, reaching new people in communities, and providing them with an introduction to unique ways to engage in ending sexual violence, because everyone has a unique role to play in prevention and changing the culture.
The Lake Family Resource Center is calling on community members to join in by helping the next generation foster attitudes that promote healthy relationships, equality and respect.
Family advocates in the Rape Crisis Center suggest the following ways for individuals to take action and ways to engage:
– Individuals can model supportive relationships and behaviors, call out harmful attitudes, and challenge the societal acceptance of rape and sexual assault.
– Communities and businesses can take action to implement policies that promote safety, respect and equality.
– Individuals can turn their social media profile picture teal and invite friends to join by taking action during Sexual Assault Awareness Month.
– When you hear comments that blame victims or make light of sexual violence, speak up so others know you don’t agree.
In addition, individuals can join the Lake Family Resource Center throughout April in participating in a number of events.
Sexual Assault Awareness Month proclamations will take place during the Board of Supervisors’ meeting on Tuesday, April 10, at 9:10 a.m. in the board chambers at the Lake County Courthouse, 255 N. Forbes St. in Lakeport, and on Thursday, April 12, at 6 p.m. at the Clearlake City Council meeting, which takes place in City Hall, 14050 Olympic Drive.
The Lakeport City Council presented a proclamation on April 3, as Lake County News has reported.
Lake Family Resource Center invite people to participate in Denim Day on Wednesday, April 25. You can help by “Breaking the dress code, breaking the silence,” by wearing jeans on Denim Day.
For more information on Denim Day and various Sexual Assault Awareness Month activities please contact Angelina Fagundo at 707-279-0563, Extension 197.
LFRC Rape Crisis Center offers free and confidential services including a 24/7 Community Crisis Line (1-888-485-7733) that connects callers to trained sexual assault advocates.
The Rape Crisis Center also provides individual counseling, safety plans, education, hospital accompaniment and law enforcement advocacy for all victims of sexual assault and their significant others.
Each year in California and across the nation, April is designated as Sexual Assault Awareness Month, the goal of which is to increase public awareness about sexual assault and to educate communities and individuals on how to help prevent sexual violence and increase healthy sexuality and relationships.
The 2018 National Sexual Assault Awareness Month Campaign focuses on embracing voices, reaching new people in communities, and providing them with an introduction to unique ways to engage in ending sexual violence, because everyone has a unique role to play in prevention and changing the culture.
The Lake Family Resource Center is calling on community members to join in by helping the next generation foster attitudes that promote healthy relationships, equality and respect.
Family advocates in the Rape Crisis Center suggest the following ways for individuals to take action and ways to engage:
– Individuals can model supportive relationships and behaviors, call out harmful attitudes, and challenge the societal acceptance of rape and sexual assault.
– Communities and businesses can take action to implement policies that promote safety, respect and equality.
– Individuals can turn their social media profile picture teal and invite friends to join by taking action during Sexual Assault Awareness Month.
– When you hear comments that blame victims or make light of sexual violence, speak up so others know you don’t agree.
In addition, individuals can join the Lake Family Resource Center throughout April in participating in a number of events.
Sexual Assault Awareness Month proclamations will take place during the Board of Supervisors’ meeting on Tuesday, April 10, at 9:10 a.m. in the board chambers at the Lake County Courthouse, 255 N. Forbes St. in Lakeport, and on Thursday, April 12, at 6 p.m. at the Clearlake City Council meeting, which takes place in City Hall, 14050 Olympic Drive.
The Lakeport City Council presented a proclamation on April 3, as Lake County News has reported.
Lake Family Resource Center invite people to participate in Denim Day on Wednesday, April 25. You can help by “Breaking the dress code, breaking the silence,” by wearing jeans on Denim Day.
For more information on Denim Day and various Sexual Assault Awareness Month activities please contact Angelina Fagundo at 707-279-0563, Extension 197.
LFRC Rape Crisis Center offers free and confidential services including a 24/7 Community Crisis Line (1-888-485-7733) that connects callers to trained sexual assault advocates.
The Rape Crisis Center also provides individual counseling, safety plans, education, hospital accompaniment and law enforcement advocacy for all victims of sexual assault and their significant others.
LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – In conjunction with Exhibit Envoy, all three of Lake County’s museums will present “Unmentionable: The Indiscreet Stories of Artifacts” beginning in May.
The opening will take place on May 4 to the museum’s nonprofit members and on May 5 to the general public.
“Unmentionable: The Indiscreet Stories of Artifacts” is all about “the unusual, icky, scandalous, disturbing, awful, uncomfortable and surprising artifacts in museum collections all in one place,” according to museum officials.
Some of the objects in the exhibits will be crowdsourced from local communities. Each individual museum will exhibit up to 15 distinct public objects on temporary loan from private collections around the county.
The objects will be chosen for their unique “unmentionable or controversial characteristics, subject matter or material.” These items will be strictly secured and will be returned upon the exhibit closure on Labor Day.
Visitors can vote at each museum which artifact they feel most fits the theme and these winners will be displayed at the Lake County Fair as “The Peoples’ Choice” awards.
The call for community artifacts continues through April 15.
Proposed entries must be photographed from several different angles and their basic dimensions, provenance, history, stories and origins must be emailed to the curator atThis email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .
Private loans remain the property of the owner and are only on temporary loan to the Museums of Lake County. This is not an initiative to acquire objects for the collection. Loan forms with complete contact information and signature by owner and museum staff are required.
The curator has the final determination for inclusion or rejection of an object in the exhibit.
If you are a collector of the offbeat and want to show off one of your unique items, the museum wants to hear from you.
What sorts of artifacts meet the theme? The Courthouse Museum’s five-legged frog, the Schoolhouse Museum’s cane collection, combination bedpan/urinal, and “hazardous” mineral samples, the Gibson Museum’s Vietnam War “blood chit.” What crazy curiosity might you have?
For more information contact Curator Clark McAbee at 707-263-4555 or emailThis email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .
The opening will take place on May 4 to the museum’s nonprofit members and on May 5 to the general public.
“Unmentionable: The Indiscreet Stories of Artifacts” is all about “the unusual, icky, scandalous, disturbing, awful, uncomfortable and surprising artifacts in museum collections all in one place,” according to museum officials.
Some of the objects in the exhibits will be crowdsourced from local communities. Each individual museum will exhibit up to 15 distinct public objects on temporary loan from private collections around the county.
The objects will be chosen for their unique “unmentionable or controversial characteristics, subject matter or material.” These items will be strictly secured and will be returned upon the exhibit closure on Labor Day.
Visitors can vote at each museum which artifact they feel most fits the theme and these winners will be displayed at the Lake County Fair as “The Peoples’ Choice” awards.
The call for community artifacts continues through April 15.
Proposed entries must be photographed from several different angles and their basic dimensions, provenance, history, stories and origins must be emailed to the curator at
Private loans remain the property of the owner and are only on temporary loan to the Museums of Lake County. This is not an initiative to acquire objects for the collection. Loan forms with complete contact information and signature by owner and museum staff are required.
The curator has the final determination for inclusion or rejection of an object in the exhibit.
If you are a collector of the offbeat and want to show off one of your unique items, the museum wants to hear from you.
What sorts of artifacts meet the theme? The Courthouse Museum’s five-legged frog, the Schoolhouse Museum’s cane collection, combination bedpan/urinal, and “hazardous” mineral samples, the Gibson Museum’s Vietnam War “blood chit.” What crazy curiosity might you have?
For more information contact Curator Clark McAbee at 707-263-4555 or email
ACCUWEATHER GLOBAL WEATHER CENTER – AccuWeather reports residents of California are being put on alert for a renewed risk of flooding, mudslides and travel disruptions through the first part of the weekend.
A plume of moisture from the tropical regions of the Pacific Ocean, also known as an atmospheric river, will take aim at Northern and central California through Saturday.
"This atmospheric river will bring periods of heavy rain to Northern and central California through the first half of the weekend," said AccuWeather Meteorologist Brett Rathbun.
The first round of rain began Thursday night into Friday, with another heavier wave of wet weather to follow Friday night into Saturday.
A total of 1 to 3 inches of rain may pour down on the communities of Redding, San Francisco, Sacramento and Santa Rosa, heightening the risk of urban and flash flooding.
Airline passengers with flights through San Francisco International Airport should anticipate delays, while drivers along Interstate 5 can expect times of reduced visibility and slow travel.
Motorists should turn around and find an alternate route if standing water is encountered on the roadways. Some roads may be closed due to high water or debris.
Even higher rainfall totals, on the order of 3 to 6 inches or more, are expected for the west-facing slopes of the coastal ranges and northern and central Sierra.
Snowfall will be limited to the highest peaks of the Sierra for the duration of the event. However, enough cold air may be pulled in at the tail end of the storm for precipitation to end as snow over Donner Pass.
At intermediate elevations, the combination of rainfall and melting snow may trigger rises on small streams and rivers that can lead to flooding.
Around recent burn areas, including the Tubbs fire, mudslides and debris flows will be a concern.
People who live downhill of burn scars should heed all evacuation notices that are issued. Having an emergency go bag ready is vital in the event of a quick evacuation.
"Despite the threat for flash flooding and mudslides, this rain will help to further fill area reservoirs prior to the dry season this summer," Rathbun said.
Gusty winds may kick up along the coast and over the ridges during the second wave of moisture on Friday night and Saturday. The risk of fallen trees and power lines will be heightened due to the saturated ground.
The risk of flooding will lessen heading into Southern California, where the heaviest rainfall will miss to the north. At most, Los Angeles and San Diego may be dampened by a few showers on Saturday.
"While rain is not uncommon across California during April, a storm of this magnitude is a bit unusual," Rathbun said.
January and February are typically the wettest months of the year in California, with average rainfall rapidly declining from March to April and May.
Fortunately for those hoping to get outside this weekend, Sunday will feature much nicer weather conditions.
Should Game 1 and/or 2 of the MLB series between the Giants and Dodgers at AT&T Park be rained out, Sunday will offer great weather for a potential double-header with sunshine and temperatures in the middle 60s Fahrenheit.
Renee Duff is a meteorologist for www.AccuWeather.com.
