A time of toppling records
FROM TODAY'S PRINT EDITIONS:
Just so you know: Since December 2009, Baltimore has endured its snowiest winter (2009-2010) since record-keeping began; second-snowiest December (2009); snowiest February (2010); snowiest month (same); biggest two-day snowstorm (Feb. 5-6, 2010); hottest summer (2010); most 90-degree days (2010); most 100-degree days (2010, a tie with 1988); wettest September (2011); wettest 30-day period (Aug.13-Sept. 11, 2011); and most combined Aug./Sept. rain (2011).
(PHOTO: Catonsville, Feb, 10, 2010. Nicole Martyn, Patuxent Publishing)
Posted by Frank Roylance at 12:07 AM | Permalink
| Comments (5)
Categories: From the Sun's print edition, Sky Notes
Categories: From the Sun's print edition, Sky Notes
Comments
These types of records are exactly what one would expect as a result of global warming. Warmer temperatures not only mean we set record high temperatures, but it means more moisture in the atmosphere, which means more snow and rain.
Posted by: JB_in_Columbia | September 30, 2011 7:04 AM
Sorry, JB, but one year doth not a change make.
Posted by: trebort49 | September 30, 2011 9:44 AM
Except, trebort, it's been 3 years (2009-2011). Sure, in the grand scheme of things, that may be statistically insignificant, but at what point do we recognize a changing trend?
FR REPLIES: The climatologists would say the records set in the last two years are too little to be a trend, but they are "consistent" with climate change predictions. The long-term trends are quite clear, however, in the global records, and even long-term Maryland records. Spend some time playing with this site: http://bsun.md/nJn0Vx
Posted by: Alison | September 30, 2011 10:51 AM
Hey Frank,
I know thunderstorms can really occur at any time of year but I'm curious: when is the average start and end date for such storms? I would think it would be sometime in March and October/November?
Thanks!
Glenn Cucina
FR REPLIES: You're right. Many of us recall the "thundersnow" during the 2009-2010 blizzards in Maryland. But studies in the 1990s using long-distance lightning detectors have found that while thunderstorms in the U.S. can and do occur year-round, they diminish sharply in the cold months, with December averaging 97,000 strikes per month. The storms increase gradually in frequency, with a peak, as you would expect, from June through August, rising to 5.8 million strikes a month, on average, in July.
Posted by: Glenn Cucina | September 30, 2011 3:29 PM
I think there is some truth to the global warming theory.
Posted by: Flavio | October 2, 2011 7:51 PM