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,
Rain Showers for Weekend
Thursday, March 22, 2007NOWCAST - Now that the weekend is almost upon us, so will be the rain. Rain and showers with clearing periods over the weekend and cooler temperatures as well with snow in the mountains. A not so great start to many in Oregon who have next week off for spring break. Temperatures Friday above normal but perhaps cooler than normal over the weekend. Click side panel for latest forecast.
OUTCAST - An interesting tidbit I found on the WSDOT blog website and the photo you see below. It is a snow doughnut as seen on the North Cascades Highway. which looks like a tire someone rolled down a hill doesn't it? But according to Mike Stanford from their WSDOT avalanche team, snow doughnuts are a natural occurrence in nature. "They form when there is
a hard layer in the snow and is then covered by several inches of dense snow. Then you add a steep slope and a trigger, such as a clump of snow falling out of a tree or off of a rock face, and voila you have snow doughnuts."Stanford says he has rarely seen it happen. Snow conditions including temperatures have to be just right. In his 30 years of avalanche forecasting and control technician at WSDOT, this was only the second time he had ever seen them. Snow doughnuts seemingly could grow very big if conditions permitted. The one seen in the photograph is about 24" in diameter.Weather forecasting - I wouldn't bet on it! Read Here.
Global Warming Hell? MSNBC's Tucker, host Tucker Carlson suggested that if global warming is a moral issue then former Vice President Al Gore is a major sinner who is going to global warming hell, because, according to Carlson, Gore won't even join the fight against global warming by reducing his own carbon emissions. What more? Go here.
-- posted by Pat Timm @ 6:25 PM,
Spring Has Sprung, The Grass Has Ris' - I Wonder Where The Birdies Is?
Tuesday, March 20, 2007
NOWCAST - As expected winter held on to the very last moment with hail showers, blustery winds, and snow down to 1500-2,000 feet on the foothills to our east. Temperatures were quite chilly remaining in the 40's most of the day. We will see patchy frost tonight as spring dawns on Wednesday. Spring officially rolled in at 5:07 this evening. The weather the rest of the week looks like some sunshine, some clouds, and some rain as we will be close to the jet stream and the wetter half of the weather. Temperatures will be cool Wednesday, above seasonal normals on Thursday and cooler on Friday. Click side panel for latest forecast.OUTCAST - And the beat goes on. I can't help but mention the travels of Bill Bradbury, Oregon's Secretary of State and his pitch for global warming. He has been traveling around the state with his DVD of The Inconvenient Truth and making claims of gloom and doom. In a recent town hall meeting in Tillamook the other day, he told residents that in the future, unless global warming is stopped now, their city will be under water as the oceans rise some 26 feet.
Even the tattered IPCC report suggest rises of 12-20 inches not exaggerated amounts claimed by Gore and company. He also mentioned that with the rising ocean, Portland will have water lapping at curbs clear up to SW 5th Street. I wonder where he gets this information? Who makes these predictions? Experts now have a difficult time just trying to get a weather forecast right five days out much less some 25-50 years from now. Gads! The Secretary of State completed a rigorous training program led by Al Gore to spread the message about the threat of, and solutions to, global warming. A select group of 1,000 global warming warriors took part in an intensive tutorial about issues surrounding global warming. It is one thing to help discuss and spread the word on how to be better stewards of our planet and such, but to carry a one-side film around with scare tactics is another thing. Consider the source.Frisbee size snowflakes? I remember this past winter one day when snowflakes the size of
silver dollars were falling, it was so neat to watch. This generally occurs when they tend to melt in warmer air aloft and stick together creating this illusion of enormous flakes. Interesting article to read here.Record snows in Juneau - With 192.4 inches of snow, the Winter of 2006 is now only 1.9 inches behind the record 194.3 in 1964. They have set daily and monthly records recently in the snowfall department and still have a few days left this month to break the record. A few of those large snowflakes would do it in a hurry, eh?
S. Fred Singer, an atmospheric physicist, is professor emeritus of environmental sciences at the University of Virginia, adjunct scholar at the National Center for Policy Analysis, and former director of the U.S. Weather Satellite Service. Read his latest thoughts here.
-- posted by Pat Timm @ 7:59 PM,
The Weekend is Upon Us! Happy St. Patrick's Day on Saturday
Friday, March 16, 2007
NOWCAST - Nice day today but clouds and a chance of rain looms ever so close to us over the weekend. Temperatures above seasonal normals. Next week still looks unsettled according to latest computer models. Click side panel for latest forecast.
Here is the latest in their own words from NOAA concerning the past winter weather in the United States and globally:
The December 2006-February 2007 winter season temperature was marked by periods of unusually warm and cold conditions in the U.S., but the overall seasonal temperature was near average, according to scientists at NOAA's National Climatic Data Center in Asheville, N.C. The global temperature was the warmest on record for the December-February three-month period.
U.S. Temperature Highlights
The winter temperature for the contiguous United States (based on preliminary data) was 0.6°F (0.3°C) above the 20th century average of 33.0°F (0.6°C). The winter season got off to a late start in much of the country. December was the 11th warmest such month on record and spring-like temperatures covered much of the eastern half of the nation during the first half of January. Upper level wind patterns brought unusually cold weather to the southern Plains and much of the West in January and snow and ice extended as far south as Arizona, southern California, and south Texas. More typical winter conditions finally arrived in the eastern U.S. by late January and a period of colder than normal temperatures persisted through Presidents Day weekend.
February as a whole was 1.8°F (0.9°C) below the 20th century average of 34.7°F (1.5°C), colder than two-thirds of the February's in the 113-year record for the contiguous U.S. Thirty-six states in the eastern two-thirds of the nation were cooler than average, while Texas and the eleven states of the West were near average to warmer than average.
Global Highlights
The global land and ocean surface temperature was the 6th warmest on record in February, but a record warm January helped push the boreal winter (December-February) to its highest value since records began in 1880 (1.30°F/0.72°C above the 20th century mean). The presence of El Niño conditions contributed to the season's record warmth, but the episode rapidly weakened in February as ocean temperatures in the central equatorial Pacific cooled more than 0.5°F/0.3°C and were near average for the month.
Separately, the global December-February land-surface temperature was the warmest on record while the ocean-surface temperature tied for second warmest in the 128-year period of record, approximately 0.1°F (0.06°C) cooler than the record established during the very strong El Niño episode of 1997-1998.
For the complete report, see NOAA.
For the detailed winter report December-February for the US with graphs and charts, click HERE.
Here is NOAA's latest Spring Temperature Outlook for April through June for the US. (Graphic courtesy of NOAA)
And of course we can't do without then precipitation outlook as well for the same period. It doesn't forebode good news for southern California already suffering from the driest winter on record. (Graphic courtesy of NOAA)
Solutions to Global Climate Change? Read this.
Andrew Marshall, a 19 year old political science student at Simon Fraser University, Vancouver, British Columbia (BC) writes his view on global climate change. Read his paper here.
-- posted by Pat Timm @ 1:04 AM,
Stubborn Clouds May Thwart Weekend Weather Forecast
Thursday, March 15, 2007
NOWCAST - Clark County was on the edge of a stream of moisture ladened clouds that kept the rest of the state west of the mountains wet and cold. Temperatures remained in the 40's all day north of the area. Our expected 60 degree weather was hampered by these clouds. None the less the flowering trees were magnificent even under the cloudy skies! Friday looks sunnier and warmer. The weekend forecast remains iffy now as computer models keep the storm track very close to us, so partly to mostly cloudy with a chance of rain over the weekend. And all of next week looks wet according to latest models. But then again yesterday they had fair weather over us through next Tuesday so as always, stay tuned and click side panel for latest up to date forecast!
OUTCAST - Although the month of February was the 34th coldest out of the last 113 years for the United States as a whole, for Washington State it was warmer than average. The average temperature in
February 2007 was 37.2 F. This was 2.5 F warmer than the 1901-2000 (20th century) average, the 28th warmest February in 113 years. The temperature trend for the period of record (1895 to present) is 0.2 degrees Fahrenheit per decade. 4.02 inches of precipitation fell in February. This was -0.15 inches less than the 1901-2000 average, the 57th driest such month on record. The precipitation trend for the period of record (1895 to present) is -0.05 inches per decade.
For Oregon, the average temperature in February 2007 was 37.8 F. This was 2.0 F warmer than the 1901-2000 (20th century) average, the 33rd warmest February in 113 years. The temperature trend for the period of record (1895 to present) is 0.2 degrees Fahrenheit per decade. 2.93 inches of precipitation fell in February. This was -0.27 inches less than the 1901-2000 average, the 51st driest such month on record. The precipitation trend for the period of record (1895 to present) is -0.07 inches per decade.
The following is a new release from the Washington State Climatologist Office web site concerning clarifications of previously published Cascade snowpack declines.
Discussions on Recent Pacific Northwest Snowpack Trends
On February 24, 2007, The Oregonian reported on a debate between researchers at the University of Washington on recent trends in 20th century snowpack in the Washington Cascades. The issue originated with the publication of an op-ed written by the Mayor of Seattle on February 7 stating that “The average snowpack in the Cascades has declined 50 percent since 1950…”. In question was the 50% statistic for the Cascades and the implication that the reported decline was due entirely to anthropogenic (human-caused) climate change; the 50% figure had appeared, erroneously, in the June 2004 report "Scientific Consensus Statement on the Likely Impacts of Climate Change on the Pacific Northwest" (Oregon State University). Mark Albright, of UW Atmospheric Sciences, noted that at the most complete snow courses (a small subset of the total) for the Cascades, the last 10 years were only a little below the long-term average.
To help resolve questions over the statement, a group of University of Washington climate and weather scientists met to review the different statistical approaches used to examine trends in spring snowpack, also referred to as snow water equivalent or SWE. Professor Dennis Hartmann, the Chairman of the Department of Atmospheric Sciences, was asked to prepare a summary statement on the issue. The statement reiterated many of the Climate Impacts Group's (CIG) research findings on trends in SWE and added additional important insights into recent trends.
In summary:
-
20th century snowpack trends.
CIG research shows that Pacific Northwest SWE has declined since monitoring became widespread in the late 1940s, with 30-60% losses at many *individual* monitoring sites in the Cascades ( Mote 2003, Mote et al. 2005). When looking at the period 1950-1997, the overall observed decline in April 1 SWE for the Cascades is -29% (Mote et al. 2005). Relative losses are greatest in lower and mid-elevations where mid-winter temperatures are warmer; higher elevation sites where average mid-winter temperatures are still well below freezing (even with 20th century warming) don't show any declines in SWE. See the plots yourself.An examination of SWE trends for more recent years (e.g., beginning about 1975 or later) appears to show a small increase in SWE for the Cascades, consistent with Albright's finding about the average of the last 10 years, though SWE in the last five to seven years has been at least 20% below the long-term mean. This leveling of the trend appears to be associated with increased precipitation in the late 1990s, especially the near-record wet winter of 1998-99, and appears to have temporarily offset the persistent declines produced at low elevations by warming. Trends over intervals as short as 30 years are rarely significant, given the shorter time frame and the higher precipitation and snowpack variability experienced in the PNW since the mid-1970s. In other words, the apparent leveling of trends appears to be the result of large natural variability in precipitation masking the declines driven by temperature.
-
Data availability.
Data availability is a limiting factor in long-term SWE trends analysis. Prior to the mid-1940s, there were very few snowpack monitoring sites with continuous data sets and those that had continuous data sets tended to be located at high altitudes known to be less sensitive to warming trends. These factors make it difficult to assess SWE trends before the 1940s with high statistical certainty, and results are not consistent with more complete analyses for later periods because of the high elevation bias in the available data. By mid-century, the availability of data and distribution of snowpack monitoring stations is much improved, allowing for a more robust analysis of SWE trends. “A substantial collection of snow course data records with a reasonably representative and stable distribution with altitude exists since about 1945,” notes Prof. Hartmann. The role of natural variability.
Natural variability has played - and will continue to play - an important role in determining year-to-year and decade-to-decade variability in SWE. Mote 2006 found that natural variability as represented by the North Pacific Index (NPI) explains about 50% of the trends in Pacific Northwest SWE since mid-century (and less from earlier starting points). The remaining portion of the trend “clearly includes the influence of the monotonic warming observed throughout the West, which is largely unrelated to Pacific climate variability and may well represent human influence on climate” (p.6219). Natural variability has also played a role in 20th century Pacific Northwest temperature trends, explaining perhaps one-third of November-March warming in the region since 1920 (Mote et al. 2005, p.47).As noted above, natural variability will continue to be a factor in 21st century snowpack accumulation. The Pacific Northwest will have good snowpack years in the coming decades as well as poor snowpack years even as the long-term temperature trends continue. This natural variability can hide long-term trends over short periods of time. Additionally, the potential for increases in precipitation as a result of climate change may make it difficult to see distinct trends in the near-term.
-
Future impacts.
The warming projected for the 21st century is expected to have a significant negative impact on snowpack, particularly mid-elevation snowpack, even if increased precipitation from natural variability and/or climate change is enough to "hold off" the impacts of warmer temperatures on snowpack in the near term. Changes in 21st century precipitation are less certain than temperature, however. Given that approximately 50% of the snowpack in the Cascades sits below 4200 feet, where spring snowpack is very sensitive to small increases in average temperature, preparing for climate change impacts is critical.
-- posted by Pat Timm @ 6:59 PM,
Not Much to Write Home About
Wednesday, March 14, 2007NOWCAST - All quiet on the western front so to speak as a quasi-fair weather pattern will remain entrenched for the next four or five days. There is a slight chance of showers Saturday but I think it will be dry locally. Temperatures with sunshine will reside in the 60's and perhaps close to 70 degrees on Friday. Not bad at all compared to other parts of the country where winter is still hanging on. Click side panel for latest weather forecast.
OUTCAST - The global warming issue has gone to such extremes, it is difficult to have a rational dialog with those that are such staunch believers. For one, I will not expend my energy and resources in useless debates. I am tired of irrationalities and abusive threats because of differing opinions. Those scientists that speak contrary to the established belief of man cause global warming get put a side, threatened, or get their funding cut off as a result and I know that for a fact. Let those that want to run in the streets and shout alarming dissertations not based entirely on fact or with a closed mind to look at the climate past and realize who is really in charge of the universe have their field day. Just wait five or ten years and see what they are saying then. We have been through this before and the content may have changed but the push is the same. At least one main stream media , ABC News, included an article with both sides of the issue with a debate between Phillip Stott and Gavin Schmidt.
Weather will run its course regardless of what man does and continue to compile climatic records as it has done over a thousand centuries. What is normal? Just a collection of extremes.
One last thing. I will refer you to two web sites for additional information on climate change where you most likely will find two sides of a story. One, Real Climate.org is run by a group of scientists with vastly accredited degrees (most are in research or university work and are subject to grant monies) and the other ClimatePolice.com by Mr. Joseph Conklin who holds a meteorology degree from Rutgers University and an interdisciplinary degree from Monmouth University. Mr. Conklin is not affiliated with any political party and has no relationship with any energy company and promotes the use of renewal energy to help reduce our dependence on fossil fuels.
Enough said so it is time to get back to weather and the lighter side of other issues.
OFF TOPIC - Several countries are considering the elimination of regular incandescent light bulbs and switching to the Compact Florescent Light (CFL) bulbs. The US is considering phasing out the old technology over the next ten years. These CFL bulbs have been around for a number of years and here in the US have not really taken off because of a number of factors. Number one is their price. Utility companies have offered discount coupons and special sales with retailers to promote these bulbs. My own experience with these bulbs is as follows.
1. They are expensive up front and according to claims will be less expensive over the lifetime of the bulb which is 5 years or so to make it more cost effective. However, if you turn the bulb on and off frequently it can reduce the life of the bulb quite a bit. I don't care what they say, I have experienced this.
2. The color output of the current bulbs give me a headache and bothers my eyesight. It is also a colder brightness than incandescent bulbs.
3. Most typical CFL bulbs cannot be placed on dimmer switches. You must purchase those that are labeled to do so which at this time are difficult to obtain and pricey.
4. Some CFL bulbs will not fit in some appliances and fixtures and some CFL bulbs do not recommend placing in outside weather exposed locations such as porch lights or flood lights.
5. They need to be disposed of safely (mercury concerns) .
6. Seems like they break more easily especially those coiled ones and it is a mess to clean up.
7. No really recommended for bathrooms due to high humidity.
8. They have slow warm up time to reach full brightness if you need a quick bright light, forget it.
For some FAQ click HERE.
Overall, it is a great idea and let's move on with it but I do believe more development needs to be done, better labeling, lower prices, and a wider variety of bulbs are needed before a massive campaign is made to install these everywhere. I think we can do better than current offerings. They work great where lights are on for longer periods but again my experience shows often on off as in entering and exiting a room shortens their life expectancy greatly.
For more information go to the government's web site HERE.
-- posted by Pat Timm @ 7:53 PM,
Vernal Equinox Just a Week Away
Tuesday, March 13, 2007
On March 20, 2007, at precisely 5:07 P.M. PDT (March 21, 00:07 Universal Time), the Sun will cross directly over the Earth's equator. This is known as the vernal equinox in the Northern Hemisphere. For the Southern Hemisphere, this is the autumnal equinox. You may notice that many calendars have March 21 as the first day of spring. Actually that is partially correct. It will be the FIRST full day of spring but the vernal equinox occurred the day before.
NOWCAST - High pressure will weakly hold for the next 24-36 hours and then build allowing warmer weather and fair skies the latter half of the week. Only a slight chance of showers today and Wednesday. If any fall, they will be on the light side. Highs back in the 60's later this week. all in all, not too bad folks! Click side panel for local forecast.
OUTCAST - Earth Day is next week on March 20 which coincides with the vernal equinox. This will be the 37th year that it is celebrated since its beginning in 1970. Click link to read more about it.
NOAA Weather Radio - REMEMBER NOAA WEATHER RADIO WHEN SPRINGING FORWARD
It is the Season to Complete Severe Weather Preparedness Plans. NOAA recommends that this is a great time to change the batteries in your weather radio along with your smoke detectors. If you do not have a weather radio, it is a good time to get one. They can be found for about 20-80 dollars and are used for national emergencies as well. It could save your life and property in case of a severe weather event. (Photo courtesy of NOAA)
Humming news - One Clark County reader informed me today that she hung out her humming bird feeders today and already had her first hummer. She says that it is really early for these little birds. If you have any other signs of early spring, drop me a note!
-- posted by Pat Timm @ 11:39 AM,
Rainy Days and Mondays
Monday, March 12, 2007NOWCAST - The expected heavy rains did not develop over the weekend locally but sure did in northern Washington and along the coast. We did enjoy very mild temperatures over the weekend with highs around 70d degrees. This coming week looks a bit cloudy Tuesday and Wednesday then fair weather the rest of the week with balmy temperatures in the 60's and maybe 70 again. All in all, a quiet weather week. Enjoy. Click side panel for latest forecasts.
OUTCAST - If you haven't watched the new documentary yet, The Great Global Warming Swindle, make a point to do so by clicking on the title and you can view it via Google.
Unlike Gores film, The Inconvenient Truth, where he mainly lectures with a PowerPoint presentation and shows graphs and data, this film is base almost entirely with interviews of well recognized experts. Climatologists, oceanographers, meteorologists, and other scientists present their views on just what is going on with the planet. The film also explains how the political aspect of global warming began in 1984. It also gives a hint to the incompleteness of the IPCC report on global warming.
I would highly suggest to those of you that want perhaps to know just what is going on from both sides of the argument to watch Gores film and then watch this other documentary. Then compare what you have just viewed and decide for yourself why the global warming debate is such a hot potato.
I am currently working on a short thesis of sorts with my thoughts on global warming and will post that soon on my blog. I have said for years that global climate change goes in cycles due to natural causes. I still believe that from every scientific fact that I have come across.
In the new documentary the scientists give good explanations about the CO2 issue and imply that the sun is the main culprit in our climate change cycles. They also show that man causes a very minute amount of CO2 gases compared with oceans, volcanoes, forests, plants and animals. Referring to Gores film they state that he was correct with the deposits of CO2 in ice core samples but what he did not say is that the high amounts of CO2 occurred decades after a warming period, not before. And the melting glacier ice used as an example in his film in Greenland have stopped flowing into the sea and was actually building up ice once again in 2006.
And not having examined every aspect of the new films statement, I am sure there is some exaggerations or omissions in information as would be the case in most documentaries that I have watched before. One must be careful not to overstate the facts. There is some middle ground to stand on and perhaps as things get sorted out, we will be standing upon it. Politics just needs to take a back seat.
Down Under - Appears Australians want to help save the planet but then again, there are priorities!
Gloom and Doom- The IPCC report which by the way is still undergoing review implies some pretty serious stuff to ponder. Extreme alarmism in my humble opinion. A few go like this:
Hundreds of millions of Africans and tens of millions of Latin Americans who now have water will be short of it in less than 20 years. By 2050, more than 1 billion people in Asia could face water shortages. By 2080, water shortages could threaten 1.1 billion to 3.2 billion people, depending on the level of greenhouse gases that cars and industry spew into the air.
Death rates for the world's poor from global warming-related illnesses, such as malnutrition and diarrhea, will rise by 2030. Malaria and dengue fever, as well as illnesses from eating contaminated shellfish, are likely to grow.
Europe's small glaciers will disappear with many of the continent's large glaciers shrinking dramatically by 2050. And half of Europe's plant species could be vulnerable, endangered or extinct by 2100.
By 2080, between 200 million and 600 million people could be hungry because of global warming's effects.
About 100 million people each year could be flooded by 2080 by rising seas.
Smog in U.S. cities will worsen and "ozone-related deaths from climate (will) increase by approximately 4.5 percent for the mid-2050s, compared with 1990s levels," turning a small health risk into a substantial one.
Polar bears in the wild and other animals will be pushed to extinction.
-- posted by Pat Timm @ 3:22 PM,
SPECIAL! Link to New Film
Saturday, March 10, 2007
Here is a link to the film "The Great Global Warming Swindle" Download the Google viewer and watch it! Click Here
-- posted by Pat Timm @ 8:46 PM,
TGIF - And We Have Weather and More!
Friday, March 09, 2007
NOWCAST - The expected rainfall overnight was slightly delayed but we will see some rain today and for that matter all weekend and could be heavy at times especially along the coastline. Heavy mountain snows will occur Sunday night through Tuesday. It will be breezy at times inland with wind gusts to 30 mph and stronger along the coast. For storm watching this weekend, head for the beaches but be careful! Temperatures about seasonal but cooler on Monday. Click the side panel for the latest forecast and extended outlook. Have a great weekend everyone!Political Science? One reader wrote to me with these thoughts -
It seems that the debate(?) over global warming is reaching intense levels lately. Everybody talks about science and scientists. Some say that science should rule what needs to be done. But the problem is whose scientists? What most people are unaware of is that science is largely political. Far from what they want you to believe scientific studies generally find the results that the scientist is looking for. So it doesn't really matter which side of a debate you are on the "science" is suspect. Even when results are ambiguous at best they write a conclusion on it. That's so they can get more funding for their next project. If you don't find something with your study then you aren't as likely to get more funding. And whichever scientists are in charge are the ones who dictate who advances in his/her career and who is pushed down. If you get the "right" results you get more funding. It sometimes takes a whole generation for scientific thinking on a matter to change. The old guard has to retire first. But who am I to have an opinion? I'm not a scientist or politician or an actor."
The following is a press release by the TV station that aired yesterday's documentary, "The Great Global Warming Swindle" -As suggested by the title, this program is essential viewing for politicians, teachers, motorists and the entire transport sector, grass roots environmentalists and all 'True Believers' in man-made climate change will reveal and confirm:
- how the Sun is an overwhelming influence on continuous climate change over decades and centuries
(there is no way for taxation or lifestyle fascism to alter the Sun's eruptivity and irradiance) - how carbon dioxide levels are predominantly an effect and not a cause of climate change
(a very inconvenient truth) - why politicians have been so enthusiastic about embracing the fallacy of human impact on global climate
(Trojan horses aren't a protected species) - what lies behind the green industry
(courtesy of a founder member and former leader of Greenpeace) - how forecasts of warming and its impacts are grossly exaggerated, with stasis and cooling ahead
And therefore
- why the UN IPCC needs urgent fundamental reform - or abolishing completely
(The House of Lords Select Committee on Economic Affairs has already given a similar verdict)
It is confidently anticipated that the environment industry will be apoplectic that such a factually accurate program could be screened in the current socially engineered atmosphere, where disagreement and dissent are described as heresy and denial, where those who prefer data to mythology and so disagree with the politically correct view are vilified, and where influential political and scientific institutions plus sections of the media outrageously seek to stifle debate and impose a counter-science culture by diktat.
ABD Chairman, Brian Gregory, commented:
"Clearly, the C4 program is in fact essential viewing for every man and woman in the country. Its makers are to be congratulated. Following this demolition of man-made global warming theory described by climatologist Dr Timothy Ball as 'the greatest deception in the history of science' we must never again allow science to be politicized and suborned.
We now have an opportunity, an open door, for many of the green myths to be exploded. The transport sector has suffered as a result of many such myths; the truth is now out there."
Do you remember the movie Unchained Goddess back in 1958? I remember watching it in elementary school. Watch this short clip. They were talking about doomsday and global warming way back then.
More Government heading our way - House Democrats determined to make global warming a big issue created a new committee to study it, 'The Select Committee on Energy Independence and Global Warming.' "Global warming may be the greatest challenge of our time, setting at risk our economy, environment and national security," Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., said in a statement, With the new committee, "the House is giving these issues the high visibility they deserve."I tell you folks, soon we will have a global warming administration staffed by thousands of government workers and another bureaucracy if Dems have their way. Another FEMA in the making. Wait and see! Oh, BTW, Oscar Gore is slated to speak at a House energy meeting later this month.
The Washington State Climatologist Office has issued the top ten weather vents in 2006 for our state:
Washington 2006 Top 10 Weather & Climate Events
For additional information and pictures of each of these events, download the slide show
10. November Windstorms (Spokane)
According to the Spokane NWS office, November was the windiest November since 1990. The strongest windstorm that month occurred on the 13th causing widespread damage from fallen trees. Significant wind gusts greater than 60 mph were recorded in several locations, Spokane 59 mph, 62 in Western Whitman County, and 71 in Moscow ID.
9. July Severe Storms E. WABetween July 1-15, 48 short fused warnings were issued which was more than the totals of 2005, 2004, and 2003. The most significant thunderstorms occurred between July 4-6, when a series of thunderstorms rolled through E. WA producing hail greater than 1” in diameter that resulted in considerable agricultural damage, estimated in the millions. There were also several flash floods and mudslides associated with the storms that washed out roads in the Lake Chelan and Methow Valley areas. During the July 5th storm, radar estimated precipitation of 2.5-3 inches in 2 hours was observed.
8. Heat Wave July 21-24During this period in western Washington, temperatures were above 95 in many locations with some areas reaching the triple digits. Record high temperatures were recorded in most areas around central Puget Sound and all time record high minimum temperatures of near 70F were recorded in a few areas. Also, record high temperatures in eastern Washington reached the triple digits in many areas, 112F Priest Rapids Dam, 111F Sunnyside, 102F Spokane.
7. November Snow/Arctic BlastOn November 28, cold air along with the help of the Puget Sound Convergence zone helped to produce snow from Everett south through Tacoma during the evening commute. Throughout the Seattle metro area wide spread traffic jams and delays lasting hours were a result of abandoned cars, numerous accidents, and people stuck in the snow. "Thundersnow" (lightning and snow) was also reported south and east of Seattle and it was reported that two lightning strikes hit separate airplanes flying. Quickly following the snow, cold air behind an arctic front moved south, bringing temperatures down into the low to mid 20's. The cold air kept the high temperatures below freezing and produced record low temperatures around the region in the nights following. Seattle recorded a record low of 18 breaking the previous record of 22 in 1975. Also, Mt. Baker broke its record for the most snow in a storm cycle with 98" over a 5-day period.
6. Heat Wave E. WA May 15-18The development of a strong ridge of high pressure over the Western U.S. brought record high temperatures, up to 26 degrees warmer than normal, of which some records were broken by nearly 10 degrees. The heat wave led to the rapid melting of mountain snow, causing rivers to spill their banks, flooding areas nearby. Salmon Creek around Conconully reached its highest level since 1997.
5. February WindstormOn February 3,4, strong winds battered the Puget Sound region with gusts in excess of 65 mph in some locations causing over 200,000 customers to lose electrical power, the closure of the Hood Canal Bridge and, for the first time in 7 years, the closure of the SR 520 Evergreen Point Floating bridge. Total damage was estimated at $7.5 million.
4. June Thunderstorms in E. WAWith the help of some thunderstorms, Spokane had its 6th wettest June out of 126 years with 3.09 inches, all of which fell in the first 14 days. The most significant storms occurred on the 13th with many reports of hail around 1inch in diameter and heavy rain which created floods and mudslides the washed out a road in the Spokane area. The hail caused over $2.5 million in agricultural damage.
3. January Rain & FloodsJanuary 2006 was one of the warmest and wettest months. Out 112 years, it was the 3rd warmest and 2nd wettest January on record. Storm after storm continued to bring rain to the state from mid December through much of January. Seattle, recorded 27 consecutive days of measurable rain from Dec. 19 thru Jan. 15, making it the second longest streak behind 33 days set in 1953. Other areas had longer streaks, including Olympia which broke its previous record with 35 consecutive days of rain. It was also wet in Eastern Washington where Spokane broke its wettest 30 day period of precipitation with 6.58 inches from Dec. 19th thru January 17th. Governor Gregorie originally declared a state of emergency for 12 counties and later declared all 39 counties federal disasters areas due to widespread flooding and mudslides.
2. November Floods & RainA slow moving pineapple express storm in the beginning of the month brought heavy rains which caused 12 rivers to reach all-time record high flood crests, causing major floods in 11 counties in western Washington. Despite one of the driest summers, the lack of summer rainfall was quickly made up with above normal precipitation statewide. By the end of the month, Seattle (as recorded from Sea-Tac airport), Hoquiam, Stampede Pass recorded all-time record monthly precipitation totals. To put things in perspective, Seattle and Olympia had almost as much rain in the month of November as some of the wettest places on the coast average for November. Seattle also recorded a seasonal high of 18.61" for Autumn (Sept. - Nov.) breaking the old high of 17.08" set in 1955. All the rain caused extensive damage to Mt. Rainier National Park as rivers re-rerouted themselves. Main access roads, along with the Sunshine Point Campground, were washed out and numerous areas of the park received major damage. Widespread flooding prompted the governor to declare 11 counties federal disaster areas.
1. December Windstorm (The Hanukkah Eve Wind Storm of 2006)The strongest windstorm to hit the Northwest since the Inauguration Day storm of 1993. A record pressure gradient of 22.3mb from Portland to Bellingham helped winds reach 60-80 mph along the coast, 40-70 mph for the western Washington Interior, and 70-113 mph in the cascades. Chinook pass recorded the highest wind gust of 113mph. There was widespread damage from downed trees, close to 1.5 million electrical customers lost power forcing electrical companies to bring additional support from states as far as Missouri. Several areas were with out power for over a week. A flash flood in Seattle was also associated with the storm which killed a woman who became trapped in her basement as water rushed into the room and jammed the door shut. A total of 15 fatalities were reported 8 of which were due to carbon monoxide poisoning from generators. The governor declared a state of emergency for 17 counties in western Washington. While western Washington received all of the attention, even eastern Washington was affected by the storm. Gusts greater than 50 mph were observed in many locations including, 56 mph in Spokane, 81 mph southwest of Moses Lake, and 88 near Moscow, ID.
-- posted by Pat Timm @ 8:31 AM,
Spring Rolls, Gore Noodles, DiCaprio Hash on Menu for Today - Isn't Life Grand?
Thursday, March 08, 2007
The global climate change debate continues to heat up as our spring weather continues to cool down. More rain later today and Friday.
NOWCAST - Rain rolls in later today and tonight with showers on Friday including possible hail with brief clearing periods. Unsettle weather continues into the near future. Click on the side panel for the latest forecast!
OUTCAST - The BBC documentary, "The Great Global Warming Swindle" aired today at 1 pm our time on BBC channel four in the UK. I am sure someone will tape this and it will find its way on the internet. As soon as I find out an opportunity to view this, I will pass it along. I watched the trailer and it was very interesting. It will certainly douse the fire on Oscar Gore's film and cool down that controversy. Maybe.
Already public opinion of Oscar Gore is cooling off faster than the ice age as critics expose his false information and his true political colors emerge. A recent poll indicates less than 30 percent of voters would ever consider voting for Oscar Gore for president in 2008. He will continue to spew hot air for some time but he has already reached melt down. Oh and by the way Oscar Gore, quit eating meat as you are contributing to the climate change more than anyone. Read this meaty piece.
On another front, it looks like Leonardo DiCaprio will pick up where Oscar Gore left off and is producing his own version of a global warming film, "The 11th Hour". It is currently in production and will be aired later this year. Leave it to Hollywood to direct this country. I wish actors would stick to their script and stay out of politics. It wrecks their imagine. I already have a list of actors that I will not go and see their films because of their outside activities. It is their choice of course, a free country. To read more go to his web site and click here. Global warming pledge. Seattle mayor Greg Nickels reiterated his pledge to further reduce carbon emissions by 80 percent by 2050. In a paraphrase of President Kennedy, Nickels said, "Ask not what the climate can do for you, but what together we can do to protect our climate."
Here is your chance - Environmental activists and liberal politicians will join forces in Washington DC on March 20 for the first (and I assume many more) "Climate Crisis Action Day" which is billed as a carbon neutral global warming event. It should be a warm feeling for all those involved. Read more here.
Grizzly Bears and climate change- Just when the US government is considering taking these bears off the endangered species list, experts predict they are doomed by man-caused global warming. I can bearly stand this but if you wish to read more, click here.
Humor in politics -
Hillary Clinton was spending the morning at a Junior High school in
After her talk, she offered question time. One little boy puts up his hand,
and the Senator asks him what his name is.
"Kenneth"health
care plan? Second - Why would you run for President after your husband
shamed the office? And third - Whatever happened to all the stuff you and
President Clinton took when you left the White House?"
When they resumed, Hillary said, "Okay, where were we? Oh, that's right,
question time. Who has a question?"
York pointed him out and asked him what his name is.
care plan? Second - Why would you run for President after your husband
shamed the office? Third - Whatever happened to all the stuff you and
President Clinton took when you left the White House? Fourth - Why did the
recess bell go off 20 minutes early? And fifth - What happened to Kenneth?"
-- posted by Pat Timm @ 7:47 AM,
Back to March Showers
Wednesday, March 07, 2007
Looks like we are back in a wet mode for a while but since it is March, we will have some clearing periods with sunshine at times too. Just difficult to time those. The weather will remain unsettled the next few days. Expect a few frog stranglers at times like we had today, boy it was flowing curb to curb at times!
NOWCAST - A few scattered showers remain over the region but skies will settle down early Thursday before the next batch of rain rolls in later on. Rainy and blustery Thursday night and Friday. Then unsettled weather through mid-week with mountain snows at times. Kind of, sort of, typical spring-like weather with rain, then showers, then, rain, then showers, okay I'll stop. Could be some thunder and hail early next week as well. There were a few good frog stranglers around Clark County on Wednesday. Since this is frog season, I call any heavy rain squalls frog stranglers. Croak!
OUTCAST - We all know February was for the most part, a drier than normal month or about normal in many areas. March promises to be much wetter especially the next two weeks. More snow to build the snow pack too. If you would like to see the Washington State summary for more rainfall details, Click here.
Warm as toast - If you thought it was warm on Tuesday, you were right on, about 15-20 degrees above average in most locales. Here area few record highs for Tuesday from around the Evergreen state:
RECORD EVENT REPORTNo record high in Vancouver where it was only 65 degrees with a cool east wind blowing. The record for Tuesday in the city was 74 degrees set back in 1905. I recorded 70 degrees up here in Salmon Creek out of the easterly winds.
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE SEATTLE WA
RECORD HIGH TEMPERATURES SET IN WESTERN WASHINGTON YESTERDAY...
LOCATION HI ON MAR 6TH PREV RECORD HI / YEAR
BELLINGHAM AIRPORT 68 64 / 1979
OLYMPIA AIRPORT 70 67 / 2005
SEA-TAC AIRPORT 68 64 / 1984
SEATTLE NWS SANDPOINT 71 62 / 1993
Itsy Bitsy Spider - Apparently the arctic spider that lives in the arctic will feel the effects of global climate change according to experts. The spider can take up to seven years to reach maturity but now can age much faster. For more go here on the web.
New Orleans and global climate change - If the oceans are going to rise like so many dire predictions, why would we want to rebuild a city that is already 6-8 feet below sea level? In 50-75 years it could be undated with 13 feet of water due to rising sea levels. Should US taxpayers fork up billions and billions to save this city where it is located now? What would the liberal politicians say to this? Probably change the data and statistics about global warming. Politics!
The Great Global Warming Swindle-
Remember when Time magazine a few weeks ago said the case was closed about global warming? I think not. Remember those 2,000 members of the IPCC report were not all scientists but politicians and other non-experts as well. Many experts that wrote papers were selected not to have their report in the IPCC report. Why? Well, in this new documentary, 70 scientists come forward and tell the truth about global climate change. I'm sure it will be a must see for everyone as Paul Harvey says, "Now, for the rest of the story!"
Rainfall records? Normally when we talk about record rainfall west of the Cascades, we mean business, usually in inches. I had to chuckle with a report out of Spokane the other day for some record rainfall at a few eastern Washington communities. Ok, here goes:
RECORD EVENT REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE SPOKANE, WA
1232 AM PST SUN MAR 04 2007
RECORD DAILY MAXIMUM RAINFALL SET OR TIED AT EPHRATA, PULLMAN AND OMAK WA
A RECORD RAINFALL OF TRACE OF AN INCH) WAS SET AT EPHRATA YESTERDAY.
THIS BREAKS THE OLD RECORD OF 0 SET IN 2002.
A RECORD RAINFALL OF 0.01 INCH WAS SET AT PULLMAN YESTERDAY.
THIS BREAKS THE OLD RECORD OF TRACE SET IN 2003.
A RECORD RAINFALL OF TRACE OF A INCH WAS SET AT OMAK YESTERDAY. THIS TIES
THE OLD RECORD OF TRACE SET IN 2003.
Not bad getting just a trace of an inch for a record
March daily rainfall. Wow!
-- posted by Pat Timm @ 6:41 PM,
Spring Fever!
Tuesday, March 06, 2007
Sunshine, blue skies and some free time is all you need to get out and enjoy the great outdoors. Monday and Tuesday were nothing short of spectacular region wide. However, rain is back in the forecast later tonight through the end of the week.
NOWCAST - The sunny skies will come to an end later today as a weakening weather system moves inland for more rain.Unsettled weather will remain Thursday and Friday for showers, mountains snows, and cooler temperatures. Monday I had a high of 67 degrees, about 13 degrees above average but hey, we'll take it!
OUTCAST - Boy did you see the moon rise last evening around 8 pm? The moon was a a fiery orange as it rose in the eastern horizon. This was due to the very dry air, dust particles in the atmosphere and warm temperatures. Highs were in the 60's on Monday, can't get much better! Spring fever awaits!
The PatriotPost Last Word -
Oh, perhaps you think it is wise to conserve and recycle. Perhaps you think it is common sense to explore alternative energies. Perhaps you have come to suspect that the climate is changing. That is, after all, what climates do. You might believe all these things and still be a heretic. The demands of the faith are specific and exacting. You must believe that climate change is largely the fault of man specifically, lard bottom Americans driving around for no reason in cars the size of Spanish galleons. You must believe the change will be catastrophic billions will be killed when the jet stream reverses and knocks everyone over, or drowned when a ceaseless series of Katrinas backs up the Mississippi and sends tsunamis across the heartland. You must believe that this disaster can be prevented with fluorescent light bulbs, whirring cars that run on pixy dust, methane traps strapped to the hindquarters of cows, and magic federal dollars that invent new forms of energy by virtue of being congressionally bequeathed. James Lileks
Two new reports cast doubt on the man made global warming theory and instead point to another cause for the recent warming of Earth due to changes in the sun. Read Here.Let's use alien space technology to solve global warming claims one retired Canadian defense minister. Hey, what really happened back in Roswell anyways? Read Here.
Heidi Cullen strikes again on global climate change and is shown in a new documentary film "Everything's Cool"
This is an encore to Oscar Gores film from the far left group. Although they include of course good points about being good stewards of our planet, their facts are out of this world. Heidi and her CO2, whew!
Of course you can change your mind - French Scientist has second thoughts about global warming. Read Here.
How much rain falls? Most weathermen don't have a clue. Read Here.
-- posted by Pat Timm @ 8:41 AM,
The Hanukkah Eve Wind Storm of 2006
Monday, March 05, 2007
NOWCAST - The weekend skies were slow to clear but eventually they did and we had a brief period of fair weather Saturday afternoon and evening and again on Sunday. Temperatures would have reach 60 degrees or better Saturday but too many cloys. Sunday saw a few areas reach 60 degrees, I had 59 degrees here in Salmon Creek. Another nice day today with more clouds and 60 degrees again. The rest of the week looks like we could see some rain at times with cooler temperatures Wednesday as a cold front moves inland and more snow in the mountains. All in all, not a real stormy week.
OUTCAST - The National Weather Service in Seattle finally released the winning name of their contest to name the December 14, 2006 windstorm that hit western Washington. The following are their words:
The mid-December Wind Storm has been named!!
The Hanukkah Eve Wind Storm of 2006
- Hanukkah Eve started at sunset on the 14th and ended at sunset on the 15th, which was the beginning of Hanukkah.
- There were 15 fatalities as a result of the storm. Four were directly involved with the storm, three from fallen trees and one drowning. The other eleven were indirect fatalities after the storm, eight from carbon monoxide poisoning, two electrocutions from downed power lines, and one in a house fire started by a candle used for light.
- The storm blew down thousands of trees, knocked power out to close to 1.5 million customers, damaged hundreds of structures and homes, and injured dozens of people. 275 people were treated in hospitals for carbon monoxide poisoning following the storm.
- The primary purpose of selecting a name for this storm was so residents would more easily remember this storm for years and decades to come, much like other major wind storms such as the Columbus Day Storm of 1962, the Hood Canal Bridge Wind Storm of 1979 and the 1993 Inauguration Day Wind Storm. Remembering these storms helps people better prepare for future storms.
- The Name the Wind Storm contest ran for two weeks:
- 6255 emails were submitted for the contest, close to 20 emails per hour.
- From those 6255 emails, nearly 8000 wind storm name nominations were submitted. There were 5732 unique names!!
- Though the targeted audience for the contest was residents of western
- Nominations were diverse and imaginative, yet many fell into these major categories:
-
- Downed Trees
- Power Outages
- A committee of NWS Seattle staff members and dedicated student volunteers plowed through all the emails -- hours and hours of work.
- The wind storm name Hanukkah Eve Wind Storm of 2006 was chosen since it best met the date of the event and reflected the major impact of the storm.
Hanukkah Eve (Erev Hanukkah) started at sunset on the 14th and continued through sunset on the 15th.
Hanukkah, the Jewish festival of lights, involves the lighting of candles for eight days.
The first candle is lit on Hanukkah Eve, the night before the holiday starts.
Hanukkah is a holiday with broad recognition.
- The winning wind storm name was submitted by 39 people. The winner representing the group was drawn at random from the 39 names. His name was Clyde Hill of Burien, Washington (located just south of
For a good report of the windstorm for Oregon, go to the Oregon Climate Service.
For other details go to my archives for December and scroll down to December 13-15.
Folks in San Diego are trying to find out if global climate change is causing their weather to be weird and unusual. So far, they cannot find a climatologist to tell them exactly why the weather is what it is. Or whether man is causing the sometimes wacky weather in that region. Interesting. Read here.
A Russian scientist says global warming is not man caused but is the result of solar radiation and both Mars and Earth are warming up. Interesting too his report was left out of the IPCC report. Read here.
Al Gore might have won an Oscar for An Inconvenient Truth, but the film is very misleading and he has got the relationship between CO2 and climate change the wrong way round says Martin Durkin, director of a new TV documentary about to air in the UK. The Great Global Warming Swindle is the title of this program which faces off with Oscar Gore's documentary and proves just the opposite with interviews with scientists and climatologists. Boy, this should stir up the House of Lords. I hope we in the US will get a chance to view this. Perhaps those that have cable and the BBC channel will. Stay tuned and to read the UK article, click here.
View from Mukilteo looking west towards the Olympics in last week's snowstorm in Puget sound.
More of the February 28/March 1 snowstorm in the north sound, this is in Everett. For some really great snow photos of the snowstorm, and I mean really good, go to KOMO TV site.
-- posted by Pat Timm @ 2:00 AM,
Global Warming Issue Heats up Fueled by Politics, Commerce, Myths, and Untruths
Thursday, March 01, 2007NOWCAST - Did March roll in as a lion or a lamb? I don't think you could classify it as an angry lion but it could have been a white lamb in some locations with spotty low elevation snowfall overnight. More rain returns late tonight and Friday.
SEVEN DAY TREND - Back to more seasonal weather Friday through Thursday with rain and much warmer temperatures. The weekend could see 60 degree temperatures with some sunshine with only a small chance of rain.
OUTCAST - The Global Warming issue is not a religion and is not to be based on morals as Al Gore rants and raves about. It is a scientific issue and needs to be dealt with accordingly. There is a lot that we do not know about science and long term climate trends. Experts are learning everyday and it should be approached on a very conservative level until more is understood. Not to say that improving our way of living by using less energy and such should be a priority but to initiate harsh laws, taxes, and penalties on the public by our lawmakers is nothing short of raising anarchy. Common sense needs to prevail and events like the five western governors going off and making their own pact is a prime example of not.
Carbon Footprint? Just as I predicted tax authority's are getting close to charging you for the air your breathe now that global warming is the gold standard of todays top issue. Experts say the average American has a footprint of 18 and charging ten dollars for each ton of CO2 you expel through your daily living habits is how one proposed tax may come to pass. If you are a business person and travel and have a large house, overweight, drive big SUV's etc. you could easily have a CF of 400 with equals $4,000 in annual taxes. Don't believe me? They are talking about it folks. And they also want to set the atmosphere thermostat. Read the ridiculous here
What is your energy consumption and utility bill? You probably watch your power consumption and winch when you have to dig deeper and deeper each month to make ends meet. Oscar Gore has been criticized over his large utility bills at his 10,000 square foot mansion pictured here. Read here. He really does live a higher life style that one would think for such an advocate he tries to come across. In all fairness he does pay some higher cost in exchange for "green" energy sources through a energy clearing house Generation Investment that by the way he is chairman and has partial ownership. According to writer James Tarnato , In other words, he "buys" his "carbon offsets" from himself through a transaction designed to boost his own investments and return a profit to himself. To be blunt, Gore doesn't buy "carbon offsets" through Generation Management, he buys stocks." Curious again what Al Gore's utility bills are? Click Here.
The Devil made me do it, click here!
Global Warming, an Inconvenient Lie, click here.
Don't get antsy over it - the other day I passed along a piece about bumble bees, well now it appears ants can adjust to climate change. Click here.
Global Warming Experts- There are several individuals that have a very good handle on global climate change and rebuke a lot of what Oscar Gore has to say with good scientific data. If you would like to study up on this and become more informed on the issue, I have done a Google search on each and all you have to do is click on their name and select items to browse. Fred Singer, William Gray, Pat Michaels, Roy Spencer, Max Mayfield, and Michael Crighton.
OFF TOPIC - What a weird world this is becoming. I purchased a new refrigerator last fall and have noticed it makes a loud knocking noise at times. Not like previous refrigerators when they go through their defrost cycle etc. This is loud! So I called the SEARS repairman who came out today. He said it is the rushing of the new 'freon' flowing back up from the compressor with such force due to the smaller molecular structure from the old freon and causes this rumbling noise. He said ALL brands do this and this is new in the past year or so. This is in turn to reduce global warming he said and to blame Al Gore on this one. Gads! Isn't just about everything blamed on global warming? Anyone else have a new frig that makes a rumbling noise at times?
-- posted by Pat Timm @ 10:40 AM,