The scientists at “Real Climate” have posted a number of websites and links for those of you who may have some questions about global warming and climate change. This is definitely recommended reading, as I hear a lot of misconceptions from people about what they know of global warming.
http://www.realclimate.org/index.php/archives/2007/05/start-here/
The official hurricane forecast from NOAA is for 13-17 named storms including 7-10 hurricanes. These numbers are very similar to what would be expected from the statistical average of a La Nina summer. Over three months ago I posted here that a simple statistical analysis suggests that the 2007 Atlantic hurrican season should be above average based on the idea that a weak La Nina was expected to form during the summer. The most recent ENSO diagnostic discussion continues to suggest a weak La Nina is expected. Here is that original post.
Original Post: February 22, 2007
While it is still early to project what type of hurricane season the Atlantic basin will have in 2007, it is worth nothing that computer models anticipate that La Nina conditions are expected to rapidly develop over the next few months. What does this mean for the 2007 hurricane season? Continue reading
Over the past 50 years in Bowling Green, June 2nd is the median date for the first 90 degree day. Monday was 89 (May 28th) and both Tuesday and Wednesday are expected to have highs near 90. If we can avoid the 90 the next couple of days, we shouldn’t have to worry about a 90 for about a week, as a nearly closed off low currently over the Dakotas will slowly break down the ridge that has dominated the weather over the mid-south for the past 10 days. Continue reading
I was in Frankfort the other day when a Lexington TV meteorologist said in a teaser for the 11 pm newscast that the recent weather was more like July than May. Actually, he would have been more correct if he had said the recent weather was more like mid-April…for Phoenix, Arizona!! Continue reading
The B.S. Meteorology degree passed its final hurdle today at the Council for Postsecondary Education meeting today in Frankfort, KY. The degree program was approved by the WKU Board of Regents on January 26. The incoming freshman class of Fall 2007 will be the first official cohort of B.S. Meteorology majors at WKU although they will be joined by a few transfer students and students who started as freshman in Fall 2006. If you are interested in pursuing the new B.S. Meteorology degree at WKU, please contact me at gregory.goodrich@wku.edu.
Unseasonably cool air will remain over KY for the next few days until the flow becomes southerly over the weekend and more seasonable temperatures return. The next big weather maker for KY will be in the form of a weakening cold front that should arrive in the middle of next week. Continue reading
While things have been quite comfortable with low dew points the past few days, Tuesday will bring a return of tropical moisture as the low-level flow comes out of the Gulf of Mexico around the departing Southeast ridge. This will increase instability ahead of the strong cold front I mentioned in last week’s posting. A potent line of thunderstorms will move across KY Tuesday night. Continue reading
Some of you may be wondering what exactly subtropical storm Andrea was and how it was different from a typical tropical storm. A subtropical storm is a hybrid between a tropical and extratropical storm that exhibits characteristics of each. Continue reading
Boring Omega block pattern will keep things warm and pleasant through mid-week. Click here for a good discussion of an omega block. Is anything interesting on the horizon? Continue reading
With winter safely behind us, the next weather-related topic to look forward to is the first 90 degree day of the year. I did some research this afternoon and found that during the last 50 years for Bowling Green, the earliest 90 occurred on 4/10/1995 while the latest was 6/25/2003 with a median date of 6/2. For Louisville during the same time period, the earliest occurred on 4/23/1960 while the latest was 7/4/1982 with a median date of 6/7. So what can we expect this year? Continue reading