Weather: The big chill?

Posted on January 6, 2013 by Bob Berwyn
The 8-14 day outlook from the Climate Prediction Center calls for a high chance of colder-than-average temperatures across much of the western and central U.S.

The 8-14 day outlook from the Climate Prediction Center calls for a high chance of colder-than-average temperatures across much of the western and central U.S.

Forecasters warn of possible ‘Arctic outbreak’ in mid-January

By Summit Voice

FRISCO — A sudden stratospheric warming in the Arctic region may push extremely cold Arctic air into parts of the mid-latitudes during the next few weeks, according to forecasters with AccuWeather.com, who say the Arctic outbreak could start in the Pacific Northwest and then move into the northern Rockies and the central U.S.

Sudden stratospheric warming is considered by some meteorologists to be among the most dramatic atmospheric events, occuring when the westerly winds of the polar vortex slow down, or sometimes even stop and reverse direction. When the stratosphere, between 6 and 30 miles high, warms, it forces cold air to to build in the lower levels of the atmosphere and eventually surge southward. (more…)

Filed under: Arctic, climate and weather, Colorado, Weatherblog | Tagged: , , , , , | Leave a Comment »

Summer of 2012 likely to be one of the warmest ever

Posted on July 19, 2012 by Bob Berwyn

Lack of soil moisture exacerbates heat waves

It’s been a hot spring and summer so far across much of the U.S.

By Summit Voice

SUMMIT COUNTY — The summer of 2012 is on pace to become the third-hottest on record since 1950, and could surge into first or second place, according to recent analysis by AccuWeather, Inc.

The private forecasting company is scrutinizing hourly and daily temperatures in 59 key cities to calculate the number of cooling-degree days, which is one way to measure summer heat across the country.

“The summer of 2012 is on pace to finish third hottest on the list of 62 summers since 1950, but is still in the running for number two or one on the list,” said Steven Root, a consulting meteorologist with AccuWeather partner WeatherBank, Inc.

(more…)

Filed under: climate and weather, Colorado, Drought, Environment, global warming | Tagged: , , , , , , , | 1 Comment »

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