UPDATED: Nearly 71% of the USA is covered in snow, 49 of 50 states have snow on the ground

Watts Up With That? ^ | January 12, 2011 | Anthony Watts

[ReverendJames]

"UPDATED: Nearly 71% of the USA is covered in snow, 49 of 50 57 states have snow on the ground.

There, fixed it.

[verity]

What about the other 7 states? ;-)

[cll]

No snow in the 51st state either. Too bad you can't even catch a flight down as we've had most flights from the east coast cancelled.

Puerto Rico Ping! Please Freepmail me if you want on or off the list.

[Ernest_at_the_Beach]

Meanwhile ....also from WUWT:

NOAA says 2010 tied with 2005 for warmest year in the surface temperature record

*********************************EXCERPTS**************************************

Posted on January 12, 2011 by Anthony Watts

Press release:

NOAA: 2010 Tied For Warmest Year on Record

According to NOAA scientists, 2010 tied with 2005 as the warmest year of the global surface temperature record, beginning in 1880. This was the 34^th consecutive year with global temperatures above the 20^th century average. For the contiguous United States alone, the 2010 average annual temperature was above normal, resulting in the 23^rd warmest year on record.

This preliminary analysis is prepared by scientists at NOAA’s National Climatic Data Center in Asheville, N.C., and is part of the suite of climate services NOAA provides government, business and community leaders so they can make informed decisions.

2010 Global Climate Highlights:

• Combined global land and ocean annual surface temperatures for 2010 tied with 2005 as the warmest such period on record at 1.12 F (0.62 C) above the 20^th century average. The range of confidence (to the 95 percent level) associated with the combined surface temperature is +/- 0.13 F (+/- 0.07 C).*
• The global land surface temperatures for 2010 were the warmest on record at 1.80 F (1.00 C) above the 20^th century average. The range of confidence associated with the land surface temperature is +/- 0.20 F (+/- 0.11 C).
• Global ocean surface temperatures for 2010 tied with 2005 as the third warmest on record, at 0.88 F (0.49 C) above the 20^th century average. The range of confidence associated with the ocean surface temperature is +/- 0.11 F (+/- 0.06 C).
• In 2010 there was a dramatic shift in the El Niño-Southern Oscillation (ENSO), which influences global temperature and precipitation patterns — when a moderate-to-strong El Niño transitioned to La Niña conditions by July. At the end of November, La Niña was moderate-to-strong.
• According to the Global Historical Climatology Network, 2010 was the wettest year on record, in terms of global average precipitation. As with any year, precipitation patterns were highly variable from region to region.
• The 2010 Pacific hurricane season had seven named storms and three hurricanes, the fewest on record since the mid-1960s when scientists started using satellite observations. By contrast, the Atlantic season was extremely active, with 19 named storms and 12 hurricanes. The year tied for third- and second-most storms and hurricanes on record, respectively.
• The Arctic sea ice extent had a record long growing season, with the annual maximum occurring at the latest date, March 31, since records began in 1979. Despite the shorter-than-normal melting season, the Arctic still reached its third smallest annual sea ice minimum on record behind 2007 and 2008. The Antarctic sea ice extent reached its eighth smallest annual maximum extent in March, while in September, the Antarctic sea ice rapidly expanded to its third largest extent on record.
• A negative Arctic Oscillation (AO) in January and February helped usher in very cold Arctic air to much of the Northern Hemisphere. Record cold and major snowstorms with heavy accumulations occurred across much of eastern North America, Europe and Asia. The February AO index reached -4.266, the largest negative anomaly since records began in 1950.
• From mid-June to mid-August, an unusually strong jet stream shifted northward of western Russia while plunging southward into Pakistan. The jet stream remained locked in place for weeks, bringing an unprecedented two-month heat wave to Russia and contributing to devastating floods in Pakistan at the end of July.
• In the contiguous United States, 2010 was the 14^th consecutive year with an annual temperature above the long-term average. Since 1895, the temperature across the nation has increased at an average rate of approximately 0.12 F per decade.
• Precipitation across the contiguous United States in 2010 was 1.02 inches (2.59 cm) above the long-term average. Like temperature, precipitation patterns are influenced by climate processes such as ENSO. A persistent storm track brought prolific summer rain to the northern Plains and upper Midwest. Wisconsin had its wettest summer on record, and many surrounding states had much above-normal precipitation. Since the start of records in the U.S. in 1895, precipitation across the United States is increasing at an average rate of approximately 0.18 inches per decade.
• The year began with extremely cold winter temperatures and snowfall amounts that broke monthly and seasonal records at many U.S. locations. Seasonal snowfall records fell in several cities, including Washington; Baltimore, Md., Philadelphia; Wilmington, Del.; and Atlantic City, N.J. Several NOAA studies established that this winter pattern was made more likely by the combined states of El Niño and the Arctic Oscillation.
• Twelve states, mainly in the Southeast, but extending northward into New England, experienced a record warm June-August. Several cities broke summer temperature records including New York (Central Park); Philadelphia; Trenton, N.J.; and Wilmington, Del.
• Preliminary totals indicate there were 1,302 U.S. tornadoes during 2010. The year will rank among the 10 busiest for tornadoes since records began in 1950. An active storm pattern across the Northern Plains during the summer contributed to a state-record 104 confirmed tornadoes in Minnesota in 2010, making Minnesota the national tornado leader for the first time.
• During 2010, substantial precipitation fell in many drought-stricken regions. The U.S. footprint of drought reached its smallest extent during July when less than eight percent of the country was experiencing drought conditions. The increased precipitation and eradication of drought limited the acres burned and number of wildfires during 2010. Hawaii had near-record dryness occurring in some areas for most of the year.

U.S. Climate Highlights:

Scientists, researchers and leaders in government and industry use NOAA’s monthly reports to help track trends and other changes in the world’s climate. This climate service has a wide range of practical uses, from helping farmers know what and when to plant, to guiding resource managers‘ critical decisions about water, energy and other vital assets.

NOAA’s mission is to understand and predict changes in the Earth’s environment, from the depths of the ocean to the surface of the sun, and to conserve and manage our coastal and marine resources. Visit us online at www.noaa.gov or on Facebook at www.facebook.com/usnoaagov.

 

###

[Liberty Valance]

Snow in January? How could this be possible?

[verity]

You were faster than I was.

[DuncanWaring]

I remember one time, probably January 1977, when there was snow on the ground in all 50 states.

[Gaffer]

I can deal with the snow. I sure as hell hope that Mexicans [illegals] CANNOT, however. I want them to #1 go the hell home #2 Don't even think about coming here.

If it gets too cold up here, we'll invade and sack your country for firewood and consumables.

[cll]

“What about the other 7 states? ;-)”

See # 4.

[Yaelle]

And earnest, we have sunny 65 degrees and the beautiful snow as decoration all around on the mountaintops! Aren’t we lucky! Snow looks a lot nicer from down here at the beach!

[Ernest_at_the_Beach]

Notice the wording.....

According to NOAA scientists, 2010 tied with 2005 as the warmest year of the global surface temperature record, beginning in 1880.

No mention of reducing from 6000 report sites to 1500 sites and removing nearly all high altitute sites.

[Ernest_at_the_Beach]

LOL>

Snow is always nice to look at.

But if you have a big Kiva firplace and plenty of wood ...snow outside the door is no problem.

[CodeToad]

I don’t know about only 49, Florida had FROST, and to them, that might as well be snow.

[The Comedian]

Frowning takes 68 muscles.
Smiling takes 6.
Pulling this trigger takes 2.
I'm lazy.

[MsLady]

And this is what a 4 letter word looks like and it's not ice ;)

[JoeProBono]

[steelyourfaith]

Thanx Ernest_at_the_Beach !

 

Beam me to Planet Gore !

[the_devils_advocate_666]

with Florida the exception

Kind of like the batter in the bottom of the ninth, with two outs, who ruins a no hitter.

[Frantzie]

I am playing golf on Sunday.

www.golficeland.org.