It's actual 31F here at the moment. Almost balmy compared to predictions for Monday and Tuesday. And Tuesday night is the scheduled Parade committee meeting.
I just read a Tribune article about the infamous Blizzard o '79 that brought out that it was the culmination of three consecutive winters that were both exceptionally cold and exceptionally snowy. We aren't really on track to rival those, although it's still possible.
When we were on our way home from lunch/dinner around 2PM it was 19 degrees (Centigrade, that is; or 66 Fahrenheit). Air remains still and sooty enough that sensitive folks are cautioned to stay inside and burning is prohibited. There is a possibility of a cold front coming through Tuesday or Wednesday that will flush out the stagnant air. This is shaping up as a third dry year, although there is still a chance of significant rain. (January is the most likely time of year for rain hereabouts, and there has been considerable rain as late as March, although that is rare.) The possibility that we are at the beginning of a megadrought has also been suggested.
The snow in particular would be most welcome--the current snow pack is only about 20% of normal for this time of year. The farmers complain, of course, while they irrigate land that should never have been irrigated, plant more and more permanent crops that must have water every year, and drain aquifers that collapse and cannot thereafter be recharged. (The tragedy of the Commons writ large.) And blame people in the cities, who use far less water. Corn ethanol increases demand for fertilizer so that farmers who grow other crops are hard pressed to purchase fertilizer for them. More sustainable agriculture is coming, because there is no choice--but it can't be as productive.
Howard'd be da first even on this frosty morning!
ReplyDeleteThe HIGH for Tuesday predicted to be 3ยบ!!!
It's actual 31F here at the moment. Almost balmy compared to predictions for Monday and Tuesday. And Tuesday night is the scheduled Parade committee meeting.
ReplyDeleteI just read a Tribune article about the infamous Blizzard o '79 that brought out that it was the culmination of three consecutive winters that were both exceptionally cold and exceptionally snowy. We aren't really on track to rival those, although it's still possible.
ReplyDeleteWhen we were on our way home from lunch/dinner around 2PM it was 19 degrees (Centigrade, that is; or 66 Fahrenheit). Air remains still and sooty enough that sensitive folks are cautioned to stay inside and burning is prohibited. There is a possibility of a cold front coming through Tuesday or Wednesday that will flush out the stagnant air. This is shaping up as a third dry year, although there is still a chance of significant rain. (January is the most likely time of year for rain hereabouts, and there has been considerable rain as late as March, although that is rare.) The possibility that we are at the beginning of a megadrought has also been suggested.
ReplyDelete—Alan
Oh Alan, I feel for you having drought and stagnant air. I wish I could share some of our precipitation with you!
ReplyDeleteThe snow in particular would be most welcome--the current snow pack is only about 20% of normal for this time of year. The farmers complain, of course, while they irrigate land that should never have been irrigated, plant more and more permanent crops that must have water every year, and drain aquifers that collapse and cannot thereafter be recharged. (The tragedy of the Commons writ large.) And blame people in the cities, who use far less water. Corn ethanol increases demand for fertilizer so that farmers who grow other crops are hard pressed to purchase fertilizer for them. More sustainable agriculture is coming, because there is no choice--but it can't be as productive.
Delete--Alan
The Last Will and Testament of Silverdene Emblem O'Neill [Click] by Eugene O'Neill
ReplyDelete--Alan