Weekly Weather Report for West Pasco’s
Urban Agriculture Community
A Service Of
Friendship Farms & Fare
http://www.fffsite.org/
What Happened to Fall, Part IV?
Abnormal Heat Continues
Next Week Some Cooling Expected
73 degrees at 3:30 AM, November 6, 2015
Historic Average (for 11/9): 79 HIGH, 62 Weather Underground: http://www.wunderground.com/
Historically, the average high temperature is now 79 degrees (nine degrees higher than the lowest average high of the year [70]), and eleven degrees lower than our highest average [90]). Our average low is now 62 degrees, fourteen degrees lower than our highest average low of the year (76), and eleven 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.
Looks like November will join this list.
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 (10/30-11/5) : WU’s forecasts were on the mark, and if anything a little conservative. We had an exceptionally hot week – setting records of the hottest day of the month – in history. Every day was above normal, with upper 80s and low 90s being the norm.
This Week (11/6-11/12) WU’s forecasts cooler temperatures next week. Ironically, even with a cool front coming by, everyday will be above normal, and every overnight low will be well above normal.
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.
Global Warming Comes Home
Highest November Temperatures in History
Blast Region, Hammer Autumn Crops
We are moving weather news to the start of the Farm Report this week for obvious reasons. If there was ever a question about the reality of global warming it should be resolved now – at least for Floridians in this part of the state. The stunning highs (in the 90s) and equally stunning lows (upper 70s) broke records for specific dates and the entire month of November. Around the area, the highest November temperatures in recorded history were reached.
What needs to be noted and highlighted is that these highs from upper 80s to lower 90s have been persistent for the past week and, looking back at October, similar temperatures were the norm.
The issue here (which seems lost on the professional TV weather reporters) is that these extremely high temperatures are an unprecedented occurrence – they are not (as has been reported) “not that unusual.” We beg to differ. The run of record-breaking highs are a signal in itself that something new is occurring, but this fact must be added to the reality that these highs have been persistent for the better part of a month – most of October was above normal (22 of 31 days) and 10 days had highs of 88 or more.
Last October (2014), was closer to normal (about half above and half below), and there were three days at 90 degrees. In 2013, we had 19 (of 31 days) above normal, and five days at or above 90. We can go on. What is apparent, is that the pattern is changing and it has been changing for some years.
The climate change evidence is not that there are occasional 90 degree days. The weather reporters are correct – that is not that unusual. What is unusual and gives credence to Climate Change is the number of days in a month above normal and the number of years when the month as a whole is above normal. It is not when a day or two is well above normal, it is when most days are. That defines change by any meaningful measure.
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Friendship Farms & Fare affirms and advances agrarian ideals to reestablish a sustainable culture
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PO Box 596 ● New Port Richey, Florida 34656-0596
