Weekly Weather Report for West Pasco’s
Urban Agriculture Community
A Service Of
Friendship Farms & Fare
http://www.fffsite.org/
Weekly Weather Report
What Happened to Fall, Part III?
Abnormal Heat Continues
Next Week More Of Same
90 degrees on October 31, 2015
74 degrees at 3:30 AM, November 1, 2015
Historic Average (for 11/1): 81 HIGH, 64 Weather Underground: http://www.wunderground.com/
Historically, the average high temperature is now 81 degrees (eleven degrees higher than the lowest average high of the year [70]), and nine degrees lower than our highest average [90]). Our average low is now 64 degrees, twelve degrees lower than our highest average low of the year (76), and thirteen degrees higher than lowest average low [51].
Average highs and lows continue their annual decline, which continues until January, when we reach our lowest average temperatures – 70 and 51.
This past summer Hottest Ever Recorded: The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), NASA, and Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) data indicate this past summer (June-August, 2015) was the hottest in recorded history. NOAA also reports that July was the hottest month in recorded history. We at the 3-F Newsletter are not surprised.
2014 was the hottest year on record (since records have been kept, 1880). Ocean and land temperatures were at their all time highs. This was also the warmest winter on record in the Arctic, and May 2015 was the hottest May on record.
Know the Science:
This is no great surprise to us. Temperatures have been running well above normal most of the year here at the farms; and for the past few years, our highs and lows have typically run a bit higher than historic averages. Last year the trend continued, and so far this year, it is still continuing. Although humans may enjoy unseasonably warm weather, above normal temperatures stress plants and animals.
According to NASA, 97% of climate scientists agree that global warming and resultant climate change is a reality and most likely due to human activity. http://climate.nasa.gov/scientific-consensus/.
Here is NOAA on the human causes of climate change and global warming. http://oceanservice.noaa.gov/education/pd/climate/factsheets/howhuman.pdf
Last Week (10/23-29): WU was a bit off last week. The cool front never arrived, although we did get some rain on Tuesday, which also was the only day with a temperature below normal. Every other day had above normal highs, with several days 5 degrees above normal. Lows were also above normal, with several days 9-10 degrees above normal lows.
We had half an inch of rain, which was most welcome.
This Week (10/30-11/5) We topped out at 90 degrees again yesterday (10/31). WU’s forecasts another warm week with temperatures above normal every day, and lows much more above normal than highs. Highs will be in the mid-80s (when normally in low 80s); lows will be in the low 70s (when normally in low 60s).
Climate Amnesia? Most folks do not remark on the long run of days with above normal heat. Then again, most folks do not spend much time outside of climatized indoor spaces. We may be witnessing climate amnesia, which is akin to landscape amnesia – the process through which individuals become used to something detrimental, dangerous, or destructive because is occurs slowly and they forget what normal is. Climate amnesia may work the same way – so that upper 80s and low 90s in October seem normal enough, because we have forgotten that the historical norm is in the low 80s.
Looking Ahead: Daylight will continue to get shorter, just as it has since the summer solstice — June 21, the day with the longest period of time between sunup and sunset during the year. The equinox (which occurred on October 22) is when the shortening of daylight has brought day and night into balance. The days will continue to get shorter until the winter solstice — “the shortest day of the year,” December 21.
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Friendship Farms & Fare affirms and advances agrarian ideals to reestablish a sustainable culture
Ecology Florida advances the harmonious integration of healthy natural, cultural, and economic ecologies to regenerate a sustainable world
PO Box 596 ● New Port Richey, Florida 34656-0596
