Yeah, It Is March Alright
Monday, March 26, 2007NOWCAST - Monday should have been dry all day but that is weather forecasting in the great Northwest. It is not an exact science and March and April are fickle months to accurately forecast those pesky rain showers. It may be somewhat dry later Tuesday and Wednesday before another weather system slips down over us near the end of the week. If we can get some sunshine our highs will be close to normal, otherwise slightly cooler than average. Click side panel for the latest and greatest forecast.
OUTCAST - As we get into the more active spring months weatherwise, sudden storms can cause great peril and d
eaths around the US. Even here in Washington and Oregon we can see flash floods, severe thunderstorms and occasionally, tornadoes. The chart here provided by NOAA gives you an idea where most fatalities come from.There were numerous severe storms around the country over the weekend with tornadoes and wide spread flooding from heavy rains and melting snow. Flood warning and watches were even issued for parts of the Evergreen state.
What is average?
What is the average temperature and precipitation statewide for Washington? Well, if you factor in the variation of annual temperature and precipitation in all regions including mountainous areas as derived by actual records and statistical estimates, you can get a typical result. According to the
From the Washington State Climatologist office - "The world is unquestionably warming - the more difficult question to answer is whether human activity (chiefly the burning of fossil fuels like coal, oil, and natural gas) is responsible. Dozens of scientific studies have demonstrated that the increase in globally averaged temperature since about 1950 cannot be explained as a natural cycle or the result of changes in solar output or cosmic rays or volcanoes, but can be explained as a result of rising greenhouse gases. For detailed answers see realclimate.org. On smaller scales like eastern or western Washington, though, it is not yet possible to show conclusively that the observed warming is a result of human activity, though it is unlikely natural causes can explain all of the observed warming."
"It's a fact weather systems flow from west to east. It's also a fact the United States is a "CO2 suck," that the air approaching from the west has a higher CO2 content than that leaving on the east. How do the greenies explain that? While on the subject of weather, how do we account for the fact that meteorologists cannot accurately forecast what the weather will be two weeks from today but we're supposed to believe that some greenie can forecast without a shadow of doubt what the weather will look like one year or more from now with no change in human activity?" - Royce E. Burrage, Jr.
Other tidbits -
British see active Atlantic hurricane season - Now that El Nino is waning the Brits say the US could see some terrific hurricanes this season. Read here.
Ways to stop global warming? One persons viewpoint. Read Here.Artificial Turf contributes to global warming? Read here.
Gore's suggested policy advances -
- An immediate freeze on CO2 emissions in the U.S., followed by a program of sharp reductions.
- Tax pollution, especially CO2, and make revenue neutral reductions in taxes on employment and production.
- Earmark some of the pollution taxes to help lower-income groups make the transition.
- Get a strong global treaty by 2010. Start by bringing the U.S. into de facto compliance with the Kyoto Treaty, recognizing the shortcomings of Kyoto.
- Enact a moratorium on any new coal fired power plant that is not compatible with carbon sequestration, plus an all out push for developing sequestration
- Develop Electronet, a smart grid for allowing homeowners and small energy producers to sell electricity into the grid without any artificial caps at fair market rates. (Following the committee earlier work on the precursors of the Internet, ARPANET AND DFARPANET.)
- Raise CAFE standards as part of a comprehensive package covering cars, utilities, and buildings.
- Use regulatory power to ban incandescent light bulbs
- Create ConnieMae, a carbon-neutral mortgage association that would provide home buyers with a separate mortgage covering the costs of maximizing the energy efficiency of their homes.
- Require corporations to disclose carbon emissions as a material risk.
OFF TOPIC - It really gets me that as they raise the price of gasoline daily its seems, it is the same gas in the underground tanks that was there the day before purchased at cheaper prices. The same could be said when prices fall however, it always seems to rise faster than it falls. Someone is making some big bucks.
I have seen advertisements to help fight global warming by planting a tree! Especially with Arbor Day approaching, local governments and nurseries are jumping on the bandwagon but using the scare tactic means. Oh,well, it is America.
Insurance companies are a odd bunch. Recently mine paid just fine for some tests but are balking at paying for any treatments. Doesn't make sense. I guess they figure it is nice to know what is bothering you but avoid trying to help you. And the rich get richer.
The Last Mimzy is a good movie. It takes place in Seattle and the family goes on Easter vacation to Whidbey Island where much of the story develops. Since Whidbey is dear to me and I lived there recently for a while, it was interesting to say the least. The only thing is they show the family boarding a ferry out of Seattle heading towards Bainbridge Island not Whidbey. If you liked ET or Close Encounters of the Third Kind, you will enjoy this fantasy flick.
Enjoy your week everyone!
-- posted by Pat Timm @ 6:40 PM,
