Howdy folks. Just saying that I have season start about 3/4 weeks earlier than last year. This is a nice thing in my opinion. As for pellets I am feeling that this will be a tight year. I have seen an increase in shipping and direct mill prices with the word that the prices are going up. Lat year price was right around $230 a ton and I am expecting to see $250 if not higher. DO NOT WAIT TILL THE LAST MINUTE. If you see a good deal on good pellets jump on it and don't wait. That is my predictions. Eric
Good advice, Eric! Glad to see your business is picking up so early, may be a good sign of the coming season!
File this under the "what its worth department" Aug 20, 4:11 PM EDT Almanac predicts colder winter, hotter summer By RIK STEVENS Associated Press CONCORD, N.H. (AP) -- The Old Farmer's Almanac, the familiar, 223-year-old chronicler of climate, folksy advice and fun facts, is predicting a colder winter and warmer summer for much of the nation. Published Wednesday, the New Hampshire-based almanac predicts a "super-cold" winter in the eastern two-thirds of the country. The west will remain a little bit warmer than normal. "Colder is just almost too familiar a term," Editor Janice Stillman said. "Think of it as a refriger-nation." More bad news for those who can't stand snow: Most of the Northeast is expected to get more snowfall than normal, though it will be below normal in New England. Before unpacking the parka, however, remember that "colder than average" is still only about 2 to 5 degrees difference. Some other regional highlights: - Florida's winter could be rainier than most years while other locales in the Southeast and central states will see less rain. - Summer will be warmer than usual in most places while a drop in rainfall in the country's midsection could hurt crop yields. - Despite some winter downpours in the west, the almanac says California's drought will likely continue. - Hurricane season isn't expected to be especially active though a major storm could hit the Gulf Coast in late August. For loyal readers of an almanac that also tracks to the minute every sunrise and sunset for the year, the timing of this year's publication may come as a surprise. Normally, it hits the stands in mid-September. In recent years, its younger cousin, the Maine-based Farmer's Almanac, has published in August and a competition of sorts has emerged, though Stillman said it had nothing to do with the earlier drop date. "We've found that folks want the almanac as soon as the issue is done up, right as the growing season is done," she said. "It's also time to order oil, wood, salt for roads. We've had so many inquiries we just decided to get it into people's hands earlier." The almanac, which has about an 80 percent success rate in its forecasts, employs modern technology but still uses the "secret formula" that founder Robert Thomas devised in 1792. By combining the study of sunspots, prevailing weather patterns and basic meteorology, the almanac's weather staff comes up with a long-range forecast. The temperature deviations are based on 30-year averages compiled by government forecasters. The almanac also provides advice on planting, astronomy, food, love and trends.
