Misplaced Pages

#999

46-634: Big Pocono State Park is a 1,305.6-acre (528.4 ha) Pennsylvania state park in Jackson and Pocono townships in Monroe County, Pennsylvania in Northeastern Pennsylvania . The park is located on Camelback Mountain and is maintained jointly by the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources and Camelback Ski Corporation. From the summit of the mountain, one has

92-476: A brief history of their development since the first park opened in 1893. State parks range in size from 3 acres (1.2 ha) to 21,122 acres (8,548 ha) and comprise one percent of Pennsylvania's total land area. According to Dan Cupper (1993), "Pennsylvania is the thirty-third largest state, but only Alaska and California have more park land". There are state parks in 62 of Pennsylvania's 67 counties , which nearly reaches Pennsylvania's goal of having

138-571: A division of the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR), is the governing body for all these parks, and directly operates 116 of them. The remaining parks are operated in cooperation with other public and private organizations. The first Pennsylvania state park, at Valley Forge , opened in 1893 and was given to the National Park Service (NPS) for the United States Bicentennial in 1976. There are

184-458: A dominant vegetation form of Northern hardwood forest ( 26 ). The peak spring bloom typically occurs in early-May and peak fall color usually occurs in early-October. The plant hardiness zone is 6a with an average annual extreme minimum air temperature of −9.5 °F (−23.1 °C). List of Pennsylvania state parks As of 2024 , there are 124 state parks in the U.S. state of Pennsylvania . The Pennsylvania Bureau of State Parks ,

230-404: A heat index calculation will return a number equal to or lower than the air temperature (a lower heat index is generally considered invalid), varies with temperature and is not linear. The threshold is commonly set at an arbitrary 40%. The heat index and its counterpart the humidex both take into account only two variables, shade temperature and atmospheric moisture (humidity), thus providing only

276-428: A limited estimate of thermal comfort . Additional factors such as wind, sunshine and individual clothing choices also affect perceived temperature; these factors are parameterized as constants in the heat index formula. Wind, for example, is assumed to be 5 knots (9.3 km/h). Wind passing over wet or sweaty skin causes evaporation and a wind chill effect that the heat index does not measure. The other major factor

322-1989: A model of the human body. This equation reproduces the above NOAA National Weather Service table (except the values at 90 °F (32 °C) & 45%/70% relative humidity vary unrounded by less than ±1, respectively). H I = c 1 + c 2 T + c 3 R + c 4 T R + c 5 T 2 + c 6 R 2 + c 7 T 2 R + c 8 T R 2 + c 9 T 2 R 2 {\displaystyle \mathrm {HI} =c_{1}+c_{2}T+c_{3}R+c_{4}TR+c_{5}T^{2}+c_{6}R^{2}+c_{7}T^{2}R+c_{8}TR^{2}+c_{9}T^{2}R^{2}} where c 1 = − 42.379 , c 2 = 2.049 015 23 , c 3 = 10.143 331 27 , c 4 = − 0.224 755 41 , c 5 = − 6.837 83 × 10 − 3 , c 6 = − 5.481 717 × 10 − 2 , c 7 = 1.228 74 × 10 − 3 , c 8 = 8.5282 × 10 − 4 , c 9 = − 1.99 × 10 − 6 . {\textstyle {\begin{aligned}c_{1}&=-42.379,&c_{2}&=2.049\,015\,23,&c_{3}&=10.143\,331\,27,\\c_{4}&=-0.224\,755\,41,&c_{5}&=-6.837\,83\times 10^{-3},&c_{6}&=-5.481\,717\times 10^{-2},\\c_{7}&=1.228\,74\times 10^{-3},&c_{8}&=8.5282\times 10^{-4},&c_{9}&=-1.99\times 10^{-6}.\end{aligned}}} The following coefficients can be used to determine

368-469: A state park within 25 miles (40 km) of every resident in the Commonwealth. Eleven parks do not have "State Park" in their name. Three are " Conservation Areas ": Boyd Big Tree Preserve , Joseph E. Ibberson , and Varden ; four are "Environmental Education Centers": Jacobsburg , Jennings , Kings Gap (also a "Training Center") and Nolde Forest ; White Clay Creek is a "Preserve"; Norristown

414-477: A thicker cloud cover develops, reducing the amount of direct sunlight reaching the surface. Thus, there is an inverse relationship between maximum potential temperature and maximum potential relative humidity. Because of this factor, it was once believed that the highest heat index reading actually attainable anywhere on Earth was approximately 71 °C (160 °F). However, in Dhahran , Saudi Arabia on July 8, 2003,

460-822: A total of seventeen former Pennsylvania state parks: four former parks have been transferred to the NPS, four to the Pennsylvania Historical Museum Commission , two to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers , one to both the Corps and the Pennsylvania Game Commission , five to the Pennsylvania Bureau of Forestry , and one has ceased to exist. Nine current and two former state parks have had major name changes or have been known under alternate names. The list gives an overview of Pennsylvania state parks and

506-603: A view of vast portions of eastern Pennsylvania as well as parts of New Jersey and New York . A paved drive, 1.4 miles (2.3 km) in length, around the summit provides visitors with a view in all directions. Visitors can see the Delaware Water Gap from this location. The park, except for Camelback Mountain Resort , closes for the winter seven days following the end of deer season in December and reopens as conditions permit in

SECTION 10

#1732872655001

552-411: Is January which correlates with the average coldest month of the year. Ice storms and large snowstorms depositing ≥ 12 inches (30 cm) of snow occur nearly every year, particularly during nor’easters from December through March. According to the A. W. Kuchler U.S. potential natural vegetation types, Big Pocono State Park would have a dominant vegetation type of Northern Hardwood ( 106 ) with

598-657: Is a "Farm Park"; and Big Spring is a "State Forest Picnic Area". Seven parks are undeveloped with no facilities: Allegheny Islands , Benjamin Rush , Bucktail , Erie Bluffs , Prompton , Swatara , and Varden ; the last four of these are in the process of being developed. Five state parks are small picnic areas: Laurel Summit , Patterson , Prouty Place , Sand Bridge , and Upper Pine Bottom . Five state parks have major U.S. Army Corps of Engineers dams and/or lakes: Bald Eagle , Beltzville , Elk , Kettle Creek , and Sinnemahoning . Three former parks now belong, at least partly, to

644-495: Is defined as the dry-bulb temperature which would feel the same if the water vapor pressure were 1.6  kPa . Quoting Steadman, "Thus, for instance, an apparent temperature of 24 °C (75 °F) refers to the same level of sultriness, and the same clothing requirements, as a dry-bulb temperature of 24 °C (75 °F) with a vapor pressure of 1.6 kPa." This vapor pressure corresponds for example to an air temperature of 29 °C (84 °F) and relative humidity of 40% in

690-519: Is from the U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration . The columns begin at 80 °F (27 °C), but there is also a heat index effect at 79 °F (26 °C) and similar temperatures when there is high humidity. For example, if the air temperature is 96 °F (36 °C) and the relative humidity is 65%, the heat index is 121 °F (49 °C) Exposure to full sunshine can increase heat index values by up to 8 °C (14 °F). There are many formulas devised to approximate

736-1375: Is now Cherry Springs , "Codorus Creek" is now Codorus , "Kooser Lake" is now Kooser , "Laurel Hill Summit" is now Laurel Summit , and "Promised Land Lake" is now Promised Land ). Such minor name changes are not included in this table. The following eighteen were once Pennsylvania state parks, but have been transferred to federal ( National Park Service , U.S. Army Corps of Engineers ) or state ( Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission , Pennsylvania Game Commission , Pennsylvania Bureau of Forestry ) agencies, or ceased to exist. The following are significantly different former or alternate names for two former Pennsylvania state parks. One former park dropped one word from its name ("Colerain Forge" became "Colerain" sometime between 1924 and 1937). Such minor name changes are not included in this table. Heat index The human body normally cools itself by evaporation of sweat . High relative humidity reduces evaporation and cooling, increasing discomfort and potential heat stress . Different individuals perceive heat differently due to body shape, metabolism, level of hydration, pregnancy , or other physical conditions. Measurement of perceived temperature has been based on reports of how hot subjects feel under controlled conditions of temperature and humidity. Besides

782-1109: Is operated on the grounds of Camelback, and this can be seen from Big Pocono. Hunting is permitted in designated areas of the park during hunting seasons. The following state parks are within 30 miles (48 km) of Big Pocono State Park: According to the Trewartha climate classification system, Big Pocono State Park has a Temperate Continental climate ( Dc ) with warm summers ( b ), cold winters ( o ) and year-around precipitation ( Dcbo ). Dcbo climates are characterized by at least one month having an average mean temperature ≤ 32.0 °F (0.0 °C), four to seven months with an average mean temperature ≥ 50.0 °F (10.0 °C), all months with an average mean temperature < 72.0 °F (22.2 °C) and no significant precipitation difference between seasons. Although most summer days are comfortably humid in Big Pocono State Park, episodes of heat and high humidity can occur with heat index values > 93 °F (34 °C). Since 1981,

828-480: Is paramount only to the great views one can obtain by going to the different observation points provided by both DCNR and the Camelback Ski Corporation. Big Pocono State Park offers a hiking trail system that consists of 7 miles (11 km) of interconnecting trails. The trails are of varying terrain and grade, and park officials caution inexperienced hikers to inquire at the park office before attempting

874-405: Is sunshine; standing in direct sunlight can add up to 15 °F (8.3 °C) to the apparent heat compared to shade. There have been attempts to create a universal apparent temperature , such as the wet-bulb globe temperature , "relative outdoor temperature", "feels like", or the proprietary " RealFeel ". Outdoors in open conditions, as the relative humidity increases, first haze and ultimately

920-3381: Is this: H I = c 1 + c 2 T + c 3 R + c 4 T R + c 5 T 2 + c 6 R 2 + c 7 T 2 R + c 8 T R 2 + c 9 T 2 R 2 + + c 10 T 3 + c 11 R 3 + c 12 T 3 R + c 13 T R 3 + c 14 T 3 R 2 + c 15 T 2 R 3 + c 16 T 3 R 3 {\displaystyle {\begin{aligned}\mathrm {HI} &=c_{1}+c_{2}T+c_{3}R+c_{4}TR+c_{5}T^{2}+c_{6}R^{2}+c_{7}T^{2}R+c_{8}TR^{2}+c_{9}T^{2}R^{2}+\\&\quad {}+c_{10}T^{3}+c_{11}R^{3}+c_{12}T^{3}R+c_{13}TR^{3}+c_{14}T^{3}R^{2}+c_{15}T^{2}R^{3}+c_{16}T^{3}R^{3}\end{aligned}}} where c 1 = 16.923 , c 2 = 0.185 212 , c 3 = 5.379 41 , c 4 = − 0.100 254 , c 5 = 9.416 95 × 10 − 3 , c 6 = 7.288 98 × 10 − 3 , c 7 = 3.453 72 × 10 − 4 , c 8 = − 8.149 71 × 10 − 4 , c 9 = 1.021 02 × 10 − 5 , c 10 = − 3.8646 × 10 − 5 , c 11 = 2.915 83 × 10 − 5 , c 12 = 1.427 21 × 10 − 6 , c 13 = 1.974 83 × 10 − 7 , c 14 = − 2.184 29 × 10 − 8 , c 15 = 8.432 96 × 10 − 10 , c 16 = − 4.819 75 × 10 − 11 . {\displaystyle {\begin{aligned}c_{1}&=16.923,&c_{2}&=0.185\,212,&c_{3}&=5.379\,41,&c_{4}&=-0.100\,254,\\c_{5}&=9.416\,95\times 10^{-3},&c_{6}&=7.288\,98\times 10^{-3},&c_{7}&=3.453\,72\times 10^{-4},&c_{8}&=-8.149\,71\times 10^{-4},\\c_{9}&=1.021\,02\times 10^{-5},&c_{10}&=-3.8646\times 10^{-5},&c_{11}&=2.915\,83\times 10^{-5},&c_{12}&=1.427\,21\times 10^{-6},\\c_{13}&=1.974\,83\times 10^{-7},&c_{14}&=-2.184\,29\times 10^{-8},&c_{15}&=8.432\,96\times 10^{-10},&c_{16}&=-4.819\,75\times 10^{-11}.\end{aligned}}} For example, using this last formula, with temperature 90 °F (32 °C) and relative humidity (RH) of 85%,

966-1429: Is within ±3 °F (1.7 °C) of the NWS master table for all humidities from 0 to 80% and all temperatures between 70 and 115 °F (21–46 °C) and all heat indices below 150 °F (66 °C) is: c 1 = 0.363 445 176 , c 2 = 0.988 622 465 , c 3 = 4.777 114 035 , c 4 = − 0.114 037 667 , c 5 = − 8.502 08 × 10 − 4 , c 6 = − 2.071 6198 × 10 − 2 , c 7 = 6.876 78 × 10 − 4 , c 8 = 2.749 54 × 10 − 4 , c 9 = 0. {\displaystyle {\begin{aligned}c_{1}&=0.363\,445\,176,&c_{2}&=0.988\,622\,465,&c_{3}&=4.777\,114\,035,\\c_{4}&=-0.114\,037\,667,&c_{5}&=-8.502\,08\times 10^{-4},&c_{6}&=-2.071\,6198\times 10^{-2},\\c_{7}&=6.876\,78\times 10^{-4},&c_{8}&=2.749\,54\times 10^{-4},&c_{9}&=0.\end{aligned}}} A further alternate

SECTION 20

#1732872655001

1012-452: The dew point was 35 °C (95 °F) while the temperature was 42 °C (108 °F), resulting in a heat index of 81 °C (178 °F). On August 28, 2024, a weather station in southern Iran recorded a heat index of 82.2 °C (180.0 °F), which will be a new record if confirmed. The human body requires evaporative cooling to prevent overheating. Wet-bulb temperature and Wet Bulb Globe Temperature are used to determine

1058-578: The 1930s, some mere camping and picnic areas in state forests, while others preserved unique sites. The 1930s saw a great expansion of parks and their facilities under Governor Gifford Pinchot , who cooperated with President Franklin Roosevelt , despite their being of different political parties. The Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) established 113 CCC camps in Pennsylvania (second only to California). Using CCC and Works Progress Administration (WPA) labor,

1104-652: The DCNR, the state parks in Pennsylvania are on more than 300,000 acres (120,000 ha) with some 606 full-time and more than 1,600 part-time employees serving approximately 36 million visitors each year. Admission to all Pennsylvania state parks is free, although there are fees charged for use of cabins, marinas, etc. Pennsylvania's state parks offer "over 7,000 family campsites, 286 cabins, nearly 30,000 picnic tables, 56 major recreational lakes, 10 marinas, 61 beaches for swimming, 17 swimming pools" and over 1,000 miles (1,600 km) of trails. Pennsylvania's first state park

1150-492: The NPS built five Recreation Demonstration Areas , which became Pennsylvania state parks in 1945 and 1946: Blue Knob , French Creek , Hickory Run , Laurel Hill , and Raccoon Creek . The CCC also "fought forest fires, planted trees, built roads, buildings, picnic areas, swimming areas, campgrounds and created many state parks". In 1956, there were forty-four state parks in Pennsylvania, mostly in rural areas. Forty-five parks had been added by 1979, mostly near urban areas, and

1196-422: The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. Seven parks preserve the industrial past: Canoe Creek is the site of a former lime kiln , and Caledonia , French Creek , Greenwood Furnace , Kings Gap , Mont Alto , and Pine Grove Furnace (plus one former park) are all former iron furnace sites. Eight current parks and one former park contain at least part of eight different National Natural Landmarks . According to

1242-407: The ability of a body to eliminate excess heat. A sustained wet-bulb temperature of about 35 °C (95 °F) can be fatal to healthy people; at this temperature our bodies switch from shedding heat to the environment, to gaining heat from it. Thus a wet bulb temperature of 35 °C (95 °F) is the threshold beyond which the body is no longer able to adequately cool itself. The table below

1288-501: The former state parks were also chiefly historic. In addition to preserving historic sites, Pennsylvania also sought to preserve natural beauty and offer opportunities for recreation in its state parks. In 1902 Mont Alto State Forest Park was the second park established, a year after the state "Bureau of Forestry" was set up to purchase, preserve, and restore Pennsylvania's forests, which had been ravaged by lumbering, charcoal production, and wild fires. Parks were added sporadically until

1334-467: The heat index at higher temperatures. For example, at approximately 27 °C (81 °F), the heat index will agree with the actual temperature if the relative humidity is 45%, but at 43 °C (109 °F), any relative-humidity reading above 18% will make the heat index higher than 43 °C . It has been suggested that the equation described is valid only if the temperature is 27 °C (81 °F) or more. The relative humidity threshold, below which

1380-476: The heat index uses a dew point base of 14 °C (57 °F). Further, the heat index uses heat balance equations which account for many variables other than vapor pressure, which is used exclusively in the humidex calculation. A joint committee formed by the United States and Canada to resolve differences has since been disbanded. The heat index of a given combination of ( dry-bulb ) temperature and humidity

1426-1310: The heat index when the temperature is given in degrees Celsius, where c 1 = − 8.784 694 755 56 , c 2 = 1.611 394 11 , c 3 = 2.338 548 838 89 , c 4 = − 0.146 116 05 , c 5 = − 0.012 308 094 , c 6 = − 0.016 424 827 7778 , c 7 = 2.211 732 × 10 − 3 , c 8 = 7.2546 × 10 − 4 , c 9 = − 3.582 × 10 − 6 . {\textstyle {\begin{aligned}c_{1}&=-8.784\,694\,755\,56,&c_{2}&=1.611\,394\,11,&c_{3}&=2.338\,548\,838\,89,\\c_{4}&=-0.146\,116\,05,&c_{5}&=-0.012\,308\,094,&c_{6}&=-0.016\,424\,827\,7778,\\c_{7}&=2.211\,732\times 10^{-3},&c_{8}&=7.2546\times 10^{-4},&c_{9}&=-3.582\times 10^{-6}.\end{aligned}}} An alternative set of constants for this equation that

Big Pocono State Park - Misplaced Pages Continue

1472-523: The heat index, other measures of apparent temperature include the Canadian humidex , the wet-bulb globe temperature , "relative outdoor temperature", and the proprietary " RealFeel ". The heat index was developed in 1979 by Robert G. Steadman . Like the wind chill index, the heat index contains assumptions about the human body mass and height, clothing, amount of physical activity, individual heat tolerance, sunlight and ultraviolet radiation exposure, and

1518-487: The highest air temperature was 95.8 °F (35.4 °C) on July 22, 2011, and the highest daily average mean dew point was 70.8 °F (21.6 °C) on January 8, 2006. July is the peak month for thunderstorm activity which correlates with the average warmest month of the year. The average wettest month is September which correlates with tropical storm remnants during the peak of the Atlantic hurricane season . Since 1981,

1564-571: The land in 1928, 12 years following the death of Cattell. In 1950, the state leased a portion of the land on the north slope for commercial development. The company was later renamed the Camelback Ski Corporation, and the facility is now a major ski resort . In 1953, the Pennsylvania Department of Forests and Waters (now the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources) acquired 1,306 acres (529 ha) of state game lands, which comprised

1610-469: The land that was purchased by the Game Commission, including the ski area lease, and the area immediately around the summit. Big Pocono State Park opened to the public in 1954, following the construction of facilities and the scenic drive around the summit. The Cattell Cabin served as a park office and a nature museum for many years. Although the museum no longer exists, the stone cabin still stands and

1656-528: The north slope, boasts the largest skiing , snowboarding and snowtubing facility in the Pocono Mountains . The facility has 33 trails, 13 lifts, two terrain parks, detachable quads, a halfpipe , night skiing and 100% snowmaking. The ski area also operates the Cameltop restaurant, which is located near the summit and is open from Memorial Day to Columbus Day . In the summertime, a waterpark named Camelbeach

1702-523: The original tables by Steadman. Anderson et al. (2013), NWS (2011), Jonson and Long (2004), and Schoen (2005) have lesser residuals in this order. The former two are a set of polynomials, but the third one is by a single formula with exponential functions. The formula below approximates the heat index in degrees Fahrenheit, to within ±1.3 °F (0.7 °C). It is the result of a multivariate fit (temperature equal to or greater than 80 °F (27 °C) and relative humidity equal to or greater than 40%) to

1748-466: The result would be: 114.9 °F (46.1 °C). The heat index does not work well with extreme conditions, like supersaturation of air, when the air is more than 100% saturated with water. David Romps, a physicist and climate scientist at the University of California, Berkeley and his graduate student Yi-Chuan Lu, found that the heat index was underestimating the severity of intense heat waves, such as

1794-484: The sea-level psychrometric chart , and in Steadman's table at 40% RH the apparent temperature is equal to the true temperature between 26–31 °C (79–88 °F). At standard atmospheric pressure (101.325 kPa), this baseline also corresponds to a dew point of 14 °C (57 °F) and a mixing ratio of 0.01 (10 g of water vapor per kilogram of dry air). A given value of relative humidity causes larger increases in

1840-425: The spring. The land on which Big Pocono State Park is situated was owned by Henry S. Cattell at the turn of the 20th century. Knowing of the fondness that others in the area shared with him for the view that the summit provided, Cattell constructed a stone cabin there in 1908. For many years the cabin was left unlocked so that anyone who wished to use it as a shelter, could. The Pennsylvania Game Commission purchased

1886-454: The steep and rocky North Trail. In addition to the hiking trails, there is also a horseback riding trail (3 miles (4.8 km)). The trailhead is near the entrance of the park, on the west end. Three picnic areas with a total of 50 tables are situated within the park. The picnic area adjacent to Cattell Cabin has tables in an open setting, and the east and south picnic areas are in a wooded setting. The Camelback Mountain Resort , located on

Big Pocono State Park - Misplaced Pages Continue

1932-434: The system had increased by 130,000 acres (53,000 ha). This was thanks largely to the efforts of Maurice K. Goddard , who served as director of the precursors to the DCNR for twenty-four years under six administrations. The number of visitors to parks more than tripled in this time and two voter approved bond issues (Projects 70 and 500) raised millions of dollars for park expansions and improvements. All this expansion

1978-447: The wettest calendar day was 6.67 inches (169 mm) on September 30, 2010. During the winter months, the plant hardiness zone is 6a with an average annual extreme minimum air temperature of −9.5 °F (−23.1 °C). Since 1981, the coldest air temperature was −20.6 °F (−29.2 °C) on January 21, 1994. Episodes of extreme cold and wind can occur with wind chill values < −22 °F (−30 °C). The average snowiest month

2024-407: The wind speed. Significant deviations from these will result in heat index values which do not accurately reflect the perceived temperature. In Canada , the similar humidex (a Canadian innovation introduced in 1965) is used in place of the heat index. While both the humidex and the heat index are calculated using dew point, the humidex uses a dew point of 7 °C (45 °F) as a base, whereas

2070-685: Was Valley Forge State Park , purchased by the Commonwealth on May 30, 1893, to preserve Valley Forge . It was transferred to the National Park Service (NPS) on the Bicentennial of the United States , July 4, 1976. Many state parks still preserve history: as of 2012, forty-two Pennsylvania state park sites are on the National Register of Historic Places , including two National Historic Landmarks ( Delaware Canal and Point ), twenty-eight Civilian Conservation Corps sites in nineteen parks, and twelve other parks' historic sites and districts. Eight of

2116-748: Was not without costs and by 1988 there was an estimated $ 90 million in deferred maintenance. In 1993, as the park system celebrated its one-hundredth anniversary, new tax and bond revenues were earmarked for the parks. Since 2000, parks are being improved through the state's Growing Greener and Growing Greener II and bond programs. The following are significantly different former or alternate names for nine current Pennsylvania state parks. Note that many parks were originally "State Forest Parks" or were state public camping or picnic areas in Pennsylvania state forests. In modern times, some "State Parks" have become "Environmental Education Centers", while other parks have dropped one word from their name ("Cherry Springs Drive"

#999