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Category Archives: Climate
Who first suggested human activities could change our climate?
Svante Arrhenius, a Swedish scientist, is probably the first scientist to propose that burning of fossil fuels could modify our global temperatures. In 1896, Arrhenius recognized that carbon dioxide, a byproduct of burning carbon substances such as natural gas, gasoline and oil, would act like a greenhouse gas. Continue reading
What is the concept of heating degree-days?
Each degree that the mean temperature is below 65 degrees is one heating degree-day. So, if today’s average temperature is 55 degrees, that is 10 heating degree-days. Continue reading
What is the outlook for Wisconsin’s winter?
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s Climate Prediction Center issues seasonal climate outlook maps for the nation. The organization’s forecast for Wisconsin’s 2011-12 meteorological winter (which started Thursday and runs through Feb. 29) is for below-normal temperatures and above-normal precipitation. Continue reading
When does winter really start in Madison?
The most common way to define the start of winter is to appeal to the solstice, the day on which the noontime sun is positioned at its farthest southern point of the year. This is the astronomical start of winter — Dec. 22 this year. On that day, the noontime sun will be directly overhead at 23.5 S latitude. Continue reading
Category: Climate
Tags Climate, Meteorology, Seasons, Winter
Comments Off on When does winter really start in Madison?
Tags Climate, Meteorology, Seasons, Winter
Comments Off on When does winter really start in Madison?
How often do the ‘gales of November’ come early?
Some historic storms have occurred around Veterans Day (formally known as Armistice Day). Friday marks the centennial of a winter storm that blew across the Midwest on “11-11-11.” Continue reading
