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Category Archives: Climate
What is the status of Earth’s ice?
The amount of ice covering Earth varies from year to year, but over a few decades, trends emerge.
A recent analysis of satellite observations from the European Space Agency clearly shows the amount of ice on earth is decreasing. Those measurements indicate that the amount of ice, in the form of ice sheets on land, mountain glaciers and sea ice, is decreasing. Continue reading
How unusual is the current warm spell?
After a rather persistently cold October in which the monthly averaged temperature was 3.5 degrees below normal, the first week of November has been remarkably pleasant with high temperatures at or above 68 every day since Election Day.
Naturally, such warm weather in November arouses curiosity regarding the frequency of November days with high temperatures at or above 70 degrees in Madison. Continue reading
Are we seeing evidence of climate change?
Last week was an alarming week in weather and climate news.
Hurricane Sally bore down on the Gulf Coast with fury and flooding, while four other tropical storms churned away simultaneously in the Atlantic. This is only the second time ever, and first since 1971, when such prolific tropical storminess has characterized the Atlantic basin. Continue reading
What is the Farmer’s Almanac forecast for winter?
The Farmers’ Almanac recently published its 2020-2021 winter forecast. For the Midwest region, it predicts a cold winter with normal to below-normal temperatures.
But don’t count on its forecast, as there is no proven skill. The Farmers’ Almanac does not share how it makes its forecast, so it cannot be judged scientifically. Continue reading
Why is Memorial Day weather so fickle?
Memorial Day weekend weather can be absolutely glorious in Wisconsin or it can be rainy and cold.
Perhaps no other major holiday suffers from such a Jekyll-and-Hyde split in our expectations, and there are really good scientific reasons that underlie this duality. Continue reading
