Posted on 03/21/2010 7:23:04 AM PDT by JoeProBono
It’s only fair since we sent you the snow to tell you it’s sunny and getting warm here, maybe that will head your way as well.
Take care.
And a side note about links... typically links disappear in a few months, so that anyone who reads a thread can no longer use them, if they are going back to look over material and documentation (on whatever subject) more than a month or so (although some places may keep them for a long time).
The difference about Free Republic is that it’s a resource of “information” in which the material stays on here for years and one can go back and see the documentation, as opposed to links — in which they will never get the “information” once the time has passed by...
Thanks... you may remember that I was saying that I was riding the bicycle in 71 degree weather in Tulsa, on Friday and the snow arrived less than 20 hours later...
Well, I also saw the forecast (even before the snows arrived) that in a couple of days, we’ll be back to 70-degree weather once again... LOL ...
But, it’s nice to know from y’all that it’s actually true and not a weatherman’s fable... :-)
Until recently, global temperatures were more than a degree Fahrenheit warmer when compared to the overall 20th Century mean. From August of 2007 through February of 2008, the Earth’s mean reading dropped to near the 200-year average temperature of 57 degrees. Since that time, the mean reading has been fluctuating.
We, Cliff Harris and Randy Mann, believe that the warming and even the cooling of global temperatures are the result of long-term climatic cycles, solar activity, sea-surface temperature patterns and more. However, Mankind’s activities of the burning of fossil fuels, massive deforestations, the replacing of grassy surfaces with asphalt and concrete, the ‘Urban Heat Island Effect,’ are making conditions ‘worse’ and this will ultimately enhance the Earth’s warming process down the meteorological roadway in the next several decades.
From the late 1940s through the early 1970s, a climate research organization called the Weather Science Foundation of Crystal Lake, Illinois, determined that the planet’s warm, cold, wet and dry periods were the result of alternating short-term and long-term climatic cycles. These researchers and scientists also concluded that the Earth’s ever-changing climate likewise has influenced global and regional economies, human and animal migrations, science, religion and the arts as well as shifting forms of government and strength of leadership.
Much of this data was based upon thousands of hours of research done by Dr. Raymond H. Wheeler and his associates during the 1930s and 1940s at the University of Kansas. Dr. Wheeler was well-known for his discovery of various climate cycles, including his highly-regarded ‘510-Year Drought Clock’ that he detailed at the end of the ‘Dust Bowl’ era in the late 1930s.
During the early 1970s, our planet was in the midst of a colder and drier weather cycle. Inflationary recessions and oil shortages led to rationing and long gas lines at service stations worldwide. The situation at that time was far worse than it is now, at least for the time being.
The Weather Science Foundation also predicted, based on these various climate cycles, that our planet would turn much warmer and wetter by the early 2000s, resulting in general global prosperity. They also said that we would be seeing at this time widespread weather ‘extremes.’ There’s little doubt that most of their early predictions came true.
Our recent decline in the Earth’s temperature may be a combination of both long-term and short-term climate cycles, decreased solar activity and the development of a strong long-lasting La Nina, the current cooler than normal sea-surface temperature event in the south-central Pacific Ocean. Sunspot activity in the past 18 months has decreased to the lowest levels since ‘The Little Ice Age’ ended in the mid-to late 1800s. This "cool spell," though, may only be a brief interruption to the Earth’s overall warming trend. Only time will tell.
Based on these predictions, it appears that much warmer readings may be expected for Planet Earth, especially by the 2030s, that will eventually top 1998's global highest reading of 58.3 degrees. It’s quite possible we could see an average temperature in the low 60s. Until then, this ‘cooling period’ may last from just a few months to as long as several years, especially if sunspot activity remains very low.
We at Harris-Mann Climatology, www.LongRangeWeather.com, believe that our prolonged cycle of wide weather ‘extremes,’ the worst in at least 1,000 years, will continue and perhaps become even more severe, especially by the mid 2010s. We should see more powerful storms, including major hurricanes and increasing deadly tornadoes. There will likewise be widespread flooding, crop-destroying droughts and freezes and violent weather of all types including ice storms, large-sized hail and torrential downpours.
We are already seeing on virtually every continent an almost Biblical weather scenario of increasing droughts and floods. In both the southwestern and southeastern corners of the U.S, there are severe water shortage problems associated with chronic long-term dryness. In some cases, the water deficits are the worst in at least 400 years.
Dr. Wheeler also discovered that approximately every 102 years, a much warmer and drier climatic cycle affects our planet. The last such ‘warm and dry’ peak occurred in 1936, at the end of the infamous ‘Dust Bowl’ period. During that time, extreme heat and dryness, combined with a multitude of problems during the ‘Great Depression,’ made living conditions practically intolerable.
The next ‘warm and dry’ climatic phase is scheduled to arrive in the early 2030s, probably peaking around 2038. It is expected to produce even hotter and drier weather patterns than we saw during the late 1990s and early 2000s.
But, we should remember, that the Earth’s coldest periods have usually followed excessive warmth. Such was the case when our planet moved from the Medieval Warm Period between 900 and 1300 A.D. to the sudden ‘Little Ice Age,’ which peaked in the 17th Century.
By the end of this 21st Century, a big cool down may occur that could ultimately lead to expanding glaciers worldwide, even in the mid-latitudes. We could possibly see even a new Great Ice Age. Based on long-term climatic data, these major ice ages have recurred about every 11,500 years. Well, you guessed it. The last extensive ice age was approximately 11,500 years ago, so we may be due. Again, only time will tell.
I’m off to the range to burn some of those .410 and 28’s I loaded yesterday.
As far as my weather predicting... in New Mexico looking out the window usually beats doppler whatever.
By SHANNON MUCHMORE World Staff Writer
Published: 3/21/2010 10:14 AM
Last Modified: 3/21/2010 10:14 AM
The Tulsa area remains under a winter storm warning until 7 p.m. as a second band of snow is making its way through the region.
The Oklahoma Department of Transportation is discouraging all unnecessary travel. Many roadways froze overnight and accidents continue to occur regularly.
As much as 5 inches of snow fell Saturday - the first day of spring - and another 3 to 5 inches is expected this afternoon.
The National Weather Service says the snow will keep falling across much of eastern Oklahoma and into northwest Arkansas on Sunday, with up to 6 more inches possible. That means some part of the two states will have gotten more than a foot of snow since the storm began Saturday.
Authorities have attributed at least three deaths in Missouri, Kansas and Oklahoma to the weather. The storm also disrupted travel on the roads and in the air.
As far as my weather predicting... in New Mexico looking out the window usually beats doppler whatever.
That's very true, for the immediate weather. But, I'll tell you what I've found out since moving here to Oklahoma (back in the state after a long absence...).
I like to ride the bicycle around (as I did in Oregon) and I've found out that have the Doppler Radar showing on my iPhone is the best way to go, when going out on the bike ride, especially this particular time of the year, Spring into Summer...
What happens is that you've got a perfectly nice day and you go out riding around, and if you don't know what's coming over the horizon and out of your sight, before you know it -- you're riding the bicycle back home again in a thunderstorm with lightning striking all around you.
And I've done that plenty of times, wondering if I was going to get hit, being soaking wet, riding back home, seeing the lightning striking all around me -- thinking the next bolt is going to whap me... on that bike... LOL ...
So, I've taken to watching the Doppler Radar when out riding around on the bike, and then I scoot home real quick when I see a developing thunderstorm showing up in the radar, but it's not visible in the sky... yet... :-)
I've managed to stay out of the way of many lightning bolts that way -- and you know... Tulsa is the "lightning strike capital" of the United States.... hoo-boy!
The Weather Channel lists OKC in the Top 10 of U.S. bad-winter cities.
By SARA PLUMMER World Staff Writer
Published: 3/19/2010 2:23 AM
Last Modified: 3/19/2010 4:58 AM
With nearly 21 inches of snow already recorded this winter season, Oklahoma City was among the Weather Channel's 10 worst winter-weather cities for 2009-10.
Robert Eliot waits on a tow truck after he lost control of his car on U.S. 75 near the 46th Street North exit on March 28, 2009. Tulsa, within reach of a record this year, could see snow Saturday. STEPHEN HOLMAN/Tulsa World file
Oklahoma City, only 100 miles from Tulsa, has had nearly 4 more inches of snow than Tulsa this winter, said Chuck Hodges, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service.
The biggest difference was Oklahoma City's 13.5 inches of snow on Christmas Eve and Christmas compared with the nearly 6 inches Tulsa saw.
The Weather Channel based its rankings on weather conditions and socioeconomic-related variables from Dec. 1 through Feb. 28 compared with averages of 30-year climatological data.
But meteorologists know that despite spring's official start Saturday, snow totals for both cities this season aren't set in stone yet.
National Weather Service meteorologist Kenneth Jackson said, "Some of our biggest snowstorms come in March."
Last year in Tulsa, 10.4 inches of snow fell in March, 6 inches of that in one day. In 1994, more than 14 inches of snow fell in the city in March.
"Every year, we've had something — either a trace (of snow) or a couple inches," Jackson said.
Snow is likely in Oklahoma in early spring because more moisture makes its way north from the Gulf of Mexico while northern cold fronts still come this far south, Jackson said.
And even though it happens every year, snow in March still surprises Oklahomans.
"We warm up to the 50s and 60s (and) you think winter's over," Jackson said. "It can swing from one extreme to another. It's Oklahoma weather."
The temperature extremes will be evident this weekend. Friday's springlike temperatures are expected to give way to thunderstorms and a cold front Saturday with a chance for snow, according to the National Weather Service.
The warm, fast southern winds from the Gulf of Mexico could actually increase the chance of snow because of all the moisture they bring, Jackson said.
After so much snow this winter, it might as well keep coming, he said.
"We might as well break the record if we can," Jackson said of Tulsa's 25.6-inch record, which was set in the winter of 1923-24. "It would have to be like last March."
With Tulsa sitting on 17.1 inches of snow this season, it would take more than 8 inches for that to happen. Official snowfall is measured at Tulsa International Airport.
If snow does accumulate Saturday, don't expect school to be closed Monday, Jackson said. Spring snowfalls rarely stick around.
"It's there, and the next day it's gone," he said.
10 worst winter-weather cities of 2009-10
* tied
Source: The Weather Channel
BY TIM HRENCHIR, KEVIN ELLIOTT
Created March 20, 2010 at 8:47pm
Updated March 21, 2010 at 12:28am
A late winter storm this weekend that ushered in the start of spring dropped more than 5 inches of snow in Topeka by Saturday night, nearly doubling the average snowfall for the month of March.
John Woynick, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Topeka, said additional accumulations were expected Saturday as another wave of snow moved toward the capital city from south-central Kansas.
Snow accumulation at 8 p.m. measured 5.2 inches at Topeka's Phillip Billard Municipal Airport, surpassing the area's 2.8-inch average for the entire month of March, according to the weather service.
Top 5 snowfalls
This weekend’s snow storm raises Topeka’s snowfall total for the 2009-2010 cold weather season to 40.7 inches by 5 p.m. Saturday, moving it from 10th to eighth on the city’s snowiest winters on record.
- 47.9 inches in 1912
- 44.4 inches in 1960
- 43.2 inhes in 1993
- 42.9 inches in 1979
- 42.5 inches in 1915
Source: National Weather Service
As much as 7 inches of snow had fallen by 8 p.m. in parts of Shawnee, Douglas, Jefferson, Wabaunsee, Jackson and Osage counties. The weather service estimated about 4 inches of snow by 8 p.m. Saturday in the Manhattan area and 2 or 3 inches of snow in parts of Geary and Lyon counties.
The weather service estimated an additional 1 to 3 inches were possible by Sunday morning along and southeast of a line from Lawrence to Emporia.
The snowfall attracted sledders to Quinton Heights hill just west of S.W. 24th and Topeka Boulevard, where Vernon Neff and his 7-year-old son, Nate, were among about 25 people taking trips down the hill using sleds or other means.
When asked about the sledding conditions, Vernon Neff said they were "a little windy," while Nate said he thought they were good.
"It doesn't seem to affect them," Vernon Neff said, gesturing toward his son and another child who was nearby.
City spokesman David Bevens said the city had 10 road crews working to clear streets but planned to call it a day at 7 p.m. Saturday. He said someone would be on call overnight if authorities made any requests.
Slick roadways helped precipitate what a Kansas Highway Patrol dispatcher described as "numerous slide-offs" in the Topeka area.
The Kansas Highway Patrol on Saturday morning said slick conditions caused a temporarily closure of Interstate 70 just west of Topeka, near S.W. Valencia Road. Dispatchers said the move was made in an effort to avoid serious problems linked to semi-trailers having trouble climbing ice-packed hills on I-70 in that area. The roadway was reopened at 9:43 a.m.
Injuries from a weather-related crash Saturday morning claimed the life of an Overland Park man when his vehicle struck the back of a tow truck in Johnson County, the patrol said.
Troopers said the man, Courtney Smith, 21, lost control of his 2004 Chevrolet Impala about 4:18 a.m. and struck the rear of a tow truck that was pulling a vehicle out of the median on southbound US-169 highway at 175th Street.
Shawnee County emergency dispatchers said sheriff's deputies responded to 20 accidents between 10 p.m. Friday and 5 p.m. Saturday, including one injury accident. Topeka police responded to 22 accidents, including one injury wreck and three hit-and-runs.
Topeka police at 6 p.m. Saturday remained in its Phase III accident reporting stage, meaning officers respond to injury accidents, hit-and-run crashes and disabling vehicle wrecks. Motorists involved in minor, non-injury accidents are advised to exchange information and file a report when weather improves.
Tim Hrenchir can be reached at (785) 295-1184 or tim.hrenchir@cjonline.com. Kevin Elliott can be reached at (785) 295-1192 or kevin.elliott@cjonline.com.
Now that’s cryptic... :-)
“...typically links disappear in a few months...”
And well they should. Certainly threads like this one have little or no posterior significance. Significant weather info from years past can be googled and retrieved if one needs or desires the info. :)
I just pulled a thread I did ten years ago, and posted the information from it, on a new thread of a few days ago... so I find it very useful, actually... :-)
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