Where are the discussions about regional climate/hydrologic change by our professional meteorologists and climate/hydrology scientists in the Twin Cities metro area?
Why are Twin Cities area residents not asking questions about what the consequences of climate change will be for the TC metro area? Why are they not trying to do anything to reduce their own greenhouse gas emissions? I began drastically reducing my emissions five years ago. How much have you cut back? Global warming is more than an environmental issue. Why is there nothing about regional climate change in this piece aired today on Minnesota Public Radio? If you want to see who I am, my picture and interests are at: http://profiles.yahoo.com/patneuman2000 Pat Neuman Chanhassen, MN --- MPR's Morning Edition, Friday, Jan 28, 2005 HEADLINES: -National Weather Service on display -Snow depth stabilizing soil temperatures -Preliminary January climate summary -question about snowy Februarys -Almanac for January 28th -the Jevon's effect -Outlook Topic: National Weather Service at Mall of America.... This weekend the Mall of America will host the Annual Government on Display Expo showcasing the technologies and services provided by over 40 of our federal agencies, including the National Weather Service. Their booth will be located in the Sam Goody Rotunda. The NWS booth will feature a Mini-Dopplar Radar, a tornado simulator, NOAA Weather Radio, and a mock up of a river control model. If you have an interest in weather this is the place to go either on Saturday or Sunday. Topic: Snow depth has stabilized soil freezing depth.... The recent snowfalls have sufficiently blanketed most of the Minnesota landscape to help stabilize the depth of freezing in the soil. Some recent frost depths taken around the state range from 22 to 40 inches, with the shallower depths in areas that have had deeper and longer snow cover so far this winter. The following are reports of frost depth earlier this week... Crookston 27 inches, Morris 25 inches, Lamberton 22 inches, Waseca 28 inches, and St Paul 40 inches. Topic: Preliminary January Climate Summary..... Average monthly temperatures for January will be as much as 3 to 4 degrees F cooler than normal in northern and western areas of Minnesota, near normal in the south. This correlates well with where most of the snowfall occurred during the month. Temperature extremes for the month were 53 degrees F at Pipestone on the 25th and -54 degrees F at Embarrass on the 17th. Most observers reported above normal precipitation for the month, some places in excess of 2 inches, including Duluth. Speaking of which the National Weather Service in Duluth reports nearly 45.5 inches of snowfall for the month, very near the record amount for January of 46.8 inches set in 1968. In addition Babbitt (northeastern St Louis County) and Wolf Ridge Environmental Learning Center near Finland (Lake County) reported over 40 inches of snowfall for the month. Many places reported at least 20 inches. Wind gusts of over 40 mph were observed around the state on the 1st, the 18th, and both the 21st and 22nd. All produced much blowing and drifting snow. MPR listener question: Though last Friday's snowstorm caused problems for many Twin Citians, it raised the hopes for some of us who like to cross country ski. I am hoping that February will bring a good deal of snow to the Twin Cities. What's been the snowiest February here? Answer: In 1962 February brought 26.5 inches of snowfall to the Twin Cities, an all-time record for the month. Snowfall in February has only exceeded 20 inches three times in the past 120 years, and it has exceed 15 inches only twelve times over the same period. So based on climatology, it is difficult to be optimistic about abundant snow in February. Still, most remember that last February brought 19.7 inches. Twin Cities Almanac for January 28th: The average MSP high temperature for this date is 22 degrees F (plus or minus 13 degrees F standard deviation), while the average low is 4 degrees F (plus or minus 15 degrees F standard deviation). MSP Local Records for January 28th: MSP weather records for this date include: highest daily maximum temperature of 47 degrees F in 1892; lowest daily maximum temperature of -15 degrees F in 1966; lowest daily minimum temperature of -26 degrees F in 1966; highest daily minimum temperature of 34 degrees F in 1892; record precipitation of 0.56 inches in 1909; and record snowfall of 4.1 inches in 1912. There have been 30 measurable snowfalls on this date since 1891. Greatest snow depth on this date was 21 inches in both 1979 and 1982. The worst wind chill conditions occurred in 1977 with a reading of -48 F. Average dew point for January 28th is 4 degrees F, with a maximum of 37 degrees F in 1914 and a minimum of -38 degrees F in 1966. All-time state records for January 28th: Scanning the state climatic data base: the all-time high for this date is 57 degrees F at Lamberton in 1989; the all-time low is -50 degrees F at Pokegama Dam (Itasca County) in 1902 and also at Baudette (Lake of the Woods County) in 1966. The heaviest snowfall statewide on this date occurred in 1949 at Caledonia (Houston County) when they recorded 12 inches. The all-time state record for precipitation (liquid equivalent) on this date is 2.0 inches at Tracy in 2003. Words of the Week: Jevon's effect This term refers to the disturbance in the distribution and amount of rainfall or snowfall caused by the rain gage itself. William Stanley Jevons, a 19th century English mathematician and economist proposed in 1861 that the rain gage commonly used for the measurement of precipitation produces a disturbance in the air flowing past it, causing an irregularity in the distribution and therefore the catch collected in the gage. He showed that the loss of rainfall which would normally have been caught by the gage is proportional to the wind speed. Subsequent to his findings, the British developed a rain gage which was mounted closer to the ground (approx 1 ft above the surface) and another gage was developed which fit within a hole such that the lip of the gage was flush with the surface of the ground. Since that time several devices have been invented to shield rain and snow gages from these effects of winds and eddies interacting with the gage. By the way, this is one of the few historical examples of an economist making a significant contribution to the field of climatology. Later in his career, Jevons became famous for his applications of probability to economics and for his description of the business cycle. To my knowledge, he is the only economist recognized in the jargon of climatologists. Outlook: Chances for light snow on Saturday and Sunday, then generally dry most of next week. Temperatures will average warmer than normal for this time year. Dr. Mark Seeley Professor and Extension Climatologist/Meteorologist Dept of Soil, Water, and Climate University of Minnesota St Paul, MN 55108 _______________________________________________ Twin Cities Metropolitan Issues Forum http://www.e-democracy.org/tcmetro Rules: Sign posts with real name. You may not post more than twice a day.
