What the hell is going on with the weather??

[cboy4]

It got down to 28 fricken degrees this morning where I live in California. :wtf:

Shame on the East Coast for stealing away my warmth!! :cry:

Look at all of that orange! It's December 18th for crissakes!

[Bobbieo]

1. Global warming will take its toll everywhere and there is nothing

we can do about it. Too late!!!

[Capn Sunshine]

11. There IS something we can do

it's NOT too late, but finding ways to alternate power are imperative at this stage.
Find out more here.

[Az]

2. Its still Teeshirt weather here in Michigan

Course thats 40-50 degrees. But its still freaky warm here.

Guess the Jet Stream is screwed.

[MsKandice01]

23. T-shirt weather is 40-50 degrees??

40-50 degrees to me is downright freezing. LOL.

[cboy4]

26. I know...I was going to say the same thing. I'd be in a parka LOL!

[Reterr]

3. Its warm here in Nashville but I guess thats not too surprising

Climate patterns are breaking for sure though ....

[tridim]

4. The Earth has a fever

I know that sounds like a dumb joke, but it's true. It's trying to normalize it's climate and taking drastic actions to heal itself, just like the human body does.

[cobalt1999]

13. ummm....the Earth isn't trying to do anything.

It's just a large system that will hit an temperature equilibrium point somewhere. In the distant past, that equilibrium point was at times much lower and higher than it is now.

The Earth itself is not consciously trying to maintain any temperature or "heal itself". However, we, as an intelligent species, better try.

[tridim]

17. Are you claiming that the Earth's climate system is random?

[Selatius]

22. Not at all.

Earth, if we look at its entire history, has been warmer and colder than it is now.

When the dinosaurs were still around, the planet was almost all tropical. It was far warmer than it is now, and that's because there was more carbon dioxide in the atmosphere. Of course, fossilization ended up removing quite a bit of that co2 by placing it in the earth's crust, and now the planet, compared to then, is much cooler, but we humans are putting that co2 back into the atmosphere when we pull up crude oil and coal and burn it. We're basically forcing the thermostat back up, not down, when we should simply leave it up to the planet to set the temperature.

[cobalt1999]

24. Random?

Of course not. That's silly.

The Earths climate is a very large complex system with many inputs, interactions, and outputs driven by the physics and chemistry of it's parts.

A pot of water sitting on your stove is a system too (although a simple one). An increase in the gas flowing to the burner will lead to an increase of temp. in the water in the pot until it reaches a new equilibrium and stops. Turn off the gas and the water will get colder until it hits a new equilibrium. The water isn't randomly changing temperature, nor is the pot "trying to get the water to a specific temperature".

Same with the Earth, increase the CO2 gas and you get a temperature change until it hits a new equilibrium (although there are thousands of actions and interactions with something as complex as the Earths climate).

[tridim]

29. All I'm saying is that as the earth warms it's tries to cool itself

By for instance shifting pressure and creating odd jetstreams. I think you said it couldn't do that. Maybe I misread your post. I'm not saying we shouldn't make an attempt to help.

[cobalt1999]

39. Odd jet streams, weather, etc....all implications of global warming.

Obviously, heat differentials occur every day and that causes weather systems that move energy from high heat areas to lower heat areas. However, that doesn't cool the Earth. It's simply the movement of the total heat around the Earth. Global warming is an actual increase in the TOTAL amount of heat in the system. Moving it around doesn't "cool" the Earth. It might help cool local areas on the Earth, but not the Earth itself.

The point I was trying to make is, this is a process driven by physics NOT from some deliberate conscious Gaia type effort on the part of the Earth. This hunk of rock doesn't care what temperature it is at...but we better care.

[pinto]

5. Sacto: coldest day on record being December 11, 1932, at 17 °F (Wikipedia)

Sacramento has a Mediterranean climate that is characterized by mild winters and dry summers. The area usually has low humidity. Rain typically falls only between November and March, with the rainy season tapering off almost completely by the end of April.

The average temperature throughout the year is 61 °F (16 °C), with the daily average ranging from 46 °F (8 °C) in December and January to 76 °F (24 °C) in July. Average daily high temperatures range from 53 °F (12 °C) in December and January to 93 °F (34 °C) in July (with many days of over 100 °F (38 °C) highs).

Daily low temperatures range from 38 to 58 °F (3 to 14 °C). The average year has 73 days with a high over 90 °F (34 °C), with the highest temperature on record being 115 °F (45 °C) on July 25, 2006, and 18 days when the low drops below 32 °F (0 °C), with the coldest day on record being December 11, 1932, at 17 °F (-8 °C).

Average yearly precipitation is 17.4" (442 mm), with almost no rain during the summer months, to an average rainfall of 3.7" (94 mm) in January. It rains, on average, 58 days of the year. In February of 1992, Sacramento had 16 consecutive days of rain (6.41" or 163 mm). A record 7.24" (184 mm) of rain fell on April 20, 1880.

On average, 96 days in the year have fog, mostly in the morning (tule fog), primarily in December and January. The fog can get extremely dense, lowering visibility to less than 100 feet (30 m) and making driving conditions hazardous.

The record snowfall was recorded on January 4, 1888, at 9 cm (3.5 in). Snowfall is rare in Sacramento (with an elevation of only 52 feet or 16 m above sea level), with a dusting of snow every eight to ten years.

Forty miles (65 km) east of Sacramento, in the foothills, snow accumulation is an annual occurrence. Further east, the Lake Tahoe recreation area is home to a number of world famous ski areas which have accumulation greater than 90" (230 cm) nearly every year during the peak season. Spots in the Sierra Nevada mountains east of Sacramento annually receive some of the greatest snowfall in the lower 48 states, and the mountain range's immense snowpack is a vital source of water for the entire state of California.

[cboy4]

9. The weather here is typically perfect. One of the things that's nice

about this place is you're sandwiched between the ocean and Lake Tahoe.

Not many places in the country where you can be in two radically different climates in just a couple hours in the car.

[pinto]

31. Yeah, I envy your proximity to the Sierra at times. (I live on the coast)

[cboy4]

36. Yay, you didn't call it the "Sierras"

;)

[Sequoia]

6. Yes, cold in northern Cal.

The Bay Area is calling for another Spare the Air (don't use your fireplace). I will use my woodstove because that's the only way I can keep warm. At least it's clear and bright and no rain....yet. Actually as cold as it is if it did rain it'd be snow. However the day gets up to high 50s or low 60s.

[Duer 157099]

18. Thing is, temp raises 10 degrees when it rains!

(nor cal also) -- my son keeps hoping it will snow, but every time the sky clears up, the temp finally gets to or below freezing (but only at like 5am). Then the storm comes in and temp goes up. Every time.

[VTMechEngr]

7. Oh you poor thing, 28 degrees......

You think thats BAD, try living in New England and actually expecting that cold, and instead, its 53. Its hard to get into the season with this balmy weather.

[cboy4]

12. 53? Brrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr.

That's still way too cold for me! ;)

[VTMechEngr]

37. I just want it to be 18, and snowy.

I mean, its New England for petes sake! The cold keeps the hardcore Republicans outB-)

[cboy4]

38. Finally I hear a sensible reason why the cold is good.

LOL!

[VTMechEngr]

45. I can't say its scientific, but it does seem that way.

New England is fairly conservative (traditional) with the old village and town style of living, rural, and yet, socially liberal and very blue. It must be the cold;)

[GenDem]

8. We've had about 10 days in the upper 40's, 50's, & a few 60's

days here in western NY when we should be in the 20's and 30's. The only snow we've had was from a snowstorm on October 13th.:shrug:

Instead of being afraid of terra, we should be afraid of our sick planet.

[Warpy]

10. Typical winter pattern

When the west cools down, the east warms up.

Here in central NM, it's cloudy and in the 40s. Tomorrow the forecast says "blowing snow" with a high in the low 30s.

Ten days from now, you guys will be in the deep freeze and we'll be going around in t shirts.

[MrSlayer]

14. It was 67 here in Philly today.

It was nice to be working outdoors in December for once.

[Subdivisions]

15. The weather has definately changed in N. Texas over

the past few years. It used to be cold and wet, usually somewhere just above freezing so that we generally get a cold rain or sleet mix. If it wasn't raining/sleeting, it was clear and very cold at 20°-30° eith a fairly strong wind and associated windchill.

But lately we've had more springlike weather with today's temp at 75° and most days not getting below 60° unless a cold front comes through.

I've lived here 30 years and I can definately tell that the weather has changed. Also, I've noticed others' reaction to the unusual weather. People are commenting on how unusually balmy it is.

[question everything]

16. Balmy 40s in December in Minnesota!

and most of November was in the 50s.

No snow on the ground, no ice. We walked 4 miles Saturday and Sunday.

And if and when it will get cold, we will know that there will be only two more months. March usually gets warmer.

[Double T]

19. California is in the process of being freeze-dried before it snaps off.......

and falls into the ocean.

[cboy4]

25. If we float up next to Hawaii I'd be thrilled!

:bounce:

[Double T]

27. The resulting tsunami should land YOU at your destination...........

Aloha!!!

[cboy4]

30. SWEEEEEEEEEET!

[etherealtruth]

20. I was horrified here in Michigan ...

I went shopping this afternoon with just a blazer on (over my skirt) ... It's December, it's Michigan, it's supposed to be cold; it isn't

[pansypoo53219]

32. here in southern WI

i am still walking around outside barefoot with no problems. yes, i am an extreme barefooter. been so for several years, but i should be getting acclimatized to 20'sF.
i think our parsley has recovered. the feverfew might even blossom. and i saw a fly this morning.

[etherealtruth]

33. It's unsettling n/t

[MsKandice01]

21. I had THICK frost on my car this morning..

Something I haven't seen in years. I'm originally from Southern California and we rarely, if ever, got frost down there but I hadn't seen it in the last 3 years I've been in San Jose either until this morning.

[HockeyMom]

28. 50's means No HEATING BILLS

Given the costs, I will live with it.

[Sparkly]

34. About 70 today here in Maryland

which is VERY strange... I'm wondering if that broke a record.

[BlooInBloo]

35. It's the End Times! Come And Take Me Swaayt Jayzuz!!!!

:rofl:

[msongs]

40. normal weather for Dec in so california - dec is the coldest month

around riverside area, temps in low 30's or maybe high 20's a few nights a month.
jan is nearly as cold but wetter and feb and march are warmer and wetter.

tonight we have blankets over some of our tropical plants like strawberry guavas and plumerias.

Msongs
www.msongs.com

[Rainscents]

41. It's planet X that is "screwn" with our weather!!! LOL

No, just kidding. I know what you mean, we at PNW is having cold and weired weather.

[slackmaster]

42. It's called "Decembruary"

Look at all of that orange! It's December 18th for crissakes!

There's still plenty of time for the Southeast to get their share.

[Kahuna]

43. Averaging mid 50s in NJ. Scary but nice.

:hi:

[OneBlueSky]

44. anyone following the daily environmental news knows that . . .

we are facing is a crisis of the historic proportions . . . melting glaciers, dying oceans, lifeless rivers, shrinking lakes, atmospheric pollutants, species extinctions, crop failures due to climate change, etc. add up to the most disastrous crisis that humankind has faced since the dawn of civilization . . . and it's being complicated by things like genetically modified crops and the dumping of new, toxic cancer-causing chemical compounds across the globe . . .

saving our environment -- our home, our life-giver -- must become THE top priority for all governments and all citizens . . . and since the worst offenders -- by far -- are large corporations, immediate steps must be taken to reclaim authority over these monsters and to strictly regulate their activities -- particularly as they relate to their "environmental footprints" . . . the goal must be a zero environmental footprint for all corporations by a date certain -- with severe financial penalties for those unable or unwilling to comply . . . in some cases, the worst offenders may have to have their charters revoked and be put out of business . . .

if we can't find ways to reverse the environmental disaster that's getting worse by the day, nothing else will much matter . . . once the earth's systems start failing, it will be too late to save most life on the planet -- including homo sapiens . . .

I don't know what it will take to convince people and their leaders that saving the planet is FAR more important than corporate profits -- probably some disaster of unimaginable proportions . . . it's just a matter of time before something cataclysmic happens -- but by then it may be too late . . .