Short Term and Intermediate-Term Weather Outlooks for the U.S. and a Six-Day Forecast for the World: posted December 31, 2023

December 31, 2023Posted inweatherNo Comments

This article focuses on what we are paying attention to in the next 48 to 72 hours. The article also includes weather maps for longer-term U.S. outlooks and a six-day World weather outlook which can be very useful for travelers.

First the highlights from the NWS.

Short Range Forecast Discussion
NWS Weather Prediction Center College Park MD
Sun Dec 31 2023
Valid 12Z Sun Dec 31 2023 – 12Z Tue Jan 02 2024

…Quiet pattern means little weather-related disruptions for most of the
country for New Year’s Eve festivities…

…Clipper system brings light wintry mix to parts of the Midwest, Central
Appalachians, and Mid-Atlantic…

Please click on “Read More” below to access the full report

Status of Western Water Reservoirs: December 30, 2023

December 30, 2023Posted inweatherNo Comments

I used to report on Reservoir Levels.  The article this evening is a second attempt at doing this. I have now been able to include New Mexico information.

It contains a lot of information. I will be republishing this article periodically and adding and improving to it. What I am providing today has images that should update automatically. But I also have provided links to those images and additional information.

At this point, it is far from perfect but a start. It is particularly important because in many cases the water in reservoirs comes from last year’s precipitation. So with uncertainty as to how this El Nino winter will evolve, we need to monitor the amount of water we have in storage.

Let’s get started.

Short Term and Intermediate-Term Weather Outlooks for the U.S. and a Six-Day Forecast for the World: posted December 30, 2023

December 30, 2023Posted inweatherNo Comments

This article focuses on what we are paying attention to in the next 48 to 72 hours. The article also includes weather maps for longer-term U.S. outlooks and a six-day World weather outlook which can be very useful for travelers.

First the highlights from the NWS.

Short Range Forecast Discussion
NWS Weather Prediction Center College Park MD
Sat Dec 30 2023
Valid 12Z Sat Dec 30 2023 – 12Z Mon Jan 01 2024

…Moderate to locally heavy rainfall continues for the West Coast
Saturday; accumulating snowfall for the Sierras…

…Light wintry mix forecast for New England, the Appalachians, and
portions of the Midwest…

…Cooler temperatures and chilly morning lows for the Southeast…

Please click on “Read More” below to access the full report

29Dec2023 Market Close & Major Financial Headlines: Markets End 2023 With A Down Day But Up 24% For The Year

December 29, 2023Posted inmarketsNo Comments

Summary Of the Markets Today:

  • The Dow closed down 21 points or 0.05%,
  • Nasdaq closed down 0.56%,
  • S&P 500 closed down 0.28%,
  • Gold $2073 down $10.40,
  • WTI crude oil settled at $71 down $0.39,
  • 10-year U.S. Treasury 3.866% up 0.016 points,
  • USD index $101.36 up $0.13,
  • Bitcoin $42,051 down $535,
  • Baker Hughes rig count up 2 to 622

Click here to read our current Economic Forecast – January 2024 Economic Forecast: Our Index Turns Slightly Negative

Today’s Economic Releases Compiled by Steven Hansen, Publisher:

The Chicago Business Barometer (Chicago PMI) fell to 46.9 in December 2023 from 55.8 in November, well below market expectations of 51. This value returns the barometer back to negative territory. I consider manufacturing in a recession.

source: Trading Economics

Here is a summary of headlines we are reading today:

  • Africa Becomes a Focal Point in Russia’s Global Strategy
  • Brent Closes The Year Below $80 as Red Sea Tensions Ease
  • Reuters Claims OPEC Facing Significant Market Share Loss
  • Oil Prices Projected to Remain Below $80 in 2024
  • From FedEx to airlines, companies are starting to lose their pricing power
  • SpaceX sets new rocket record with 96 successful launches in 2023
  • Drugmakers set to raise U.S. prices on at least 500 drugs in January
  • COVID Mask Mandates Return Across US Hospitals

Click on the “Read More” below to access these, other headlines, and the associated news summaries moving the markets today.

January 2024 Economic Forecast: Our Index Turns Slightly Negative

December 29, 2023Posted ineconomics, economy, macroeconomicsNo Comments

Authored by Steven Hansen

EconCurrent‘s Economic Index again declined and is now slightly in negative territory. Being slightly in negative territory is not necessarily indicative of a recession, and we continue to believe a recession is not imminent. There remain four major indicators signaling a recession.  Read on to understand the currents affecting our economic growth.

Short Term and Intermediate-Term Weather Outlooks for the U.S. and a Six-Day Forecast for the World: posted December 29, 2023

December 29, 2023Posted inweatherNo Comments

This article focuses on what we are paying attention to in the next 48 to 72 hours. The article also includes weather maps for longer-term U.S. outlooks and a six-day World weather outlook which can be very useful for travelers.

First the highlights from the NWS.

Short Range Forecast Discussion
NWS Weather Prediction Center College Park MD
Fri Dec 29 2023
Valid 12Z Fri Dec 29 2023 – 12Z Sun Dec 31 2023

…Pacific storm system brings locally heavy rain to California Friday;
moderate to heavy snow forecast for the Sierras Saturday…

…Wintry mix expected for the Interior Northeast/New England, with some
accumulating ice and snow in Maine…

…Above average temperatures forecast for most of the country Friday and
Saturday; cooler temperatures and chilly morning lows for the Southeast…

Please click on “Read More” below to access the full report

28 Dec 2023 Market Close & Major Financial Headlines: Markets Opened Moderately Higher, Traded Mostly Sideways, Eventually The Dow Made Another New Historic High, Finally Closing Mixed

December 28, 2023Posted inmarketsNo Comments

Summary Of the Markets Today:

  • The Dow closed up 54 points or 0.14%,
  • Nasdaq closed down 0.03%,
  • S&P 500 closed up 0.04%,
  • Gold $2,077 down $16.50,
  • WTI crude oil settled at $72 down $2.20,
  • 10-year U.S. Treasury 3.844% up 0.055 points,
  • USD Index $101.24 up $0.25,
  • Bitcoin $42,521 down $977 ( 2.25% )

*Stock data, cryptocurrency, and commodity prices at the market closing.

Click here to read our current Economic Forecast – December 2023 Economic Forecast: Economy Is Likely To Decelerate

Today’s Economic Releases Compiled by Steven Hansen, Publisher:

The Pending Home Sales Index – a forward-looking indicator of home sales based on contract signings –year over year, pending transactions were down 5.2% – an improvement from last month’s -8.2%.. Lawrence Yun, NAR chief economist stated:

Although declining mortgage rates did not induce more homebuyers to submit formal contracts in November, it has sparked a surge in interest, as evidenced by a higher number of lockbox openings.

In the week ending December 23, the advance figure for seasonally adjusted initial unemployment claims 4-week moving average was 212,000, a decrease of 250 from the previous week’s revised average. The previous week’s average was revised up by 250 from 212,000 to 212,250.

Here is a summary of headlines we are reading today:
  • GasBuddy: Gasoline and Diesel Prices To Fall In 2024
  • Record Global Gasoline Consumption Defies IEA Forecast
  • Aerospace Industry Eyes Full Recovery by 2025
  • Cheap Imports Threaten India’s Steel Sector
  • Houthi Attacks Fail to Stop Middle East’s Pricing Problem
  • S&P 500 closes little changed Thursday, struggles to reach record: Live updates
  • Startup bubble fueled by Fed’s cheap money policy finally burst in 2023
  • Could a bitcoin ETF approval be a sell-the-news event? What investors are expecting on the big day
  • November pending home sales were unchanged, despite a sharp drop in mortgage rates
  • Boeing Urges Airlines To Inspect 737 Max After “Possible Loose Bolt” For Rudder System
  • Treasury yields extend bounce after weak 7-year note auction in final full trading day of 2023

Click on the “Read More” below to access these, other headlines, and the associated news summaries moving the markets today.

Short Term and Intermediate-Term Weather Outlooks for the U.S. and a Six-Day Forecast for the World: posted December 28, 2023

December 28, 2023Posted inweatherNo Comments

This article focuses on what we are paying attention to in the next 48 to 72 hours. The article also includes weather maps for longer-term outlooks and a six-day World weather outlook which can be very useful for travelers.

We start with the U.S. Information. That is the longest part of the article. Then we have a short section on World Weather and then we address the Tropics. When there are tropical storms that might impact the U.S.  we provide more detailed information which updates frequently on those storms.

Please click on “Read More” below to access the full report as I have moved the highlights into the body of the report where it is followed by the Today, Tomorrow and the Next Day maps and a lot more. I will try to feature the most important graphic in the lede paragraph on the home page.  But there are often multiple maps that are very important so it is best to read the full article. We now have a snow report and it is possible to get a ten-day NWS forecast for the zip code of your choice.

27 Dec 2023 Market Close & Major Financial Headlines: Markets Opened Mixed, Santa Claus Rally Pushes The Dow To A New Historic High

December 27, 2023Posted inmarketsNo Comments

Summary Of the Markets Today:

  • The Dow closed up 111 point or 0.30%,
  • Nasdaq closed up 0.16%,
  • S&P 500 closed up 0.14%,
  • Gold $2,089 up $19.20,
  • WTI crude oil settled at $74 down $1.63,
  • 10-year U.S. Treasury 3.783% down 0.103 points,
  • USD Index $100.94 down $0.520,
  • Bitcoin $43,498 up $1,344 ( 3.19% )

*Stock data, cryptocurrency, and commodity prices at the market closing.

Click here to read our current Economic Forecast – December 2023 Economic Forecast: Economy Is Likely To Decelerate

Today’s Economic Releases Compiled by Steven Hansen, Publisher:

NFIB’s Research Center released the third credit-focused survey in a series first started in April 2023 assessing small business owners’ banking and financing activities. In addition, this survey assesses this year’s holiday sales and small business owners’ evaluation of economic conditions locally and nationally. The survey was conducted by email from December 1-13, 2023. Holly Wade, Executive Director of NFIB’s Research Center stated:

More small business owners report that higher interest rates are impacting business operations. Even with financing concerns, small business owners have expectations for a solid holiday season but aren’t confident in their local or national economy going into the New Year.

The Richmond Fed manufacturing activity slowed in December 2023. The composite manufacturing index decreased from −5 in November to −11 in December. Of its three component indexes, shipments fell from −8 to −17, new orders decreased from −5 to −14, and employment edged down from 0 to −1. Manufacturing remains in a recession in the U.S.

Here is a summary of headlines we are reading today:
  • Oil Prices Shed 2% As Shippers Gamble on Red Sea
  • Iron Ore Futures Hit Ten-Month High On Chinese Stimulus Efforts
  • Shipping Giants Resume Suez Canal Operations Following Houthi Attacks
  • Brent Holds At $80 After Red Sea Attacks
  • Ether rallies 6% in catch-up trade as investors position for January
  • MicroStrategy buys more bitcoin, pushing holdings to nearly $6 billion: CNBC Crypto World
  • Bitcoin’s 2023 rally drove some of the stock market’s biggest gains this year
  • ICE Arrests 26 Illegal Immigrants In California For Removal Over Crimes Of Sexual Abuse
  • New York Times sues Microsoft and OpenAI for ‘billions’
  • 10-year Treasury yield drops to lowest since July as market absorbs sale of 5-year notes

Click on the “Read More” below to access these, other headlines, and the associated news summaries moving the markets today.

Short Term and Intermediate-Term Weather Outlooks for the U.S. and a Six-Day Forecast for the World: posted December 27, 2023

December 27, 2023Posted inweatherNo Comments

This article focuses on what we are paying attention to in the next 48 to 72 hours. The article also includes weather maps for longer-term outlooks and a six-day World weather outlook which can be very useful for travelers.

We start with the U.S. Information. That is the longest part of the article. Then we have a short section on World Weather and then we address the Tropics. When there are tropical storms that might impact the U.S.  we provide more detailed information which updates frequently on those storms.

Please click on “Read More” below to access the full report as I have moved the highlights into the body of the report where it is followed by the Today, Tomorrow and the Next Day maps and a lot more. I will try to feature the most important graphic in the lede paragraph on the home page.  But there are often multiple maps that are very important so it is best to read the full article. We now have a snow report and it is possible to get a ten-day NWS forecast for the zip code of your choice.