Foggy, warmer and a really "bad for you" treat recipe.

Good Morning Augusta

This morning we have a Dense Fog Advisory and the rain will end early. Breaks of sun in the afternoon. High 47 ºF. Winds will be from the WSW at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 90%.

Tonight we’ll have a few clouds with a low of 32 ºF. Winds SW at 5 to 10 mph.

The readings from my weather instruments are:

Humidity is 99%, the dew point is 37ºF, outside it’s 4.1ºC and39.4 ºF.

The wind direction is West Southwest between 0.7 MPH and 1.1 MPH, generating a wind chill of 39.4ºF.

The Barometric pressure is 29.83 / HPA 1010.1 and falling with a weather graphic indicating clouds.

The UV rating is 0 out of 16, Sunrise is at 6:03 a.m. Sunset is 5:36 P.M. Moon rise is at 1:33 p.m., Moon set is 3:33 p.m. and the moon phase is Waxing Gibbous.   

The RAW METAR reading from the airport in Augusta, Maine is:

METAR KAUG 081153Z AUTO 18006KT 1/4SM -RA FG VV002 04/04 A2981 RMK AO2 SLP097 P0002 60010 70025 T00440039 10044 20028 56027

Visibility is 0.2 miles / 0.4 Kilometers with clear skies after this fog burns off.

We received 0.36   Inches of rain here over the past 24 hours.rain here over the past 24 hours.

Space Weather for this morning is:

Today’s Solar flux is 73, the solar wind speed is 529  Kilometers per second and the chance of a solar storm is 1%.

Okay, let’s just have something to eat that’s quick, easy and downright bad for us, but “fulfills the soul.” Okay?

CHOCOLATE CHIP DROPS

Serves 12 (4 each)

½ cup cold water

1 1/3 cup nonfat dry milk powder

½ cup Splenda

1 tsp vanilla extract

2 ¼ cups purchased graham cracker crumbs or 36 (2 ½-inch) graham cracker made into crumbs

½ cup mini chocolate chips

Place cold water in a 2-cup glass measuring cup.  Stir in dry milk powder until mixture makes a smooth paste.  Cover and microwave on HIGH for 45 to 60 seconds or until mixture is very hot, but not to the boiling point.  Stir in Splenda.  Mix well to combine.  Cover and refrigerate for a least 2 hours before using.  Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  Spray baking sheets with butter-flavored cooking spray.  In a large bowl, combine milk mixture and vanilla extract.  Add graham cracker crumbs and chocolate chips.  Drop by tsp onto prepared baking sheets to form 48 cookies.  Bake for 6 to 7 minutes.

Exchanges:  2 starch/carbohydrate

Calories:  152; fat:  4 gm; protein:  4 gm; carbohydrate:  25 gm; sodium:  178 mg; calcium:  100 mg; fiber:  1 gm