762 replies to this topic

[dconklin]

Shortpoet-GTD, on 21 May 2012 - 04:31 PM, said:

Hold onto your Koala bears, I'm moving "down under" for the next 6 months, towing 4 cats-2 under each arm.
(I wish)

Wait for me, my kids can be a little slow to get ready lol! But my cat is easy to gather up

[steph84]

It has been getting really hot here in California! It is around 95 degrees F right now and I am melting. I know we will probably have more 103F summer days this year. Yikes! Get me out of here!

[Shortpoet-GTD]

Forecasts here call for high 90's for the next few days.

[mariaandrea]

It's a good thing so many people in my little pocket of the country already believe in climate change, because after a few sunny warm days we're back to rain and temps in the 50s. But that's normal for this time of year. We've had some colder than normal summers and warmer than normal winters. And every once in a while, the opposite. But, for the most part, the issues surrounding climate change that so drastically affect people - heat, drought - haven't affected us. We had our highest temps of all time a couple years ago - breaking 100 degrees has been incredibly rare - but it only lasted a few days, not endless weeks of it like other places. And we have plenty of water.

I read back through this thread and what strikes me is a post much earlier by E3Wise about desertification, particularly in the Midwest. We could wind up with another Dust Bowl. Along with a frail economy. Sound familiar? And STILL we don't make the changes necessary to deal with it.

[artistry]

Today I  heard a national weather forecaster say that the temperature  in one  of the mid-west states, was some gosh forsaken 108 degrees or so. It is only May, so what can they look forward to in July and August please tell me. I just hope that the air conditioners are in good working  order, because this is not going to be easy. It's very nice here today and I am thankful. Cheers.

[Shortpoet-GTD]

mariaandrea, on 22 May 2012 - 08:03 AM, said:

Sound familiar? And STILL we don't make the changes necessary to deal with it.

Not to get too far off topic.............
and I'm not saying that Obama is blameless (he does embrace the "all of the above" strategy- which includes
gas fracking and oil)
but
with our do-nothing congress
fighting him, and us, let's not forget,
about every little thing-
big things are not even being considered.

Other countries are worried about their financial crisis, so the considerations of the Earth's climate
and it's effects on us, is at the bottom of the list. Hell, even Germany, an outstanding leader in renewables
is getting away from it now because of money, among other things.

Problem being of course, by the time they all wake up and start to deal with it, we will be too many years
past reversing it.
And even if we slow it down some, the catastrophes will just keep piling up. Storms, fires, droughts, floods.

In reality, even if Al Gore had become president, and we all drastically changed our energy supply- there
is still China and India that are pouring coal emissions into the air like water into a bucket. Sure, they're
embracing solar, but they're also still building new coal plants. And how many cars are the newly rich
in China and India hitting the road? Thousands if not millions.

I think we're past "changing" anything now-it'll all be "adaptation" from now on. Hardly any wildlife or insects-
maybe down to just domestic cats/dogs and our "precious" cattle-but even that will stop when people realize
the water either goes to their feed animals or their own parched throats.
I know, bummer, right?
But it's our new reality.

[dconklin]

This year Memorial Day was warmer then last year and it was hot here last year.  I remember when I was a kid (famous last words, eh?) we actually had some Memorial Days that were at least 20 degrees cooler then last year and this year.  I try to hold off on the air conditioner as long as possible, but Monday was so hot and humid you would sweat stepping outside in the shade!!

[aspen]

Happy Winter everyone. I noticed you Northerners have to wait till the solstice on June 20th. Down here in the antipodes we like to do things a bit different.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Winter
Photo was taken a month or two ago of home sweet home. Notice the solar panels covered in snow. Sometimes I need to climb up to clear them

[Shortpoet-GTD]

Les Miserables has come to town; and no, it's not about the play and a prisoner.

But I guess we are prisoners in a sense if we can't get away for a vacation........

They're calling for 20%-30% chance of rain (high humidity) and temps in the high 90's for the next week-
10 days.
If it would rain, that would be one thing-but all we're getting is a whisper of wet. Bah!
Cloud sweat!

I guess Dorothy and Toto transported me to "Hot-lanta" when I was asleep.
Miserable.

[Shortpoet-GTD]

Data released by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)
indicates that land temperatures in May were the highest recorded in
133 years —
since records began.
Temperature maps via Grist here.

[artistry]

The last few days have been highly comfortable, a nice breeze, no humidity to speak of. I love it. Farher's Day is going to be in the 80's. All fathers, do enjoy your day on Sunday.
Aspen, that is one beautiful picture.Thanks for sharing.

[zararina]

A storm had passed that had caused some floods on some areas here and another new storm seems to be coming.  Storms and floods are part of the rainy season here that had started in the first week of June.
Today, no rain and bit hot at 34 degrees.

[Shortpoet-GTD]

Chicago's heat wave, as early as it is (not even summer yet) is a real scorcher.

With yesterday's (6/19/12) temperature of 94, Tuesday marked the 12th day that temps have surpassed the
90 degree mark and it marks (only) the 2nd time since 1871 that so many 90+ degree days were recorded
by June 19th.
Story here.

And the pine beetle is decimating forests, leaving them dead and dry-easily ignited by lightening strikes in
Colorado, New Mexico.
http://www.latimes.c...0,7898317.story
With milder winters, the pine beetles are not being killed off with colder temperatures and are thriving and
spreading.
http://www.desmogblo...nd-pine-beetles

[aspen]

Winter Solstice is here and has brought with it a blast of Antarctic weather. We are in for a bit of snow.after a few very cold days the snow should sit for awhile.

[eds]

Normal April showers came in May and 1/2 of June.  This caused grass to grow wild every few days.   Making it necessary to wait for the grass to dry, before getting the electric lawn mower out, cutting the acre of land, and made more compost for the gardens.  Today it's Hot & Humid and supposed to hit 90.  I Just love New Englands 4 seasons.

[Shortpoet-GTD]

At least so far this year, we've had a (substantial? normal? more than usual, gee it's great to be wet) amount of rain.

[eds]

It hit 102 degree's outside today, with high humidity.  Inside it's 70 degree's with just a fan going to circulate the air.  I'm really enjoying the comfortable feel, the new insulation and new double-pane windows are providing.  They are definitely worth the money

[artistry]

Sounds very tolerable, good for you. It must have been around 95. The air conditioner and ceiling fan are running. The afternoon was tight, hot inside, but not overbearing. Tomorrow is supposed to be hotter.

[Shortpoet-GTD]

I was just looking at the "averages" for our neck of the woods, and June is supposed to be in the high 80's.
Yeah right.
We've seen several triple digit days already, and in a few days, it's going to be 102-104.

[aspen]

Shortpoet-GTD, on 21 June 2012 - 03:00 AM, said:

I was just looking at the "averages" for our neck of the woods, and June is supposed to be in the high 80's.
Yeah right.
We've seen several triple digit days already, and in a few days, it's going to be 102-104.

Blimey it sounds like you are coping with a heatwave. I've never enjoyed hot weather and it's probably why I live so far south in Australia. I'm happy to say it's snowing outside my window and it's definitely an inside day today. The temperature is 1C at 12.00 noon.