Monthly Archives: February 2014

Is this an unusual winter?

There is no doubt that this winter’s prolonged and sometimes desperate cold has been unusual.

Interestingly, for all the talk of the “polar vortex” and our unusually prolonged cold in central North America, it has been a remarkably “warm” winter when considered from the hemispheric perspective. Unusually warm weather in the West has offset the frigid winter across the East and much of the Midwest. Continue reading

Category: Meteorology, Seasons

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Where do weather forecasters get their data?

Meteorology, like every other science, relies on careful and precise measurement of its subject. Weather observations are critical to both weather forecasters and computer models that predict the weather. These measurements are made at the ground level as well as in the atmosphere. Continue reading

Category: Meteorology

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How are we doing with heating degree days this year?

How are we doing with heating degree days this year?

A heating degree day is a weather index designed to make weather data easier to use in planning.

The index estimates fuel consumption needs, and fuel distributors use it to schedule home deliveries. Electric and natural gas utilities predict power demands by adding up this index over time. Continue reading

Category: Climate

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