SEARCH BLOG: WEATHER and GLOBAL WARMINGRegional climates vary significantly and the weather patterns affecting the regional climates also vary significantly. For example, there is nothing in the weather database to indicate that the Great Lakes basin is any warmer now than the first half of last century.
It is difficult for the average person to discern what is normal variation from what is change. Sometimes, it is difficult for newspapers to discern that as well... or perhaps it is convenient to not make a distinction... or perhaps it is convenient to simply ignore the facts.
To wit: the
Detroit Free Press reported...
1. DEADLY CHAIN REACTION
August 27, 2007 •• 1177 words •• ID: dfp0000471169
Scientists who for decades have studied the delicate prey-predator balance between moose and wolves on Lake Superior's Isle Royale believe global warming - by giving an assist to blood-sucking bugs - ultimately could deal a deathblow to the national park's wolf population. Since 2002, the number of moose on the island has declined from 1,100 to 385, following a dramatic increase in winter ticks. The insects infest the moose, suck their blood and weaken them, making them....
I responded with this letter to them:
Your headline suggesting global warming may be to blame for changes in the the dynamics among moose, wolves, and ticks doesn't appear to be supported by the temperature history.
Since Isle Royale doesn't have a long record, I looked at Duluth, MN which is about 150 miles southwest. The monthly history of temperature clearly shows that the high record temperatures were not set recently. In fact, the most recent high temperature record was set in September, 1976. [source: The Weather Channel http://www.weather.com/outlook/travel/businesstraveler/wxclimatology/monthly/USMN0208]
While such recording may sell newspapers, it certainly doesn't provide readers with an accurate account of the weather for that particular location... or a reasonable explanation for the underlying cause of changes in animal populations.
Bruce Hall
| Month | Avg.
High | Avg.
Low | Mean | Avg.
Precip | Record
High | Record
Low |
| Jan | 18°F | -1°F | 8°F | 1.12 in. | 55°F (1942) | -52°F (1899) |
| Feb | 25°F | 5°F | 15°F | 0.83 in. | 58°F (1895) | -39°F (1996) |
| Mar | 34°F | 16°F | 25°F | 1.69 in. | 81°F (1946) | -29°F (1989) |
| Apr | 49°F | 29°F | 39°F | 2.09 in. | 88°F (1952) | -5°F (1975) |
| May | 63°F | 40°F | 52°F | 2.95 in. | 95°F (1939) | 16°F (1907) |
| Jun | 71°F | 49°F | 60°F | 4.25 in. | 97°F (1910) | 27°F (1972) |
| Jul | 76°F | 55°F | 65°F | 4.20 in. | 106°F (1936) | 35°F (1988) |
| Aug | 74°F | 54°F | 64°F | 4.22 in. | 97°F (1930) | 32°F (1986) |
| Sep | 65°F | 45°F | 55°F | 4.13 in. | 95°F (1976) | 23°F (1974) |
| Oct | 52°F | 35°F | 44°F | 2.46 in. | 86°F (1953) | 6°F (1917) |
| Nov | 35°F | 21°F | 28°F | 2.12 in. | 73°F (1903) | -29°F (1875) |
| Dec | 22°F | 6°F | 14°F | 0.94 in. | 56°F (1939) | -35°F (1917) |
Naturally, I never even received an acknowledgment of the letter.
I noticed my coffee seemed hotter than usual this morning. Must be global warming....
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