Snow and Global Warming

Posted on February 10th, 2010 by ecthompson

I knew this was coming. Who’s surprised?

From TP;

Last night on his Fox News show, Sean Hannity claimed that the recent spate of winter snow storms in the Washington, D.C. region clearly means that the planet isn’t warming. He then attacked Vice President Gore, calling his anti-global warming advocacy “hysterical”:

HANNITY: And tonight’s “Meltdown” is brought to you by the D.C. snow storm, you know, the storm that dumped about two feet of snow on the Washington area over the weekend causing thousands of power outages and keeping many people home from work today. And it’s the most severe winter storm in years, which would seem to contradict Al Gore’s hysterical global warming theories. [...]

Pretty unbelievable. I bet the snow even kept Al Gore’s jet from taking off.

Because of the recent snow storms in the Northeast, many conservatives like Hannity have taken the opportunity to take cheap shots at Gore. Sen. Jim Inhofe (R-OK) and his family mocked the former Vice President by building an igloo on the National Mall and calling it “Al Gore’s new home.” And Sen. Jim DeMint (R-SC) joined in as well,tweeting today that, “It’s going to keep snowing in DC until Al Gore cries ‘uncle.’”

As the Wonk Room’s Brad Johnson has explained, “winter snows do not invalidate the reality that the planet just experienced the hottest decade on record. Scientists have been warning for decades that global warming would increase the severity of winter storms.” And a recent National Wildlife Federation report has found that winter storms are getting fiercer even as the season gets warmer.

Climate expert Dr. Jeff Masters notes, “It’s not hard at all to get temperatures cold enough for snow in a world experiencing global warming. … Global warming theorypredicts that global precipitation will increase, and that heavy precipitation events…will also increase,” he said, adding that this “occurs because as the climate warms, evaporation of moisture from the oceans increases, resulting in more water vapor in the air.” Indeed, the IPCC has said that atmospheric moisture has increased 5 percentover the last century.

Tags: Environment, Party Politics // View Comments

  • Joe White
    It's sad to see folks like you Dr Thompson throw in your approval to such a post. I would expect you to demand an articulate and mature attitude among those in your camp. But it seems not to concern.
  • Joe White
    It's sad to see folks like you Dr Thompson throw in your approval to such a post. I would expect you to demand an articulate and mature attitude among those in your camp. But it seems not to concern.
  • Joe White
    Mo Rage,

    Regional warming doesn't prove global warming. Ice caps in the Arctic seem to shrink and those in the Antarctic seem to hold steady or even grow.

    Also it doesn't prove man as the cause.

    Arctic warming may well be due in part to subsurface volcanic activity , but no one seems to want to discuss the two together. I wonder why.

    We are getting admissions finally that there has been no statistically significant warming in the past 15 years. http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1250872/Climategate-U-turn-Astonishment-scientist-centre-global-warming-email-row-admits-data-organised.html

    A bit of humility among the global warming proponents, together with a bit of grown-up dialogue (drop the ad homs, big boy) would go a long way toward having a civil discussion. but I wont hold my breath.
  • Joe White
    Mo Rage,

    Regional warming doesn't prove global warming. Ice caps in the Arctic seem to shrink and those in the Antarctic seem to hold steady or even grow.

    Also it doesn't prove man as the cause.

    Arctic warming may well be due in part to subsurface volcanic activity , but no one seems to want to discuss the two together. I wonder why.

    We are getting admissions finally that there has been no statistically significant warming in the past 15 years. http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1250872/Climategate-U-turn-Astonishment-scientist-centre-global-warming-email-row-admits-data-organised.html

    A bit of humility among the global warming proponents, together with a bit of grown-up dialogue (drop the ad homs, big boy) would go a long way toward having a civil discussion. but I wont hold my breath.
  • Joe White
    Dont get me wrong.

    We should be burning A LOT less fossil fuels.

    Coal and natural gas should not need to be burnt to produce ANY electricity in this country when we can build nuclear plants and do it burn-free.

    Gasoline consumption by automobiles could be cut by 20% by proactive use of telecommuting whenever possible.
  • Joe White
    Dont get me wrong.

    We should be burning A LOT less fossil fuels.

    Coal and natural gas should not need to be burnt to produce ANY electricity in this country when we can build nuclear plants and do it burn-free.

    Gasoline consumption by automobiles could be cut by 20% by proactive use of telecommuting whenever possible.
  • GJU
    National Wildlife Federation
    Brad Johnson
    Dr. Jeff Masters
    IPCC

    That's not necessarily what I'd call an objective group of global warming theorists!

    Is global warming occuring? Perhaps. I don't believe all the evidence one way or the other is available. Is climate change plausible? Sure.

    Is recent climate change anthropogenic? I have seen evidence to support both political arguments, but have seen very little truly objective scientific analysis. Data has been bent both ways, and there is little concensus (contrary to the political claims) in the scientific community. What is obvious is that both views have much to gain, and the scientific process has been sullied by the lack of logic and reason.

    If scientists claimed tomorrow that man-caused global warming was not an issue, would you believe it? Which scientific organization would you believe? The IPCC?
  • GJU
    National Wildlife Federation
    Brad Johnson
    Dr. Jeff Masters
    IPCC

    That's not necessarily what I'd call an objective group of global warming theorists!

    Is global warming occuring?  Perhaps.  I don't believe all the evidence one way or the other is available.  Is climate change plausible?  Sure.

    Is recent climate change anthropogenic?  I have seen evidence to support both political arguments, but have seen very little truly objective scientific analysis.  Data has been bent both ways, and there is little concensus (contrary to the political claims) in the scientific community.  What is obvious is that both views have much to gain, and the scientific process has been sullied by the lack of logic and reason.

    If scientists claimed tomorrow that man-caused global warming was not an issue, would you believe it?  Which scientific organization would you believe?  The IPCC?
  • Joe White
    Real actual data......

    Yes, well that's what the recent uproar has been all about.... the data you've been relying on all these years was apparently carefully cherrypicked to tell a very specific story, and opposing data was suppressed.

    btw how do we know what 'normal weather variations' are?

    We have only started making detailed records of weather worldwide in the past couple of generations.

    Even within the past century, advances in technique and accuracy have been numerous.

    Are you really prepared to say that temperatures taken in the field by amateurs with glass thermometers in 1900 are as accurate as those taken by professionals with modern digital equipment?

    No, I dont think you are.

    So, since the whole argument is concerning the variation of a degree or two over the next 100 years, I think a bit of humility is in order and a bit less 'certainty' by those who claim to 'know' that the data shows 'without question' that the globe is warming as a whole, and further that man is at fault for the occurence.
  • Joe White
    Real actual data......

    Yes, well that's what the recent uproar has been all about.... the data you've been relying on all these years was apparently carefully cherrypicked to tell a very specific story, and opposing data was suppressed.

    btw how do we know what 'normal weather variations' are?

    We have only started making detailed records of weather worldwide in the past couple of generations.

    Even within the past century, advances in technique and accuracy have been numerous.

    Are you really prepared to say that temperatures taken in the field by amateurs with glass thermometers in 1900 are as accurate as those taken by professionals with modern digital equipment?

    No, I dont think you are.

    So, since the whole argument is concerning the variation of a degree or two over the next 100 years, I think a bit of humility is in order and a bit less 'certainty' by those who claim to 'know' that the data shows 'without question' that the globe is warming as a whole, and further that man is at fault for the occurence.
  • ecthompson
    Again you haven't gone back and read any of the references that I have given. There is real actual data that you look at not talking heads on the tube.

    I'm not talking about normal weather variations. I'm not talking - Man it's hot today which is what you are suggesting. But you know this and continue to produce not one piece of data to support your position.

  • ecthompson
    Again you haven't gone back and read any of the references that I have given. There is real actual data that you look at not talking heads on the tube. 

    I'm not talking about normal weather variations. I'm not talking - Man it's hot today which is what you are suggesting. But you know this and continue to produce not one piece of data to support your position.
  • Joe White
    One of the largest problems with the 'man is responsible for causing climate change' hypothesis is that it is unfalsifiable.

    If we get big snowstorms......it's because 'man is responsible for causing climate change'

    If we get dry winters........it's because 'man is responsible for causing climate change'

    If we get hot summers........it's because 'man is responsible for causing climate change'

    If we get rainy summers.......it's because 'man is responsible for causing climate change'

    If we get hurricanes.......it's because 'man is responsible for causing climate change'

    If the hurricane season is relatively calm.......it's because 'man is responsible for causing climate change'

    If it's unseasonably warm in winter......it's because 'man is responsible for causing climate change'

    If it's unseasonably cool in summer.......it's because 'man is responsible for causing climate change'

    Anything and everything (even exact opposites) are attributed to 'man is responsible for causing climate change'

    Give me an example of a weather pattern that would cause you to doubt your theory. You can't and the climate kings who are raking in the big bucks in government grants can't.

    It's unfalsifiable, and that should be a red flag to any scientist.

    There have ALWAYS been extreme weather events, intermingled with periods of moderate weather. It's the weather.

    Don't tell me climate change gurus like Mr Gore dont run to the microphone when we have a hot August because you know they do.
  • Joe White
    One of the largest problems with the 'man is responsible for causing climate change' hypothesis is that it is unfalsifiable.

    If we get big snowstorms......it's because 'man is responsible for causing climate change'

    If we get dry winters........it's because 'man is responsible for causing climate change'

    If we get hot summers........it's because 'man is responsible for causing climate change'

    If we get rainy summers.......it's because 'man is responsible for causing climate change'

    If we get hurricanes.......it's because 'man is responsible for causing climate change'

    If the hurricane season is relatively calm.......it's because 'man is responsible for causing climate change'

    If it's unseasonably warm in winter......it's because 'man is responsible for causing climate change'

    If it's unseasonably cool in summer.......it's because 'man is responsible for causing climate change'

    Anything and everything (even exact opposites) are attributed to  'man is responsible for causing climate change'

    Give me an example of a weather pattern that would cause you to doubt your theory. You can't and the climate kings who are raking in the big bucks in government grants can't.

    It's unfalsifiable, and that should be a red flag to any scientist.

    There have ALWAYS been extreme weather events, intermingled with periods of moderate weather. It's the weather.

    Don't tell me climate change gurus like Mr Gore dont run to the microphone when we have a hot August because you know they do.
  • ecthompson
    Mo Rage - 

    Well stated.
  • ecthompson
    Mo Rage -

    Well stated.
  • ecthompson
    Angela - 

    I'm sorry but you are wrong. The Rockies and the Smokies were formed by plate techtonics. Glaciers have helped form some of the valleys and the Great lakes but your point was that Global Warming has been happening for millions of years. Your point is right and wrong at the same time. Global Warming as scientists have been using the phrase is NOT about the normal cycle of warming and cooling that the Earth has gone through over the last several billion years. Instead, it is about Global Change secondary to man's burning of hydrocarbons. This is what we are talking about. 

    Here is a highly technical article about the Rockies and their formation. Here is a less technical but still great article on the Rockies. Finally, here is a great article on the formation of the great lakes.
  • ecthompson
    Angela -

    I'm sorry but you are wrong. The Rockies and the Smokies were formed by plate techtonics. Glaciers have helped form some of the valleys and the Great lakes but your point was that Global Warming has been happening for millions of years. Your point is right and wrong at the same time. Global Warming as scientists have been using the phrase is NOT about the normal cycle of warming and cooling that the Earth has gone through over the last several billion years. Instead, it is about Global Change secondary to man's burning of hydrocarbons. This is what we are talking about.

    Here is a highly technical article about the Rockies and their formation. Here is a less technical but still great article on the Rockies. Finally, here is a great article on the formation of the great lakes.
  • ecthompson
    Joe -

    As one of those alarmists, I have explained this to you. I have given you specific papers that support man's impact on weather patterns. You haven't said one thing about those articles. Not one thing. What was wrong with those articles?

    We have also talking about the phrase Global Warming. We have admitted that the phrase doesn't accurately reflect was scientists have been saying. They have been talking about more extremes of weather with an overall trend of warming. This is exactly what we are seeing.

    Please go back and look at the papers that I have specifically mentioned. If you can't find a flaw in the methods or the results or the conclusions then I will assume that you agree with the paper.

    Thanks for the discussion.
  • ecthompson
    Joe - 

    As one of those alarmists, I have explained this to you. I have given you specific papers that support man's impact on weather patterns. You haven't said one thing about those articles. Not one thing. What was wrong with those articles? 

    We have also talking about the phrase Global Warming. We have admitted that the phrase doesn't accurately reflect was scientists have been saying. They have been talking about more extremes of weather with an overall trend of warming. This is exactly what we are seeing. 

    Please go back and look at the papers that I have specifically mentioned. If you can't find a flaw in the methods or the results or the conclusions then I will assume that you agree with the paper. 

    Thanks for the discussion.
  • Joe White
    oh come now, I cant count the number of times I've heard global warming alarmists in July talking about 'see, this super hot weather we're having here lately? we've been trying to tell ya........'

    http://www.usatoday.com/weather/climate/wc081098.htm

    No doubt we'll hear more of the same at this meeting

    http://www.canada.com/technology/Gore+calls+July+summit+finish+climate+treaty/2347762/story.html

    conveniently set for July in Mexico.

    lol
  • Joe White
    oh come now, I cant count the number of times I've heard global warming alarmists in July talking about 'see, this super hot weather we're having here lately? we've been trying to tell ya........'  

    http://www.usatoday.com/weather/climate/wc081098.htm

    No doubt we'll hear more of the same at this meeting

    http://www.canada.com/technology/Gore+calls+July+summit+finish+climate+treaty/2347762/story.html

    conveniently set for July in Mexico.

    lol
  • angela
    Correct me if I am wrong, but weren't the Rocky Mountians, Mississippi River, Smokey Mts, ect ect formed due to melting glaciers?? Am I crazy, or was that global warming millions of yrs qgo...I don't think al Gore or anyone else on this earth can change that...the moom pulls away from earth at 1 inch a yr...how are we going to stop that?
  • angela
    Correct me if I am wrong, but weren't the Rocky Mountians, Mississippi River, Smokey Mts, ect ect formed due to melting glaciers??  Am I crazy, or was that global warming millions of yrs qgo...I don't think al Gore or anyone else on this earth can change that...the moom pulls away from earth at 1 inch a yr...how are we going to stop that?
  • Mo Rage
    if we just watch the glaciers and ice caps alone, that's a far truer tale of what's happening, certainly.  And no temporary, fleeting snow storm or series of storms will change that.  This goes with what you said about coming off "the hottest decade on record."

    Idiots and simpletons--like Beck, Hannity and any others--will always look at some small picture and think it's writ large.

    Mo Rage
    The Blog
  • Mo Rage
    if we just watch the glaciers and ice caps alone, that's a far truer tale of what's happening, certainly. And no temporary, fleeting snow storm or series of storms will change that. This goes with what you said about coming off "the hottest decade on record."

    Idiots and simpletons--like Beck, Hannity and any others--will always look at some small picture and think it's writ large.

    Mo Rage
    The Blog
  • yumei2828@gmail.com
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    Ever since Carrie Bradshaw gods raised to celebrity status heeled shoes by Manolo Blahnik, not known as a passion for shoes. No doubt the star of shoes this year just ended has been the YSL Tribute. Many famous have chosen them for their appearances on the red carpet. Their rounded shapes hidden platform and make them perfect to match any dress.
  • MH
    Tell it to Vancouver and the truckers hauling in snow for the Olympics.
  • MH
    Tell it to Vancouver and the truckers hauling in snow for the Olympics.
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