weather

• Monarchs continued to pour up from Mexico. Texas and Oklahoma saw numbers build as butterflies continued to move up from central Mexico. Of the 50 first sightings reported this week, Xx were from Texas and Oklahoma.
• Stacking Up: Peresistent north winds across OK stalled the migration there for most of the week. large concentration in NE Oklahoma, stacking up, held back by predominant north winds. Air mass System parked in Oklahoma, held butterflies back

 

• CAPTION PAGE/Chip: Butterflies bottled up/Only seen this behavior once in the springtime. More details later. On Apr 4, 2017, at 8:34 PM, Taylor Jr, Orley R: In all the records of first sightings over the last decade and more, have you ever received a report of spring clustering that involves hundreds, perhaps thousands of monarchs? Years ago, I watched a small cluster of 10-12 form on some pine trees at the top of a hill in a pioneer cemetery. Most appeared to be males. I’ve never seen that again and haven’t heard of such reports - until now. A major spring cluster involving hundreds, perhaps thousands is still forming this evening in NE OK. I’ll have more information later.
• Elizabeth/questions: is roosting temperature related? Tuesday night's overnight temperatures dropped to the upper 40's so consistent with fall roosting temperatures
• We know monarchs spent the winter clustering at overwintering sites in Mexico. why wouldn't they roost?

Dr. Chip Taylor of Monarch Watch notes:

"We .." Read more...

WEather conditions: National Weather Service (Norman, OK) 4/4/17 4 pm: severe storms have produced hail as large as half dollars in Seminole and Lincoln counties in the past hour. The storms are racing to the northeast at 50 mph. Other storms will develop between now and 5pm from Enid to Kingfisher to El Reno, and from Seminole down to Madill. Hail is the main threat with the storms today. (Facebook)

— Kathy Metzger Montgomery, Texas   March 22, 2017

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