November 30, 2013

The temperatures are warming up, as it were. When I got up this morning, the temperature was 45°, which is a big improvement.

And yesterday's high was in the upper 50s — 60s are in the forecast today — and that also is an improvement.

This morning's meter reading is between 12669 and 12670. Yesterday's reading was 12657 so consumption was 12½ kWh — again, a huge improvement. It is almost 48% lower than my consumption in the previous 24 hours.

But it is still more than double my usage on this date in 2012.

November 29, 2013

---

---

Yesterday was Thanksgiving, and I spent the afternoon at my father's house — indoors, watching football.

I only know what the temperature was like when I drove to his house — a little cool but mild compared to recent days. It was dark when I left so I don't know if the temperature warmed into the 50s as predicted, but it remained in the 40s until well after dark.

It got cold last night, and my heat kicked on a few times (that I know of) so I didn't really know what to expect when I checked my meter this morning. Turned out my consumption went up a little. Maybe it was colder yesterday than I thought, or maybe the heat kicked on more often than I thought.

This morning's meter reading is 12657. Yesterday's reading was 12633 so my consumption in the last 24 hours was 24 kWh. That's 14% higher than the last 24 hours, and it is three times my consumption on this day last year.

November 28, 2013

---

---

After a chilly start to the day, the temperature got up into the mid–40s yesterday.

This morning's meter reading is 12633. Yesterday's reading was 12592. That means consumption in the last 24 hours was 41 kWh, almost double my consumption in the previous 24 hours and nearly seven times my consumption on this date last year.

November 27, 2013

---

---

It was windy yesterday, but the temperature was in the 40s most of the day and into the evening.

The forecast calls for progressively warmer temperatures each day for the next week — by this time next week, the forecast calls for highs in the upper 60s.

Last night's low probably was in the upper 20s, and the same is expected tonight. After that, nighttime lows should be above freezing — in the 40s by the end of the weekend or the start of next week.

This morning's meter reading is 12592. Yesterday's reading was 12571 so consumption was 21 kWh. That's much better but still higher than I was expecting at this time of the year (at least when compared to last year). That is half of my consumption rate 24 hours ago.

But it is more than twice my consumption on this date last year.

November 26, 2013

---

The forecasters say the temperature will finally get into the 40s and should be in the 50s by Thanksgiving. I hope so. It has been getting awfully cold at night.

This morning's meter reading is 12571. Yesterday's reading was 12529 so my consumption was 42 kWh. That is actually a drop of about 19% compared to the day before.

But it is more than five times my usage on this date in 2012.

November 25, 2013

---

---

The temperature stayed in the mid–30s yesterday and remained at 36° when I went to bed.

The forecast called for a 90% chance of a wintry mix tonight and an 80% chance of a wintry mix during tomorrow's daylight hours. It got pretty cold last night, but it wasn't cold enough to freeze the moisture on the streets. So this morning I woke up to a wet but reasonably negotiable world.

This morning's meter reading is 12529. Yesterday's reading was 12477. That means my consumption was 52 kWh, which is more than double my cosumption in the previous 24 hours, and it is nearly five times my consumption on this date last year.

November 24, 2013

---

Well, this weekend is turning out to be every bit as cold as the forecasters said it would be, but the wintry precipitation hasn't begun yet.

Forecasters say it will begin after noon today so we shall see. Once it begins, they say, it will continue through the night and into tomorrow.

The temperature actually did get into the 40s yesterday, but it got quite cold last night. When I got up this morning, the temperature was 35°. That may have been a few degrees warmer than the actual low in the wee hours of the morning.

Today's forecast calls for mid–30s during the daylight hours so it may not be cold enough for the precipitation to have much of an impact on roads.

This morning's meter reading is 12477. Yesterday's reading was 12452 so electricity consumption was 25 kWh. That's 45% lower than my consumption in the previous 24 hours. I don't know how to explain that.

It's just about three times my consumption level on this day a year ago.

November 23, 2013

---

---

Temperatures remained mostly in the 30s yesterday and through last night. It is supposed to be a little bit warmer today, but tomorrow is expected to bring sleet that could last into Monday.

I think I have new neighbors downstairs, and I was hoping their heat would provide me with some benefits, but I am not even sure if they are in their apartment this weekend. My heat was set low, and it got cold in here last night, but even so, I am reminded how much electricity my heat uses — more than my air conditioning does in the summer.

This morning's meter reading is 12452. Yesterday's reading was between 12406 and 12407. That is 45½ kWh, about seven times my consumption in the previous 24 hours — and more than four times my consumption on this date in 2012.

November 22, 2013

---

---

The cold front arrived during the night, as expected.

The temperature yesterday was in the 70s, even after sunset, but then it started falling around 8 p.m. This morning, it is in the 30s, where it is expected to stay through the weekend. There is even talk of sleet on Sunday and Sunday night.

This morning's meter reading is between 12406 and 12407. Yesterday's reading was 12399 so consumption was 7½ kWh, an increase of 15% over the day before.

But it is 21% lower than my usage on this day last year.

November 21, 2013

---

---

Yesterday was generally mild, a little warmer than it has been, perhaps into the low 70s, then it dropped to perhaps 60° last night, give or take.

A strong cold front is supposed to move through the area this weekend, bringing lows in the 30s (possibly the 20s) and highs in the mid–40s. It seems people are already bracing for the arctic blast. I went to the grocery store early last night to pick up one or two things. I had to stand in line for half an hour — and that was the express lane.

This morning's meter reading is 12399. Yesterday's reading was between 12392 and 12393, which means consumption was 6½ kWh. That is a drop of 7% compared to the previous 24 hours, and it is precisely the same as my consumption on this day last year.

November 20, 2013

---

---

It was noticeably cooler yesterday and last night.

The temperature probably never got out of the 60s during the day and probably dropped into the low 50s, if not upper 40s, last night.

This morning's meter reading is between 12392 and 12393. Yesterday's reading was between 12385 and 12386. That means consumption was about 7 kWh, the same as yesterday and about 12% lower than last year.

November 19, 2013

---

---

The temperatures were cooler yesterday than the day before, and it was cooler last night than it has been. Last night's low was expected to be around 50°, but my guess is that it was more likely around 55°.

Today's high is supposed to be in the upper 60s. Tonight's low is expected to be around 50°.

This morning's meter reading is between 12385 and 12386. Yesterday's reading was between 12378 and 12379 so my consumption was 7 kWh. That's a drop of more than 22% since yesterday.

And it is more than 39% lower than this day in 2012.

November 18, 2013

---

---

Forecasters said yesterday's high would be 84°, but it was already 87° by 2 p.m. The low last night was supposed to be in the lower 50s, but I don't think it ever got quite that cold. It probably will tonight, though. Forecasts are calling for lows in the upper 40s.

This morning's meter reading is between 12378 and 12379. Yesterday's reading was between 12369 and 12370 so consumption was 9 kWh, precisely the same as the day before and 20% higher than a year ago on this day.

November 17, 2013

---

---

It was warm yesterday. It may get downright hot today — at least compared to what we have had lately.

Right now, the forecast calls for a high of 84° today. The forecast called for 80° a few days ago. For all I know, it may wind up in the upper 80s before the sun goes down. It wouldn't surprise me. The temperature was 74° when I got up this morning around 6:30.

Inexplicably, my electricity consumption went up.

This morning's meter reading is between 12369 and 12370. Yesterday's reading was between 12360 and 12361. Consumption was 9 kWh, which is 50% higher than yesterday and 20% higher than this day last year.

November 16, 2013

---

---

As expected, the temperature was a little warmer yesterday. I couldn't say how much warmer. I was in the campus newsroom almost all afternoon, but, based on the temperature when I drove to school and when I drove home about six hours later, my guess is that the high was probably around 70°.

Last night, it was expected to drop to around 60°.

Today's forecast is calling for upper 70s during the day and upper 60s tonight.

This morning's meter reading is between 12360 and 12361. Yesterday's reading was between 12354 and 12355. Consumption was 6 kWh. That is a drop of 33% from the previous 24 hours, and it is ½ kWh lower than this date last year.

November 15, 2013

---

---

The temperature was milder in the last 24 hours, and the forecasts call for much milder weather this weekend so my electricity consumption took a welcome dip from the last couple of days.

Yesterday's meter reading was between 12345 and 12346. This morning's reading is between 12354 and 12355 so my consumption was 9 kWh. That is a drop of more than 62%.

However, it is more than 12% higher than this date in 2012.

November 14, 2013

---

---

OK, yesterday was cold. I knew it when I got up in the morning. I knew it when I was out and about taking care of my daily business. I knew it when I went to bed last night.

And I knew it from the way the heat ran in my apartment. It's much too soon for this to be happening.

I guess "cold" is a relative term. What we've been experiencing is nothing compared to what folks in Alaska must endure at this time of the year. Of course, the roles will be reversed in about seven months.

My electricity consumption was about the same as yesterday, even a kWh or two more.

This morning's meter reading is between 12345 and 12346. Yesterday's reading was 12321. That's a consumption rate of 24½ kWh in the last 24 hours, which is an increase of a little more than 11% compared to the day before.

And it is about 3½ times my consumption of a year ago.

The forecasts offer some short–term hope, though. Today's high is supposed to be 60°. Tonight's low is expected to be 49°. Friday, Saturday and Sunday promise to be mild.

November 13, 2013

---

---

The weather turned very cold last night. The temperature was 32° when I got up this morning — it might have been colder around 3 or 4 a.m.

It was necessary to run the heat last night — not constantly and not high, but high enough, I was certain, to affect my electricity consumption.

And I was right.

This morning's meter reading is 12321. Yesterday's reading was 12299. My consumption in the last 24 hours has been 22 kWh, nearly three times my usage in the previous 24 hours — and the heat wasn't set very high, either.

And it is nearly four times my usage on this day a year ago.

If the forecasters are right, we will be returning to more seasonable temperatures starting tomorrow.

November 12, 2013

---

---

The weather was largely unchanged in the last 24 hours. The temperature was around 70° during the day, probably dropped to around 50° during the night.

But that is about to change, at least for the next couple of days. A strong cold front is expected to bring lows in the 30s, possibly upper 20s, the next couple of nights, and daytime temperatures in the 40s. It should be warmer by the weekend, but I expect my daily electricity consumption to be back in double digits for the next few days.

Not today, though.

This morning's meter reading is 12299. Yesterday's reading was 12291 so consumption was 8 kWh, same as yesterday and 50% lower than this day in 2012.

November 11, 2013

---

---

Not much to say about the weather in the last 24 hours. It was a lot like the weather we have been having for several weeks — mild during the day, cool (even cold) at night.

And my electricity consumption stayed about the same. Actually, it went up a little.

This morning's meter reading is 12291. Yesterday's reading was 12283 so consumption was 8 kWh. That is about 14% higher than the day before, but it's about 27% lower than it was a year ago.

November 10, 2013

---

---

I attended a three–hour workshop on campus yesterday morning so I don't know what the temperature was like during that time, but the rest of the day it seemed to be mild, and it was mild last night.

As a result, my electricity consumption remained in single digits, but it went up compared to the previous 24 hours.

This morning's meter reading is 12283. Yesterday's reading was 12276 so consumption was 7 kWh. That is actually an increase of more than 27% compared to the day before, but it is 22% lower than this day last year.

November 9, 2013

Like every Friday during the semester, I was on campus advising the student newspaper staff so I don't know what the temperatures were like.

I heard it was pleasant, probably in the low 70s. I think it was still in the 60s when I went to school around 1 p.m.

It was dark when I left so it was cooler, probably in the 50s.

This morning's meter reading ias 12276. Yesterday's reading was between 12270 and 12271 so consumption was 5½ kWh. That is more than 31% lower than the day before. And it is more than 21% lower than this day in 2012.

November 8, 2013

---

---

The sun was shining yesterday. It was a nice change from the overcast, often rainy conditions we dealt with earlier in the week.

The clearer weather has also brought colder temperatures. Highs yesterday were mostly in the mid–60s, I suppose, and the low last night was in the mid– to low 40s (which was slightly warmer than the night before).

This morning's meter reading is between 12270 and 12271. Yesterday's reading was between 12262 and 12263. My consumption was 8 kWh, which is nearly 24% lower than the day before, and it is nearly 16% lower than this day last year.

November 7, 2013

---

Last night, the temperature dropped to around 40° — and my heat kicked on for the first time in probably eight or nine months.

Per the most recent forecasts, the nighttime lows will be a little bit warmer tonight, a little warmer still tomorrow night, and then probably back in the 50s. Daytime highs should be in the 60s for the next couple of days, then in the low 70s during the weekend.

Anyway, I did expect my electricity consumption to go up. And it did.

This morning's meter reading is between 12262 and 12263. Yesterday's reading was 12252 so consumption was 10½ kWh. That's a 50% increase over the day before — the same as a year ago today.

November 6, 2013

---

---

The near–constant drizzle that we have had the last few days seems to at an end.

Temperatures have been steady, perhaps a little warmer than they were, but no warmer than 70° during the day, which is pleasant for this time of the year, and usually in the 50s at night, although it might have been 60° last night.

This morning's meter reading is 12252. Yesterday's reading was 12245 so consumption was 7 kWh. That's a drop of 12% from yesterday, and it is nearly 18% lower than this day in 2012.

November 5, 2013

---

---

Yesterday was another mild day. The temperature may have reached the low 70s by afternoon.

Last night was probably a little warmer than it has been, and I think we can expect more of the same, along with a probability of rain, for the next 24–36 hours. But then it will turn colder, much colder, for the next several nights.

This morning's meter reading is 12245. Yesterday's reading was 12237 so consumption was 8 kWh. That is a modest increase over the day before — a little under 7%.

But it is 36% lower than this day in 2012.

November 4, 2013

---

---

It was mild yesterday — even a bit cold in the early daylight hours — but, otherwise, it was a lot like most days have been lately.

My electricity consumption was like that, too.

This morning's meter reading is 12237. Yesterday's reading was between 12229 and 12230 so consumption was 7½ kWh, a drop of nearly 12% compared to the day before.

And it is half the consumption of this day a year ago.

November 3, 2013

---

The mild weather continued yesterday. The temperature probably never reached 70° — if it did, it was probably very briefly.

Then, it got cold last night, colder than it has been. The temperature probably was in the 40s.

I spent most of the day at home watching football and doing various chores around my apartment. I was expecting an increase in my electricity consumption — and there was one.

This morning's meter reading is between 12229 and 12230. Yesterday's reading was 12221. That's a consumption rate of 8½ kWh, and it is an increase of more than 41% compared to the previous 24 hours.

But it is 20% lower than it was on this day last year.

November 2, 2013

---

---

I was inside all afternoon, but the weather was very pleasant yesterday when I arrived at school, and it was expected to stay that way.

Very pleasant weather, and apparently it kept my electricity consumption down.

This morning's meter reading is 12221. Yesterday's reading was 12215 so consumption was 6 kWh. That is nearly 8% lower than the day before, and it is more than 29% lower than this day in 2012.

November 1, 2013

---

---

The temperature was in the upper 70s yesterday, but it dipped into the low 50s last night.

And my recent electricity consumption went down dramatically.

This morning's meter reading is 12215. Yesterday's reading was between 12208 and 12209 so consumption was 6½ kWh. That is a 38% drop from the previous 24–hour period, and it is a 7% drop from this day last year.